In April 1857, Walter travelled to Melbourne on the ‘City of Hobart’, travelling cabin class.[i]

Death of sister, Mary Ann Butler (alias Brodribb, alias Macdougall):

Walter heard that on the 25^th October, at St Kilda, Victoria, his sister, Mary Ann Brodribb nee Macdougall, had given birth to a still-born son. [ii] Sadly, Mary Ann died shortly after, on November 1, at the young age of 40 years, leaving six children. Her death certificate states she died of disease of the heart.

Mary Ann, who had married John Campbell Macdougall [iii] in 1834 in Sydney, moved to Hobart by 1838. Macdougall had originally lived in Hobart, having migrated there with his parents and siblings from Scotland by 1820, and was involved in a variety of business enterprises and newspapers. After the death of his first wife, Macdougall moved to Sydney. However, he sold his interest in the Bank of NSW and bought the “Colonial Times” newspaper in Hobart. When he died in 1848, leaving Mary Ann to raise their six young children, Mary Ann continued to publish the newspaper until the 1855, when she sold it. She was listed in the 1852 Hobart Directory as the owner, printer and publisher of the “Colonial Times”, at 80 Collins Street at the “Times” office. She married the young lawyer whom she employed as the editor, Kendric Brodribb, the son of a prominent attorney, and long term resident of Hobart, William Adams Brodribb, Tasmania’s first solicitor. Kendric and Ann moved to Melbourne in 1855, where she died two years later, following the stillborn birth of a son. A son born the previous year in 1856, had also died shortly after birth.

Walter was now the only child of Laurence Butler still living. His brother Lawrence Butler Junior had died the previous year, 1856, in Sydney of consumption.

Electoral Bid:

Towards the end of the year, Walter once again nominated for the Council election, and was again defeated:

Hobart Town Mercury Mon 21 Dec 1857 p2

Aldermanic election-

We are rejoiced to find that the citizens are not disposed to be so apathetic, as many have stated they would be, relative to the ensuing election of Alderman. Already steps have been taken to secure the services of “good men and true” to carry out the provisions of the New Corporation Act. Several highly respectable citizens have waited upon Mr John Murdoch, soliciting him to allow himself to be nominated, and, we believe, ha has consented. Mr Murdoch is a very old colonist, and enjoys the undivided confidence of the citizens. We had also heard that Mr Walter Butler will present himself as a candidate; and this morning, a deputation will wait upon Mr Rheuben, strongly urging him to give the citizens the advantage of his practical knowledge, and untiring industry, in launching our New Municipal Act. With such gentlemen as these, combined with several of those who will retire on the 31^st instant, we have a right to expect the greatest benefits from the New Bill, combined with the smallest amount of taxation. We believe that the citizens may safely confide their interests, to the keeping of such men as those we have named.

THE YEAR 1858

1858 was a very important year for Walter Butler, as he would at last succeed in his bid for Council election, albeit not on the first try. However, firstly, in the month of January, Walter was involved in a violent incident between his friend Alderman Thomson and a newspaper journalist for the ‘Daily News’, a Mr Yates.

Witness to a 'Fracas':

The Courier Friday 1 January 1858 p3

A FRACAS between Mr J.A. Thompson (late Alderman), and the sub-editor (Yates) of the Daily News, took place last night at the corner of Murray-street, the former using a stick, which broke in the encounter, and the other availing himself of a whip. We understand that the matter will come before the Police Bench

Hobart Town Daily Mercury Fri 8 Jan 1858 p3

Assault- Mr Graves asked for an adjournment of the case of Yates against Thomson, in consequence of the absence of Mr Walter Butler, whose evidence was material. Mr Yates was also tired of waiting for a second Magistrate- a blessing there seemed to be no chance of obtaining. Mr Brewer opposed any adjournment if it could be avoided; as his client intended to plead guilty, and offer evidence, in extenuation. Mr Graves replied that that was the greater reason why the Bench should hear the evidence of Mr Walter Butler. The matter then dropped for some considerable time; and no second Magistrate being obtainable, the case was remanded till tomorrow.

In the newspaper on the following day, Saturday, the case continued without Walter as witness, as he was “indisposed”.

“Mr Yates deposed that he was walking along Murray Street at a quarter to nine o’clock on the evening of the day in question, when he heard a loud voice behind him say “That’s the D-----d sweep who wrote against me in the Daily News. He turned round to see who the speaker was, when the defendant struck him with a stick; he (witness) received the blow on the left arm. He endeavoured to return the blow with the cane he had in his hand, when the defendant struck him again several times; most of the blows he received on his arm; afterwards the defendant closed with him and struck him with the stick on each temple; he also struck his hat and crushed it a good deal. Mr Walter Butler was walking with the defendant and interposed between them. Witness was exceedingly ill at the time, and was scarcely able to stand.

