Benjamin Burton and his wife Adeline Maria (nee Trevethan) and their children Doris and Norman	Thomas Perkins with his daughter Charlotte Trevethan sitting. Standing is Charlotte's daughter Adeline Burton and seated is her daughter Doris

St Issey, Cornwall

On the 15th of July 1873, the “Landsborough” (1066 tons) left London bound for Rockhampton where it arrived on the 24th of October 1873 after three months and nine days at sea. Captain Thomas had with him Surgeon Superintendent Dr A R Miller and Matron Mrs Cochot. There were 358 passengers with three deaths on the way and four births. Joseph Trevethan, aged 23 years was an indented passenger. Messrs Govatt and Thompson of the Bareves arranged for him to come to Australia to work at the Peak Downe Copper Mining Company.

Five years later in 1878 there was almost a flood of Trevethan immigrants from St. Issey to Australia with the “Glamis” bringing no less than twelve to Maryborough and the “Landsborough” bringing another three to Rockhampton. Both these ports are on the Queensland coast.

On the “Glamis” were three of Samuel and Mary Trevethan’s offspring. There was their eldest son Isaac aged thirty with his wife Sophia and their four young children Eliza, Bertha, Samuel and Alice all under six years old. Robert their eighteen old son and their cousins, the children of Thomas and Nancy Trevethan, James aged twenty five and his brother William aged twenty three were also on board. there may have been a number of other Trevethans on the ship. All of these young people are cousins of our Thomas Trevethan who was by now already in New Zealand.

On the “Landsborough” was Joseph Trevethan who at the moment I cannot connect with our family. Joseph married Laura Cook and had a daughter , Fanny in 1886. Also on board were Ellen and Elizabeth Trevethan who may well have been Robert Trevethan’s sisters.

The “New Guinea” (3000 tons) left London on the 1st of January 1886 and arrived at Brisbane, Australia on the 3rd of March 1886 after two months and two days at sea. The Captain was W J Wale who had with him Surgeon Superintendent Dr Ch Ford Webb and Miss Pozer as matron. On board was Elizabeth J Trevethan then aged fifteen years, a domestic servant who could read and write. I am sure that this was our Thomas Trevathan’s daughter on her way to her father in New Zealand after all those years apart. A father she had never meet, for she was born after he left Cornwall!

St Issey Village, Cornwall

The following year the “Chyebassa” (2000 tons), under the charge of Captain Wilson left London on the 10th of August 1887 and arrived at Brisbane, Australia on the 4th of October 1887 after only one month and twenty four days at sea. The doctor on this ship was Surgeon Superintendent Dr Usher and the matron Mrs Turnbull. Only one Trevethan was on this ship and that was Ellen Trevethan, a domestic servant aged twenty one who could read and write.
The final ship of interest to us was the “Shenir” which left Plymouth on the 20th of May 1880 arriving in Brisbane, Australia on the 25th of August 1880 after a long voyage of three months and five days. Captain Sterling was in command and his Surgeon Superintendent was W Bollard. The matron for the voyage was Miss McAlister. This was the ship that was to bring John D Parsons aged 26, his wife Emma Parsons (nee Trevethan) aged 20 and there two children John Parsons aged 5 and Laura Parsons aged 1. This is of course one of our New Zealand families who must have made it on to New Zealand at some later date.

Interestingly to us in New Zealand is that the spelling of our name Trevethan did not change on arrival in Australia as it did in New Zealand and therefore our Australian relations still spell their name the correct Cornish way.

Robert Trevethan, 1859 - 1945.

Robert Trevethan at his Wentworthville home with some of his children. c.1900

Robert Trevethan was born on the 16th of December 1859 in Berwick, St. Issey, Cornwall to his parents Samuel and Mary Trevethan. In 1861 Samuel, the brother of David Trevethan whose children came to New Zealand, was an agricultural labourer at Trevance, Merewick. His natural mother and Samuel’s second wives maiden name was Mary Jane Chapman.

Mary Hawley, Samuel’s first wife, appears to have died as a result of childbirth. She was the mother of Robert’s half brother, Isaac with whom he came to Australia. She was also the mother of Robert’s half sisters, Eliza and Susan.

Little is known of Robert’s early life. He came from a large family which consisted not only of those children mentioned already but also the children of his father’s second marriage. These

Robert Trevethan his wife Milba Jane and children c. 1910-15

included Jane, Annie, Bessie, Elizabeth, Ellen and Samuel. Most of the male members of the family appear to have been agricultural labourers or miners. The women appear to have been home makers. In the small close-knit community of St. Issey lived a number of Trevethan families all with a common ancestry so Robert would have known his cousins and other extended family members quite well.

It is not known exactly why Robert left Cornwall. It may have been due to an agricultural depression or a family scandal which involved his Uncle Thomas who was married with a large family, but who also maintained a mistress, Elizabeth Veale.

What ever the reason, in 1878 at the age of eighteen years Robert Trevethan came out to Australia on the “Glamis” and it appears that as with the New Zealand family his parents remained in Cornwall. He arrived at the port of Maryborough on the Queensland coast along with a number of other Trevethans and it is possible that he visited or even first lived with his cousin Maria Betts (nee Trevathan) at Ipswich. Maria of course later came on to New Zealand with the other members of our New Zealand family. One member of the family in Australia said that Robert while living in Queensland saw an advertisement in the paper for a job at the quarry near Bondi and went and settled there. From here he lived in various parts of Sydney, mainly on the north western outskirts, working as an orchardist, an aviarist and a blue metal contractor.
However by 1888 he was definitely in Sydney as he married a local girl Milber Jane Ashton

Minnamurra Bridge with Trevethan Street in the background about 1910-15

whose roots go back to the early 1800’s in Australia. The wedding was held in the St. Matthews church at Windsor on the outskirts of Sydney on the 26th of April 1888. The celebrant was Rev A R Blacket and the marriage was witnessed by Charles E Aston, Andrew L James and Grace E Ashton.

Around this time he operated a quarry at Dundas in Sydney which he took over after the convicts ceased operating it. The quarried stone was taken to Ermington Wharf by dray along a very bad piece of road where the drays frequently sank to their axles, with the tail board dragging on the ground. The blue metal had been quarried here for seventy years from 1832 till 1902 for the streets of Sydney and suburbs. This quarry was probably leased from the Sydney City Council after they took control of it from the New South Wales Government. It seems that his elder brother Isaac kept the books for the quarry and that his cousin James Trevethan was also employed there. James is recorded in the electoral rolls on a number of occasions as a labourer of Quarry Road, Dundas but on one occasion as a quarry master. The large wooden family home at this site in Quarry Road, in the Parramatta City Council, still stands today and the Quarry site itself has been converted into playing fields.

Trevethan Quarry, Minnamurra,

Robert must have done quite well since around 1910 he moved to Kiama on the south coast of New South Wales and opened a blue metal quarry of his own. He sent Mr. Phillis to clear the land that was to become Trevethan Street where he built a row of miners’ cottages and also a family home for himself and his large family. A private branch line, opened on the second of September 1912, known at the time as Trevethan’s Siding serviced the quarry and it’s produce. It was later closed in February of 1943. During the construction of the railway siding five men were killed when an explosion occurred due to the premature firing of a charge.

Robert sold his interests in the Minnamurra quarry in 1919 to New South Wales Blue Metal Ltd. Today what interests remain in the land are owned by Boral Industries, although the quarry itself ceased operations in late 1939.

Miners' huts, Trevethan Street, Minnamurra 1983

The family home at Kiama has since been demolished to make way for road widening but the miners cottages are still there today and the street they face was until 1989 still called Trevethan Street. As a result of a petition from the residents of this street it has now been renamed The Village by the Kiama Council which was disputed by our Australian relations. While to date the Council have not reinstated this street with its historical name they have now set aside a piece of land adjacent to the street and along the banks of the Minnamurra River as a reserve to be known as Trevethan Reserve. Thus the Trevethan association with the area has been preserved.

Trevethan Quarry as it is today 1990

Their first of eight children, Samuel was born in 1889 but was later killed in a mining accident at the Dundas quarry when he was aged about eighteen. Of the other seven children six survived into adulthood while Robert junior died as a baby.

