Historical information

Augustus Bostock was the 9th child of Robert & Rachael Bostock of Vaucluse Epping Forest, Van Diemen’s Land. He was only 4 years old when his mother died. He was inspired by his father to seek his fortune in the Western District of Victoria. He arrived around 1850. He married Margaret Aitkin in July 1865. Augustus owned several properties in the district and leased others. He sat on the court of Warrnambool, Mortlake or Hexham as required. He resided at Marramook in Hawkesdale and later moved to Vaucluse in Hopetoun Road Warrnambool, where he died in 1920 at the age of 87. He was involved in many aspects of life in the Western District, racing, cricket, and social activities to name a few. This document relates specifically to power of Attorney in relation to the Croydon goldfields in Northern Queensland which operated in the latter part of the 19th century. By 1907 it was failing although there were attempts to revive it in the 1920’s. Patrick O’Neil authorized as the agent for Augustus Bostock was a confidential mining agent for Sandhurst mines one of the larger mining companies at that period of Australian history.

Significance

This is one of a number of documents which relate to the Bostock family who were one of the most important pioneering families of the Western District. They owned and leased various properties around Warrnambool and were involved in many aspects of social and business life. This letter records one of Augustus Bostock’s many interests, being for the Croydon goldmine which is situated on the Gulf of Carpentaria.

Physical description

White lined paper handwritten in black ink. Coomete, Hexham, Victoria printed at top right hand corner.

Inscriptions & markings

Signed Augustus Bostock.