July 1846

The convict island Norfolk Island did not have its own press. It was a small island for only the very worst of the worst prisoners. As such, news was second- and third-hand in the colonial press - this article took four months to read the press. It is clear from the first article this month that garrison work on Norfolk Island was extremely challenging. As a result, more soldiers from the 11th were despatched to Norfolk Island.


Cornwall Chronicle (Launceston)
Wednesday 1 July 1846

NORFOLK ISLAND. Accounts from this Settlement have reached this Colony, to the latter part of May. The weather which was sultry and oppressive, had occasioned some indisposition amongst the Civil residents; the prisoners about 1800 in number, of whom 200 are of the worst characters, transported from this colony, were in consequence of a laxity of discipline on the part of the civil authority in a state of general insubordination, and an out break had occurred, which was fortunately prevented from becoming serious, by the determined conduct of the Officer commanding the detachment of the 11th Regiment on duty, who was on the occasion called upon by the Civil Commandant to exercise his authority. On several occasions during the month of February, the prisoners had been very insubordinate, and on the 25th, above 800 of the worst of their class, assembled, and locked themselves in the Lumber Yard, refused to work, and defied the authority of their Superintendents ; the stipen diary Magistrates and Civil Commandant being unsuccessful in their attempts to enforce obedi ence to orders, called in the Military. Major Harold commanding, instantly put himself at the bead of a strong detachment of the 11th, and called on the prisoners to come from the Lumber Yard aud go tojtheir work ; this order being disobeyed, the Major forced the gate, and marched in with'a part of his men, forming them in proper offensive positions ; he tben called upon them in the name of the Queen to proceed to their work, assuring them that if they did not instantly do so, force would be used; some of them attempted to speak, but the Major told them, he was not there to hold a parley — that if they did not immediately evacuate the place he would fire upon them, and giving at the same moment, the word ' Ready,' when the click was heard of about sixty firelocks coming to that position — the Prisoners hastily left the Yard, and went to their work, terminating an affair which if vacillating measures had been adopted, might have produced fatal and embarrassing consequences. The Civil command of the Settlemcn it is evident, is in weak hands, and should be remedied. We believe the Military will be strengthened by another detachment of the 11th Regiment.

The Courier (Hobart)

Saturday 4 July 1846

LOCAL.

Military Movements.-The 51st regiment, stationed in this colony for so long time, are under orders for Bengal, and are expected to embark in the present month of July. The Joseph Somes, which conveyed to Sydney the detachments of the 65th regiment which arrived in this colony per Pestonjee Bomanjee and the Samuel Bodington, is to return to Launceston, from Sydney, with the head-quarters of the 11th regiment.

Norfolk Island.-Francis Burgess, Esq., the newly appointed Judge of Norfolk Island, and Robert Stewart, Esq. clerk of the arraigns, will sail in the government barque Lady Franklin, which is expected to proceed on her passage this day (Saturday) with troops and stores. The Franklin conveys no prisoners. The troops consist of a detachment of 50 rank and file of the 11th Regiment - who have already embarked - to strengthen the detachment stationed at Norfolk Island, under the command of Major Harrold, of the 11th.

The Australian (Sydney)
Saturday 18 July 1846
THE RETIREMENT OF MR. JOHN ALLOTT,Crier of the Supreme Court.— -At the close of the Criminal Sessions, at Darlinghurst on Thursday last, his Honor the Chief Justice announced to the Court the retirement of Mr. Allott, and observed that he wished to call the Attention of the Court to an individual who was then present. It was the resignation of Mr. Allott, and which ought not to be passed over in silence. By the suggestion of the Judges, the Governor had allowed Mr. A. to retire from his long services, with a pension equal to his full pay. His Honor's predecessors had always held him in high estimation — an estimation which his good conduct had always maintained during his long residence in this colony, and he believed during his life; and in taking leave of him it was but justice to express publicly how much he was esteemed, and to shew him as a worthy example to all men in his society. His Honor, in the part of his brother Judges, as well as himself, hoped that Mr. Allott would have a continuance of that health which he now enjoyed, and had done for the last twenty-one years, during which time he had been attached to the Supreme Court. The Attorney-General said he felt he should not do justice to his feelings if he did not concur in what had fallen from the Bench. He had known Mr. Allott fourteen years, and during that time, his honorable and just conduct had never swerved. He might also add for his brethren at the Bar, and for the whole profession, that they all would concur with that eulogium which had fallen from the lips of his Honor. So high an opinion had the bar and profession of Mr. Allott's general character, that in 1839 a subscription by them was entered into, and a piece of plate was presented to him as a memento of their esteem, since which time, that esteem and regard had not diminished, but much increased. He wished him good health, and, in his retirement, that he may continue to enjoy that good opinion which his high character had so long obtained for him. Mr. Allott is now in his eighty-sixth year. He has been upwards of forty years in this colony, and seventy rears ago joined the 11th Regiment, which is at present stationed in this colony.

The Maitland Mercury & Hunter River General Advertiser (NSW)

Wednesday 22 July 1846
19- China, ship, Captain Livesay, for Hobart Town. Passengers-Mr. Scrutton, Mrs. Wright, and four daughters ; Mrs. Ann Macarthy, Captain Cockburn, Ensign McLean, and 104 rank and file of the 11th Regiment.

Sydney Morning Herald (NSW)
Wednesday 22 July 1846
MULTUM IN PARVO
(From late Australasian Papers.)
Captain Blosse, commanding the detachment of the 11th Regiment at Melbourne, broke his leg, by a fall caused by his being thrown out of his gig.

Bell’s Life in Sydney and Sporting Reviewer (NSW)
Saturday 25 July 1846
WE the undersigned, having been requested to act as arbitrators in a disputed Match for One Hundred Pounds a-side, between Lieutenant Gall's, (H.M. 99th Regiment.) br. h. Lottery, and Mr. J. F. Downes br. f. Lady Teresa, to come off at Wellington, in the Territory of New South Wales, on Saturdny, June 20th, 1846, at twelve o'clock. After a careful perusal of all documents furnished, and personal examination of the principals, we arc of opinion that Lieutenant Gall did not adhere to the terms of the Match, by neglecting to have his horse at the starting post at twelve o'clock, the time specified in the agreement (or within a reasonable time, of that hour), which default fully justified Mr. J. F. Downes in taking the step he appears to have done, viz., to declare to Lieutenant Gall that the Match was off.
AUGUSTUS FREDERICK JENNER, - Capt. 11th Regiment. 
J. R. HOLDEN.
Sydney, July 18th, 1846. - 137

South Australian (Adelaide)
Friday 24 July 1846
CLEARED OUT.     
July 21. - The brig Scout, Nicholls, for Hobart Town. Passengers - Mrs Clare, Capt. Irving, Mr and Mrs Kelah, and two children, and three rank-and-file 11th Regt.