BOURKE.
Another successful benefit-in a money point of view- was given by our Dramatic Club for the hospital on Wednesday last. The pieces chosen were the ‘Lean of a Lover,' and 'Like as Two Peas,' with a selection of songs for the between pieces.
At Jandra they are busy shearing, and lambing at Moculta will commence in three weeks. A little rain would now do much to ensure a heavy drop, without it the lambs will suffer, for the grass though plentiful is very dry.
Bourke is very busy, many gentlemen from the back blocks are in for the races, and as the weather is delicious we expect fine running.
The Rev. Father Nugent arrived yesterday.
- Town & Country, April 13, 1872.(Empire April 15)
Bourke Annual Races. ( FROM A CORRESPONDENT)
The 3rd of April dawned upon the good people of this place as gloriously beautiful as weather can come to mortals, and at day dawn little clouds of dust in all directions spoke of mobs of horses coming in from their feeding grounds to convoy their owners to the racecourse. Bourke shook off the listlessness that had clung to her for a long time, and cherry faces and jocund voices were seen and heard in the thoroughfares. Men and boys whose kingdoms are confined to the limits of racing stables, bustled about with a confident step and look, which said 'we are all right and intend to make it hot’. Owners of horses, and there were some of the John Tait stamp, collected under the verandah of Tattersall’s and talked on the coming contests with a gravity which contrasted well with the jollity displayed by the expectant crowds, and women, too, had caught the fever, as their display of millinary demonstrated : new bonnets, feathers, and gloves spoke of an extra item in the household bill, but who grudges them this innocent and healthy recreation.
The races were advertised to commence at 12 noon, and long before that time vehicles, from the four-in-hand to the wheelbarrow, were rolling mainly westward, while the number of well-mounted horsemen was quite imposing. On the course were the usual booths, where all that makes up the animal part of our lives were in abundance; and what was better there was not a man or woman there who could not provide a feast fit for a man or woman to enjoy. On nearly all racing grounds of note you will always find some temptation in the shape of cards, dice, thimble-rigging or some other near reality of men’s proneness to duplicity; but at Bourke, no such sign was seen, and it speaks well for the moral tone of the people.
It was nearly one o’clock when the horses for the Maiden Plate were ready for starting, and I may complain of and condemn the laxity shown by the stewards in not enforcing the penalties attached to horses not at the post at the anticipated time. I heard it said that it would not do to be too strict, but I think that it is a duty due to the public that all which is stated in the programme of a meeting should be carried out. If the stewards are conciliatory to one or two owners of horses, they are most unkind to hundreds who are kept waiting and fuming for the sports to begin, and not only this, the dawdling away of time, to suit a tardy jockey or a procrastinating owner, simply robs the whole affair of that power which is given it by rules laid down to be carried out to the letter. I hope the next year’s races will be untouched by this lack of prompt action on the part of the stewards.
The following are the partÃculars :
Maiden Plate of 35 sovs, with a sweep of two sovs to go to the second horse; for horses which have not won an advertised prize; distance one mile and a half.
Mr H Colless's Playboy, aged (S. Davis) ... .. l
Messrs J & E Readford’s Belle Brandon, 3 years 2
Mr W. W Davis’s Cossack aged 3
P. Canfall’s Mountain Heir
The Flying Handicap of 40 sovs, with a sweep of 2 sovs for second horse, h ft. Distance one mile and a half.
Mr H Ferry's Adeline. 8st 8lbs (Lillyman) ...1
H. Colless's New Chum, 8st .. ... ... ... 2
G Taylor's Lunelle, 7st 9lb.. .. ... 3
Messrs J & E Readford's Alhambra 8st 101b.
The Selling Stakes of 20 sovs ; mile heats. If entered to be sold for £30, weight for age; if for £20 allowed 71b; if for £10 14lb allowed. Surplus to go the Race Fund.
Mr H. Ferry's Pilot, 9 st (Lillyman) ... ... 4 I 1
G. Taylor’s Lunelle, 9st'21b ... ... ... 1 3 3
H Colless’s Paddy-two-sticks, 8 st 8lb . ...3 2 2
J & E Readford’s Belle Brandon 7st llb. 2 4 0
The Steeplechase of 70 sovs ; sweep of five sovs to go to the second horse ; distance, 3 miles-over 18 fences 4 feet high ; welter weight for age.
Mr A F. Sullivan's Sportsman, 11st 71b(Owner)... ... 1
S. Smith's Rory, 11st 7lb (Owner) .. ... 2
W. W. Davis's Cossack, 11st 71b (A Eckler) .. ... 3
H Colless's Chief Justice, 11st 71b (Bell).
