W. J. Luke
Contents
Background
Born 8 October 1846 in Cornwall. Came to Geelong by the Lysander reaching Geelong in 1849.
Goldfields Involvement, 1854
In a letter to the Ballarat Council Luke states that:
I was present at the burning of Bentley’s Hotel. On the morning of the Stockade fight father led me through the Stockade. I saw the diggers where they fell. The soldiers having being taken to the Camp. While there the soldiers returned from breakfast. Mounted carrying pikes and axes on long saplings as trophies of war. It was a sickening sight to see provisions of all descriptions trampled over by horses and men in the mad rush that took place. Stores that had been set on fire where [sic] still burning. Martial Law was enforced. All lights out at a certain time.[1]
Post 1854 Experiences
Wrote to the Ballarat Council in 1920 to give his experiences of Ballarat.
508 Ripon Street, Ballarat
To his Worship the Mayor of the City of Ballarat. Sir, as requested, I am giving you a few of my early experiences of Ballarat.
I was born the 8th October 1846 in Cornwall. Came to Geelong by the ship Lysander which left Plymouth on 21/9/48 and reached Geelong on 13/1/49. I had brother born on the voyage and my parents being emigrants, at the time of discovery of gold at Ballarat who where[sic] employed on a station at Colac. Father having ridden over Ballarat shortly before the discovery of gold after stray cattle. As soon as his time was up viz 3months he [wasted] no time in getting of Ballarat. Having done fairly [well] he returned to Geelong and [to] fetch the family to Ballarat and pitched his tent in Prince Regent Gully. Shifted from there to the Red Hill and from there to the Bank Yarrowee somewhere now where the Alfred (Hall) stands today . This was at the pretty green flat with very huge trees, white gums. While there I have seen the ends of barrels staved in and the contents run into a quarry hole. That was where the brandy and other spirits were taken out of cases, bottle by bottle, and broken, in this same quarry at the foot at Camp Hill. This grog had been seized by the police at the Camp it being sly grog for stores. Left here for Geelong again in 1853.
Returned again 1854. Pitched our tent on what is known as York Street at present on the on the Buninyong Railway at that time as Pennyweight. Was there at the time off [sic] the Stockade fight. As a boy I was often in the stockade. I was present at the burning of Bentley’s Hotel. On the morning of the Stockade fight father led me through the Stockade. I saw the diggers where they fell. The soldiers having being taken to the Camp. While there the soldiers returned from breakfast. Mounted carrying pikes and axes on long saplings as trophies of war. It was a sickening sight to see provisions of all descriptions trampled over by horses and men in the mad rush that took place. Stores that had been set on fire where [sic] still burning. Martial Law was enforced. All lights out at a certain time.
1855 Removed to Mount Pleasant. Pitched tent where the chinaman’s hut stands at present – south of woollen mills. Went to Mount Plesant[sic] school. A tent at that time. Used to play truant sometimes and spend in Yuille’s old wool shed. What was called the Magpie Flood occurred. Saw Bath’s Hotel and the Unicorn built and Unicorn and Bath’s Claims sink. In those days they tried to blow each other up with gun powder and fought each other.
1856 Left Mount Pleasant for Geelong so here stayed till 1860. During this time in a hut on the Barwon Bridge. Was driving on the roads to Ballarat and other places. Started with the first coal used at the gas works.
1860 Left Geelong to live at Batesford being employed there, as times bad, on the Bendigo being finished. I came through to Ballarat mid-Sunday on coal train to Ballarat west, the first that came to Ballarat. The late George Waller, contractor, father of the Waller Bros of this city. Being one had dinner at Harris & Duff Boarding House in Lydiard Street. … Early in the year 1862 … came to Ballarat to reside and have been [here] ever since.
First work done? Placed that tank on the stone pier at Railway Station. Next work, iron work for Station roof. At this time there was standpipe and post and rail fence where the Burke and Wills [statue] stands. Cobbs Corner was wooden buildings and share broker’s office. The other corner, now the Commonwealth Bank, [was] another wooden building and share broker’s office. One, Mrs Collin, had tea and coffee and pie shop on the site of the City Hall. That time, the Port Phillip Hotel, it was on the site of Mitchell’s Buildings. Coles and Pulen was Hunt and Opie, Foundry at this time. The vacant place at the end of Mitchell’s and the Foundry to Doveton Street being Rubbs.
Was at the roasting of Bullock at the time of the Prince of Wales Marriage. There were also Big Pudding moulded by Serase & Ainley who where brewers at the time in one of their vats. Both Bullock & Pudding being badly cooked on account of Rum. This Bullock was roasted at the East End of what is now known as Shoppee Square.
I was mining for nearly 30 years. It was the striking of gold by Mr Sir William Howlett that brought Sturt west in 1886. There was thousands of ounces weekly from the mines. Work for few thousands of miners employed. It was nothing to see grown men calling finders. In one ton of candles 2 to 3 thousand tons off firewood 100,000 thousand laths as an old miner.
Through the freezing works property, the City Ballarat on the common, proved the deepest lead in the district, carrying rough nuggetty gold, which went underfoot, this being closed down in 1883, in account it having no liability. (By the Bank.) This was last alluvial mine in Ballarat. … The City of Ballarat Company shaft was one of the best shafts in this district. This shaft can be re opened and [made] into Payable Gold in 12 months.
I remain Yours
W J Luke 508 Ripon Street, Ballarat.[2]
See also
Further Reading
Corfield, J., Wickham, D., & Gervasoni, C. The Eureka Encyclopaedia, Ballarat Heritage Services, 2004.