Robert operated the quarry until he retired some time in the 1920’s when Trevethan’s quarry was sold after having been built into a thriving business which left him quite a wealthy man. He retired to Sydney where he lived in various houses one of which was the house on Liverpool Road where he died at the age of 85 years. This substantial home with a third floor glass attic is still standing today. Before this he lived in a larger home that became too big to maintain with its large area of land and tennis court.

Robert was rather a good looking man, if rather severe in appearance. In photographs he had a goatee style beard with a moustache, all neat and carefully trimmed. In his later years he went blind. He is said to have had a rather autocratic personality.

Trevethan Street, Minnamurra

Politically, Robert was conservative and tended to be anti-trade union. It is said that when some workers came to him with demands at Dundas, he said to them not to worry since he was closing operations at Dundas anyway! Needless to say, these men were not offered jobs at Minnamurra!

Robert survived his wife by some seven years, dying at his Burwood home on 6th June, 1945. His life had been a full one. By this time he had reached well over 85 years of age. He is buried alongside his wife in the Methodist Cemetery at Rookwood in Sydney. At his death his estate was sworn at 30,908 pounds net which was split evenly between his surviving children.

Thomas Henry Trevethan, 1851 - 1913.

Another of the cousins to go to Australia was Thomas Trevethan, the son of Thomas and Nancy, who is thought to have left Cornwall in 1873 at the age of twenty two years making his arrival five years ahead of his cousin who arrived on the “Glamis”. Ten years after his arrival in Australia he married Alice Broers in Kiama, New South Wales and they raised a large family of nine children who were mainly born at Yalwal, a small mining town out of Nowra. Alice was the daughter of a German carpenter, Johan Hunrich Broers and a convict’s daughter Rachael Ann Harris. Thomas’s cousin Isaac Trevethan and his wife Sophia were witnesses at the wedding.
Thomas worked as a fedler in the mines and quarries around Bulli and Mirmanurra but later gave up coal mining for gold mining but he didn’t strike it rich. Thomas seemed to have little contact with his other relatives in Australia and it is thought that there was a split and “bad blood” concerning the quarry at Mirmannurra. Nobody today knows what the argument was about. He was later to die in 1913 at Bellambi of “miners lung” disease.

One of their children was Alice, born just before the turn of the century. She became engaged to a soldier named Frank Crago and bore his child while he was serving in the armed forces during the First World War. He considered the child not to be his, due to interference by his sister and consequently called off the engagement. Two years after the birth of this child Nancy married another soilder, Arthur Veigel but he was gassed by the Germans and suffered greatly from the effect the mustard gas had on his lungs. He became very disturbed and consequently hung himself from the roof rafters on the verandah of their house. Alice found him and never ever really got over the tragedy. She remarried seven years later to Alfed Halcrow and had one further child, a daughter by the name of Marjorie.

At an early age of about two years, somehow or other, Alice got gangrene and had to have some of her toes and part of her ankle bone removed; rendering her semi crippled for the rest of her life. The affliction didn’t stop her from working however as she lived a busy but happy life looking after her mother after she had a stroke and eventually died in 1933.

William Trevethan.

Another Australian of interest is a William Henry Trevethan who settled in Steiglitz around about 1869 after marrying Elizabeth Rowe. They raised a family of five girls and three boys.
At the time Steiglitz was a thriving gold mining town with a population of over one thousand people but by the late 1890s the houses were being sold for a few pounds each as the miners moved on. Today Steiglitz is a Historic Park.

By 1891 William had moved north to Ballarat just west of Melbourne. At the moment we have been unable to fit him into the Australian family and as he was born at Ellstone in Cornwall he may not even be related to our family. At the time of the First World War he had a son by the name of John Daniel Trevethan who lived at Broadway, Reefton, New Zealand who became a private in the Fourth Auckland Infantry Battalion.

So you can see that there were a very large number of Trevethan arrivals in Australia in the last half of the 19th century and therefore there must be a large number of different Trevethan families in Australia today. At the moment I am in contact with two of their descendants but much further research still needs to be done in Australia to get a complete picture.

Isaac Trevethan, 1848 - 1925.

Isaac was born in 1848 in St. Issey parish in Cornwall. His parents were Samuel Trevethan and Mary Hawley. When Isaac was about seven years old his mother died as a result of the birth of his sister Susan Hawley Trevethan. At this time there were three children in the family. Isaac the eldest, and his two sisters Eliza and Susan. Two years later his father remarried to Mary Jane Chapman and the family expanded further with the arrival of Mary, Jane, Robert, Annie, Bessie, Elizabeth, Ellen and Samuel.

Little is known of Issac’s early life, but at some time he must have had some schooling because he acted as a bookkeeper for a time in Australia. On 7th October, 1871 Isaac married Sophia Elliot at St. Issey church in Cornwall as had many generations before him. The births of Eliza Mary (1872), Bertha Jane (1874), Samuel George (1875) and Alice (1877) followed soon after. All had names that were traditional family names going back for generations.

For some reason, perhaps it was a family scandal or because of the agrarian depression of the times, Isaac decided to take his young family to Australia to start a new life there. He left on board the “Glamis” which arrived in Maryborough, Queensland in 1878. On board were a number of other Trevethans including his half brothers Robert and cousins James and William, and others from the family.

It was not long before Isaac had moved his family to New South Wales where more children followed including Lottie (1880), Frederick I (1882) and Beatrice Laura (1884). The family lived in many places which included Cooper Street, Waterloo where Lottie was born and Kiama where Beatrice was born. In June 1883 Isaac and Sophia attended the wedding of Isaac’s cousin Thomas Henry to Alice Broers at Kiama. Isaac and Sophia appear as the witnesses at this wedding so perhaps they were already living in Kiama by this time. However, Isaac was living at Bowral, where he worked as a gardener by 1890. It was here tragedy struck the family and his first wife was struck down with T.B. She died there on May 5th, 1890 and is buried at the Church of England Cemetery, Bowral. By this time three of Issac’s daughters had also died; Lottie, Beatrice and Alice.

For a brief time around 1913 he lived at Quarry Road, Dundas and worked as a book keeper for his younger brother at the Dundas quarry there. Interestingly though, his second wife does not appear on the electoral rolls at this address although she was still alive at this time. Later Isaac lived at “Mayville”, Irene Street, Abbotsford. This may have been the home of his son, Frederick, as he also lived in this street.

Isaac remarried in 1894 to Florence Young, but there were no children of this marriage. Little is known of his life after this time until his death on 6th November, 1925 at Abbotsford. He was buried in the Methodist section of Rookwood Cemetery, Sydney. At the time of his death he was an old age pensioner and his previous occupation was given as gardener. Isaac’s second wife lived till January, 1934 and was buried alongside him.

An interesting feature of documentation relating to Isaac is the fact that his surname is not consistently spelled. Sometimes it follows our New Zealand spelling of “Trevathan” or “Trevathen”, and sometimes it follows the generally accepted Australian spelling of “Trevethan”.

James Trevethan, 1853 - 1927.

It would seem that James was born c.1853 at St. Issey in Cornwall. His parents where Thomas Trevethan and Nancy Udy. It appears that he arrived in Australia on board the “Glamis” in 1878 with his brother William. On board the ship were a number of other Trevethans, including his cousins Isaac and his family, and Robert who was unmarried. His other brother, Thomas also came to Australia at some stage.

What happened to James in his early years in Australia is unclear. He may not have married because he appears in electoral rolls after 1903 by himself. In 1903 he was working as a contractor at Dundas. Interestingly, his occupation is given as labourer in 1906, although his cousin Robert appears as a contractor at Dundas after this date. It appears that Robert, Isaac and their cousin James all worked at the Dundas quarry for a time, although it appears to be Robert who was the quarry master during its last years of operation.

By 1915 James had moved to Meehan Street, Granville, New South Wales, where he was a carter. He died on 3rd October, 1927 and is buried at Rookwood Cemetery, Sydney, in the same section as his cousins Robert and Issac. Interestingly he is buried as James Travathan.

