Brisbane’s “Frog’s Hollow” district was a low, flood-prone and poorly drained neighbourhood around Albert Street, running from Elizabeth Street to Alice Street and the Botanical Gardens. It remained a famous nuisance throughout the 19th century, defying repeated attempts to fill in and drain the streets. Stagnant rainwater pooled there and turned a bright algal green,Continue reading “Frog’s Hollow”
Minor Offences
There are few historical resources as compelling as old newspapers. The contemporary accounts of the criminal courts are by turns hilarious and thought-provoking. Hilarious in accounts of the drunken, bumbling criminals whose court cases provided entertainment to the public gallery. (I’ve been unable to resist quoting a couple of the dafter ones in this post.)Continue reading “Minor Offences”
Repeat Offenders
The Moreton Bay penal settlement was set up to punish repeat offenders. It was not a place of last resort – that unenviable title went to remote Norfolk Island – but it was intended to be a place that inspired enough dread in convicts to deter them from offending in the Colony, These prisoners hadContinue reading “Repeat Offenders”
The First Criminal in Australia (no, really)
The first ever court case in Australia was R -v- Barsby, on 11 February 1788, barely a fortnight after the Colony was founded. A convict named Samuel Barsby was charged with on 06 February personally abusing Benjamin Cook, Drum Major of the detachment, quarreling together “with high words passing between them”, and striking John West,Continue reading “The First Criminal in Australia (no, really)”
The Journey Begins
Thanks for joining me! Good company in a journey makes the way seem shorter. — Izaak Walton
Moreton Bay and More 