December 1845 - happenings

Launceston Examiner (Tas)
Wednesday 3 December 1845
STABBING.-A private of the 11th regiment, afflicted with mental aberration, and maddened when under the Influence of liquor, a few days since, whilst in that state, nearly terminated the life Ills own child, by stabbing it in two or three I places with a bayonet. Some of his comrades so. I cured him int time, or the result would inevitably have been fatal.

The Observer (Hobart, Tas)
Friday 5 December 1845

REGATTA. 

THE town was literally emptied on Wednesday to attend the Regatta. At an early hour vehicles of all descriptions were hastening towards Pavilion Point, and the shore from the town to the ground was lined hy well-dressed parties, who preferred to walk thither in attendance on the line of boats which preceded the Governor's barge. Be- tween 9 and 10 o'clock His Excellency and party embarked at the wharf in the rear of Government House, amidst a throng of spectators, through which he had to make his way. Several ladies embarked in the Governor's barge, and other parties occupied boats accompanying him. The fine band of H.M. 11th regiment occupied a barge prepared for them, which was towed by a line of whale boats to the ground ; they continued playing nearly the whole of the way, and were several times cheered from the shore on their way down. On landing at Pavilion Point the Governor and the ladies of his party took possession of an open marquee, placed so as to command a view of the racing ground. From thirty to forty tents of various descriptions were erected on the point; the public tents, or booths, formed three sides of a square, and were sufficiently conspicuous ; the private tents were erected closer to the shore. The bay was covered with boats and small craft ply- ing and sailing about, waiting for the commencement of the races. The band of the 11th regiment was stationed in front of the Governor's marquee, and that of the 51st regiment was placed by the Horticultural show tent. Parties of the economical portion of the townspeople were scattered under the shade of the trees, where they partook of their refreshment. In the rear of the public booths several swings and round-abouts were erected for the juvenile portion of the visitors ; and sundry camera obscuras and shows were dispersed amongst the tents, the proprietors of which appeared to realise a handsome remuneration. The whole had the appearance of a large country fair in the mother country, and all parties seemed determined to throw aside restraint for this their favorite festival. The starting of the boats was regulated by the firing of small cannon placed on either side of the landing place, opposite to which was the starting vessel (a schooner) decked out with flags from her mast-head to her bulwarks. At the close of each race His Excellency occu- pied the grand stand. The victors were accompanied by the band of the 11th regt. from the landing-place to the front of the stand, where the judges having given their decision, His Excellency delivered the prizes, which were severally contained in handsome purses, ticketed. The "affair" was got up and carried out well, and the committee are entitled to the thanks of the public for their excellent arrangements. A strong body of the police, and His Excellency's body guard on horseback, patrolled the ground to preserve order during the races.

Launceston Examiner (Tas)
Saturday 6 December 1845
December 3.- Schooner Waterlily, 155 tons, Ramsden, master, for Norfolk Island ; Kerr, Bogle & Co., agents. - Passengers - Major Harrold and lady, Captain Curan, Lieut. Scott, Assistant. Surgeon Guy, lady and child, 100 rank and file 11th regiment, 13 womnen, 11 children.

The Courier (Hobart, Tas)
Saturday 13 December 1845
Thursday, the 28th October, in obedience to orders from Colonel Sir Thomas Wiltshire, the commandant of this garrison, the officer in command of the 65th regiment selected 3 sergeants, 3 corporals and 42 privates as a convict guard, to proceed on the 3rd of next month en route to Woolwich, where they are to embark on board the convict ship Pestonjee Bomanjee, of 400 tons, for Van Diemen's Land, with convicts. Six women with six children accompany the above. Two privates of the 11th regiment proceed with the guard, which is to be   in the charge of Captain Thornton, of the 11th Foot, with   Lieutenant Thomas R. McCoy, of the 65th. -Dublin paper, Sept. 1

Colonial Times (Hobart, Tas)
Tuesday 23 December 1845

POSTSCRIPT.

There is a report abroad, that in consequence of information from Sydney of some discontent in the men of the 58th Regiment there, arising out of the discontinuance, by order of the Horse Guards, of the issue of the rum ration, the 11th Regiment (or a detachment) will embark for Sydney on Friday. We have not had time to enquire into the truth of this report, but we give it as it is circulated.

Colonial Times (Hobart, Tas)

Tuesday 23 December 1845

Domestic Intelligence.

COLONEL BLOOMFIELD AND THE BAND OF THE 11TH REGIMENT—Nothing affords us greater pleasure than to find that, when persons of rank and intelligence visit our shores, they are pleased with us, and that they award to us that locus standi in society which as a community we indisputably merit. As an example of this we may mention the kindly disposition of Col. Bloomfield, whose desire to please and accommodate the public calls for our warmest commendation. The matter, however, may by some be considered trivial, inasmuch as the gallant Colonel makes no display on   the occasion; but we will adduce a circumstance which will show that we are correct in our estimation of Colonel Bloomfield's good wishes towards us. We stated a short time ago that, in order to accommodate tho public, the fine band of the 11th was directed to play on Monday and Thursday evenings in the enclosure adjoining Government House, as the distance to the Domain might be too far for the elite of the city to visit. Finding, however, that many persons felt disinclined to enter the enclosure, whereby they were in great measure deprived of the musical treat afforded by the band, Colonel Bloomfield ordered the band to perform on Thursday in the Domain and on Monday in the enclosure, in order that the utmost extension of amusement which the band could furnish should be enjoyed by all classes. This, as we have already intimated, may not be accounted anything very important by many fastidious persons; but to our mind it speaks "trumpet-tongued" in favour of the gallant commander's kindly intentions towards those amongst whom, we most sincerely hope, he and his brother officers, the band and the regiment, will have long to sojourn.

Colonial Times (Hobart, Tas)
Friday 26 December 1845

PORT OF HOBART TOWN

December 25.-Arrived the barque Stratheden, Bruton, master, from London 3rd August, with 154 male prisoners ; Surgeon-Superintendent, Dr. H. Baker, R.N. The guard consists of - Lieut. Ward, Ensign Travers, and 60 men of the 11th Regiment, with 6 women and 4 children. 


Colonial Times (Hobart, Tas)
Saturday 27 December 1845
MILITARY MOVEMENTS. - The Tasmania has been chartered by the Government for the conveyance of troops to Sydney. The head-quarters of the 11th regiment are under orders to hold themselves in readiness for immediate embarkation. Detachments of the battalion company have proceeded to relieve the grenadier and light companies stationed in the interior. The two former companies accompany the head-quarters. A Board of Survey sat on board the Tasmania on Tuesday, and approved of the vessel, which hauled alongside the commissariat wharf to be fitted up. She will convey about 300 rank and file. The charter for conveyance has been settled at £800. It is expected that the troops will embark on Monday, to sail on Tuesday. This movement has become necessary, in consequence of a spirit of insubordination manifested by the military at Sydney.

Colonial Times (Hobart, Tas)
Wednesday 31 December 1845

THE "Pestonjee Bomangee " barque, 594 tons, Austin, master, arrived in our harbour yesterday afternoon. This vessel brings 293 male prisoners, under the care of Surgeon-Superintendent Dr. Johnston, R.N., together with a military guard, consisting of 49 rank and file of the 11th regiment, under the command of Captain Thornton. Passengers Mrs. Thornton, servant and two children ; six soldiers' wives and seven children.