If Social Media existed back then, what would our ancestors have been talking about? Taken from year books, Almanacs and newspapers, follows is a list of notable events that occurred in this year. Includes disasters, severe weather, notable people, milestones, construction, inaugurations and other significant events. Obviously, this list references recorded events only and is not exhaustive.

JANUARY

• Mr. Cowper accepts the premiership of New South Wales
• The Rev. W. B. Clarke, the well-known Australian geologist, resigns the pastorate of St. Thomas’s Church, Sydney
• Termination of the New South Wales Parliamentary elections
• The barque Woodlark leaves Cleveland Bay, Queensland, for South Sea Islands, with 140 Polynesians whose term of service had expired
• Mr. Gale makes daring balloon accent in New South Wales
• Extensive conflagration at Melbourne
• Mr. Harris, the Victorian foot-runner, challenges Mr. Hewett and other champion pedestrians to run for £500 or £1000 a side
• Sir Manners Sutton, Governor-General of Victoria, becomes Viscount Canterbury through the death of a brother
• New Victorian Land Law comes into operation
• A Melbourne merchant serves manager of Commercial Bank with writ for ,£10,000 for alleged libel and slander
• Extensive defalcations by accountant of Commercial Bank discovered
• Manager of Taradale branch of National Bank arrested for embezzlement
• South Australian Register accepts challenge of South Australian Advertiser to prove which has largest circulation, the loser to pay £5O to Adelaide charities
• Mr. Bakewell resigns office of Crown Solicitor in South Australia
• Mr. Todd takes charge of the Amalgamated South Australian Postal and Telegraph Departments
• John Smith sentenced to death at Christ Church, New Zealand, for murder of his wife
• Dr. Carr, the mesmerist, again in trouble
• Numerous persons poisoned in Wellington from using sugar into which arsenic had been mysteriously introduced
• Continuation of Maori war.
• Colonel O’Donnell, with his forces, approaches within five miles of Te Kooti’s position, and succeeds in surprising the Maori outpost. One rebel and 120 horses killed, and four rebels taken prisoners.
• 1^st – The Highland Gathering, Hunter’s Hill Amateur Regatta, Tattersall’s Race Meeting, and other sports held. — Foundation stone laid of Wesleyan Church, at Ryde.
• 3^rd – Series of meetings for united prayer began. — Mr. A. O. Moriarty appointed Under Secretary for Lands. — The ASN Co. reduce fares on Queensland line. — Foundation stone of St. Thomas’s Anglican Church laid at Sackville Reach.
• 5^th – Mr. Gale makes a successful balloon ascent from the Domain. — Dinner given to Commander Onslow, R.N., MLA, at Camden.
• 6^th – Dr. Badham published “Adhortatio ad Juventutem — Academicam Sydneiensem.”
• 7^th – Joseph Salisbury and James Gregg charged at Central Police Office with conspiracy to defraud the English, Scottish, and Australian Chartered Bank of £400.
• 8th – Arrangements concluded between the Agricultural Society and the Municipal Council of Sydney with reference to the erection of the Exhibition Building, Prince Alfred Park.
• 9th – The Inverell mail robbed. — Thirty-seventh annual meeting of Hebrew Philanthropic Society held.
• 10th – The subject of central cattle sale yards discussed by the Municipal Council of Sydney. — Public school at Burrowa opened. — Three hundred sheep burned to death at Belubala.
• 11th – Official report of Intercolonial Conference published in the Herald. — Mail service between Sydney and San Francisco contracted for by Mr. H. Hall. — Correspondence between Mr. Parkes and Bishop Quinn published in the Herald. — Hon. Charles Cowper appointed vice-president of the Executive Council without office. — Annual meeting of the Australian Jockey Club held.
• 12th – An alligator seen in the Hawkesbury at Windsor. — No. 2 Volunteer Company hold their thirteenth annual picnic. — A new telegraphic instrument shown by inventor, Mr. Herbert, at Clark’s Rooms. — Inquest on late fire at Town Hall terminated.
• 13th – Wool Show of Agricultural Society held at Mort’s new stores Phillip-street. — The Minister for Works and the Treasurer visited the southern ports. — Mr. Robertson retired from the Government, and Mr. Cowper appointed Colonial Secretary and Premier. — Salisbury and Gregg committed for trial at Central Criminal Court. — Eighth annual meeting of Pitt-street Penny Bank held.
• 14th – Snuff-box presented to Mr. J. Powell by some members of Australian Mutual Provident Society.
• 15th – Letter of Sir James Martin published in the Herald on “Unconstitutional act of the Earl of Belmore.” — Mr. G. P. Bowman died at Archerfield.
• 16th – Several cases of sunstroke have occurred in the Hunter River district.
• 17th – Total eclipse of the moon visible in Sydney. — Deputation from distressed fruit growers of Pennant Hills ask the Colonial Secretary for relief. — Deputation from Chamber of Commerce apply to the Postmaster-General for a reduction of telegraphic charges. — Annual meeting of Sydney Chamber of Commerce held. — Dr. Lang lectured at the Temperance Hall on his Parliamentary life.
• 18th – Mr. O. B. Ebsworth set up McNaught’s patent wool washing apparatus. — Dr. Bartholomew O’Brien died at Concord. — A 115-oz. nugget of gold found at Sofala. — General meeting of the Goulburn Meat Preserving Company held. — Dinner given to Mr Morrice, MLA, at Camden. — The patients at the Gladesville Hospital for the insane, were entertained with sports, concert, &c.
• 19th – Third annual meeting of Baptist Union of New South Wales held at Sydney. — The Colonial Secretary visited the training ship Vernon. — Annual meeting of Northern Agricultural Association held at Singleton.
• 20th – Herald’s European Mail telegrams published. — First rivet of Yass bridge driven. — The annual meeting of the New South Wales Auxiliary to the London Missionary Society was held in the Pitt street Congregational Church. — Dinner given to Mr. J. L. Montefiore, prior to his departure for Europe. — Dinner given to Mr. S. Cook and Mr. C. St. Julian (authors of Essays on the Land Question), at Marrickville.
• 21st – Eleventh annual meeting of New South Wales Temperance Alliance held.
• 22nd –  Intercolonial agreements as to telegraphic and postal services, and treaties published in the Herald.
• 24th – Annual meeting of Catholic Association held.
• 25th – A meeting of squatters to consider reform in the land law held in Sydney. — Annual meeting of the Destitute Children’s Asylum took place at Randwick.
• 26th – Anniversary Regatta, a baby show at Botany, and other entertainments came off. — Foundation stone of Grafton School of Arts laid by Mr. Bawden, M.L.A.
• 27th – Yearly return of inquests held by City Coroner published in the Herald. — The first session of the new Parliament was opened.Mr. Arnold was re-elected Speaker. — Captain J. Malcolm died on board the Morpeth.
• 28th – The Bishop of Auckland attended service at St. Andrew’s Cathedral. — The annual meeting of the Benevolent Asylum of New South Wales held.
• 29th – The Herald calls attention to improvements effected and required at the Glebe Island Abattoirs. — Board of Ordnance appointed. — Herr Bandmann’s first appearance at the Prince of Wales Theatre. — Sir James Martin visited the Bowenfels coal mines. — Dr. Busby died at Bathurst. — Mr. Cowper’s re-election for Liverpool Plains announced in Sydney.

