Mary Russell brought household items to Australia from England in 1934. Her mother, Elizabeth Russell used the writing desk that was originally given to her mother, Agnes Marian Byrne when she went to boarding school. Agnes used it all her life. Desk damaged by a visiting child who forced the desk closed/open at one point. Estimated that Agnes went to school about 1830'sA square wooden box with brass inlay decoration on lid and front around lock. Hinged lid opens to be a writing surface of velvet. At lock end, groove for pens and small well for ink bottle. Key (not to be used) is in the ink well. Base lined with green hessian glued on. Lid and base angled to give sloping writing surface. A total of 12 items including the box.domestic items, writing equipment, handcrafts, woodwork

The first hotel built in Orbost was the Club in 1885 an old wooden place on the corner built for J. A. Petersen of the Mitchell Hotel Bairnsdale, with the licence in the name of Mr Thomas Maguire (stepson of Petersen). In June 1889 there was a rush to Mackenzie River, about 28 miles from Orbost, on Twelve Mile Creek. An estimated 80 men rushed the ground, but yields were patchy and large numbers eventually left. They were coming and going almost daily.The Club Hotel was the first hotel built in Orbost and remains a significant building in the town. It was an important hub for the township with many whole town meetings held there.A yellowed black / white newspaper clipping of a photograph of people with a horse and cart outside a one-storey hotel building. It is glued onto a piece of cardboard.Caption at bottom - "View taken in 1889 of the Old Orbost Club Hotel"orbost-club-hotel

Foresters usually measure the diameter of trees at Breast Height – traditionally 4 foot, 6 inches – now 1.3 m – which is termed Diameter Breast Height Over Bark (DBHOB). The most common way to measure tree diameter is to place a calibrated tape around the stem at breast height. It’s simple, but can be slow, particularly if the scrub is thick, or if there are heaps of trees. A tree caliper is another quick method of estimating DBHOB. Wooden tree measuring calipersMeasurements are in inches (pre metrication in 1974) A crown faint crown mark (331) and crows foot is visible on one end forest measurement

Report - 16 foolscap pages, stapled into a brown cover report with a three part fold out map, glued into the rear cover, titled "Report on Proposed Electric Tramway between Essendon and Williamstown". Prepared by McCarty Underwood & Co. Consulting Engineers, August 1914. Details the route, estimate of construction costs, revenue, expenditure and engineer difficulties. Also reports on the use of Motor Buses and of Railless Electric Traction (Trolley Buses). Includes a detailed map showing the proposed route, existing cable and electric tramways.Has inked inscription on front cover "H. S. Dix Esq, compliments of F.O. McCarty"trams, tramways, new tramway, footscray, essendon, williamstown rd, trolley buses, buses

Report - printed onto a folded double folio sheet, titled "The Melbourne, Brunswick and Coburg Tramways Trust - Report to Constituent Councils for Period ended 30th September 1914". Outlines the setting up of the trust, the committee, survey, specifications being prepared, depot locations and alterations to services. Notes the estimated cost of construction and finance through debentures. Dated 13/11/1914. Rear page has the financial statement, including the operation of the horse tramway for six months. Audited by Strangward and Schackell. Four copies held.trams, tramways, mbctt, reports, construction, finances, horse trams

Report - printed onto a folded double folio sheet, titled "The Melbourne, Brunswick and Coburg Tramways Trust - Report to Constituent Councils for Period ended 30th September 1915". Outlines the committee, survey, contracts for materials, tramcars, electrical equipment, depot equipment and construction and general progress. Notes the estimated cost of construction and finance through debentures. Dated 29/10/1915. Rear page has the financial statement, including the operation of the horse tramway for six months. Audited by Strangward and Schackell. Eight copies held.trams, tramways, mbctt, reports, construction, finances, horse trams

