I cannot tell by whose sage council the tax is enforced in so barbarous a manner, but whichever way it may be, it is a disgrace to a civilised government and demands, and should have, instant redress. The unlicensed digger is, in nine cases out of ten, compelled, by sheer absolute need, to be without a license, and to expose himself to the chance of being heavily fined, or imprisoned, with common felons and if he should still continue poor, he must, for the next offence, be still more inhumanly punished. But poverty stretches its gaunt and withered hand on the diggings, as elsewhere, however many may be apt to believe and endeavour to prove the contrary. If the law were humane, just, and discriminating, we could not, we ought not, to complain and, if administered in a proper mode, it would be cheerfully borne. Does a military police parade your public ways, and ask you if you have paid your taxes? They do not so in England. We are ignorant and "wandering tribes," not much acquainted with civilised life up here. Samuel Thomas Gill, The Invalid Digger, c1852, watercolour and gum arabic on paper.Īrt Gallery of Ballarat, gift of Mr. And here I may, I hope, reasonably ask how you manage in town? "The court awards it," but, Sir, is it to be endured, in a possession of the British Crown, that an armed police force may "bail up," and require the production of your badge in all places and at all times. Almost daily these "armed bands," headed by the valiant and renowned Cornet Spriggins, parade the ground, and demand if the toiling and honest creator of colonial wealth is possessed of a license. It is to enjoy the now common sport of digger hunting. Now, a very new chum would see in this a great amount of zeal in the pursuit of the gangs of vagabonds who steal our horses, poison our dogs, and prowl around our tents at midnight, to take life and property, or both, but we know the truth.
The diggings, for some days past, have indeed been vigorously "patrolled" by a large and armed Military Police force, with carbine, broad sword, and holster pistols, well mounted too, (making allowance for the small cost), and accompanied by the additional "protection" in the shape of foot police, with batons only visible. Since the visit of Sir Charles Hotham an unusual degree of severity has been exercised towards the more unfortunate of the mining population, and why, I cannot imagine, unless, as the officials here are known for neglect in thief catching, they are anxious to show their utility in digger hunting, and to endeavour to prove a case for the continuance of the office of gold commissioner.
#Colony survival digger license
SIR,- Permit me to call your attention to the recent harsh proceedings adopted here for the recovery of the diggers’ license tax. DIGGER HUNTING AT BALLARAT (1854) To the Editor of the Geelong Advertiser and Intelligencer. Digger Hunts from The Revolt at Eureka’ by R.
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