Alexr Dick _Letter No. 35_ from Ballarat/Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 1858

Alexander Senior has seen his sons make a start on their new life in Victoria, Australia, but has found no viable position for himself (and the weather disagrees with him) so has decided to go back to Scotland.

Letter #35 to son Alex in Geelong

                                           Ballarat, July 4th. 1858

My Dear Son,

Another act of the drama about to close. The house is sold for £20. William & Robert Marshall are putting up a tent on Bakery Hill today. I visited Mrs. Murdoch (Tilda Moore) yesterday. She is about to remove to the Muddy Water Holes near Lethbridge; they are just making a living.

I will visit Mr. & Mrs. King and then set out, so I may be expected down by Thursday probably. I will likely have 10 or 12£ with me.

William & Robert Marshall came in from Bullarook on Thursday to buy some clothes. They had gold with them they sold for £30/12/-, so they had not done out so bad the last few weeks. They got it in an old hole. They set out again tomorrow.

The case against J. Hunter is given to Mr. Walsh. He says the mining board are very wroth about the judges decision in the Neshaw case and they are speaking of getting the law altered. He says he has no doubt but the decision will be in your favour.

The Old Gravel Pits is doing better; they have got the debt all paid, they had £3/16/- last week. John King's party has broken up and selling off the horse and dray.

John and a few more have sunk a hole and they will know in a few days whether it will pay or not. Jack remitted £4 to John last week.

I will look out at Mr. Slater's for a dray man going down and direct the chest to you.

And so I proceed to old Scotland again, somewhat reluctantly no doubt but I think it the best I can do and so I must bid you all farewell.

Your Affectionate Father

Alex'r Dick.

                             Melbourne, Thursday (8 Jul?)

My Dear Son,

I have paid my passage by the Agincourt so I will expect you on Saturday. The chest must be
here on Monday at farthest, perhaps you may bring it with you. Your friend D. Tweedie is with
me. So good by at present,                                      Your Affectionate Father,

Alex'r Dick.

Names & Notes on Letter #35

Robert. Marshall

Mrs. Murdoch (Tilda Moore)

Mr.& Mrs. King

J. Hunter

Mr. Walsh

Neshaw

Mr. Slater

D. Tweedie

- transcription and Names/Notes by Ian A Scales, c.1989

Scans of the original letter (click on the thumbnail below for a larger image):

Alexr Dick _Letter No. 34_ from Ballarat, Victoria, Australia, 1858

Letter #34 to son Alex in Geelong                     

                                       Ballarat 12th.June, 1858

My Dear Son,

When I last wrote I expected to have passed through Geelong before now., on my way home. Jack tried to borrow, but the interest asked was too exhorbitant for his stomach. We have asked £25 for the house from all enquirers but we are as far as ever from getting it sold, so I fancy we will have to come down to £20.

The Gravel Pits has not washed a fourth of an oz. to the load. As they have to pay off debt there will be no divide for a week or two. There is a divide at the Nightingale tonight, a small one. Jack expects as much on Monday as will allow him to give in J. Hunter's case.

William has gone back to Bullarook. He could not get a job here, wright work or rough carpenter would have been welcome. The parties on Pinchgut had come on a litle better after he left. So it appeared the best thing he could do was to return.

There was a fine nugget of 175 pounds weight got on Bakery Hill the other night and within 2 feet of an old drive. The parties were on the reef and it was paying well independant of the nugget.

I had a letter from Aunty, all well. Sandy had been 6 months at the joiner trade when she wrote. He likes it well, is getting taller and stouter. Annie is not mentioned but she says they have been short of work owing to the failures. She says there are great numbers of labourers and tradesmen emigrating to the Cape of Good Hope. A. Wylie is still at his former job. Did you hear from the Engineers I wrote to.

John King wrote Jack to send some money to Mrs. King, but he has none at present. I hope she has got Mrs. Leckie all right at the fireside again.

My compliments to all Busbyites. C. Gray often spoke to me of coming. He thought J. Leckie would find him a job behind a counter.

If we get the house sold I will write directly.

Your Affectionate Father,

Alex'r Dick.

Names & Notes on Letter #54

J. Hunter

Aunty (Mary Russell) & Sandy

A. Wylie

John King

Mrs. King.

Mrs. Leckie

C. Gray

J. Leckie

- transcription and Names/Notes by Ian A Scales, c.1989

Scans of the original letter (click on the thumbnail below for a larger image):

Alexr Dick _Letter No. 33_ from Ballarat, Victoria, Australia, 1858

Letter #33 to son Alex at Geelong                         

There is a large hole in this letter where the postage stamp was removed. The letter was addressed to:

Mr. Alex'r Dick,

Care of Mr. Slater, Mercer Street,

Geelong.

