Wollombi Lockup 1845

John Connor, the lockup keeper at this place, was brought before Mr. Dunlop on Tuesday last charged by James Belcher with permitting the latter to pass a night in company with his (Belcher’s) wife, while under sentence of solitary confinement, and also with receiving as a recompense for such permission, various articles such as fowls, tea, sugar, fat cakes & c. The case was remanded until the expiration of the sentence of Belcher’s wife. While writing respecting the lockup in this township, we would anxiously inquire to what end a fire place was constructed therein, as, during this unusually inclement season, a female offender is at present undergoing a sentence of 14 days solitary confinement, suffering all the rigours which intense cold, augmented by an ill constructed log building can expose her to without any benefit of artificial warmth. The cries of this unhappy female are audibly heard throughout the night issuing from her frigid dungeon.

The district is scarce of pasture, owing to the severity of the long continued frosts, which have sunk the mercury of the thermometer below its usual winter gradations. Notwithstanding, the young wheat crops look healthy and are extensive 9^th July 1845.

Maitland Mercury 1845