FEBRUARY

• New South Wales Parliament opened  by the Governor with the usual formalities. The vice-regal speech states that the Government, besides adhering to those measures which were indicated in the previous session, intend to introduce a Superannuation Bill, a Law and Electoral Reform Bill, and a Militia and Amended Mining Bill. The speech also states that the revenue exceeds the estimate of the Treasurer
• Sydney City Corporation accepts tender for erection of Intercolonial Exhibition Building
• The Hon. Mr. Solomons resigns  office of Solicitor-General, in consequence  of not obtaining a seat in Parliament of  New South Wales
• Inauguration of new  Victorian flag at Melbourne; it has the Union Jack in one corner, like the British flag, but the body of the flag bears, on its red or blue ground, as the case may be,  five white stars representing the Southern Cross
• Laying of first stone of Trinity College, Melbourne
• Italian Opera season commenced at Melbourne
• Arrival of General Tom Thumb in Australia
• Death of Mr. Edward Denison, M.P., eight days  after his arrival in Victoria from England
• Proposed introduction of cental system into Australia
• Great floods, attended with loss of life, in Queensland; property lost
• Tremendous cyclone at Bowen : four houses prostrated, a man killed, and a woman injured
• Several important changes in Tasmanian Supreme Court
• Political complications in South Australia
• Fresh discoveries of South Australian gold
• Adoption of Mr. Carr’s motion that the South Australian Government should join with the Governments of Victoria, Tasmania, and Western Australia, in guaranteeing per cent, to a company willing to take a telegraph line to King George’s Sound
• Great gathering of Wesleyans in Adelaide
• Native war in New Zealand continues fighting between colonial forces and Maories
• English rooks exhibited in gardens of Auckland Acclimatisation Society
• Great demand for New Zealand flax. Timaru flax-owners obtain per ton for privilege of cutting flax on their lands
• One hundred tons of native coal obtained daily at the Bay Island mines
• Mysterious disappearance of clerk in Union Bank, Hokitiki
• Rich gold discovered at Invercargill.
• 1st – His Excellency the Governor attended in the Legislative Council, and delivered his speech on the opening of Parliament. The address in reply was moved by Mr. M. H. Stephen. — Annual meeting of the Sydney Mechanics’ School of Arts held. — The Milson’s Point Ferry Company begin to run a steamer lo Lavender Bay. — Public school opened at Araluen. — Annual meeting of the Sydney City Mission held. — Picnic of the Insurance Fire Brigade took place.
• 2nd –  Mr. John Lackey elected Chairman of Committees of the Legislative Assembly. — A Select Committee of the Assembly appointed to report upon the best mode of facilitating inland traffic.
• 3rd –  A deputation of members of the Legislative Assembly ask the Colonial Secretary to establish an industrial school at East Maitland.
• 4th – Steps initiated for the formation of a Literary, Scientific, and Artistic Club. — The Albury convent opened by Bishops Quinn and Murray.
• 5th – Sports in connection with the Saturday half-holiday movement held at the Albert Ground. — Messrs. McGillis, of California, purchase stud sheep in the Hunter River District, for exportation to San Francisco. — Second-class yacht race won by the Nereid.
• 7th – Annual meeting of Surry Hills Penny Bank held. — Mr. W. H. Smith elected Mayor of Maitland. — Annual meeting of the Wesleyan Sustentation and Extension Society held. — Yearly meeting of the Australian Patriotic Society held. — The Albury Banner calls attention to the wholesale destruction of the cod in the Murray.
• 8th – Alderman Horn re-elected Mayor of Goulburn. — Floodgates over Wallis Creek opened by the Mayor of West Maitland.
• 9th – Flood’s stores, Circular Quay, destroyed by fire. Estimated value of property destroyed, £50,000. — Mr. W. Forster moved the second reading of the Roads Bill. — The detachment of the 14th Regiment stationed in Sydney left for the head-quarters at Melbourne. — St. Vincent’s Hospital ball took place.
• 10th – Several members of the Legislative Assembly waited on the Minister for Lands to suggest improvements in the management of the Gold-fields. — Rev. M. Henderson, of Melbourne, lectured on “Nature and Man.” — Mr. A. B. Rae elected Mayor of Bathurst. — The Colonial Treasurer laid the Estimates for 1870 on the table of the Assembly.
• 11th – A bill to reduce the salary of future Governors to £5000 was read a second time in the Assembly. — Annual meeting of Small Bore Rifle Club held. — A fire occurred at the Gunnedah Court-house, destroying many of the records. — Deputations had interviews with the Minister for Works respecting the shoaling of Darling Harbour, and shipment of coal, &c., at Newcastle. — Sir Terence A. Murray lectured at Berrima. Subject: “First Elective Council, N. S. W.”
• 12th – Public School teachers form an association for mutual improvement. — Steel ore procured from the lead and silver mine, Gininderra.
• 14th – Meeting of trustees of Haslem Creek Cemetery respecting Regulation Bill. — Mr. E. Webb petitions against the return of Mr. Kelly to the Legislative Assembly.
• 15th – Herald’s European Mail telegram published. — Mr. Parkes resigned his seat as member for East Sydney. — Municipal Conference on licensing of vehicles.
• 16th – The “Dove Orchid” flowered by Messrs. Guilfoyle and Sons. — Mr. E. Wardley publishes “Lectiones Tarbanæ.”
• 17th – Cemeteries’ Regulation Bill read a second time in the Legislative Assembly. — The Coroner’s jury find that two of the Blackwall Stores (Mr. Flood’s) were destroyed by fire originating in spontaneous combustion.
• 18th – “Murray v. Parkes,” slander, resulted in a verdict for plaintiff, damages £100. — Mr. John Robertson resigned his seat as member for West Sydney. — Mr. D. C. Dalgleish died from injuries occasioned by a fall from his horse. — Marine Board Bill introduced in the Assembly.
• 19th – Telegraph line to Clarence Heads completed.
• 20th – Accident occurred on the Lithgow Valley Zigzag.
• 21st – Mr. R. B. Smith petitions against the return of Mr. H. Dean for the Hastings.
• 22nd –  Mr. Neale, M.L.A., moved resolutions on the Water Supply of Sydney. — Mr. G. A. Lloyd carried resolutions in Legislative Assembly in favour of Immigration. — A St. Andrew’s Society formed. — Dinner to Mr. J. Booth, J.P. — Public School inaugurated at Windsor. — Annual meeting of Sydney Infirmary held. — Extensive addition to Parramatta Lunatic Asylum completed.
• 23rd –  Attention called to preservation of timber for railway purposes in the Albury district. — Autumn Exhibition of the Horticultural Society opened in the Botanic Gardens. — Mr. J. B. Wilson elected to the Legislative Assembly for East Sydney.
• 24th – Marble bust of the late Mr. John Blaxland ordered to be placed in the Chamber of the Legislative Council.
• 25th – The literary and mechanical staff of S. M. Herald presented photographs to the senior proprietor, Mr. John Fairfax.
• 26th – Government free bridge opened at Wagga Wagga.
• 28th – Meeting of gentlemen interested in the formation of a pastoral association. — Testimonial to Mr. John Robertson initiated. — Meeting of Civil servants held to discuss the Superannuation Bill. — Intercolonial cricket match, Victoria v. Now South Wales, won at Melbourne by Victorian players.

MARCH

• First Annual Exhibition of Yass Southern Agricultural and Pastoral Association
• Jewish Burial Ground Consecrated at Sydney
• Bishop of Sydney expresses intention of petitioning against
• Divorce Bill in Legislative Council
• Proposed establishment of science classes at Albury
• More New South Wales diamonds received in Melbourne
• Melbourne journeymen coachmakers determine upon adopting the Eight Hours Act
• General Tom Thumb drives about Melbourne
• News received of Sir Charles Darling’s death in London
• Cutting of Murray timber prohibited within ten miles of river Murray
• Strike of labourers at Albert Graving Dock, Williamstown
• Great rains in Maryborough
• The steamer, Black Prince, totally wrecked during cyclone at Townsville
• Pottery works established at Adelaide Lead, Maryborough
• Complaints continue to be made respecting depressed condition of industrial affairs in South Australia
• Waterspout at Nurioolpa
• Death of Mrs. Debney, a well-known poetess, whose contributions, signed “ Ellie,” often appeared in the Queensland papers
• Mr. Boucant introduces into the South Australian legislature a bill for legalising marriage with deceased wife’s sister
• A new South Australian industry springing up; it consists in the collection of wattle bark for export to England
• Large brown trout caught at Derwent Falls, Tasmania
• lnflux of Australian settlers into Northern side of Tasmania
• Drought much complained of by Tasmanian farmers
• Increasing demand for tweed cloth made at Nelson,
• New Zealand Fine Arts Exhibition opened at Christchurch.
• 1st – G. W. Railway opened to Wallerawang. — Messrs. P. N. Russell’s new railway carriage factory opened. — Remainder of 18th Regiment arrived from Auckland. — Directors of Pyrmont Bridge Company had an interview with Minister for Works respecting purchase of the Blackwattle Bay viaduct.
• 2nd –  Mr. John Robertson re-elected for West Sydney.
• 3rd –  Prospectus issued for the formation of an Omnibus Company.
• 4th – Matrimonial Causes Bill read a second time in the Legislative Assembly. — Motion for the appointment of a Gold-Fields Commission agreed to in the Assembly.
• 5th – A lead and silver mine found near Yass. — The Flying Fish and Isle of Thanet went ashore at Port Stephens. — “Sun and Shadow” produced at the Victoria Theatre.
• 6th – Seven Chinese gamblers apprehended at Dubbo.
• 7th – Burglaries are reported as of frequent occurrence at Bathurst. — A flood in the Macquarie at Wellington stops all traffic across the river. — The Earl of Belmore visited Goulburn.
• 8th – The Municipal Council of Sydney petitioned the Assembly to be heard on the subject of the City Water Supply. — Quartz reef discovered at Tumut.
• 9th – The Committee of Elections and Qualifications reported that Mr. M. Fitzpatrick had been duly elected for Yass Plains. — Alleged irregularities at Roman Catholic Orphan School, Parramatta, discussed in the Assembly. — Catherine Hayes Hospital, at the Randwick Asylum, opened. — Foundation-stone of Exhibition Building laid in Prince Alfred Park.
• 10th – Mr. M. Stephen’s new gold-washing machine tried. — Floods reported in the Hawkesbury and Hunter Rivers.
• 11^th – Testimonial presented to Mr. H. J. West, late manager of the Australian Joint Stock Bank, Goulburn.
• 12th – Eighteen students passed the matriculation examination at the University. — Woolgarlo Lead Mining Company commenced operations.
• 14th – Steps initiated at public meeting for the establishment of a Public School at St. Leonards. — Mr. J. S. Farnell, M.L.A., installed Provincial Grand Master of the I.C.
• 15th – “Cheeke v. Commissioner for Railways”— judgment published in the Herald. — Annual meeting of the New South Wales Auxiliary to the British and Foreign Bible Society held.
• 16th – Herald European mail telegrams published. — Cemeteries Bill read a second time in the Legislative Council. — Foundation stone of new Public School laid at Shoalhaven.
• 17th – Annual meeting of the Australasian Wesleyan Missionary Society held. — St. Patrick’s day picnics at Clontarf and Balmoral.
• 18th – Mr. John Robertson filed three schedules in the Insolvency Court.
• 19th – Sham fight in the Domain.
• 20th – Heavy floods in the Hunter and the Hawkesbury.
• 21st – Meeting held to establish a training school for Protestant orphan girls.
• 24th – A. Ashdown and Mr. Whitton examined at the bar of the Legislative Assembly on railway expenditure. — Annual meeting of New South Wales Political Alliance for the Suppression of Intemperance.
• 25th – Dr. Manning’s Report of the Gladesville Asylum for 1869, published in the Herald. — A. Ashdown, railway accountant, suspended for defalcations.
• 26th – The Report of Select Committee on Railway Extension published in the Herald. — General Flood Relief Committee meet in the Chamber of Commerce.
• 28th – Meeting held for the formation of Sydney and Suburban Omnibus Company.
• 29th – The 48th annual meeting of the New South Wales Religious Book and Tract Society held. — New railway time-table projected.
• 30th – Floods throughout the colony continue.
• 31st – The foundation-stone of a new Wesleyan church laid at Goulburn. — President of Legislative Council animadverted upon refusal of Legislative Assembly to increase the salary of the Clerk of the Parliaments.

