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Latest Post: THE BALLAD OF THE GORDON STREET RIOTER
Saturday, June 15, 2013
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
The Would-be Coal Baron
The Queensland coal industry began modestly on the south bank of the
Brisbane River at Redbank in 1843. The entrepreneur John Williams, who emigrated
from England in 1832, was involved in many enterprises initially in Sydney and
then in Brisbane after the district was opened to free settlement in 1842. He built
a tavern in Brisbane and operated a cross river punt to and from Kangaroo
Point.[1]
 |
| Kangaroo Point and Brisbane River Brisbane 1865 (State Library of Queensland) |
Coal seams had been seen in the banks of the Brisbane and Bremer Rivers
by the early explorers such as Cunningham and Lockyer. Williams had some
experience with coal mining in England and decided to exploit the coal seam in
the riverbank.
An article in the Moreton Bay Courier in 1851 described the beginning
of the mine.
It was early in the year 1843 when Mr. Williams opened
the first coal-pit ever worked on the Brisbane, and the first supply of coal
was sent down under contract with Mr. Francis Clarke, then manager of the Hunter River Steam Navigation
Company, for the supply of the steam packets Sovereign and Jamas Watt. This pit
was on the south side of the river, about four miles above the station of the
Commissioner of Crown Lands.[2]
 |
| Mining a coal seam on Mr Shields property at Moggill Brisbane in 1928 (State Library of Queensland) |
The mine operated for four years but fell victim to the regular floods
of the river system. Williams decided to try his luck on a more elevated site on
the opposite side of the river at Moggill.
The coal was worked there for about four years, at the
end of which time the pit was flooded by the rising of the river, as the
entrance was from the river bank, and the coal dipped downwards. The mine was
therefore abandoned, and another opened on the opposite side of the river, in
the parish of Moggill, about twenty-nine miles from Brisbane.
Here the upper seam, which is three feet six inches
thick, has been worked ever since, turning out abundance of good coal, with
which the steamers and some of the sailing vessels have been constantly
supplied.[3]
Steamer driven paddle steamers began operating between Brisbane and the
river port of Ipswich in 1846. Williams found a steady market for his coal
refuelling boats as the passed his mine.
 |
| Paddle Steamer on the Brisbane River (State Library of Queensland) |
A major problem for the mining operation was the general incompetence and
truculence of the workmen. Many were ex-convicts released on a ticket-of-leave
and assigned to an employer. Some ended up before the courts on charges brought
by Williams.
REMANDED CASE.-Thomas Gates, a prisoner by the Mountstuart
Elphinstone, is in custody on a charge of having refused to perform his duty,
and been grossly abusive to his employer Mr. Williams. The prisoner has been
remanded until Tuesday next for the evidence of Capt. Allen, of the Eagle,
pending whose examination we withhold the statements of the other witnesses.
ASSAULT.-John Ward, a ticket-of-leave holder, by the
Mountstuart Elphinstone was brought before the Brisbane Bench on the 10th
instant on a charge of having violently assaulted a fellow workman named John
Shields, at Mr. Williams’ coal-pit. After a preliminary examination, the
prisoner was remanded until the following Tuesday, when, the case having been
clearly proven, he was sentenced to be kept for fourteen days in solitary
confinement in Brisbane gaol.[4]
 |
| Two miners in an underground coal mine, 1920 (State Library of Queensland) |
Flooding continued to be a problem and Williams sold out in 1854 to try
his luck elsewhere, closer to Brisbane. Unfortunately Williams was moving in
the wrong direction for the major, still undiscovered coalfields lay to the
west. After investing heavily in test
shafts Williams eventually admitted defeat.
Mr. Williams has made five or six other essays, in
various places,, during the last six or seven years, in the hope of finding the
coal abundant nearer to Brisbane and to the mouth of the river. In these
attempts he did not meet with the expected success, having only found thin beds
of coal, from six to nine inches through, and masses of fossil decayed by the
action of water.
In one of these
attempts a shaft was sunk fifty feet, and in another eighty feet deep, the
shafts being eleven feet in diameter. In the deepest shaft the work was stopped
by a spring of water, and, as there was no engine to pump it out, the
enterprise had to be abandoned.
