| Notes |
- Morning Chronicle, 6 March 1854:
EMIGRATION.-SOUTHAMPTON, SATURDAY.-The Ontario, of 694 tons, Captain F. R. Wemyss, sailed this afternoon for Melbourne, with Government emigrants, having onboard 299 souls, 252 statute adults, under charge of Surgeon-Superintendent G. W. Paynter. Of this number was a party of Sappers and Miners going out for the purpose of assisting in the survey of the colony, consisting of a sergeant, a corporal, and four privates, with their wives and children. The Emigration Commissioners, always desirous of providing everything which may contribute to the comfort of the emigrants, have caused a baker's oven to be fitted up in the ship, and the people are to be supplied with soft bread twice a week. It is intended to put an oven on board every ship capable of being so fitted, and should this plan be favourably reported on, no doubt the biscuit will he discontinued as a part of the emigrants' rations, a daily issue of soft bread being substituted for it, There is also a bathroom in this ship, fitted for warm, cold, and shower baths, which must materially promote cleanliness and good health. The ship came into dock on Thursday afternoon at three o'clock; and owing to the facilities afforded by the docks (the emigrants' luggage store being on the quay alongside which the ship lays), the emigrants and their luggage were all embarked shortly afternoon on Friday, and the ship moved into the river, but did not go to sea that night, which she might otherwise have done, but that Mr. Smith, the emigration officer at this port, requires every ship to lay in the stream for one night at least, so that the emigrants may be comfortably settled into their places before sailing, and also that the sailors (who are often very intoxicated on leaving the docks) may be in a fit state to take the vessel to sea. The emigrants, who appeared in high spirits and very contented, were addressed by Mr. Smith and the Rev. E. Ferrier. end these gentlemen were loudly cheered on leaving the ship.
Victorian Doctors in the 19th Century:
1851 - MP (medical qualification issued by professional body)
Member of Royal College of Surgeons
1855 Medical Board of Victoria, RI (registered in)
1863 Medical Board of Victoria, RO (registered out)
"Doctors and Diggers on the Mount Alexander Goldfields" by Keith Macrae Bowden and
"The Pennyweight Kids" by A. R. McMillan:
PAYNTER, George William. Member Royal College of Surgeons, England, 1851. In Australia in 1851 (Lancet, 1851, 2:248). Late Surgeon in charge of the1st Madras Native Infantry. Surgeon-Superintendent in the emigrant ship "Ontario". In Moyston Street, Castlemaine in 1854, and registered in Victoria in 1855. Returned to England, registered 4.2.1865, was in Cornwall in 1875 and Yeovil in 1901 (Medical Register, 1875; 1901).
20 November 1863. Rockhampton Bulletin. Police Court.
George William Paynter, surgeon, complained of having been assaulted by John E Rutherford, chemist and druggist, of Denham-street.
Mr Dick appeared for the complainant. The defence set up by Mr. Rutherford, who was not professionally represented, was " Cause to show. ''
From the evidence of the complainant, which was corroborated by the testimony of Mr. W. C. Gardiner, and Mr. W. S. Anderson, it appeared that Dr Paynter went on Wednesday afternoon last to Mr Gardner's hotel, and seeing the defendant there, entered into a friendly discussion with him upon the subject of importing drugs and chemicals from England direct. Dr. Paynter informed the defendant that as he was about to proceed to England be would be happy to indent any goods the defendant might require in his business, and forward them to him ; at the time this conversation took place, both the complainant and defendant were sitting in Mr Gardner's private parlour, where the latter had just been settling a private account with defendant ; in reply to Dr Paynter's offer, Mr. Rutherford stated that he could get his goods quite as cheaply as Dr Paynter ; upon which the latter said " he had been nineteen years in the trade, and therefore ought to know some thing of the business. " Mr. Rutherford replied, in a sneering tone, " You send me an indent of goods' Why, I shouldn't have thought you were more than nineteen years old."
Dr Paynter then rose from his seat, and addressing the defendant said, " If you persist in stating that I am not nineteen years old, you tell a lie,"- or accord ing to one witness' evidence, " I tell you it's a lie,"- or, according to defendant's statement " you are a liar ," the defendant then struck the complainant in the face with his fist and Dr Paynter returned the blow with another, which knocked defendant's head with some violence against the window sill; a scuffle then arose between them, but Mr Gardner interposed, desiring the combatants, if they wished j to * have it out, to go into another room, where they would be all to themselves; Mr. Rutherford, however. declined to continue the contest as suggested, and upon being told by Mr Gardner that be had made a blackguard of himself by his conduct, left the hotel.
The defendant now asked the Bench to grant him a cross-summons against the complainant for using abusive language to him, and alleged that the back of his head had been cut by complainant, and that blood had flown from the wound.
Mr Anderson (who was called and examined by Mr Rutherford), proved that the wound in question had been caused solely through defendant's falling back with his head against the window sill, and not through any blow delivered by complainant; he (Mr. Anderson) considered the defendant was the aggressor. Mr Gardner was of the same opinion.
Mr. Jardine, who had previously endeavoured in vain to persuade the parties to settle the matter in an amicable manner, said he regretted that such a case should ever have been brought into Court.
Defendant was fined five shillings, and ordered to pay costs of Court and £1 Is. professional costs.
8 November 1864, Rockhampton Bulletin - Case of poisoning. Robert was both witnesses, working at his brother’s chemist and druggist shop.
THE LATE CASE OF POISONING.
