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| ‘The main objection of the diggers is to the mode of
collecting the license fee; since this is managed with so much
offensiveness as to make the diggers appear like a criminal class, and
digging like a crime. They are subject at any time to be stopped and
interrogated by the police, and to be carried off to a watch house.’ (Dr
Owens) ‘The police are unpopular because of the power they have, and which they exercise pretty frequently, of going into a man’s tent and rifling and turning over his property to find grog, just whenever they please.’ (George Purchase) ‘Q. Is there then a national feeling... on the diggings? A. There is. Q. Were you at Bendigo during the late agitation? A. I was, and paid my license the day it was due... Q.Were there any who would have supported the law... ? A. I am sorry to say that there would have been comparatively few who would have been with the Government.’ (D.J. Tierney, Esq., M.D.) ‘They are generally averse to 30 shilling license, because they are incapable of making that amount. The Diggings are not so bountiful in their products as they were some time back, and there are many that are in disastrous circumstances... I should say that about a third is actually unable to pay.’ (Dr Norris) Minutes of Evidence, Report of the Select Committee of the Legislative Council on the Goldfields, pp. 9, 33, 47-8, 53. Victoria. Legislative Council. Votes and Proceedings 1853-4, v.3. | ||
ImageTitle Gold LicensesDescription MS 8509, 12410, 8203 Australian Manuscripts Collection | ||
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