DR BENNETT

 

Doctor Reginal Henry Kemp Bennett's surgery and Edward Purchase's chemist shop, Gulgong, ca. 1872

Located on Herbert Street next to the Cameron's Crystal Fountain.

Source: Mitchell Library, SLNSW

Bennett's surgery and Purchase's chemist shop, detail

Dr Bennett's sign at the Apothecaries Hall, Herbert Street

Source: Mitchell Library, SLNSW

NEWS ITEMS

1875 - Indignation Meeting

Yesterday evening a public meeting was held at Dennis’s Star Hotel, for the purpose of protesting against the conduct of Dr Ewington, while sitting upon the Bench and sending Dr Bennett to prison.

William Self in the chair, all speakers to be given a fair hearing.

Mr Brough read the first resolution: That this meeting is of the opinion that the arbitrary, if not unjust, conduct of Dr Ewington in sending Dr Bennett to 24 hours imprisonment, demands that the matter should be reported to the Minister for Justice, with a view that such steps be taken to protect the liberty of the subject from such unwarrantable outrage. Mr Brough was in the court at the time and stated that the only act of which Dr Bennett could be accused of was that he had the audacity to look at Dr Ewington while he was on the Bench. At no time did Dr Bennett by word or act insult Dr Ewington in any way. Dr Ewington had taken advantage of his position as a JP to gratify a feeling of malice and ill-will towards Dr Bennett.

Mr Brough produced a letter written by Dr Ewington and addressed to J A Courtis, that would enable those present to judge the character of Dr Ewington.

The letter as follows:-

Gulgong March 30, 1874

Sir, Unless my bill is paid on or before Thursday morning next, at 10 a m, a summons will issue against you and another for the recovery of my debt. I an well aware of all circumstances in which you live and if the child who I attended is not yours, I know whose it is.

Your obedient servant

WILLIAM EWINGTON, Surgeon

The meeting wanted to go in a body to console Dr Bennett, this was decided against and Mr Brough was to go and inform Dr Bennett of the happenings of the meeting

Those mention who attended the meeting: Messrs Trounce, Lonnergan, Dennis, Harris, John Scully, McMather, Hunter &Dr Ramsay.

Source: GULGONG EVENING ARGUS, January 14, 1875