The Oriental Bank erected a branch office adjoining the store of Mr. Gibbons in December 1860.
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Also in December the first of a series of riots occurred and would make the name “Lambing Flat” well known to most Australians. The rioters not only attacked the Chinese miners but took to the worst of the grog shanties pulling them down and destroying them. Harris’s sparring saloon at Spring Creek and Clay’s saloon were among the six grog shanties that were destroyed for being a notorious resort of the most desperate characters.
The Commissioner and his two mounted troopers were not in a position to intervene as they were out numbered and as yet were still stationed at Robert’s Currawong Station, 12 miles away.
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A armed escort for the conveyance of gold from Lambing Flat to Yass was commenced. In December. Stoney Creek and Lambing Flat were appointed as places to hold courts of Petty Sessions.
Horse racing was held on Boxing Day on the flat area between where Zouch and Lovell Streets are now. Races were arranged to be held on New Year’s Day at Stoney Creek and a Cricket Match was arranged to be held between Stoney Creek and Lambing Flat.
Henry Zouch, Superintendent of the Mounted Patrol, based at Goulburn, visited the goldfields early in January. He investigated the December riots and left behind, with the Commissioner, seven troopers, under the charge of Sgt.
Brennan, with two detectives. He arranged accommodation at Lambing Flat and recommended two other stations be established, one at Stoney Creek and one in the centre of the three main creeks.
To avoid the European miners and the Chinese miners clashing the troopers have confined the Chinese to the Blackguard Gully area which is about a mile to the east of Lambing Flat.
Early in January Mr. Berger, formerly of the bowling saloon of Yass has started a bakery and confectioner’s shop on a large scale, at which bread is being sold at 9d. per loaf. Mr. Edwards, also of Yass, has opened a wholesale ginger-beer factory and is doing well.
On Sunday 27th January a second riot occurred this time principally against the Chinese. Charles Allan, a store keeper, who took a prominent part in the proceedings appears to be a self elected leader of the anti-Chinese group.
He addressed a mass meeting at Golden Point which was a spot situated beside Burrangong Creek below where Chance Gully emptied into the main creek.
The Commissioner and his troopers by now have a form of barracks situated on the hill known as Camp Hill.
On Saturday ,2 February, the first issue of The Miner and General Advertiser appeared.
The people of Lambing Flat now had their own twice weekly newspaper.
Charles William Morgan, formally of the Goulburn Herald, and who had been printing a paper at Kiandra was the owner and Mr. Isaacs the editor. The paper was printed from an office in Main Street. ( to be continued)
Historian Brian James contribute his column to the Young Witness each week on behalf of the Young Historical Society Inc.