THE District Coroner, on the 5th instant (Saturday last), held an inquest upon the remains of David Robinson, who died at the Rockhampton Hotel, on the 4th. The evidence adduced was as follows :
George Beer, being sworn, stated.- I am a shoemaker, residing in Rockhampton ; I have known the deceased David Robinson for the last four years ; deceased was a shoemaker, and had been in my employment for the last eight or nine mouths ; deceased was of rather intemperate habits, but bas been steady for some weeks past until the last few days; deceased was drinking during Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday, but was so sober during Wednesday and Thursday that he attended the court during those days ; yesterday deceased was drinking, but was not drunk ; I saw him frequently yesterday; he was in very low spirits in consequence of losing a case at court, and talked frequently of it ; I saw him about fifteen minutes before the time at which he must have taken the poison : deceased was almost mad during his fits of in-temperance, and some months ago I heard him threaten to drown himself; I did not hear him say anything about committing suicide yesterday ; the last time that I saw him in his usual health he was at my shop, in East-street, about 6.30 p.m., on the 4th instant ; one of the men in my employment (George Bletcher) brought me word about half-an-hour afterwards that Robinson had taken poison, and was lying at Skardon's ; I went there immediately, to Skardon's, and saw the deceased lying on the verandah, moaning ; I asked him what he had done, he said he had bought a shilling's worth of strychnine, at Paynter's, and had taken it ; he bid me " Good-bye" and "God bless you;" I did not stop a minute but ran away for a doctor ; on my return I found Drs. Robertson and Thon attending upon him ; when I first saw him he was evidently in great pain, and clenched his hands tightly, and rolled about very much ; on my return he was exclaiming, " My God, my God," but would not answer any questions ; the last words I heard him say were, " Oh, my poor wife and three children ;" I never knew before that he was married ; I have before asked him was be married, but be said he was a single man ; when I saw him again after my return, he was evidently in great pain, but I did not think be was dying, nor did I think he had taken poison; even the doctors who were attending him did not think so ; they gave him emetics, which did not act ; they then applied the galvanic battery and inapisms along the spine ; he did not have more than ten minutes after that time ; I think he was not alive longer than half an hour after the news was brought to me that he had taken poison.
By the Foreman : I have heard that he had a fall from his horse some years ago, and that he had suffered from some injury of the brain ; I have heard that he suffered some family bereavements within the last six months which affected him very much; a small quantity of drink effected him very much ; I do not know what time elapsed from the period at which he had taken the poison until he was visited by a medical man.
Charles Day Skardon, being daly sworn, stated : I reside at the Rockhampton Hotel ; I have known the deceased for about twelve months, during which time I have had frequent opportunities of observing his habits; I have seen him drunk several times, and for some days together, but on the whole I do not consider him a man of intemperate habits ; I do not think he was an excitable man, but a very small quantity of drink made him drunk ; I did not see deceased all day yesterday until about seven o'clock p.m.; at this time I heard some noise in the front of the house, and when going out to
see what was the cause of it, I found deceased lying on the ground groaning and exclaiming that he was dying - that he had taken poison ; a doctor had been sent for at this time; Dr. Thon arrived, and deceased was carried into the room ; Dr. Robertson arrived shortly after ; I saw a battery applied to deceased, and something given him, which I believe was an emetic ; he was attended by these gentlemen until his death, which took place at five minutes to eight ; I did not hear him say why he had taken the poison ; deceased said he had taken strychnine, which he had purchased at Paynter's.
A. C. Robertson, being sworn, stated : I was called yesterday evening, between seven and eight p.m., to see a man who had taken poison ; I immediately wrote a prescription for two emetics, and dispatched the messenger for them; I then went to see the patient; on my arrival I found Dr. Thon had administered emetics, which had produced no effect ; I mixed two together and administered them, without producing any effect ; we applied the galvanic battery to the chest and spine ; we aIso applied mustard poultice to the chest, spine, and abdomen ; the patient expired a few minutes before eight o'clock ; deceased did not exhibit, any of the symptoms of strychnine until about ten minutes before his death, but the patient was treated as if he had taken that poison ; I cannot say positively that strychnine was the cause of death.
Robert Paynter, being duly sworn, stated : I am managing the business of my brother as chemist and druggist ; I have served my time with my brother for two years and a-half as chemist and druggist, but have not passed the Brisbane Board yet : yesterday, about twilight, a man came into the shop and purchased some strych nine ; he purchased it from my assistant, who asked the questions necessary on the sale of poisons ; I have seen the body of the deceased, and identify it as that of the person who pur chased the poison from my assistant yesterday ; I understand that ten grains was the quantity given by my assistant to the deceased ; I have seen the deceased several times before ; we do not usually sell poisons to any one who may ask for it ; I think that necessary precautions were taken in this case before giving the poison to the deceased ; I asked deceased what he wanted with strychnine ; he said, " it was to poison rats ;" I cautioned him that it was very dan gerous to use ; I thought that he was perfectly sound in his mind, and that he would not make a bad use of it ; I believe there is some law in force in the colony to regulate the sale of poisons, but I do not know what is the law of the matter; I have not got a copy of the Queensland or any otter acts touching the sale ot poisons. By the jury : I am not a qualified chemist and druggist ; I saw the money on the counter which was, I believe, paid by the de ceased ; ten grains is the quantity usually given for one shilling ; deceased did not appear excited, but answered every question in a straightforward
manner.
David Hay Dalrymple being duly sworn, stated : I am assistant to Mr. Paynter, at his druggist and chemist's shop, in Denham-street, Rockhampton; I have no qualification; about half-past six p.rn, yesterday, a man whom I know by sight came into Dr. Paynters shop, and said "I want a shilling's worth of strychnine, it is a quarter of an ounce for a shilling, isn't it ?" I said, " you can't have the strychnine, and you'll not get a quarter of an ounce for a shilling ;" he replied " It is not for me, it is for Mr. Beer the shoemaker " I asked what he wanted it for ; deceased said to kill rats ; I then weighed ten grains of strychnine, and he said it was very dear, and that he could get it for fourteen shillings an ounce in Sydney; when looking at the quantity he said, *' You had better give me two shillings worth ;" I said no, that is quite enough at a time ; I then put it up in a parcel, and labelled it " POISON ;" deceased said when he asked for the two shillings worth that he had four pieces of bread to spread it on, and that he thought one shilling's worth not enough ; after making up the parcel, I asked him where he was going to put the strychnine ; deceased replied under the verandah ; I gave deceased the parcel, cautioning him to take care of it ; deceased said that he would and left. I have seen the body in the dead-house, and identify it as that of the person to whom I sold the strychnine yesterday ; we do not usually sell strychnine to any one that may ask for it, but we sell it to persons whom we know.
By the Jury : Deceased said he had used it before, but I never sold any to him ; deceased seemed quite collected, and laughed when I told him I did not believe he could get it for four teen shillings an ounce in Sydney.
