History with Brian James: Took part in the Lambing Flat Riots

At that time there was still a few people alive that had been eye witnesses of, and even participants in, the Lambing Flat Riots.

Thousands of white men chased the Chinese Diggers from the Gold Fields. On the day one man who helped chase the Chinese from the field was Mr John Law, of William Street, but he did not participate In any aggressive action.

John Law was born 97 years ago so he ought to know something about life and living. His recipe for a long existence is early rising, sobriety and honesty. He has been on the books of the local Temperance Society for many years. Mr Law admits to being a little hazey about his own age. But the records of the Sons of Temperance show that he was born on the May 28, 1837, and he joined the order on May 26, 1874. He is probably the oldest Friendly Society man in the state.

Born in the village of Pellum, Hertfordshire about 50 miles from London, Mr Law, who was the youngest of seven children, was fated to spend very little of his long life in his native land.

He was only 15 when he left home with his brother, Henry, his brother's wife and two children to come to Australia.

The little party left Birkenhead by the sailing vessel Alfred and landed in Sydney 90 days later. Sydney in those days wasn't much. John Laws stood watching them blowing up rocks in George so they could build houses. He was not without a job long, entering the employ of Sir John Long of Potts Point. Henry took a job with a gentleman known as Squire Dale, although he had occasional letters, he never saw his brother again.

Six months later he packed his swag and took to the road. It so happened that the road went south and he arrived at Goulburn where he became a carter for William Davis at the Australian Stores.

At Edwin Butlers Drapery he met a young man who was later to become a wealthy storekeeper at Young, the district coroner and father of a Macquarie Street specialist. His name was GS Whiteman.

After a period of employment at Bradleys Flour Mill he again packed his swag and began pushing his way through the bush to the new goldfields at Lambing Flat. They travelled by bullock wagon, by dray and on horseback, but John Law walked.

At Spring Creek he threw down his kit and began digging with out success. He took a job with Henry Grigg who had a store in Short Street and used to run the mail from Lambing Flat to The Lachlan (Forbes). After that he took on a job at the Exhibition Claim, working 80ft underground, for a shift of eight hours.

After being at Lambing Flat for 18 months John Law had established himself enough to be able to bring his wife to Lambing Flat- he had been married there to an Irish girl named Anne Molyn of County Cavan and had a daughter, now Mrs Eliza Hardy of Dundas Street.

His experience with horses and carting generally led Mr Laws in that direction and at one time he purchased two teams of bullocks and made the trip to Sydney, taking two loads of hides with him, and bringing back general merchandise.

Wet weather delayed him and the venture did not pay. On top of that his cattle contracted ploro which was prevalent in the district and most of them died.

On and off he still continued his search for gold and for many years he was in the employ of the late Edward Taylor, of Rose Hill, looking after his stud horses. After that he took up a selection of 40 acres at Tipperary and did carting work with his own horses and vehicles. His work was mostly with the government through the contractors and the Municipal Council.

Mr Law did his last contract for Joe Hunter at the 13 mile, Temora Road. He sold his horses, plant and bullocks and except for light labour, retired. During his time Mr Law had assisted in building the old goal and the new court house. Four of Mr Laws children survive him. They are; Mrs Elisa Hardy, Dundas St; Mrs John Langridge, Lovell St; Mrs Harry Krebs, Young; and James, Young.