Victorian Policing: Manuscript Records 1860-1914

Policing in Victoria 1860 - 1914: A large leather & cloth-bound volume providing a manuscript record of 'Report of Charges Taken' Burrumbeet & Miner's Rest Watch Houses, both being in the vicinity of Ballarat. Many hundreds of entries giving the first-hand details of the name of the offender, his or her age, 'calling', country of origin, religion, education, the offence, previous convictions, property found on the prisoner, whether bailed, how 'disposed of', name of the magistrate and other remarks. Unique. Similar to the previous item, some interesting entries include one Edward Bateman, arrested in March 1861 'Charged with being a ticket-of-leave holder illegally at large'; on June 19th 1861 'Davy (Aboriginal)' was charged with Committing a rape on Margaret Rees and on Elizabeth Ann Rees; in February 1868 Lucas Simpson was charged with 'Threatening to take the life of his wife, Jane Simpson' and in March with 'Assaulting his wife'; in March 1869 James Newman was charged with 'Sodomy on the person of Isabella Beaton.....she being only 5 years old.' In April 1891, Thomas Ryan, a miner, was charged with 'Deserting his illegitimate child at Clunes.' Some staining and discolouration, but the majority of the many 100s of entries are completely legible.