The defendant did not deny that he committed the assault complained of, but averred that he did so under the circumstances of great provocation. The learned counsel then read an extract from a leading article of the ‘Daily News’ of December 30^th, which commented strongly on Mr Thompson’s conduct.

Those remarks were totally uncalled for, and the more so from the fact that in the same issue of the paper appeared a letter from Mr Thompson, stating that he did not intend to present himself for re-election as an alderman. Mr Butler had been called as a witness, but was unable to attend through indisposition.

Learned Counsel was instructed to say, on behalf of Mr Butler, that Mr Yates passed the defendant in a very insolent manner upon which the latter made the remark already mentioned, to the gentleman with whom he was walking. Though the remark was not addressed to Mr Yates, that gentleman turned round, and held up his stick in a very threatening manner, and thereupon the defendant gave him a good thrashing. Nothing of this would have occurred if the complainant had passed on quietly. The Magistrate stated: the defendant had no right to assault him. Nothing would tend more to destroy the freedom of the press, if its writers were to be liable to assaults for whatever appeared in the newspapers. He then fined Thomson £5.”

As Walter was a good friend of Mr Thomson and would have been unable to refute his friend’s actions without perjuring himself, he was very conveniently ‘indisposed’.

On the 24^th March Walter once again travelled to Melbourne on the ‘City of Hobart’.[iv]

Memberships: Masonic Lodge, Tasmanian Temperence Alliance:

On Tuesday 15^th June, Walter was named as a ‘Brother’ at a meeting of the Masonic Lodge. [v]

On the 19^th June he was mentioned at a meeting of the Tasmanian Temperence Alliance. [vi]A committee was formed with a view of obtaining subscriptions and presenting a Mr Lennon with a suitable testimonial for having saved some children’s lives from a rampaging herd of bullocks in risk of his own life. Walter Butler was named on the committee.

Council election bid and speeches:

By July, Walter was once again nominated for election as an Alderman. Although failing on the first attempt, another opening not long after, finally resulted in success. A series of newspaper articles give us more information about his life and character.

Hobart Town Daily Mercury Mon 12 July 1858 p3

Municipal election- We understand that Mr Henry Cook and Mr Walter Butler have been nominated as candidates for the seat in the Municipal Council vacated by demise of Alexander Cheyne Esq. Other citizens are in the field, but we shall defer any remarks upon the respective candidates until the names of all are officially made known. The Mayor will receive the names of persons duly qualified to be elected until 12 o’clock at noon on Wednesday next the 14^th inst.

The Courier Tues 13 July 1858 p.2-3

(for full transcript see 14 July below)

Letter to the Ratepayers of Hobart Town.

...Having been for many years in former times, a resident of Tasmania, and having adopted it as a home for myself and family for the last five years... I had, it is true, stated that it was my intention to leave the colony, feeling as I did, the want of some specific occupation for my leisure, but should my friends succeed in electing me as their representative, I shall feel myself not only bound to remain at my post, but honoured in filling that post while my service meet with their approval.

Walter Butler

Newbury House,

Elizabeth Street, West.

Residence: Newbury House:

The address given by Walter for his abode is of particular interest. Newbury House is a large and beautifully appointed house situated on the far end of Elizabeth Street, on the edge of where the street becomes New Town Road. It is also situated near the junction of Audley Street.

Newbury House c 1880

An advertisement placed in the “Mercury” newspaper 23 January 1861, gives a description of Newbury House:

“To Let

NEWBURY HOUSE

Situate at the first milestone New Town Road, containing nine rooms, kitchen, servant’s room, with stabling and coach house, & C. water and gas laid on, pronounced to be the most healthy situation in Hobart Town. For cards to view and particulars apply to

Walter Butler

Ship Hotel”

The above description gives an excellent indication of the size of his residence.

Why he chose to name his home “Newbury House” is not known. Photographs of Newbury House exist in the Tasmanian Library Archives.

In the 1860 ‘Hobart Town Gazette Assessment Roll’, Walter is listed as the occupier and owner of a house and ground, annual value-£68. [vii] Of the 68 ratepayers listed on this page, there are only three properties valued higher (his neighbour McTavish £100; William Murray £75 & £30 for adjacent houses; James Wiggins £80 for The Bricklayers Arms Inn ; notably all of the other properties listed ranged in value from £1 to £38, with the majority below £25). This record indicates that this was indeed a valuable property. However, in the 1867 ‘Hobart Town Gazette Assessment Roll’, the value had depreciated somewhat, being valued at £54, and occupied by Isaac Chapman. [viii] However, the other properties were also of less value as indicated by Murray’s property which was now only £90 in total, and the several properties of a Henry Ring had devalued from £21 to £17 and several at £6 were now £5 or less. So there must have been a recession at the time.

