Edward Preece

Post 1854 Experiences

It will be remembered that some weeks ago Mr. Longmore, in his place in the Assembly, indirectly charged Mr. Akehurst, P.M., with having wantonly caused the death of a man named Powell during the Ballarat riots in 1854. The allegation was contradicted by the Attorney-General in the House, and subsequently a declaration made by a man named A. W. White appeared in our columns, going to prove that the man could not have met his death at the hand of Mr. Akehurst. As corroborative of his statements we append the following declaration, made by Thos. Conboy, who was also present, and took part with the troops in suppressing the disturbance: — "I, Thos. Conboy, Victoria, laborer, do solomny and sincerely declare that in the year 1854 I was in the mounted police force situated at Ballarat. I was present at the Ballarat riots on the 3rd December, 1854, and was on duty at the Eureka Stockade on that day. Amongst others on duty in the mounted police force on that day were A. Warren White, Henry Wright, and Ed. Preece. I did not know a man named Lenese, but he might have been there. I saw the abovenamed parties, with Mr. Akehurst and others of the force, go round to the right of the stockade. I did not accompany them, being ordered to join the reserve. Mr. Akehurst wore no sword that day, nor did I over see him wear one. A day or two afterwards I heard some of the troop charging Ed. Preece and others with attack ing an unarmed man. Preece said, ' How did I know but he was armed and might shoot me.' I did not attend the inquest on Powell, the man killed at the riot, as I was ordered away for despatch duty that day. I heard that there was plenty of evidence to clear Mr. Akehurst. I and White and Preece left the force after the riots and re turned to the diggings at Ballarat, and there I heard that Preece was charged with being concerned in the death of Powell. Preece soon afterwards left the diggings, and I have never heard of him since. I have seen the letter signed .'A. Warren White,' inserted in The Age of 27th June last, and he must be mistaken stating that Preece was an old soldier from India. I know Preece well, and he had never been in the army, and at the time of the riots was a young man of about twenty-five years, with fair complox-ion and hair, and not unlike Mr. Akehurst in figure."

See also

Police

Further Reading

Blake, Gregory, To Pierce the Tyrant's Heart, Australian Military History Publications, 2009.

External links

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Caption, Reference.