Hello All, I have so many queries in my research of two families and this is another. I recently found my grandfather and although have been able to trace him back to England he came to Australia in 1916 approx. Came here with two brothers. One of them died in WW1 together with 3 other brothers who enlisted from England who also died. However, my grandfather came back to Australia and changed his name from Gratton to Grattan mainly we think to try to get away from his English wife who had arrived from England. He then enlisted in WW2 and was discharged in 1943 and died a few years later from unrelated causes. However when he was discharged from the Army he gave his address as Wolfdene Mornington and his papers were sent also to Craig Avon in the same area. Can anyone tell me how I can find out what he was doing at these addresses, what were they in the 1940's? I know Craig Avon is now a winery and Wolfdene is a hotel or guesthouse. I doubt very much that he would have owned either of them. Can anyone help. Thank you, Jeanette

hi all i'm hoping someone could help me find out more about plantations around 1870-1885 in particular Denbigh plantation owned by David and Owen Williams this was in the Bairnsdale areas around the same time these plantations were going: Cochranes, Taylors, Florence and W.D. Heywood, Lars Poulsen (mitchell valley gardens), Fergusons (struan gardens), Lairds (Invermay), Roland Florance (ashgrove), Philip Redenbach (rheinfell), Joseph Taylor and Harry Hoskings anyone found any of these or know more of these please email me at lisaandnathan@bigpond.com Lisa

Jo wrote: > It sounds like Greenvale might be the closest to Ballarat, where the > person in question was born and married. > Names I'm researching in this line are: NEILSON, PEARSON, BERNARD, > FEATHERSTON,(Ballarat, Geelong, Mildura) CALWELL, BUTCHER, BREGUET, ALLEN, > CANNING, KIRBY, HAMILTON Hi Jo, Perhaps you mean Greendale, which is near Ballan, and not that far from Ballarat? By the way, do you have Frederick Ulysses BREGUET (1833-1914) in your tree - he married into my BAGLIN tree - marrying Catherine BAGLIN in 1864. The family lived in Ceres, near Geelong. If so, contact me off list for details. Regards, Susan ----- Original Message ----- From: "Jo Featherston" <jofeath@bigpond.net.au> To: <AUS-VIC-GOLDFIELDS-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Tuesday, October 18, 2005 4:09 PM Subject: Re: Victorian place name abbreviation GREE > Thanks Paul and everyone else too for their helpful suggestions. It > sounds like Greenvale might be the closest to Ballarat, where the person > in question was born and married. She died in 1971. > > Jo > > Names I'm researching in this line are: NEILSON, PEARSON, BERNARD, > FEATHERSTON,(Ballarat, Geelong, Mildura) CALWELL, BUTCHER, BREGUET, ALLEN, > CANNING, KIRBY, HAMILTON > > > ==== AUS-VIC-GOLDFIELDS Mailing List ==== > To unsubscribe from this mailing list send the word 'unsubscribe' in > the body of a message to AUS-VIC-GOLDFIELDS-L-request@rootsweb.com >

Thanks Paul and everyone else too for their helpful suggestions. It sounds like Greenvale might be the closest to Ballarat, where the person in question was born and married. She died in 1971. Jo Names I'm researching in this line are: NEILSON, PEARSON, BERNARD, FEATHERSTON,(Ballarat, Geelong, Mildura) CALWELL, BUTCHER, BREGUET, ALLEN, CANNING, KIRBY, HAMILTON

Hi, Can someone please tell me what the abbreviation GREE might stand for, as a place of death location in the Digger indexes? Thanks very much, Jo ----- Original Message ----- From: AUS-VIC-GOLDFIELDS-D-request@rootsweb.com To: AUS-VIC-GOLDFIELDS-D@rootsweb.com Sent: Tuesday, October 18, 2005 1:01 AM Subject: AUS-VIC-GOLDFIELDS-D Digest V05 #274

Dear all, I would be very appreciative if 1. Can any one look up in Goldfields :"Pioneer in Eaglehawk and District Pioneer Register" Vol. 1 by Annette O'Donohue and Bev Hanson for a William ALDERSON b. 1843 Yorkshire, came to goldfields (don't know which one) between 1861 to 1869. 2. Can any one look up any entries under his name in the volumes of this date for newspaper articles and notices. I have seen the book, but can't remember its name. 3. Any advice on shipping on which he might have arrived in Victoria at this time. Many thanks. Pamela in S. Australia

Ron wrote "I'd be happy to read this in preference to what currently passes as Newspaper Reporting any day!!" I'll second that! the older of the tworobbos at Bairnsdale, gateway to the lakes, rivers and forests of East Gippsland

