The Petition:
58/1028 – 7 April /58
The Commissioner in charge of the Western Gold Fields to the Hon. The Secretary for Lands and Public Works respecting the employment of Special Constables
Gold Commissioner’s Office, Sofala, 30 April 1858
Sir,
I do myself the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter No. 31 of the 29th Ultimo. With reference to the amount of remuneration to be allowed to persons employed as Special Constables in the event of collisions between the European and Chinese Miners. I have to observe that the trading community would have chiefly to be counted on to fill the office in question. This class of persons would not consider themselves to be remunerated for leaving their places of business at a time of riot by any amount that would be authorised – certainly not be less than 20/- per diem. On the other hand, it may be considered that, on an emergency requiring the services of Special Constable, the rendering of such services is held to be the unconditional duty of every member of society; and I believe that the services required would be given as willingly by the Class referred to, without remuneration, as with an allowance which, at no reasonable cost, would then not compensate the member probably to be employed.
2. Should future occasion arise the assistance of Special Constables, where it can be made available, will be resorted to, but the circumstances of the occasion may in all probability be such as to necessitate a promptitude and expedition of Police intervention quite inconsistent with the appointing, collecting, swearing in, and moving on foot to some distant part of the Gold Field, of a body of Special Constables.
3. I am happy however to be able to report that the measures adopted after the threatened out-break at Tambaroora, and the Regulations made with regard to the location and management of the Chinese, seem to have had the affect of diminishing to a great degree the prospect of actual collision. But the carrying out of the Regulations referred to will involve much additional Police Supervision.
4. I would with to observe that it was not my intention to propose the maintenance of a standing body of Police to meet emergencies of the nature alluded to, but rather to moot the question of augmenting the present Police Establishment in some proportion to the greatly increased and rapidly increasing requirements of the Western Gold Fields, both as regards general Police protection, and collection of Revenue, having also in main the prevention of a State of things trading to such emergencies.
I have the honor to be
Sir, Your most obedient servant
Harold Maclean
Petition from Diggers, Tambaroora
Instruct Mr. Commissioner Maclean to inform the Petitioner that so far as regards the alleged waste and water of the Chinese, instructions have been given already to the Asst. Commissioner in charge of the various diggings to locate the Chinese as far as possible in a position, where they will not be likely to come into contact with the Europeans and also to prevent the use for mining purposes of the water place, where it may be necessary to retain if for domestic use.
Add, that as yet the Govt. is not in the receipt of any official information to justify the belief that the Chinese are infected with contagious diseases.
Police Magistrate – 29th March (signature)
It appears that the European population at the gold fields abuse the Chinese of wasting the water by their mode of working and also that they are affected with disease and ???? diseases. Mr McLean to some extend ???? in the first asserting and has ?????? to ???? it, as much as possible to arranging for their working away from the Europeans. With ref to the second Mr McLean does not believe it to be true.
Mr McLean has also provided that where water should be preserved for domestic purposes a notice shall be put up to that effect and that no ???? shall for the future be done to it.
58/930 – 27 Mar
The Acting Gold Commissioner for the Western Districts to the Hon. The Secretary for Lands & Public Works, forwarding a Petition from Residents at Tambaroora on the subject of Chinese Immigration
(58/38 – submitted)
Gold Commissioners Office, Sofala, 22nd March 1858.
Sir,
I have the honor to transmit herewith a memorial from certain Residents at Tambaroora, addressed to His Excellency the Governor-General and the Executive Council, on the subject of the present Chinese Immigration to these Gold Fields. In forwarding this memorial I deem it proper to offer any remarks which have occurred to me, taking the paragraphs [one by one].
2. The varying progress of all Gold Fields renders it almost impossible to speculate as to the population which any one gold field can support. I am not prepared to concur in the opinion that Tambaroora is unable to support a population even greater than that now located there. The Chinese population at present on that Field I do not estimate to exceed 500 or at most 600.
3. The additional population undoubtedly [influences] the scarcity of water, which, in any case, at this reason would be severely felt. Where no special right exists to the use of water for gold washing purposes, it is impossible effectually to regulate the consumption by the Public.
4. No official notification of the existence among the Chinese of the diseases referred to has reached me. I believe the fears on that subject to be unfounded.
5. The grievances set forth in paragraph 5 are correctly stated. There can be no question but that the interests noted in the improvements mentioned are much predicted by the location in ill-watered ???? of large numbers of Chinese, or other persons.
By my letter of the 16th instant No. 32, you have been appraised of the steps taken to remove, as far as can equitably be done, the costs complained of.
