Australian Town and Country Journal at KellyGang 20/7/1872 (4)
The Church of England is a dark wooden building, coloured by time and the "elements." It is a small erection, and was not nearly large enough for its members a few years since, but is not filled at the present day. The Roman Catholic Church is being built on the opposite side of the "reserve" to that of the English Church. It is a small neat stone building. There is also a small wooden building, formerly the Synagogue of the Jewish residents, but now, I am told, used by the Wesleyans and others.
The court-house, which is also a wooden building, with a few necessary offices, is presided over by an upright and much esteemed PM, Mr Dalton, who was also appreciated by the miners on another field. The JP's consist of a few of the squatters residing near the town. Since the Quarter Sessions has been held in Forbes it has necessitated the erection of a gaol, a good brick and stone building, with its cells, offices, and yard; this is near the court-house, and on one side of the reserve.
The police of Forbes have generally been well lead, from the palmy days of the gold-field, when Gardiner and his gang gave so much trouble, until now. Pottingger was both gentlemanly and plucky. Roberts (now in Young) did not allow such human carrion as bush rangers to lie easy in his district, and when the vermin would not "surrender." he neither asked for, nor gave quarter.' The prompt manner in which he ran down Humphries and his mate, on the Cowra road, tilling the latter in the exchange of shots, was much to his credit, and now the name of Sub-Inspector Stephenson is a terror to all evil-doers, and especially to the bush thieves. His manly fight, his dogged determination to do his duty, and rid the colony of such a desperate as Lowry, spoke volumes, and gave a wholesome check to some other worthies of the same lawless stamp: and besides other cases on a minor scale, there was the recent run for over 690 miles (in a zig-zag manner for some 300 miles, owing to the artfulness of the "scoundrels) after those two recent bushrangers, and the recovery of nearly all the property they took from one or two stations they "stuck-up." Those who know this really valuable public officer; all speak of his quiet though determined character, thoroughly unobtrusive, nothing of the "blowing" style about him, and several of his townsmen told me, "That while they should regret his departure from the district, they would be pleased to see his services recognised by his superiors." meaning, 1 expect, by promotion. The chief at Bathurst has shown his judgment in selecting some at his sub-inspectors. Of course, with such officers, the men are obliged to be pretty "smart," and thus this part of the colony is kept quiet. The C.P.S. is a gentleman of the well-known Wilshire' family, and is kept pretty fully employed in this large district.
The other buildings are a well-built and comfortable looking brick bank, formerly occupied by the Oriental, now used as the Forbes branch of the Joint Stock, the only bank in the town, the NSW having left some few years back, and the Orienta within the last eighteen months. Many of the former residents of this place will always remember the courtesy and kindness of the well-known manager of the NSW., and the several others who had charge of the different banks when gold was dug up in bucket fulls. The post and telegraph offices are next to the bank, and are in the occupation of an obliging official. Some of the stores are well built, the late Mr Shaw's being commodious, and attached to the small, but comfortable residence. He was a thrifty, but hospitable "Son of Scotia," and notwithstanding he frequently talked of going to his “native isle," - the usual remark applied to our Scotch countrymen about "not returning,” has been verified in his case.
The largest store is that brick-built one, owned by the brothers, J and W Thomas, two young men, who have, by a quiet plodding, but untiring industry, raised themselves into a first-class position as colonial traders, having a large store with two floors and a cellar, that would not disgrace George-street, Sydney. Another, is a brick-built store, purchased lately of the Joint Stock Bank, by Mr James Frazer, who carried on a large trade, both during and since the gold-fields were in active operation; but was a great sufferer by the last flood, and compelled, by his losses, to give up business. He will, doubtless, receive a good share of patronage now he has recommenced. Such men are examples of active zeal, and straightforward merchant - like conduct, and I ask your permission to bring them forward, from town to town, so that your juvenile readers, as well as others, may learn by such perseverance. &c., that no one in this fine colony need despair of doing well.
The theatre (in ruins) is partially occupied by the well-known Mr Jones, once the largest trader in the town, but some £8000 or £9000 of "bad debts" placed his balance on the wrong side of the ledger, and there being nothing dishonourable, he left business, paying a large dividend. He is now the principal auctioneer, and is occasionally employed by one of the official assignees and others, who have known him for years. I believe the theatre cost some £10 000, was burned, and ruined the proprietor, who previously was a wealthy and favourite hotel-keeper. Other smaller stores there are and several drapery establishments, one under the direction of Mr Jardine, much respected all over the west.
, .1. , .2. , .3. , .4. , .5. ,
| ! | The text has been retyped from a microfiche copy of the original. We have taken care to reproduce this document but areas of the original text may been damaged. |