I am still trying to find the elusive Eliza O'Brien Nee McGUINNESS,she married Timothy O'BRIEN 1854 Prahran(No record of marriage found),Timothy O'Brien was born about 1836 Westmeath,Ireland,parents Timothy O'Brien and Jane KANE,i dont have much information on Eliza Nee McGUINESS only that she was born 1828/30 in Dublin,Ireland ,parents unknown,i have written to the Westmeath,Ireland mailing list to see if we can track down Timothy parents and siblings,to no avail The only BDM registered in Victoria were Timothy O'Brien death in 1902,and son Richard's birth, i have death certificate of Jane who died 1860,and marraige and death certificate of Timothy(Who married Grace Vincent) the certificates i have give very conflicting ages Is there anyone researching this family or can give me some hints how to find out when Tim and Eliza immigrated and also how to find Eliza Children to this marriage 1: William born about 1855-1857 ?? Where died Bendigo 2nd june 1936 2:Jane Born : about 1859 Collingwood,Victoria Died:22nd may 1860,Little Brighton,Melbourne......witnesse of burial were Patrick O'Brien and Joseph Smith Setton(Could be sexton) 3:Ellen Born:about 1860 ?? Mordiallic,Victoria Married Timothy MOYLAN 2nd May 1885,st Marys church Castlemaine Died 6th December 1938,McKenzie Hill,Caslemaine 4:Richard Born 1865,Whitegum Flat(Barkers Creek)This is the only birth registered 5:Jane Born about 1866 Ballarat,Victoria Married John Ross 1884 Died 1936,Castlemaine,Victoria 6:Timothy O'Brien Born about 1869 Ballarat,Victoria Married Grace VINCENT 13 December 1889,Trinity Church,Maldon,Victoria Died11 January 1935,Bendigo,Victoria Many Many thanks Pam

Hear hear! No floating apostrophes or "should of done it"s instead of "should've done it" either. Dawn > Ron Phillips <ronphillips@netspace.net.au> wrote: > > Don't know about anyone else but I found the style and words far far > better > than "60 killed by suicide bomber in London Underground" etc. with the > appropriate pictures in full colour of decapitated maimed and bloodied > children and people. > And what lovely use of the English Language! Again far better than a > string > of American acronyms Hollywood abbreviations and a load of modern > garbage > er - idioms that no one knows anything about other than the writer! > Call me old fashion but I'd be happy to read this in preference to what > currently passes as Newspaper Reporting any day!! > > > Cheers > Ron Phillips > Melb Vic > > > > > > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "trevor" <tjwilliams@iinet.net.au> > To: <AUS-VIC-GOLDFIELDS-L@rootsweb.com> > Sent: Monday, October 17, 2005 9:52 PM > Subject: Queen's Birthday at Logan > > > > Can you imagine a local newspaper these days bothering to report an > event > > such as the Queen's Birthday celebrations at a tiny place like Logan? > > Can > > you imagine any modern reporter writing in the florid, purple style > of > > the > > accompanying account? > > > > It is so over the top that I thought it worth sending to the List for > your > > edification! Quite a few names might be recognised by listers. > > > > Trevor > > > > > > > > THE > > QUEEN'S BIRTHDAY AT LOGAN > > > > [From > > our own Correspondent] > > On former occasions the inhabitants of this remote but flourishing > > district > > were accustomed to hold a general picnic for the amusement of the > young > > folks, but this year the gentlemen who took a part in the original > picnic > > style of pleasure-seeking were so engrossed in the affairs of their > new > > Mechanics Institute and Free Library Hall that they had to abandon the > > > idea, > > so for a time the little ones were about to be neglected; but the good > > ladies of the district, with a kindly and motherly feeling, no doubt, > took > > the matter of the children's annual picnic in hand, and provided an > > abundant > > supply of the good things so wistfully looked for and enjoyed by those > of > > tender years. There was no want of games, races, jumping matches, &c. > > > The > > most attractive game of the day was the "Tailing the donkey". This > little > > game is very simple and innocent, yet really ludicrous, which made it > all > > the more sportive for the lively youngsters. Those who have not seen > the > > "Tailing of the donkey" should visit Logan on the 24th May 1889, when, > I > > am > > informed, it will be re-introduced in a new and improved style. The > day's > > amusements having passed off splendidly, we now arrive at the evening > to > > witness a grand vocal and instrumental concert in aid of the building > fund > > of the Free Library Hall. The talent and skill not only of the > > performers, > > but also of the committee and the energetic secretary (Mr Henry Lyons) > are > > deserving of more than a passing comment on this occasion. Mr Joseph > > Quinn > > acted as chairman at the concert, and in that capacity announced the > > overture by Messrs Gilbert King and Robert Marshall, which was very > well > > received. The opening song, "Genevieve," by Messrs C.J. Marshall and > > Sons, > > was faultless, unless there were present some who cannot recognise > worth > > in > > any performance unless the performance carry with them some London or > > foreign name. "The Yankee boy" was rendered in good form by Mr A. > Burke. > > Miss Wallis sang "The flower girl's song" in such a fascinating style > that > > it has been pronounced a brilliant success. Mr C.J. Marshall's > rendition > > of > > "Let me like a soldier fall" was really good. "Advance," in costume, > by > > Mr > > A. Ross and Mrs Quintrel, was well worth witnessing, particularly the > neat > > and graceful style of Mrs Quintrel's dancing, and it was wonderful the > > length of time this was kept up, it not being an easy task to perform. > > > The > > most complimentary remarks were made on the performance. In this > dance, > > Mr > > Ross has beyond doubt met with a perfect test. Of Mr Robert Marshall > and > > the whole Marshall family a mere mention of their names as being > present > > should suffice to convey that the songs sung by them were well > rendered. > > Mr > > Gilbert King's Irish comic song caused much amusement, and proved Mr > > King's > > fitness for such characters. A duet, "The violet brave," by Mr and > Mrs L. > > Male was well received by the audience. Miss Price's (Bealiba) > sparkling > > rendition of "Barney take me home again" pleased everybody judging > from > > the > > manner she was greeted with applause. Mr H.C. Logan's recitation was > > remarkably well delivered, and cordially applauded. "Clara Brown", by > Mr > > W. > > Marshall, as before noted. Miss Collins sang very sweetly but seemed > > somewhat timid; this may only be a fancy of my own. As the programme > was > > a > > somewhat lengthy one, it is not requisite to name the many and various > > > songs > > contained in the second part, further than that special notice must be > > > given > > to the ladies - Miss Wallis's rendition of "Tit for tat," Misses Price > and > > Collin's duet, "Larboard watch," their singing being quite above all > > criticism. During the evening they were greeted with rounds of warm > > applause. Mr R. Quintrel's personation of the English teamster caused > > > some > > merriment, and he was called before the curtain for a repetition of > the > > latter part of his comic song. The members of the committee are to be > > congratulated for the in which this lengthy programme was carried out > > without a fault. This entertainment being the first of what are > intended > > to > > be annual events held in the new hall, which was crowded almost to > excess, > > will, no doubt, prove a decided success financially. The various > > districts > > around were well represented, viz. St Arnaud, Kara, Kara, Bealiba, > Burke's > > Flat, Wehla, Berrima, W.sid..,., and even Dunolly had two > representatives > > there. The ball which followed was a decided success. Messrs Gilbert > > > King > > and R. Marshall supplied the music in grand style, and Mr Thomas > Kellett, > > in > > a most efficient manner, acted as M.C. The order and decorum > noticeable > > throughout the entertainment and ball was in every respect highly > > creditable > > to the inhabitants of Logan and all those who were there. I am > pleased to > > have to record these facts. It is simply wonderful how the ball is > kept > > rolling at Logan, notwithstanding it is but recently I was present to > > report > > a similar entertainment at the opening of the new building for a > Mechanics > > Institute and Free Library, and the wonderment was on both occasions > where > > all the people came from." > > > > -"Dunolly and Betbetshire Express" > > June > > 1, 1888. > > > > > > > > > > > > > > ==== AUS-VIC-GOLDFIELDS Mailing List ==== > > Searchable archives at > > http://listsearches.rootsweb.com/?list=AUS-VIC-GOLDFIELDS-L > > > > > ==== AUS-VIC-GOLDFIELDS Mailing List ==== > Practice good internet genealogy - always be polite plus say 'thank you'