Transportation to Australia

While I have found no record of Trevethan’s being transported as convicts to Australia I did come across one case in which Joseph Trevethan was involved in one⁽¹⁾.

Nicholas Head Lewis, alias Nicholas Head, who was a labourer from Truro was convicted of stealing two hams from Joseph Trevethan. He had previously been convicted at Launceston sessions on the 24th of March 1830 and as a result of this new charge of stealing the hams was transported for 14 years! Hard to imagine such a harsh sentence in today's world.

(1) Quarter Sessions Order Books at the Cornwall Records Office QS1/12/185Captain James

Trevarthen Family to Australia.

Captain James Trevarthen.

Not only was the Trevethan family in Australia in the 19th century but also the Trevarthen family. Sixty kilometres south east of Canberra is a small ex mining settlement known as Captain’s Flat. In its hay day in 1882 it had a population of many thousands but today it would be luck to have more than one hundred and fifty inhabitants. The origin of the name of this settlement is the subject of much debate but one suggestion is that it is named after Captain James Trevarthen.

It may seem odd that a town built on hills should be called Captain’s Flat but the drovers who named it had the valley floor in mind, not the settlement that squeezed up the slope. That they honoured a Captain in their christening there can be no doubt - but was the Captain a bloke or a bullock?

The town’s name has an earlier history than the town. It was well established when the goldrush brought settlers to the area in 1882. By that time the Flat had acquired a number of Captain connections including; three military captains, one sea captain, one mining captain and a bullock called Captain.

James Trevarthen, a mining captain, fossicked in the area some years before its gold rush days. He originally came from England to work as a mining captain at Byng but in 1872 he accepted a job as mining supervisor in Currawang (near Collector). From there his prospecting expeditions took him farther and farther afield.

His wife, Rosina Symons, endured weeks of loneliness while her husband explored the ranges. She said that he spent so much time in a certain river valley that his mates called his camp the Captain’s Flat.

Click the links below to view the family trees in PDF format. If you need a PDF reader then click the link below to go to the Adobe site for a free download.

NEW AUSTRALIA RESEARCH = NOVEMBER 2012

Adolphus Henry Trevethan, 1811-1852

Adolphus Henry Trevethan was born at Maker, Cornwall in 1811 but we don’t know when Adolphus and his elder brother William came to Australia but the first mention of them is an advertisement for unclaimed letters in March 1841 making him about 30 years of age.

Unclaimed Letters

In 1841 a number of records can be found with lists of unclaimed letters for the Trevethan family:

List of unclaimed letters for the month of March, 1841:
Mr. Trevethan

Letters for the month of September, 1841:
Mr. Trevethan

General Post Office, Sydney, 8th October, 1841. List of Unclaimed Letters for the month of September, 1841:
Mr. Trevethan

Imports

During 1847 there are a number of records in the Moreton Bay Courier of items being imported Trevethans:

Saturday 23 January 1847
Trevethan; 1 case drapery, 1 box soap, 1 box glass, 1 case,

Saturday 6 March 1847
A. Trevethan; 1 case,

Lost Cheques

From the Sydney Morning Herald we find and advertisement on Monday the 15^th of January 1849:

THE undersigned cautious the Public from the under mentioned Cheques and Orders, they having been Mislaid or Stolen. Payment of the whole has been slopped.

A. H. Trevethan, favour of W. Lack
W. Trevethan, favour of P. O'Neil

Exports

The Moreton Bay Courier (Brisbane, on the 3^rd of February 1849 report the export of wool by a Trevethan as follows:

20 bales wool, Trevethan

Trouble with the Aboriginals 1851

 The Sydney Morning Herald on 1 Oct 1851 reports of the murder of George Nelson Street at Wide Bay and the help provide by Adolphus Trevethan. Little did he know that he was soon to receive the same fate. 

FRIGHTFUL MURDER BY THE BLACKS AT WIDE BAY.

By the Albion schooner, which arrived on Thursday last from Wide-Bay, intelligence has been received of the murder by the blacks of Mr. George Nelson Street, lately of Cassilis, who had recently moved his sheep from the latter place to Wide Bay, for the purpose of forming stations there. About three weeks ago he was missed from his temporary station, and search being immediately made, his body was discovered the following day frightfully mutilated by the spears of the natives. In so dreadful state was the body, that it was necessary to bury it where it was discovered. We are bound to add, that no sooner was the murder of their master known, than his shepherds left his flocks to the mercy of the blacks, and broached a cask of wine which had just arrived at the station. Some of the run holders in the neighborhood hearing of this must disturbing proceeding, by force broke the bend of the cask, and Mr. Trevethan, on whoso run poor Mr. Street's sheep wore for the present deparsturing, took charge of them and the rest of his property. Mrs. Street is still at Cassilis awaiting advice of her unfortunate husbands settlement in his chosen district. Mr. Street, who was in the very prime of life (about 36 years of age), was universally esteemed for his many excellent qualities. There were upwards of twenty spear wounds in his body. We are told that, previous to leaving Sydney, some presentiments of his fate oppressed him; and that he gave to a friend his ring, begging of him, "if he «ere killed by the blacks to wear it for his sake". On September the  22nd a correspondent, in the Herald of the 23rd, states that Mr. Trevethan's station is in the Burnett district, 200 miles from Wide Bay.

More Lost Cheques Reported

From the Moreton Bay Courier 21 June 1851:

Classified Advertising

NOTICE.

THE PUBLIC are requested not to receive the following CHEQUES, drawn by A. H. TREVETHAN, ESQ., on the NEW SOUTH WALES BANK, the same having been lost by me.

The cheques were payable to T. Cater, John Thompson and Thomas Cater of Ranbell.

Crown Leases Obtained By Adolphus Trevethan

Below is a record of Adolphus Trevethan obtaining the crown lease to three runs a total of 82,480 acres capable of carrying 16,000 sheep.

Crown Lands Office, Sydney 24^th July, 1851
It is hereby notified, for general information, that the tenders of the under mentioned properties having been accepted for the runs of Crown Land, specified in connection with their respect; the names, and, payment of the first year's rent having in each case been made, the occupation of the land has been authorized, pending the preparation of the leases, and subject to all the conditions and reservations specified in Her Majesty's Orders in Council, having reference to the occupation of Crown Lands, and in the Regulations issued in pursuance thereof.

George Barney.

 

31 July 1851

BURNETT.

05. Trevethan Adolphus. Name of run, Rawbell. Estimated area, 21,000 acres. Estimated grazing capabilities, 4000 sheep.

83. Trevethan Adolphus. Name of run, Dry Creek. Estimated area, 20,000 acres. Estimated grazing capabilities, 4000 sheep.

67. Trevethan Adolphus. Name of run, Coominglah. Estimated area, 21,480 acres. Estimated grazing capabilities, 4000 sheep

69 Trevethan Adolphus, Name of run, Mount Fortitude. Estimated area, 20,000 acres. Estimated grazing capabilities, 4000 sheep.

After Adolphus’s death I found in December of 1853 he obtained a further lease of crown land at Scrub Creek. Seems there is a date problem as on his death it is recorder that he did in fact have the lease for this property.

Crown Lands Office, Sydney, 26th December,'l 853.
It is hereby notified, for general information, that the tenders of the under mentioned parties have been accepted for the runs of crown lands mentioned opposite their respective names.

.The first year's rent in each case as here under stated, must be paid to the Colonial Treasury within sixty days from the present date. Default of which the tenderers will forfeit any right acquired by virtue of their tenders.

Geo. Barney,
Chief Commissioner of Crown Land?.

Burnett District.

Adolphus H. Trevethan-Scrub Creek ; rent, £10.

Accepted Tenders For Runs.

Crown Lands Office, Sydney, 26th December, l853.

It is hereby notified, for general information, that the tenders of the under mentioned parties have been accepted for the runs of crown lands mentioned opposite their respective name. The first year's rent in [    ] case as here under stated, must be paid to the Colonial Treasury within sixty days from the present date. In default of which the tenderers will forfeit any right acquired by virtue of their tenders.

Geo. Barney,
Chief Commissioner of Crown Land.

Burnett District.

Adolphus H. Trevethan-Scrub Creek; rent, £10.

