Difference between revisions of "J.B. Humffray"
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:The first telegraphic communication between Ballarat and Melbourne and vice versa, took place yesterday afternoon at twenty minutes past three o’clock. Last evening evening, about eight o’clock, the representatives of the Press in Ballarat were invited by Mr M’Gowan to witness the working of the telegraph. There being no office accommodation ready at present the spot selected was the last post near the Unicorn hotel on the Township. A wire was carried from the post to a small testing machine placed on a stump at its base, and thence, to secure moisture, carried to the steam adjoining, which runs from Bath’s claim [now Cobb’s corner]. Mr Humffray, who was at the Melbourne station, transmitted the flowing remarks to Mr M’Gowan:- “The establishment of electric telegraph communication between Ballarat and Melbourne is a far more pleasing event to celebrate on the anniversary of the 3rd of December than stockades and massacres. <ref>''Ballarat Star'', 4 December, 1855.</ref> | :The first telegraphic communication between Ballarat and Melbourne and vice versa, took place yesterday afternoon at twenty minutes past three o’clock. Last evening evening, about eight o’clock, the representatives of the Press in Ballarat were invited by Mr M’Gowan to witness the working of the telegraph. There being no office accommodation ready at present the spot selected was the last post near the Unicorn hotel on the Township. A wire was carried from the post to a small testing machine placed on a stump at its base, and thence, to secure moisture, carried to the steam adjoining, which runs from Bath’s claim [now Cobb’s corner]. Mr Humffray, who was at the Melbourne station, transmitted the flowing remarks to Mr M’Gowan:- “The establishment of electric telegraph communication between Ballarat and Melbourne is a far more pleasing event to celebrate on the anniversary of the 3rd of December than stockades and massacres. <ref>''Ballarat Star'', 4 December, 1855.</ref> | ||
| + | |||
| + | == In the News == | ||
| + | |||
| + | :MEETING AT THE CHARLIE NAPIER HOTEL. | ||
| + | :On Thursday evening Mr Humftray held a monster meeting in the large concert room be longing to the Charlie Napier Hotel, when he addressed the electors. There were between 1500 and 2000 persons present. Mr Ryce was to have filled the chair; but in his absence, Mr D. Oliver occupied it, and called upon the meeting to give every one a fair hearing. | ||
| + | :Mr Fraser rose to propose the first resolution. He said he hoped that they would give every one a fair hearing. If they thought Mr Humffray a better man than any one else, then return him ; but if not, then they could express their disapprobation. They had had some meetings in Melbourne that did not reflect much credit upon the people of Melbourne, he hoped those of Ballarat would set a better example in this respect, and after calm discussion act on reflection, then every man would do his duty. The press had dealt in insinuations with respect to the Local Court, but had not dared to bring any charge against its members. The resolution he had to propose was | ||
| + | :"That this meeting is of opinion that many of the evils of past legislation for the gold fields have arisen through ignorance on the part of the law makers of the wants and exigencies of the mining community, and therefore deem it both the interest and duty of the electors of North Grant to return a man having a knowledge of, and identified with their wants." | ||
| + | :Every one knew to what desperate resistance the tyranny of ignorant officials had formerly driven the miners. The alteration in the mining regulations had been a great benefit ; but if they sent into the Assembly a man ignorant of their wants, if they sent a capitalist he would cramp that benefit they had received for ever. Mr Fraser, after referring to questions of reform in the Local Court, wound up his speech by putting the right man in the right place. | ||
| + | :Mr N. B. Rodier very briefly seconded the resolution. ! | ||
| + | :Mr O'Connor supported the resolution - it was an insult to their intelligence to use any argument in favor of the resolution, it's truth was too apparent. No doubt there would be plenty of men come forward and try to talk them over ; but, if they sent men of that kind to represent them, they would deserve what they might get as their reward. He would not con ceal facts that were before his eyes and his mind. If they sent a man who could talk them over, when tiley were laboring under the iron heel of oppression, he would tell them that they well merited their reward. They wanted a man identified with their interests, just as a community' of blacksmiths would rather be re presented by one belonging to their own occu pation, and knowing their own feelings and wants. | ||
| + | :The resolution was then put and carried. | ||
| + | :Mr Humffray then rose to address the meeting, and was exceedingly well received. He said he was pleased to see so large an assembly. It showed the lively interest taken in political affairs by the people. He had said before, and he said so now, that a people were always governed as well as they deserved to be. He was glad to see so large a meeting, because then they could give their approbation or disapprobation, or otherwise. He would give them his opinions and views with respect to many topics that were interesting. He had had the honor of representing them in Melbourne, and doubt less they expected that he had done his best to deserve that honor. It would be egotism in him to say that he had done what he had to do well, but he had used his best exertions to dd his duty. ... <ref>''Ballarat Star'', 20 September 1856.</ref> | ||
Revision as of 20:46, 15 June 2013
Contents
Background
John Basson Humffray was born on 17 April 1824 at Newton, Morganshire, South Wales.[1] He was articled to a solicitor, but left for Victoria in search of gold, sailing on the Star of the East.[2]
Goldfields Involvement, 1854
At the meeting on Bakery Hill, held on 11 November 1854, Humffray was elected secretary of the Ballarat Reform League.