Election bid and speeches (cont.)

Hobart Town Daily Mercury Wed 14 July 1858 p3 & Thurs 15^th July p2

Election of Alderman

I Hereby Give Notice that in accordance with the provisions of the 16^th Section of the Act of the Parliament of Tasmania, 21 Vict, No 14, I, the Mayor of the City of Hobart Town, ill from Saturday the 10^th instant until 12 o’clock at noon of the 14^th instant, receive the nominations of a person to be elected as Alderman, on the 17^th instant, in the place of Alexander Cheyne Esq, deceased.

Any two Citizens who are qualified to vote at such election, may be writing, stating their respective residences, nominate to me a Citizen qualified to be elected as Alderman.

The Courier 14 July 1858

Aldermanic Election

The following citizens have been nominated for the election as Alderman to fill the vacancy caused at the Civic Board by the death of Captain Cheyne:- Messrs Walter Butler, Henry Cook, John Cleghorn, Frederick Robert Lees and Alexander Mackenzie Nicol.

Hobart Town Daily Mercury Wednesday 14 July p4; &Thurs 15 July 1858 p2-

Election speech:

To the Ratepayers of Hobart Town

“Sworn to no master, of no sect am I”

Gentlemen,

At the request of many of my fellow citizens have been induced to offer myself as a Candidate for your suffrages to fill the vacancy caused by the death of the late Captain Cheyne.

To such a request, conveyed as it has been , in so flattering a manner, I have but one reply to make- to say that a determination to devote myself to your interests, to support and insist upon the economical and judicious appropriation of the public funds and the reduction, if possible, of the burden the ratepayers have to bear, are the grounds upon which I can in all sincerity solicit your support.

Having been for many years, in former times, a resident of Tasmania, and having adopted it as a home for myself and family for the last five years, I am happy to say that I feel my interests identified with those of the Citizens of Hobart Town. Not being engaged in any business which demands my attention, I am enabled to promise that should my fellow Citizens deem me worthy of their choice, my whole time will be available for the discharge of the very important duties which I shall undertake to perform with a conscientious sense of the great responsibility which they involve.

It would ill become me to enlarge upon the qualifications necessary for such a charge, but I may say that I have had the advantage of a long and practical business experience; and that were I not confident that such qualifications were demanded, I should at once decline the honor which you intend to convey by your requisition.

I had, it is true, stated that it was my intention to leave the colony feeling as I did, the want of some specific occupation for my leisure; but, should my friends succeed in electing me as their representative, I shall feel myself not only bound to remain at my post, but honoured in filling that post while my services meet with their approval.

Walter Butler

Newbury House

Elizabeth-street West

July 14 1858

Hobart Town Daily Mercury Thurs 15 July 1858, page 2

Municipal Election

The following citizens have been duly proposed and seconded as candidates for the Aldermanic Chair vacant by the death of Captain Cheyne:- Messrs. Henry Cook, Walter Butler, John Cleghorn, A.M. Nicol, and Frederick Robert Lees. The election will take place on Saturday. To-morrow we shall express our opinion as to the eligibility of the various candidates. In the mean time we would express an earnest hope that all who have the welfare of the City at heart will make it a matter of conscientious duty to record their vote. There are five candidates in the field. It is not anticipated that anything near the whole, or even one half of the citizens will trouble themselves to vote at all; so that when the votes of those- who really estimate their privileges at something more than a mere bagatello- are divided amongst five candidates, it becomes evident that a very small number indeed may constitute the majority. We do hope that the respectable body of the citizens will see that their candidate is beyond the chance of defeat before they relax their efforts on his behalf.

Once again, the candidate who was a long term resident, was supported by the newspaper editor:

The Courier Friday 16 July 1858 p2

Events of the Week

The past week has not been prolific of important events, public attention having been mainly occupied by Municipal matters. The death of Captain Cheyne having left a vacancy in the Corporation, five candidates have been nominated to fill the vacancy- namely, Mr Cook, of Elizabeth-street, an old and respected resident; Mr Walter Butler, who is out of business, and has chosen Tasmania during the past five years as his place of residence; Mr John Cleghorn; Mr Frederick Robert Lees; and Mr Nicol, builder.

Mr Cook was at the head of the defeated candidates at the election of the present Council, and appears to command general respect, as a respectable man of business, of local knowledge, and integrity. Mr Cleghorn is interested in our public companies, and has been actively engaged in public matters. Mr Lees has been for a short period Town Clerk. Mr Nicol, from what little is publicly known of him, has not credit for possessing that suaviter in modo which is necessary for preventing the City Council from degenerating into Gregsonian eccentricities.

The list is one from which any English City might safely select a guardian of their Municipal interest; but we see no reason why the citizens should not elect the candidate whom we formerly supported, Mr Cook.