Depasturing Licenses 1847

What a depasturing license is I have no idea but on a list of persons who have obtained Licenses to Depasture Stock beyond the limits of their location, for the year ending 30th June, 1847 can be found:

Trevethan Adolphus

More Trouble with the Aboriginals 1852

A report of a missing party and attacks on Adolphus Trevethans station 6 March 1852:

Dawson River. From this locality we learn that several persons have been searching for a Mr. Mitchell, from the Clarence river, and a young man named Headley , son of Mr. Walter Headley, formerly overseer for Sir Evan Mackenzie. Some weeks ago they left one of the stations on the Dawson, Mr. Mitchell being in search of a run, and they have not since been heard of. The last party had returned without finding any trace of them. The blacks were exceedingly troublesome, and it was reported that they had attacked Mr. Trevethan's station. Mr. Murray the recently appointed Lieutenant of Native Police, was about to start with a party to Mr. Trevethan's.  

The Murder of Adolphus Trevethan - 29^th March 1852

Burnett District, from a Correspondent.

March 31.-The aborigines have again commenced .hostilities in this district. A special messenger arrived last night from the Upper Burnett, to report the death of Mr. Adolphus H. Trevethan, one of the most extensive flock owners in the district. It appears that on Monday last the blacks appeared upon the station in numbers, killed two Chinamen, and drove away 1700 sheep. Before Mr. Trevethan "was aware of this they marched on the head station, some 500 strong, and with loud voices and gesticulations, demanded that Mrs. Thompson, the wife of the overseer, should be given up to them. On this Mr. Trevethan ran out of his hut, unarmed, to hold a parley. He was in the act of picking up some tobacco he bad given, which they threw with vengeance to the .ground, when he was speared in several places. The unfortunate man succeeded in getting back to his hut, where he expired in about two hours.

The blacks then drove away the whole of the rams, with the rest of the sheep. This station is the same as that on which Mr. Street was killed some months ago. Only last shearing the blacks bailed up all the shearer, and took the whole of their blankets, tea, sugar, quart and pint pots, and clothing, away; the men not being able to resist for want or arms and ammunition. Rawbell is not far from the bead quarters of the Native .Police, but unfortunately Lieutenant Murray with his division are .out on the Dawson fever, almost nil to a man, from the Lieutenant downwards, laid up with fever and ague. Lieutenant Marshall is at Ideraway with his division, his horses knocked up with excessive duty. Surely this zealous, active officer ought to have more means at his command for the heavy duty he has to perform. Two horses at least are required for each trooper, as it appears that these Native Police have not only to do duty as a frontier force, but also as a patrol. They came into Gayndah the other day with four of Mr. -Gordon Sundeman's Chinamen, the ringleaders in a revolt, in which the Chinese shepherds left 28,000 sheep in the hurdles, and fled the station. Fortunately Lieutenant Marshall happened to be .in the neighborhood, and he arrested the ringleaders, and persuaded the others hack to their duty. The four mentioned were brought up at the Police Office on Tuesday, and fully committed to the next Brisbane assizes. A petition is about to go the round amongst the whole of the squatters in the Kurnott district for they are all employers of Chinese labour praying his Excellency will appoint a Chinese interpreter to the Bench; the whole of their worships' attention being taken up every Court day in deciding disputes between the celestials mid their employers; and as they do not yet exactly understand the language, these talks are necessarily one-sided. Tile Bench, it is stated, have therefore decided upon applying for a paid Chinese interpreter.

April 4.-Since writing the above, Lieutenant Marshall has marched through iiajndah with his .division, en route to the scene of the late horrid disaster. We hope soon to hear of the murderers being taken or shot. There appears to be some doubt amongst the squatters as to which of the Trevethans it is that has been murdered, as there are two brothers, but from all I  can gather I .believe it is the youngest, Mr. A. H. Trevethan.

Court Cases For Murder of Adolphus Trevethan

Davy, aboriginal native, was inedited for the willful murder of Adolphus-Henry Trevethan, at Rawbcll on the 29th March, 1852.

The prisoner did not plead, but, was remanded till next assizes, owing to the lack of police trial witnesses, these witnesses, John Thompson and James Carney, were called, and not answering, their recognizance were ordered to be entreated.

Peter Mullins and James Anderson were discharged by proclamation.

Six weeks after Adolphus Trevethans death an aboriginal named Davy was brought before the Brisbane Court on a charge of murder and the following is a report from a local newspaper:

Brisbane, Circuit Court, Saturday, the 20^th of May, 1952.
Davy, an aboriginal native, was indicted for the willful murder of Adolphus Henry Trevethan, at Rawbell, in the Burnett district, on the 29th March 1852.        

There was only one witness in this case, the others being unaccountably absent, but the evidence given was very clear and distinct.

James Carney deposed that he was a workman at Rawbell on the 28th or 29th March, 1852, and early in the morning a large number of blacks, about three hundred, came to the station. Mr. Trevethan and five or six men went out, and Mr. Trevethan, laying down his gun, called upon some of the blacks whom he recognized to put down their spears and come forward to parley with him. About half a dozen of them did so, and amongst them witness distinctly recognized the prisoner Davy, who was well known to him before, and had been frequently employed at the station. After some talk with them, Mr. Trevethan went to the store and got some tobacco for them. They then asked for pipes, and Mr. Trevethan procured some from the store. He went up to the half dozen blacks, and they surrounded him. In a few seconds afterwards witness, who saw no blow struck, observed.

Mr. Trevethan came up to the hut with his hand on his breast, exclaiming "I'm dead.   I'm dead." He had five spear wounds in his breast, three of which were near the heart, one in the right breast, and one in the abdomen. The blacks with whom he had been parleying were then running away to the main body, who were about three hundred yards off. Here they resumed their weapons, and finally they moved off. Mr. Trevethan died in about two hours after he received the wounds. Witness saw no spears with the blacks when Mr. Trevethan was talking to them, but several spears were afterwards found near the spot where he stood.

The Attorney-General wished to put in evidence of the custom of the blacks to trail the spears with their toes, so that the grass may conceal them, but this was held inadmissible. The evidence of Walter Middleton was read, with the view of showing that another black, named Paddy, might have been mistaken for the prisoner; but the witness Carney, who knew both blacks, was firm in identifying the prisoner.

The jury found the prisoner guilty, and his Honour passed sentence of death upon him, in the usual form.

As you will have read from above, Adolphus’s older brother, William, was also in Australia at the time and a newspaper advertisement of the 28^th of August tells of letters waiting for him.

Albion Wharf Sydney, August 28 – Mr. William Trevethan, brother of the late Mr. Adolphus Trevethan of Burnett River, Wide Bay, Several letters for the above named gentleman are lying at the [              ] TOWNS POST, on the new South Head Road.

Auction of Adolphus Trevethan’s Property

Soon after his brothers murder William Trevethan as administrator of Adolphus’s estate advertised his brothers land and stock for sale as reported in a local newspaper:

By order of William Trevethan, Esq., administrator to the Estate and Effects of Adolphus Henry Trevethan, Esq., of Burnett River, deceased.

Magnificent Stations in Burnett District, capable of pasturing at least 60,000 sheep, the country being fully equal to the pick of the Darling Downs together with the following first-class sheep, viz.:

1,200 Maiden ewes, to lamb and now lambing
700 Young ewes, with July lambs by their sides
4,000 Ewes, 3 to 4 years old, to lamb and now lambing
1,200 Ditto, 6 to 6 years ditto
3,000 Wethers, 3 to 4 years
1,900 Ditto, 2 years old
5,000 Hoggets, mixed sexes
100 Rams
17,100 more or less.

Mr. I R. MORT has received instructions to sell by public auction, at the Rooms, Pitt-street, on Friday, 24th September, at 1 o'clock,

The splendid pastoral property above referred to, to close the accounts of the late Mr.
Trevethan's Estate.