This photograph shows vehicles and people being ferried across the Snowy River during the 1934 flood. The Orbost punt was reinstated on a temporary basis following damage to the bridge. Damage estimated at £500,000 was caused by the 1934 floods in the Orbost district. This 1934 flood was devastating, destroying a section of the 1922 Orbost bridge, wrecking fences, bridges and roads, dumping silt and debris on the rich river flats and drowning cattle. The centre span of the Orbost Bridge was washed away.This is a pictorial record of the effects of the 1934 floods in the Orbost district.A large black / white photograph of a punt with a motor vehicle and people making their way across a river.on front - "On the Snowy 1934"snowy-river-orbost flood-1934 river-transport-punt

Letter dated 10 December 1942 to the President of the Legacy Club with the Hostel Committee's recommendation to purchase 1267 Burke Road as a hostel. He advises that there was only one dissenting committee member (Legatee Carleton) who felt that the property was too far from the city for convenience. The price of £5,500 is considered to be favourable following a formal valuation of £6,633, and he estimates that the property would accommodate at least 23 children plus staff with only minor alteration.Records the Hostel Committee's official decision and submits it to the then President of the Legacy Club, Legatee H.M. James.White quarto letter with black type on Legacy Club letterhead (blue), four holes punched for filing.Signed and initialled by Legatee Eric Russell, Chairman, Hostel Committee.holmbush initial negotiations, properties, holmbush

Carbon copy of a letter from Legatee H.L. Berg dated 4th October 1974 to A.Quayle, Esq., Chairman of the Housing Steering Committee in which Legatee Berg confirms the completion of the Stage Two design for Blamey House. The plan was to be submitted to the Board of Management. Costs of $170,000 were estimated and the plans would also have to be submitted to Kew Council, which Legatee Berg undertook to do. See also Cat. No. 01696. In a file with documents pertaining to the residences. An example of the detailed work Melbourne Legacy did to house Junior Legatees.1 x carbon copy, black on white. Two holes punched for filing. residences, blamey house

This particular specimen was recovered from two hundred feet down in the Golden Mile in Kalgoorlie, Western Australia. The Golden Mile, named after the estimated sixty million ounces of gold worth around one hundred billion dollars, was the birthplace of the largest gold rush in Australia almost one hundred and thirty years ago when William Brookman and Samuel Pearce leased the Great Boulder mine. The Golden Mile is also the home of the Super Pit, Australia's most well-known mine.The majority of gold deposits will form as a native metal, however, on occasion, it can form a compound with another element, in this case, sulphur. Therefore, this specimen is a rare example of gold naturally forming into a compound mineral with sulphur. This specimen is part of a larger collection of geological and mineral specimens collected from around Australia (and some parts of the world) and donated to the Burke Museum between 1868-1880. A large percentage of these specimens were collected in Victoria as part of the Geological Survey of Victoria that begun in 1852 (in response to the Gold Rush) to study and map the geology of Victoria. Collecting geological specimens was an important part of mapping and understanding the scientific makeup of the earth. Many of these specimens were sent to research and collecting organisations across Australia, including the Burke Museum, to educate and encourage further study.A small gold-sulphide ore mineral specimen in shades of silver and grey with flecks of gold. Precious metals are often found in Sulphide Ores, as sulphides usually bind to these metals. They are also extremely symmetrical in crystaline form. Gold-Sulphide Ore occurs when gold forms a natural compound with other elements. In this form, gold can be present in one of two ways. It can be fully immersed in the sulphide, or a portion may be partially free. This specimen has minimal gold visible, with only a few flecks being partially visible.burke museum, beechworth, indigo shire, beechworth museum, geological, geological specimen, mineralogy, gold-sulphide ore

The Centenary of Warrnambool in 1947 drew crowds of 20000. It was generally felt that the celebrations excelled anything that had been seen in the city in the last 100 years. There were numerous activities held over the weekend including an elaborate street parade which was followed by joining the 4500 children at sports and picnic celebrations at the showgrounds. The Warrnambool and District Turf club also held a race meeting to aid the Hospital and raised 740 pounds. It was estimated that 20000 attended the finale bonfire and fireworks in Albert Park. This little booklet of tickets is a tangible link to one of the biggest celebrations ever held in the city.Dark pink cover with three remaining tickets stapled and held with string. On Cover: Warrnambool Centenary. Picnic and Sports March 27th 1947 Margaret P**** in greylead warrnambool, warrnambool centenary, 1947 warrnambool celebrations warrnambool centenary tickets

