Page:Banking Under Difficulties- Or Life On The Goldfields Of Victoria, New South Wales And New Zealand (1888).pdf/90

Rh caps, sticks, guns, &c. Many a foolish fellow will remember that retreat as long as life lasts. Many a scar from the broadswords of the troopers told a sad tale, one man receiving a sword cut across his face, severing his nose, &c.

Four of the police were wounded, Sergeant Brennan on the arm, and several horses, one, Sergeant Brennan’s, receiving eight bullet wounds. Of the mob one was killed, and about sixteen wounded, the latter mostly by sabre cuts. The small number of casualties may be attributed solely to the darkness of the night.

The Commissioners present on the occasion were Messrs. Griffen, Lynch, Clarke, and FitzSimmons. No attempt was made to take any fresh prisoners; all the police were anxious to do was to hold their own. The poor fellow (Lupton) who was killed was conveyed to the Empire Hotel, where it was ascertained that he had been shot through the heart. The mob being routed, the next question was how were the police still to hold possession of the prisoners. Captain Zouch made inquiries as to what programme was to be promulgated next by the rioters, and it became certain that a more determined and well-matured plan was propounded to rescue the prisoners, and make a terrible example of the police. To this end it was believed by the police authorities, that large numbers of guns and other firearms had been put into requisition, and that some thousands of bullets had been moulded to attack the camp on the next opportunity and release their comrades from custody. The police force had been under arms with their horses as long as it was prudent, the ammunition was exhausted, and they were consequently not in a position to resist a second attack which certainly would have followed. There being no chance of obtaining reinforcements from Sydney (300 miles distant) in time to quell the riot, Captain Zouch and the Gold Commissioners consulted together and determined to effect a retreat to Yass, 65 miles distant, and there await reinforcements. Such being the determination arrived at, the whole of the police force, together with the Commissioners, beat a retreat, opened the prison doors, and released the three prisoners with others charged with other offences, and thus left the goldfield to the mercy of a mob. The several banking establishments conveyed their specie, &c., away during the night, and then to add to the consternation and alarm, it was discovered early next morning that the court-house had been burnt down to the ground. It was never satisfactorily proved who caused the court-house to be fired, but it was generally believed to be the act of a poor insane man who was liberated from custody and who was to be taken to the mad-house. So ended the first riot at Lambing Flat. Poor Lupton was buried, some 3000 people following his remains to the cemetery, where an oration was made by one of the leaders, Fifteen thousand souls without a solitary policeman was a nice state of affairs, yet strange to say there was