Eureka Stockade is the common name given to the rebellion in
1854 by miners at the Eureka goldfields of Ballarat in Victoria,
Australia. Since 1851 the miners had been seeking changes to
mining licensing and an end to its corrupt administration under
the colonial authorities, as well as voting rights and
representation. In August 1853 Lieutenant Governor C.J. La Trobe
was presented with a petition signed by over 5000 miners
highlighting the hardships and injustices on the goldfields,
including denials of due process of law. In October 1854 a
drunken miner, James Scobie, was beaten to death. James and
Catherine Bentley, the owners of the Eureka Hotel, and some
their staff were implicated but an inquest found that there was
insufficient evidence to charge them. A judicial inquiry was
later held, presided over by Gold Fields Commissioner Robert
Rede, Police Magistrate John Dewes and Assistant Commissioner
Johnston. During an adjournment of the hearing James Bentley
went to Magistrate Dewes office, and when the h