These badges issued for a surf carnival held in Warrnambool may have been produced for the 1963 Australian Championship Surf Carnival. It was estimated that 25,000 people were present at these championships held at the Warrnambool beach. The Warrnambool Surf Life Saving Club was formed in 1930. Some years previous to this a Warrnambool Surf Bathers and Beach Improvement Association had been established and this group amalgamated with the Warrnambool Surf Life Saving Club in 1933. Warrnambool claims to be the first surf life saving club in Victoria. These badges are small mementoes of the many surf carnivals held in Warrnambool and of the Warrnambool Surf Life Saving Club, an important volunteer organization which has operated in Warrnambool for 90 years. .1 A round metal badge with cream-coloured lettering and one star on a brown background .2 A round metal badge with brown lettering and one star on a cream-coloured background .1 and .2 Warrnambool Surf Life Saving Club Surf Carnivalwarrnambool surf life saving club, history of warrnambool, badge

Commonly known as Miner's Complaint, silicosis, tuberculosis or a combination of both resulted in phthisis. This was directly caused by the inhalation of silica dust resulting from drilling into quartz reefs. Lungs weakened by silicosis were more susceptible to the TB bacterium. At first the difference between these two ailments was unknown as was the mode of the spread of TB. In 1903 there was a call for better ventilation in mines and for the use of water hoses to dampen down the dust. It is estimated that the rate of associated deaths in Bendigo was six times that of the national average.A 12 page paper by Frank Cusack detailing the extreme rates of death by Silicosis and Tuberculosis among the early settlers of Bendigo and the willful lack of action by the mine managers to improve health and safety.frank cusack, silicosis, tuberculosis, bendigo mining

Report - titled "Information - Resilient CSS (Concrete) Track" - prepared by the MMTB Engineering Testing Branch Dec. 1962. Report No. I 5/1/146. The report looks at the use of mass concrete where the rail is fully embedded and the noise issues compared with track fitted with a rubber-fluted rail pad. Details the tests undertaken and the results. Recommends a 100m test section be constructed and provides an estimate for this. See item 4665 for a sample of rubber boot used in the Box Hill extension.Yields information about an investigation into tram track noise issues.Report - 53 carbon copy pages with photographs clipped within manila card covers.tramways, mmtb, tram tracks, concrete, noise, rails, civil engineering

