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82 very little crime during the interregnum. Talk of martial law and all the concomitant evils were first indulged in, and at length it was determined to despatch a detachment of military and men-of-war sailors from Sydney to the Flat. The force sent on this occasion consisted of one detachment of the 12th regiment.

One party of artillery with one gun.

Seventy-five marines from the Fawn, under Captain Cator; and 20 police; in all about 200 men, the whole commanded by Colonel Kempt.

The march from Sydney was long and tedious, but at length the force arrived, and inspired the people with renewed confidence. Captain Lovell’s artillery were looked upon with wonder and admiration. The military soon settled in their new quarters, when no fear was entertained of any attempt to renew the already defunct riots. The morning after their arrival a force of 100 men, consisting of sailors, foot police, and a part of the 12th regiment, under the directions of Captains M‘Lerie, Wilkie, and Cator, proceeded to Tipperary Gully and arrested the following men:—Patrick Leveney and Bernard Burns, for the riots on the 30th June; William Mackay and Stenson, for riots on the 14th July; John Nesbitt and Edward Rowland, for robbery; and Henry Kelseke, deserter from the ship Nile. No resistance of any kind was offered, the appearance of Inspector Sanderson causing only a feeble attempt to “Joe” the crowd. The ship’s gun, or as it is more generally called, the “bull pup,” accompanied the forces.

So ended what was considered by many to be a governmental farce, costing the country at least £50,000. Not one of the leaders had yet been arrested, although £100 reward for each was offered. At length, weary and worn out through being constantly on the qui vive, two of the leaders gave themselves up to the police by the hands of a friend, thus obtained the reward, and were brought up for trial and acquitted; the last one, Spicer, by what was considered to be a miscarriage of justice, was convicted and suffered imprisonment in the Berrima gaol.

As stated, the cost to the country was £50,000. I have endeavoured to get particulars as to how this amount was made up, but have been unsuccessful.

The only reliable information I can gather is that—