I have the honor to be, Sir,
Your most obedient Servant
Harold Maclean
Acting Commission
In the Western Districts
To His Excellency the Governor General and The Honorable Executive Council
The Petition of the undersigned resident Miners of Tambaroora, Western District
Humbly Showeth,
That the recent extensive and alarming Immigration of Chinese to these Gold Fields seriously affects the Interests and welfare of your Petitioners and together with the scarcity of Water and prevailing Drought threaten your Petitioners with absolute starvation and ruin –
Your Petitioners humbly submit to your Excellency and Honorable Council the following statement of their case.
2. That these Gold Fields when Water is abundant cannot sustain a Population of more than Seven Hundred “700” – while the Chinese at present raise it to nearly Two Thousand “2000” –
3. That owing to the scarcity of Water and large influx of Chinese many of your Petitioners are presented following their occupation and are consequently in a state of destitution.
That the Chinese consume and spoil large quantities of Water by their mode of Working – washing indiscriminately ????? to thus destroying large quantities of Water to obtain only small quantities of Gold.
4. That your Petitioners have good cause to believe that the Chinese are infected with loathsome and contagious diseases.
5. That your Petitioners, are for the most part, married and have Families dependant on them for support and have been to great trouble and expense in Building Houses and Huts, Fencing and Planting Gardens, which should these Diggings become exhausted will be valueless to them – also that your Petitioners are greatly alarmed that owing to the over population, the drinking Water will become soon exhausted, as it is only with great difficulty that the smallest supply can now be obtained. The nearest next place being the Macquarie River, distant Twelve “12” miles.
6. Under these circumstances your Petitioners humbly pray that your Excellency and Honorable Council will be pleased to enact such measures as the urgency of their case demands.
And your Petitioners as in duty bound will ever pray –
The Petitioners:
| ?asherand, M C |
| Adams, James |
| Allbridge, Henry Herman |
| Allcock, Fredrick |
| Allen, James |
| Allerban, John |
| Amery, Alfred |
| Anderson, James |
| Andrews, Henry |
| Andringa, R |
| Armitage, Tom |
| Armstrong, M |
| Askew, Thomas |
| Austin (Acusters), Thomas |
| Badman, Samuel |
| Bagger, T |
| Baldwin, William |
| Bannister, William |
| Baraby, Thomas Owen |
| Barber, Edward |
| Barlow, James |
| Barnard, John |
| Barnett, E |
| Barns, David |
| Barrett, Edward |
| Barsfield, William |
| Bartlett, William |
| Baskerville, Joseph |
| Beasley, John |
| Bell, Moses |
| Bennette, A A?????? |
| Blewitt, Francis |
| Board, James |
| Boden, G A |
| Bouldsbrige,? Fred |
| Brand, Robert |
| Brawy, James |
| Brown, James |
| Brown, Samuel |
| Brown, William |
| Browne, Henry Gylest? |
| Browne, John |
| Bryden, W |
| Bull, John |
| Burgess Thomas |
| Burns, James |
| Butman, Steven |
| Caggett, William |
| Cairns, James |
| Camble, John |
| Cannans, John |
| Carbis, James |
| Carr, Gorge |
| Carty, Martin |
| Casedy, Neil |
| Cassidy, Michael Junr |
| Champan, John |
| Chapman, J S |
| Cheder,? Thomas |
| Chipchase, G H |
| Christie, James |
| Clark, Edward |
| Clifton, David |
| Clothier, George |
| Cluted,? James |
| Clyne, Alex |
| Cochrane, Michael |
| Cole, George |
| Coley, Thomas |
| Collum, John |
| Colville, John |
| Contary, Cornesh |
| Cook, John |
| Cooper, T J |
| Cormick, C |
| Corner, Andrew |
| Cowell, James G |
| Cox, Edward |
| Crook, Thomas |
| Cusick, Tim |
| Cuth, H |
| Cutts, James |
| Daniel, Thomas |
| Darrell, James |
| Davenport, C T G |
| Dawson, George |
| Day, Ewen |
| Dean, Samuel |
| Deland, Wm |
| Devlin, P |
| Dewding, G |
| Dixon, Joseph |
| Dodds, John |
| Donnolly, Matthew |
| Doyle, M |
| Draydy, Owen |
| Dryden, Robert |
| Duncan, Thomas |
| Dunn, William |
| Eagle, Richard |
| Easter, John |
| Edger, David |
| Edward, William (X his mark) |
| Edwards, W |
| Edwards, William |
| Ellis, Sam |
| Ellis, Thomas |
| Evans, Charles |
| Farrington, Redmond |
| Ferguson, Archibald |
| Ferrin,? Davis |
