First published in the Brisbane Courier, Saturday 21 August 1869. As I have before remarked, the settlement, as regards house accommodation, consisted entirely of the various buildings erected under the authority and inspection of the Government officials during the penal times. But it was naturally anticipated that the purchasers of the land sold at theContinue reading “Old Tom’s Reminiscences – The Corner”
Tag Archives: Old Brisbane Town
Old Tom’s Reminiscences
Part 1 of Tom Dowse’s Memories of Old Brisbane (Originally published in the Queenslander on 24 July 1869. IN those days—happily long since passed away—when the parent colony of the Australian group enjoyed the unenviable distinction of being the only penal settlement on the shores of New Holland, it was found from time to timeContinue reading “Old Tom’s Reminiscences”
Ordinary Lives
Brisbane on camera 1870-1900 A Draper’s Business in Queen Street A moment in Queen Street, captured by photographer Richard Daintree, presumably from a window across the street. The building at the far left is a “commerce court”, and C W Fegan & Co are open for business in a building proudly established in 1861. TheContinue reading “Ordinary Lives”
George de Winton’s Memories of Moreton Bay
George Jean de Winton had a long and distinguished career in Her Majesty’s 99th Regiment, and many years of it were spent in Australia and New Zealand. He was stationed in Van Diemen’s Land, Sydney, Port Macquarie, Norfolk Island and Moreton Bay. His memoirs (out of copyright and now online), show a man of goodContinue reading “George de Winton’s Memories of Moreton Bay”
Only in Brisbane.
The Free Settlement Edition. The Brisbane Riot. Kind of. On the night of the 2nd October 1849, a riot took place in Queen Street in Brisbane. At least, it was kind of a riot. A group of a dozen rather drunk men assembled noisily in Queen Street at about 11 pm. The Chief Constable, withContinue reading “Only in Brisbane.”
The Great Utility of Bathing
The great utility of bathing, as regards the establishment and preservation of sound bodily health, is sufficiently acknowledged all over the world to render any comments of ours on the subject necessary. Our immediate object is to suggest the erection of a few bathing houses on the bank of our beautiful river; for we feelContinue reading “The Great Utility of Bathing”
Please, Governor, may we have a hospital?
In January 1848, Captain Wickham, Government Resident for Moreton Bay, received a letter from the Colonial Secretary’s Office in Sydney, ordering the closure of the Convict Hospital at Brisbane. The result was that everyone and everything had to go – patients, paupers, medicines, furniture – the lot. What couldn’t be sold was to be shippedContinue reading “Please, Governor, may we have a hospital?”
A Disgrace to her Sex
A correspondent in calling our attention to a desperate fight which took place in North Brisbane on Tuesday last, between a soldier and a sawyer, says:- “I counted no less than eight women who were present, looking on with great interest; and one disgrace to her sex was actually cheering and goading the men onContinue reading “A Disgrace to her Sex”
Policing the Colony
Policing in the early days at Moreton Bay had its challenges. There were hundreds of convicted criminals about – former convicts on tickets of leave and in indentured service. The free men and women of the town tried to foster a sort of civic pride and dignity, but their efforts were undermined by an itinerantContinue reading “Policing the Colony”
Who Lives in a Place Like This? Part 3.
The Sketch Map of Brisbane Town in 1844, and the stories behind it. 31. Taylor Shappart There was no Taylor Shappart in Brisbane in 1844. There was a tailor, John Sheppard, who lived and worked at Brisbane at the time, and later moved to Ipswich. I suspect that between the Gerler’s understanding of English namesContinue reading “Who Lives in a Place Like This? Part 3.”
Moreton Bay and More 