Sorry in my previous email I had her approx arrival as 1859 but would have been much earlier as she married in 1854. regards Kerry

Hi List, I am hoping that someone on the list may be able to help with a Mary Ann Barnes WARD that married Nathaniel GRIFFITHS 24 Nov 1854 at Buninyong, she was a servant aged 22 living at Buninyong. On her marriage cert which is rather difficult to read it says her father is William Barns WARD Captain, seaman and Mother: Mary Ann Barns WARD, on her death certificate 15 Aug 1919, Tumberumba, New South Wales her father is Thomas WARD labourer, the informant was her son so may have it wrong as Nathaniel GRIFFITHS has the wrong father's name on his cert. . It also says she was in Austalia for 60+ years, approx arrival 1859 or earlier. She was said to be born in London England and unfortunately this is all we know about her, any help would be fantastic! Perhaps she gets a mention as a witness on a marriage cert, or working somewhere or shows up in a book or document someone has. I have BDM's for her children so don't need those thank you. regards Kerry

Don't know about anyone else but I found the style and words far far better than "60 killed by suicide bomber in London Underground" etc. with the appropriate pictures in full colour of decapitated maimed and bloodied children and people. And what lovely use of the English Language! Again far better than a string of American acronyms Hollywood abbreviations and a load of modern garbage er - idioms that no one knows anything about other than the writer! Call me old fashion but I'd be happy to read this in preference to what currently passes as Newspaper Reporting any day!! Cheers Ron Phillips Melb Vic ----- Original Message ----- From: "trevor" <tjwilliams@iinet.net.au> To: <AUS-VIC-GOLDFIELDS-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Monday, October 17, 2005 9:52 PM Subject: Queen's Birthday at Logan > Can you imagine a local newspaper these days bothering to report an event > such as the Queen's Birthday celebrations at a tiny place like Logan? > Can > you imagine any modern reporter writing in the florid, purple style of > the > accompanying account? > > It is so over the top that I thought it worth sending to the List for your > edification! Quite a few names might be recognised by listers. > > Trevor > > > > THE > QUEEN'S BIRTHDAY AT LOGAN > > [From > our own Correspondent] > On former occasions the inhabitants of this remote but flourishing > district > were accustomed to hold a general picnic for the amusement of the young > folks, but this year the gentlemen who took a part in the original picnic > style of pleasure-seeking were so engrossed in the affairs of their new > Mechanics Institute and Free Library Hall that they had to abandon the > idea, > so for a time the little ones were about to be neglected; but the good > ladies of the district, with a kindly and motherly feeling, no doubt, took > the matter of the children's annual picnic in hand, and provided an > abundant > supply of the good things so wistfully looked for and enjoyed by those of > tender years. There was no want of games, races, jumping matches, &c. > The > most attractive game of the day was the "Tailing the donkey". This little > game is very simple and innocent, yet really ludicrous, which made it all > the more sportive for the lively youngsters. Those who have not seen the > "Tailing of the donkey" should visit Logan on the 24th May 1889, when, I > am > informed, it will be re-introduced in a new and improved style. The day's > amusements having passed off splendidly, we now arrive at the evening to > witness a grand vocal and instrumental concert in aid of the building fund > of the Free Library Hall. The talent and skill not only of the > performers, > but also of the committee and the energetic secretary (Mr Henry Lyons) are > deserving of more than a passing comment on this occasion. Mr Joseph > Quinn > acted as chairman at the concert, and in that capacity announced the > overture by Messrs Gilbert King and Robert Marshall, which was very well > received. The opening song, "Genevieve," by Messrs C.J. Marshall and > Sons, > was faultless, unless there were present some who cannot recognise worth > in > any performance unless the performance carry with them some London or > foreign name. "The Yankee boy" was rendered in good form by Mr A. Burke. > Miss Wallis sang "The flower girl's song" in such a fascinating style that > it has been pronounced a brilliant success. Mr C.J. Marshall's rendition > of > "Let me like a soldier fall" was really good. "Advance," in costume, by > Mr > A. Ross and Mrs Quintrel, was well worth witnessing, particularly the neat > and graceful style of Mrs Quintrel's dancing, and it was wonderful the > length of time this was kept up, it not being an easy task to perform. > The > most complimentary remarks were made on the performance. In this dance, > Mr > Ross has beyond doubt met with a perfect test. Of Mr Robert Marshall and > the whole Marshall family a mere mention of their names as being present > should suffice to convey that the songs sung by them were well rendered. > Mr > Gilbert King's Irish comic song caused much amusement, and proved Mr > King's > fitness for such characters. A duet, "The violet brave," by Mr and Mrs L. > Male was well received by the audience. Miss Price's (Bealiba) sparkling > rendition of "Barney take me home again" pleased everybody judging from > the > manner she was greeted with applause. Mr H.C. Logan's recitation was > remarkably well delivered, and cordially applauded. "Clara Brown", by Mr > W. > Marshall, as before noted. Miss Collins sang very sweetly but seemed > somewhat timid; this may only be a fancy of my own. As the programme was > a > somewhat lengthy one, it is not requisite to name the many and various > songs > contained in the second part, further than that special notice must be > given > to the ladies - Miss Wallis's rendition of "Tit for tat," Misses Price and > Collin's duet, "Larboard watch," their singing being quite above all > criticism. During the evening they were greeted with rounds of warm > applause. Mr R. Quintrel's personation of the English teamster caused > some > merriment, and he was called before the curtain for a repetition of the > latter part of his comic song. The members of the committee are to be > congratulated for the in which this lengthy programme was carried out > without a fault. This entertainment being the first of what are intended > to > be annual events held in the new hall, which was crowded almost to excess, > will, no doubt, prove a decided success financially. The various > districts > around were well represented, viz. St Arnaud, Kara, Kara, Bealiba, Burke's > Flat, Wehla, Berrima, W.sid..,., and even Dunolly had two representatives > there. The ball which followed was a decided success. Messrs Gilbert > King > and R. Marshall supplied the music in grand style, and Mr Thomas Kellett, > in > a most efficient manner, acted as M.C. The order and decorum noticeable > throughout the entertainment and ball was in every respect highly > creditable > to the inhabitants of Logan and all those who were there. I am pleased to > have to record these facts. It is simply wonderful how the ball is kept > rolling at Logan, notwithstanding it is but recently I was present to > report > a similar entertainment at the opening of the new building for a Mechanics > Institute and Free Library, and the wonderment was on both occasions where > all the people came from." > > -"Dunolly and Betbetshire Express" > June > 1, 1888. > > > > > > > ==== AUS-VIC-GOLDFIELDS Mailing List ==== > Searchable archives at > http://listsearches.rootsweb.com/?list=AUS-VIC-GOLDFIELDS-L >

