POWERHOUSE COLLECTION

Notes

"Self portrait of a convict". This is believed to be a self portrait of a convict. A penny of the 1797 issue of George III has been smoother off and engraved crudely but effectively with the figure of a convict wearing the garb and shackles of a member of the notorious "Iron Gang" who were employed, in chains, on road making. He is shown full length and facing, smoking a long, "churchwarden" style clay pipe. Clothed in breeches and short, open jacket, he is shackled at ankles and waist to a ball and chain. The initials H B appear on either side of the figure. This piece is the only known specimen of convict medallic art, and was formerly in possession of Sir Henry Parkes, the architect of Federation. The Years of Expansion: Convicts, Bushrangers, and the Law From first settlement to the cessation of transportation to New South Wales in 1840, many thousands of convicts of both sexes had been transported to the Colony. Most of them settled in their new country upon release without further conflict with society. From the earliest days however, many convicts known as "bolters" absconded into the bush, sustaining themselves by a life of crime. These were the first bushrangers, and tended generally to operate on their own, rather than in gangs. Whilst foot patrols of constables sufficed to keep order in the towns and settlements, the problem of controlling crime within the vast interior of the Colony, called for the establishment of a force of mounted police in 1825. This force was recruited by secondment of soldiers from British Army units stationed in New South Wales at the time, and was known as the Military Mounted Police. Their task was to keep law and order in the formally recognised area of settlement. Beyond the fringe of settlement this was the duty of the Border Police, formed in 1839. These forces were reorganised in 1850 as the New South Wales Mounted Police; and were supplemented by special duty detachments during the gold discovery years, known as the Mounted Road Patrol and the Gold Police, respectively. In 1862 coincided with outbreak of major organised bushranging which lasted until about 1875, and which became known as the "Bushranger War". As representatives of the law in remote areas of the Colony, the mounted police were responsible for many administrative tasks as well as their law enforcement duties. They were supported by Police Magistrates who were the link between police in the field, and the Law. These men were often retired officers of the British Army, and were appointed to particular police districts or division. They were active men who played a key role in law enforcement, during a turbulent and often lawless period in the Colony. From Sydney Mint Museum label written by curator, Major HP (Pat) Boland, c1982