Humffray lived in Wendouree. He died a pauper on 18 March 1891 of chalky gout. His tombstone was erected by the people of Ballarat.[3]
Post 1854 Experiences
In 1855 Humffray was elected unopposed for the seat of Ballarat. In the following year he contested the seat of North Grant in the Legislative Assembly.[4]
He signed the Benden Hassell Petition in 1856 listing himself as a Digger residing at Ballarat. [5]
In the News
- The first telegraphic communication between Ballarat and Melbourne and vice versa, took place yesterday afternoon at twenty minutes past three o’clock. Last evening evening, about eight o’clock, the representatives of the Press in Ballarat were invited by Mr M’Gowan to witness the working of the telegraph. There being no office accommodation ready at present the spot selected was the last post near the Unicorn hotel on the Township. A wire was carried from the post to a small testing machine placed on a stump at its base, and thence, to secure moisture, carried to the steam adjoining, which runs from Bath’s claim [now Cobb’s corner]. Mr Humffray, who was at the Melbourne station, transmitted the flowing remarks to Mr M’Gowan:- “The establishment of electric telegraph communication between Ballarat and Melbourne is a far more pleasing event to celebrate on the anniversary of the 3rd of December than stockades and massacres. [6]
In the News
- MEETING AT THE CHARLIE NAPIER HOTEL.
- On Thursday evening Mr Humftray held a monster meeting in the large concert room be longing to the Charlie Napier Hotel, when he addressed the electors. There were between 1500 and 2000 persons present. Mr Ryce was to have filled the chair; but in his absence, Mr D. Oliver occupied it, and called upon the meeting to give every one a fair hearing.
- Mr Fraser rose to propose the first resolution. He said he hoped that they would give every one a fair hearing. If they thought Mr Humffray a better man than any one else, then return him ; but if not, then they could express their disapprobation. They had had some meetings in Melbourne that did not reflect much credit upon the people of Melbourne, he hoped those of Ballarat would set a better example in this respect, and after calm discussion act on reflection, then every man would do his duty. The press had dealt in insinuations with respect to the Local Court, but had not dared to bring any charge against its members. The resolution he had to propose was
- "That this meeting is of opinion that many of the evils of past legislation for the gold fields have arisen through ignorance on the part of the law makers of the wants and exigencies of the mining community, and therefore deem it both the interest and duty of the electors of North Grant to return a man having a knowledge of, and identified with their wants."
- Every one knew to what desperate resistance the tyranny of ignorant officials had formerly driven the miners. The alteration in the mining regulations had been a great benefit ; but if they sent into the Assembly a man ignorant of their wants, if they sent a capitalist he would cramp that benefit they had received for ever. Mr Fraser, after referring to questions of reform in the Local Court, wound up his speech by putting the right man in the right place.
- Mr N. B. Rodier very briefly seconded the resolution. !
- Mr O'Connor supported the resolution - it was an insult to their intelligence to use any argument in favor of the resolution, it's truth was too apparent. No doubt there would be plenty of men come forward and try to talk them over ; but, if they sent men of that kind to represent them, they would deserve what they might get as their reward. He would not con ceal facts that were before his eyes and his mind. If they sent a man who could talk them over, when tiley were laboring under the iron heel of oppression, he would tell them that they well merited their reward. They wanted a man identified with their interests, just as a community' of blacksmiths would rather be re presented by one belonging to their own occu pation, and knowing their own feelings and wants.