In the course of
these adventures, the outlay, loss of time, and other contingencies, have
entailed serious expense, and probably Mr.Williams’ own estimate of £1000 is
not far from correct, as the cost of his unsuccessful attempts to open the
Brisbane coal mines.[5]
Despite his best efforts to exploit the natural resources of the nascent
colony, John Williams never became the coal baron he aspired to. In the years
to come there would be coal barons in Ipswich as what became known as the West
Moreton Coalfields began to yield up its wealth.
 |
| The Hilltop Mansion of the Coal Baron, Lewis Thomas at Blackstone, Ipswich, 1940s . (Picture Ipswich) |
©
K. C. Sbeghen, 2013.
Thursday, May 9, 2013
Desperate & Dangerous Chinamen
Starting in the 1840s labour was imported into the previous convict
colony of Moreton Bay which was now open to free settlement. Southern China was found to be a good source
of cheap labour and much closer than Europe.
 |
| Cartoon of arriving Chinese immigrants. (State Library of Victoria) |
A letter published in The Moreton
Bay Courier debated the pros and cons. It is noticeable that these
“coolies” were referred to as a commodity rather than as welcome immigrants.
In the racial milieu of the times, the culture of these Chinese was
considered heathen and inferior by the colonists. Their language was totally
incomprehensible but then they were paid less than Europeans.
My dear-,-You will see by the Herald a correspondence of
Mr. Bogue relating to the advantages to be expected from the introduction of
Chinese labourers into this country.
They can be brought here at an expense per head of £8, to
be indented for a term of five years, at the annual wage of from £4 16s. to £7
4s., with two suits of clothes and rations.
1st. Do you consider the fact of the Chinese being unable
to speak any intelligible language an insuperable objection; or do you think
they might be taught to shepherd and make themselves useful notwithstanding
this drawback?
2nd. Would the antipathy of the Europeans on account of
the reduced wages be an insurmountable objection; or could Europeans and
Chinese live on the same establishment?[1]
 |
| A Chinese Station Worker (State Library of Queensland) |
The hesitation mentioned in the letter was prescient as court reports
would attest. Many of these Chinese labourers would be brought before the magistrates,
mostly for abandoning their employment or in disputes with their employers.
In 1852, a Chinese worker appeared in the Brisbane court charged with
absconding from a property on the Logan River.
A DANGEROUS CHINAMAN.
-At the Police Office on Tuesday a Chinese named Kang, in
the service of Mr. T. L. M. Prior, of the Logan River, was brought up on
warrant, having been apprehended at Ipswich, and forwarded to Brisbane, on a
charge of absconding from his service.
Mr. Prior deposed
that the prisoner had been in the service of Mr. John Smith, of Ipswich, whose
service he left for that of witness, engaging for the period of three years and
six months. He remained in witness's
service about six weeks, when he absconded, on or about the 14th of December
last.
He had received to the amount of £2 18s 2d, and was
therefore considerably in witness's debt when he absconded. The prisoner, when
called upon for his defence, made a statement in tolerably intelligible
English, the substance of which was that Mr. Smith had sent him to Gaol for
three months, after which Mr. Prior's overseer offered him 12s. a month, with
two pairs of trousers, two coats, two pairs of boots, and two handkerchiefs,
"one year," and two waistcoats and two pairs of stockings; also four
ounces of tobacco, and one pound of soap, [a week, as prisoner was understood].
He went to Mr. Prior, and Tinko [a baptised Chinaman in
that gentleman's employ,] gave him "one pair boots 9s 6d, 1 pair trousers
7s 6d, shirt 2s 6d, handkerchief 1s, blanket 5s."
He did not get the twelve shillings a month, Tinko told
him that he would be sent to Cockatoo Island, for killing a lamb, and then he
ran away.
This was the substance of the prisoners defence, as well
as he could be understood. He appeared to be under the impression that the
whole of his wages should have been handed to him, without deduction for the
articles with which he had been supplied.
The Bench, under the authority of a recent Act of
Council, sentenced the prisoner to three months hard labour on the public works
at Newcastle break-water.
Outraged that he was again to serve time in prison with hard labour,
Kang was alleged to have threatened his employer and was immediately convicted
of second offence.