APRIL

• Beautiful display of Aurora Australis at Sydney Death of Mr. P. L. Clcete, water police magistrate, at Sydney
• Alleged discovery of diamonds near Tamworth
• Arrival of Bishop of Bathurst from England
• W. H. Hammond, formerly newspaper editor at Adelaide, attempts suicide at Melbourne
• Great demand for Victorian tinned meat for export to England
• Great volunteer review at Geelong
• Upper Yarra Hotel at Templestowe destroyed by fire
• More floods in Queensland
• Copper mine discovered at Warwick
• Salmon seen in Derwent River, Tasmania
• Reprieve of Perkins, the wife murderer, at Launceston
• Hop-growing a promising Tasmanian industry
• Death of Mr. John Guthrie, Victorian Inspector-General of Customs, at Penshenger
• Death of Luke Fullam, a Fenian convict, from apoplexy in Western Australia
• Large exportation of Jarrah timber from Perth to New Zealand
• Otago Government undertakes granting life assurance policies and life annuities
• Ship laden with New Zealand produce destroyed by fire at Port Underwood, on eve of sailing for London
• Company projected to run a. line of steamers between Otago and England via the Straits of Magellan
• Ten yellow hammers received from England by Victoria Acclimatisation Society
• Fin seal captured near the Kapitea Creek
• Eleven hundred natives meet at Ragla to conduct a grand funeral ceremony over the grave of Naylor.
• 1st – Sale of Liquors Licensing Act Amendment Bill referred to a select committee — The Assembly passed a resolution in favour of constructing bridges across the Parramatta and Lane Cove Rivers, and the sale of the Field of Mars Common. — The Bishop of Sydney returned to Sydney after visiting Tasmania. — The Hunter River Floods Commission arrived at West Maitland. — Serious landslip occurred at the rear of Owen and Beckett’s stores, West Maitland.
• 2nd –  Meeting at Ryde in favour of municipal incorporation.
• 4th – Reports received of disastrous floods in the Richmond and Moruya district. — Annual meeting of the Unitarian Church, Macquarie street. — Nomination for the doctorate of the Northern Goldfields. — Meeting held in Sydney in favour of establishing an institution for training girls as domestic servants.
• 5th – Captain McLerie further examined before the bar of the Assembly with reference to police expenditure. — Anniversary meeting of the Bourke-street Wesleyan Church. — Great flood at Cooma River at West Maitland again, rose several feet. Mr. John Byron, of Hinton, was drowned.
• 6th – The Assembly sat all night discussing the police estimate. — Anniversary meeting of Wesley Church, Chippendale. — Annual meeting of Tattersall’s Club. — Railway accident at Parramatta: engine and tender ran off the line.
• 7th – Mr. P. L. Cloete, Water Police Magistrate, died. — A man named Henry Ludford, had his foot accidentally crushed at the Redfern railway terminus. — Second reading of the Matrimonial Causes Bill was moved in the Legislative Council by the Hon. John Hay.
• 8th – The question of an increased water supply to Sydney and suburbs referred by Legislative Assembly to a select, committee. — Foundation stone of the Newcastle School of Arts laid by Mr. W. Keene, F.G.S. — Mr. T. J. Fisher commences a new series of letters in the Herald on Colonial Law Reform.
• 9th – Match between the yachts Ixion and Clio. — English pedestrians arrived from Melbourne. — Gold struck near Strickland’s Reef, seven miles from Forbes.
• 11th – Mr. M. Stephen’s patent gold and diamond washing machine tested. — Accident to a luggage train, near Penrith. — Several fine diamonds brought into Mudgee. — Branch mail steamer arrived at Adelaide.
• 12th – Mr. Macleay moved the adoption of the report of the select committee on railway extension. — Public breakfast at the Masonic Hall, to initiate the building fund of the new Wesleyan College. — The fourth General Assembly of the Congregational Union commenced its autumnal session.
• 13th – Meeting of unemployed at Hyde Park. — Deputation waited upon the Minister for Works, in reference to the Great Western Railway.
• 14th – Mr. William Forster resigned his office as Minister for Lands.
• 15th – Good Friday. — Sacred concert at Prince of Wales Opera House.
• 16th – The P. and O. Co.’s steamship Avoca arrived with the English mails. — Cricket match at Bathurst between Civil and Military Club and Bathurst team.
• 17th – Shock of earthquake at Macleay River Heads.
• 18th – Easter Monday. The day observed as a general holiday. — Races at Homebush, and first appearance of Lyster and Smith’s Opera troupe. — Presentation of colours to the Singleton Volunteers.
• 19th – Dinner given to his Honor the Chief Justice by the people of Albury.
• 20th – Motion for second reading of the Matrimonial Causes Bill negatived by the Legislative Council. — Exhibition of “Industry and Art” at the Pitt-street Congregational School. — Annual meeting of St. Andrew’s Scots Church. — Mr. Robert Forster returned as member for the Northern Gold-fields. — Public meeting at Wallsend, in opposition to immigration.
• 21st – Foundation stone of Municipal Chambers, Redfern, laid by Mrs Renwick . — The Hon. John Campbell gave a dinner to the Bishop of Bathurst. — Foundation stone of the Kiama Public School laid by Mr. J. Marks, J.P. — James Wakefield sentenced to death at the Bathurst Assizes, for murder. — The clergy of the Church of England held a meeting to welcome the Bishop of Bathurst. — The trustees of the Necropolis held a meeting.
• 28th – First day of the Autumn race meetings at Randwick.
• 24th – The Hunter River district again flooded.
• 25th – The Perseverance (s.) wrecked at the Tweed River. — Anniversary meeting of the York-street Wesleyan Sunday schools. — The low lands at South Creek flooded. — Great floods in the Hunter River district. — Public meeting at Parramatta to welcome the Bishop of Bathurst.
• 26th – The Deficiency Loans Funding Bill read a second time in the Assembly. — The annual meeting of the Australian Mutual Provident Society. — Reports received of fearful floods in the Namoi and Goulburn districts. — The ketch Dauntless wrecked near Port Hacking and the brig Spray totally wrecked near Bulli jetty. — The ship Walter Hood wrecked near Cape St. George: twelve lives lost.
• 27th – The Appropriation Bill read a second time in the Legislative Assembly. — Further reports received from various parts of the colony respecting disastrous floods. — Public meeting at the Temperance Hall in favour of a Permissive Liquor Bill. — The schooner Notion foundered in Broken Bay.
• 28th – The Audit Bill was read a second time, and passed through committee in the Assembly. — Excursion of the Government and Members of Parliament to Mulgrave and Penrith. — The drowning of Mrs. Ryan and five children at Muswellbrook reported. — The new bridge at Yass, and the bridge over the Wollondilly washed away. — Second day of the Randwick autumn race meeting
• 30th – First news received in Sydney of the wreck of the Walter Hood.