The Stations are well known in the district as being unsurpassed in their qualities for pastoral purposes as any in the colony. They are situate about 70 to 80 miles from the Post Town of Gayndah, and 150 to 160 miles from the Shipping Port of Maryborough, and are known by their respective names of “Dry Creek,” “Coomingah," "Mount Fortitude," "Rawbell," and " Tween,” the whole forming one compact block of first-rate sheep country, where flocks can be carried in any size; the abundance of water afforded by the leading branches of the Burnett River independent of the numerous creeks and lagoons, with the never-failing and splendid supply of the most fattening grasses, admitting of ample support for at the very least 60,000 or 70,000 sheep.

The Improvements, combine all that are necessary, including substantial dwelling house, slabbed and floored, with verandah, and containing four rooms, besides detached kitchen and store; Large Wool Shed; huts at the Head Station, and at various
out-stations; stall horse paddock and garden. 1000 or 1200 hurdles.

There are 20 working bullocks, 3 drays, supplies for six months, 7 or 8 milk cows, about 30 horses, besides station implements, utensils, and furniture, which must be taken at a valuation. Indeed, the station is in first rate working order.

All the indifferent and old sheep have been selected and boiled down during the past season, leaving the flocks very choice. They are warranted sound, and never diseased.

The station is adjoined by those of Messrs. Archer and McKay, and the mounted police are stationed within twenty miles of the head station.

A more valuable sheep property was never offered than the one above described, and as the purchaser will have the benefit of an immediate clip, and a great increase from the lambs, a large portion of the purchase money will be forthcoming upon taking delivery.

Terms may be learnt on application at the office of the auctioneer, with any further particulars which may be required.

If only we new the outcome of the action and how much money was raised and what happened to the money.

Inquiry Into Adolphus Trevethan’s Death

Some time in the year following Adolphus Trevethans murder an inquiry was held at Rawbell and the following is a report from a newspaper of an unknown date:

Murders by the Burnett Blacks - Inquiry
We have received a minute of inquiry held by Mr. R. P. Marshall, J. P., on the 4th ultimo, at Rawbell in the Burnett district, touching the murder of Mr. A. H. Trevethan, and one of his Chinese shepherds, by the native blacks. It appears that on the 29th March last, a servant on the Rawbell station, John Thompson, sent a black boy to bring down the working bullocks from the ridge at the back of the homestead. The boy shortly afterwards came back in terror, saying that a large party of blacks were "close up." Thompson armed himself and saw that a party of the aborigines, headed by two well known chiefs, Jacky and Killcommurry, were advancing. He presented his piece at the leaders, who threw their boomerangs at him. Mr. Trevethan, by this time, hearing the alarm, came out, and at the head of five of his servants drove the blacks up the ridge. Recollecting, however, that his nephew was in the neighboring bush, looking after some stray horses, he forbade his party to fire. The two leaders called out to Mr. Trevethan that they were not "coola" (angry), only those with them were "coola." Mr. Trevethan, entrapped by this assurance, and anxious for his nephew's safety, threw down his piece, and went towards the blacks; the two leaders throwing down their weapons at the same time, and asking for tobacco. Mr. Trevethan told them that he would give them tobacco when they brought back the property of which they had robbed the station. Jacky thereupon consulted with his party, and a blanket, coat, and some other articles were produced, which had been stolen from the station some time before. Mr. Trevethan then went back to the store, and got some tobacco, which he distributed to the blacks. He returned to the store for a second supply, and having given it to them, he stooped to pick up the restored stolen property, when five spears were hurled at him, and the unfortunate gentleman staggered back mortally wounded to his own servants. The blacks followed, yelling and throwing their boomerangs; but upon a shot being fired by one of the servants, they retired.

Mr. Trevethan died a few minutes afterwards. He had received two wounds in the chest, one in the belly, one near the ear, and one in the face. His nephew, Mr. Richard Trevethan, for whose safety he had temporized with his murderers, was in sight of the party, and had tempted to reach the homestead; but finding this impracticable in the face of about a hundred savages; he hid himself among the reeds of the neighboring river. After murdering his uncle, several of the blacks passed close to the spot where the young man lay hid, but providentially without perceiving him. After two hours of fearful suspense, he made his way to the house, where he found that his uncle had died of the wounds received from the natives' spears. About an hour after the murder, the stockman Thompson missed a Chinese shepherd, who had charge of the rams, and, accompanied by three men, he went in search of him; at the distance of about 120 yards from the homestead, they found the body of the poor fellow, horribly wounded; the skull being completely smashed. The rams, by the traces, had been driven off by the murderers. A detachment of the native police, accompanied by Mr. William Trevethan, a brother of the deceased, some time afterwards proceeded in quest of the murderers; and on the 16th ultimo, Lieutenant Marshall found the body of a black lying in the scrub, which was identified to be that of Jacky, one of the leaders of the attacking party. From the evidence afterwards taken before the magistrates, it appears, that Jacky, in endeavoring to effect his escape from his pursuers, was shot through the head by a trooper of the native police.

From the Queenslander (Brisbane) dated Saturday 15 August 1896 we find another mention of Adolpus Trevethan:

MR. MACKAY.   Mr. Hugh W. E. Mackay is an old Queensland pioneer, who so long ago as the year 1850 found himself on Rawbelle station, Burnett district, then the furthest out station in that direction. The country had but' recently been taken up by Mr. Adolphus Trevathan, who not long .afterwards was killed during an attack on the station by the blacks, 'Mr. MacKay himself being speared at the same-.time. For a period of thirteen years Mr. Mackay remained engaged in station-work-on the Burnett, when he took; charge- of. Boxvale Station

Alfred Trevethan

The first mention of Albert was in the Government Gazette of Friday, February 3, 1854 listed returned letters and one was for Alfred Trevethan:

General Post Office, Sydney.

List of letters returned from the country, and now lying at this office unclaimed addressed to persons residing in the Hunter River and Northern Districts.

Parties applying for unclaimed letters are requested to state particularly the date of the list in which their names appear, as such reference will materially facilitate delivery.

Trevathan Ewf Adolph

Annie Trevethan

The Brisbane Courier on the 20^th of April 1879 reported the death of Annie Trevethan:

Trevethan - On the 20th April, at Junction Creek, Northern Queensland, Annie, the beloved wife of Alfred Trevethan, aged 20 years.   

Death of Alfred Trevethan

Just a short notice about the death of Alfred Trevethan from the Cairns Post on Wednesday the 15^th of January 1890: 

Alfred Trevethan the well-known Northern gold miner, brother to the ex-Mayor of Toowoomba was drowned at Fort Dawson to-day white crossing the river.

The Cairns Post reported on January the 14^th more details of Alfred Trevethan’s death in Western Australia:

A Man’s Best Friend
It has been said that “if a man has a sovereign in each pocket he stands between two friends," and there is a lot of truth in it. But the best of friends must part, and sovereigns are no exception to the rule; still, when you do part with them, let it be to the best advantage, and there is no better way of doing this than by leaving your orders with Chas. Gilbert, the loading tailor, who, it is well known, combines excellence with economy.

Referring to the death in West Australia of   Alfred Trevethan, brother of the late Mr. Thomas Trevethan, of Toowoomba (reported in our telegrams this morning), the Chronicle says: Mr. Alfred Trevethan was better known on some of the North Queensland goldfields than elsewhere. He was an enthusiastic gold prospector, and he spent a large amount of money in privately prospecting for gold in the Northern districts and other places. For some years he has been in West Australia, and some of the earlier discoveries of gold in that colony were due to Mr. Trevethan. He went overland from North Queensland to West Australia, prospecting on the way, and the results of his discoveries were reported to the authorities. Like many other pioneers, Mr. Trevethan did not benefit largely by his labours. Others have followed on the tracks he opened up, and many of them are rich men to-day. West Australia has lost a good colonist by the death of Mr. Trevethan.

However imagine Alfred’s brother, Thomas Trevethan’s, surprise when he was told the next day that his brother had not drowned at all but simply moved on to Kimberley:

January 15. The Inspector of Police at Port Darwin has telegraphed in reply to Mr. Thomas Trevethan, that his brother has not been drowned as was reported, but went to the Kimberley gold mines eight months ago.

Three years later Alfred Trevethan was reported dead again and this time it was for real. He was the brother of Thomas the one time mayor of Toowoonba who died on the 14^th of January 1893. He was described as a miner late of Roebourne, Western Australia. Roebourne is an old gold rush town in the Pilbara region, 1,563 km from Perth. It prospered during its gold brush of the late 19th century and was once the biggest settlement between Darwin and Perth.