After this case had been disposed of, the prisoner,
addressing Mr. Prior, was understood to say "I'll shoot you." He was
again tried on this charge, and, Mr. Prior having deposed that he was in bodily
fear from the prisoner's threat, prisoner was directed to find sureties of the
peace for twelve months from the 30th of June next, himself in £40 and two
sureties in £20 each, or, in default to be imprisoned for twelve months from
that period.[2]
 |
| Chinese Cook in Camp Kitchen (State Library of Queensland) |
He did have one defender who questioned the probity of the court
hearing, suggesting that only one side of the story was considered and citing
the legal principle of “audi alteram partem” that is, ‘listen to the other side”.
AUDI ALTERAM PARTEM[3]
To the Editor of the Moreton Bay Courier.
SIR,-Apart from your ordinary police report is one which
appears in the Courier of the 3rd instant, on the complainant of Mr. T. M.
Prior, of the Logan River, against a Chinaman of the name of Kang, for
absconding from that gentleman's service, who deposed before the Bench, that
Kang was hired into his service for the space of three years and six months,
without stating upon what terms, and that after serving about six weeks, the
Chinaman absconded, having received from his master within that time sundries
amounting to £2 18s. 2d., and was therefore considerably in debt.
So far the complaint. The Chinaman is then called upon by
the Court for his explanation, and he stated, as well as could be understood,
that he was hired by Mr. Prior's overseer from the service of Mr. John Smith,
of Ipswich, for one year; wages 12s. per month, together with sundry clothing,
&c, as enumerated, and then gives an account of articles received by him
from "Tinco," a baptised Chinaman, in Mr. Prior's employ, as stated
in your report, to amount to 25s. 6d.
The wages and other things the Chinaman stated he agreed
to serve for are similar to those generally given to other men of that nation.
It does not appear that either Mr. Prior's overseer, or
Tinco the Christian, were examined in the case, it is therefore not too much to
presume that if their evidence would have supported it they ought to have been
produced.
All that appears now is Mr. Prior's aye and "Mr.
Kang's" no, and the magistrates with this before them dispose of the
matter, by sentencing the poor pagan to three months' hard labour on the
breakwater at Newcastle, said to be under the authority of a recent Act of
Council, which I hope has been misconstrued as applying to persons convicted for,
breach of agreement, under the Masters' and Servants' Act; an act sufficiently
stringent in all conscience against the servant, without the addition of this
penal degradation.
The sequel is, Mr. Prior loses a cheap servant, and Kang
gains much trouble.
It is said misfortunes come seldom alone, and so with
poor Kang. After this case had been disposed" of, the prisoner, addressing
Mr. Prior, was understood to say -"I'll shoot you," which so
disturbed him that he at once deposed he was placed in bodily fear from the
prisoner's threat of being understood to say something in an unintelligible
jargon, which perhaps but few present would understand in the same way; of this
threat he is convicted, ordered by their Worships to find bail, an impossibility
on his part, and this failing, twelve months' imprisonment is awarded,
commencing from the servitude of the first sentence-for being understood to say
something unkind to one of his prosecutors.
Chinamen seem to be below par just now, but I would ask
what would be the position of the northern stock proprietors at this time, but
for the additional supply of this labour.[4]
I am, Sir,
Your obedient servant,
A STOCKHOLDER.
Another case involved a Chinese shepherd named Ah Hung, who was
employed at Coonambula[5],
a property operated by one of the Archer brothers, who were pioneering
pastoralists.
 |
| Coonambula Station (State Library of Queensland) |
On this occasion a Chinese interpreter was employed. Instead of
swearing on the Christian Bible, the interpreter smashed a plate.
It appears that Ah Hung was involved in an altercation with the
overseer over some missing sheep from the flock he was minding. He was told he
would be charged £2, the equivalent of four months wages, in compensation for
the loss. Understandable the shepherd did not take kindly to the news with a
piece of wood.
 |
| Traditional Hurdle Making (http://www.wetc.co/?page_id=531) |
Ah Hung, a Chinaman, was indicted for that he, on the
13th of March last, at Coonambula, did make an assault upon one "Edward
Kelly, and, inflict divers injuries upon his person with a hurdle fork[6].
