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BY
J. J. KNIGHT, IN THE " QUEENSLANDER." dated 1892
The
year 1837 marked two important events in the early history of Brisbane - the
arrival of the Petries, and of the fist steamer which ploughed the waters of
Moreton Bay. It has previously been stated that the bungling of
works had been lamentable In this respect things had become, even worse, until
the Commandant decided to end it by petitioning for the services of a foreman.
Mr Andrew Petrie, who at this time belonged to the Royal
Engineers, was chosen for the position and the little steamer the James Watt -
which by the way, was the pioneer steamer in Hobson’s Bay in the same year -
was chartered to convoy the new official and his family.
The
James Watt left Sydney late in July, and early in the following month arrived at
Amity Point, a brief inspection of the place being made. The little
vessel then steamed on to Dunwich, which had been made the timber depot of the
Settlement. Here Mr. Petrie superintended the loading of the vessel
with cedar on behalf of the Government, and his first commission thus executed
he placed his family - one daughter and four sons - and then few belongings in
the pilot boat manned by convicts and started at the break of day for the penal
establishment. On the way they called at St Helena, and managed to reach
Brisbane town after dusk the same evening.
They
landed at the Kings jetty (now the Queen's wharf) which, it may be here
remarked, was the only landing place on the river if we may except one which had
at considerable expense been elected at Eagle Farm but which was quite useless
owing to the fact that between it and deep water a sand bank, the presence of
which had not been discovered until after the structure had been completed.
But wharves were not required in those days, since the largest vessel that had
plied the river had been the Foster Fyans a cutter of some 18 or 20 tons.
The
arrival of the foreman of works and his family did not elicit any great outburst
of enthusiasm as a matter of fact little or no preparation had been made for
then reception. They were eventually housed in the Factory which had
just previously been vacated by the women, and a terrible hole it was.
After a tedious sea trip and having been 'cribbed cabined, and confined’
for so many hours in a small boat, they were too wearied to complain indeed had
they done so it would have availed them nothing. They resided here for
several months.
The
first matter to claim the attention of Mr Petrie was of course the windmill and
in conjunction with this work he contrived to commence the erection of a
dwelling for himself. This he built in what is now Petrie’s Bight, and
it remained standing until a few years ago, when it was pulled down, partly
because a portion of it was on the road line and partly because the ground it
covered was required for the more palatial premises which now adjoin Messes
Quinlan Gray and Co. When the Settlement was thrown own open Mr
Petrie purchased the house and much of land which surrounded it.
Following
closely on the arrival of the Petries, was the departure of Captain Fyans, whose
successor was Major Cotton, of the 28th Regiment. One of the first visits
of inspection which the new Commandant decided on making was to Limestone.
He was accompanied by Dr Alexander (the medical officer to the 28th
Regiment), Mr Andrew Petrie, an orderly, and a convict attendant. Limestone
was reached by boat without difficulty, and as the visit was merely one of
inspection the stay was not protracted.
Mr.
Petrie the return journey suggested that they should travel through the bush to
Redbank, where had been established a sheep station. Redbank was reached
safely enough and emboldened by their successes - for Mr Petrie had come across
some new species of timber - it was again suggested by the foreman of works that
0xley Creek, where convict sawyers among other things converted huge blue gums
into gun carriages, should be called upon. The idea of making the trip as
comprehensive a one as possible was seized by the Commandant who gave his
consent to the extension of their journey to permit of the third place being
visited.
Accordingly
they set out for Oxley Creek, the intention being, when they had seen how
matters wore progressing there to make again for a stated point on the river
where those in the boat had been instructed to wait for them. But the
party were a long way out of their calculations, and the trip, which was meant
to be a brief one, was " long drawn out" and anything but sweet.
They certainly succeeded in finding the camp at Oxley Creek, but in endeavouring
to strike the river on the return trim they became bushed.
In
that glorious state of uncertainty which belongs to those who have been lost in
the wilds the party pushed on and on for two days and nights. In the
meantime those at the Settlement had been made acquainted by the men in the boat
with the fact that the Commandant and his followers were missing the crew had
waited until they were tired at Oxley Creek. Search parties were at
once despatched, and the firing of guns together with the skill of the black
trackers being without result the general and hasty conclusion arrived at was
that the party had met with a fate similar to Logan's.
On
the third day, however, the lost ones managed to strike a mountain, which Mr
Petrie ascended in the hope of catching a glimpse of one of the many windings of
the river. And this hope was gratified. After a brief rest the
party again set out, and with the knowledge of their position thus acquired by
Mr. Petrie they managed to strike the river at Lytton. They walked along
the bank of the river for some distance and fortunately fell in with a boat
belonging to the Settlement, which brought them on in an exhausted state.
