Surveyor Galloway and Moreton Bay: Brinkmanship and Final Honours

Abstract

On 16 August 1855 in Sydney a letter was written to John James Galloway by the Surveyor General, which was, in effect, the beginning of modern style closer land use for the former penal settlement at Moreton Bay and of correct surveying for the area which was to become southern Queensland. It read: "No. 55/1100 Surveyor Generals Office, Sydney, 16th August 1855 To J. J. Galloway, Esq. Sir, I have to inform you that, as by the death of the late Mr. Surveyor Burnett you have become the Third Senior Surveyor, His Excellency the Governor General approves of your receiving the Salary attached to that position, viz. £350 per annum, to commence on the 26th of last month, the date of your return to the Colony. I am, etc. (Signed) T. L. Mitchell Surveyor General." It was followed four days later (SG No. 55/1102) by the further formal intimation that Galloway would proceed to Moreton Bay 'to take charge' of the office 'at present temporarily filled by Mr. F. E. Roberts'. The recipient of both these communications, John James Galloway (b. 18 February 1818 at Leith, Scotland) had returned to New South Wales after his long (and only period of) leave in England and Scotland, after sailing home from Sydney on the ship 'Kimiera' on 25 January 1854.