His widow, Isabella Trevethan, of Toowoomba was claiming his property in Charters Towers described as land - one undivided third share in allotment 7 of section 5, town of Charters Towers. The particulars being obtained from Alfred’s will dated the 11^th of January, 1892.

Fire

On Thursday the 30^th of March 1905 a fire broke out in a commercial building trapping a number of girls on the first floor. Not sure just which part of Australia that this happened in but Fireman Alfred Trevethan is mentioned in the  Examiner of Launceston, Tasmania:

Casualties and Damage
Two firemen were slightly injured during the fire. Alfred Trevethan, aged 20 years, of the head station, leapt from the chemical engine as it arrived, and swung a hammer against the front door in order to burst it open. The glass fanlight over the door broke, and a piece of glass, from the fragments that showered over him gashes his right thumb and severed the tendons between the thumb and fore linger. He continued to work until the fire was out, though in great pain.

There was a lot of damage to the shop keepers stock and a number of people were hurt besides Alfred Trevethan.

Riot at Charters Towers

The Northern Miner of the 2^nd of November reported:

Some time since our butchers under the plea that owing to the high price of cattle and the extra expense entailed by the dry weather 4d per pound did not pay them, made an attempt to raise the price of meat from 4d to 5d per pound this change created a great deal of dissatisfaction in the mining portion of the population. Several roll ups were the consequence and the butchers were warned that, the mood of their persisting carrying out their intentions, their premises would be demolished. After some consideration, the diggers' demands were acceded to, and the original price charged.

In the butchering line things stood thus till Monday last the butchers enjoyed peace and pursued the even tenor of their ways in unmolested quietude, while the miners enjoyed their steaks at 4d. But on Monday morning Mr. Adolphus Trevethan, thinking probably that he could charge what he liked for his own, again bought up the price, this time to 6d per pound, stating his intention of shutting up his shop if he could not obtain that price. This was more than a portion of our population could stand. That night a roll up took place. Trevethan was again cautioned, and told that if the prices were not again lowered his shop would most certainly come down the following evening. Trevethan was obdurate, he bad raised the price to 6d , and at 6d ho would keep it. He may have thought his firmness settled the question, that those assembled as they left would return to trouble him no more. But he was mistaken, like Mistress O'Shanter, they ware merely nursing their wrath to keep it warm.

On Tuesday evening the musical sounds of a bullock bell floated gently on the breeze, and the lively town of Millchester responded with the cry 'Roll up ' Roll up! " Soon a crowd assembled and proceeded to the fated building, which was  bolted up and in total darkness. A few groans and some booing (of winch we could hear very little) were given, winn cues weienued, "Pull his house down, pull, it down". “Trevethan was always the first man to raise the price". "Pull his shop down”.

" A rope! a rope” A rope was soon procured. ( from On War and Co's shop, and placed round I the building, the ends being carried across the street by the crowd. Immediately a strain was put upon the rope it snapped cut, we believe by someone behind the building. We might here stnto en passant that the building is, 01 ( i athol was, composed of pine, and presented rather a respectable appearance. The rope (was soon adjusted, this time higher up and apon  a few hearty pulls and a considerable amount of monking and groaning on the part of I the doomed house, down it came with a crash, Amidst great applause. A lull now took place, (and the rope coiled for return, but Bomo fout buildings were discovered, and after a little discussion they were next attacked and bought down. The rope was then coiled, and a load taken of Mr On Wal's mind by its return. Thus concluded the evening’s proceedings lhe total number present did not exceed 600 men, and a very considerable portion of them took no part in the affair. On Wednesday morning the police, who had mixed pretty freely with the crowd on the previous evening, made three arrests. The prisoners were convoyed to tlie lockup on tins camp, where it was reported that a rescue would be attempted in the evening. A good deal of excitement prevailed, and many were the opinions as to the result.

About 9 p m a large number of men arrived from Millchester, and with some others proceeded to Mr. Boighoro's Hotel, with the intention of seeing Mr. Commissioner MacDonald. To their repeated demands Mr. Borgheio refused to open Mr. MacDonald's room. The crowd then proceeded to the lock-up, where Mr. MacDonald was found in company with Mesers Collopy and McCarthy, and a small detachment of police under arms. When called on Mr. MacDonald came out in front of the lock up, and do maudod what was wauled On o íoply being made, he said ho hoped those assembled would have more sense than to attempt a rescue. Ho very coolly told them that if they did they might expect the most serious result. Ho had been placed in his present position to maintain law and order, and to see that property was protected. It was, therefore his duty to do, and unless he preformed his duty he was unfit for his position (A voice "The police are armed, the police bare revolvers!"). Mr. MacDonald "Yes, the police have revolvers, but I hope you will give them no cause to use those revolvers " Many of the men came forward and said they were as guilty as the men who bad been arrested, and demanded that either they should all be locked up, or the men in charge liberated Owing to the noise, little of what was said could be heard, and we cannot therefore give a full report. We can merely say that Mr. MacDonald was very cool and collected throughout. He firmly refused to accede to the demands for the liberation of the prisoners, until be was asked to accept bail, which, after a few minutes' consideration, ho agreed to do. Masers Annio, Smith and L Borghoro were accepted as sureties, and the men were set free amidst great cheering.

The crowd then adjoined to the North Star and Golden Connon Hotel, und a roil up was fixed on for Friday morning at 10 o’clock, the hour at which the prisoners had to surrender their bail.

About 9 o'clock yesterday morning small groups of men began to arrive, the principal numbers coming in by the Millchester road. By half past 9 a considerable crowd had collected, which largely augmented by IO o'clock. At that about all the available police marched to the Court House, under the elimgo of Mr. Sub-Inspector Collopy, Mr. Sub Inspector Clohesy, who arrived the previous evening in charge of the escort and Mr. Sub Inspector McCarthy also attended. The men who had been bailed surrendered to their bail, and the case (the evidence taken is given below) proceeded, Messrs Jardmo and MacDonald occupying the Bonds. The noise was so great outside, thus several times it was almost impossible to hear what was said by witnesses, but no decisive demonstration took place until the unfortunate shooting affair occurred after that the business was interrupted several times.

The Shooting

A little after 11 o'clock the tumult suddenly increased, and the crowd was heard toiueh in the direction of the North Star Hotel. Mr Clohesy rose and left the Court to ascertain the cause.  Directly after a shot was fired and an excited messenger arrived to say that the crowd was chasing Trevethan, and would most likely kill him if the police were not at once sent to his assistance. Mr Jardmo directed the constables to go and rescue him, and bring him to the Court House. Soon after Trevethan was brought in, in charge of the constables, in an almost fainting state. He presented a most pitiable appearance; his head and face were bruised and bleeding while from his rapid and difficult breathing it was evident he had just gone through a severe struggle. He was taken into the bedroom adjoining the Court, water was given to him; here he was left to recover. No sooner had Trevethan been disposed of than his victim, a miner named Joseph King, was brought in. King was very pale and weak, and was bleeding profusely from a wound in the neck. He had to be supported as he came along. As soon as possible Mr. Jenkins attended to him, and had him convoyed to his own bedroom After considerable difficulty Mr. Jenkins managed to stop the bleeding and bondage the wound. A report spread that King was dead, and the scene which followed bialys description. No sooner was it discovered that Trevethan was in the court than a rush was made for it The people swore they would have Trevethan out that they would hang him like a dog, and for some minutes it looked very like as though they would be as good as their word The police drew their pistols, but were driven back into the court, and things looked serious. Ultimately ,Mr. Jardmo got on to the verandah and some what pacified the crowd by assuring them that Trevethan was in custody, and would be tried for shooting King. From an eye witness we have a description of what occurred outside the Court. He says Trevethan rode down the street till opposite the North Star Hotel. No sooner had ho made his appearance than the crowd began to hoot and groan at him. He rode on in defiance, and dismounting at the North Star, led his horse up to the verandah, and tried to fasten him to the verandah post.

