Fifty page Ballarat Courier Supplement printed to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Eureka Stockade. eureka stockade, steve bracks, charles doudiet, eureka flag, aborigines, charles latrobe, artists, bendigo petition, peter lalor, robert rede, miner's right, gold license, patrick smythe, j.b. humffray, charles hotham, timothy hayes, william dargie, eureka encyclopedia, clare gervasoni, dorothy wickham, aborigines on the goldfields, ian clark

From 1851 the Victorian government required all men on Victorian Goldfields to carry a Gold License. The fee was one pound per month, and was payable in advance. There was agitation surrounding the gold license which was thought to be an excessive fee and did not give the bearer right to representation. On 03 December 1854 the gold diggers on the Eureka Lead fought a short battle against the army and police troopers. A few months later a new system of taxing gold diggers was introduced - the Miner's Right. The Gold License c allowed the bearer to 'dig, search for, and remove gold on and from any Crown Lands' within the district specified on the license. The license was not transferable, and had to be produced on demand. This has resulted in most surviving licenses showing evidence of having been folded and kept in a pocket.The Victorian Gold Licence was issued from 1851 until early 1855. Every man on a Victorian goldfield had to carry a valid gold license, so few survived the harsh treatment of being carried around a working goldfield. There was much dissatisfaction about what was thought to be an unfair mining tax (or gold license). On 29 November 1854 Ballarat miners burnt their licenses on Bakery Hill. On 3 December 1854 the Eureka Stockade Battle took place, resulting in the Goldfields Commission. The first Miner's Right was issued in late June 1855, and in July the first Local Courts were elected by miner's right holders. This gold license was issued around one year after the issue of the first Victorian gold license in August 1851, making it a rare early survivor. This fold lines on this Gold License are evidence of being carried around by the bearer. A original Victorian paper gold license glued onto on old card poster. The original colour of the paper was pale blue. The license has undergone conservation treatment and has been removed from the card.'231', '9 Nov 1852', [name illegible], 'Lod dist [Loddon District?], [Commissioner illegible - probably M. Cohn]gold license, gold licence, mining, cohn, eureka

Following a Royal Commission in 1855, the Gold License was changed to the Miner’s Right, which reduced the fee and required annual payment, rather than monthly or quarterly.The fourth Goldfields Act, passed in early 1858, gave increased privileges to holders of Miner's Rights. These included the right to make residential claims, allowing the cutting of timber on claims and giving the right to build races and dams on any crown lands for mining purposes. This certificate is in the name of Samuel Richardson who brought it to Orbost.This item is of historical significance as it is associated with positive outcomes for gold miners brought about by the Eureka Stockade rebellion and its subsequent democrat changes. It is also associated with the Richardsonfamily who were early settlers in Orbost.A certificate for a miner's right printed on paper. It cost one pound. It was Not Transferable. Details have been filled out in ink. At the top of the licence is an elaborate etching, under the heading 'Colony of Victoria'. Inside a shield is a young woman, crowned, seated, with shipping in the background. oO her left is a miner with hat presenting her with a gold nugget while on her right, a farmer presents grain to her. Mottoes include 'Honi Soit Que Mal Y Pense'; 'Dieu et Mon Droit' and 'Advance Australia' There are handwritten notes in faded ink on the back.miner's right, colony of victoria, samuel richardson, no 14, government act