After a little trouble Mr. O'Shanassy launched them fairly, and Chief Justice, classic as indiarubber, rushed to the first fence; in fact they all went over like a bunch of grapes. Chief from the immense height he jumped, being the topmost grape; a cheer went up as they touched the ground on the otherside. A stampede for the next jump, and on like a hurricane the silk fluttered-the Chief going as the villain can go when he likes all the others well up and splendidly handled ; at the third jump, and when everybody thought the Chief meant honest work, the brute refused and over popped the violet and gold, followed by Rory and Cossack, both these horses leaping finely. The grand stand leap-where hundreds waited for a fall-but no, over they went, and as if growing together while Smith on Rory showed that it was not the first race of the sort he had ridden ; Cossack, too, jumping remarkably well in close attendance. Then a leap, and the grand stand jump was done with ; quick as the black cap sank out of sight, the red one was in the air ; but this time the noble old Rory struck heavily and unseated his rider, who, though dragged, still hung on to the steering gear and was soon again following the leading two; the next fence and Cossack was riderless, so that the race lay between Sportsman and Rory ; a cheer rolled after them. Here I may say, the race was out of sight, for the clouds of dust raised by the following horsemen quite blotted the racers out, and if men and boys have not sufficient sense to remain at rest during the running, they should be made. One of the riders told me he had to beg some of the idiots to keep back as his horse was much annoyed at the rattle and shouting. Out of the dust and into the straight running ; round the gums into the straight Sportsman was leading, but here adverse luck seemed to await him for he struck very heavily loosing his stride entirely, and for a moment Rory, honest half-trained Rory deserved to win. Sullivan's skill and coolness set things to rights at once, and with a thunder of voices he was hailed the winner for the second time of the Bourke steeplechase. Had the Chief ran as he can run, and Cossack who jumps splendidly had not disposed of his rider the result might have been different, but it will take a magnificent animal to conquer Sportsman.
The Publican's Purse of 30 sovs ; distance, 2 miles; weight for age.
Messrs. J and E. Readford's Canobie, 9st 31b (S. Davis) ... 1 .
Mr. H. Perry's Physician, 9st 3lb ... .. ..2
SECOND DAY.
The Corinthian Cup (value 30 sovs) ; 2 miles ; welter weight for age; to be ridden for by members of the Bourke Jockey Club
Mr. Ferry's Physician, aged (Owner) ... .. .. 1
H. Colless's New Chum, aged .. ... .. 2
Messrs. J. and E. Readford's Alhambra, aged ..3
The Bourke Handicap-a sweep of five sovs each, with 75 sovs added; distance, 2 miles.
Messrs.J and K. Readford's Canobie, 9st 1 lb .. .. 1
Mr. Ferry's Physician 9st .. ... 2
Ferry's Adeline, 8st 21b .. .. .,' 3
Colless's Flying Jib, 8st 81b.
Consolation Stakes (Handicap) of 15 sovs. for all beaten horses ; once round the course.
Mr. Colless’s Flying Jib (Flanagan) .. .. .. 1
Messrs Readford's Bell Brandon. 2
Forced Handicap of 20 sovs ; distance l 1/2 mile.
Mr Ferry’s Pilot (Maxwell) ... .. .. .. 1
Colless's Playboy ..... 2
Messrs. Readford's Canobie .... 3
Mr. Perry's Adeline.
On Friday there was a Free Handicap (£50) ran for, which was won by Canobie- beating six others. Also a Hack Race, won by Mr. Hughes's Slops and thus closed a very pleasant meeting which in all respects was a credit to the Bourkites.
- Town & Country, April 20, 1872.(Empire April 22)
BOURKE. Wednesday Morning.
Forty-eight tons of ore from the Cobar Copper Mine has been smelted, and yields 29 per cent of pure copper. The mine is looking splendid; the lode from seven to eight feet wide.
-May 4, 1872.(Empire, May 2)
BOURKE. April 24.
H. W. Nancarrow and J. Connelly returned to Bourke a few days since, from their prospecting trip, which has been attended with complete success; they have brought in some very fine specimens of grey and ruby oxide of copper of a rich quality ; the lode on the surface is about thirty feet wide, and a quarter of a mile in length, and is situated seven miles north-west of Cobar, and is surrounded by good country for retaining water, well timbered, with good box, bala, and pine. This mine is called the Cornish, Scottish, and Australian Copper Mine, and the proprietors are waiting the advent of rain before commencing operations. At present there are four prospectors, viz. H. W. Nancarrow, R. Nancarrow. G. S. Gibb, and J. Connelly. For the present they are putting it into 1000 shares. The finders of this mine have been subjected to great hardships, having to contend against the want of water and often food, notwithstanding they have persevered most assiduously, and are at length rewarded. The copper ore is of a soft malleable nature, the same as Cobar and a continuation of the same lode. We think the finders of this rich deposit deserve great praise for opening up the mineral wealth of this district, and which will tend to give employment to great numbers of people.