This time the elction results were much closes, with Walter being placed a close second. Two days later, a second vacancy was filled by Walter, unopposed.

The Courier Tues 20 July 1858 p3

Election of Alderman- five candidates.

Official Declaration of the Poll

David Lewis Esq, Actin Mayor officially declared the state of the poll for the return of an Alderman, in place of the late Captain Cheyne, yesterday afternoon, to a large number of citizens assembled in the Market Hall, and pronounced Mr Cook duly elected. He congratulated the electors on the orderly manner in which the contest had been conducted, a fact which he thought spoke favourably of the system of vote by ballot.

Mr Cook, who was received with loud cheers, most cordially thanked the citizens for the honour they had done him, and for their having, like men of honour and integrity, redeemed their promise of electing him the next time he came forward after the last election, and that it now only remained for him to prove that the confidence reposed in him was not displaced.

Mr Walter Butler very heartily thanked those electors who by their votes had placed him at the head of the second poll, and remarked that his friends having nominated him as a candidate at the next election also, he should come forward, and should the citizens do him the honour to return him, he would do all in his power to further their interests (Cheers).

Mr Lees apologised to his friends and fellow-citizens for being late… I also appear before you as a defeated candidate but not an ungrateful one; I feel grateful to those citizens who favoured me with their votes.

(Lees, a lawyer, who was denounced by the editor of the Mercury, then gave a humorous and derogatory speech against this editor)

Hobart Town Daily Mercury Tues 20 July 1858 p2

The Municipal Election

We congratulate the Electors upon the return of Mr Henry Cook, a most respectable citizen, as an Alderman. Indeed, we never for a moment doubted as to the result. Everyone must have felt that the election of Mr F.R. Lees would have been a degradation. (ie. the lawyer in the above article) Now that the contest has been decided, we have no desire whatever to say one harsh word of any citizen. Such low ribaldry as we were honoured with from the hustings yesterday, was characteristic of the man who uttered it- need we say more? The severest punishment we can possibly inflict upon him is to publish his –speech; and that we have done.

Mr Walter Butler is again a Candidate, and aspires to occupy the chair vacated by Mr. O. Gilles. We have already stated that we considered Mr Butler eligible. A report, however, has been industriously circulated that, towards the close of the day on Saturday, this gentleman so far forgot himself, and what was due to his own character and the character of those who supported him, as to form a coalition with Lees. The Citizens look to Mr Butler to disabuse their minds of this belief. We have already heard other highly respectable persons named as probable candidates for the vacancy; and there can be no doubt but that such a report as the one to which we have alluded will strongly militate against Mr Butler’s success. Should it remain uncontradicted, it will unquestionably shake our confidence in his fitness for so important a post. We hope to see it publicly contradicted.

The Courier Thurs 22 July 1858 p3

Municipal election advert:

Fellow Citizens- My former supporters, and my late opponents, being desirous that I should present myself on Monday Next, as a Candidate for your Suffrages, I at once acceded to so flattering a request, and should you elect me, every pledge heretofore given I now promise to faithfully carry out.

Walter Butler

The Courier Fri 23 July 1858 p3

The Aldermanic Board- no other citizens having been nominated, Mr Walter Butler will be elected Alderman of Hobart Town on Monday, without opposition replacing O. Gilles Esq.

Elected Monday 26 July 1858 (Courier p2)

Hobart Town Daily Mercury Saturday 24 July 1858 p3

General Intelligence

New Alderman- This was the last day of nominating gentlemen to serve as an Alderman in the place of O.H. Gillies, Esquire. There was but one candidate nominated- Walter Butler, Esq., who was proposed by Samuel Moses, Esq,. and seconded by Alfred Nicholas, Esq. Although the declaration will not be made till Monday, Mr Walter Butler may now be considered as duly elected.

The Courier Monday 26 July 1858 p2

Aldermanic Election- Mr Walter Butler, being the only candidate nominated, was this morning publicly declared duly elected; and he immediately afterwards signed the declaration of office, in the presence of Aldermen Lewis and Rheuben.

Death of Mother-in-law:

Walter’s wife Frances was informed about the death of her mother in Bath, England. A notice was placed in the newspaper:

The Courier Mon 9 Aug 1858 p2

Deaths:

On the 3^rd April, at Charlton Cottage Bath, Mary Ann relict of the late Rev W. Edwards, formerly of Kilmerston, Somerset, and mother of Mrs Walter Butler of this city.

Justice of the Peace:

In August, Walter was appointed as a Justice of the Peace.

Hobart Town Daily Mercury Tues 10 Aug 1858 p3

The Government Gazette: In pursuance of the provisions of the Hobart Town Corporation Act, His Excellency the Governor has been pleased to appoint Henry Cook and Walter Butler, Esquires, to be Justices of the Peace, in and for the City of Hobart Town.