                        Ballarat., May 20th. 1858

My Dear Son.,

I think the home go............................. the house is not sold and perhaps wont be. Jack may

................ ds and keep it. I should like to see you within a fortnight. Wm........ he is to call

back in the beginning of the week. Wm. saw on.......... mates yesterday. There has been no

rain yet at Brown................... no gold got yet. John is disposed to sell and go to lo..... ……t

divided £4 per share last Saturday. The Nightingale......... 1 at the new drive.! dropt your

note in the "Star" box. But................ of business has yet been spoken to about pursuing

J. Hunter. We have got no letters this mail. Wm. Moody is mindful as usual. I expect to see the Geelong Busbyites in health & spirits. The whole almost, of Mrs. King's goods went out to Brown's. The remainder will be called for next time the cart comes in.

I am Your Affectionate Father,

Alex'r Dick.

Names, Notes on Letter #33

Wm......... (?)

John (Kinq ??)

Wm. Moody

Mrs. King

- transcription and Names/Notes by Ian A Scales, c.1989

Scans of the original letter - with gaps where my brother removed the stamps when he was young...

 (click on the thumbnail below for a larger image):

Alexr Dick _Letter No.32_ from Ballarat, Victoria, Australia, 1858

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...                                                       

                                                               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):

Alexr Dick _Letter No. 31_ from Ballarat, Victoria, Australia, 1858

Letter #31 to son Alex in Geelong                    

                                    Ballarat, April 13th. 1858

My Dear Son,

I have just received from Mr. Simpson £27 as per Bill. He wishes it transferred to you tonight. If I find the expense is not great I will do so. If it takes 10/- I will want your orsers. Mr. Simpson has been some time poorly with a bad cold and he is still complaining. He says his farming speculations have paid well. He paid his rent last week and bought 8 head of cattle.

William came in from Pinchgut a fortnight ago with sore feet. They had been bit by mosquitoes, his stockings and wet had inflamed the parts. He could not get a job, either on Ballarat, either at diggings or at his trade, so he left, for Pinchgut yesterday. He does not expect to make more than his meat.

Jack still works at the O.G.P. The dividend was £2 last Saturday, but there was £150 of debts paid. Jack thinks the claim will pay yet. He expects to see them put out a great deal more stuff per week than they do yet.

William Stevens still perseveres with the band of hope. The Great Western has joined them, but a great number cannot pay the calls. Some claims on the Inkerman are doing well. I hear of no new rushes or of any fresh ventures about Ballarat. Lang, Beattie &. Co. have fenced in a bit of land and put up a small tent to secure it.

We have no word from John King since Jack wrote. My compliments to Mrs. King. I hope this cold weather will cheer her and set her all right, at heart... Remember me to Mr.& Mrs. Leckie and to Mr.& Mrs. Mains.

Is Sandy Dick still a chaff cutter. Has his family got well situated. What is John Aitcheson doing. Has James returned - James Rattary.

In your last there was some word of home. I do not see I can do anything for myself here, so the sooner I start the better the stump is all out.

I got £6 from the Nightingale last month, their wash stuff is very variable. The secretary believes his pile is in it.

Jack will look after the settlement of the dispute* when the court sits again.

I am happy to hear you are comfortable in your situation. You are the only comfortable one in the family. A good time coming for young folks.

I am, Yours affectionately,

     Alex'r Dick

Names & Notes on #31

Mr.Simpson

William Stevens

Lang, Beattie & Co.

John King & Mrs.King.

Mr.& Mrs.Leckie

Mr.& Mrs.Mains

John Aitcheson

James Rattary

- transcription and Names, Notes above by Ian A Scales, c.1989

*The Nightingale Mine Dispute was reported on in the Ballarat Star, 13 May 1858 - see  http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article66048079, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article66048067

Scans of the original letter (click on the thumbnail below for a larger image):

Alexr Dick _Letter No. 30_ from Ballarat, Victoria, Australia, Feb. 1858

1858 - Victoria, Australia

The first 1858 letter I have from Alex Dick's collection is in February, although there are envelopes postmarked Alexandria - Glasgow Jan'y 4th and Ballarat Jan 22nd (?).

This one is from Alex's father, Alexr Snr, with notes from Alex's two younger brothers who had come out to Australia with their father in 1856. They seem to be living in Ballarat, trying their hand at gold mining.

Letter #30 to son Alex in Geelong (?)                    

                                      Ballarat 18th.Feb'y.1858

My Dear Son,

We received yours yesterday and should have been pleased to hear that you like your situation and you had resolved to remain. There is slight change in Ballarat since you went away. We hear of no wonderful holes.

