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Columbia's welcome John Joel Austin |
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John Joel Austin, one of Victoria's pioneers, came to Victoria via the Panama Canal in 1862, called largely by the stories of gold in the placer fields of the Cariboo and the possiblities of the great new land in the Pacific. Returning from the Cariboo to Victoria, Austin entered the provincial government where he took up the postion of deputy sheriff, a position he held for many years. He then transferred to the Lands and Works Dept. where he worked as an accountant. . In 1878, he took up the position of auditor. In 1883, he left the government to go into real estate and financial business in Victoria. Austin had a fine voice and was active in the early-day choirs of Victoria. He was choirmaster of St. John's Church and often filled the same postion at Christ Church Cathedral for over two decades. Austin was also one of the founders of the successful Arion Club. He died in 1906. This song was written to be performed during the visit of Princess Louise and the Marquis of Lorne and during his visit to Victoria as governor general. A long review by the Colonist newspaper notes that the conductor "resigned his baton" to the composer, for this "piece of musical composition...of a high order of merit..."
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