The horse, how over, had become frightened, and he took him to the yard in the rear. By this time many more men had arrived. They continued hooting and yelling at him, and followed him closely from the yard towards the house. Trevethan turned on the crowd and presented his revolver, which he had drawn some time previous. Of course this only exasperated the men. Some of them, pushed on by those behind, jostled against him, and a bottle was thrown by some one in the crowd. Tins, if aimed at him, did not hit him. Trevethan again turned, and fired point blank into the crowd. A man close to Trevethan received a slight ' wound in the neck, the shot taking effect on King, who was immediately behind, The bullet entered his neck on the right side, and passed out behind, immediately above the blade-bone. King dropped at once, and a rush was made for Trevethan. His revolver was seized, and he was carried by the crowd which followed into the street Mr. Olohosy managed to reach him through the crowd, and after a great deal of difficulty and danger succeeded in wresting the revolver from Trevethan, who had retained hold of it, and was endeavoring to use it again. Owing to the crush little damage could be done to him, although many kicks and blows were aimed at him. As we stated, he was ultimately rescued by the police and convoyed to the Court House.

THE BISHOP'S ADDRESS

After the adjournment of the case, Bishop Quinn visited the Court House, and had a short interview with the magistrates, at the conclusion of which he approach one Mr. Borghoro's verandah. Mr. Borgbcro having called the attention of the crowd, His Lordship addressed the people briefly. He commenced by observing that having heard some noise which boomed to indicate public excitement, he had come to the spot from whence it proceeded, and learned its cause from the magistrates. He then begged the attention of the people assembled while he offered a few observations and made a suggestion or two which he hoped would lead to a satisfactory settlement of the matter about which they were interested. The suggestions he believed they would recognize, not so much as any thought of his own, as they were the general feelings of the people assembled, embodied in language. First of all hr would observe that he believed he was known to many there present as a friend to the minors; that from the time when ho first came to know them, ho had formed the opinion that, as a body, they were the best preservers of law and orde, and the most honest promoters of impartial justice in the colony. He did not believe that there was no body of men in the colony in whoso hands the preservation of peace, the support of the lawfully constituted authorities, and the promotion of justice were more secure than in those of the miners. That it was a well-known fact that neither here nor at any other gold-field in the colony did the Government think it necessary to place a police force sufficient to maintain order, trusting to the known orderly habits of the great majority of miners. His Lordship then observed that he did not at all intend to go into the merits of the case which had caused lhe present commotion; but that ho would say this much, that the act of the man who had fired the shot was a rush act. He did not believe that more ought to be said by any one not duly authorized lo pass sentence on him. He would also say, he believed there was no body of men who would more clearly distinguish between n rash impulsive act and one of premeditated malice, than those there present. How far the act was rash and impulsive, and how far malice, should bo determined by the lawful authorities, and that he felt warranted in assuring the people that strict justice would be done. He further suggested, first, that the people should allow Trevethan to proceed to the lock-up, and that they should pronounce no opinion on his guilt until the magistrates had given their decision. The people having promised his Lordship, by a show of hands, to abide by his last suggestion, Trevethan was convoyed to the lock-up by tho police, his Lordship accompanying him, and using his influence to protect him. From the court to the look-up Trevethan was greeted with a terrible storm of yells and groans. Cries were raised to seize mid hang him, and we firmly believe, had it not been for the Bishop's presence, the threat would havo been carried out. He is at present in custody on a charge of shooting.

The crowd dispersed about 3 o'clock, and the town was almost as quiet as usual last night.

TOWERS POLICE COURT.

YoBt'ji'day, at 10 o'clock, Georgo Steel, James Foromtu, ond Daniel Scullon, surrendered to their bi.!, to answer a charge of that, on Tuesday, 2r.' . October, they did, with divorB others, riotouB'y, tumultuously, and unlawfully do police, "pull down and destroy a certain building, the properly of one" Adolphus Trevethan, of Millchester. Mesers. Jnrdino and MacDonald occupied the Bench.

Senior-Contestable Robert Gillanders, stationed at Millchester, deposed : I remember the 29th instant; there was a largo crowd in the streets of Millchester; I hoard a bell, and saw a man ringing in the street. I cautioned him, and told him if ho continued he wauld likely to get into trouble ; I hoard him calling out " Roll up, roll up" and "We'll bring the price of meat down;" I heard the cry of "A rope" a rope was brought and placed round Trevethan’s shop; there were over 300 persons pulling the rope ; I can't identify prisoners as persons who were pulling on the rope; next the house was pulled down. I believe they pulled down other buildings; the shop pulled down was built of weatherboards, with iron roof; it was as good a building of the sort as I have seen on any gold-field; the people were very disorderly ; I had no means of preventing them from pulling the building down; there were only two men at my disposal; I hoard them saying- "Coil up a rope. We'll have his house down; ho was always the first man to raise the price;" after the bellman's calling the most of the people remained two hours in the street; some were fighting, and tried to separate them; a few gathered in front of Walker's store, saying, " Let's pull Walker’s store down ;" I can't swear that the bellman was there; I apprehended Foreman and Steel as ringleaders; when arrested, Foreman said, "All right, I was in the crowd, but did nothing, I suppose I'll have to suffer;" Steel said, " I was there, I'm not sorry for what I've done, I'd do the same again, if I had to swing for it ; there were plenty more beside me, mid I suppose I'll have plenty company;" did not arrest Scullon; that night the peace of the town was very much disturbed; So much so that the inhabitants were in dread of their property being destroyed, and applied for police protection; the conduct of the mob was such so to terrify them-in fact, there was nothing but mob law ; some said, "It will never do to pull down Walker's store ; there is too much grog in it, if we pull it down the place will be a hell in flames before morning; "I received no instruction of roll up from Trevethan. I heard flying reports that a roll up was likely to take place; I sent a verbal report of it to my superior officer ; I asked Trevethan if he did not fear violence; he said, "No;" I said if ho was afraid I'd report it and have pro- tection "he said ho did not want it."

By Foroman; I did not see you doing anything in the crowd; you soid "I was in the crowd" you did not tell mo you were not in the crowd.

By Scullon: I did not see you doing anything but ringing the bell.

Constable Callaghan was called, but was unable to give his evidence for some time, as the shooting took place at this time. When tranquility had in some measure returned, Mr. Haynes said he appeared to watch the case for the prisoners.

Callughan deposited: I remember the 28th ; I saw u crowd of parsons on the street at Millchester; there must have been between 600 and 700; they were for the most part assembled opposite Trevethan’s shop ; I saw Scullen on tho street; he was shouting " Roll up Roll up we’re going to pull down price of meat" ho was going down town towards the crowd; ho joined the crowd opposite Trevethan’s shop; could not distinguish his voice in the crowd; they were shouting; I hoard cries, " A rope, a rope" I could not state with certainty anything else was said; a largo party rushed to On War's store; I saw them come out with a rope; they took the rope to Trevethan's store and pulled it down; a great many more than ten brought the rope; they ran down towards the shop shouting; I could not interfere with them; it was impossible to protect the building; the conduct of the mob was such as to cause alarm to store- keepers and others; after Trevethan’s building was pulled down the crowd separated-some went opposite On War's store, some opposite Walker's; saw prisoner Scullon ringing a bell; heard a mon addressing a crowd not to pull Walker's store down; heard shouts, but could not distinguish what was said; some went opposite Walker's, while others went away; I did not see the bellman after; sow him next morning behind Walker's slore; arrested him; asked him why ho rang tho bell; ho said ho did not know-the bell was put into his hand by some one ho did not know; he said ho was very sorry for the affair, and that it was an unfortunate job for him; I found tin bell on him; I do not know the other prisoners; I did not see them in the crowd on the night of the 29th.

By Mr. Haynes: Prisoner Scullen was opposite Hishon's when I first saw him; there was no crowd round him; I was near Mrs. Steven’s Hotel at the timo; I was going towards Trevethan's shop; I followed him down, and got to the crowd immediately after him; I heard the crowd singing out immediately after I got down; I do not know whether Scullen was the man who said, "Pull down the store; "after Trevethan's houses was down, Scullon rang the bell again opposite On War's store, it was after he rang the bell that a man got up and advised the crowd not to pull down Walker's store; that was the last of the boll-ringing I hoard; only port of the crowd wore opposite On War's; afterwards a largo crowd congregated at Walker's I store; I went to the crowd at Walker's store; I did not see Scullen there; I have hoard of previous roll ups at Millchester; I was not prosent at them.