The tent model mentioned in the letters was displayed in the Ballarat School of Mines Museum. During the 1960s it was transferred to the Ballarat Historical Society. Two handwritten letters on paper with black mourning edge written by Walter M. Hitchcock to the Ballarat School of Mines, and another written by Walter's brother George M. Hitchcock.Letter transcription follow: Letter from Walter M. Hitchcock regarding the death of James Oddie and early gold mining at Ballarat, 1910 and 1911 48 The Memorial Hall Farringdon St London Dec1/10 The Secretary Ballarat Museum Dear Sir, I am just now sending you this line, i anticipation of further correspondence later on, simply to forward you a Post Card of the 1st mining tent erected 1851 on the site of he then newly proclaimed Township of Ballarat, which, as the sole survivor of the party who built the original, I have had the pleasure in making, and have decided to present it to your museum, Sir Jno Lasenor out Agent General for Victoria came to a Bazaar recently held in London. where I had it on view in the museum from 3 days, - and desired I would allow its [ ? ] exhibited in the first large window of the beautiful new building of the Victoria Agency situate in the Strand. It is there for the past few days and he may wish it to remain a week or two longer, I know of no other exhibition of it to delay it being packed and shipped to my relatives in Geelong (Mr [?] Bright of Hitchock's Firm) who may wish to show it in one of their windows before forwarding it to your museum - I have had an itemised pane glass case made for it with drop down end and [?} it stands on a plateau of moss, to represent grass 32 x 13 x 13 high and chimney 14 1/2 - the case is made 34 x 26 x 20 high inside - I shall have it very carefully packed - tent emptied tools, beds, &c &c in separate packing and insured for 50 pounds - I will send you full details later on. I hope and believe your President will accept it in due time Meantime believe me to be very truly Cat Walter Hitchcock G.F.B. 48 The Memorial Hall Farringdon St London March 15th 1911 The Secretary Ballarat School of Mines Dear Sir, Thanks for your letter received last week – I have unaccountably mislaid it, so cannot address you personally, shall no doubt find it among office papers. The model is being fetched today from Victorian Agent General’s (Sir John [Lavernor?] office window in the Strand where many thousands, he tells me, have stopped in passing to see it (their first peep of Ballaarat). It will be on view at Blackheath (Kent) for a week, then packed and shipped without further delay. I shall enclose in the glass case (which is 26 x 34 x 16 in high) some spare minced moss and gas (smoke) in case in transit the plateau suffers by shaking (though it is well glued down). All the tools, mining appliances, cradle, windlass, &c will be separately packed enclosed – which you can easily place in respective positions. HRH Prince of Wales has graciously accepted a photo of it – and in my letter to him when sending it for his acceptance I said – as he would probably ere long visit Australia as did his grandfather and father, which ought to (and certainly will) include at least a day or two in seeing your beautiful City, and also something of your mines &c instead of the hurried visit of his father (2 hours) when he, as Duke of York, unveiled a statue to the memory of those slain in the sad Boer War, which now is admitted by almost everybody to have been a big political mistake, - though in the future with England’s present wise policy towards that country it will prove for Africa’s welfare. It may interest you to know that when I ascertained that Geelong was not to be visited by the Royal Pair – I went up to St James’s Palace by appointed time the Duke’s private Secy Sir Arthur Bigge – taking with me a specially illustrated paper issued in Melb. showing many pictures of the beauties and industries of Geelong – Sir Arthur was impressed but said all the arrangements for the Royal stay in Victoria (10 days) were made locally, by Lord Hopetoun and collegues and committee, and were practically closed – which meant that only a brief trip to Ballarat to uncover the memorial was intended outside Melbourne. Perhaps if we were Melbourne residents we should have succumbed to the prevailing spirit of selfishness – forgetting (or trying to forget) that there are many beauty spots in Victoria and centres of great interest - Ballarat, Geelong, Bendigo, &c that ought to have been visited instead of Melbourne only. Finding Sir Arthur favorably impressed about Geelong I thanked him and returned to City work again. I at once called to Geelong whose mayor and friends had been twice unsuccessful in trying for the Melbourne functions programme being altered to include a visit to Geelong and lovely spots in the Western District, reporting my interview with Sir A B and his favourable reception of my representations, but that any alteration to the programme of engagements during the Royal visit must be made locally and by the local authorities. This had the desired success for on receipt of my message the Geelong mayor and colleagues again reopened the question and went to Melbourne, resulting in a concession (but what an altogether inadequate one) and they graciously ? consented to the train, on its way with the Duke and Duchess to your city, to stop at the Geelong stn (15 minutes) and so it came about that by a hasty local effort, 3,000 school children, and not a few of the leading people including the Mayor &c were gathered to welcome them in Geelong. The National anthem being sung, an Address read and presented and kindly replied to. Now Ballarat should doubtless has influence. See to it when our P. Of Wales visits Victoria – an unselfish ¬ programme is fixed up – and HRH afforded ample opportunity of visiting leisurely your city, Geelong, Bendigo and other centres of beauty and importance. The Prince himself will be the gainer by such an equitable and enlightened programme, - and come back with all the more favourable views of the marvellous development ever since our family first settled in Geelong in 1850. A far preferable result of such a visit than night after night having Melbourne Banquets and the visiting of its undoubted attractions - whilst all the rest of the State remained unvisited. Such an official mistake must not be made again. I will write you again, stating name of steamer of which the model is shipped and date of departure – it is firmly built on a backing of 3/8 in oak tall uprights so through the 7/8 in plateau and am entrusting the packing be very careful. I expressed firm – so that except possibly any breakage in glass case – it should reach you in due time all right. The top of case will be screwed so that it can be readily removed temporarily to enable my [ ? ] firm to show it in one of their windows. Believe me Yours very truly Captn Walter M. Hitchcock My brother will deliver it on my a/c – all carriage paid. Mt very kind regards to my friend since 1850 Jas Oddie. University of Ballarat Historical Collection Cat. No. 8133.3 & .4 Letter from Walter M. Hitchcock regarding the death of James Oddie and early gold mining at Ballarat, 1911 48 The Memorial Hall Farringdon St London April 20th 1911 My Dear Sir, It is with no ordinary feeling of regret that I received the tidings of the death of my good friend, your fellow citizen for many years, Mr James Oddie. Living at Geelong from March 1850 I came to know him there as carrying on a foundry business in Ashby. With the discovery of gold at Ballarat started off almost of the working people, as well as of all other classes of the male population. Mr Oddie arrived in Ballarat I believe on or about September 1st 1851. My three comrades and I arrived October 1st 1851 – among the many thousands soon gathered within a mile or so of Golden Point – my friend Oddie and I often met. I returning to Geelong after a year mining – my friend on the other hand remaining at Ballarat ever since – a marvellous record, and I am sure his life has been one of unique value to your City in many ways, - his age (87) naturally prepared me for his call home – and only two mails before the news came I received from him on of his kindly chatty letters in which amongst other things – he referred with pleasure to having received from me two 10 x 12 photos – one being of my model and that he was arranging to have it placed in a shop window in your city. I am interested in the fact of your having known each of my three comrades of 1851/52. It was J.M. Garrett and I who got permission to conduct public Sunday morning service in their large Marquee – used all the week for issue of Licenses in the absence of any church buildings, and it being on wet Sundays impossible to have services as usual under the trees – Ballarat then was more like a Gentleman’s Park – than bush country – but the axe soon did its work – and all were felled for our cooking, and hencewith to make our kindling etc. Shafting of holes not being at first done because too shallow – our deepest (at Eureka) was only 115 ft. Bendigo I hear had now mines of 4,000 ft in depth (deeper than our tin or coal mines here). I fortunately have, in excellent state of preservation, my last of 12 licenses dated October 1 1852 and have recently purchased here a Miner’s Right dated 1864, to that when explaining on matters re Gold Licensing I can show sample of each. With kind regards Believe me Yours sincerely Walter M. Hitchcock Geelong June 20/11 Dear Sir, By rail to day through Messrs Bannister I send the model of miner’s tent packed in a case 50 donated by my brother Captain Walter M. Hitchcock of London. This model was made by my brother and represents the tent he worked in on the Ballarat Gold Fields in the year 1851 or 2. In a separate parcel a few extras omitted from the case. Please send me receipts in duplicate, one for my brother, the other for the Customs, Geelong, as being donated to your institution, after some little correspondence it was admitted [??] any payment for duty. You probably have my brother’s address and would like to acknowledge its arrival, direct. I hope it is in good order. I did not open it for show in Geelong, as there would be less risk of breakage on repacking. With kind remembrances. I am Yours Faithfully Geo. M. Hitchcock. A Mr G. F. B. Sharick who is living near my home called in to see my model – he said he knew FM [Fred Martell] and was lately at Ballaratballarat school of mines, frederick martell, fred martell, james oddie, walter m hitchcock, walter hitchcock, f m garratt, george hitchcock, hitchcock, golden point, gold discovery, j m garrett, gold license, j.m. garrett, t.m. hall, george m. hitchcock, f.m. garratt, walter m. hitchcock