Want of water is retarding the work at Cobar, but tanks are being sunk, and that difficulty, will soon be scaled.
On Friday night a severe thunderstorm from the south broke over the town, and it brought us a most seasonable downpour of rain. I am afraid it was not sufficient for the dryness of the country, but it will assist the lambing greatly.
Since my last I have been at Wilcannia, 230 miles down the river. I was much pleased with the general appearance of the country pasturage, which is everywhere abundant, and stock look magnificent. Winbar, with about 5000 cattle has changed hands, and Mileyambo is open for sale. All this country is simply splendid. At Landra, Guinness's wool scouring is in full swing ; remarkably free, too, is the wool from burr, and clean as the conscience of a quaker. The absence of the villainous burr may be in some measure attributed to the removal of the pest on this run. It is a pity other station holders follow not this example. I find that it has gone down the river about eighty miles. I found Wilcania perched upon a vast sandhill on the western bank of the river-a most desirable place in wet weather, but on a hot windy day you might as well live in a dust bin. The people are very courteous and kind ; there is a total absence of that shove-me-off-the-side-walk attitude shown with us, as we are more Yankee in our acts. Their stores are well-built and most politely served. They have four taverns, one the Mount Murchison, more English than any house I've been in for years. There is much suffering from the eye during the heat, that organ in some instances actually bursting. The runs about this place are for the most part fenced, and one station holder-Mr. Jennings-has made most ample preparations for drought. I found a marked difference in the price of articles of daily consumption, for instance, potatoes offered at 8 pounds per ton, apples 8s per case, &c. The potatoes would command twice that at Bourke, and the apples three times that sum. Carriage, doubtless, has something to do with this, but not all. I was shown the court-house, and lock-up, two little specks of places resembling the houses found in a child's box of toys. There is little wonder that prisoners attempt to escape from such structures, and the police, wonderfully clean and servicable-looking, must, in charge of a desperate ruffian, be constantly on the alert. As a parting with this place I must not forget the ferryman, whose willingness to please others a good chance for others in the same capacity to profit by his urbanity. 6000 sheep, J. E. Kelly's, were crossing for Melbourne, in charge of Mr. G. M'Intyre, a steady, faithful man of the roads. 190 fat cattle, Williams, Warrego, and a drove of the same class. Sullivan's, Bulloo, were entering the town. On my way back I visited Cuttowa, Butter's, and a most splendid garden. They have oranges fairly breaking down the trees ; the peach was in the sear and yellow leaf, but an abundant crop had been gathered, one tree yielding 100 dozen ; the grape, too, gave a magnificent harvest, and he who questions the quality of the Darling soil to produce any fruit or vegetable had better visit it ere he preaches. We have had several police cases, but the police seemed, by the rebukes given by the sitting magistrates, to have erred In judgment. Constable Hurlsberg is the officer at fault. An unfortunate man smashed his thigh from a horse in the back country, but as Bourke is without a doctor at present, no aid was given.
- Town & Country Journal, May 4, 1872.(Empire, May 4)
BOURKE. May 1.
As I feared the rain which fell last week was in quantity too insignificant for good, and a general murmur at the dryness is heard. No doubt lambing will be less successful, but there is abundance of feed and the weather is simply delicious.
A concert in aid of the Church of England Fund will be given shortly, and if we may judge from the ladies and gentlemen who are preparing for the affair, something worth calling a musical display will be given.
Our District Court this turn is heavy-no less than nine civil cases, some of them most uncivil. In the Criminal Court there are five cases. There is nothing of importance in police items. The town is full of afflicted eyes, and as there is no medical man here you may guess at our position.
The return of the percentage on the whole shipment of Cobar ore of 29 per cent, of fine copper, has made a vast improvement in these shares; they have advanced in ten months from £10 to £140, and although much money is drawn away in the form of heavy carriage the company are jubilant as to profitable certainties. While opinions differ vastly as to the legitimate claims of other mines, there is now no question raised against the wealth lying at Cobar.
The New Copper Company have issued scrip, and many are buying, but since Captain Lean's denial of passing judgment on the discovery, there is a slight, degree of dampness thrown at the enthusiasm.
