Volume 2: Daily journal book, 30 September 1864-22 October 1870

1865 Jany 1st Sunday. Being Matron's turn to go to church, Blanche Spreadbrow and Mary Lorden took advantage of her absence and were sewing!, on her return, went to their bedroom and found it was too true. shall get the lock repaired to prevent such conduct in future. the other bedrooms are locked during the day.

2nd Monday Blanche was allowed to go. as she seemed to poison the minds of the others and was herself worthless, although so clever if she shoase to exercise, her talents. The Matron stood by whilst Mrs. Anderson examined each article of dress as she put it on, she had a long letter from Elizth. Riley to her paromor. which was detained of course. Blanche returned in less than hour & told Melinda tha she was so dissapointed, for all the shops were shut." she would have liked to make a further convenience of the Refuge no doubt by coming back for a while untill they re open.

Teusday 3rd Mrs Hay visited in company with a lady and gave Emma Lacky 2/. & Melinda 4/. for a X-mas gift.

Teusday 3rd Ladies comt. Poor Elizth. Adley requested to go next door, The ladies decided that her request be granted and sent to ask if they wd. take her in. She was taken there by Mrs A. Elizth Smith is greatly improved. is quiet, obedient & very industrious. (The most hop ful cause in the Refuge.)

Wedensday 4th The Matron went to the Civil Service Club at 10 oclk to ask for sewing and in hopes of getting former bills. ( 3 17 6 ) paid. The servant said "both Mr & Mrs Marchant were in bed, asleep." Then called at Bible Hall, for a bible for Em Locky and returned at 11 oclk (pr. Tram).

1865

Thursday 5th. Mrs Thompson called to engage Mary Louden and was very sorry to hear that she had left.

Friday 6th. Cathn. Kirkwood at 6 oclk asked admittance, she was dressed in a light blue silk dress and a very costly blk silk paletot new worth £6 or £7. says she wants to lead a better life, her sister. Annie Kirkby was here for a while & then made her escape through the com't room window in the afternoon she was called before the Ladies in Comt. but she trembled so that they sent her away. and during the even. she demmanded to go out. The laundry women begd the Matron would remove Elizth Rily. that she only hindered others fm working.

Saturday 7th. Matron went at 9 oclk to Capt Williams "La Hogue" on business - called with Mr Caldwell with money. also purchased a pair of shoes for Eliz'th Thompson & returned to finish making the washing bills at 11 oclk. Fanny Quinn went to her situation starting at 2 oclk by Buss to Cudgee [Coogee]. the messenger carried her box to it. Poor Marg't Lamb is almost heartbroken because she has to stay three months longer, as punishment for climbing the wall at night once. she cries bitterly about it. Mr Roberts went in search of Eliz'th Stricklands parents found the Mother to be a clean tidy respectable woman she also spoke well of her husband as a sober industrious man he earned £2.5.0 per week. she cannot do anything with Eliz'th and would gladly pay, if we can. Agnes O'Brian stole the pepper from cook to strew over the blanket on Ellen Wrights bed - Elizth Riley is idle & quarrelsome causing great trouble

1865

Sunday 8th Miss Banker spent an hour reading the scriptures and conversing with the inmates. All the inmates are in good health. and all well conducted during the three services today. and very clean.

Monday 9th The Matron went at 1/4 to 10 oclk on a visit to her sick daughter (by permission) returned at 2 oclk. afterwards went to the "La Hogue" with the washing bills had to go again at half past 5 oclk. and then received a cheque £11.2 for 'Cap.Williams M. Goddard & the Ships wash'. The sailors had already paid.

Tuesday 10th Ladies Sub comt. Mrs. Strickland brought 2/6 and promised to pay the same amt weekly whilst her daughter stays in the Refuge. she was glad to hear that there was even a slight improvement in her conduct.

Wednesday 11th Mrs. Breilat visited the laundry and spoke encouragingly to the girls. and brought a present of an excellent print dress, for Fanny Quinn. we are greatly in need of work for untrained ignorant girls that can neither wash, iron or sew. such as common print for patchwork knitting, or what would be more profitable, picking flax or hair. Mary Ann Harrison and her companion in sin (Sarah Fay) were received on trial. The latter girl has a baby 3 months old which she has left in charge of a woman. Miss Wait commenced her duties as teacher on Monday. The butcher sent such poor beef this morn. that Mrs. A took it back. Elizth Riley is the worst girl in the Refuge. she will neither behave herself nor be at peace with those that try to reform.

1865

Thursday 12th Capn. Fowler 'Normahale' [Nourmahal] requested that his, and his crews, washing be sent for. and as we had no messengers, they were brought in a cab by the Matron. Maria Bird has been complaining of a pain in her side. Bridget Dawson & Ann Mack conducted themselves badly at prayers last night.

Friday 13th Elizth Riley is so diseased that she was taken by her Mother to the Infirmary. Mary Ann Harrison will also have to go. Agnes OBrian is exceedly troublesome & idle.

Saturday 14th Had extra washing this week which has kept the inmates busy. the unsettled state of the weather caused much extra trouble. purchased 6 dozn pears for them. shall give them each one a day whilst they last. but all kindness & forbearance is lost on Agnes OBrian.

Sunday 15th Had service three times, all the inmates seemed content. Mr Roberts brought four women from the breakfast meeting. The weather being so cold gave Kate Scott a new pair of shoes and stockings and brown skirt, Elizth Smith a print dress & brown jacket. and the two made their escape a few minutes after the even service. taking the extra clothing with them exepting the shoes & stock., Instructed Mrs A to go to their old haunt, she found Elizth Smith & gave her in charge, Annie Mac was in the same horrid [nookery?], but there were many of the "Forty Thieves" gang about, by whom these prostitutes are protected: that she Annie managed to slip away with the Refuge dress thrown over her head to hide herself.

1865

Monday 16th a Police man called to say they had caught Annie Mack Mrs A went to the Court. Elizth Smith returned with her, but Annie Mack would not. Mrs Goodlet dismissed Bridget Dawson. Margt O.Brian came by permission untill she goes to her new situation.

Teusday 17th Catherine Rickards begd to be admitted, she waited outside untill the Matron had breakfast then went with her to her parents house to hear if her statement was true that her "father would pay for her" her mother said perhaps he would, but she preferd consulting him, she was told that Cathn could not be received untill we heard from them but she would have to left in the street, before parting with the poor wretched girl, told her how good & kind our Heavenly Father was, when father & mother forsake her the Lord will take her up.

urged her not to return to her old haunts but find some one with a family of small children and offer to wash or scrub for her food - and perhaps we might take her in, after her father had been here - as we were assembling for even prayer Cathn brought a note from her Mother promising to pay if we would take her in. She was taken, she was filthy and swarming with vermin. she slept out Maria Bird has recovered.