MAY

• Completion of works of Western Kerosene Company at Hartley, New South Wales
• Skeleton discovered near Cook’s River Shock of earthquake at Goulbourn
• Postal charge of letters sent overland from New South Wales to Victoria reduced from sixpence to twopence
• Meeting of Sydney Meat Preserving Company; 2,000 shares applied for
• Gold nugget weighing 166 ounces discovered at Gympie
• Reprieve of Wakefield, convicted of murder, at Sydney
• Thirteenth anniversary of New Town Congregational Church ; meeting presided over by Mr. John Fairfax
• Capture and death of “ Thunderbolt,” the New South Wales Bushranger
• Hares abundant in Riverine district Melbourne
• Meat Preserving Company declare dividend of 10 per cent.
• Permissive Bill meeting at Sandhurst
• Oysters discovered at Brighton, Victoria
• Committal of Eliza Ann Henry for attempting to poison a family of twelve persons at Warrnambool
• Sugar-beet growing advocated in South Australia
• Fatal accident at the Gawler railway station
• Two mail coaches upset on Mount Barker Road
• Meat preserving receives increased attention in Queensland
• Shepherd, near Glendhu murdered by the blacks
• Mr. Thompson new Queensland Minister for lands, elected for Ipswich, unopposed
• Tasmanian Government intend amending Constitution, to prevent Government officials sitting in Colonial Parliament
• Arrival of new seal of Tasmania, with warrant under Queen’s sign manual
• Death of Rev. George Eastman, of Port Arthur
• Funeral of Hon. Mr. Kerode at Ross
• By decision of English probate court in case of Grimston v. Timms, a poor waterman at Hobart Town becomes entitled to a fortune of £80,000
• Steamer Pioneer wrecked at Circular Head
• Public meeting at Perth, in connection with opening of new Wesleyan Chapel
• St John’s Church, Freemantle, discovered to be on fire
• Rev. Martin Grover leaving Perth to attend the council at Rome
• New Court House at Albany opened
• Freemantle company of West Australia volunteers disbanded
• Mission schooner Southern Cross arrives at Hawkes Bay having passed through a fearful gale
• Surrender of twenty-seven Maori men and thirty-eight Maori women at Opotiki
• Coleman’s flax mill at Blenhiem destroyed by fire
• Great purchases of live stock at Napier for the Thames gold fields.
• 2nd –  Through traffic resumed on the Great Northern Railway. — A man named Channon shot himself dead in the Outer Domain. — About fifty of the “unemployed” proceeded to the works at the Western Railway extension.
• 4th – Deputation from West Maitland waited upon the Colonial Secretary respecting the prevention of floods in the Hunter district. — A meeting of the general committee of the Floods Relief Fund at the Chamber of Commerce — Annual meeting of the Wesleyan Church Extension Society held in York-street Church. — The Bishops of Sydney and Bathurst arrived at Bathurst.
• 5th – The Countess of Belmore gave birth to a son. — The installation of the Bishop of Bathurst took place at All Saints Church. — New rush to Gulgong, near Mudgee. — The Hunter River district again flooded.
• 6th – The Government embankment at High-street, West Maitland, rendered useless by the floods.
• 7th – Parliament prorogued by the Governor. — Walking match between George Topley and William Baker at the Albert Ground. — Public meeting at Windsor, with reference to the distress caused by the floods. — The English pedestrians contest at Bathurst.
• 9th – Public meeting at the Masonic Hall, to establish a servants training institution. — The branch mail steamer arrived at Adelaide. — Accident to the Bathurst mail coach: the Rev. Adam Thomson had his collar bone fractured.
• 10th – Complimentary dinner to the Goulburn Volunteers at Courvoisier’s Hotel. — Bazaar at the Temperance Hall in aid of the City Night Refuge and Soup Kitchen.
• 11th – An action for libel, Bennet v. Farnell tried at the Supreme Court. — Meeting at the Chamber of Commerce in reference to the mode of selling Australian wools in London. — Sixth annual meeting of the founders and subscribers to Camden College.
• 12th – The districts of Goulburn, Maitland, Penrith, Murrurundi, Yass, and Cooma again flooded.
• 13th – Margaret Gilbert tried for infanticide, at the Central Criminal Court: prisoner acquitted. — His Excellency the Governor visited Darlinghurst goal. — Deputation waited upon the Colonial Secretary with reference to Customs, postal, and telegraphic charges.
• 14th – Further reports received of floods in various parts of the colony. — Monument erected over the grave of Dr. Bland, at Haslem Creek.
• 16th – Meeting of citizens in favour of the establishment of a fish market at Woolloomooloo.
• 17th – Arrival of the Wonga Wonga, the pioneer steamer of the Australian Pacific line. — Annual meeting in connection with the Pitt-street Congregational Sunday schools.
• 18th – Public meeting at Bathurst, in favour of the railway terminus being appointed within the town.
• 19th – His Excellency the Governor and Captain Corry visited the University.
• 20th – His Excellency the Governor, Captain Corry, and the Hon. Charles Cowper visited Gladesville Asylum. — Schooner Panic of ’66 wrecked near Tweed River Heads.
• 21st – Annual Commemoration of the Sydney University took place. — Reports of more floods received from various parts of the colony. — Rowing match on the Parramatta River, between R. Hickey and M. Rush, for £500 a-side.
• 23rd –  Report of Mr Woore, one of the Water Supply Commissioners, published in the Herald. — Boat capsized at Port Stephens: five lives lost.
• 24th – Queen’s Birthday. Very heavy rain fell, and the review and sports were postponed. — Licensed Victuallers’ Ball in the Masonic Hall. — Dinner given to the Parramatta Volunteer Rifles at the Volunteer Club. — Foundation stone of the Mechanics’ School of Arts at Murrurundi laid.
• 25th – Meeting at Exchange with reference to the mode of selling wool in London. — First monthly meeting of the Royal Society for the year 1870. — Newcastle races. — Maitland flooded for the fifth time since January. — Large meeting at West Maitland to form a floods prevention league. — Bells of St. Paul’s, West Maitland, rung for-the first time. — Levee in honour of her Majesty’s birthday at Government House. — The bushranger Thunderbolt shot dead by constable Walker.
• 26th – Mudgee races. — His Excellency the Governor and the Hon. Charles Cowper visited the Parramatta Roman Catholic and Protestant Orphan Schools and gaol.
• 27th – Dr. Macfarlane resigned his seat in the Legislative Council.
• 28th – Sports postponed from 24th, came off on the Albert Ground: Topley walked against time. — Prince Alfred Yacht Club closed the season by an excursion down the harbour.
• 30th – Meeting of the friends of the late Hon. John H Plunkett held at Supreme Court. — First annual meeting of the Juvenile Temperance Association. — Complimentary dinner to Mr. J. F. Fallon, M.L.A., at Albury.
• 31st – Third annual meeting of the Synod of the diocese of Newcastle — His Excellency the Governor left Sydney for Orange. — The Philharmonic Society’s second concert of the season.

JUNE

• Bishop Patterson leaves Sydney for Auckland on account of ill health
• Review of 18th Royal Irish at Sydney
• Annual meeting of Sydney City Mission
• Demand for female labour at Melbourne in excess of the supply
• More discoveries of fossil remains in Victoria
• Another intercolonial exhibition at Melbourne proposed
• The schooner Active leaves Brisbane with telegraph materials for Port Darwin
• Queensland Government prohibits cutting of “Banya Banya” timber
• Miss Thorne holds special religious services at Adelaide
• Foundation stone of Prince Alfred Hospital laid at Adelaide
• Shocks of earthquake common in South Australia
• Numerous horses killed near Mount Gambier from eating sand mixed with bran
• Corporation of Kapunda commence tree-planting
• Tasmanian census published
• Tom Thumb in Hobart Town
• Trial and conviction of Regan for wife murder
• Hobart Town ship building yards very busy
• A timber company established in Western Australia
• Otago acclimatisation contemplate introduction of Scottish game into New Zealand
• Schooner launched at Mahurangi
• Bazaar at Dunedin, in favour of building fund of New Wesleyan Church.
• Sydney Floods Prevention League organised in New South Wales
• Departure of H.M.S. Challenger for England
• Annual meeting of Sydney Female Refuge and other charitable organisations
• Sale of the Belmore Sugar Mill
• Pedestrian champion cup won by Higgins
• Thirty houses burnt and several lives lost at Melbourne
• Failure of Gamgee’s preserved meat
• Victorian revenue tables show decrease of on the quarter
• Wife murder at Hotham
• Daniels pleads guilty to embezzling funds of Oriental Bank
• Close of Victorian Parliamentary Session
• Opening of Queensland Parliament; afterwards prorogued with view to a dissolution, in consequence of an adverse vote
• Queensland to be separated into two divisions
• Great Catholic funeral services for late Father Smythe at Adelaide
• Another exploration party preparing
• Two South Australian schooners missing
• Death of Mrs. Farrell, widow of the late Dean Farrell, at Adelaide
• More South Australian gold discoveries
• One hundred pounds voted by Adelaide Town Council to defray Mayor and Mayoress visit to Melbourne
• South Australian budget introduced
• Thief convicted of stealing Chief Justice of Tasmania’s plate, at Hobart Town
• Crew of Sydney whaler arrested on charge of mutiny
• Mr. Brown, a journalist, drowned in River Tamar
• Deficit discovered in accounts of Clarence Municipality
• New Zealand protest to Queen against withdrawal of British troops
• Death of Maori prisoner at Dunedin.
• 1st – Meeting at Randwick to provide for a better regulation of the omnibus traffic.
• 2nd –  Annual meeting of the Prince Alfred Band of Hope. — Annual picnic of the employees of the Government Printing Office.
• 3rd –  Cassilis races.
• 4th – Arrival of the branch mail steamer at Adelaide.
• 6th – Parramatta races. — Another flood at Wagga Wagga. — Annual meeting of the Sydney City Mission at the Temperance Hall.
• 7th – Society formed for apportioning poor Jewish maidens. — Meeting in connection with the Bourke-street Congregational Church. Presentation to Rev. T. Johnson. — Dubbo races.
• 8th – Public meeting at Cook’s River in favour of the formation of the East Botany municipality.
• 9th – Ball at Government House in celebration of her Majesty’s birthday. — Man named Samuel Wood drowned in the harbour by the capsizing of a boat. — Tea meeting at Congregational church, Milson’s Point to welcome Mr Robert Morris as pastor. — Severe snow storm at Bombala. — The trustees of the Free Public Library had an interview with the Colonial Secretary in reference to the institution.
• 11th – The Volunteer Review, postponed from Queen’s Birthday, was held. — Telegraph Office at Gunnedah robbed.
• 13th – Presentation to Messrs. Harrison and Baily for their brave attempts to rescue the survivors on the Walter Hood. — Nomination for the Hastings electorate.
• 14th – Large meeting at Bathurst in favour of the Ordnance Ground being selected as the site for a Railway Terminus.
• 16th – Municipal Council of Sydney inspected the Corporation works in progress. — Annual meeting of the Pitt-street Christian Instruction Society. — Goulburn Races.
• 17th – First Municipal election for the Borough of Wagga Wagga.
• 18th – Mail from California via Honolulu arrived.
• 20th – His Excellency the Governor and Captain Corry left Sydney on a tour to the North. — Mr. A. E. Baker re-elected member for the Southern Gold-fields.
• 21st – Organ recital in the York-street church, in aid of the Floods Relief Fund.
• 22nd –  Wagga Wagga again flooded
• 23rd –  Mr. O. B. Ebsworth died at his residence Burwood. — His Excellency the Governor and suite arrived at Port Macquarie and visited the public buildings.
• 24th – New locomotive engine, constructed at the Government workshops, exhibited at the Redfern Station. — A man accidentally shot in the thigh at the Paddington Rifle Butts. — Annual Exhibition in connection with the Balmain Public school.
• 25th – Rev. R. J. Duigan, Roman Catholic clergyman died suddenly at Yass. — His Excellency the Governor arrived at Kempsey. — The skeleton of Mr. Charles, who is supposed to have been murdered, found near Branxton. — New organ opened at St. James’s schoolroom.
• 28th – Annual meeting of the Sydney Night Refuge and Reformatory held at the Temperance Hall. — Choral Society give their first concert at the School of Arts. — The fifth session of the second Synod of the diocese of Sydney opened. — Annual meeting of the Church Society for the diocese of Sydney. — Campbell’s saw mills at Jamberoo totally destroyed by fire. — Meeting at Orange in favour of the extension of the railway to that township.
• 29th – Kiama Volunteers inspected by Colonel Richardson. — First outing of the Sydney Rowing Club.

