Images of the remaining Miner's Rights of Isaac Edward Dyason and Fred Pearce. Below those are entries regarding licence (and lack thereof) from Isaac's 1851 diary.

Wednesday 12th November 1851 Hard at work all day, with but little success, several policemen about in the course of the day when all those without licences took refuge in their tents to escape detection - four persons apprehended I believe for sly grog selling, four of our party ill with dysentery & gripes caused by the water as the creek is used for cradling, holes are dug in the side which filling with water, are kept [about the colour of pea soup] clear & supply the community several fresh arrivals rumoured that the licenses will be suspended during the harvest season, as government are afraid there will be no one to get the grain in – finished second cradle.

Wednesday 19^th November 1851 our 8 feet of ground runs out to night turned out well on the whole - made about 4 ounces – rather startled by the Commissioners passing close to us to day, fortunately he did not ask for my Licence, or it would have been a case of 3£ fine.

Monday 24^th November 1851 Com^r hovering about all day, as the month draws to an end, he seems to be looking sharp for parties working without Licence, - bad luck to day – drays arriving with stores in quantities.

Monday December 1^st 1851 Rush for Licences to the Com^r to day, we got one for each as informed last month that we were penny rich & pound foolish, dodging the peelers taking all our time up – humbugging all the morning, did not commence to work before 11 am nevertheless got 10 oz, more arrivals a nice lot have encamped close to us, some regular rowdy customers, who startled us during the night by cries of murder, in a drunken row one man threatened another with an axe & frightened him a bit – obliged to knock off washing about an hour before sunset in consequence of the water becoming mud – people about us stealing the clay from the richer holes, a candle having been found in one of them & marks of work during the night evident – they are now watched by men with loaded pistols – took a long walk by moonlight & saw lots of possums.

Friday 12^th December 1851 The hole we bought last night turned out well, made about 2 lbt to day – had to evacuate our tent quick to day, about mid day a dense cloud of smoke began to roll over our heads & shortly after a body of fire came rolling down the gully & over the hills, driven before a strong wind – the bush was on fire for some miles but the ground & grass being still damp & green & the wind fortunately dropping light before it reached us, no damage was done, as it was however we took all our traps & tent & retreated to the holes [some of them 16 feet] & stopped there in case of the worst, it was an awfully grand sight & one I trust I shall not see again, as it is no small danger, we being surrounded by trees & scrub & having no choice but the holes – people still pouring in & others leaving – prices very high [bran 10/- a bushel as one instance] people becoming very independent in Melbourne do not care whether they sell or not – the escort took down on Wednesday 1 ton all but 30 oz – the Licences to be raised to 3£ next month, which caused great excitement, the majority of the diggers are determined not to pay the addition- al 30/- put up our tent again tonight – although the bush is still blazing about us – may have to turn out during the night.

Saturday 13^th December 1851 Still lucky shared 12 oz ea to day knocked off about 4 to buy provisions &c. 15000 Licences taken out this month – heard of a strange dodge to day 3 men swept the road from a rich gully to the creek & made 20 oz ea a day showing how plentiful gold must be – the fire blazing up again.

Sunday 14^th December 1851 very hot day, went to look at some of the places but did not determine on a move, saw some Melbourne papers, they appear to be afraid raising the Licences will be attended by serious consequences, I had some jam & Butter to day which is quite a treat, so much meat & fat making me horribly bilious & scabby.

Thursday & Friday 19^th December 1851 new diggings found on the Bendigo Creek, reports of a man having found 300£ in one day 6 inches down, picking it out with his knife, hundreds are going there – sunk a new hole 10 feet between 3 of us in a day & a half, through hard ground is very good work, got down to night & picked out a bit all proved dry, - prices of provisions &c. rising, flour & salt – the Government in a fix about the Licence fee, cannot determine whether to impose a royalty or £3 pr Licence the (illegible due to a blot) will not pay the latter & have informed any one paying, that he will have to stand the consequences – all the policemen but 3 have struck for wages wanting 10/- a day – sailors refuse 90£ for the run home – cooks getting 100£ – gold plentiful & very easily obtained, men do not care to get it indirectly when they can get it out with a knife.

Wednesday 24^th December 1851 Joined a party of 4 & bought a hole for 10 oz – [a Barman, Boots, &c. not very aristocratic partners, but @ the Diggings, one man is as good as another, & as Paddy says “Some a great deal better” thus illustrating equality] the hole not yet very remunerative only 2 ½ oz out of 2 loads – saw a case of remorse to day that was rather amusing, a man wheeling a barrow with Lemonade for sale & crying his goods with some peculiar expressions to attract notice, as “Trouble up” Trouble up” - passed the creek, at the same time as the Com^r who stepping up quietly asked him whether he had a licence, “oh dear no he had no idea it was required” “take this man” to the gaolhouse, who surrounding his barrow marched him off amid cries of “trouble up” from the Diggers.