Carrie Lam, Hong Kong’s chief executive, had plenty of political support in the territory’s pro-Beijing legislature to pass a bill that would allow extraditions to mainland China. The legislators were set to begin discussing the bill in early June, and intended to vote on it just weeks later. A series of protests took place, and after a June 16 protest saw the largest turnout yet, Ms. Lam made a major concession: She postponed the bill, at least temporarily. It was an undeniable victory for the protesters — but it did little to quell the unrest. Since the bill could later be reintroduced, protesters felt they remained in danger. The police tactics to break up the demonstrations on June 12, including the use of more than 150 tear gas canisters to push protesters far away from the government office, created a new set of demands from the protesters. Now, instead of just calling for the withdrawal of the bill and Ms. Lam’s resignation, they said they wouldn’t be content unless there was an independent investigation of officers’ conduct. They also wanted the release of protesters arrested on June 12, and for the government to rescind its description of the demonstrations as a “riot,” a designation that carries legal significance. None of that has happened. Many analysts say Ms. Lam is unlikely to step down, nor would Beijing accept her resignation if she offered it. She has more wiggle room on the other demands, but has not indicated any willingness to budge. The Hong Kong Protests are a leaderless, digital movement.There is no single leader or group deciding on or steering the strategy, tactics and goals of the movement. Instead, protesters have used forums and messaging apps to decide next steps. Anyone can suggest a course of action, and others then vote on whether they support it. The most popular ideas rise to the top, and then people rally to make them happen. At its best, this structure has empowered many people to participate and have their voices heard. Protesters say it keeps them all safe by not allowing the government to target specific leaders. Their success in halting the extradition bill, which was shelved by the territory’s chief executive, speaks to the movement’s power. Despite the lack of a clear leader, protesters have shown extensive coordination at the demonstrations, having planned the specifics online beforehand. Supply stations are set up to distribute water, snacks, gloves, umbrellas and shields made of cardboard. Volunteer first aid workers wear brightly colored vests. People form assembly lines to pass supplies across long distances, with protesters communicating what they need through a series of predetermined hand signals. Anyone walking in dangerous areas without a helmet or a mask is quickly offered one. No individual can speak on behalf of the protesters, which makes negotiations difficult, if not impossible. (https://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/02/world/asia/hong-kong-protest-explained.html, accessed 07/07/2019) Hong Kong’s amended extradition law would allow the extradition of suspects to mainland China for the first time. Supporters say the amendments are key to ensuring the city does not become a criminal refuge, but critics worry Beijing will use the law to extradite political opponents and others to China where their legal protections cannot be guaranteed. The government claims the push to change the law, which would also apply to Taiwan and Macau, stems from the killing last year of a Hong Kong woman while she was in Taiwan with her boyfriend. Authorities in Taiwan suspect the woman’s boyfriend, who remains in Hong Kong, but cannot try him because no extradition agreement is in place. Under the amended law, those accused of offences punishable by seven years or more in prison could be extradited. The new legislation would give Hong Kong’s leader, known as the chief executive, authority to approve extradition requests, after review by the courts. Hong Kong’s legislature, the legislative council, would not have any oversight over the extradition process. Many Hong Kongers fear the proposed extradition law will be used by authorities to target political enemies. They worry the new legislation spells the end of the “one country, two systems” policy, eroding the civil rights enjoyed by Hong Kong residents since the handover of sovereignty from the UK to China in 1997. Many attending the protests on Sunday said they could not trust China as it had often used non-political crimes to target government critics, and said they also feared Hong Kong officials would not be able to reject Beijing’s requests. Legal professionals have also expressed concern over the rights of those sent across the border to be tried. The conviction rate in Chinese courts is as high as 99%. Arbitrary detentions, torture and denial of legal representation of one’s choosing are also common. Many in the protests on Sunday 09 June 2019 said they felt overwhelmed by a sense of helplessness in the face of mainland China’s increasing political, economic and cultural influence in Hong Kong. Hong Kong’s top political leader is not elected by ordinary voters but by a 1,200-strong election committee accountable to Beijing. Half of its legislature are chosen through indirect electoral systems that favour pro-Beijing figures. Many Hong Kongers also cited the jailing of leaders and activists from the 2014 Occupy Central movement– a 79-day mass civil disobedience movement – as well as the disqualification of young localist lawmakers as signs of the erosion of civil freedoms. Resentment towards China has been intensified by soaring property prices – with increasing numbers of mainland Chinese buying properties in the city – as well as the government’s “patriotic education” drive, and the large numbers of mainland tourists who flock to Hong Kong. Many Hong Kongers are also concerned about China’s growing control over the city’s news media, as they increasingly self-censor and follow Beijing’s tacit orders. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jun/10/what-are-the-hong-kong-protests-about-explainerSeven police officers stand guard in front of Hong Kong's main police headquarters on Arsenal Street in Wan Chai as an estimated one thousand protestors surround on 26 June 2019. Protestors take turns to step up and hurl abuse at the officers, in a protest lasting 6 hours before peacefully dispersing. The protesters chanted 'Release the martyrs' and 'Stop police violence' in reference to violent clashes with police in the days previous. ( https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3016238/hong-kong-police-under-siege-again-protesters-surround)carrie lam, hong kong protests, extraditions, protest, protestors, police, wan chai

The Norman Oliver collection. Norman Oliver was three times Mayor of Bendigo - 1950-51, 1964-65, 1970-71. Two incomplete pages of typed notes, the top section of one has been torn off. Topics include : estimates and council rates, Music for the People with Glenda Raymond and Hector Crawford to be held in Rosalind Park, Bendigo's industrial progress and the Victorian Promotion Committee, annual dinner of the Public Service Association, the 100th birthday of Mrs Clementine Rawlings, Bendigo Jockey Club, and the Catholic Men's Dinner Club.bendigo, council, report, councillor norman oliver. mayor of bendigo.