JULY

• 1st – The first Mayor of the municipality of Forbes, Lachlan River, elected. — Dinner given to the delegates to the Intercolonial Conference, at the Criterion Hotel, Melbourne. — The Great Western Railway extension to Rydal opened for passenger and goods traffic. — The ship Royal Alfred arrived from London. — Petitions for the incorporation of Tamworth, Emu Plains, and Ryde, gazetted.
• 2nd – Dinner given to Intercolonial Conference delegates, by members of Melbourne Club. — Mr. McDonnell, Attorney-General of Victoria, resigned his seat and filed his schedule. — Telegrams of the English mail, up to 11th June, received, with news of the death of Charles Dickens and Mark Lemon. — Mr. Charles Mathews, the English comedian, made his first appearance in Sydney, at the Prince of Wales Opera House, as Sir Charles Coldstream and Captain Patter. — The ship Christiana Thompson arrived from London.
• 4th – Officers of the Russian frigate Boyarin visited Lithgow Valley and other parts of the Great Western Railway line. — Tea meeting held to commemorate the laying of the foundation-stone of the Independent City Mission Chapel. — Meeting held at Balmain to agitate for the erection of a public wharf at foot of Reynolds street. — Polling-day, Hastings election. Dean elected. A disturbance took place at Kempsey, occasioned by au elector pulling down the American flag. — Deputation from Deniliquin waited on Colonial Secretary with references to extension of Southern Railway to Moama. — Hundred mile trotting match, from Dubbo to Orange, between Mr. Frost’s Colonel and Mr. Tarrant’s Barmaid. Won easily by the former. — Splendid quartz reef opened at Cullenbone, between Gulgong and Mudgee.
• 5th – Destructive fire in Melbourne. A woman, named Mary Tucker, burned to death, and several buildings in Bourke street destroyed. Thirty horses were burnt. — The first meeting of the Sydney School of Design held. — Wellington Quarter Sessions commenced. — Queensland Parliament opened.
• 6th – Dr. Garran read a paper on the Water Supply of Sydney before the Royal Society. This paper created a large amount of discussion. — Annual meeting of the New South Wales Horticultural Society held in the School of Arts. — Annual meeting of the Licensed Victuallers’ Association held.. — John Gray, of Macquarie River, Wollongong, murdered his wife with an axe in a fit of causeless jealousy. — Tea meeting held in Pitt street Congregational church, to celebrate the sixth anniversary of the Rev. John Grahams pastorate, and the extinction of the church debt.
• 7th – Boat capsized off Camden Haven and eight lives lost. — Annual race meeting of the Clarence River Jockey Club, at Grafton. — Mr. Grant, laid Minister for Lands, Victoria, resigned his seat. — Soiree dansante, given at Clark’s rooms, by the Civil Service Musical Society.
• 8th – The session of the Church of England Synod closed. — Annual meeting of Starr-Bowkett Building Society held. — His Excellency the Governor returned from his Northern tour.
• 9th – English June mail delivered in Sydney. — Hon. Charles Cowper and Hon. Saul Samuel returned from the Intercolonial Conference held at Melbourne. — Road superintendent Webber shot at on the Clyde Road, near Braidwood. — The Want of Confidence amendment on the address carried in the Queensland Parliament. — Fire on South Head Road, and one shop with all its contents completely destroyed.
• 11th – Mr. G. R. Smalley, Government Astronomer, died. — Pinkstone’s bakery, at Grenfell, entered by two burglars, one of whom shot a journeyman named Restal in the shoulder. — Hon. R Towns attacked by paralysis. — Fire in Pitt street, Redfern, and small building destroyed.
• 12th – The postage upon sea-borne letters passing between New South Wales, Victoria, and New Zealand, reduced to 3d the half-ounce. — Meeting of coal-miners held at Griffiths Flat, Newcastle, at which a strike was resolved upon. — Annual tea meeting of the Surry Hills Wesleyan Sunday school held: also the annual tea meeting of the Newtown Wesleyan Church. — Annual celebration of the Loyal Orange Institution took place at the Masonic Hall.
• 13th – An eclipse of the moon soon. — Meeting at Temperance Hall, Sydney, at which a petition in favour of a Permissive Liquor Law was adopted.
• 14th – His Excellency the Governor paid a visit of inspection to the Exhibition Building. — Schooner John Bullock drifted inshore, in a calm near Bird Island Point. The captain and four hands tried to land in a boat, which capsized, and the captain and one man were drowned. — The Moulamein township flooded by the rising of the Edward and Billabong Rivers. — The inquest upon the Mnuhopo skeleton terminated in an open verdict being returned.
• 15th – Mudgee Quarter Sessions opened. — Victorian Parliament prorogued. — Mr. William J. Cordner, Professor of Music, died.
• 16th – Heavy rains. Flood at Grafton, Clarence River. — Heavy rains in Queensland. Floods at Ipswich and Gympie diggings.
• 29th – At the quarterly meeting of the Chamber of Commerce, a resolution was passed to the effect that the Government of New South Wales should be asked to place such a sum upon the Estimates for the purpose of subsidising a mail service between Sydney and San Francisco, via Auckland and Honolulu, as would ensure Sydney being made the terminus. — H.M. steamship Challenger, under the command of Commodore Lambert, sailed for England after a stay of four years upon the Sydney station. — Floods in the Murray river. Echuca partially under water. — Rich finds of gold in the Blumberg district, Adelaide, South Australia, reported.
• 20th – Pacific mail via San Francisco and Honolulu, arrived, bringing European news up to the 8th June. — Mr. H. C. Russell appointed Government Astronomer. — Anniversary tea meeting of St. Stephen’s Church held in the Temperance Hall, Sydney. — Supple tried in Melbourne for shooting Walsh, and found guilty.
• 21st – The Darlinghurst Parochial Association formed. — Overland postage on letters sent from New South Wales to Adelaide, South Australia, reduced to 2d per half-ounce. — Heavy rains at Goulburn.
• 22nd – Meeting held at Bathurst with reference to the working of the Western collieries. — The policy of the Government with regard to the railway traffic rates strongly condemned. — Heavy rains at Glen Innes. Traffic stopped, and electric telegraph lines partially carried away. —Committee appointed by Board of Sydney Infirmary to investigate charges made against the Lady Superintendent. — Flood at Moulamein, and heavy fall of snow on the Western mountains. — Deputation from the Chamber of Commerce waited upon the Colonial Secretary with reference to the subsidising of a mail service between Sydney and San Francisco via Auckland and Honolulu. Another deputation of medical men waited on the Colonial Secretary to urge the necessity of making additional provision for the accommodation of the insane.
• 23rd – Heavy southerly gale and rain. — Meeting of Public school teachers hold for the purpose of considering the desirability of having a spring vacation.
• 25th – Sydney Court of Quarter Sessions opened. — The annual meeting in connection with the Sydney Female Refuge, held in the Temperance Hall. — A vein of black lead said to have been discovered at Markdale, near Goulburn.
• 20th – An explosion of gas occurred at the Monster Clothing Hall, George street, and set fire to the premises but the flames were soon extinguished. — The second annual meeting of the City Night Refuge and Soup Kitchen held in the Temperance Hall. — Half-yearly meetings of the Commercial Banking Company, the Bulli Coal Miner Company, and the Woolgarlo Lead Mining Company held.
• 27th – The annual meeting of the Home Visiting and Relief Society held in St. James’s Schoolroom. — Mr. Markey’s hotel, at Wagga, destroyed by fire.
• 28th – The granite pedestal of Captain Cook’s monument completed. — Business meetings of the Clarence and Richmond Steam Navigation Company, the Enterprise Quartz Mining Company, the Pacific Insurance Company, and the Peak Downs Copper Mining Company, held.
• 29th – Up goods train from Penrith ran against a cow which had got on the line near Ashfield. Four trucks were thrown off the line, but no person was hurt. — Meeting held for the purpose of raising funds for the erection of a monument over the grave of the late W. J. Cordner.
• 30th – A rifle match between twenty members on the SBVR and a like number of the Parramatta Rifles held, and resulted in a victory for the former. — Meeting of vignerons, held at Wahgunyah, for the purpose of establishing a wine company. — A woman named Freeman, died at Hay, from exposure in the bush, while intoxicated.
• 31st – Monthly breakfast meeting of the Young Men’s Christian Association held at the Temperance Hall.