- The resolution was then put and carried.
- Mr Humffray then rose to address the meeting, and was exceedingly well received. He said he was pleased to see so large an assembly. It showed the lively interest taken in political affairs by the people. He had said before, and he said so now, that a people were always governed as well as they deserved to be. He was glad to see so large a meeting, because then they could give their approbation or disapprobation, or otherwise. He would give them his opinions and views with respect to many topics that were interesting. He had had the honor of representing them in Melbourne, and doubt less they expected that he had done his best to deserve that honor. It would be egotism in him to say that he had done what he had to do well, but he had used his best exertions to dd his duty. ... [7]
- Charlie Napier Hotel,
- 10th October, 1856
- (To the Editor of of the Star)
- Sir, - In the report of Mr Humffray’s speech, delivered by him at the Charlie Napier on Thursday, he is stated to have made use of language so derogatory to my character, that at my request a friend waited upon him to ascertain whether of not the report was correct.
- He denies the accuracy of the report, and utterly disclaims all intention of imputing the charge to me, May I request that you will, as a matter of justice to me, give insertion to his letter in contradiction to the report in the paper.
- I am, Sir,
- Yours obediently,
- T.Hayes. [8]
- TO MR. T. HAYES - (Per favor of the Star)
- Dear Sir, - My attention has been called to a report in the Miner of this morning; wherein I am reported to have said - “Hayes’ charge that he (Mr Humffray, J.B.) had refused to attend and give evidence or advice in his favor was a wicked and cruel lie.” This report is not correct, inasmuch as my words applied to the attorney or those on his behalf who had made the statement to you to the effect that I had refused to give evidence on your behalf, and I now utterly disclaim all intention of for one moment applying the charge to you.
- I am, Yours, &c., J.B. Humffray.[9]
- BALLAARAT RIOTS – Bentley’s Hotel - Mr Humffray moved, pursuant to notice, That a select Committee be appointed to enquire into the claims for compensation arising out of the losses alleged to have been sustained at the time of or in connection with the destruction of Bentley’s Hotel, on Ballaarat, with power to take evidence and examine all books, petitions, reports, or other documents relating thereto, now in the hands of the Government, and that the following gentlemen be appointed to act on the Committee – Mr Haines, Mr Greeves, Mr Stawell, Mr Pyke, Mr Michie, Mr Horne, Mr Grant, Mr Brooke, Mr Sargood, and the Mover. [10]
See also
Benden Sherritt Hassell Compensation Case
Further Reading
Corfield, J.,Wickham, D., & Gervasoni, C. The Eureka Encyclopeadia, Ballarat Heritage Services, 2004.
Townsend, Helen, Above the Starry Frame, Macmillan, Sydney, 2007.
References
- ↑ Corfield, J.,Wickham, D., & Gervasoni, C. The Eureka Encyclopaedia, Ballarat Heritage Services, 2004
- ↑ Corfield, J.,Wickham, D., & Gervasoni, C. The Eureka Encyclopaedia, Ballarat Heritage Services, 2004
- ↑ Corfield, J.,Wickham, D., & Gervasoni, C. The Eureka Encyclopaedia, Ballarat Heritage Services, 2004
- ↑ Corfield, J.,Wickham, D., & Gervasoni, C. The Eureka Encyclopaedia, Ballarat Heritage Services, 2004.
- ↑ Wickham, Dorothy, Shot in the Dark: Being the Petition for the Compensation Case of Benden S. Hassell, Ballarat Heritage Services, 1998.
- ↑ Ballarat Star, 4 December, 1855.
- ↑ Ballarat Star, 20 September 1856.
- ↑ Ballarat Star, 10 October 1856 .
- ↑ Ballarat Star, 10 October 1856 .
- ↑ Victorian Votes & Proceedings of the Legislative Assembly, 2 December 1856
External links
Australian Dictionary of Biography - http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/humffray-john-basson-3818
--Clare K. Gervasoni (talk) 16:24, 10 March 2013 (EST)
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Caption, Reference.