The jury, after this evidence had been submitted, returned a verdict- " That the deceased came to his death by taking strychnine, administered by his own hands, whilst labouring under a fit of temporary insanity. "
29 May 1865. Brisbane Courier. THE SHIP SUNDA.
The following particulars of the voyage of the ship Sunda from London and Queenstown to Moreton Bay have been handed to us for publication, and may be relied on as substantially correct :—
The Sunda, 1381 tons register, under the command of Captain Flynn, late of the Great Tasmania, left Gravesend on Thursday, the 9th of February and with a favourable breeze arrived off Queenstown on Sunday evening, making a splendid run of three days down channel. The captain and passengers who embarked at London fully expected to have got into Queenstown Harbor early on Monday, morning, but during the night a snow-storm accompanied by a strong gale from the N and N.E., set in, which obliged them to run out to sea again, and they were kept there beating about for several days and did not reach the anchorage till the afternoon of the following Thursday.
The passengers awaiting the ship at Queenstown were all embarked on Friday and Saturday, and on Monday the 20th, at 3 p.m., the tug steamer towed us out as far as Spike Island. The captain purposed sailing on the next morning but a strong headwind was blowing outside, and he deemed it more prudent to remain inside, and to await a more favorable opportunity. On Wednesday morning, the 22nd of February, we weighed anchor and were towed out to sea, and spreading our canvass before the breeze we soon lost sight of land.
We had on the whole a favorable, although rather tedious, passage to the Line, which we crossed on the 23rd of March, thirty days from Queenstown. The passage from the Line to the Cape, winch occupied thirty-one days, was very monotonous owing to very light trades, head winds, and calms. We passed the meridian of the Cape on the 23rd of April, and after a splendid run of twenty-five days, rounded Tasmania on the 18th of May and sighted Moreton Bay Light-house on Tuesday afternoon the 23rd instant, making the passage from pilot to pilot in eighty-nine days.
We had only three deaths during the voyage, two children and one adult, a girl, who was ailing when she came on board at Queenstown. We had three births, one still born, the other two living and doing well. The conduct of the passengers during the voyage was orderly and becoming, particularly the single females, who are a very superior class; they are all without exception persons of the highest moral character, and most of them first class servants. The captain and the doctor, who have had considerable experience on emigrant ships, declare that they have never seen a more useful or a more respectable body of young girls than those now arrived.
The Sunda, which has gained for herself unenviable notoriety on her last passage to Moreton Bay, will, we are satisfied, under the able management of Captain Flynn, become a great favourite with the colonists, particularly if she brings to Queensland a few more ship loads of emigrants such as the present. Captain Flynn has made nine voyages to Melbourne—his character with the colonists of Victoria stands pre-eminently high, and must always command the respect and secure the friendship of the well disposed and orderly on board his ship. The Sunda brings 512 souls, exclusive of the crew and officers, of these 111 embarked at London and 401 at Queenstown, under the vigilant eye of Father Dunn, who deserves some public recognition for the signal services he has rendered to Queensland.
There are 18 first-class passengers, 60 in the second, and 434 in intermediate and steerage, of the latter 110 are single women, under the care of a matron, and 105 single men. Most of the first cabin passengers and many of the second and intermediate are taking with them a considerable amount of capital, and will be a great acquisition to the colony. The voyage on the whole has been most fortunate and prosperous, the passengers have been well cared for, and they feel truly grateful for all the kindness that has been shown them. The utmost harmony and good feeling exist amongst all classes of the passengers, and complimentary addresses would have been presented to the captain, the doctor, and officers of the ship, only such things, unless accompanied by something more substantial than mere words, are now-a-days too common, and often only a cloak to cover irregularities and misconduct.
On Friday, May 26, the Government s s. Platypus went alongside the Sunda, as she then lay at anchor off the Pilot Station. An effort was made to tow the vessel up to anchorage in Brisbane Roads, but it failed owing to the strength of the wind, which was, in nautical parlance, "right ahead." The steamer then look on board the passengers' luggage, and next morning she received the passengers and brought them up to town. The Sunda was towed up to the anchorage yesterday by the Kate, s.s.
31 May 1865. Brisbane Courier. WATER POLICE COURT. TUESDAY, MAY 30. Before the Water Police Magistrate.
STABBING-.-William Ryan, a seaman, was charged with stabbing another seaman named Patrick Horigan, on board the ship "Sunda”, on the 16th May, while at sea.
Water Police-Inspector M'Donald stated that the prisoner had been handed over to him on the 28th instant, on the arrival of the “Sunda”, on the charge, above mentioned. The knife stated to have been used in the act was produced. Patrick Horigan stated that he was a seaman belonging to the ship “Sunda”, the prisoner was also a sailor belonging to that ship . At 9 o'clock p.m. on the I6th May, while at sea the prisoner and Horigan had a quarrel at the forecastle door, which led to their fighting; after two or three rounds the prisoner threatened to murder Horigan, and made a blow at him with his knife, which Horigan struck out of his hand; in the struggle the witness Horigan got his finger severely bitten; they were separated, and witness went into the forecastle; while he was looking at his finger by the forecastle lamp, the prisoner came behind him and struck him on the right shoulder with a knife, and cut him through his crimean shirt and singlet.
Dr. G. W. Paynter, surgeon-superintendent of the ship “Sunda”, deposed that about 10 o'clock on the night of the 16th May he examined the witness Horigan, and found that he had a slight incised wound on his right shoulder. it was about three quarters of an inch long, and was only just cut through the skin. Horigan had also a wound on his hand, which might have been caused by a bite.
James M'Donald deposed that on the 16th May, in the evening, he saw Horigan in the forecastle, examining his finger, when the prisoner came in and the two had a struggle, in which both fell on to the deck, the prisoner being uppermost he pulled the two apart, and kept the prisoner away from Horigan; witness went out of the forecastle to fight with the prisoner, and returned in a little while, when he found a knife, like the one produced, lying on deck where the struggle had taken place he gave the knife to the mate or doctor, he could not recollect which.
Joseph Wright, seaman belonging to the “Sunda”, deposed that while in the forecastle on the evening of the 16th May he saw Horigan come into the forecastle, he was followed by the prisoner, who made a blow at him with a knife, which Horigan warded off; a scuffle then ensued, and continued until M'Donald separated them. the prisoner was then asked to plead, and. after some hesitation, pleaded not guilty, and was committed for trial.
30 September 1865. Rockhampton Bulletin. ROCKHAMPTON ASSIZES. LARCENY.
LARCENY.
