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The Chinese in Dorset
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Fears
of a Chinese occupation of Ringarooma's tin fields were not far
fetched in the 1880's.
From Branxholm to Moorina, Bradshaw's Creek, Garibaldi and Weldborough
the Chinese outnumbered the Europeans.
Entrepreneurs of cheap labour and get rich schemes brought in the
Chinese to work the mines of absentee owners.
Had they brought in Chinese women too, then Tasmania's history may
have been different.
Without women, the men were lonely. Some managed to court or wed
European women: a few imported brides from China.
But they were hated by many of the European miners who despised
their colour and ability to work hard
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The Chinese
who came to the Ringarooma Municipality ( now Dorset Municipality)
were nearly all from Kwangtung, in war torn Souther China.
In districts where there were a large number of Chinese working
for established camps. The main Chinese camps in the northeast were
at The Batch, Derby, Thomas' Palins in Portland, later named Weldborough
and at Garibaldi on the Wyniford River. The Chinese were also an
integral part of the communities at Mt Cameron, Moorina and at Ruby
Flats.
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Last remaining Chinese building in Branxholm.
Since this photo was
taken, the right side of the building has collapsed.
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| A brief
extract from "As the River Flows" - Mount Victoria to Boobyalla-
A History of the Ringarooma Municipality, © 1988 |
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