By prisonor Scullen : I beard n bell last night at Millchester; the man was on horseback; the police pursued him, but could not catch him.

William Wehr and llubort Moxham were called, but wore not present.

Tho caso was adjourned till 2 p.m. for their attendance, the prisoners being admitted on former boil.

At that timo Moxham and Wehr were again called, but did not appear.

Mr. Collopy applied for an adjournment till Monday; as one of his principal witnesses was in goal, while two others were not present.

Mr. Haynes agreed to the adjournment, as it was, he thought, beneficial to his clients.

It was granted, tbe prisoners being admitted to bail on their own recognizance’s.

And another report of the incident from the Evening Post of Saturday, November 23, 1872 is some what different:.

Respecting the late riots at Charters Towers, the Port Denison Times supplies more explicit particulars : — A mob of loafers pulled down Symes and Trevethan's butchers shop at Milehester, Charters Towers, because the price of meat was raised to sixpence per pound. Three ringleaders were arrested, and liberated on bail at the court house. Next day a large mob tried to prevent Trevethan giving evidence. They shot him in the head. It is not certain whether he is dead or not. Another witness, David Weir, being mobbed, shot two and then rode off. Three shots were fired after. Diggers rolling up to hunt the ruffians.

Thomas Trevethan

The Queanbeyan Age (NSW) reported on Wednesday 11 July 1888 of and accident at Charters Towers:

At Charters Towers on Thursday morning a miner named T. Trevathan was holding some gelatine in his hand, when it went off, terribly injuring him and killing a man named Davis who was standing behind him. Trevethan, the miner, who as injured by the explosion in the 'Bonnie Dundee mine at Charters Towers on Thursday, died, next morning.

Richard Trevethan

Suicide at South Brisbane

The Barrier Miner (Broken Hill, NSW reported on Monday the 5^th of July 1897 the death of Richard Trevethan:

A man named Richard Trevethan bas committed suicide at South Brisbane by cutting his throat.

T A Trevethan

T A Trevethan’s son Roderick married Mary Livingstone in Brisbane on an unknown date which was reported in the Courier Mail, Brisbane:

Trevethan — Livingstone

A wedding of town and country interest took place on Saturday after noon at the Ann Street Presbyterian Church, when Mr. Roderick Trevethan (second son of Mr. and Mrs. T. A. Trevethan, Stanthorpe was married to Miss Mary Livingstone (youngest laughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. Livingstone, Eagle Junction). The Rev. P. W. Pearson officiated. Miss Ray Spence rendered a vocal solo during the signing of the register. The bride, who was given away by her father, wore a. gown of ivory thumb print crepe featuring wrist length pleated sleeves, while the short train also boasted crystal pleadings. Miss Emily Livingstone, who attended her sister as bridesmaid, wore, a frock of palest pink: ciffon pleated from neck to hem. Mr. Stanley Clark was the best man. The wedding breakfast was held at the home of the bride's parents. On leaving for' the honeymoon the bride wore a three-piece suit  of navy drawn-thread crepe de Chine, with white pique revers, and a hat.

Thomas Trevethan

Isabella Trevethan

The Brisbane Courier reported the death of Isabelle Trevethan the wife of the late Thomas Trevethan:

Á large number of relatives and, old friends attended the funeral at the Toowoomba cemetery yesterday last of the late Mrs. Isabella Trevethan widow of the late Mr. Thomas Trevethan; of Toowoomba. The deceased lady was' a .native of Kingnssic, Inverness (Scotland), and carne to Queensland with her, parents (Mr. and Mrs. Donald McPherson; in December, 1855, in the sailing ship Sobraon spending their first month in Australia in quarantine, on Stradbroke. Mrs. Trevethan was then a child of. nine years, and .as. Gaelic was their only language it is interesting to note, that she preserved a knowledge of the old Celtic-tongue up to the last, and a few days before her death she saluted, the devil McKillop who came to visit her, with the noble speech of Ossinn. Hcr first journey with her parents from Brisbane to Toowoomba (or Diuyton Swamp as it was-then called) occupied four weeks, after father having chartered a, primitive bullock dray for his first great adventure in the new territory. The family settled in Toowoomba, and followed pastoral pursuits, and in .1889 Miss Macpherson became the wife of Mr. Thos. Trevethan, the pioneer coachbuilder of the Darling Downs, who predeceased her in 1891, leaving 12 children -five sons und seven daughters. The eldest of these is Mr. Walter McPherson Trevethan, the well known principal of tile firm of Walter Al. Trevethan Limited, Motor Importers, of Brisbame, so that the Trevethan, father and son, have been associated with matters vehicular for more than 60 years. The Rev. Mr. Armour officiated .at the graveside, the chief mourners being four sons and two grandsons. .The Mayor of Toowoomba (Alderman DvAuiiond) and the Town Clerk Mr. F. Merritt) represented the 'Toowoomba City Council, of which the husband of deceased was Mayor in 1886. The respect in which this fine old identity was held was testified by the flying of many flags at half mast. Numerous wreaths and .messages of condolence were received by the family.

Queensland Mine Accident

The West Coast Times of the  25 July 1888 reporyed a mining accident in which Thomas Trevethan died:

A strange accident happened in a Queensland mine last week. A miner named Thomas Trevethan had a charge of gelatine in his hand, when it exploded. The full force of the blast was between his legs, which »ere seriously injured, and another miner oained Xhimns Davis was struck on tie chest and killed instantly.

The Sydney Morning Herald

Tuesday 29 January 1907

COOKTOWN HURRICANE

MINING CAMPS SUFFER WIDESPREAD DAMAGE.

BRISBANE, Monday

Word was received on Saturday that the mining camps at Helen's Vale and Tableland had suffered considerably. The Trevethan Creek rose as far as Connor's, which is some distance above the crossing, and the Annan River got into the bar of Watkins’s Hotel, Helen's Vale.

All the alluvial claims have been flooded out and the workings destroyed The country looks as if it had never boon touched with pick or shovel, This means a great loss to the miners, It will take months before they can get on to the run of tin again No information is available regarding Collingwood, or whether the Annan River Tin Mining Company water has been materially damaged

Information was received this morning that Starcko's goldfield had also suffered from the cyclone. Charles and Alec Wallace and Gorton's residences were wrecked. Tho Great Northern gold mine at Coen has been shut down, and all bands discharged. The dams and water races of Rossvlllo have been swept away. The miners, however, do not consider that this is too serious, and a few weeks will repair the damage.

The relief fund now totals £1000, and nil applicants have been relieved The question of rebuilding the homes remains in abeyance until the committee see what funds will be available.

William Alfred Trevethan

The Poverty Bay Herald on the 17 March 1893 reported on a domestic tragedy that had taken place in Cumberland, Australia where William killed himself and his wife, It was reported as follows:

Brisbane, March 3. A telegram has been received from Georgetown in connection with the tragedy at Cumberland, where William Alfred Trevethan. Post and Telegraph Master, shot his wife dead and then shot himself. It appears that Trevethan had been addicted to drink for many months, but lately became worse. His wife apparently tried frequently to restrain him when he became violent. On Monday last he was so bad that she, for personal safety, left him until the morning. Early on Tuesday morning he went to her, being then quiet, and she returned with him. Both lay down on a sort of sofa stretcher, and he then apparently drew a revolver and shot his wife through the head. The bullet entered over the left eye, death being evidently instantaneous. Trevethan then fired another into his own head, the charge entering through the top of the forehead. The funerals took place in the afternoon, and were very largely attended. First the body of the man was lowered into the grave without any religious service, then the Roman Catholic service was read over the body of the wife. Trevethan, who was 24 years of age, held a good position as post and telegraph master, with other appointments. He was born at Dalby, and married his murdered wife at Cumberland last May. Her maiden name was Catherine MacNamara; she was 22 years of age, and a native of Ravenswood.

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