Fong Hong, a Chinaman, was indicted that he did, on the 17th June, 1865, feloniously take and carry away, one ball of opium, the property of G. W. Paynter.
H. Dean, Chinese interpreter, having been sworn, prisoner pleaded not guilty.
A jury was empanelled, prisoner, through the interpreter, having previously challenged four of them.
Tho Crown Prosecutor, in opening the case, stated that it was one of simple larceny. On the date mentioned in the indictment Mr. Gannon, a publican, saw prisoner enter Dr. Paynter's shop and carry away the opium. He followed, overlook, and gave him into custody.
George Gannon was sworn, and stated that he kept the Commercial Hotel, in town ; he knew prisoner, and had seen him on the 17th June last, on a Saturday ; he saw a Chinaman walk into Dr. Paynter's druggist shop; it was between six and seven o'clock in the evening ; witness was standing in his house, about thirteen yards from the shop ; the China man look a ball of opium from the shelf at the front of the window ; he left the shop, and went down Quay-lane; witness followed, over took him, and took the ball of opium from his hand ; a police officer came up, and witness gave the Chinaman in charge ; witness handed the opium to Dr. Paynter ; witness marked the ball, and identified the ball produced as the opium he had handed to Dr. Paynter.
By Prisoner : It was dark in the evening when he overtook the man ; he could not swear prisoner was the man who took the opium from the shop; could not swear that the ball of opium was lost out of Dr. Paynter's shop; it was possible that the opium might have come from some place other than Dr. Paynter's.
By the Crown Prosecutor : The man whom he took into custody was the man he saw leave Dr. Paynter*s shop.
By his Honor: He lost sight of prisoner for an instant while he looked through the window to see if anyone were in charge of Dr. Paynter's shop.
Andrew Haggertv, a constable in the Rockhampton Police, deposed that he took prisoner into custody, in Little Quay-street, on the 17th June ; he was given into custody by last witness ; it was pretty dark at the time, but he could see a man at twenty yards distance; he produced the ball of opium, which he had received from Dr. Paynter ; he saw Mr. Gannon mark a ball of opium in the lock-up.
David H. Dalrymple, next sworn, deposed that he was an assistant to Dr. Paynter, chemist ; he remembered the 17th of the month, a ball of opium was then in the shop, on the ledge above the window, and near the door ; there was only one ball there at the time ; he saw the ball there about six o'clock, when he lighted the lamps in the shop ; he was, for a short time, out of the shop ; he went into a room within a few feet of the shop ; he was only away for a few minutes, and the opium was not there when he returned ; he saw a ball of opium in the hands of the con stable at the lock-up ; he saw a ball of opium in the possession of Dr. Paynter; the value of the ball missed amounted to £9; it was the property of G. W. Paynter and his brother, his partner ; he could not identify the ball, but he knew that from the time the ball was missed until prisoner's apprehension that no opium had been sold.
Andrew Haggerty, re-called, stated that Dr. Paynter did not come up to the lock-up with them ; witness received the ball from Dr. Paynter.
Robert Paynter stated that he was carrying on the business of a druggist, in partnership with his brother. George William Paynter ; on the date in question he carried on business at the corner of Quay Lane ; his brother was out of the colony.
The Crown Prosecutor here applied for the amendment of the information by the insertion in it of the words "and another, his partner." The information was thereupon amended. This closed the case for the Crown.
Prisoner stated to the jury that he had bought the opium in Brisbane, from a German, and was passing Dr. Paynter's with the opium in his hand, when Mr. Gannon rushed out after him and gave him into custody. That he had been under commitment for three months; that if he thought the case was so bad a one, he would have sent for the person from whom he bought it, but he did not know where to find the person, and consequently could not call him as a witness. He was as innocent of the charge as he could be.
His Honor summed up, and the jury retired. After an absence of a few minutes, they re turned to the jury box, with a verdict of guilty.
Prisoner still declared his innocence, and his Honor said, that taking into consideration the length of time that he had been confined, he would pass upon him a lighter sentence than he would otherwise do. Prisoner was sentenced to be imprisoned and kept to hard labour in Rockhampton gaol for three months.
The Capricornian (Rockhampton) 7 September 1912:
The death of Mr David Hay Dalrymple not only removes a well-known public man, but one who spent a few years in Rockhampton in the early days. Mr Dalrymple came to Rockhampton in 1863, and was an assistant to Dr Paynter, who had a chemist’s shop at the corner of East-lane and Denham-street, where the Bank of New South Wales now stands. Subsequently he went to Mackay where he started business as a chemist on his own account, which he continued for some years.
- Event Memos from GEDCOM Import...
Court case
Brisbane Courier, 31 May 1865:
WATER POLICE COURT.
TUESDAY, MAY 30.
Before the Water Police Magistrate.
STABBING - William Ryan, a seaman, was charged with stabbing another seaman named Patrick Horigan, on board the ship "Sunda", on the 16th May, whileat sea. Water Police-Inspector McDonald stated that the prisoner had been handed over to him on the 28th instant, on the arrival of the "Sunda", onthe charge, above mentioned. The knife stated to have been used in the act was produced. Patrick Horigan stated that he was a seaman belonging tothe ship "Sunda", the prisoner was also a sailor belonging to that ship. At 9 o'clock p.m. on the I6th May, while at sea the prisoner and Horiganhad a quarrel at the forecastle door, which led to their fighting. After two or three rounds the prisoner threatened to murder Horigan, and made ablow at him with his knife, which Horigan struck out of his hand; in the struggle the witness Horigan got his finger severely bitten, they wereseparated, and witness went into the forecastle; while he was looking at his finger by the forecastle lamp, the prisoner came behind him and struckhim on the right shoulder with a knife, and cut him through his crimean shirt and singlet.
Dr. G. W. Paynter, surgeon-superintendent of the ship 'Sunda", deposed that about 10 o'clock on the night of the 16th May he examined the witnessHorigan, and found that he had a slight incised wound on his right shoulder. it was about three quarters of an inch long, and was only just cutthrough the skin. Horigan had also a wound on his hand, which might have been caused by a bite. James McDonald deposed that on the 16th May, in theevening, he saw Horigan in the forecastle, examining his finger, when the prisoner came in and the two had a struggle, in which both fell on to thedeck, the prisoner being uppermost he pulled the two apart, and kept the prisoner away from Horigan; witness went out of the forecastle to fightwith the prisoner, and returned in a little while, when he found a knife, like the one produced, lying on deck where the struggle had taken place,he gave the knife to the mate or doctor, he could not recollect which. Joseph Wright, seaman belonging to the "Sunda", deposed that while in theforecastle on the evening of the 16th May he saw Horigan come into the forecastle he was followed by the prisoner, who made a blow at him with aknife, which Horigan warded off; a scuffle then ensued, and continued until McDonald separated them. the prisoner was then asked to plead, and.after some hesitation, pleaded not guilty, and was committed for trial.