Can you imagine a local newspaper these days bothering to report an event such as the Queen's Birthday celebrations at a tiny place like Logan? Can you imagine any modern reporter writing in the florid, purple style of the accompanying account? It is so over the top that I thought it worth sending to the List for your edification! Quite a few names might be recognised by listers. Trevor THE QUEEN'S BIRTHDAY AT LOGAN [From our own Correspondent] On former occasions the inhabitants of this remote but flourishing district were accustomed to hold a general picnic for the amusement of the young folks, but this year the gentlemen who took a part in the original picnic style of pleasure-seeking were so engrossed in the affairs of their new Mechanics Institute and Free Library Hall that they had to abandon the idea, so for a time the little ones were about to be neglected; but the good ladies of the district, with a kindly and motherly feeling, no doubt, took the matter of the children's annual picnic in hand, and provided an abundant supply of the good things so wistfully looked for and enjoyed by those of tender years. There was no want of games, races, jumping matches, &c. The most attractive game of the day was the "Tailing the donkey". This little game is very simple and innocent, yet really ludicrous, which made it all the more sportive for the lively youngsters. Those who have not seen the "Tailing of the donkey" should visit Logan on the 24th May 1889, when, I am informed, it will be re-introduced in a new and improved style. The day's amusements having passed off splendidly, we now arrive at the evening to witness a grand vocal and instrumental concert in aid of the building fund of the Free Library Hall. The talent and skill not only of the performers, but also of the committee and the energetic secretary (Mr Henry Lyons) are deserving of more than a passing comment on this occasion. Mr Joseph Quinn acted as chairman at the concert, and in that capacity announced the overture by Messrs Gilbert King and Robert Marshall, which was very well received. The opening song, "Genevieve," by Messrs C.J. Marshall and Sons, was faultless, unless there were present some who cannot recognise worth in any performance unless the performance carry with them some London or foreign name. "The Yankee boy" was rendered in good form by Mr A. Burke. Miss Wallis sang "The flower girl's song" in such a fascinating style that it has been pronounced a brilliant success. Mr C.J. Marshall's rendition of "Let me like a soldier fall" was really good. "Advance," in costume, by Mr A. Ross and Mrs Quintrel, was well worth witnessing, particularly the neat and graceful style of Mrs Quintrel's dancing, and it was wonderful the length of time this was kept up, it not being an easy task to perform. The most complimentary remarks were made on the performance. In this dance, Mr Ross has beyond doubt met with a perfect test. Of Mr Robert Marshall and the whole Marshall family a mere mention of their names as being present should suffice to convey that the songs sung by them were well rendered. Mr Gilbert King's Irish comic song caused much amusement, and proved Mr King's fitness for such characters. A duet, "The violet brave," by Mr and Mrs L. Male was well received by the audience. Miss Price's (Bealiba) sparkling rendition of "Barney take me home again" pleased everybody judging from the manner she was greeted with applause. Mr H.C. Logan's recitation was remarkably well delivered, and cordially applauded. "Clara Brown", by Mr W. Marshall, as before noted. Miss Collins sang very sweetly but seemed somewhat timid; this may only be a fancy of my own. As the programme was a somewhat lengthy one, it is not requisite to name the many and various songs contained in the second part, further than that special notice must be given to the ladies - Miss Wallis's rendition of "Tit for tat," Misses Price and Collin's duet, "Larboard watch," their singing being quite above all criticism. During the evening they were greeted with rounds of warm applause. Mr R. Quintrel's personation of the English teamster caused some merriment, and he was called before the curtain for a repetition of the latter part of his comic song. The members of the committee are to be congratulated for the in which this lengthy programme was carried out without a fault. This entertainment being the first of what are intended to be annual events held in the new hall, which was crowded almost to excess, will, no doubt, prove a decided success financially. The various districts around were well represented, viz. St Arnaud, Kara, Kara, Bealiba, Burke's Flat, Wehla, Berrima, W.sid..,., and even Dunolly had two representatives there. The ball which followed was a decided success. Messrs Gilbert King and R. Marshall supplied the music in grand style, and Mr Thomas Kellett, in a most efficient manner, acted as M.C. The order and decorum noticeable throughout the entertainment and ball was in every respect highly creditable to the inhabitants of Logan and all those who were there. I am pleased to have to record these facts. It is simply wonderful how the ball is kept rolling at Logan, notwithstanding it is but recently I was present to report a similar entertainment at the opening of the new building for a Mechanics Institute and Free Library, and the wonderment was on both occasions where all the people came from." -"Dunolly and Betbetshire Express" June 1, 1888.

Hi, If there's a person out there who has this book in their collection, could they please contact me off list. Thanks. Anne