Black and white photo of Nunawading Brownie Guiders at a parade in Mitcham Shopping Centre. Photo shows the Mitcham shops on the north side of Whitehorse Road, west of Mitcham Road.The traders shown in the photo, left to right, Claude Richards-Draper; D.G.Williamson - Fruiterer; Bob Dorien - Chemist in same building as Williamson; Hay and Corn Store - ???; and Norman & Sons-Grocer.Across Mitcham Road is Barrie George - Milk Bar; Fish Shop- ??? and Ken Herbert - Grocer; the Mitcham Memorial Hall is on the east side.It is estimated that the photo was taken in the late 1950s or early 1960s.richards, claude, dorien, bob, williamson, d.g., norman & sons, george, barrie, herbert, ken, fish shops, mitcham memorial hall, gardiner, shirley, floyd, peg, quick, judith, elsworth, jean, lynette, brown, evelynne, hogben, pam, sue, yarrow, erica

Report - 16 foolscap pages, sewn into a brown cover report with a two part fold out map, glued into the rear cover, titled "Report upon Proposed Electric Tramways for the City of South Melbourne", commencing at St Kilda Road and working around the various cable tram routes. Prepared by McCarty Underwood & Co. Consulting Engineers, August 1913. Details the route, estimate of construction costs, revenue, expenditure and engineering difficulties. Includes a detailed map showing the proposed route, existing cable and electric tramways and possible extensions in to the City of St Kilda.trams, tramways, new tramway, south melbourne, st kilda, albert park, cable trams

Coloured image taken from Ektochrome slide by 1735354 Jeffrey Horne Tr Ray Howard 3792606 A Sqn Third Cavalry Regiment 1968 on stretcher being carried by medicMy memories are pretty hazy, but I remeber being in intensive care ward with 2 other diggers who were a lot worse off that I was, and I have often wondered if they made it. today, I am doing OK and want to thank you all for your wonderful care. You were a special mob and I have very fond memories of all who helped me. 1968 (estimate)photograph, 1st australian field hospital, ektachrome slide

Taken in Beechworth 1928, this photograph depicts Camp Street with an array of cars lined up and and people walking among them with a row of flags hung up across the street. The Back to Beechworth celebrations were held from Thursday 5th April 1928 until the following Wednesday. An estimate 750 people returned to Beechworth for the events that included church services, a ball, a picture show, cricket march, special dinner and a band recital. The event was planned to celebrate Beechworth winning the Sun News Pictorial Ideal Town Competition. Black and white rectangular photograph. Obverse: Back to Beechworth 1928 Reverse: BMM7782 56 burke museum, camp street, 1928, beechworth

The Centenary of Warrnambool in 1947 drew crowds of 20000. It was generally felt that the celebrations excelled anything that had been seen in the city in the last 100 years. There were numerous activities held over the weekend including an elaborate street parade which was followed by joining the 4500 children at sports and picnic celebrations at the showgrounds. The Warrnambool and District Turf club also held a race meeting to aid the Hospital and raised 740 pounds. It was estimated that 20000 attended the finale bonfire and fireworks in Albert Park. This is a hand made item to commemorate the occasion. This item has local historical, artistic and social significance as it relates to a major event in the history of the city.Crocheted rectangular with angled corners, doyley with Warrnambool centenary 1847- 1947 worked in pattern in centre of piece. Cream linen.Warrnambool 1847 Centenary 1947warrnambool, warrnambool centenary , warrnambool centenary 1947, centenary doyley 1947,