Court case
Rockhampton Bulletin:
LARCENY.
Fong Hong, a Chinaman, was indicted that he did, on the 17th June, 1865, feloniously take and carry away, one ball of opium, the property of G. W.Paynter.
H. Dean, Chinese interpreter, having been sworn, prisoner pleaded not guilty. A jury was empanelled, prisoner, through the interpreter, havingpreviously challenged four of them. Tho Crown Prosecutor, in opening the case, stated that it was one of simple larceny. On the date mentioned inthe indictment Mr. Gannon, a publican, saw prisoner enter Dr. Paynter's shop and carry away the opium. He followed, overlook, and gave him intocustody.
George Gannon was sworn, and stated that he kept the Commercial Hotel, in town; he knew prisoner, and had seen him on the 17th June last, on aSaturday ; he saw a Chinaman walk into Dr. Paynter's druggist | shop; it was between six and seven o'clock in the evening; witness was standing inhis house, about thirteen yards from the shop; the Chinaman look a ball of opium from the shelf at the front of the window; he left, the shop, andwent down Quay lane; witness followed, overtook him, and took the ball of opium from his hand; a police officer came up, and witness gave theChinaman in charge; witness handed the opium to Dr. Paynter; witness marked the ball, and identified the ball produced as the opium he had handed toDr. Paynter.
By Prisoner: It was dark on the evening when he overtook the man; he could not swear prisoner was the man who took the opium from the shop; couldnot swear that the ball of opium was lost out of Dr. Paynter's shop; it was possible that the opium might have come from some place other than Dr.Paynter's.
By the Crown Prosecutor: The man whom he took into custody was the man he saw leave Dr. Paynter*s shop.
By his Honor: He lost sight of prisoner for an instant while he looked through the window to see if anyone were in charge of Dr. Paynter's shop.
Andrew Haggertv, a constable in tho Rockhampton Police, deposed that he took prisoner into custody, in Little Quay-street, on the 17th June; he wasgiven into custody by last witness; it was pretty dark at the time, but be could see a man at twenty yards distance; he produced the ball of opium,which he had received from Dr. Paynter; he saw Mr. Gannon mark a ball of opium in the lock-up.
David H. Dalrymple, next sworn, deposed that he was an assistant to Dr. Paynter, chemist; he remembered the 17th of the month, a ball of opium wasthen in the shop, on the ledge above the window, and near the door; there was only one ball there at tho time ; he saw the ball there about sixo'clock, when he lighted the lamps in the shop ; he was, for a short time, out of the shop; he went into a room within a few feet of the shop; hewas only away for a few minutes, and the opium was not there when he returned; be saw a ball of opium in the hands of the constable at the lock-up;he saw a ball of opium in the possession of Dr. Paynter; tho value of the ball missed amounted to £9; it was the property of G. W. Paynter and hisbrother, his partner; he could not identify the ball, but he knew that from the time the ball was missed until prisoner's apprehension that no opiumhad been sold.
Andrew Haggcrty, re-called, stated that Dr. Paynter did not come up to the lock-up with them; witness received the ball from Dr. Paynter.
Robert Paynter stated that he was carrying on the business of a druggist, in partnership with his brother. George William Paynter; on the date inquestion he carried on business at the corner of Quay Lane; his brother was out of the colony.
The Crown Prosecutor here applied for the amendment of the information by the insertion in it of the words "and another, his partner." Theinformation was thereupon amended. This closed the case for the Crown.
Prisoner stated to the jury that he had bought the opium in Brisbane, from a German, and was passing Dr. Paynter's with the opium in his hand, whenMr. Gannon rushed out after him and gave him into custody. That he had been under commitment for three months; that if he thought the case was sobad a one, he would hare sent for the person from whom he bought it, but he did not know where to find the person, and consequently could not callhim as a witness. He was as innocent of the charge as he could be.
His Honor summed up, and the jury retired. After an absence of a few minutes, they returned to the jury box, with a verdict of guilty. Prisonerstill declared his innocence, and his Honor said, that taking into consideration the length of time that he had been confined, he would pass uponhim a lighter sentence than he would otherwise do. Prisoner was sentenced to be imprisoned and kept to hard labour in Rockhampton gaol for threemonths.
Arrival
Brisbane Courier, 29 May:
THE SHIP SUNDA.
The following particulars of the voyage of the ship Sunda from London and Queenstown to Moreton Bay have been handed to us for publication, and maybe relied on as substantially correct:-
The Sunda, 1381 tons register, under the command of Captain Flynn, late of the Great Tasmania, left Gravesend on Thursday, the 9th of February andwith a favourable breeze arrived at Queenstown [Ireland] on Sunday evening, making a splendid run of three days down channel. The captain andpassengers who embarked at London fully expected to have got into Queenstown Harbor early on Monday morning, but during the night a snow-stormaccompanied by a strong gale from the N and N E, set in, which obliged them to run out to sea again, and they were kept there beating about forseveral days and did not reach the anchorage till the afternoon of the following Thursday.
The passengers awaiting the ship at Queenstown were all embarked on Friday and Saturday, and on Monday the 20th, at 3pm, the tug steamer towed usout as far as Spike Island.
The captain purposed sailing on the next morning but a strong headwind was blowing outside, and he deemed it more prudent to remain inside, and toawait a more favorable opportunity. On Wednesday morning, the 22nd of February, we weighed anchor and were towed out to sea, and spreading ourcanvas before the breeze we soon lost sight of land.
We had on the whole a favorable, although rather tedious, passage to the Line, which we crossed on the 23rd of March, thirty days from Queenstown.The passage from the Line to the Cape, winch occupied thirtv-one days, was very monotonous owing to very light trades, head-winds, and calms.
