Letter #32 to son Alex in
Geelong
Ballarat, May 14th. 1858
My Dear Son,
I hope you feel quite secure in your situation, quite competent to its
duties and quite content to continue a clerk till you get a bit richer. William
was off to Pinchgut before your letter came to hand giving him notice to call
on Mr. Slater, so I waited on Mr. Slater but he had no word for William.
William returned on Tuesday. He had visited Mount Egerton but could not
find employment. We have written to J. King, perhaps he may get some
encouragement from him. The Old Gravel Pits is still looking for the good time
coming, their dividend last week was £2 per share, two full working shares changed
hands for £100 each.
I sent you a paper yesterday with the view of letting you see the stir
making against you in the Nightingale case. Mr. Neshaw summoned a half-share
man and gained. Neshaw had another like case coming on, the defendant caused it
to be tried by assessors. The case broke down as Neshaw had neglected to bring
proof that the defendant was a half-share man. I understand the decision in
Neshaw's case has created a ferment in the Nightingale and every means will be
taken to secure the half-share for Hunter & Co. Hence, no doubt, the articles
in yesterday's "Star".
I think you should answer the articles in the "Star" in the
most careful manner, short and explicit. So far as I remember, your case rests
thus:
J. Hunter agreed to work a share in the Nightingale, to receive a £ per
week until gold was found then & to give half the gold.
The balloted-out men were to receive a half-share of gold by paying all the
expenses of their full share.
You paid the expenses of a full share &.
upwards of £50 to your half-share man.
That had the men not been
balloted-out they could have been employed in bringing in a stock of wood and
lessening your expense.
Now that the hole is bottomed, all hands would have wrought it out much
sooner than the present number can do it.
That, the amalgamation and balloting-out was arranged by Hunter, not by
you.
That Hunter & Co., by claiming a full share of gold, place
themselves in a more favourable position than others shareholders, as they
claim a full share of gold without paying any expense. Could effrontery go
farther.
The cry that you are in no worse position now than you would have been
had no balloting-out taken is false and senseless, as like all the rest of the
company you ought to be placed in a better position by the balloting-out.
I thought, of putting these
thoughts together and sending them to the "Times" (Walsh of the
"Times" was agent for Neshaw), but you understand the case better
than I do.
The resolution of the local
court was subsequent to your agreement and cannot affect it, as that body as
that body was not formed for wisdom or singleness of purpose.
The home question seems to hang upon you as if I were to starve when I
get home.
As all my family were
coming out, I resolved to accompany them, nor do I regret it for I would not
have been content behind. But I was well aware there was little chance of me
getting anything agreeable to do here. So I made my mind to come and stop 3
months and if nothing turned up in the
way of agreeable employment, to return. How I did not return in 3 months you know, and when the money
did come the season was judged unfit. Though I have no cause to regret the
delay owing
to the state of trade at home, yet I feel my situation painful. It is too soon
at the age of 56 to look for support to children, however well they might be
off. The labour market in this country denies them support for themselves.
It wont be so painful for me to remain at home now
that I have seen you all in your new abode and see clearly there is nothing
here for me to do. I am ashamed of stoping so long. I hope so soon as you can
make arrangements you will do so. I do not expect, nor wish, more than a
steerage passage. I cannot book for money from people who have nothing to
themselves. A few pounds in my pocket however will be desirable as I may have
two, three months in finding a job. Trusting that you will all enjoy better
fortune and bask in the sunshine of prosperity in a creditable manner, I will
take my leave contendedly.
Jack had a letter last mail from Sauchiehall
Street. All I heard was that he was well here as all hands were going idle in
Glasgow. Aunty has not written again, I suppose she expected me to leave in
March.
The
farthest out Nightingale hole is supposed to have struck the Golden Point
gutter, it is
poor. The Malakoff is paying well. Wm. Stevens sticks to his band of hope. My compliments to Mrs. King. Her cradle and some other things are here yet. Mr.& Mrs. Leckie and family, A. Dick,
G. Mai ns &C...
poor. The Malakoff is paying well. Wm. Stevens sticks to his band of hope. My compliments to Mrs. King. Her cradle and some other things are here yet. Mr.& Mrs. Leckie and family, A. Dick,
G. Mai ns &C...
l am Your Affectionate
Father,
Alex'r Dick.
Ought Jack to summon Hunter.
The new regulations forbid delay.
Names & Notes on Letter #32
Mr. Slater
J. King
Mr. Neshaw
Hunter & Co.
Mr. Walsh
Aunty (Mary Russell)
Wm. Stevens
Mrs. King.
Mr. & Mrs. Leckie
G. Mains
- transcription and
Names/Notes by Ian A Scales, c.1989
Scans of the original letter (click
on the thumbnail below for a larger image):
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