Gan Som, being sworn as interpreter according to, the
custom of his country, by breaking a saucer, interrogated the prisoner
concerning his plea, when he stated that Kelly had attempted to charge him for
the alleged losing of some sheep, which he was innocent of and on his
remonstrating Kelly called him names, and threatened to beat him, whereupon he,
prisoner, struck Kelly with a hurdle fork which was lying by. His Honour
directed a plea of Not Guilty to be recorded.
Edward Kelly, sheep overseer to Mr. Archer, deposed that
prisoner had been in Mr. Archer's employ more than two years.
There were thirteen Chinese on the establishment.
Prisoner was a shepherd, and had charge of 1274 sheep. On the 11th March
witness went to the prisoner's station to count his sheep, and found ten
deficient. Counted them twice.
Told prisoner that as he had not been out with his flock
for some weeks he must pay for them, and another Chinaman said "that won't
make him cry." Prisoner could understand what witness said to him.
Prisoner made no answer, and witness returned to the head station.
Mr. Archer charged
prisoner four shillings each for the sheep; they were maiden ewes, rising two
years old. Mr. Archer was at home, and settled with the prisoner himself.
 |
| The Archer Brothers (State Library of Queensland) |
On the next day witness went to prisoner's station again,
and counted the sheep, when he found six more than at the last counting on the
11th. Told prisoner so, and he made no answer.
Witness went and counted another Chinaman's flock at a
short distance, and had just finished counting, and was standing with his back
to the prisoner when he struck witness a heavy blow on the leg with a hurdle
fork.
Another Chinaman, the watchman, attempted to strike
witness with a stick on the head. They hemmed witness in, in the fold, and a
native black coming up at the time was coming forward to witness's assistance,
when he was kept back by a third Chinaman, who stood at the gate of the sheep
yard.
Prisoner struck witness several times about the legs. He
warded off the blows from his head, but was so severely injured about the legs
that he could not walk for some days. His legs were swollen greatly. Witness
strove to retreat to the horses, but was too closely pursued by the prisoner,
and therefore abandoned them. Prisoner threw the fork spearwise after him,
saying, "You d-d b-r, I'll kill you."
Witness made his way in company with the black to a station two miles distant. Prisoner subsequently absconded at night, without his wages, and was afterwards apprehended at Gayndah. [By the prisoner.] Prisoner was never charged for sheep that died. Witness never beat or raised his hand to the prisoner.
Witness made his way in company with the black to a station two miles distant. Prisoner subsequently absconded at night, without his wages, and was afterwards apprehended at Gayndah. [By the prisoner.] Prisoner was never charged for sheep that died. Witness never beat or raised his hand to the prisoner.
George Britwell deposed, that he saw the witness Kelly on
the 13th March, after the assault, Kelly was suffering under injuries at the
time; witness went to prisoner's station, and prisoner asked where Kelly was,
witness answered, at his station, two miles away; prisoner asked if he was able
to walk, and witness said no. The Chinamen then asked if witness would tell Mr.
Archer. They said they did not want to beat Mr. Archer, because he was the
master. Witness took Kelly's horses and went away.
This was the case for the Crown.
 |
| Coonambula Station Homestead (State Library of Queensland) |
Unlike the previous case, the presence of an interpreter
seems to have made a difference and Ah Hung received a relatively light
sentence.
In defence the prisoner said that his master was very
bad. He had charged him four shillings each for sheep that died, and
half-a-crown each for lambs; and he did not want to go back to him; he said
that the witness Kelly had beaten him first, and he then struck Kelly once on
the leg with a stick. He entered, through his interpreter, into some further
statements, having no apparent reference to the charge.
The JUDGE shortly summed up the evidence, and the Jury
returned a verdict of guilty. The sentence of the Court was that he be
imprisoned fourteen days in Brisbane Gaol.[7]
©
K. C. Sbeghen, 2013.
[1][1]
The Moreton Bay Courier Saturday 10
April 1847
[2] The Moreton Bay Courier Saturday 3 April
1852
[3]Latin
“hear the other side” - A legal principle of fairness. Also worded as audiatur
et altera pars (let the other side be heard too). Wiki
[4]
The Moreton Bay Courier Saturday 17
April 1852
[5] Near
the town of Munduburra.
[6]
Hurdles were used to create temporary sheep folds.