This miner's right is a copy from an original held by the Old Colonists' Association of Ballarat. The original was glued onto a page in a large album of photographic images of early Ballarat. Recognising their significance the Council of the Old Colonists’ Association had them removed and restored. The originals are now framed and on display in the Old Colonists’ Hall.Digital copy of an original Gold Lisense made out to William Fittall Junior.Ballarat Victoria Gold License No. 215 Jany 4 1853 The Bearer Wm Fittale [sic] Jr having paid to me the Sum of One Pound Ten Shillings, on account of the territorial revenue, I hereby License him to dig, search for, and remove Gold on and from any such Crown lands within the Dist of Ballarat as I shall assign to him for that purpose during the month of January 1853 not within half-a-mile of any Head Station, This License is not transferable, and to be produced whenever demanded by me or any other person acting under the authority of the Government, and to be returned when another License is issued. Chas Wale Sherard Commissioner. Regulations to be observed by the persons digging for Gold or otherwise employed at the Gold fields. 1. Every licensed person must always have his License with him ready to be produced whenever demanded by a Commissioner, or Person acting under instructions, otherwise he is liable to be proceeded against as an unlicensed person. 2. Every person digging to Gold, or occupying Land, without a License is liable by law to be fined, for a first offence, not exceeding five pounds; for a second offence not exceeding 15 pounds; and for subsequent offence, not exceeding 30 pounds. 3. Digging for Gold is not allowed within ten feet of the edge of any Public Road, nor are the roads to be undermined. 4. Tents or Buildings are not to be erected within twenty feet of each other, or within 20 feet of any Creek 5. It is enjoined that all persons on the Gold Fields maintain a due and proper observance of Sundays. william fittall, sherard, charles sherard, charles wale sherard, mining, fittall, eureka