The Commissioner of Crown Lands notifies that it is proposed to grant to the Mayor, Aldermen, and Citizens of Hobart Town, a block of 1 rood and 20 perches of ground, in Macquarie-street, and along the proposed continuation of Elizabeth-street, for the purposes of a Town Hall for the said Corporation.

Walter would then sit on the Bench of Magistrates on numerous occasions, judging petty crimes and dealing out appropriate penalties.

Eg: The Courier Tues 31 Aug 1858:

Police Office:

Before Mr Tarleton, Mr Kennerley and Alderman Butler:

Several cases- defrauding; assault; suit; absconding. Etc.

NB Alderman Butler also acted as magistrate in 1858- Sept 1, Sept 4, Sept 8, Sept 16, October 22, October 27, November 11; 1859- 17 Aug 1859, 20 Dec 1859

Order of Odd Fellows:

In September, as a member of the Order of Odd Fellows, the Victoria Lodge (of which he was a member from at least Sept 13 1856- The Courier), he was involved in some rather splendid anniversary celebrations which was humorously reported:

Hobart Town Daily Mercury Thurs 9 September 1858 p2

Odd Fellowship Festival

Tuesday was appointed for the celebration of the establishing of Odd Fellowship in Tasmania, and it had been arranged that the Members of the various Lodges should walk in procession through the City, in accordance with a programme published some few days since in the Journal, and then attend Divine Service in St David’s Cathedral, the Venerable Archdeacon Davies, the Chaplain of the Order officiating. The weather, however, proving unfavourable for such a display, it was agreed that the procession should be postponed till the 28^th October next, but that the dinners should take place as previously announced, namely, that of the Loyal United Brothers Lodge at Brother Host Bastian’s ‘Bird in the Hand’, Argyle street; that of the Primitive Lodge, at the Town Hall ( the old Government House Ball room); that of the Victoria Lodge, at the ‘Waterloo Hotel’; and that of the Albert Lodge, at their Lodge Rooms in Collins-street.

The Brethren of the various Lodges assembled at the hour appointed- 7 o’clock. The repast prepared at each was of the most splendid description, comprising every delicacy, which could be procured. It would be an invidious, as well as a difficult task to draw a comparison between the dinners provided at each Lodge. We spoke to several Brethren upon this subject with the view to elicit an opinion, but we found our worthy Brothers of the Primitive quite prepared to maintain that it was absolutely impossible that any dinner could be better than that laid out in the Town Hall on Tuesday; our Brethren of the Victoria held precisely the same happy sentiments with regard to the “spread” at the Waterloo- a miracle could not have improved such a dinner; while the Brethren of the United Brothers Lodge declared that the greatest fault of which they had to complain was that the table was so crowded with good things that they could find no room for eating! Seldom, if ever, before this have there been four such public dinners prepared in Tasmania, and demolished in Tasmania (for they were demolished), on the same night. After the dinners had been most zealously discussed in “solemn Silence”, each Brother at each Lodge vying with his Brethren “paying attention” to this most important part of the festivities, the usual loyal toasts were proposed and drunk with all the enthusiasm for which Britons are so proverbially celebrated after dinner, as well as before. The Queen, the Prince Consort, and the Royal Family, the Army and Navy, His excellency Sir W. T. Denison, Patron, and His Excellency Sir H. E. Young, Vice Patron, were all most rapturously received in each Lodge. After each toast, the several Bands played the customary appropriate airs. Then came “Odd Fellowship all over the world”- in the Victoria, it was proposed by Grand Master Ivey. The next toast was “the Grand Master and Board of Directors of the Tasmanian Grand Lodge. One speech remarked that the funds collectively of all the Lodges in Hobart Town amounted to nearly £1000. The number of brethren was over one thousand. The great benefits accruing from Odd Fellowship in a philanthropic point of view, the assistance afforded sick brethren, not as a matter of charity but as a matter of right, as well as to the widows and orphans of deceased brethren, were most eloquently adverted to in connection with this toast in the various Lodges. (He) had repeatedly witnessed its benefits in the house of sorrow and of mourning. He also spoke of the labors of the visiting Brothers whose duty it was to attend the sick and afflicted, and he firmly believed that no Odd Fellow, who faithfully acted upon the principles of his Order, could be a bad or immoral man.

The Mayor and Corporation of Hobart Town was proposed in the Royal Victoria by G. Kiley and was responded to by Brother Alderman Butler who stated that he had never been associated with a body of men more anxious to promote the interests of their fellow citizens.