[7]
The Moreton Bay Courier Saturday 17
May 1851
Saturday, April 13, 2013
Donnybrooks & Tipperary Boys
 |
| North and South Brisbane by Conrad Martens 1852 (National Library of Australia) |
From the early days of free settlement, South Brisbane developed a
reputation as the tough end of town where the residents kept the constables
busy. Often the constables themselves ended up being drawn into the frequent
melees.
ASSAULTING THE CONSTABLES. - At the Police-office, on
Tuesday, Patrick O'Sullivan and John Penn, holding tickets-of-leave, were
brought before the Magistrates charged with having violently assaulted
Constable McBride in the execution of his duty, in South Brisbane, on Monday
evening last.
One of the defendants, Mr. Sullivan, with the big O',
which he insists on being placed before his patronymick, had been breaking
windows at the Brisbane Hotel, and had conducted himself in a very disorderly
manner when the landlady of that establishment gave him into custody.
Constable McBride, in obedience to his orders, was conveying
him to the lock-up, when the other defendant Penn, alias Payne, gave him, in
a half-whisper, a little gratuitous
advice, and told him not to go with the "traps[1],
or he would be confined to the watch-house."
The advice was too palatable not to be followed, and the
word "traps" seemed to have a magical effect on the "Tipperary
Boy", who instantly wrested the constable's staff from its legal owner,
and began to lay about him in the true Donnybrook[2]
style.
 |
| Caricature of a "Donnybrook" (A ‘Fair Fight.’ Samuel Lover, from “The Neighbourhood of Dublin,” by John Joyce. |
Both friends and foes came in for their share of the
blows, which he dealt about to all and sundry who either did or did not
interfere with him. Two other constables having come to the assistance of
McBride, the defendants were, after considerable difficulty, and some little
coaxing, apprehended and taken to the lock-up.[3]
Remarkably, given the harsh sentences usually meted out at the time,
the Magistrate chose only to impose a fine on the pair of miscreants. He also
declined to cancels their tickets-of-leave which would have been the usual
result of a convict falling foul of the law.
Give the severe labour shortage in the colony, this may have been
understandable. There was also, as The
Moreton Bay Courier observed, the distasteful connection with the Brisbane’s
origins as a penal colony.
The Bench considering that this was an aggravated case,
fined both defendants the sum of £4.10s each, and the Police Magistrate
intimated that their tickets-of-leave would be recommended to be cancelled.
We understand, however, that he has since altered his
determination. This is right and proper, for if the Magistrates think proper to
punish men then holding tickets-of-leave in the same manner as free persons, we
think that is all they should do; for it is high time, now that this is not a
convict colony, that many of the odious regulations affecting this class should
no longer be put in force.[4]
 |
| South Brisbane from North Quay in Brisbane, ca. 1869 (State Library of Queensland) |
A second all-in-brawl took place in South Brisbane later that year. This
time the constables were not part of the action.
Despite the detailed description of the melee given to the court, no
reason for the initial attack was given. It may have been a territorial
dispute, given that the victim was working on the construction of a fence at
the time.
Perhaps it was considered just part of the rough and tumble lifestyles
prevalent at the time, and not worth pursuing motives.
 |
| Colonial Police Constable ca. 1868 National Library of Australia |
Assault.-William A. Biggs charged Bernard Sloan, Charles
Sloan, and William Weston with assaulting him, on Wednesday the 26th ultimo.
The parties all reside in South Brisbane. It appeared
from the evidence of Michael Slavin, that, in the morning of the day in question,
he went to nail up some palings which separates his ground from that of Thomas
Boyland, and while in the act of doing so the defendant, Bernard Sloan, jumped
across the fence, knocked him down, and kicked him; the defendant Weston, to whom
Slavin appealed for assistance, urging Barnard Sloan to continue kicking him.
Subsequently, the complainant Biggs arrived, and
commenced dragging Sloan off Slavin, which induced the active hostility of
Weston, who struck Biggs, and a tussle ensued between them in the course of
which Weston came to the ground. Shortly after this, when Weston had again got
upon his legs, Mrs. Slavin came to the rescue, and assisted Biggs in dragging
Bernard Sloan off her husband.
While a boy went after the constable, Barney Sloan struck
Biggs two or three times Weston then called Charles Sloan, who caught Biggs by
the hair, and knocked him down. Afterwards Weston held Biggs by the hair while
the two Sloans kicked him, and a general melee seems to have taken place, until
the rumour that the constables were approaching induced the defendants to
desist.