In this fourth and final instalment of the "Express" report of the Royal Commission's visit to Dunolly, we hear from a number of prominent mining men. Mr M'Phee leads off, followed by Mr M'Leod, Mr H. Walmsley, and Mr W.H. Langler. There are some interesting descriptions of mining companies and of the reefs found in the area: Spread Eagle Reef, the Burnt Creek Company, Bet Bet Reef, Sydenham Reef, Brilliant Reef, Albion Reef, Quaker's Reef, Hinchcliffe Reef, North Birthday, Queen's Birthday and Golden Crown companies are all mentioned. The report ends abruptly. Towards the end, the reporter resorts to verbatim reports of the questions asked and answers given, rather than writing in the lengthier narrative style used to this point. In addition, the latter witnesses give very much briefer evidence than previous witnesses. All of this suggests that either the Commission sitting at Dunolly was running out of time (which it probably was) to take evidence, or that the reporter was running up against a deadline (also which he probably was!). Or both. I hope that this series of transcriptions for the List has been useful. At least the material is now in the archives and can be consulted by future members. Trevor Williams 17 October 2005 Mr R. M'Phee, President of the local branch of the A.M.A., opposed the present constitution of the Mining Boards, and suggested the election of members of a board to take the place of the Mining and Prospecting Boards as a substitute, electors to be provided with elector's rights for the purpose of electing members. He also pointed out the necessity for an engine on Gooseberry Flat, to efficiently drain it, so that miners could work the ground which has been proved to be very rich; also an engine on the Spread Eagle Reef for purposes of drainage, which had yielded payable stone down to water level. He advocated boring in advance of the lease of the Burnt Creek Company, and the granting of larger sums to struggling companies. Mr M'Leod, a prominent member of the A.M.A., spoke of the heavy water in the Burnt Creek Company's mine, and urged the granting of larger amounts, which should be available continuously to mining companies, as the present system led to delays and additional expense. Mr H. Walmsley, mining director, stepped forward to remark that it was worthy of consideration whether the growth of timber in these shallow gullies was not of equal value to the community as the cultivation of orchards and fruit gardens would be, the young timber growing from the stumps being exactly what was required for mining. Personally he objected to the auriferous grounds being thrown open for gardens, &c. Mr. W.H. Langler, J.P., legal manager, Dunolly, who had already forwarded his evidence in chief, furnished the following additional evidence: - Q. - The extent to which the Bet Bet and Sydenham reefs have been developed? A. - The Bet Bet reef was opened in April, 1855, when small claims of 24ft. only were allowed, and as much as 12oz. per ton was obtained from some of them near the surface. Cost of crushing and carting £9 per ton. About a dozen claims remained in work after three months, most of the men having left for more readily gotten gold. In '57 a flood swamped the claims, an the reef was deserted. In 1860 a co-operative party took up the ground and erected a crushing plant, and worked the reef for about 800ft. in length by a depth of say 40ft. at the north end and 100ft. at the south end, the yields varying from 5dwt. to 6oz. per ton the whole length. At the south end from about 60ft. to 100ft. of depth, the reef averaged about 10ft. in width, the greatest width being 20ft. This stone yielded 1½oz. per ton. At the end of 1865 the water becoming very troublesome, and no pumping or winding engine on the mine, work was suspended till in the following year a party of tributors (16) was formed, and they obtained over 1300oz. of gold for 10 months work, when the term of tribute having expired work again ceased. A year later a shaft was sunk to a depth of 198ft., carrying stone down at one end of the shaft for the last 18ft., which yielded 1oz. per ton. Full width of reef never proved. Sometime after this a flood again swamped the workings and new shaft, and no work has been done on the main lode since. A short distance west of the above are many flat spurs overlaying each other and dipping towards the main lode, which have been worked for about 600ft. in length and to about 50ft. in depth. The Brilliant Reef, 80ft. or 100ft. west of the Bet Bet lode, not worked below water level, gave from 1oz. to 3oz. per ton from a 3ft. reef; has been idle 12 or 13 years. The Albion Reef, about 150ft. east of the Bet Bet, with from 1ft. to 2ft. of stone, gave over 1oz. per ton; not worked below water level. The Sydenham Reef has a main shaft sunk 510ft., and a winze 83ft. below that depth. Levels have been driven along the reef at 200ft., 300ft., 400ft., and 500ft.; the 200ft. level being driven about 250ft. south and 700ft. north, at which point a crosscut was driven east to cut the Quaker's Reef, which runs parallel at a distance of about 130ft., and along which the level has been extended north about 1000ft. Crosscuts have also been driven at 300ft. and 400ft. from the Sydenham reef to the Quaker's, and levels extended; also a crosscut at 500ft. On the western side of the shaft a crosscut at the 300ft. level has been driven a distance of 553ft., intersecting in its course the golden spur, Hinchcliffe Reef, from which 6oz., 7oz., and 9oz. per ton were obtained; this was 200ft. from the shaft. At 176ft. further west a body of quartz 6ft. thick was met with, 100 tons of which yielded 30oz. 6dwt. smelted gold. (This stone underlay rapidly eastward, and if it continued the same should junction with the Hinchcliffe at 150ft. deeper.) Thirty feet further in advance another reef was passed through, which yielded 11dwt. per ton. Nothing further was met with till at a distance of 553ft. from the shaft the work was discontinued for want of funds. The face is in good slate country, and likely looking for quartz reefs. This crosscut extended should reach the Albion reef in about 150ft., and the Bet Bet a similar distance beyond, beside the probability of other stone close at hand. The portion of the Bet Bet reef described in the first part of this report is about three-quarters of a mile south of the Sydenham shaft. There is also another lot of workings about one-third of a mile still further south worked to water level, which I take to be on the Bet Bet line. There are a large number of outcrops of gold-bearing quartz running in parallel lines extending across about a mile of country from a little east of the Sydenham Company's ground westward. Q. - What is the distance between the two lines? A. - The distance between the Sydenham and Bet Bet reefs will be, say, 900ft. to 1000ft., the Bet Bet being 300ft. from face of crosscut at 300ft. level or thereabout. Q. - Have they been connected at any point by crosscuts? A. - The Sydenham and Bet Bet reefs have not been connected at any point, the nearest being, as above stated, 300ft. distant. Q. - Is there any noteworthy feature in connection with the working of the Queen's Birthday, North Birthday, Golden Crown, or Sydenham companies? A. - I do not know of anything specially noteworthy in connection with the working of the companies in this locality. Q. - .. [damaged & unreadable].. you any information to give us concerning. [ damaged & unreadable] . where? A. - The deep alluvial ground worked by the Burnt Creek Company is very heavy, and there being no other mine at work on the lead, the draining of the ground is a serious item to have to contend with. There are no other deep or wet mines working here at present, although payable ground is believed to exist in the immediate locality. Q.- Is the shallow alluvial ground worked out here? A.- A large amount of shallow and dry ground is lying idle in this district, and being only occasionally fossicked, but which, with a good supply of water and proper gold-saving machinery, and thorough systematic working, would, I believe, prove highly remunerative. Very little of this ground is sufficiently exhausted to be handed over to gardeners, &c. It should first be stripped. Capital and labor will have to combine to accomplish that which the individual miner cannot do - either by a system of tribute for the supply of machinery, &c., or the apportionment of working and sleeping shares according to the nature of the enterprise. I attach a rough sketch of the belt of country referred to in the foregoing report showing approximately (without actual survey or measurement) a cross section of the locality immediately in the vicinity of the Sydenham Company's shaft, with a view to more fully explain the details supplied in relation thereto.