It subsequently transpired that one of the search parties had tracked them
to the mountain which had been ascended by Mr. Petrie, but after this, all
traces had been lost. The mountain referred to was called Mount Petrie - a
name which has stuck to it ever since.
For
several months Mr Petrie was not again tempted to take his walks abroad, but the
desire to extend his acquaintance with the timber products of the country proved
too strong to allow his Mount Petrie experience to damp his ardour.
Accordingly in 1838 he embarked in an excursion, in which he was accompanied by
his son John, who is known to nearly every resident of Brisbane at the present
day, and is at the head of the firm of Petrie and Son.
This
time we find him out Maroochy way procuring what are regarded as having been the
first specimens of bunya pine seen by those in the settlement. In several
ways did Mr. Petrie demonstrate the capabilities of the district, not the least
important being the discovery of coal at Tivoli while on a visit to Redbank
station. So impressed was he with the importance of this find that he sent
two sample casks to Sydney, and after the test it was pronounced highly
satisfactory. At a later period, it may be mentioned, a tunnel was run
into the hill and a plentiful supply obtained for the penal establishment.
It
may also be remarked that Mr. Petrie found, though some time after his discovery
at Tivoli, the black diamond at Redbank and Moggill, and mines at these places
were in subsequent years worked by the veteran John Williams. The value of
such discoveries was not apparent in those bygone days, it is now that the trade
has grown to such dimensions, and forms so important a part in the commercial
world, that we can realize their importance.
In the meantime matters in the
Settlement continued much in the same groove, now and again a convict escaping
to relieve the monotony of every day work and punishment. Very little was
done in the way of exploration, and nothing but cultivation was carried on.
In this way, then, we come to the year 1839, a year which may be truly regarded
as the turning point of our career, and the starting place of our growth.
Consequent upon the
explorations of Allan Cunningham - for Cunningham had discovered the Darling
Downs in 1827 and roads leading thereto from both sides of the Range at later
periods - Moreton Bay began to commend itself to the Southern selectors, one or
two of whom brought their flocks. Thanks to Dr. Lang and his immigrants, a
very strong feeling against the transportation system had sprung into existence
in Port Jackson, and at the time of which we write the promoters of the movement
had attained the wished-for end. Since Sydney and Moreton Bay were part
and parcel of New South Wales both were similarly affected.
It was in May that the heavy
cloud which had hovered over the Settlement for sixteen years lifted and
revealed to view not the exclusive haunt of the felon, but a home destined for
the freeman. In this month all criminals (with their Commandant, Major
Cotton), except those whom it was considered necessary should remain to assist
in surveying and such other Government work, were removed, Lieutenant Gravatt
assuming command of those left. Three months later Lieutenant Gorman was
appointed to the position.
In a despatch from Governor
Gipps to Lord Glenelg, dated 1st July, 1839, was the following:-"The whole
of the women, fifty-seven in number, have been withdrawn, and the male convicts
reduced to ninety-four, a number which will be barely sufficient for the custody
and protection of the property of the home Government, particularly of the
flocks and herds, which cannot be advantageously disposed of until the country
shall be opened to settlers,". The
military department consisted of four subalterns and twenty-six men, and the
females connected were four and children eight.
In thus entering on a new era
of our existence let us divert somewhat and take another glance at the Settlement
from the top of the Windmill.
What a picturesque scene
greets the eye as we find our way up the narrow staircase to the summit of the
Windmill tower! The beauty of the sinuous river wending its way through the
valley is heightened by the little village calmly reposing at our feet.
Who would have ventured to predict that this village was destined to spread on
both sides of the placid stream, and within fifty or sixty years blossom into a
city, a great commercial centre?
To the west our vision meets
with a large tract of unbroken undulating country, with Taylor's Range as
a background for a wild yet grand scene. But to the south what a contrast
is there in the large areas of cultivated land, cleared by the hands of the
convicts, and covered with prolific crops of maize, sweet potatoes, sugarcane,
and other agricultural products! Standing in relief at intervals are large
trees, the existence of which is a matter of speculation, until we are reminded
that they in their solitary grandeur are alone left to mark the scenes of cruel
lash-wielding. From here, carrying the
eye towards Kangaroo Point, nothing is seen but an almost uncultivated waste.