In the Loyal United, Brother Davis proposed the toast and favourably contrasted the present position of the Municipality of Hobart Town, with that of Sydney and Melbourne, the latter of which had incurred a debt of £150,000, and yet had not accomplished so many sanitary and other beneficial improvements as our own. This was responded to by Mr D. Lewis, the Right Worshipful the Mayor, who triumphantly observed that the debt of the Hobart Town Corporation did not amount to £120. etc.

Council and Aldermanic Business:

Walter was also mentioned in weekly Council meetings, which were reported in the newspapers. Some of the motions he proposed give an idea of his personal interests as an Alderman.

The Courier Tues 7 September 1858 p3

Municipal Council

Alderman Butler moved that it was desirable that the bridge at the lower end of Macquarie Street, near the domain, should be pulled down, and replaced by a suitable structure, and that application should be made to the Government to place a sum of money on the estimates for that purpose. Mr Alderman Lipscombe seconded the motion, which was passed. It was also moved and seconded that the mover and seconder do form a deputation to wait upon the Colonial Treasurer on the matter.

Hobart Town Daily Mercury Wed 13 October 1858 p3

Municipal Council- Monday

Watchhouses- Alderman Butler pointed out the desirability of having Watch-houses erected in various parts of the city for the reception of prisoners, and, after some remarks, it was suggested that Alderman Butler should put out a notice on the paper for next week in reference to the matter.

The Courier Tues 16 November 1858, p3.

Municipal Council- Last Night

At the weekly meeting of the Corporation yesterday evening, a number of reports were brought up, amongst which was a report upon an application to extend the water-pipes to New Town, which recommended that a copy thereof should be forwarded to Mr Samuel Moses, with an intimation that it was impracticable to comply with the request.

Ald Cook suggested that New Town might be supplied from the New Town Creek. Ald Lipscombe did not approve of dividing the water-works, although the 3^rd Wm 4 gave the Corporation the power over New Town Creek.

Ald Stewart expressed the hope that measures would be taken to procure a supply of water pipes. Ald Murdoch considered that the Waterworks Committee should include this matter in their report.

Ald Butler stated that by the 1^st of December an elaborate report would be brought up by the Committee. (Hear, hear)

Hobart Town Daily Mercury Tues 16 November 1858 p2

Municipal Council

Compensation to Constable Riley

Alderman Butler moved that compensation be given to Constable Riley, who had sustained injury in the discharge of his duty, in an affray with some sailors. Riley was a man of courage and was entitled to some reward. He (Ald. Butler) witnessed the transaction in which Riley took part.

The motion fell to the ground, the want of some one to second it.

Municipal Corporation

Mr Ald Stewart complained that the works in Salamanca Place had been commenced without the order of the Council, and after the Public works Committee and recommended that the works ordered should be taken in hand in turn, which recommendation was adopted; the alterations being made were quite unnecessary at present, and would entail great expense on the members of St David’s Church. Mr Alderman Butler agreed with the remarks. (after further discussion) Alderman Butler thought the works should be now proceede with, as the materials and men were there. The COuncil ordered that the works be proceeded with.

Hobart Town Daily Mercury Tues 30 Novemeber 1858 p3

Municipal Council- Monday

Baths & Wash-houses

Ald Cook pursuant to notice, moved that a Select committee be appointed to inquire into the desirability of the erection of baths and washhouses for the convenience and health of the citizens. He pointed out tat although Hobart Town was surrounded with salt water there was no adequate bathing accommodation afforded to the public. He knew of no work so calculated to meet with general approval as the erection of suitable bathing houses, and he was sure the government would lend their assistance, as he hoped also the Marine Board. He moved that Aldermen Murdoch, Butler and the Mayor be appointed a Select Committee to inquire into and report upon the matter. Ald Propating seconded. After a short discussion, the motion was put and passed.

Sick Fund.(Discussion of a small sum be set apart from the wages of Corporation labourers towards a relief fund.) Alderman Butler would willingly support the motion, but feared it would not work well, and must therefore oppose it. The motion was put and negatived by the casting vote of the Chairman.

Royal Society of Tasmania Membership:

In October, Walter was elected as a member of the Royal Society of Tasmania. This Society’s interests were in the Sciences and Arts, and were responsible for Hobart’s collection of flora and fauna for the Museum and the Botanical Gardens, as well as the Library collection:

The Courier Tues 26 October 1858 pages 2,3

Royal Society of Tasmania.

The Monthly Meeting of the Royal Society for October was held at the Museum, Harrington-strret, on the evening of Tuesday, the 12^th inst. Amongst the Fellows of the Society present were: Hon. Dr Bedford, M.L.C.. Dr Agnew and De McCarthy, the Right Worshipful the Mayor, Mr D. Lewis, the Rev Robert MacLean, etc

The following gentlemen, having been balloted for, were declared duly elected into the Society:

Dr George Francis Huston, of New town.

William Pitt, Esq., of Hobart Town.

Mr Alderman Butler, of Hobart Town.