This is the third instalmant of a report with appeared in the 'Dunolly and Betbetshire Express' on Friday 21nd March 1890, under the heading, "The Gold-Commission in Dunolly". It continues on from earlier witnesses who contributed information about the Queen's Birthday Gold Mining Co. This mine, more that any other, was mentioned in the Dunolly hearings of the Commission. And so, in this report, the mine manager gives even more detail about the technology used at the Queen's Birthday, under the headings 'Treatment of Mine Products' and 'Appliances and Adjuncts'. I caanot imagine a clearer description of the machinery used and processes applied. Trevor Williams 16 October 2005 _______________________________________________________________________________________________________ Mr. John Betheras, J.P., mine manager of the Queen's Birthday Company, gave the following evidence: - Prospecting. - I would recommend the Mining and Prospecting Boards be abolished, and that a Central Board be appointed instead by the Governor-in-Council, composed as follows: - the Minister of Mines to be Chairman of the Board, one geological surveyor, one metallurgist, seven mining experts, the Secretary for Mines to be Secretary for the Board. The colony to be divided into seven districts or wards. Each ward or district to be represented on the Board by one mining expert, who shall prove to the Minister of Mines or before a Board of Examiners appointed for that purpose that he is fully competent to discharge all the duties devolving upon an officer filling the position of mining expert under the Government. The duties of the mining experts shall be to superintend all prospecting operations aided or carried on by the Government, and to furnish regular reports to the Board except in mines managed by mining managers, in which case he should inspect and report occasionally; to inspect and report on the prospects of all applicants applying for aid from the Central Board; to inspect and to report to the Board the most desirable localities for prospecting in the district represented by him; also to report on the non-fulfilment or otherwise of labor covenants of mining leases. No auriferous land to be alienated without his inspection and recommendation to the Board. He shall do all in his power to foster and help forward the general interests of mining. The establishment, therefore, of a Central Board is directly in the interests of the general public, inasmuch as it is a barrier to local influence, which is too frequently exercised in a manner derogatory to the best interests of the miner, the general public and the purest intention of the Government in the allocation and distribution of the Prospecting Vote. It is desirable that those having the supervision and expenditure of the Prospecting Vote should be untrammelled by local influence. The existence of such a Board means bringing together the best and most capable talent the colony possesses for the purpose of inaugurating and supervising mining systems and operations calculated to stimulate and revive and raise into a more healthy and vigorous state and condition that industry which has done so much to make this colony what it is - one of the most desirable countries under the sun. Other Boards have been tried, but have failed. To make the merits of the Central Board more clear, let us suppose a company had taken up a piece of auriferous land for mining purposes. But before commencing operations they determined to engage the services of a man to inspect and report on the prospects and value of this piece of land for mining. Whose services would the company be likely to engage - that of an incompetent man? No. Do men gather grapes of thorns or figs of thistles? No. They would engage the services of the best mining expert procurable, and why? Because it has been proved in the past that he possesses superior knowledge in matters pertaining or relating to mining. So that if this system is carried out to benefit mining companies, a small section of the community, why .. [damaged and indistinct] .. the same system with a system of allocation and distribution of the Prospecting Vote is defective, and the sooner it is remedied the sooner will the colony participate in the benefits derived from an improved and desirable system. Treatment of Mine Products. - The plant and appliances at the Queen's Birthday Company's mine for reducing the stuffs and saving the gold are very complete. We have been crushing for many years with stamp grates, 225 holes to the square inch, and to each five heads of our forty head battery there is a ripple table, with five mercury wells, all charged with mercury. On each ripple table there are three copper plates, each being 3ft. wide by 6ft. long. When these plates are kept properly silvered and in good condition it is scarcely possible to lose any gold. But, of course, the copper plates must be kept in good condition - that is, the face of the plates when properly silvered always look like a sheet of mercury. I shall be glad to instruct any person who is not well up in these matters. The merits of our process of amalgamation, &c., is seen in the poorness of the tailings from the new battery. Several parties, including Chinamen, have tried the tailings by machinery, &c., but all alike have been compelled to give them up, and abandon the idea that they will ever pay work, notwithstanding there is about 200,000 tons at the new battery to be operated upon. We have in use Hally's percussion tables for saving the pyrites in the tailings after leaving the amalgamating tables. But after saving 130 tons the company had to sell it at the rate of £1 per ton, which was extremely poor, although the vein stuffs crushed gave an average yield of 10dwt. per ton. This is another instance of the merits of the process of amalgamation, &c. It has been proved that our battery saves 98 per cent. of all the gold in stone or veins stuffs. Our process of amalgamation and appliances for saving the gold has been declared by experts to be the best in the colony, and I believe it is, as I am satisfied that to produce this result a certain amount of scientific and practical knowledge is brought into operation that is not generally known by managers and men in charge of machinery. I hope this statement will not be regarded as egotistical, as proof is the main point in law. The Royal Commission should secure for the benefit of mining and the colony all such useful knowledge. Appliances and Adjuncts. - I would recommend that winding engines be worked with a double engine, as being the most safe and economical. I would recommend that with the use of machinery there always be a surplus of power instead of straining the machinery to do the work, as it would be saving in fuel and wear and tear of machinery. The kind of explosives in use in the Queen's Birthday is gelatine dynamite, which I find is a very efficient explosive. It is quite a mistake to use gunpowder and dynamite in one charge. I prefer gelatine for the sake of the miners and its efficiency. The diameter of our pit head pulley for a round steel wire rope is 8 feet, but I prefer a larger one as being less injurious to the rope. Mr Betheras further stated that in mines where large quantities of gelatine dynamite and lithofracture are used, the detonators and other refuse, when cleaning up the battery, floats on the surface of the quick silver; when cleaned off from the silver, it is then called the skimmings from the silver. This carries with it a little gold. After saving about 1000oz. of this stuff he treated it, and obtained 208oz of bar gold. This under ordinary circumstances woujld have been loss to the company, as there are few who understand properly how to extract the gold from it. He thought the knowledge of doing so should be more generally known. He also interested the Commission by explaining the process of amalgamation and silvering two pieces of copper plate, which was quickly and cleverly done, and stated to the Commission that copper plates and batteries should always assume that appearance when in proper condition with mercury. No parties had been able to find gold in payable quantities in the tailings from the battery of any mine where he had been mining manager. This he attributed to the above process of amalgamation and appliances for saving gold. _________________ End of third instalment

