The Riverine question. Speeches in the Legislative Assembly of New South Wales.

Melbourne : printed by Wilson and Mackinnon, Collins Street East, 1864. Octavo (215 x 140 mm), publisher’s blind-blocked green pebbled cloth (rubbed), spine lettered in gilt; original yellow endpapers; title with ownership inscription of John Bowie Wilson (New South Wales Government Minister for Lands in the 1860s); pp. vii, [viii-x], 241, [3 blank]; preliminaries with small toning spot towards fore-edge margin, otherwise very clean throughout, a near fine copy with a significant political association.

In 1863 “The Riverine Petition” was sent from the Riverina District of southern New South Wales to Queen Victoria, pleading for independence from the colony. Settlers cited geographical isolation, neglect of local infrastructure, and a desire to align with Melbourne’s pastoral interests, essentially seeking to separate and form a new colony. This is often referred to as the Riverine District Association movement.

Ferguson, 14944

Very scarce.