We passed the meridian of the Cape on the 23rd of April, and after a splendid run of twenty-five days, rounded Tasmania on the 18th of May andsighted Moreton Bay Lighthouse on Tuesday afternoon the 23rd instant, making the passage from pilot to pilot in eighty-nine days.
We had only three deaths during the voyage, two children and one adult, a girl, who was ailing when she carne on board at Queenstown. We had threebirths, one still born, the other two living and doing well. The conduct of the passengers during the voyage was orderly and becoming, particularlythe single females, who are a very superior class; they are all without exception persons of the highest moral character, and most of them firstclass servants. The captain and the doctor, who have had considerable experience on emigrant ships, declare that they have never seen a more usefulor a more respectable body ol young girls than those now arrived.
The Sunda, which has gained for herself unenviable notoriety on her last passage to Moreton Bay, will, we are satisfied, under the able managementof Captain Flynn, become a great favourite with the colonists, particularly if she brings to Queensland a few more ship loads of emigrants such asthe present. Captain Flynn has made nine voyages to Melbourne - his character with the colonists of Victoria stands pre-eminently high, and mustalways command the respect and secure the friendship of the well disposed and orderly on board his ship. The Sunda brings 512 souls, exclusive ofthe crew and officers, of these 111 embarked at London and 401 at Queenstown, under the vigilant eye of Father Dunn, who deserves some publicrecognition for the signal services he has rendered to Queensland.
There are 18 first-class passengers, 60 in the second, and 434 in intermediate and steerage, of the latter 110 are single women, under the care of amatron, and 105 single men.
Most of the first cabin passengers and many of the second and intermediate are taking with them a considerable amount of capital, and will be agreat acquisition to the colony. The voyage on the whole has been most fortunate and prosperous, the passengers have been well cared for, and theyfeel truly grateful for all the kindness that has been shown them. The utmost harmony and good feeling exist amongst all classes of the passengers,and complimentary addresses would have been presented to the captain, the doctor, and officers of the ship, only such things, unless accompanied bysomething more substantial than mere words, are now-a-days too common, and often only a cloak to cover irregularities and misconduct.
On Friday, May 26, the Government s s. Platypus went alongside the Sunda, as she then lay at anchor off the Pilot Station. An effort was made to towthe vessel up to anchorage in Brisbane Roads, but it failed owing to the strength of the wind, which was, in nautical parlance, "right ahead." Thesteamer then look on board the passengers' luggage, and next morning she received the passengers and brought them up to town. The Sunda was towed upto the anchorage yesterday by the Kate.
Arrival
Queenslander, 14 July 1866:
July 11. —Louisa Maria, from Maryborough. Bhe reports having sighted the immigrant ship Great Pacific, bound for Keppel Bay, and states that thatvessel has lost her main top mast.
Brisbane Courier, 16 July 1866:
Rockhampton, July 14 - The Leichhardt has arrived. She reports that the immigrant ship Great Pacific was entering Keppel Bay this morning. She hassix hundred and thirty three immigrants on board, and the report is that all are well.
Brisbane Courier, 19 July 1866:
ARRIVALS AT KEPPEL BAY. July 14.—Great Pacific, Black Ball ship, 2080 tons, Captain Bailie, from Liverpool, with 620 immigrants.
Brisbane Courier, 23 July 1866:
The Bulletin of the 17th says :
The Leichhardt, on her arrival on Saturday, having reported the immigrant ship Great Pacific, the steamer Londonderry, with Dr. McNeely, healthofficer, the Assistant Immigration Agent on board, left the wharf at 12 o'clock on Saturday night, and arrived alongside the Great Pacific athalf-past 8 o'clock on Sunday morning. She left at 1 o'clock in the afternoon, and, with the addition of Captain Baillie on board, came up to townabout midnight. There are about 275 single men, and the remainder, 455, consist of married couples and children. The single men are an undersizedboyish looking lot, while the majority of the married men are a vigorous set, and several of them have a clean and respectable appearance. Takingthem as a whole, they are an inferior shipment, and during the passage took all that lay in the power of the Surgeon-superintendent and captain tokeep them in order. The major portion of the males were to find employment on the railway; whether they will or will not, under the existing stateof affairs, is a question which, so far as present appearances is concerned, may probably be answered in the negative. One hundred of the immigrantsare for Brisbane. Dr. McNeely, on boarding the vessel, found her bill of health good, and the vessel in a clean and orderly condition. CaptainBaillie is spoken of most highly on board, his safe and seamanlike management of the vessel, and his courteous conduct to his passengers have beenrecognised by the recipients of his treatment, and they, in addresses published in our shipping columns, make acknowledgment of it. The Platypus isexpected in Keppel Bay tomorrow, and she will convey the immigrants to town. The Great Pacific will be lightered of her cargo by the Platypus, andtwo schooners chartered for the purpose in Brisbane.
Brisbane Courier, 23 July 1866:
The Great Pacific , Black Ball Line ship, sailed from Liverpool on the 27th March; on the 2nd April in latitude 44 deg. 57 min N., and longitude 8deg. 45 min. W., encountered a heavy westerly gale, during which she lost her top-gallant mast, caps and gear; from that date met with light windsto the line, and crossed in 29 deg. W.; on the 29th April sighted Tristan d'Arunha; on the 2nd May ran down easting in 48 deg. S., and experiencedheavy gales and seas; passed through Bass' Straits on the 27th June, and since that time has been detained on and off this coast by N.E. winds; sheanchored off Cape Capricorn on Wednesday last, the 11th instant. The Great Pacific brings 630 immigrants, the great majority of whom are for therailway works. Nine deaths, mostly those of children, and nine births, have occurred during the passage. All on board enjoyed excellent health onthe voyage. The immigrants are under the charge of Surgeon-superintendent G. D. [sic] Paynter, late of Rockhampton. The greater part of the vessel'scargo consists of railway plant. - Rockhampton Bulletin.
Brisbane Courier, 28 July 1866:
The Bulletin, of July 24, states:—"The hiring of the immigrants per Great Pacific, up to the present time, proceeds but slowly. Of the 227 singlemen received at the depot, only about twenty, we are informed by the superintendent, Mr. Nicol, have been hired at an average of £40 per annum. Nonehave as yet been engaged for up country work. The 103 married couples, with 122 children and infants, are still at the depot. Among the single menthere are a few troublesome fellows, eight or nine of whom have, since their arrival appeared before the Police Court for drunkenness and disorderlyconduct —and one for assaulting the police was yesterday sentenced to one month's imprisonment. With a few exceptions, however, the immigrants bythis vessel are fully equal in character to the average of arrivals by late vessels, and we believe they have been unjustly subjected to disparagingcomments. From the number of families among them, there will doubtless be some difficulty in clearing them out of the depot"
"THE MISSING PASSENGERS OF "THE GREAT PACIFIC"
Extracts from an article by Margaret Kelly.