Hi All I would like to make contact with anyone who is researching or knows about John DUGGAN born April 1833 County Clare, Ireland. His father's name was John DUGGAN and his mother, COGHLAN, given name unknown. John DUGGAN joined the Victorian Police Force in August 1858 and was appointed 2nd Class Sergeant in May 1885. He died from consumption at the Numurkah Police Station in July 1890. I have posted this e-mail widely as he served at various police stations, e.g., the Melbourne district, the north east district, Walhalla and Gippsland. Thanks Anne Hanson

Hi All I would like to make contact with anyone who is researching or knows about John BRUCE born February 1830 in Scotland and died Ballarat aged 57 in 1887. His parents were John BRUCE and Cath McKENZIE. I have posted this listing widely as John BRUCE joined the Victorian Police Force in 1854 and was posted to north east Victoria, South Western Victoria and the Ballarat District. In 1881 he was appointed Senior Constable. Thanks Anne Hanson

Hello. I am researching John CUNNING and James Erskine CUNNING and the CUNNING and RYRIE goldmines in the CRESWICK area 1860 to 1880. Also Robert JAMIESON and Alexander RYRIE and families in the same area Is anyone else researching these names?. Cheers, Bob in Melbourne

Pat Wrote: Hello John - Thank you for your kind offer re your pending visit to Mitiamo. Unfortunately I think the only family connection with the town is that grandfather Hussey had the good grace to die there. (Assuming that he died in hospital, I would be interested to know if there is still a hospital there). I don;t think there is any family history to be uneartthed there. Enjoy your visit - Best regards Pat Pat I can vaguely remember as a child being with my uncle on the verandah of the Hospital in Mitiamo. I cannot recall whether it was operational (bad word :) )at the time or whether the repairs he carried out were for people living in the building as their home. This has raised a question. Where did hospital records go when it ceased to function as a hospital?. If you know that then you may find the information on your grandfather Hussey? John -- Internal Virus Database is out-of-date. Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. Version: 7.0.323 / Virus Database: 267.11.8/114 - Release Date: 28/09/2005