Examining the Settlement a
little more closely, we observe the strange medley of convict buildings with
which we have already been made acquainted, but which since then have been
beautified by garden plots of tropical and semi tropical trees, shrubs, and
fruit. Between Mr. Andrew Petrie's house and Creek Street is a large area
of cultivation attached to the quarters of the Foreman of Works, with groves of
luxuriant orange, lemon, lime, and quava trees occupying that portion of it
which is now the site of Messrs. D. L. Brown's and Messrs. Parbury, Lamb, and
Co's. establishments and wharves.
Bringing our view again to the
right, we are struck with the picturesqueness of the gardens which surround the
various official residences in Queen Street, where the Government Gardens (now
the Queen's Park) with their fringe of sugarcane seen within the lines of a high
paling and three-rail fence furnish striking evidence of the fertility of the
soil in that direction. The walks following the river and traversing the
grounds were indeed a wonder and delight. But the time was approaching for
a change of all this.
The Commandant's quarters,
situated where the Government Printing Office now stands, were similarly
beautified, the chief object of attraction being the row of guava and lemon
trees and the trellis-work canopy bearing some excellent vines which shaded the
gravelled walks. Similar horticultural adornments were to be seen at the
commissariat quarters and military barracks, which stood on the site of the
present Treasury Buildings.
The last places we see, or at
any rate which attract the eye, are the hospitals on the present Supreme Court
and Lands Office grounds, the surroundings of which are by no means out of
keeping with those of the other penal institutions. Glancing then round
the Settlement at this turning point of its existence, we cannot but be struck
with its beauties, and in descending the staircase of the Windmill we are most
favourably impressed with the character of the surroundings.
But any hopes of immediate
rise to prosperity were destined to be sadly disappointed by Governmental
hesitation. Beyond withdrawing the convicts the nominee Government of New
South Wales could not be roused into further action, and the act of throwing
open the place was so long delayed that it was a matter for I wonder when the
event really occurred.
Though the Settlement had
practically been abandoned as a penal depot, a speculative individual who took
it into his head to try his luck here had, even late in 1840, to first obtain a
permit before he dared approach the town nearer than fifty miles.
Regarding this Mr. Patrick Leslie said, when writing to Mr. Henry Stuart
Russell, " The Penal Settlement was a close one, and no one could go there
except by permission of the Government." In 1841, if he wished
to open a store, permission had to be sought, and if this were granted he had to
conform to stringent conditions and fix his tent pegs on land which he could
neither beg, buy, nor steal.
It was in June of 1840 that
Governor Gipps authorised a trigonometrical survey of Moreton Bay, and he did
this with the apparent object of throwing open the lands. Messrs Dixon,
James Warner (our late Sergeant-at-Arms) and G. C. Staplyton were intrusted with
the work and, according to instructions received, began a survey of the coast,
the wisdom of which was questioned, as it was generally regarded as a loss of
valuable time. Messrs. Dixon and Warner governed one party on the coast,
while Stapylton and his men were sent inland and found their way to Mount
Lindsay.
He had not been here long when
he sent some of his men to erect a temporary bridge, he with the others, named
Dunlop and Tuck, staying to perform some job in the vicinity of the camp.
While working here they were surprised by the blacks, who cruelly butchered
Staplyton and Tuck and left Dunlop for dead. The others on returning were
horrified to find what had occurred during their absence. Poor Staplyton's
body was mutilated beyond recognition, Tuck's head and face had been battered
almost to a pulp, while no trace of Dunlop could for some time be found.
Eventually, however, they discovered him in the dense scrub, whither he had
crawled.
He was breathing, but it being
considered certain that he would die they left him where they had found him to
expire, and hurried off to the Settlement to apprise Commandant Gorman of the
terrible tragedy. On receipt of the news a party were at once despatched
to Mount Lindsay and on getting there to their astonishment they found Dunlop,
who had crawled further into the scrub, still alive. Tuck's body, and what
was left of Staplyton - for his head had been severed from his body and portions
of the latter devoured by the savages - were carried to the Settlement for
interment.
Dunlop was made as comfortable
as it was possible to do under the circumstances, and again once more astonished
everybody by recovering. The burying ground in these days was in the
vicinity of Roma and Quay streets, and here the mortal remains of the poor
fellows found their resting place. It may be mentioned that some of the
tombstones of soldiers were allowed to remain on the river bank in a neglected
state for many years. Eventually, however, they were removed to Toowong
Cemetery, where they are still preserved.
The premature notion of a
coast survey was shortly after this sad event, knocked on the head, and the
efforts of the chainman were devoted to what was regarded of more vital
importance - the survey of the Settlement into town and country lots. This
change of policy had a stimulating effect, and the announcement of the first
sale of lands was anxiously looked for by the Sydney people.