Such is the substance
of Slavin's statement. The defendants severally denied its truth, so far as the
aggression was said to be on their side, which they attempted to shift to that
of the complainant and Slavin. They were sentenced, to pay a fine of twenty
shillings each, and to find sureties to keep the peace for six months.[5]
 |
| Cottages in South Brisbane ca.1868 (State Library of Queensland) |
And so the group of combatants returned to their cottages in South
Brisbane, sure to fight another day.
©
K. C. Sbeghen, 2013
[1] One
whose business is to ‘trap’ or catch offenders; a thief-taker; a detective or
policeman; a sheriff's officer. Now only Australian slang. (OED)
[2] A
scene of uproar and disorder; a riotous or uproarious meeting; a heated
argument. After Donnybrook, a suburb of Dublin, Ireland, once famous for its
annual fair. (OED)
[3] The
Moreton Bay Courier Saturday 18 March 1848
[4] The Moreton Bay Courier Saturday 18
March 1848
[5] The
Moreton Bay Courier Saturday 5 August 1848
Tuesday, April 2, 2013
Dodgy Dispatches from Kangaroo Point
Six years after free settlement, the town of Brisbane was growing on
the North and South banks of the river.
Long before the any bridges were built, ferries and punts were the only
way to cross the river. Kangaroo Point was considered a sleepy corner detached
from the main clusters of activity.
 |
| Kangaroo Point, Conrad Martens 1853 (National Library of Australia) |
To enliven its pages and amuse subscribers, The Moreton Bay Courier invented a young feckless reporter sent on assignment
to Kangaroo Point.
His firstly weekly dispatch reflected the dearth of newsworthy material
from his assigned patch.
+tower+ca.+1835.png) |
| A German optical telegraph tower ca. 1835 (Wiki) |
The telegraph referred to was an optical rather than the electrical
telegraph which was still being developed in the United States and would not be
installed in Queensland until 1861. The optical telegraph used a semaphore
system to transmit signals.
KANGAROO POINT INTELLIGENCE.
(From our own Reporter.)
The telegraph established at Kangaroo Point, under the
control of our own reporter, has furnished us with the following intelligence
from that distant region. It will be seen that our first despatches are rather
meagre; but any information respecting the manners and customs of the
inhabitants must be interesting to our readers.
Monday, Sept. 18. - Nothing of importance this day. Two
crows are sitting on the wall of Mr. Campbell's unfinished house, and seem to
be conversing on the uncertainty of human intentions. Cannot hear their remarks
at this distance.
Tuesday. - Boy hailed ferry-boat at daylight. Examined
him on his arrival, and saw a slip of paper in his pocket: but had no
opportunity of abstracting it. Waylaid him on his return, but he refused to
answer my questions. Suppose him to have been sent on a secret mission of
importance.
Wednesday. - Saw a strange dog this morning, but lost
sight of him soon afterwards. Nothing further today.
Thursday. - Much excitement this morning, in consequence
of the arrival of a stranger, on horseback. I find it is the butcher's lad:
bearing a leg of mutton-specially ordered by one of the residents. Ferry-boat departed for North Brisbane at 2
p.m., and returned immediately. Cargo - one old woman, one constable, and a
bunch of turnips.
Friday.-Vulgar man passed me to-day, and put his hand to
his nose. Nothing more to report.[1]
 |
| Sketch of Kangaroo Point ca. 1860s (State Library of Queensland) |
The following week the Kangaroo Point “correspondent” dispatched a
report of the reaction of a resident to his previous missive.
KANGAROO POINT INTELLIGENCE.
(From our own Reporter.)
Our Reporter has sent us the following epistle from his
melancholy look-out at Kangaroo Point:
Mr. Editor, Shortly after the publication of my last
despatches I was waited upon by a gentleman who informed me that my report had
given great offence to the settlers of the settlers at this place; and that he
would withdraw his patronage from your paper.
I looked rather blue at this, as I did not know how you
might take it: so I replied that I was sorry for offending me: and that I
certainly had not said anything prejudicial to him or to any other person. In fact, that my report amounted to nothing at
all. "'Well, sir," said he, "that's the very thing I complain
of. Why did you not report something sensible, instead of the balderdash
contained in your despatches?"
