Gundagai Reports

9 March 1850 The Goulburn Herald and County of Argyle Advertiser

Orphan Girls

During the last few weeks there has been confined in our lock-up an Irish Orphan girl: why has she not been returned to her former service, Mr. Smith, J. P. of Mingay?

We do not join in the yell against these unprotected strangers.

It appears the girl in question eloped with a paramour from the employment of the above gentleman, with the intention of being married, when she was apprehended by warrant, brought up, and remanded for a full bench, and suffered to remain during the above time in durance vile!

We deem this treatment highly reprehensible, and cruel in the extreme.

We take it, that the intention of the legislature in sending these girls to this country was for them to become married and the mothers of a native population.

But most persons who have them in their service endeavour to prevent this, whereas we should imagine that in a country like this the wisest plan would be to facilitate their views, and advise and assist them in the choice of a husband, and retain the services of both - when in all probability they would become attached to their employers, and the man reclaimed from those roving habits so much now to be regretted in the laborers of the colony.

At any rate they should be treated as free women, not as slaves or persons exiled here for past offences against the laws of their country, and not be contaminated by being immured in a prison.

The Law's Delay

A man named Cook, in the employ of Mr. P. Stuckey, procured a summons for his employer for not giving him rations according to agreement.

After receiving the summons, the superintendent for the above gentleman, called on the same magistrate, Mr. R. Jenkins, and procured a warrant for the man for leaving his sheep.

Cook was taken to the lock-up, where he will remain a week or two before his case will be heard.

This is how justice is administered in this district.

Only a Carpenter

James Conolly, a butcher of this place, appeared last court on a warrant for killing a cow belonging to Alexander Sibbell, a carpenter.

Sandy swore that he (Conolly) took his cow, and the first intimation he had of it was by Conolly calling on him and tendering him 30s. for her.

The defendant called witnesses, who testified to their having heard him offer money to Sibbell for her, and Sibbell to say that he thought she was worth 30s.

The magistrate told the prosecutor that as he was only a carpenter - a mechanic - and as persons more respectable had sworn that he had set a price on the beast, their oaths must be believed.

The case was then settled, the defendant paying £2 10s. for the cow.

We do not reflect on the decision arrived at, but we protest against the assumption, that the oath of a mechanic of known probity and worth, as this man has the reputation of, is not entitled to as much respect and consideration as the proudest "he" that ever wore a head!

We scout the principle that makes occupation the value of a man's oath.

Louis Phillipe the late king of 'the French, learnt the trade of a cabinet maker, and Philip the Great of Russia that of a ship-builder.

Our Races

A section of our little community determined our races should be on the same day as the Yass races, with the avowed intention of preventing their horses attending.