We learn from the Gulgong Guardian that a meeting convened by circular was held on Wednesday evening, at Selff's hotel, at which was present a large number of the mining and commercial inhabitants of the gold field. The object of the meeting was to consider the most appropriate mode of expressing in a public and substantial manner, the estimation in which Mr Plunkett is held by all classes on the gold-field. As all our readers are probably aware, Mr Plunkett has resigned the Commission of the Peace consequent on his private affairs being involved.
Mr. B. Benjamin was voted to the chair, and explained the object of the meeting. He felt sure all present sympathised with Mr. Plunkett in his reverse of fortune, and he was glad to see so many respond to the call made to consider the best way of shewing that sympathy. The following resolutions were put and passed unanimously: —
'That this meeting having heard of the resignation of Mr. Plunkett, of Talbragar, as a magistrate, desire to give expression of their regret at the loss of his services, and also record the confidence reposed in him as a magistrate of the commercial, as well as the mining community of Gulgong, not only for his indefatigable exertions, but also for his upright conduct on the Bench.'
Second resolution —
'That subscription lists be at once opened on behalf of Mrs. Plunkett and family, and that Messrs. Edward Tarrant and Cornelius Driscoll be hereby appointed trustees to dispose of the amount raised in such a manner as they shall deem best.'
Third resolution —
Fourth resolution —
'That this meeting is of opinion that an address, expressing the loss felt by the public at Mr. Plunkett's retirement from the Bench, be presented to him at a public dinner at Gulgong; and that the Committee do make all the necessary arrangements to carry out this resolution.'
A subscription list having been prepared, £100 was collected in a few minutes. The meeting, which was enthusiastic and unanimous throughout, then terminated. We need hardly say that the object of the meeting has our warmest support, and, as one of the speakers remarked, 'Though Mr. Plunkett is in one sense unfortunate, in another, he is very fortunate in being so highly appreciated by the populous community on the Gulgong Gold Field.' As a magistrate, Mr. Plunkett's absence will be a loss severely felt by the miners in the Court of Appeal, in which Court his aptitude for dealing with mining cases was strikingly apparent, and much appreciated. We feel certain that his friends and admirers will so respond to the call of the Committee as will enable the trustees to hand over a substantial token to Mrs. Plunkett of the estimation in which her husband is held on Gulgong, and throughout the district.
Source: Freeman's Journal (Sydney, NSW : 1850 - 1932) Sat 7 Oct 1871 Page 31871 - MR. J. F. PLUNKETT, J.P.
1872 - MR. J. F. PLUNKETT.
We learn from the Gulgong Guardian that a meeting convened by circular was held on Wednesday evening, at Selff's hotel, at which was present a large number of the mining and commercial inhabitants of the gold field. The object of the meeting was to consider the most appropriate mode of expressing in a public and substantial manner, the estimation in which Mr Plunkett is held by all classes on the gold-field. As all our readers are probably aware, Mr Plunkett has resigned the Commission of the Peace consequent on his private affairs being involved.
Mr. B. Benjamin was voted to the chair, and explained the object of the meeting. He felt sure all present sympathised with Mr. Plunkett in his reverse of fortune, and he was glad to see so many respond to the call made to consider the best way of shewing that sympathy. The following resolutions were put and passed unanimously: —
'That this meeting having heard of the resignation of Mr. Plunkett, of Talbragar, as a magistrate, desire to give expression of their regret at the loss of his services, and also record the confidence reposed in him as a magistrate of the commercial, as well as the mining community of Gulgong, not only for his indefatigable exertions, but also for his upright conduct on the Bench.'
Second resolution — 'That subscription lists be at once opened on behalf of Mrs. Plunkett and family, and that Messrs. Edward Tarrant and Cornelius Driscoll be hereby appointed trustees to dispose of the amount raised in such a manner as they shall deem best.'
Third resolution — 'That a committee consisting of Messrs. Driscoll, Tarrant, Rossiter, M. A. Walker, Tuckerman, Brady, Cooney, Scully, Ferrie, McGibbin, and Benjamin, with power to add to their number, be appointed to thoroughly canvass the gold-field and district for subscriptions.'
Fourth resolution — 'That this meeting is of opinion that an address, expressing the loss felt by the public at Mr. Plunkett's retirement from the Bench, be presented to him at a public dinner at Gulgong; and that the Committee do make all the necessary arrangements to carry out this resolution.'
A subscription list having been prepared, £100 was collected in a few minutes. The meeting, which was enthusiastic and unanimous throughout, then terminated.
We need hardly say that the object of the meeting has our warmest support, and, as one of the speakers remarked, 'Though Mr. Plunkett is in one sense unfortunate, in another, he is very fortunate in being so highly appreciated by the populous community on the Gulgong Gold Field.' As a magistrate, Mr. Plunkett's absence will be a loss severely felt by the miners in the Court of Appeal, in which Court his aptitude for dealing with mining cases was strikingly apparent, and much appreciated. We feel certain that his friends and admirers will so respond to the call of the Committee as will enable the trustees to
hand over a substantial token to Mrs. Plunkett of the estimation in which her husband is held on Gulgong, and throughout the district.
1872 - MR. J. F. PLUNKETT.
Mr. Plunkett has, in reply to a large requisition, offered himself as a candidate for the Western Gold Fields. The Gulgong Guardian writes of him in the following terms :—
This gentleman has exhibited an intelligent interest in all matters relating to the welfare of the miners and the progress of the goldfield. As a magistrate sitting in the Court of Appeal, he gave it a character for judicial capacity it did not previously possess, and the want of his presence in that court has been keenly felt by the litigants since he retired from the Bench. Of his abilities, he has offered ample opportunities at the many important public meetings on the goldfield to enable the electors to form an opinion of them. His address explains his opinions on the various topics of mining interest; and if they are in accordance with those of the electors, it will be their duty to enable him to give practical effect to them.
Source: Freeman's Journal (Sydney, NSW : 1850 - 1932) Sat 9 Mar 1872 Page 61875 - CEMETERY.
I visited the cemetery a few days ago, and cannot help complimenting Mr. Bishop for the very tasteful and careful way in which the grounds are kept. Some of the monuments-particularly those in the Catholic part of the cemetery-are very imposing, and executed with great good taste. Among these I could not help noticing the one erected to the members of Mr. Plunkett's family - four in number who all died within a few months. This is really of classic beauty.
1876 - [NEW MAGISTRATES]
Last Thursday’s Gazette contained a long list of newly appointed magistrates and we are glad to find that at last Gulgong can boast of a real live JP which is not a civil servant. The two fortunate recipients of this much-coveted honour—why we know not—are Mr Plunkett and Mr Cornelius Driscoll. The former gentleman is everybody knows not new to the office, having done good service as a magistrate in the early days of this goldfield when the ‘Mining Appeal’ was a local institution in great request. Mr Plunkett’s experience of the duties of the office, coupled with his undoubted ability will make his return to the Bench a public benefit in many ways. Mr Driscoll’s elevation from the ‘Bar’ to the Bench will no doubt prove beneficial to suitors as the scarcity of magistrates to transact the business of the Court of Petty Sessions regularly and methodically has been for years a want which is now happily provided for. We were in hopes that at least half-a-dozen magistrates would have been appointed to Gulgong. We hope now to hear of the Court being opened at 11am prompt.
Source: GULGONG EVENING ARGUS - Saturday October 7, 1876