AUGUST

• Opening of Intercolonial Exhibition at Sydney
• Topaz discovered near Toorooka, New South Wales
• John Grey convicted at Darlinghurst of murdering his wife
• Permissive Bill introduced into New South Wales Parliament
• Two relics, a gold watch and sextant, of the crew massacred in the Soloman Islands in 1867, received in Sydney
• Shipowners’ Association formed in Sydney
• Departure of troops from New South Wales
• Power, the bushranger, sentenced to fifteen years hard labour at Melbourne
• Australian Diamond Company wound up
• Hailstones as “large as marbles” fall at Talbot
• Arrival of Jason from South Sea Islands, at Brisbane, with full complement of Polynesian labourers
• General election in Queensland
• Death of Mr. Hutchinson, one of the first South Australian colonists
• Large number of olive trees planted in Kapunda district
• Portions of roof of Parliament House at Adelaide blown off during a storm
• Return of Captain Audley Coote to Hobart Town
• Meeting of Tasmanian woolgrowers at Campbell Town
• Annual poultry show at Hobart Town
• Departure of troops from Tasmania
• Foundation stone of memorial church, to commemorate introduction of Congregationalism into Australia, laid at Hobart Town
• West Australian whale fisheries very successful
• Escape of convicts in direction of South Australia
• Colonial club established at Perth
• A volunteer troop of cavalry raised at Perth
• Narrow escape of Te Kooti near Tologa Bay
• Great floods in Hawkes Bay
• Two boxes of treasure stolen from police station at Clyde
• Great volcano at Tongariro ceases blazing
• Further searches for missing vessel Matoaka.
• 1st – Mr. A. O. Moriarty, Under-Secretary and Chief Commissioner of Crown Lands, suspended. — New by-law to regulate street traffic passed by the Sydney Municipal Council. — Half-yearly meeting of the Bush Missionary Society was held in the Temperance Hall. — Meeting held at Chippendale, to raise funds for the erection of a Wesleyan College at Stanmore. — Meeting held at Orange, in favour of railway extension to that place.
• 2nd –  Deputation waited upon the Minister for Works, to point out the necessity for a more convenient mode of access to the Redfern railway station from the Botany Road. — A man named Warren Kerr, apparently of unsound mind, committed to gaol for fourteen days by the Supreme Court, for contempt of Court. — Meeting of Unitarians, relative to the disposal of certain lands belonging to the body, held in the Unitarian church, Macquarie-street. — Mr. Henry Parkes M.L.A., lectured in St. Paul’s Schoolroom, on “Preachers and Preaching.” — Entries for the Randwick Spring Race Meeting closed.
• 3rd –  Monthly meetings of the Royal Society and the Horticultural Society held. — Concert given by Christ Church Musical Society. — A man named Lynch committed suicide by drowning himself in a waterhole on Toxteth Park. — The Hon. R. Owen resigned his seat in the Upper House. Mr. Salomons appointed Solicitor-General and representative of the Government in the Upper House. — English mail telegrams arrived. News up to the 13^th July.
• 4th – Human remains found in a cave at Monaro, under circumstances which showed that a murder had been committed. — Public meeting held at Waverley for the purpose of having the Old South Head Road placed under a separate trust. — Mr. D. Buchanan, M.L.A., lectured at the Temperance Hall on “Public Men and Public Affairs in England.” — Shock of earthquake felt at Bellenger River. — A ploughing match, won by C. Tucker, took place at West Maitland. — Fourth annual show of the Clarence Pastoral, Agricultural, and Horticultural Society, held at Grafton.
• 5th – Mr. J. H. Thomas reinstated as engineer of existing lines. — The man Gray convicted of murdering his wife, at Wollongong. He was said to be insane. — New time-table for Great Southern and Western Railway lines issued.
• 6th – M. de la Richerie, Governor of New Caledonia, visited Sydney. — Telegraphic charges between New South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia reduced by one-half. — Five forgers arrested at Benalla with a large quantity of forged £5 notes in their possession. — Tenth annual meeting of the promoters of Sydney Ragged Schools held. — Meeting of protectionists held in Masonic Hall, York street, Sydney. — Ministry gave a picnic to the officers of the 18^th Regiment and Royal Artillery, at Lithgow Valley. — Musical entertainment at Woollahra Oddfellows’ Hall in aid of Roman Catholic church at Double Bay.
• 9th – Public soirée by way of welcome to the Rev. Thomas Smith of St. Barnabas, held in the schoolroom attached to that church. — Old military pensioner, aged 99 years, died at Koggerah, Cook’s River. — First quarterly meeting of Sunday-school teachers connected with St. James’s Church held. — Adjourned general meeting of Homebush Jockey Club held, at which a code of rules was adopted. — A complimentary concert given to Mr. Andrew Fairfax at the School of Arts. — Tea meeting held in Parramatta School of Arts to inaugurate the Congregational Church established there by the Rev. T. S. Forsaith.
• 10th – The third annual show of the Northern Agricultural Association held at Singleton. — Great hurricane at Winburdale in the Western district. — Mr. J. S. Aggar, an old and respected resident of Newcastle, committed suicide.
• 11th – Melbourne Town Hall opened. — Second session of the seventh parliament of New South Wales opened by his Excellency the Governor with the usual formalities. — Tea meeting held in the Congregational schoolroom, Bourke-street, in connection with the Excelsior Division of the Sons of Temperance.
• 12th – Mr. John Lackey elected Chairman of Committees for the session in the Legislative Assembly. — Mr. John Macfarlane resigned his seat in the Legislative Council. — Volunteer Rifle Corps formed at Shellharbour. — A branch of the New South Wales Auxiliary to the Bible Society formed at Burwood. — The anniversary soirée of the No. 1 Loyal Orange Lodge held in the Temperance Hall. — Great floods at Wentworth and loss of property. Water flowing through the streets. — Anniversary tea-meeting in connection with St. Paul’s School held. — Pastoral Show held at Hay, — Grand Fancy Dress Ball given by the Mayor of Melbourne, in the new Town Hall.
• 13th – Heavy rains at Glen Innes. — Hon. John Robertson sworn in as Minister for Lands. — Ministry and other gentlemen visited Mort’s Iron Works to witness the movement of the first locomotive manufactured in the colony for the Government by a private firm.
• 15th – Annual meeting of the New South Wales Rifle Association, held at the Volunteer Barracks. A challenge to shoot a match with the Victorian Rifle Association was accepted. — Annual meeting of the Diocesan Educational and Book Society held in the Church Society’s Rooms.
• 16th – M. De la Richerie, Governor of New Caledonia, gave a dinner to several French residents of Sydney, at the Royal Hotel. —
• 16th – Mr. R. B. Smith lodged a petition in the Legislative Assembly against the return of Mr. Horace Dean as member for the Hastings. — Concert given by the Philharmonic Society in the Sydney Exchange. — Eleventh Anniversary of the Dowling-street Wesleyan Sunday School celebrated by a tea meeting.
• 17th – Deputation waited upon the Minister for Works to call attention to the impossible condition of the Northern Roads. — Mr. John Young, contractor for the Exhibition Building, gave a grand entertainment to his employee, there being 5000 persons present.
• 18th – Annual meeting of the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron held at the Club Rooms, Bridge-street. — His Excellency the Governor, the Countess of Belmore, Monsieur and Madame de la Richerie and others visited the Model Public School, Fort-street.
• 18th – Tea meeting held at Randwick, to celebrate the completion of St. Jude’s Parsonage.
• 19th – Violent storm of wind and rain at Yass. — Special meeting of the Prince Alfred Yacht Club held, at which some new rules were passed. — Mrs. Charles Mathews made her first appearance in Sydney, at the Prince of Wales Opera House, on the occasion of Mr. Charles Mathews’ benefit.
• 20th – Meeting at Rydal, to condemn high rates charged by railway authorities for conveyance of coals from Western collieries. — Thomas Lawrie drowned at Eatonsville Falls, Grafton, Clarence River. — Writ issued for Wollombi election. — Imperial troops ceased to do duty in Sydney. — Mr. Terence McMahon, of the Post-office, died.
• 22nd –  Metropolitan Quarter Sessions commenced. — A man named Robertson committed suicide in York street, Sydney, by taking strychnine. — Meeting held at Greville’s Commercial Rooms, Sydney, for the purpose of forming a Ship Owners Association. — The Hon. John Robertson returned unopposed as one of the representatives of West Sydney.
• 23rd –  Monster meeting held at Forbes, with respect to the erection of a gaol at that place. — Meeting at Goulburn in favour of Permissive Liquor Bill. — Imperial troops left the colony in the ship Silver Eagle.
• 24th – English perch imported from Tasmania.
• 25th – The Deficiency Loans Funding Bill rejected in the Assembly on the casting vote of the Chairman of Committees. — The acceptances for the Randwick Handicaps closed. — The children attending St. Paul’s Sunday School treated to an excursion to Pearl Bay. — The Pacific Mail via San Francisco and Suez arrived, with European news to the 9th July. — Thirty-sixth half-yearly meeting of the Hunter River New Steam Navigation Company held at Morpeth. — A man named Flynn shot himself in a loft at the back of a house in Clarence-street.
• 26th – Amended regulations for the receipt of gold at the Sydney Branch of the Royal Mint published. — Deputation waited upon the Minister for Works to call attention to inconveniences existing at the Redfern Railway Station.
• 27th – Wagga Wagga visited by clouds of mosquitoes so dense that they extinguished the lights, and were swept out of the shops in heaps. — The Sydney Rowing Club formally inaugurated. — Sir Daniel Cooper and a large party of ladies and gentlemen visited the Fort-street Model School. — Flood at Moulamein.
• 28th – Monthly breakfast of the Young Men’s Christian Association held at the Temperance Hall.
• 29th – Meeting of shipowners held, at which the rules of the association were passed, and a committee appointed. — The Gregory troupe made their first appearance at the Victoria Theatre.
• 30th – The Intercolonial Exhibition at Prince Alfred Park opened by his Excellency the Governor. — The second concert of the Sydney Choral Society took place at the Masonic Hall. — Trinity Sunday School annual excursion to Pearl Bay. — Exciting news received from seat of European war.
• 31st – Annual ball in aid of St. Vincent’s Hospital given at Masonic Hall. — Royal Foresters’ Hall opened at St. Peter’s, Cook’s River.

