object of creating a body of miners’ police and of ridding the field of Chinese. The information concerning the riot had in the meantime been communicated to the Government in Sydney, and instructions were issued resulting in the assembling upon Lambing Flat of a body of fifty mounted troopers. A deputation from the Chinese to the Commissioner stated that many of them were starving through having been turned off their claims, which had been ‘jumped’ by Europeans.
“Riots now became very frequent, and so great were the fears of a general outbreak that urgent appeals were made by the officials to the Executive for the aid of the military. A force, therefore, consisting of 2 officers and 42 men of the Royal Artillery, with two 12-lb. pieces, 7 officers and 123 men of the 12th Regiment, and 21 mounted police, was despatched from Sydney on Monday, 23rd February.
“On 26th February, in the Assembly, Mr. Cowper explained the action of the Government in the matter, and stated that there had been some difficulty in deciding which officer should be entrusted with the direction of the military.
“The next day the announcement was made that the Premier himself had proceeded to Burrangong. On 28th February, in moving that leave of absence be granted to the Premier, Mr. Robertson explained the reasons which had induced the Cabinet to send the Chief Minister of the Crown to the scene of disorder. Firstly, that although all difficulties were to be settled, if possible, without bloodshed, the law was to be upheld at any cost; and, secondly, that under all the circumstances the supreme conduct of affairs at these diggings should be entrusted to a civilian. On his arrival at Lambing Flat Mr. Cowper was well received by the miners. On the Tuesday following a great aggregate meeting of miners was held, which Mr. Cowper addressed, refuting the statement made in the manifesto of the ‘Miners’ Protective League,’ and showing that they had no good grounds for the attitude they had assumed. On the following Saturday, at Stony Creek, Mr. Cowper addressed a monster meeting of miners, informing them that the authority of the law, at whatever cost, would be upheld; and not until confusion and riot ceased could they hope to obtain any redress. Mr. Cowper then returned to Sydney. The excitement thereafter rapidly subsided. A new rush to the locality called Tipperary Gully carried away miners to the number of 6000 from the scene of their former disputes, and the Chinese withdrew to other fields.”
“A Goldfields’ Bill was introduced on 7th April, 1861, by Mr. Cowper. In moving its second reading, on 24th April, Mr. Cowper explained that the bill was brought in to prevent a recurrence of the disorders that had taken place at Lambing Flat. Aliens would only be allowed to work on fields specially proclaimed for them.