The Miner’s Right has a long history in Australia. Still in use today, it was first established in Victoria in 1855, as a replacement for the Gold License (which had been introduced in Victoria in 1851). The Miner’s Right was subsequently adopted by other Australian colonies. Unlike the Gold License, the early Miner’s Right, in addition to the right to prospect for gold, also carried with it certain other advantages, such as property rights and voting rights. The Miner’s Right came about as a recommendation of a government-appointed commission, which had been appointed on 1854 to look into the troubles on the Victorian goldfields, especially regarding the Eureka Rebellion.Three Miner's Rights / Residency Permits for leases on the corner of Holdsworth Road and Wood Street, Long Gully, Bendigo (Area known as American Gully - downstream of the American Mine): a and b No 72 Sarah Harvey, dated 23/01/1913 c and d No 23148 Evalina Gifford Vivian Harvey, dated 14/09/1926 e and f No 23149 Thomas George Harvey, dated 14/09/1926 Issued by the Victorian Government at a cost of two shillings and six penceVictorian State Governmentwes harry collection, miner's right, bendigo, history, long gully bendigo

This miner's right is a copy from an original held by the Old Colonists' Association of Ballarat. The original was glued onto a page in a large album of photographic images of early Ballarat. Recognising their significance the Council of the Old Colonists’ Association had them removed and restored. The originals are now framed and on display in the Old Colonists’ Hall.Digital image of an original gold license made out to William Fittall Junior.14 Victoria Gold License No 144 1 June 1852 The Bearer William Fittall Jr having paid to me the sum of One Pound, Ten Shillings, on account of the territorial revenue, I hereby License him to dig, search for, and removed Gold on and from any such Crown lands within the Upper Loddon District as I shall assign to him for that purpose during the Month of June 1852 not within half-a-mile of any Head Station. This License is not transferrable, and to be produce whenever demanded by me or any other person acting under the authority of the government, and to be returned when another License is issued. [Undecipherable signature] Commissionerwilliam fittall, upper loddon, mining, old colonists' association, fittall, eureka

This miner's right was glued onto a page in a large album of photographic images of early Ballarat. Recognising their significance the Council of the Old Colonists’ Association of Ballarat Inc. had them removed and restored. The originals are now framed and on display in the Old Colonists’ Hall.Victorian Gold License made out to John Chisholm.Ballarat Victoria Gold License No. 139 March 1853 The Bearer J. Chisholm having paid to me the Sum of One Pound Ten Shillings, on account of the territorial revenue, I hereby License him to dig, search for, and remove Gold on and from any such Crown lands within the Dist of Ballarat as I shall assign to him for that purpose during the month of march 1853 not within half-a-mile of any Head Station, This License is not transferable, and to be produced whenever demanded by me or any other person acting under the authority of the Government, and to be returned when another License is issued. Chas Wale Sherard Commissioner. Regulations to be observed by the persons digging for Gold or otherwise employed at the Gold fields. 1. Every licensed person must always have his License with him ready to be produced whenever demanded by a Commissioner, or Person acting under instructions, otherwise he is liable to be proceeded against as an unlicensed person. 2. Every person digging to Gold, or occupying Land, without a License is liable by law to be fined, for a first offence, not exceeding five pounds; for a second offence not exceeding 15 pounds; and for subsequent offence, not exceeding 30 pounds. 3. Digging for Gold is not allowed within ten feet of the edge of any Public Road, nor are the roads to be undermined. 4. Tents or Buildings are not to be erected within twenty feet of each other, or within 20 feet of any Creek 5. It is enjoined that all persons on the Gold Fields maintain a due and proper observance of Sundays. Handwritten in top left corner 'Presented by D.M.D. Main. 12 Dundas St. Dunedin N.Z. 30.8.21chisholm, sherard, charles sherard, john chisholm, mining, main, d.m.d. main

