This job of explaining a licence-hunt is really so disgusting to me,
that I prefer to close it with the following document from my subsequently
gaol-bird mate, then reporter of the 'Ballaarat Times': -
Police Court, Tuesday, October 24th.
HUNTING THE DIGGER. - Five of these fellows were fined in the mitigated trifle
of 5 pounds, for being without licences. The nicest thing imaginable is to see
one of these clumsy fellows with great beards, shaggy hair, and oh! such nasty
rough hands, stand before a fine gentleman on the bench with hands
of shiny whiteness, and the colour of whose cambric rivals the Alpine snow.
There the clumsy fellow stands, faltering out an awkward apology, "my licence
is only just expired, sir - I've only been one day from town, sir - I have
no money, sir, for I had to borrow half a bag of flour the other day,
for my wife and children." Ahem, says his worship, the law makes
no distinctions - fined 5 pounds. Now our reporter enjoys this exceedingly,
for he is sometimes scarce of news; and from a strange aberration of intellect,
with which, poor fellow, he is afflicted, has sometimes, no news at all for us;
but he is sure of not being dead beat at any time, for digger-hunting
is a standing case at the police office, and our reporter is growing
so precocious with long practice, that he can tell the number of diggers fined
every morning, without going to that sanctuary at all. - 'Ballaarat Times',
Saturday, October 28, 1854.
Chapter XI.
Salvum Fac Populum Tuum Domine.
The more the pity - I have not done yet with the accursed gold licence.
I must prevail on myself to keep cooler and in good temper.
Two questions will certainly be put to me:-
1st. Did the camp officials give out the licence to the digger at the place
of his work, whenever required, without compelling him to leave off work,
and renew his licence at the camp?
2nd. It was only one day in each month that there was a search for licences,
was it not? Why therefore did not the diggers make it a half-holiday
on the old ground, that "all work and no play, makes Jack a dull boy."
The first question is a foolish one, from any fellow-colonist who knows
our silver and gold lace; and is a wicked one, from any digger who was
on Ballaarat at the time.
'Fellah' gave the proper answer through the 'Ballaarat Times',
October 14th; - here it is: -
To the Editor of the 'Ballaarat Times', October 14, 1854.
Sir,
Permit me to call your attention to the miserable accommodation
provided for the miner, who may have occasion to go to the Camp
to take out a licence.