Thomas John Kent (b. 1/9/18, d. 13/3/1998) married Florence Janet Hughes (b. 5/1/1921, d. 24/3/2011) on 15/11/1941. In the 1943 Electoral Roll they were recorded living at Watson St, McLeod and in 1949 at Mt. View Road, Montmorency. (Information gathered from Ancestry.com sources). Based on this data, the date of this photograph is estimated to be c. 1941 not 1927 as originally noted, which was the date that the Montmorency Tennis Club was established.Black & white photograph of eight individuals from Montmorency Tennis Club including Jack and Florrie Kent, c.1941"Montmorency Tennis Club c.1927 Jack Kent Florrie Kenttennis club, jack kent, montmorency, florrie kent

From The Argus (Melbourne) on January 10 1934 "Damage estimated at £500,000 has been caused by the floods in the Orbost district. No loss of life occurred, largely owing to the heroic efforts of rescue parties. Many families spent Monday night on the roofs of houses or in trees, surrounded by deep, rushing flood waters." This 1934 flood was devastating, destroying a section of the 1922 Orbost bridge - the centre span was washed away -. wrecking fences, bridges and roads, dumping silt and debris on the rich river flats and drowning cattle. This is a pictorial record of the 1934 flood, a significant event in the history of Orbost.A black / white photograph of floodwaters. In the middle of the water can be see debris including a large spoked wheel. In the background are houses and fences.on back - "near Hilyer's garage at foot of hill Main Street Caravan Park on right" on front at bottom left - "1934"orbost-flood-1934 flood-orbost

The Middle Island Maremma Project began in 2006 when there was a sharp decline in the colony size of Little Penguins on Middle Island due to fox predation. Maremma Guardian dogs were trained and placed on Middle Island to protect the penguins from foxes during the breeding season. The Project has been a huge success, with no evidence of fox attacks since the beginning of the Project and a steady increase in penguin colony size from fewer than 10 birds in 2005 to an estimated peak number of 180 penguins in 2013.Colour photographs looking towards Middle Island, Warrnambool.middle island, warrnambool, beach, sunset, maremma, little pengion

Boys classes were held each Friday night in nine various locations around Melbourne. It gave the opportunity for Junior Legatees to meet and be involved with activities they may have missed out on due to the death of their fathers. Legacy clubs ran classes for junior legatees for many years. It was part of providing for the children of their deceased comrades. Activities included basketball competitions, gymnastics, boxing, judo and swimming lessons. There were annual sports days when groups came together for friendly competition. Estimated date of 1970s.A record of the type of activities Legacy provided for the Junior Legatees.Black and white photo printed on cardboard of boys playing with medicine balls at a sports day.Stamped in purple ink 'The Property of Melbourne Legacy'. junior legatees, boys classes