But your next question is more significant and when Jack & I agreed last night we would write you today we were not prepared for the intelligence we have to convey. Wee Rachel is no more. She died about 9 this morning. On Monday her bowels became disordered, but nothing more than we might expect of a child teething, for her two lower front teeth seemed coming through. Yesterday was extremely warm and oppressive and she lay quiet and to appearance sleeping all day. But when the evening cooled she seemed to revive, but she did not sleep all night and this morning her feet felt cold and her breathing somewhat difficult. A medical man came but she got rapidly worse and seemed to have croup and so passed away....

We have not heard from William. We expect him over on Saturday first, or the following Saturday at farthest and we will advise you of his success. I think John would like a job at his trade. He has been expecting Mr. Leckie, or you, to find a place thus some weeks and was every day expecting notice to go down.

Your wonderful news from Glasgow & Busby smack of the imaginative. Give George my
compliments, I like to hear of his prosperity. One could wish he made Mrs. Mains a little happier.
Give her my best wishes, also Mr.& Mrs. Leckie and Alex'r Dick. What is John Aitcheson doing.
Any word of Mr. Rattary returning. Have any other of our old friends arrived at Geelong with
authentic intelligence from Busby. Jack will give all information about Gravel Pits, Nightingale
&c. The 'Red Jacket' leaves on 5th.March. Do you see any chance of giving me a sight of the
Glasgow Barricades.                                              

                                                                               Yours affectionately,

Alex'r Dick.

Dear Brother, Jack is at the Gravel Pits, John is doing nothing. Last week I was on for wages as the Gum tree was used up. So John thinking 70/- was no go and as he did not want to go himself if he could do anything in the way of getting a situation he would give up digging, he asked me to go for a week or two till he would here from you at whatever it might turn out to be the half share. This I agreed to, but this week or two the divides will be rather small. In fact nothing, as the little engine is getting important alterations and the boiler being built anew, I think we have had two divides at the O.G.P. since I wrote you last, namely Feb'y 6, £4, Feb'y 13, £5, Nightingale second divide, £6 to the half-share, all of which I paid to John. In regard to Nightingale, Neeshaw has a case the same and Walsh says that there will be no difficulty in gaining so John and I think, as it is going to pay well, it is worth risking £5 on it. Out of 14 machines last fortnight the highest was 55 ounces 13 dwt, the last, 14 oz.. Generally about 20 and 30, pretty fair work to be taken, 7 feet high. Last week I stopt payment of the sleeping half share to J. Hunter so that the 1 /4 share claimed by you lies in the secretary's hands till one of us wins it at the Court of Mines, which is expected to sit in a week or two. We intend to employ Walsh. Should your presence be required, could you attend. I suppose not, so we must try and do without you. I have no doubt if it is to be got tha Walsh will do it, as he is best acquainted with local court affairs.

Nothing new on Ballarat except Rachel's death which is rather a sad occurance, the more so as it was very sudden. As John will not have time to write to Mr. L today please inform them. G.M's news is, in a measure, likely to become, in a measure, like most of his yarns, a great measure from the truth. There's no doubt that stoppage of Emigration must have been seriously felt in Busby. I will probably write on Sunday should there be any news from Pinch Gut. W. Stevens is as usual, but going to get his pile in the Hope Company, Golden Point lead. He sends his compliments to you. The Hope Comp'y are down about 30 feet in the rock with there shaft. Western are advertising for tenders to sink a shaft. Do you want to speculate. Now is your chance. Yours &c.

  John Dick.

I left a bundle of Slates, Arithmatic Books, School Books, Copy Books in J. Leckie's cellar. Send me up one Arithmetic and all the Copy Books when you send for your chest, if they are still alive. There were some Grammar books too... Father.

Names & Notes on Letter #30

Wee Rachel (King ??)

John (King ??)

Mr. Leckie

George & Mrs. Mains

John Aitcheson

Mr. Rattary

"Red Jacket'

Neeshaw

Walsh

J. Hunter

W. Stevens

By inference, some time between 4/12/1856 (*28) and 21/1/87 (*29) Alex'r removed from Belfast (Port Fairy) to Geelong. John and William remained at or near Belfast (??). Alex was in Geelong and by 18/2/1857 he had started work (clerical?) in Geelong at £.2 /week plus board and attended classes in foremanship & book-keeping at Geelong Grammar School. Alex'r, John & William were in Ballarat (or district).

Cross-reference to the Reminiscences & Diaries of Alexander Dick (MS 11241, Latrobe Library of Victoria) suggest, that about this time Alex'r, Alex, John & William built a small cottage at Golden Point, Ballarat.

- transcription and Names/Notes by Ian A Scales, c.1989


Here is a scan of the original letter (click on the thumbnail below for a larger image):