At this stage of the proceedings, Mr Abbott, with the permission of the chair, announced that, on his way to the meeting, he had observed in the western sky, shrouded under a thin cloud, and only a few degrees above the horizon, a luminous body, which he believed to be a comet, and that, in order to confirm this conjecture, he had, a few minutes since, requested the Secretary to observe the phenomenon from the street with him, and to give his opinion upon it, and he had now the satisfaction of stating that Dr. Milligan’s view of its character, though imperfectly seen, close upon the horizon and through a thick haze, corresponded with his own. He thought it would prove to be the comet of 1556, which, according to Chinese and other records, had appeared in 1264, and has therefore a period of nearly 300 years, making allowance for the perturbations caused by planets. The nucleus seemed to be about as large as the planet Jupiter, and he tail extended in an ill-defined brush-like form to 8” or 10”. Etc. The Secretary next drew attention to the various donations upon the table, namely:

To the Library (names donors and names of books donated- eg The Scriptures of the Old Testament”, “The Book of Rarities on the University of Cambridge” etc.)

To the Museum (names of donors and scientific specimens donated eg skin of a Musk rat, of a black cormorant, section of the Telegraph cable laid across the Atlantic, one farthing of William and Mary etc.

The Secretary placed before the Meeting the Meteorological Tables for September, for comparison.

The Secretary laid on the Table Returns of Plants, which flowered at the Royal Society’s gardens during September amounting to 175 species and varieties. The Return of visitors to the gardens for the month was submitted- the total number having been 1180.

The Secretary next produced the annexed List of Plants now available for sale at the Royal Society’s Gardens. (They discussed the best method for selling these plants.)

(They discussed the propriety of the Society importing plants of the Eugenia ugni, and discussed its fruit, which was eaten by Chileans at dessert, and is said to be “of the most exquisite flavour”.)

Soon after 9 o’clock, a vote of thanks having been unanimously passed to the various persons who had made donations and sent communications to the meeting, the Chairman rose and the Members separated.

Re-election:

In December 1858, several positions in the Municipal Council came up for re-election, Walter’s among them, his previous election having only replaced a sitting member.

The Courier Mon 13 Dec 1858 p2

Election of Aldermen

I hereby give notice that in accordance with provisions of the 16^th Section of the Hobart Town Corporation Act, I as Mayor of the City of Hobart Town will, from and after the 23^rd day of December instant, and until 12 o’clock at noon of the 27^th day of December instant, receive nominations of persons to be elected Aldermen of the City of Hobart Town in the places of Aldermen J. Murdoch, Lipscombe and Walter Butler, who respectively, by virtue of the 12^th Sect of the said Act, go out of office on the 31^st Day of Dec 1858.

(NB newspaper report then gives enrolment qualifications for electors)

The Courier Monday 27 December 1858 p2

Published By Authority

Election of Aldermen

Notice is hereby Given, that, pursuant to the 11^th Section of the Hobart Town Corporation Act, an election will take place on Thursday, the 30^th day of December, 1858 at the Municipal Chambers in Collins-street, to supply the Vacancies in the Municipal Council which will be created by the going out of office by rotation according to the 12^th Section of the said Act, on Friday the 31^st day of December, 1858, of Alderman John Murdoch, Alderman Frederick Lipscombe, and Alderman Walter Butler.

By the 14^th Section of the said Act all citizens whose names are on the Assessment Roll on the 10^th day of December 1858 and who have paid all Municipal Rates payable to the day of Election are entitled to vote at such Election and no others.

And the Election, pursuant to Section 79 of the said Act, will commence at 9 o’clock in the forenoon, and finally close at 4 o’clock in the afternoon of the day of Election.

Dated the 7^th day of December 1858

D. Lewis

Mayor of the City of Hobart Town

Election of Aldermen

Notice is hereby Given, pursuant to the 21^st Section of the Hobart Town Corporation Act, that the situation of the Polling-place for the election of three persons to be Aldermen of the City of Hobart Town, in the places of Alderman John Murdoch, Alderman Frederick Lipscombe, and Alderman Walter Butler, who severally go out of office on the 31^st day of December, 1858, will be at the Municipal Chambers, in Collins street, Hobart Town.

Dated this 7^th day of Dec 1858

D. Lewis Mayor of the City of Hobart Town.

List of Citizens nominated for Election as Aldermen for the City of Hobart Town on the 30^th day of December 1858 with the Names and Residences of their Proposers respectively.

Butler Walter, Newbury House, Elizabeth street, proposed by Samuel Moses, merchant, of Murray street and Alfred Nicholas, merchant of Murray Street.