Carrie Lam, Hong Kong’s chief executive, had plenty of political support in the territory’s pro-Beijing legislature to pass a bill that would allow extraditions to mainland China. The legislators were set to begin discussing the bill in early June, and intended to vote on it just weeks later. A series of protests took place, and after a June 16 protest saw the largest turnout yet, Ms. Lam made a major concession: She postponed the bill, at least temporarily. It was an undeniable victory for the protesters — but it did little to quell the unrest. Since the bill could later be reintroduced, protesters felt they remained in danger. The police tactics to break up the demonstrations on June 12, including the use of more than 150 tear gas canisters to push protesters far away from the government office, created a new set of demands from the protesters. Now, instead of just calling for the withdrawal of the bill and Ms. Lam’s resignation, they said they wouldn’t be content unless there was an independent investigation of officers’ conduct. They also wanted the release of protesters arrested on June 12, and for the government to rescind its description of the demonstrations as a “riot,” a designation that carries legal significance. None of that has happened. Many analysts say Ms. Lam is unlikely to step down, nor would Beijing accept her resignation if she offered it. She has more wiggle room on the other demands, but has not indicated any willingness to budge. The Hong Kong Protests are a leaderless, digital movement.There is no single leader or group deciding on or steering the strategy, tactics and goals of the movement. Instead, protesters have used forums and messaging apps to decide next steps. Anyone can suggest a course of action, and others then vote on whether they support it. The most popular ideas rise to the top, and then people rally to make them happen. At its best, this structure has empowered many people to participate and have their voices heard. Protesters say it keeps them all safe by not allowing the government to target specific leaders. Their success in halting the extradition bill, which was shelved by the territory’s chief executive, speaks to the movement’s power. Despite the lack of a clear leader, protesters have shown extensive coordination at the demonstrations, having planned the specifics online beforehand. Supply stations are set up to distribute water, snacks, gloves, umbrellas and shields made of cardboard. Volunteer first aid workers wear brightly colored vests. People form assembly lines to pass supplies across long distances, with protesters communicating what they need through a series of predetermined hand signals. Anyone walking in dangerous areas without a helmet or a mask is quickly offered one. No individual can speak on behalf of the protesters, which makes negotiations difficult, if not impossible. (https://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/02/world/asia/hong-kong-protest-explained.html, accessed 07/07/2019) Hong Kong’s amended extradition law would allow the extradition of suspects to mainland China for the first time. Supporters say the amendments are key to ensuring the city does not become a criminal refuge, but critics worry Beijing will use the law to extradite political opponents and others to China where their legal protections cannot be guaranteed. The government claims the push to change the law, which would also apply to Taiwan and Macau, stems from the killing last year of a Hong Kong woman while she was in Taiwan with her boyfriend. Authorities in Taiwan suspect the woman’s boyfriend, who remains in Hong Kong, but cannot try him because no extradition agreement is in place. Under the amended law, those accused of offences punishable by seven years or more in prison could be extradited. The new legislation would give Hong Kong’s leader, known as the chief executive, authority to approve extradition requests, after review by the courts. Hong Kong’s legislature, the legislative council, would not have any oversight over the extradition process. Many Hong Kongers fear the proposed extradition law will be used by authorities to target political enemies. They worry the new legislation spells the end of the “one country, two systems” policy, eroding the civil rights enjoyed by Hong Kong residents since the handover of sovereignty from the UK to China in 1997. Many attending the protests on Sunday said they could not trust China as it had often used non-political crimes to target government critics, and said they also feared Hong Kong officials would not be able to reject Beijing’s requests. Legal professionals have also expressed concern over the rights of those sent across the border to be tried. The conviction rate in Chinese courts is as high as 99%. Arbitrary detentions, torture and denial of legal representation of one’s choosing are also common. Many in the protests on Sunday 09 June 2019 said they felt overwhelmed by a sense of helplessness in the face of mainland China’s increasing political, economic and cultural influence in Hong Kong. Hong Kong’s top political leader is not elected by ordinary voters but by a 1,200-strong election committee accountable to Beijing. Half of its legislature are chosen through indirect electoral systems that favour pro-Beijing figures. Many Hong Kongers also cited the jailing of leaders and activists from the 2014 Occupy Central movement– a 79-day mass civil disobedience movement – as well as the disqualification of young localist lawmakers as signs of the erosion of civil freedoms. Resentment towards China has been intensified by soaring property prices – with increasing numbers of mainland Chinese buying properties in the city – as well as the government’s “patriotic education” drive, and the large numbers of mainland tourists who flock to Hong Kong. Many Hong Kongers are also concerned about China’s growing control over the city’s news media, as they increasingly self-censor and follow Beijing’s tacit orders. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jun/10/what-are-the-hong-kong-protests-about-explainerPhotograph crowds gathering on June 16 on the streets of Causeway Bay before an estimated 2 million people take part in march protesting the government's push for extradition laws to China and demanding an apology from the chief executrive Carrie Lam. Nearly 2 million’ people take to streets, forcing public apology from Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam as suspension of controversial extradition bill fails to appease protesters. (https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3014737/nearly-2-million-people-take-streets-forcing-public-apology )carrie lam, hong kong protests, extraditions, protest, protestors