| Field, George |
| Field, George |
| Finley, James |
| Fisher, William |
| Fitzgerald, John |
| Flannaghan, Mathew |
| Fletcher, George |
| Flint, William |
| Fowler, John |
| Fowler, Michael |
| Foyle, Benjamin |
| Francis, Hayes |
| Frogley, Charles |
| Gain, Geo S |
| Gallagher, James |
| Gardner, George |
| Garton, Frank |
| Garton, George |
| Garton, James |
| Garton, John |
| Gaynon, John |
| Gee, James |
| Gee, W??? |
| Giles, Henry |
| Giles, John |
| Gillen, John |
| Gillett, Walter |
| Gillett,? Oliver |
| Ginman, Thomas |
| Golding, John |
| Golding, Joseph |
| Goodwin, Enoch |
| Gramary,? Mathew M |
| Grant, John |
| Granville, Peter |
| Gray, William |
| Gray, William |
| Green, James |
| Green, John |
| Griffin, John |
| Gudgeon, Frances |
| Gudgeon, John |
| Gugeon, Thomas |
| Haines, Thomas |
| Hancock, John |
| Handshaw, Samuel |
| Hanly, James |
| Hanshaw, John |
| Hardie, John |
| Harford, James |
| Hargreaves, Henry |
| Harris, Elon |
| Harris, William |
| Hart, Thomas |
| Harvey, Wm Thomas |
| Hasland, Richard |
| Headrick, William |
| Henshaw, John |
| Herbert, Charles |
| Herbert, Charles P |
| Herd, William |
| Heywood, William |
| Hidley, Thomas |
| Hoare, Patrick |
| Hodge, John |
| Holl, George |
| Hollarde, Henry |
| Holston, Henry |
| Hook, Thomas |
| Howard, Henry |
| Huding,? Samuel |
| Hudson, George |
| Hughes, Wm E |
| Hurt, Richard |
| Hutchison, James |
| Hutchison, James |
| Innes, Francis |
| Innes, Walter |
| Jackson, Wm |
| Jamieson, William |
| Janer, Wm Ley |
| Jenkins, James |
| Jenkins, John |
| Johnson, Archibald |
| Johnson, David B |
| Johnson, Heli |
| Johnson, James |
| Jones, David |
| Jones, Theopalus |
| Jones, William |
| Junter (Junten), Henry |
| Junter, Joseph Catts |
| Kearn, Peter |
| Kennedy, William |
| Kenrow, William |
| King (Cling), Nicholby |
| King, David |
| Kissell, William |
| Knight, J B M.D. |
| Kyle, Robert |
| Lacky, Squire |
| Lambert, Richard |
| Lambert, Saml |
| Landers, Samuel |
| Lane, Harry |
| Lane, John |
| Lane, Joseph |
| Lanely, Robt |
| Langpan, Fred |
| Larkins, George |
| Larkman, Charles James |
| Lashbard, David |
| Leaden, J H |
| Lee, Matthew |
| Lemke, Ludwig |
| Lewis, Thomas |
| Limberb, Jno |
| Loyd, Joseph |
| Luder, William |
| Lyle, George |
| Lynch, John |
| Lynch, John |
| Lynch, Morris |
| Lynch, Peter |
| Lynn, George |
| Macdonald, Frederick |
| Manamy, M |
| Manning, York? |
| McAppion, Nelson |
| Marceet, George |
| Marsh, Thomas |
| Marshall, J W |
| Martin, John |
| Matthews, William |
| May, Henry Geo |
| Mayhew,? Thomas |
| McDonald, Ach. |
| McDormas, Patrick |
| McGrath, Michaell |
| McKern, John |
| McMenamen, John |
| McWilliams, William |
| Megminly,? G G |
| Mekrete, John |
| Mennane, Alfred |
| Mentiblay,? Michl |
| Merass, Charles |
| Meredith, Leslie |
| Meyers, Jacob |
| Mills, Thos Edwd |
| Misgrave, Thomas |
| Molony, Ed |
| Moonaghan, Mathew |
| Morgan, John Price |
| Morris, E |
| Morrison, William |
| Morrow, Hugh |
| Murey, J |
| Murphy, C |
| Murphy, Thomas |
| Murray, Thomas |
| Murray, William |
| Murrey, William |
| Murry, Nicholass |
| Newman, W T |
| Newton, Edward |
| Nicholls, Thomas |
| Nichols, Thos |
| Noble, Arthur |
| Noble, Arthur Junr |
| Noonan, William |
| O?ley, Henery |
| O’Brien, Ewan |
| O’Brien, John |
| O’Brien, John |
| O’Brien, Patrick |
| O’Brien, William |
| O’Brien, William |
| O’Malley, John |
| O’Rourke, John |
| Pain, Samuel |
| Palmer, John |
| Paradise, John |
| Parker, George |
| Parker, Thomas |
| Parkers, Peter |
| Parry, John |
| Paten, Thomas |
| Patunue,? Medor |
| Paxter, John |
| Paxton, J B |
| Pearced, Henry |
| Peisly, Benjaman |
| Pennoyer, Edgar |
| Phillips, Bernard |
| Phillips, J A |
| Phillips, James |
| Piccup, John |
| Pidding, George S H |
| Pidding, J T |
| Pidding, Thomas |
| Playfeard, William |
| Poole, Joseph |
| Power, Thomas |
| Preston, David |
| Pucklasly,? S |
| Rattray, William |
| Renshall, John |
| Renshall, John |
| Rice, Thomas |
| Richards, Richard |
| Right, James |
| Riley, Edward |
| Ring (King), N D? |
| Ritchards, John |
| Riverb, Elijah |
| Roach, John |
| Roberts, J |
| Robison, John |
| Roche, Thomas |
| Ross, Alexander |
| Ross, James |
| Ross, James |
| Ross, William |