Lipscombe, Frederick, Murray street, merchant etc

Murdoch, John, Old Wharf, merchant etc

Maddocks, Samuel, Brisbane Street

Norton, James, Upper Macquarie Street

Pascoe, Thomas, Gore Street

Smith, Francis, Holebrook Place etc

Seabrook, Henry, Wharf and Elizabeth street

Dated this 27^th day of December 1858

D.Lewis, Mayor

The resultant election results showed that Walter Butler was now fully accepted as a worthwhile representative whom the citizens of Hobart trusted to carry out the work that was required. His conscientious attention paid to various areas of concern during his previous six months of service must have been noted by the citizens of Hobart.

The Courier Friday 31 December 1858 p2

Municipal Election

The Mayor, the Poll Clerks, and the Scrutineers went through the ballot papers this day, commencing at ten o'clock.

The Mayor, a little after one o'clock, informed the citizens then present, about 120, that the votes stood as follows:-

Butler 926

Lipscombe 848

Murdoch 636

Seabrook 574

Pascoe 147

Norton 69

Smith 57

Maddocks 34

The Mayor congratulated the citizens upon the orderly way in which the selection had been conducted, informed them that a meeting of the Aldermen would be held to-morrow, to elect a Mayor for the ensuing year, and wished them a Happy New Year.

Alderman Butler thanked the citizens very sincerely for the position in which he was placed. He was doubly proud of it; first, because they had placed him at the head of the poll; and secondly, because his re-election proved that he had not lost their confidence. He renewed his pledge to serve the citizens faithfully and assured them that he was proud to be associated with such a body of men as his brother Aldermen. In conclusion, he also wished all present a Happy New Year.

Alderman Lipscombe thanked the citizens for this proof of their confidence as this was the third time he had been elected. He would very willingly have retired from the Council at this period, but, as he had been elected, he would endeavour to discharge his duty satisfactorily to the community at large…. The important question of water supply to the city had engrossed the attention of himself and brother aldermen for a considerable period, and he hoped the result of their anxious consideration would be such as to give to Hobart Town such advantages of water supply as no other city in the Australian colonies possessed. The next important question, which would come before the Council, was the drainage, but of that it was time enough to talk at present.

Alderman Murdoch was received most unfavourably, but he assured them he had always done his duty conscientiously, faithfully and fearlessly, and without favour to any man, and briefly thanked the citizens for his re-election.

Three cheers were then given for the Queen, on the suggestion of His Worship, which were followed by three for the Mayor and Alderman Butler, and thus ended the proceedings.

Thus ended a very busy and eventful year in the life of Walter Butler.

Contact email:
butler1802 @hotmail.com (no spaces)

Link back to Introduction chapter:http://butlerfamilyhistoryaus.blogspot.com.au/2012/08/walter-butler-introduction.html

[i] Hobart Town Mercury ,Wed 22 April 1857 Shipping Intelligence

[ii] The Courier 4 Nov 1857, p2

[iii] E. Flinn, Macdougall, John Campbell (1805?-1848), Australian Dictionary of Biography, Vol 2, 1967 pp163-164, Melbourne University Press

[iv] The Courier, 24 March 1858, Shipping Intelligence

[v] The Hobart Town Mercury, Tues 15 June 1858, p3

[vi] Hobart Town Daily Mercury, Sat 19 June, p3

[vii] Hobart Town Gazette Assessment Roll, Friday 10 February 1860, page 191

[viii] Hobart Town Gazette Assessment Roll, Tuesday 15 January 1867, page 85

Walter Butler (c.1807-1870)- the life of a 'currency' lad born in the colony of NSW

Wednesday 22 August 2012

Walter Butler- Ch. 17: Hobart- Years 1857-1858

Death of sister, Mary Ann Butler (alias Brodribb, alias Macdougall):

Electoral Bid:

THE YEAR 1858

Memberships: Masonic Lodge, Tasmanian Temperence Alliance:

Council election bid and speeches:

Residence: Newbury House:

Election bid and speeches (cont.)

Election of Alderman

The Courier 14 July 1858

Aldermanic Election

The following citizens have been nominated for the election as Alderman to fill the vacancy caused at the Civic Board by the death of Captain Cheyne:- Messrs Walter Butler, Henry Cook, John Cleghorn, Frederick Robert Lees and Alexander Mackenzie Nicol.

Hobart Town Daily Mercury Wednesday 14 July p4; &Thurs 15 July 1858 p2-

Election speech:

To the Ratepayers of Hobart Town

Municipal Election

Events of the Week

Hobart Town Daily Mercury Tues 20 July 1858 p2

General Intelligence

Death of Mother-in-law:

Justice of the Peace:

Order of Odd Fellows:

Odd Fellowship Festival

Council and Aldermanic Business:

Municipal Council

Municipal Council

Municipal Corporation

Royal Society of Tasmania Membership:

Re-election:

Election of Aldermen

Election of Aldermen

Butler 926