In cutting up the land the
surveyors allotted streets one chain and a half in width, ran a road along the
river from Queen Street to New Farm, and did not overlook the importance of
reserves. Some of these were in the centre of the town, one known as
Brisbane square being formed by Edward, Queen, Creek, and Adelaide streets.
How well their efforts in this respect were seconded we shall presently see.
It has been said that 1839 saw the turning point ; towards the end of 1840 we
began to grow to a noticeable extent.
In
view of the unsettled conditions which prevailed at Moreton Bay about this time
it is not a little surprising to find even one man willing to embark in a
speculation so precarious as that of opening a store. John Williams first
figured in our history as the skipper of the John and Edward,
schooners, the first traders - if we may use such a term. The redoubtable
John next turns up as the applicant for permission from the Colonial Secretary
"to open a store at Brisbane Town, Moreton Bay, for the sale of articles of
general consumption with the exception of spirituous liquors and wines."
In due season a reply graciously granting the request came, and with it the
announcement that " the Government cannot secure to you any land
there." The privilege was regarded as a great concession, and
John was duly thankful, though it can be by no means said that he was faithful
to the conditions of agreement, which prohibited the sale of intoxicants.
The
writer was fortunate enough in securing an interview with one of the two men who
constructed the first tenement in South Brisbane. From conversation with
this old settler (John Davidson) it transpired that Davidson and his mate, who
had made their way into the Settlement from the Downs, intending to take the
first Government boat that arrived here for Sydney, met Williams on the arrival
of the Edward and asked for a passage. Williams on hearing their
request said, "Now I think this will turn out a good place, and if you will
stop with me I'll pay you. There's money to be made here,
boys."
The
pair agreed to stay, whereupon Williams set them to work unloading some
weatherboards he had brought with him in the Edward. This done, bush posts
were sunk into the ground and soon the weatherboards were nailed on and the four
walls of a humpy formed, The place was thatched with reeds obtained from what
was afterwards known as Coombes' Swamp, but now called Hill End. The place
was stocked with a few things Williams had brought from Sydney, and John did all
the trade that was to be done with the few "bullockys" who had their
camp opposite where Hardgrave’s Buildings now are.
The
truth of John's remark to Davidson, that there was "money in it," very
soon began to manifest itself, and in an incredibly short time he found that his
humpy was not sufficiently large to meet the requirements of the squatters and
their men. Accordingly Davidson's services were again requisitioned, and
he was instructed to cut some slabs - which he found at Burnett Swamp - and
erect a "barracks" 50ft. long, which he did just about the
intersection of Grey Street with Russell Street. This place was the "
hotel" for squatters and their men, who slept in rows, and many a wild
scene has been enacted within its walls.
Presently,
however, others began to think with the old veteran, and sought and obtained
permission to open "stores," thus breaking down the "
monopoly" to some extent. Among the first to settle in the north side
- though they did not build their own houses - were William Pickering, George
Edmonstone, Thomas Gray, James Powers, David Bow, George McAdam, John
Richardson, Robert Little, P. Phelan, W. Holman Berry, and a few others. The
majority of them obtained leases of the lower floor of the old convict barracks
in Queen Street, which they themselves converted into shops.
It
is true there were more tradesmen than customers, but somehow things began to
look up, and the rush on the stocks of rum and other spirits caused George
McAdam to apply for permission to open a "pub." George was
evidently a loyal subject, and showed his gratification at receiving the
necessary authority by styling his inn the Sovereign. It was
located somewhere near the present hotel of that name, but a little nearer Queen
Street. The opening of the place was made the occasion for general
rejoicing on the part of the teamsters, who, however, were placed at some
disadvantage owing to the river separating their camp from the drinking shop.
Encouraged
by the success of McAdam, David Bow ran up another hostelry in a remarkably
short time, and with inclinations none the less loyal than his friend McAdam he
named it the Victoria. The two places were some years afterwards
burned down, and on the latter being re-erected it was designated the Globe.
As most folk know this in turn has been pulled down to make room for a building
more in keeping with the times. Many recollections are associated with the
old Victoria, within whose walls much of the 'agitation which resulted in
separation from the mother colony was hatched.
It
is necessary at this point to refer to an earlier occurrence - the murder of
Staplyton and Tuck. In May, 1841 news reached the Settlement that two
blacks, Merridio and Neugavil, had been arrested for the crime, and on the 14th
of this month, which was exactly twelve months after the commission of the deed,
the two were brought before Mr. Justice Burton in Sydney. It will be
remembered that scarcely anything had been left of Staplyton, and as it was
considered that difficulty might be experienced on the point of identification
in connection with the case the aboriginals were arraigned on a charge of
murdering Tuck.