| Rowley, F M |
| Rowley, W |
| Rusell, James |
| Russell, Paul |
| Salkeld, Luke |
| Saxby, George |
| Sayers, Paul |
| Scailes, Joseph |
| Shanley, John |
| Shaw, David |
| Shaw, William |
| Short, David |
| Simpson, Alexr |
| Slack, Joseph T |
| Slack, W T Jun |
| Slack, William James, Postmaster |
| Smith, James |
| Smith, John F |
| Smith, T M |
| Smith, William |
| Smithson, Robert |
| Smyth, H K |
| Smyth, James |
| Spencer, Daniel |
| Spencer, W W |
| Standen, John |
| Standen, Samuel |
| Stanley, Joseph |
| Steman,? Gerard |
| Stephens, Maurice |
| Stephens, William |
| Stuart, J M A |
| Talbot, John |
| Tarn,? William |
| Tee, William |
| Terry, John |
| Thew, William |
| Thomas, Henry |
| Thompson, Joseph |
| Thopson, Thomas |
| Tierney, James |
| Tonip,? Charles |
| Trengove, Samuel |
| Try/Fry, Thomas |
| Try/Fry, William |
| Turnbull, W |
| Tweedy, William |
| Wade, Robert |
| Wade, William Senr. |
| Walker, William |
| Walpole, Joseph |
| Warren, Henry |
| Webber, William |
| Webley, Joseph |
| Webster, William |
| Wells, Joseph |
| West, Rt |
| White, Francis |
| Wigget, James |
| Wilkins, William |
| Williams, John, G |
| Williams, Owen |
| Wills, George |
| Wilson, Jno |
| Wine, Ambrose |
| Wingfield, F |
| Winslett, Richard |
| Woolf, Henry |
| Wythes, Thos |
58/847 – 19 Mar /58
The Acting Gold Commissioner for the Western District to the Hon. The Secretary for Lands & Public Works, respecting measures taken to remove causes of collision with the Chinese.
Gold Commissioners Office, Sofala, 16th March 1858,
Sir,
With reference to my letter of the 14th instant, I have the honor to enclose herewith a copy of a letter which I have addressed to the ?eacial Apt. Commissioner by which you will be apprised of the measure to be taken on the Western Gold Fields to remove, as far as within the power of the Commissioner to do so, causes likely to leas to collision between the European and Chinese Miners.
I have the honor to be,
Sir,
Your most obedient Servant
Harold Maclean
Acting Commissioner
Western District
COPY
Gold Commissioners Office,
Sofala, 16th March 1858
Sir,
With a view to remove as far as possible any causes which may lead to a collision between the European and Chinese Miners, I have to advise the adoption by you, in respect to the district under your charge, of the following suggestions.
2. I think it very desirable that, where practicable, the large encampments of Chinese should be fixed in position so as to bring the Chinese as little as can be in contact with the Europeans. To assist you to this end, I will endeavour to have prepared notices in Chinese, of which copies will be sent to you, requiring these people to obtain the approval of the Commissioner to the Sites of their encampments. In fixing the sites for these encampments you will be guided by a desire to divert them from any localities, where, at the present season, water, especially for domestic purposes, is scarce, and Europeans have already built huts, and settled with their families and also to direct the operations of the Chinese, as far as can equitably be done, so as not to be likely to interfere with the operations of the Europeans, previously commenced –
3. In localities where the water must be available to both races, I would advise the adoption of the following rules: viz
1. Any water hole which you may see fit to reserve for domestic purposes to be protected by written notice.
2. Where one or more persons shall, in your opinion, establish a right to the exclusive use of the water for domestic purposes, by having formed the reservoir or otherwise, such right to be reserved by notice.
This privilege of course to extend to both races.
4. The Chinese can be made aware that a written notice reserves the water for domestic purposes, but where there are exclusive rights, it will o course be necessary that complaints should be made to the Commissioner by the persons interested in any case of misunderstanding.
5. I would further counsel that the most prompt attention to be paid at all times to any matter of complaint between the Europeans and Chinese.
I have the honor to be
Sir,
Your Most Obedient Servant
(signed) Harold Maclean
Actg. G C W D
The Acting Gold Commissioner,
Tambaroora
