"ROLLING-UP."

Wellington Independent, Volume XVI, Issue 1608, 13 August 1861, Page 5

" ROLLING-UP."

What is a shicer ? lately asked a London Police Magistrate of a retured Australian witness, and those of our readers who may share the worthy magistrate's ignorance of diggers slang, will be equally perplexed to understand the meaning of the term which heads this article. A reference to the account of the tragic occurrence at Lambing Flat in Sydney, which, appears in our issue to-day, will painfully answer their etymological perplexity. . . , For several months past there have been a series of most revolting outrages perpetrated, in the neighbourhood of the Lambing Flat Diggings, on the Chinese miners there, necessitating the encampment of the military on the spot for their suppression: only on their withdrawal to take place again with increased violence, and finally leading to the serious riot recorded elsewhere and the proclamation of Martial Law. These outrages were at first commenced by the few desperate characters which every Australian gold field now possesses ; the numbers of each raid, against the Chinese, or " roll-up " as it is called, gradually increasing until hundreds have turned into thouJbr ands, and the character of their proceedings become impressed with a brutality which is most painful to read. How many of these " Kolls-up " have taken place we, do not know, but the first which we notice occurred on Lambing Flat proper, where the Chinese were driven off from their legally held claims. After this, while making their way towards the Western Gold Fields the Chinese discovered the Native Dog Creek diggings, and began peaceably to work there to the number of about 3000. Some eighty or ninety whites also marked out claims, but they were driven off, as the Chinese had lately been from Lambing Fiat. The population of Lambing Flat immediately "rolled-up" and with very little difficulty cleared the Native Dog Creek locality. The whites were not, however, satisfied with this but proceeded to attack the camp, where they were opposed by the whole body of Chinese and after a severe fight obliged to retreat. No doubt fierce reprisals would quickly have been made on the Chinese had not a strong body of troopers arrived to maintain order.

On Sunday, the 30th June another " roll up " took place which is thus described.

Sunday night, June 30, 1861. By express to Yass on Saturday last it was pretty generally known that a roll up would take plaoe to day against the Chinese. The immediate cause' of it I cannot say. Some state tbat the diggers are determined to drive them off these fields — otheis that it is in consequence of their having struck a lead of gold at Back Creek, und some assert that it is in retaliation for tbe Native Dog Creek affair. Ceitain it is that it took place, and for destruction of property it exceeded any riot that has ever yet taken place on these fields. Between 10 and 11 o'clock, at Tipperary Gully, the Busier took place. Upwards of 1000 men, most of them armed with bludgeons or pick-handles, headed by a band, and carrying several large flags, one inscribed with the words. " Roll vp — no Chinese!" formed into procession, and marched into Lambing Flat. On reaching the town several unfortunate Chinese were observed, und a general rush at tbem took place. The Chinese took to their heels, but to no purpose, for tbey were caught, I and several of them had their pig-tails cut off, and were otherwise maltreated.

The mob, now between 2000 ancl 3000,1 crossed the main creek, and leaving the commissioners camp on .the right, made for the camp of the Chinese who were working inside the boundary set apart for them. The Chinese having taken flight upwards of forty tents were burned down, and all property of every kind destroyed. They then proceeded to the ground where the Chinese were working and destroyed nil tbe windlasses and iooh they could find, throwing them down the shafts. After proceeding about a quatter of a mile, they again halted. Several shots were fired ; it was then proposed they should proceed to Blnck Creek, a distance of six miles, where severalbundred Chinese were working, .which was reached in about 2 hours. The Chinese-had obtained information of their approach, and having packed up everything they possibly could to curry away, made a hasty retreat. Tents by scores were set ou fire ; rice and stores of all kinds destroyed, butchers' shops filled with meat, set on fire. For a .distance of half a mile, the burning tents showed tlie work of destruction. Not content with this, some men on horseback pioceeded forward and over-

took the Chinese -some 1200. They rounded them up the same as they would a mob of cattle, struck them with their bludgeons aud whips, and made them leave ali their swags. . And now ensued a scene that defies description Six «r seven immense fires were made with clothing of all descriptions, stores, rice, blankets, boots, a large quantity, of them quite new, being heaped together and set oni fire; men with picks and axes destroying everything that would not burn. Having destroyed and burnt all they] possibly could, they again formed into procession and returned to Lambing Flat, which was reached about half-past 5 p.m.

A few days after, we learn that when the Chinese were driven from Back Creek they made for Roberts' Station, distant about twelve miles, perfectly destitute. Mr. Roberts supplied them with flour, beef, and what clothing he possibly could. Many were seriously injured ; two lay there in a very dangerous state, and are not expected to recover. Some three or four are missing. They were obliged to huddle together in' the open air, although there was much rain.

• Up to the present time (says the Herald's correspondent writing on the 3rd July) no measures appear to have been taken by the authorities for the arresting of the leaders of this diabolical outrage. Jl is openly stated by many on this gold field that another roll up is to take place against the. Chinese at "Wombat, and the ttorekeepers who have supplied ~tbe Chinese with stores.

rhave been over a great part of these fields siuce Sunday, and so far as I can learn the general feeling is sympathy for the unfortunate 1 Chinese.- .This roll up differs from all others, in atrocities committed, and the destruction of properly is at least £5000. I noticed one man. who returned with eight pigtails attached to a fhg, glorying in the work, that had been done. I also saw oue tail, with a part of the scalp, the size of a man's hand attached, that had been literally cut from some unfortunate creature ; another had his back broken. In fact, the injuries they have received it is impossible; at present to arrive at. , But to give, our readers even a faint picture of the state of the district during these " rolls up," we make the following extract from a correspondent of the san.e journal, dated on the day after the above occurrence took place; I have been since eight o'clock yesterday morning up to the present time in one continual 'excitement. 1 was ah eye-witness to all I shall, describe. I know of two despatches haringbeen sent to the Government. No one at a.distance from this place can fbrin.the.least idea of the scenes of brutality that have been committed. this day—iit surpasses all previous, " roll-ups." The destruction of property must be something immense— fully three hundred tents have been burnt to the ground. How the Government, after incurring the expense of sending the military here, could have withdrawn tbem so suddealy I cannot understand. , Every road leading to this place is swarming with bushrangers, and there is no mounted force that affords any protection. The scenes that nightly take place at Tipperary Gully are frightfulgreat mObs of men fighting and committing every crime unchecked— crowds of men of the very worst class taking possession of public houses, and demanding drink without money ; landlords and their servants behind the : bars with loaded revolvers threatening to shoot any one that attempts to take anything, or get behind the counters ; brutal fights and assaults committed upon respectable men, who dare hot appeal to the authorities ; robberies every day and night. Without some measures, and very strong ones too, are taken at once, and anarchy and bloodshed will be tbe result... . ..Had the Chinese at first have been reinstated in their claims, the law upheld, and then the grievances of the diggers enquired into, ahd legislated upon, the question would have been settled. As it is now, it is difficult to say what the end of it will be; it is getting -so complicated that I do not know what really would be the best course. If the Government do not attempt to ' bring some of the parties engaged iii this last riot to justice, no man's life on any of the goldfields will be safe.

We could easily cull from the Sydney papers details of the atrocities of which we have stated only the general outline, They are exceedingly revolting, but fortunately are not necessary to enable our readers to understand the cause of the riot which is fully recorded in another column from the Empire of the 18 th July, kindly placed at our disposal by the Captain of the brig Yarrow.