The
evidence adduced at the trial was considered complete, and accordingly they were
sentenced to death. They were perfectly indifferent to their fate, for
when Baker, the interpreter, communicated the verdict to them they are reported
to have said with perfect equanimity, " Let them hang us !" It is
extremely doubtful whether these two were the only men implicated; indeed Mr.
John Campbell relates how, while looking for a run some time after the
execution, he fell in with some blacks. It was explained to him by his
guide that some of these dusky warriors had been implicated in the murder, that
those who had suffered the extreme penalty of the law were innocent, and that
one he pointed out and named was the real criminal. But this is
anticipating history.
Strange
to say the two were despatched to Moreton Bay, where the execution was ordered
to take place, and late in the month of June the notorious couple landed here.
While there had been executions of a kind there was no legally qualified
hangman, and consequently this gruesome but very necessary official for the
vindication of the law journeyed with his victims from Sydney. The town
had triangles but lacked a gallows. The task which devolved on the worthy
Foreman of Works was not, however, a difficult one, and a temporary "
extinguisher" was soon brought into existence.
Between
the period of convictism and 1841 there had been no use for the Windmill, which
had accordingly in the meantime been partially dismantled, and the disused arms
made convenient timber for a staging which for the purposes of the execution
projected from the balcony. A pole was run out from a window above, and to
this was fastened the fatal rope. The blacks having been pinioned they
were placed on the staging, and without much ceremony or regard for the depth of
drop were, on the 3rd July, launched into eternity amid the howls of an
astonished and demonstrative mob of blackfellows who had assembled about the
hill to see the sight.
The
atonement for the murder of the two surveyors was thus the occasion of the first
execution by hanging that took place in Brisbane. The executioner was
evidently well satisfied with the arrangements made for carrying out the death
penalty, for on leaving for the South he assured Mr. Petrie that the improvised
gallows was "quite equal to the affair in Sydney," for which
compliment the worthy Foreman of Works was of course profuse in his thanks.
How
Logan's name does crop up ! No doubt some readers will hazard a query as to the
personality of Baker, the interpreter. And it would scarcely be regarded
as a correct thing to " skip over" him, since in a previous chapter it
was promised that some of the few convicts who escaped both the tyrannical rule
of Logan and the savagery of the blacks would be alluded to in their proper
places. Baker's place comes in here.
Baker
had the misfortune to be transported from Sydney to Moreton Bay during the reign
of Logan, and on getting here was still more unfortunate in his experience of
the Commandant's cat-wielding propensities. He preferred facing the
dangers of the bush to living under the rule of brutal terrorism without making
an effort to escape it. Benefiting by the misfortunes of others he decided
that to attempt to reach the South would be madness. He therefore went in
the direction of the Upper Brisbane.
Here
he fell in with a tribe of natives, who, to his utter astonishment, recognised
in him a likeness to one of their number named Boraltchou, who had some time
previously quitted this life. By degrees Baker learned that one of their
superstitions was that, when they died they were "scraped" and
returned to their friends not black but white. The probabilities or
possibilities of such a thing were not matters which Baker would have cared to
discuss, even had he possessed a more intimate knowledge of the language of his
not-to-be-denied relatives. Accordingly he quietly acquiesced in till the
proceedings, which endowed him not only with the personal belongings and
adornments of the chief Boraltohou but also with the name of that worthy.
He
resided with the blacks for several years, and his return to civilisation was
brought about in a somewhat curious manner. Moppy, alias Multuggorah, who
was the chief of the tribe, and who was a well-known character with the
squatters, had occasion to visit the Settlement one day, and being somewhat of a
favourite the Commandant presented him with the orthodox brass breastplate
bearing the inscription, " Moppy, King of the Upper Brisbane
Tribe." Proudly bearing this acknowledgment of his superiority
round his neck he set out to join his dusky companions.
On
his arrival at the camp the blacks were naturally much exercised as to what the
decoration of their chief might mean, and to elucidate the mystery the services
of Baker, or Boraltchou, were immediately requisitioned. They were a
democratic race, and upon his interpreting the few words on the plate they
became highly indignant, and there and then insisted on Boraltohou handing it
back to the Commandant under pain of death.
At
about this time several squatters had settled in the neighbourhood of the Upper
Brisbane, and with possible capture on the one hand and probable death on the
other the position was a very awkward one for Baker. However, of the two
evils he chose the lesser, and accordingly set out presumably to fulfil the
mission of the blacks, but really to deliver himself up. The result was
that he received manumission, and his services were utilised in interpreting.
Baker lived for some years longer, during which he behaved remarkably well.
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