The Shipping Intelligence list of the Morning Bulletin, 12 July 1866, announced the arrival of the 2088 ton "The Great Pacific", a ship of the BlackBall Line, which sailed from Liverpool on 27th March 1866 for Keppel Bay. There were 630 immigrants on board and a huge cargo for the railways.According to the paper most of the immigrants on board this ship came from the Stoke-on-Trent area and were to work on the Rockhampton railways. Theimmigrants were under the charge of Surgeon-Superintendent George William Paynter, late of Rockhampton. The paper also included a list of cabin andsecond cabin passengers who thanked the Captain in an advertisement. Unfortunately all official passenger lists from this voyage have been lost.
Research into "The Great Pacific" has been very difficult. There are no known photographs of this ship and her only mention is in the "History ofthe Black Ball Line". She was an auxiliary screw clipper which means that she was a fully rigged ship with a small steam engine which was only usedin conditions of little or no wind.
The ship took 107 days to arrive in Keppel Bay. Normally a ship of this size could do the trip in 80 days. This was because the ship encountered aheavy western gale in the Bay of Biscay and lost her top gallant mast, caps and gear. She passed through Bass Strait on 27 June and anchored offCape Capricorn on 11 July 1866. It was not until the following week that the passengers were taken off the ship and brought into the Port ofRockhampton. The doctor was quite proud of the fact that it was only during this stay that passengers were given half rations of water. The waterhad lasted well.
According to the Health Officer in Rockhampton there were no contagious or infectious diseases present and he was satisfied as to the sanitaryconditions and cleanliness of the ship.
The surgeon's report states that that the conduct of the 629 passengers was very bad with a few exceptions. The good surgeon stated that he couldnot give them his weekly lecture as he could not induce them to attend and anyway, he had a severe suffering of the throat. I must admit that Ithought the excuse was very poor, but maybe he was as fed up as his passengers, and who could blame them - after spending 107 days at sea and withno ports to call into. The paper referred to this arrival as an "inferior shipment" mainly because there were some unruly characters on board whomade things very lively.
There were nine births and also nine deaths, of which six were infants.
Doctor: William George Paynter, born in St Columb, Cornwall. Age 48. Doctor Paynter left the ship in Rockhampton.
Court case
Rockhampton Bulletin, 21 November 1863:
Police Court, before the Police Magistrate.
George William Paynter, surgeon, complained of having been assaulted by John E Rutherford, chemist and druggist, of Denham-street.
Mr Dick appeared for the complainant.
The defence set up by Mr. Rutherford, who was not professionally represented, was "Cause to show ''.
From the evidence of the complainant, which was corroborated by the testimony of Mr. W. C Gardner, and Mr W S Anderson, it appeared that Dr Paynterwent on Wednesday afternoon last to Mr Gardner's hotel, and seeing the defendant there, entered into a friendly discussion with him upon the subjectof importing drugs and chemicals from England direct. Dr. Paynter informed the defendant that as he was about to proceed to England be would behappy to indent any goods the defendant might require in his business, and forward them to him; at the time this conversation took place, both thecomplainant and defendant were sitting in Mr Gardner's private parlour, where the latter had just been settling a private account with defendant; inreply to Dr Paynter's offer, Mr. Rutherford stated that he could get his goods quite as cheaply as Dr Paynter; upon which the latter said "he hadbeen nineteen years in the trade, and therefore ought to know something of the business". Mr. Rutherford replied, in a sneering tone, "You send mean indent of goods. Why, I shouldn't have thought you were more than nineteen years old." Dr Paynter then rose from his seat, and addressing thedefendant said, "If you persist in stating that I am not nineteen years old, you tell a lie," - or according to one witness' evidence, " I tell youit s a lie," - or, according to defendant's statement "you are a liar," the defendant then struck the complainant in the face with his fist, and DrPaynter returned the blow with another, which knocked defendant's head with some violence against the window sill; a scuffle then arose betweenthem, but Mr Gardner interposed, desiring the combatants, if they wished to have it out, to go into another room, where they would be all tothemselves; Mr. Rutherford. however. declined to continue the contest as suggested, and upon being told by
Mr Gardner that be had made a blackguard of himself by his conduct, left the hotel.
The defendant now asked the Bench to grant him a cross-summons against the complainant for using abusive language to him, and alleged that the backof his head had been cut by complainant, and that blood had flown from the
wound.
Mr Anderson (who was called and examined by Mr Rutherford), proved that the wound in question had been caused solely through defendant s fallingback with his head against the window sill, and not through any blow delivered by complainant; he (Mr. Anderson) considered the defendant was theaggressor.
Mr Gardner was of the same opinion.
Mr Jardine, who had previously endeavoured in vain to persuade the parties to settle the matter in an amicable manner, said he regretted that such acase should ever have been brought into Court.
Defendant was fined five shillings, and ordered to pay costs of Court and £1 Is. professional costs.
Court case
Rockhampton Bulletin, 8 November 1864:
THE LATE CASE OF POISONING.