SEPTEMBER

• 1st – His Excellency the Governor of Victoria and the Viscountess Canterbury arrived in Sydney. — English mail via Suez arrived at Sydney. — Intercolonial Rifle Match between Sydney and Melbourne came off, and resulted in a victory for the former. — Annual dinner of the Agricultural Society held at Courvoisier’s.
• 2nd – Matrimonial Causes Bill read a second time in the Legislative Assembly. — A man named Thomas Bragg hung himself at Ryde. — Australian Wool Association formed in Sydney.
• 3rd – The Derby Day of the Randwick Spring Race Meeting. The Derby was won by Mr. Tait’s Florence.
• 6th – Sale of stock at the Exhibition Grounds. — His Excellency the Governor with Viscount Canterbury and a party of ladies and gentlemen visited the Zigzag. — Complimentary concert given to Mr. Fisher, junior, Christ Church schoolroom. — Wollombi nomination took place.
• 6th – The annual Masonic ball took place at the Masonic Hall. — Earl Belmore and Viscount Canterbury inspected various points of Sydney Harbour, to ascertain the best sites for fortifications. — A woman named Mary Ann Deroney committed suicide in Dixon-street, by cutting her throat. — Mr. A. O. Moriarty dismissed from the Civil Service. — A seaman of the Sichellealion, barque, at Newcastle, fell from the rigging and was killed. — A seaman named James Morris drowned at Newcastle.
• 7th – Sydney Morning Herald published a historical description of the colony for transmission to Europe. — Monthly meeting of the Horticultural Society held. — The Rev. Dr. Steel lectured in the St. Leonards School of Arts on the ” Bible and the World.” — The Viscountess and Viscount Canterbury visited the University.
• 8th – Hon. E. Dean Thomson and Hon. John O’Shanassy left for Melbourne, to commence their inquiry respecting Pental Island. — His Excellency Viscount Canterbury with the Viscountess Canterbury returned to Melbourne in the Avoca. — Conference of the Sons of Temperance on the Permissive Liquor Bill held in the Temperance Hall. — Meeting of Germans held in the Masonic fail to raise funds for the relief of the German soldiers wounded in the present war.
• 9th – Defence Commission, to advise the Government in matters connected with the defence of the colony, appointed. — Tea meeting held in the Temperance Hall to raise funds for liquidating the debt on the building. — Maitland Quarter Sessions commenced. — Fifty-join the quarterly meeting of the Sydney Municipal Council held.
• 10th – Picnic given at Sans Souci by the Hon. Thomas Holt. — Musical soirée at Princess Theatre, Grenfell, in aid of local Presbyterian church. — Monsiour Wehle, the eminent pianist, arrived. — Last day of Randwick Spring meeting.
• 12th – New lush at Camp Hill, Grenfell diggings. — Flood at Moulamein.— Volunteer Rifle Corps head-quarters removed to Victoria Barracks, Paddington: and Volunteer Artillery head-quarters to Artillery Barracks, Dawes Point. — A thirty-gallon illicit still seized on the premises of Messrs Thame, Walker, and Co. — Settling on the Randwick Spring Race Meeting. — Lecture delivered by Dr. Steel, in St. Stephen’s Church, on the “History of the English Bible”.
• 13th – Tharne, Walker, and Co. fined £300 and their goods confiscated as a punishment for illicit distillation.
• 14th – Defence Commission held its first meeting. — Petition presented to Government asking for repair of roads at Monaro. — Steamer Pelican steamed up George’s River to Liverpool, being the first steamer that has made the trip. ‘ — Deputation to Colonial secretary with reference to judicial arrangements affecting the towns of Forbes, Grenfell, and Young.
• 15th – Eighteenth annual meeting of Albert Cricket Club held. — Minister for Works, Mayor and Aldermen of Sydney and others, visited metal quarries at Prospect. — Christ Church Sunday-school excursion.
• 16th – Childrens Festival at the Intercolonial Exhibition.
• 18th – Volunteer Rifle Corps formed at Waverley. — Excursion to Liverpool by steamer Pelican up George’s River. — First regatta of Sydney Rowing Club held.
• 19th – Tea meeting held at Balmain to raise funds to pay off the debt on St. Mary’s Church. — Rev. S. C. Kent lectured on “Children – Black and While” in Temperance Hall, Pitt-street.
• 20th – Mrs. James of American Creek kerosene works, cut her throat with a table knife and died the same day. — Californian mail arrived with European news to 11th August. War news created intense excitement. — Tea meeting in connection with Balmain Congregational church held in Oddfollows ‘ Hall. — Elections and Qualifications Committee declared the seat of Mr M. W. Kelly, the member for Braidwood, vacant, the election having been wholly void.
• 21st – Meeting of Thame, Walker, and Co.’s creditors, at which it was resolved to sequestrate the estate. — Civil Service Musical Society’s concert.
• 22nd – Thame and Walker indicted for conspiracy to defraud the revenue and committed for trial.
• 23rd – Model of floating battery designed by Captain Beatson exhibited. — Elections and Qualifications Committee declared that Mr. Dean was not elected for the Hastings, and that Mr. R. B, Smith must have the seat. — Public meeting at Mudgee to urge the Government to repair the roads. — Great flood at Wentworth.
• 24th – Telegrams of English mail via Suez received. Great excitement caused by war news.
• 25th – Sunday monthly breakfast of the Young Men’s Christian Association.
• 26th – Intercolonial Ploughing Match won by C. Tucker of Maitland. — Annual meeting of the Warwick Cricket Club.
• 27th – Agricultural Society’s ploughing matches at the Victoria Park. — Destructive fire at West Maitland, by which O’Neil’s Telegraph Stores, and the Post Office Hotel were burnt down. — Public meeting in Temperance Hall in favour of Permissive Liquor Bill. — Indignation meeting at Grenfell to protest against official report that the district was unsuitable for a separate police district. General fight occurred. — English mail delivered in Sydney.
• 28th – Defence Commission reconnoitred the harbour accompanied by H.R.H, the Duke of Edinburgh, Commodore Stirling, Earl Belmore, and the Premier. — Dr. Lang petitioned the Assembly, urging that steps should be taken to annex the Fiji Islands to New South Wales. — Mr. Cowper moved in the Assembly to set aside the decision of the Elections and Qualifications Committee in the Hastings election, and was defeated.
• 29th – Meeting for the formation of Gas Company hold at Bathurst. — Fire in the Botany Road, but little damage done. — Sir James Martin moved in the Assembly a vote of censure on the Government for having, issued debentures to raise money for works already completed. The motion was defeated by a majority of one.
• 30th – Intercolonial Exhibition closed at midnight. — Destructive fire in Hunter-street by which several shops were destroyed. — His Excellency the Governor embarked in H. M. S. Virago for Norfolk Island. — Wollongong Sessions opened.
• War news from Europe occasions great excitement in Australia
• Miss Rose Cooper, a favourite actress, meets with accident at Newcastle
• Wool and pastoral associations formed at Sydney
• Arrival of H.M.S. Galatea at Sydney
• Divorce Bill read a third time and passed in New South Wales Legislature
• Return from England of Rev. W. C. B. Cave and Mrs. Cave
• Parliamentary motion in favour of return to immigration system negatived
• Several additional volunteer corps forming in New South Wales
• Victorian Governments notify that the defence of the colony will be entrusted to the colonial militia
• Foundation stone of three Jewish alms-houses laid on St. Kilda Road
• Absconding Lancashire cotton manufacturer captured at Brisbane
• Formation of new Queen land Meat Preserving Company
• Evan Mclntire, a South Australian shepherd, dies at South Rhine, aged 101
• Preparations for constructing telegraph from Adelaide to Port Darwin
• Intercolonial Free Trade Bill read a second time in Tasmanian Council
• Hobart Town Public Library opened Tasmanian poultry show successful at Launceston
• A supposed diamond found in Western Australia
• Port Chalmers made terminus of Californian mail line instead of Sydney
• Great fire at Auckland
• Coal discovered near Hokitiki
• New steamer launched at Auckland
• Search continued without success for survivors of the Matoaka.

