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Many diggers are finding the Licence fee expensive and unfair, particularly to those not finding gold. They are unhappy with the treatment received from the police andgovernment authorities who they believe are corrupt. Other diggers wish to purchase land for farming if they can’t find gold, as well as wanting the right to vote at elections. (“No taxation without representation”) Only landowners can vote at this time.
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The final report of the Gold Fields Commission is presented to Governor Hotham.The report advocates that: the Gold Licence be replaced by an export duty on gold,the introduction of a miners right which would give the franchise to the holder andthe abolition of the Gold Commission. These recommendations were subsequentlyimplemented.
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Robert Rede becomes Ballarat’s resident Gold Commissioner.
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James Bentley, Thomas Farrell and William Hence are convicted of the manslaughter of James Scobie. The miners Westerby, Fletcher and McIntyre are convicted and sentenced to gaol terms for the burning of the Eureka Hotel.
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Lt Governor Sir Charles Hotham arrives in Victoria. Hotham faces mountingfinancial debt. He orders weekly Licence hunts in an attempt to increase theColony’s income.
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Governor and Lady Hotham tour the Victorian Goldfields. They are warmly welcomed in Ballarat
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Gov Hotham orders twice weekly Licence hunts to further increase revenue.
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James Scobie is murdered outside the Eureka Hotel. An inquest finds that the wounds were inflicted by an unknown person.
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Following a Coroner’s inquest into the death of Scobie, Bentley is released due to lack of evidence. Many diggers believe that the Magistrate, John Dewes is both a friend and a business partner of Bentley.
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A meeting of up to 10,000 diggers is held near the Eureka Hotel to protest against Bentley’s acquittal. The meeting results in the burning of the Eureka Hotel. The police and military cannot settle the crowd and Commissioner Rede is pelted with eggs.
