History of site : Brisbane District Courts

[19--]

79061

Judges -- Queensland.

Law -- Queensland -- History.

Brisbane's District Courts building now being constructed, is located on portion of the site of Moreton Bay Penal Settlement of some one hundred and thirty years ago. This was part of the ground reported Commandant Bishop as early as 14 March 1826, as well elevated, dry and contiguous to the fresh water. On this spot were constructed the military and convict hospitals and surgeon's quarters of that era. Here came hospital clientele comprising convicts, garrison soldiers, penal settlement administrative staff and, after the opening up of the Moreton Bay district for free settlement in 1842, those who were not under bond. From 3 October 1848, when those buildings were handed over by the Royal Engineer Department to the Trustees of the Moreton Bay District Hospital, this parcel of land continued to be reserved for the hospital at Brisbane until 8 January 1867. The buildings once utilised for convict hospital and surgeon's quarters were then demolished. to make room for the Supreme Court building recently damaged by fire. The Supreme Court building, built at a cost of £33,589 ($67,178) by contractor Mr. John Petrie, was opened on 6 March 1879. For nearly ninety years, this site has been utilised for the purposes of the Supreme Court of Queensland. Here also has been provided accommodation for the Brisbane sittings of the High Court of Australia as well as for other Courts of our State and of our Commonwealth. - transcript of page.

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Supreme Court Library Queensland. Legal heritage collection.

Supreme Court Library Queensland. Legal heritage collection. Mural exhibition.

Supreme Court Library Queensland. Legal heritage collection. Mural exhibition online.

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