OCTOBER

• 1st – News received of the loss of the barque Fruiter at New Caledonia with 25 lives. — Man named Godfrey found drowned in Darling Harbour.
• 3rd – Dinner given to Sir Daniel Cooper previous to his return to England. — Public meeting at West Kempsey to protest against decision of Elections and Qualifications Committee declaring R. B. Smith elected.
• 4th – R.M.S.S. Galatea taken into Fitzroy Dock for overhaul. — Exhibitors commenced removing exhibits from Intercolonial Exhibition.
• 5th – H.R.H. the Duke of Edinburgh went on an excursion to Sans Souci.
• 6th – Sir James Martin’s vote of censure on the Government negatived. — Examination before Insolvency Commissioner into Thame Walker and Co’s estate.
• 7th – Centenary Musical Festival in Exhibition Building. — General Tom Thumb and party made first appearance at the School of Arts.
• 8 Suez mail steamer Geelong took her departure. — HRH the Duke of Edinburgh was a passenger for Melbourne and Sir Daniel Cooper passenger for London. — Prince Alfred Yacht Club inaugurated the season of 1870-71.
• 10th – Discussion in Sydney Chamber of Commerce in reference to method of shipping wool to England. — John Hawley and Hugh McDonald found guilty of feloniously killing George Cook. — Police seized 12 cwt. gunpowder illegally stored at Mudgee.
• 11th – Quarterly prize meeting Smallbore Rifle Club. — Anniversary meeting Bourke-street Congregational Church.
• 12th – Senior-constable Connor drowned near Adelong. — Agricultural Society’s ball at Exhibition Building. HRH the Duke of Edinburgh present.
• 13th – Estimates for 1871 laid upon the table of the Assembly. — Mines committee, Kempsey, refused to give evidence before Royal Commission unless the public were admitted. — Heavy south-cast gale along the coast. — Bill to reduce the salaries of future Governors introduced in the Assembly.
• 14th – Mr. Parkes resigned his seat for Kiama. — Government commenced operations for harbour defence. — Barque Summer Cloud wrecked at Jervis Bay – crew — Large meeting of labourers in favour of the Eight-Hour system. — Gold Commission sat at Grenfell, and refused an application to sit in public.
• 16th – His Excellency the Governor returned from a visit to Norfolk Island in n HMS Virago — The Hon Daniel Egan Postmaster-General died. — Mr Parkes resigned his seat at the Council of Education — Two persons arrested at Adelong on suspicion of poisoning horses.
• 17th – Mr E Greville elected for Braidwood, beating Mr Kelly — Whaling barque Fanny Fisher arrived, 11 ½ months out full of oil. — The Bishop preached at St John’s Church, Terrara.
• 18th – Funeral of the late Hon Daniel Egan took place — Grand concert held at Forbes and proceeds devoted to the relief of the wounded in the Franco-German war. — Major’s Fancy Dress Ball – HRH the Duke of Edinburgh, his Excellency the Governor, and the Countess of Belmore were among the guests.
• 19th – Spring Exhibition of the Horticultural Society. — Matrimonial Causes Bill shelved in the Legislative Council.
• 20th – Treasurer mado his Budget speech. — Mr W Stephen appointed Under-Secretary for Lands. — Deputation of unemployed had an interview with Colonial Secretary seeking employment. — Meeting of Frenchmen appointed a committee to collect subscriptions in aid of their wounded countrymen in the war. — Concert at the Exhibition in aid of the Captain Cook Statue Fund, large attendance.
• 21st – Terrific storm at Tamworth. Peel River overflowed its banks. — Heavy rain at Murrurundi.
• 23rd – Snail’s Bay Regatta. — Walking match, Lyall v Baker, won by former. — San Francisco mail steamer arrived.
• 24th – Suez mail steamer arrived. — Three men committed for trial at Adelong on a charge of poisoning horses. — Professor Smith, M D, elected president of the Council of Education. — The Minister for Public Works made a tour of inspection to Cockatoo Island. — The Council of the Agricultural Society awarded bronze medal to Sir Redmond Barry the Rev JJ Bleasdale DD and George Collins Levey. — Quarterly meeting Chamber of Commerce held, when the mode of shipping wool and the new tariff were discussed. — A deputation of merchants to the Colonial Treasurer took place respecting tariff. — Annual meeting of the Deaf and Dumb Institution.
• 26th – HMSS Galatos taken out of Fitzroy Dock — HMSS Virago sailed for Wellington. — Another deputation to Colonial Treasurer respecting the tariff. — Deputation to Minister for Public Works, respecting carriage of rail of hay by rail.
• 27th – Treasurer stated in Assembly that he intended to impose duty on incoming newspapers by mail steamers.
• 28th – P and O Co’s steamer Avoca came into collision off Dawes Point with steamer Waimea: latter foundered: no lives lost. — The second reading of the bill to reduce the salaries of future Governors read a second time in Assembly. — Heavy rains at Albury. — Rich quart reef and alluvial diggings discovered 14 miles from Walcha Armidale district.
• 29th – Pyrmont Regatta took place.
• 30th – San Francisco mail sailed. — The Earl of Belmore arrived at Newcastle, and reviewed Volunteers in the Hunter district. — Chamber of Commerce held meeting respecting tariff.

NOVEMBER

• 1st – Fire occurred in Pitt-street, considerable damage done. — Public meeting in opposition to new tariff. — The Earl of Belmore returned from Hunter River district.
• 2nd – General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of New South Wales. — W G Moore, an old colonist, died.
• 3rd – Mr Baker’s seat declared vacant by reason of acceptance of office as gold commissioner. — Mr Parkes elected for Kiama. — Third annual meeting of the Catholic Association.
• 4th – New colonial built paddle steamer Belmore arrived from Manning River. — Commission on law reform published.
• 6th – RMSS Malta sailed. — A Chinese gardener murdered by his mate at Hay. — Annual wayze-goose of the Herald Office took place.
• 6th – Southerly gale. Mr Grube drowned by capsizing of boat in harbour.
• 7th – Monster meeting of miners hold at Griffiths Flat, near Newcastle, relative to the preservation of their interests. — Mr Wilkins, Secretary to Board of Education returned from England.
• 8 School fete on board the Galatea.
• 9th – Grand holiday, Balmain regatta, Sydney crew beat Tasmanians.
• 10th – Bishop of Goulburn opened Bourke Town school room. — Meeting Peace Society of New South Wales.
• 11th – Bishop of Goulburn returned from Araluen and Braidwood. — Boy lost in the bush at Grenfell on Wednesday, found alive.
• 12th – Opening cruise Royals Sydney Yacht Squadron.
• 14th – HRH the Duke of Edinburgh returned from Melbourne. — Defence Commission sent in report. — Flood occurred in Moulamein, nearly all the town inundated. — Complimentary dinner to Tasmanian rowing crew.
• 15th – Mr W Forster introduced resolutions in Assembly affirming desirability of amending the land law.
• 16th – Meeting of sheep agents and sheepmasters in reference to the shipping of wool.
• 17 Californian mail arrived. — Assembly rejected Treasurers schedule of new duties, and propositions were submitted in another shape. — Measurement duties subsequently negatived.
• 18th – The Earl of Belmore arrived at Kiama and inspected the Volunteers. — Mr William Lee died al Bathurst.
• 19th – Heavy floods at Macleay River, Grafton, Ulmarra, Port Macquarie, and Windsor. — Strike Waratah Colliery ended. — Hickey beat Rush in sculling match. — Picnic by School teachers to Mr Wilkins. — Foundation stone of Oddfellow Hall laid by the Minister for Public Works.
• 21st – RMSS Geelong arrived at Adelaide. — Floods Weet Maitland, low lands submerged, crops destroyed. — Great destruction of crops at Windsor, Grafton, and Adelong through floods.
• 22nd – Floods subsided. — Extensive fire at ASN Cos workshops Pyrmont.
• 23rd – Annual meeting for Prize Shooting of the New South Wales Rifle Association. — Great floods at Wentworth. — Communication from Home Government stated that on 1st January Imperial die to be used in Sydney Mint. — Adjourned meeting Chamber of Commerce in reference to shipment of wool.
• 24th – Seam of rock salt, four feet thick, discovered near Scone. — Woman and two children drowned, Nambuccra River, during floods. — Mr Macleay in Assembly opposed duty of £1 per ton on flour.
• 25th – R M S Geelong arrived. — Mr W Forster’s land resolutions carried in Assembly without division.
• 26th – Rifle Association Matches concluded successfully. International match won by English team.
• 28th – Annual meeting of St Paul’s Auxiliary to Church Society. — Investigation into cause of collision between Avoca and Waimes concluded.
• 29th – Treasurer announced in Assembly his intention to introduce river tonnage dues. — Mr Macleay’s proposed duty of £1 per ton upon flour negatived.
• 30th – Annual meeting of the Agricultural Society. — Assembly declined to suspend Standing Orders to allow passing of Stamp Duties Continuation Bill. — Homebush Spring meeting took place. — Californian mail sailed.

DECEMBER

• 1st – Municipal elections. — Government adjourned Assembly to allow time to consider their position.
• 2nd – Declaration of the poll of Municipal elections.
• 4th – RMSS. Avoca sailed for Galle.
• 5th – Brig Deva from New Caledonia to Newcastle abandoned off Newcastle, waterlogged.
• 6th – Hon Charles Cowper accepted Agent Generalship. Appointment accepted. —Testimonial presented to the Mayor. — Government asked House to renew Stamp Act and grant one month’s supply.
• 7th – Ministry tendered resignation. Sir James Martin sent for.
• 8th – Preliminary meeting to raise testimonial to Dr Lang. — Stamp Duties Continuation Bill read a second time in Assembly. — University yearly examination terminated.
• 9th – Mr Henry Parkes resigned his seat for Kiama. — Mr Chapman elected Mayor.
• 10th – Mr Parkes resigned his position as member of the Council of Education. — Mr Wilkins delivered address on Primary Education.
• 11th – Destructive fire Parramatta-street. Pemells flour mills destroyed. — Opening trip of Vale and Lacey’s first locomotive for the Government lines.
• 12th – Special General Meeting Church Society held. Metropolitan delivered address.
• 13th – Meeting of the friends of Dr Lang resolved to invite subscriptions for a testimonial. — Captain Deloitte, old colonist, died. — Assembly read Month’s Supply bill third time. — University building struck by lightning, damage trifling.
• 14th – Mr Bell, City Engineer, resigned. Mr Sedgwick Cowper sailed per La Hogue for England. — Sir James Martin formed new Government. — First shipment of New South Wales exhibits for London International Exhibition dispatched.
• 15th – Distribution of prizes, Camden College.
• 16th – Martin Government sworn in. — Meeting Prince Alfred Hospital Committee.
• 17th – Presentation of prizes to winners at the Rifle Association matches by Lord Belmore. — Foundation stone of All Saints Church, Petersham, laid.
• 18th – Fire in Hunter-street. Shop occupied by Mr William Foy completely gutted. — Suez branch mail steamer arrived at Adelaide. — Four men struck by lightning, at Kiama. One killed.
• 20th – Wills issued for the re-election of the new Ministry. — Colonel Richardson inspected Goulburn Volunteers. — Debate in Assembly on motion to adjourn until the 24th January.
• 21st – Opening of St lohn’s, Bishopthorpe. — The Earl of Belmore arrived at Broughton Creek from Sydney, afterwards proceeding to Coolangatta.
• 22nd – Annual Exhibition at the Fort street and William street Public schools. — Meeting of clergy at St Andrew’s to bid farewell to the Bishop of Sydney.
• 23rd – HMSS Rangoon arrived in Sydney. — The Earl of Belmore proceeded with a party up the Shoalhaven River. — Heavy rain at Goulburn, Araluen, and Terara. — Heavy S E gale along coast.
• 25th – Christmas Day. Heavy S E gale with rain.
• 26th – Barque Rialto went ashore at Newcastle, crew saved. Heavy rain at Windsor, Maitland, and Port Macquarie. — General holiday-sports on Albert Ground and other amusements.