Documents

Lot 3073    Session 11 (9:30am Thursday 2nd August)    Documents

Estimate $100
Bid at live.noble.com.au
SOLD $1,400

TASMANIA POLICE MANUAL, 1858, Rules and Regulations for the Management and Guidance of the General Police Force of Tasmania, 49pp, on front cover is written, 'Constables Manual/May the 5 - 1864', inside front cover is written, 'James Wilson/Chief Constable/Great Lake District/30th August 1867', below this to right, 'James Wilson/September 1867/?27.10.8/District/District (?)', and on the inside of the back cover, 'James Wilson/Steps Police Station/District of South Longford/May 5 - 1864'; another Police Manual, 1871, Rules and Regulations for the Government and Guidance of the General and Rural Municipal Police Force of Tasmania, 45pp, stamped in ink on fly page, starting page and inside back cover with the signed name, 'M J Collins', with written note on page 39, both manuals printed by James Barnard, Government Printer, Tasmania. Both with minor areas of foxing, the first has one page torn and the last page missing bottom right corner not affecting the text other than printer's name, otherwise fine, the second with partially loose spine, otherwise very fine. (2)

James Wilson was born at Cumnock, Ayrshire, Scotland in 1837 and emigrated to Van Diemen's Land in 1858. Six years after arriving at Launceston he was appointed Chief Constable of the South Longford Police District on 14 March 1864. This area was later renamed the Great Lake Police District. A residence was erected at The Steppes in the area, so named by James Wilson after a small settlement near his former home at Glasgow. Later, in about 1888 another police house was built nearby to The Steppes property and Wilson moved with his growing family into this new property. Wilson continued his policing duties in the area until 31 December 1894 when he was discharged as a result of a reduction in the police establishment numbers however he was re-appointed as a Special Constable on the 16th of January 1899 and continued to serve until his final discharge on 30 June 1903 due to his position being made redundant. James Wilson suffered a stroke and died on 2 September 1922.