On the 1st instant two of our local horses- New Chum and Why Not-came to the post for a 2 mile spin for 10 pounds, weight for age. Why Not, the property of Mr. H Colliss, is a grand little fellow, and will take a hat full of beating.
No rise in the river.
-May 11, 1872.(Empire May 10)
BOURKE. May 8.
The town is busy on the eve of the judge’s appearance. Mr. Docker arrived per mail, and His Honor is at Mucculto, ten miles up the Bogan, paying Mr. R Burton a visit. The weather is delightful, and everybody seems happy. The wining concert in aid of the Church of England, is advertised and it is to be regretted the prices are so high. 7s 6d and 6s is too much for people not born in the purple, and many lovers of muisic will, by this change, be shut out. It is true there is a lower charge, but respectable people, though poor, don't like being pushed against by the crowd in the rough. There is no deduction, it seems, made for children. A family man must either have a huge purse, or remain at home. I should much like to attend, but unpaid creditors warn me off.
The race between New Chum and Whynot will be postponed until the court work is done; that will be, I think, on Tuesday, the 11th ; both horses are at work.
A sad case of sudden death occurred at the hospital on Sunday night. A patient, after an attempt to swallow poison, died in much agony. An inquest was held yesterday, and the jury brought in "Death from some cause unknown,'" there being no medical man to make a post mortem. They expressed their1 regret that Bourke should be left without medical assistance. Dr Roberts, the hospital surgeon, was at Bathurst assizes. If the unfortunate man, Britten, did take poison, it is quite easy to believe that unrelieved pain forced upon him the dreadful act. He had a bottle of poison in his possession, and it would be well if all hospital authoriities examined the property of patients entering their asylums, for other such cases may occur at any moment.
Mr. R. Barton is busy erecting a soap factory, and too much praise cannot be given him for the energy he has shown in all that may add to the advancement of the place he has made his home. Soap and candles are much needed at a cheaper rate, and we are now promised them. A huge snake was killed in our local newspaper office the other day. The "devils" gave it a warm welcome, and the serpent caved in.
No rain in river; rain much needed. 8000 sheep with Mr. Birch, are moving towards Gongolgon.
- Town & Country, May 18, 1872.
BOURKE.
At the Quarter sessions held here on 11 May, before, his Honor Judge Josephson. Mr. R. M Isaacs presenting for the crown.
CRUEL ROBBERY WITH VIOLENCE:.-George Cain, alias Samuel Baxter, a strong, powerfully built man, of about thirty-five years of agc, was indicted for having, on the 12th December last, at Yancannan Station, wounded and robbed a shepherd named John Aroe of a cheque for 14 pounds, drawn by his master, Mr. Vallentine, in payment of wages. Aroe is a little man, and not strong. The particulars, as disclosed in evidence, arc briefly these:-Aroe had just yarded his sheep, and gone to his hut at about sundown, when the prisoner was there. He saw the prisoner going to the hut as he was bringing the sheep home. Prisoner stopped that night in the hut, had tea, was supplied with a "shakedown," and breakfast next morning. During the evening prisoner said he had lost a cheque for 52 pounds, drawn by Mr. Bates, a neighbouring squatter, but that he knew the number, and requested Aroe to show him his cheques. Aroe showed him one cheque for £14 and another for £4 2s 11d, drawn by Mr. Vallentine. Prisoner said his cheque was the next number to these. The next morning Aroe crossed his sheep over a creek, and bid the prisoner good morning. He appeared to be going on his horse towards the head station. When Aroe had got about a mile from the hut he made some tea, when the prisoner came up to him and said, "You've lost forty-five of your sheep," and that he must bring his sheep back to the yard. He asked for a drink of tea, and Aroe gave it to him. He then told Aroe to round up the sheep. Prisoner walked alongside for a short distance, when all of a sudden he slipped from his horse, took Aroe by the neck, and threw him violently to the ground. Aroe got up, when prisoner told him to go after his sheep. Prisoner went ahead towards a ridge, when Aroe, becoming alarmed, turned and was making for the head station, when he was overtaken by the prisoner, who commenced to beat him on the head, arms, hands, and shoulders, with a stirrup-iron attached to a strap. Aroe fell, and for a time was insensible. When slightly recovering he found blood flowing from wounds in his head, and arms and hands. His head was bleeding all day. He made several attempts to get up, but was too weak. At length he succeeded, when the prisoner said-"Have you had enough?" Aroe replied, "Yes." Prisoner then took Aroe five miles into the bush, making him walk more than half the distance, and then ordered him to take off his boots and to put into them whatever he had in his pockets. Aroe took out his two cheques and a pocket knife, and placed them into one of the boots. Prisoner then made Aroe walk about five hundred