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Extract

Title
Fowl Stealing
Description

The Ballarat Star noted that, ‘stealing has become so common in the neighbourhood of the White Flat that it is absolutely necessary that something should be done to check it, if possible’.

Date
16 October 1861
Published Source
Ballarat Star, 16 October 1861. Details

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Themes

Transcript

FOWL STEALING SIR, Fowl stealing has become so common in the neighbourhood of the White Flat that it is absolutely necessary that something should be done to check it, if possible. Myself and others of my neighbours have got all but cleaned out within a fortnight; and only on Friday night last, one man had all his ducks carried off, notwithstanding the fowl-house being locked up. Of course, the Chinese get the blame; but, Chinese or European, there stands the fact. We have lost our fowls, and, with them, our eggflip, should we indulge in such. But I suppose there is no remedy. Protection to property is only a secondary consideration. It is far more necessary that the Main road should have half a dozen policemen parading under the verandas of that thoroughfare just for effect, than that one should be stationed in a quiet and unpretending and, withal, unaristocratic neighbourhood like the White Flat. John Chinaman knows that the Queen’s uniform never shows itself in that locality; therefore he can practice unmolested. Seeing that we have no claims on police protection, I would suggest the formation of a Vigilance Committee for the White Flat, with the adoption of the famous Chamber of Commerce ear-nailing process, or some other similar mode of impressing John with a due sense of an Englishman’s notions of meum and tuum. To be serious, sir, it is a scandalous fact that this place is nightly exposed to the raids of vagabonds, who lift whatever comes in their way, and that with impunity. One policeman in the neighbourhood at night would, in my opinion, effectually stop their game, and leave your correspondent and others in the enjoyment of what they conceive to be their own property. Your insertion of this will oblige, Yours respectfully, W. CAMPBELL White Flat, 14 October, 1861.