120
XCV.
QUI POTEST CAPERE CAPIAT.
ELECTION.
OLD SPOT, BAKERY-HILL, BALLAARAT.
According to notice, a Public Meeting was held on Saturday, July 14th, 1855, for the election of nine fit and proper men to act as Members of the Local Court——the offspring of the Eureka Stockade.
The Resident Warden in the Chair. Names of the Members elected for the First Local Court, Ballaarat:——
I. JAMES RYCE
(elected unanimously.)
II. ROBERT DONALD
(elected unanimously.)
III. CARBONI RAFFAELLO
(elected unanimously.)
IV. JOHN YATES
(elected unanimously.)
V. WILLIAM GREEN
(elected unanimously.)
VI. EDWARD MILLIGAN,
elected by a majority of 287 votes.
VII. JOHN WALL,
elected by a majority of 240 votes.
VIII. THOMAS CHIDLOW,
elected by a majority of 187 votes.
IX. H. R. NICHOLLS,
elected by a majority of 163 votes.
The first time went to our Court, I naturally stopped under the gum-tree——before the Local Court Building——at the identical spot where Father P. Smyth, George Black, and myself delivered to the Camp authorities our message of peace, for preventing bloodshed, on the night of Thursday, November 30th, 1854 by moonlight. We were then not successful.
Now, I made a covenant with the Lord God of Israel, that if I comparatively regained my former health and good spirits, I would speak out the truth; and further, during my six months' sitting in the Court, I would give right to whom right was due, and smother the knaves, irrespective of nationality, religion, or colour.
I kept my word——that is, my bond is now at an end.
I hereby resign into the hands of my fellow-diggers the trust reposed in me as one of their arbitrators: after Christmas, 1855, I shall not sit in the Local Court. With clean hands I came in, with clean hands I go out: that is the testimony of my conscience. I look for no other reward.
(Signed) CARBONI RAFFAELLO.
Dec. 1st, 1855
