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developed a more pragmatic attitute to the law. Comparisons such as
these have not been addressed, as they are outside the scope of this
thesis.
But even without comparisons to Tibooburra the attitudinal difficulties come
to the fore. Milparinka suffered from a chronic shortage of water, but it
seems the attitude was that 'the Government' should resolve the problem.
That a group of ageing Chinese controlled the best and most reliable
supply did not help the situation.
9.4.2 Relationships between the Chinese and European
Communities
The archaeological record indicates a limited flow of European goods most
probably from the European town to the Chinese. This flow included
clothing, spirits ('6 to the Gallon' whisky), tinned foods, wax vestas, pickles,
kerosene, and medicines, all of which were available from the European
storekeepers at Milparinka. Several of the bottles from the Chinese sites
are those generically described as 'beers', which my research has
confirmed were used for a variety of goods, including beer, vinegar
(Arnold,1987:27) and Peppermint. Various bottles which relate to
European medicines have also been identified. Some of these may have
contained preparations such as laudanum (Opium Tincture) and chlorodine
(Chloroform and Morphine Tincture), both of which were used in the
general community.
(Photograph 49 is of a 'beer' bottle bearing remnants of a label which
reads 'PEPPERMINT', taken in January 1994 on the site of the Kandie
Hotel, between Wilcannia and Milparinka. No research has been
undertaken into the closure of this hotel, but advertisments in The Sturt
Recorder show that it certainly operated during the 1890s, under a
licensee named Henry W Major.)
At both Chinese sites being considered there is strong archaeological
evidence for the use of goods originating from China, which my research
has failed to demonstrate were available from the European storekeepers
at Milparinka. It is, of course, possible that Tom Gox, sold Chinese soy and
salted vegetables etc., but if so, this only confirms co-operation between
the Chinese. It is also possible that the Chinese medicines and opium used
by the Chinese was purchased locally, but nothing in the historical record
suggests this was the case.
The archaeological record also strongly suggests that the Chinese wore
clothing of a style which would have been generally available. Information
regarding the origins and the style of fasteners used on clothes available
through Baker's store in Milparinka would be required before any definite
conclusions could be drawn regarding purchases by the Chinese from that
source. But the oral history suggests a reasonably good relationship