THE District Coroner, on the 5th instant (Saturday last), held an inquest upon the remains of David Robinson, who died at the Rockhampton Hotel, onthe 4th. The evidence adduced was as follows:
George Beer, being sworn, stated - I am a shoemaker, residing in Rockhampton; 1 have known the deceased David Robinson for the last four years;deceased was a shoemaker, and had been in my employment for the last eight or nine months; deceased was of rather intemperate habits, but bas beensteady for some weeks past until the last few days; deceased was drinking during Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday, but was so sober during Wednesday andThursday that he attended the court during those days¡ yesterday deceased was drinking, but was not drunk; I saw him frequently yesterday; he was invery low spirits in consequence of losing a case at court, and talked frequently of it; I saw him about fifteen minutes before the time at which hemust have taken the poison: deceased was almost mad during his fits of intemperance, and some months ago I heard him threaten to drown himself; Idid not hear him say anything about committing suicide yesterday; the last time that I saw him in his usual health he was at my shop, inEast-street, about 6 80 p.m., on the 4th instant; one of the men in my employment (George Blutcher) brought me word about half-an-hour afterwardsthat Robinson had taken poison, and was lying at Skardon's; I went there immediately, to Skardon's, and saw the deceased lying on the verandah,moaning; I asked him what he had done, he said he had bought a shilling's worth of strychnine, at Paynter's, and had taken it; he bid me "Good- bye"and "God bless you"; I did not stop a minute but ran away for a doctor; on my return I found Drs. Robertson and Thon attending upon him; when Ifirst saw him he was evidently in great pain, and clenched his hands tightly, and rolled about very much; on my return he was exclaiming, "My God,my God," but would not answer any questions; the last words I heard him say were, "Oh, my poor wife and three children"; I never knew before that hewas married; I have before asked him was he married, but he said he was a single man; when I saw him again after my return, he was evidently ingreat pain, but I did not think be was dying, nor did I think he had taken poison; even the doctors who were attending him did not think so ; theygave him emetics, which did not act; they then applied the galvanic battery and inapisms [powerful stimulants] along the spine; he did not have morethan ten minutes after this time; 1 think he was not alive longer than half an hour after the news was brought to me that he had taken poison.
By the Foreman: I have heard that he had a fall from his horse some years ago, and that he had suffered from some injury of the brain; I have heardthat he suffered some family bereavements within the last six months which affected him very much; a small quantity of drink effected him very much;I do not know what time elapsed from the period at which he had taken the poison until be was visited by a medical man.
Charles Day Skardon, being duly sworn, stated: I reside at the Rockhampton Hotel; I have known the deceased for about twelve months, during whichtime I have had frequent opportunities of observing his habits; I have seen him drunk several times, and for some days together, but on the whole Ido not consider him a man of intemperate habit; I do not think he was an excitable man, but a very smail quantity of drink made him drunk; I did notsee deceased all day yesterday until about seven o'clock p.m; at this time I heard some noise in the front of the hotel, and when going out to seewhat was the cause of it, I found deceased Iying on the ground groaning and exclaiming that he was dying - that he had taken poison, a doctor hadbeen sent for at this time; Dr. Thona arrived, and deceased was carried into the room; Dr. Robertson arrived shortly after, I saw a battery appliedto deceased, and something given him, which I believe was an emetic; he was attended by these gentlemen until his death, which took place at fiveminutes to eight; I did not hear him say why he had taken the poison; deceased said he had taken strychnine, which he had purchased at Paynter's.
A. C. Robertson, being sworn, stated: I was called yesterday evening, between seven and eight p.m., to see a man who had taken poison; I immediatelywrote a prescription for two emetics, and dispatched the messenger for them; I then went to see the patient; on my arrival I found Dr. Thon hadadministered emetics, which had produced no effect; I mixed two together and administered them, without producing any effect; we applied thegalvanic battery to the chest and spine; we also applied mustard poultice to the chest, spine, and abdomen; the patient expired a few minutes beforeeight o'clock; deceased did not exhibit any of the symptoms of strychnine until about ten minutes before his death, but the patient was treated asif he had taken that poison; I cannot say positively that strychnine was the cause of death.
Robert Paynter, being duly sworn, stated: I am managing the. business of my brother as chemist and druggist; I have served my time with my brotherfor two years and a half as chemist and druggist, but have not passed the Brisbane Board yet: yesterday, about twilight, a man came into the shopand purchased some strychnine; he purchased it from my assistant, who asked the questions necessary on the sale of poisons; I have seen the body ofthe deceased, and identify it as that of the person who purchased the poison from my assistant yesterday; I understand the ten grains was thequantity given by my assistant to the deceased; I have seen the deceased several times before; we do not usually sell poisons to any one who may askfor it; I think that necessary precautions were taken in this case before giving the poison to the deceased; I asked deceased what he wanted withstrychnine; he said, "it was to poison rats"; I cautioned him that it was very dangerous to use; I thought that he was perfectly sound in his mind,and that he would not make a bad use of it; I believe there is some law in force in the colony to regulate the sale of poisons, but I do not knowwhat is the law of the matter; I have not got a copy of the Queensland or any other acts touching the sale of poisons. By the jury: I am not aqualified chemist and druggist; I saw the money on the counter which was, Ï believe, paid by the deceased; ten grains is the quantity usually givenfor one shilling; deceased did not appear excited, but answered every question in a straightforward mannner.
David Hay Dalrymple being duly sworn, stated: I am assistant to Mr. Paynter, at his druggist and chemist's shop, in Denham-street, Rockhampton; 1have no qualification; about half-past six p.m, yesterday, a man who I know by sight came into Dr. Paynter's shop, and said "I want a shilling'sworth of strychnine, it is a quarter of an ounce for a shilling, isn't it?" I said, "you can't have the strychnine, and you'll not get a quarter ofan ounce for a shilling;" he replied "It is not for me, it is for Mr. Beer the shoemaker" I asked what he wanted it for; deceased said to kill rats;I then weighed ten grains of strychnine, and he said it was very dear, and that he could get it for fourteen shillings an ounce in Sydney; whenlooking at the quantity he said, "You had better give me two shilling worth"; I said no, that is quite enough at a time; I then put it up in aparcel, and labelled it "POISON"; deceased said when he asked for the two shillings worth that he had four pieces of bread to spread it on, and thathe thought one shilling's worth not enough; after making up the parcel, I asked him where he was going to put the strychnine; deceased replied underthe verandah; I gave deceased the parcel, cautioning him to take care of it; deceased said he would and left. I have seen the body in thedead-house, and identify it as that of the person to whom I sold the strychnine yesterday; we do not usually sell strychnine to any one that may askfor it, but we sell it to persons whom we know.
By the Jury: Deceased said he had used it before, but I never sold any to him; deceased seemed quite collected, and laughed-when I told him I didnot believe he could get it for fourteen shillings an ounce in Sydney.
The jury, after this evidence had been submitted, returned a verdict - "That the deceased came to his death by taking strychnine, administered byhis own hands, whilst labouring under a fit of "temporary insanity".
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AIGS/FHC Member's - Family Trees
Abt 1827 - 1906 (~ 79 years)