I told him that he
must be very well aware that there was nothing sensible to report upon the
subject. At this he sneered a good deal, and said that I must be a very pretty
reporter indeed if I couldn't invent something; "besides," said he, "if there
was nothing to say, couldn't you be silent altogether?"
I saw he was
working himself into a rage, so my only object was to inform the public that
there was such a place as Kangaroo Point: but this only made him worse; he got
as red as a turkey-cock, and swore that I was a fool and the Editor too.
Now, sir, as I have only known you for a short time, I
didn't venture to dispute the proposition so far as regarded yourself, but
denied my own share in the charge; and told him that it was by my own choice
that I was placed on this station, where I was removed from the hurry of
business, and the temptations of the town, I added, that this ought to convince
him that I was no fool.
However, he wouldn't listen to reason; but went away,
saying that "he'd not allow any body to poke Borack[2]
at him." What he meant by that I'm sure I don't know.
Now, sir, I want to know what I am to do, and if you wish
me to demolish the telegraph, and return to town. - Your obedient servant,
[We cannot abandon the telegraph. Our reporter has been
instructed to continue his labours; avoiding as usual, everything of a personal
or offensive character.][3]
 |
| View from the Windmill of Brisbane with Kangaroo Point in middle distance ca. 1870 (State Library of Brisbane) |
In his next despatch the young reporter was inspired to wax lyrical as he gazed across the
river from his perch on the heights of Kangaroo Point.
KANGAROO POINT INTELLIGENCE.
(From our own Reporter.)
FRIDAY, OCT. 27. - For some days past I have been
entirely idle. There was a rumour, indeed, that the settlers intended to
petition the Queen to erect this place into a separate colony; but no public
meeting has been called, up to this time.
I have lately amused myself by sitting on the semaphore,
and watching the progress of events in the distant capital. While so engaged
this day, I noticed a circumstance so unusual, and of so exciting a character,
that I thought it my duty to communicate the same to you immediately, by
extraordinary telegraph. A man was at work at the new gaol!
The event had such a powerful effect upon me that I
immediately wrote the following lines on the crown of my hat, with a piece of
chalk which I had previously abstracted from my landlord's counter for private
reasons:-
Faint and wearily a poor old toddler,
Climbed up a ladder to the goal wall top;
Sighing drearily, for want of a nobbler -
Scratching heavily his ancient crop.
Copestone bestriding-
Comfortable riding!-
Idly abiding, see his shoulders drop! -
'Then how cosily the poor old toddler
Surveys dozily the gaol wall top.
Slowly hammering a spike, he lingers,
Slyly gammoning
he's working hard;
Faintly stammering "I've hurt my fingers,"
Drowsily he gazes on the dull gaol yard.
Striking, pausing -
Somnolescence, causing -
Darkness pours in, as he's nigh to drop -
Then how merrily the poor old toddler
Goes down the ladder from the gaol wall top.[4]
Following the lack of despatches from Kangaroo Point, the editor of The Moreton Bay Courier announced that
the wayward young reporter had been reassigned to the windmill on Wickham
Terrace which had been converted into a telegraph station.
 |
| Engraving of Windmill Wickham Terrace 1865 (State Library of Queensland) |
OUR KANGAROO POINT REPORTER.
The great neglect of our reporter for some time past has
led us to the conclusion that he has been bribed. It is humiliating to confess
such a thing, but it is the only way in which his conduct can be accounted for.
As the young man is really useful to us, and possesses
considerable powers of observation, we have not dismissed him, but have
transferred his sphere of action to the Windmill at North Brisbane, where he
will have an opportunity of overlooking the whole town, and of working his
telegraph directly opposite to our office windows.[5]
Dispatches from the fictitious young reporter continued to appear
occasionally in the paper when news was slow.
©
K. C. Sbeghen, 2013.
[1]
The Moreton Bay Courier Saturday 23
September 1848
[2] Nonsense,
humbug; chaff, banter; esp. in to poke (the) borak, to make or poke fun. (Etymology:
Aboriginal Australian) OED
[3]
The Moreton Bay Courier Saturday 30
September 1848
[4]
The Moreton Bay Courier Saturday 28
October 1848
[5] The Moreton Bay Courier Saturday 11
November 1848
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