yards, barefooted, through the scrub. "He there tied my hands behind me," continued Aroe, “with my own handkerchief, and strapped my legs together with the belt I now wear. He left me in this position, saying he was going to the creek for some water, but on his return, after an hour, he brought me none. If I let you go now, he said, what will you do ? I said "I do not know." " If let you go will ,you tell any of the other shepherds you have seen me ?" I said 'No’. He then let me go. I asked him to let me have the cheque and he gave it to me, saying, "If you tell any of the shepherds I'll put a ball through you the next time I see you.” He made me take off my waistcoat, which was covered with blood, and took me to the creek and washed my head, and arms, and hands. It was then about two hours of sunset. On leaving he said, "Good bye, Jack, I'm off to Cobham Lake." I made my way to a shepherd's hut, which I reached in a very exhausted condition. A report was made at once to the head station, and the next morning a spring-cart was sent to convey me to Mr. Bates's station, where I was laid up for four weeks. A report was forwarded to the police station at Wilcannia, 120 miles off'. Constable Blenkit, with a black tracker, were still with Aroe, whom they saw suffering from severe wounds. Having obtained particulars and a description of the prisoner, BIenkit went in pursuit, and succeeded in cleverly capturing his prey before he had time to return to his hut, in which he had firearms. When searched, Aroe's knife and eight bullets were found upon him. The jury found the prisoner guilty, and the judge, in sentencing him to three years' hard labour in Berrima gaol, said it was one of the most heartless and cruel robberies that had ever come under his notice.
- Town & Country, June 1, 1872.(Empire May 27)
BOURKE.
June 20.
It is to be hoped few cases such as was revealed at our police-court on Tuesday, before A. O. Grant, Esq., and Mr. J. McNevin, .J.P., are to be found in the colony. A man whose name, if it was not for his family's sake, should be given, was called upon to show reason why he should not contribute to his wife and children's support. The woman, who appeared to be a poor, heart-broken creature, the mother of five young children, told her shameful tale of brutal ill usage by the fellow who had sworn to protect her. Living in the bush, she had suffered long and patiently, and through desperate fear, during absence of her husband, she fled with her little ones to Bourke to seek the protection of police interference. She had been hunted from her home, spending whole nights in the bush. She had been beaten and pummelled by savage fists, her life threatened, and finally compelled to leave the roof which should have sheltered her. No extenuating circumstances were brought to bear upon the case, and the Bench ordered a payment of £2 per week for six months. It is to hoped by this time the natural feelings becoming a man will have returned to the husband, who, I regret to learn, is a licensed publican, and that the future may make amends for his past conduct.
Mr. J. E. Kelly passed Bourke on Saturday, in charge of 6000 magnificent sheep, en route for Melbourne. He crosses directly to the Lachlan, and is the first to open the road from Bourke. There is plenty of water, and, if I mistake not, his tracks will be followed.
Mr. Stanley, in charge of 1500 cattle, passed downward yesterday. They are a fine lot. Speaking of cattle, I was told by a bullock-owner today that a strange and unaccountable disorder is appearing among working cattle, three of his team have died from its effects. The best-conditioned are seized with want of sight; they travel in circles, and finally lie down to die; a swelling also appearing in the throat. Some attribute it to the eating of a herb, but as herbs are not to be found where several of these deaths took place, there must be some other cause.
The copper mania is fast upon us, but nothing positively can be said of any of the mines save Cobar. Indications are plentiful of valuable deposits, but nothing definite is known. Much land has been taken up, and any mail I may send report of other Cobars. From 300 to 400 acres have been taken from the Crown.
We have had much rain, but there is no sign of the rivers rising. Several of our leading men, Mr. Becker at their head, are out in the new country, and there is little doubt a mining community of great strength will soon be about us. Brick houses and shops are going up, and Mr. Becker's terrace will soon beautify the town.
There is great complaining of ailing eyes, I have been partially blind more than six weeks; others are suffering in a lesser degree.
Preparations are being made for the scouring of next year's wool. Banton Bro., of Mooculto have secured the Bringdinggabba clip.
The mails are running well, the Wilcannia one is doing wonders, Norman M'Phee, the rider, coming regularly to time, riding 430 miles every six days. This, taking the heavy state of the roads into account, is wonderful going. How he keeps it up is surprising. If ever a man deserved thanks that man is he.
- Town & Country, July 6, 1872 (Empire, July 8)
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