The Observer (Hobart, Tas)
Tuesday 12 August 1845
THE MILITARY.—A disturbance took place on Monday evening at the lower end of Brisbane street, between a soldier and two or three civilians, which ended by the soldier receiving a severe beating. The soldier being enraged at the treatment he received, hastened to the barracks and informed his comrades of what had transpired, when a number of them sallied out and proceeded to the house of Mr. Pearson, (in the vicinity of which the affray originated,) and commenced breaking glasses, tumblers, furniture, and everything in the house ; they then completely demolished the windows. Information by this time was conveyed to the barracks, when a picket was ordered out, and with extreme reluctance they rendered a little assistance in quelling their infuriated comrades. The inhabitants of the surrounding neighbourhood, thinking that the out-break would be attended with similar consequences to the former one, lost no time in securing their property and windows from destruction, but the soldiers appeared satisfied with what they had already accomplished, except the breaking of a few more panes of glass on their way home.— The following evening, reports were circulated that the soldiers intended further attacks upon the public houses, and the more peaceable inhabitants whose business called them out after dark, were filled with apprehension and alarm, lest they should meet with a mob of the soldiery. We believe that the report only originated in the fears of the people, and that no ground existed for it ; but the state of insecurity apprehended was equally distressing to a great number of the population, as though the reports were well founded. It is surely time that some serious notice should be taken of these frequent outbreaks, by our authorities. The public ought to have some guarantee that the disgraceful scenes which have been witnessed in this town, shall not be repeated. We are willing to believe that, in many instances, soldiers have received great provocation in rencontres with some of the lower orders with whom they have been tippling, but severe examples should be made of men who will, at the instance of a drunken comrade, sally out of barracks, and deliberately knock down unoffending inhabitants, and destroy the property of equally innocent publicans. We are also willing to believe that the officers in this garrison are anxious to suppress the riotous spirit exhibited : but we fear their conduct has not been prompt nor decided enough with men who have misbehaved themselves. In the present instance, we understand, the rioters belonged to the 11th regiment.—(From Launceston Advertiser, Aug 7).
Sydney Morning Herald
Saturday 16 August 1845
TROOPS.—Three hundred men of the 58th Regiment are under orders for New Zealand, and will proceed by the British Sovereign as soon as she arrives. Large quantities of stores are being prepared at the Commissariat Office for immediate shipment. It is reported, we believe, however, without sufficient authority, that the detachment of the 96th Regiment at Norfolk Island will be ordered for New Zealand ; their place being supplied by the detachments of the 11th Regiment, now arriving in Van Diemen's Land.
The Cornwall Chronicle (Launceston)
Saturday 30 August 1845
James Tulley and Robert McKay, charged with stealing from the person of Robert Gardener, on the 20th July last, a purse containing money.
Robert Gardener sworn— I am a private in the 11th regiment; on the 29th July last was in the parlour of Taylor's public house ; there were several persons there, both soldiers and civilians; I was drunk; took out my purse to pay for liquor ; don't know how much I had in it then ; when I first went into the house had 15s. ; had my purse snatched out of my hand but cannot say by whom ; saw the prisoner Tulley in the room. Three more witnesses spoke as to Tulley snatching away the purse and throwing it to McKay, who ran away with it.
Tulley acknowledged that he had stolen the purse, and was driven to it by want.-Guilty.
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