This miner's right was glued onto a page in a large album of photographic images of early Ballarat. Recognising their significance the Council of the Old Colonists’ Association of Ballarat Inc had them removed and restored. The originals are now framed and on display in the Old Colonists’ Hall.Gold License made out to William Fittall Junior.gold license, william fittall junior, sherard, charles sherard, charles wale sherard, mining, fittall, eureka

Hard cover folder with gold lettering 'Lease Regulations' containing Mines Act 1915 No. 2198 (in force 1916) Requirements in connection with application for mining lease (1930). Application for registration as a Gold Producer (Mines Act 1928). Requirement in connection with an application for a mining lease and water right license or a license to treat tailings. Application for a Tailings License.Mines Dpartmentgold mining, miners' safety cage, lease regulations, gold mining, lease regulations

Colony of Victoria No. 22330 Cream & Sepia Paper Miners Right License Central Deborah Gold Mine Bendigo ( copy, not original ) Five Shillings. Issued under the provisions of the ''Mining Statute 1865'', No. 291. 3 Copies. At the top of the license is the Royal Coat of Arms with the motto ''Dieu Et Mon Advance Australia Droit'' which translates to ''God and my right to Advance Australia.'' In the centre of an oval is an image of the queen ruling over Victoria colonists. At the top of the oval is the motto of the Caledonian Mining Expedition Company ''Honi Soit Qui Mal Y Pense'' which is also the motto of the Order of the Garter and translates to ''Shamed be he who thinks evil of it.''By Authority: John Ferres Government Printerbendigo, mining, central deborah mine miners right, newspaper cuttings folder previous numbers 51-100

Blank buff and Sepia Five Shilling Miner's Rights License No. 22330 Central Deborah Gold Mine Bendigo.australia, gold mining, bendigo central deborah

From 1851 the Victorian government required all men on Victorian Goldfields to carry a Gold License. The fee was one pound per month, and was payable in advance. There was agitation surrounding the gold license which was thought to be an excessive fee and did not give the bearer right to representation. On 03 December 1854 the gold diggers on the Eureka Lead fought a short battle against the army and police troopers. A few months later a new system of taxing gold diggers was introduced - the Miner's Right.The Victorian Gold Licence was issued from 1851 until early 1855. Every man on a Victorian goldfield had to carry a valid gold license, so few survived the harsh treatment of being carried around a working goldfield. There was much dissatisfaction about what was thought to be an unfair mining tax (or gold license). On 29 November 1854 Ballarat miners burnt their licenses on Bakery Hill. On 3 December 1854 the Eureka Stockade Battle took place, resulting in the Goldfields Commission. The first Miner's Right was issued in late June 1855, and in July the first Local Courts were elected by miner's right holders. The two Fitnall Gold Licenses are important because they were issued on either side of the Eureka Stockade, and are in very good condition. The Gold Licenses were donated to the Ballarat School of Mines by John Wilson in 1921. Two gold licenses issued by the Colony of Victoria. The licenses are printed onto blue paper with a Colony of Victoria logo at the top. The licenses were issued on either side of the historic Eureka Stockade in Ballarat East which took place on 03 December 1854. .1) No 219 - Made out to [H?] Fithall on 16 April 1854 and signed by Commissioner R.C. Mackenzie. The license was valid until 31 July 1854. .2) No. 214 - Made out to [H?] Fithall on 1 May 1854 and signed by Commissioner J. Johnston. The license was valid until 15 May 1855.On the backing card "Given to the School of Mines, October 6 1921, by John Wilson Errard Street, Ballarat."mining, gold license, gold licence, mining license, mining licence, mackenzie, johnston, fitnall, gold commissioner, eureka