burrows & co

John Hood

DOB – DOD 02.11.1877
Irish born Chemist, Member of Victorian Parliament between 1856 and 1864 “Squatter Legislator”, Proprietor, Speculator, Investor.

image source: wikipedia [john hood Australian politician]

HOOD, JOHN -“squatter legislator” speculative investor with personal financial interests/multiple conflict of interests

basic info:
Born in Ireland1 and presumably emigrated already as a chemist
marries twice I think.
1846 – son, Joseph Henry Hood born, with wife Jane nee Plummer2.
1856 and 1864 -Member of Victorian Parliament3
1877 dies 22 Nov (Melbourne, Victoria)4

lots of business interests including land speculation, probably a tobacco interest, a mining company and also runs his own chemist
John Hood and Co, based in Elizabeth St, Melbourne. (don’t know years of operation)

lots of crazy antagonistic drama with newspapers misquoting him and being accused of being full of self interests basically

1860
-satirical bio as part of PUNCH’S PARLIAMENTARY BIOGRAPHIES5
–Becomes insolvent in Ballarat, 6 June 18606
–Goes to court (Beechworth County Court) in June 1860 over failing to pay worker for labour, tools and refreshment as one of the directors of Woolshed and Woorajay Tin Mining Companies (connected with Alan de Lacey)

-it absolutely makes sense that John Hood would be speculating in all kinds of mining opportunities and or acting as director on de Lacey’s company. De Lacey was well networked given he was able to sit down with the premier in May 1858 so they both apparently move in the same circles.
-given Hood has mining interests it’s no surprise he is involved in water policy which of course is in demand for mining and is Member The Municipal Council of Beechworth Water Works Bill Committee between 29 May 1860 – 11 July 18617 obviously a modern day conflict of interest.

1861
16 August 1861
angry anonymous letter to local paper about Hood re-elected member of Victorian Parliament
Angry letter signed ‘elector’ in response to Hood pamphlet which boasts of his success in elections. ‘Elector’ advises Hood has been voted in but on a minority and rallies against Hood’s free trade politics8.

17 August 1861
Hood pro local tobacco industry, probably for company he has set up
Hood visits farmers in the Belfast [Port Fairy] district and is informed they don’t grow tobacco as there is no market for it. (I think due to climate conditions, nature of plant and tariffs) He argues against grain production and points out there is current newspaper advertising for local Tobacco leaf produce by a firm in Melbourne9.
[what’s his relationship with the firm? and what are the nuances of import duties, protectionism, local crops etc? whats the advertisement?]
To the Editor of the Banner of Belfast. (1861, August 27). The Banner of Belfast (Vic. : 1855; 1857 – 1876), p. 3. from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article281520591


1862
new land holdings conflict of interest: accused of voting money into his own pockets
-The Age reports John Hood is licesed for two runs (for gold mining? and unstocked meaning no cattle using the land?) (in his own name or under a new mining company?)
making him a ‘squatter legislature’:
“THE NEWS OF THE DAY. From the supplementary list of assessment on stock, published in the Government Gazette of the 13th inst., we find John Hood set down as the licensee of two runs, one in the Swan Hill and the other in the West Wimmera District, both unstocked, and of course held for speculative purposes. This adds one more to the already long list of squatter legislators. Indeed, from information now in our possession, we should not be surprised to find that, probably without a single exception, every member of the Assembly who voted in the majority in favor of the nine years’ leases, were voting money into their own pockets. This may be a blunt way of putting it, but the fact is palpable, nevertheless.”10

1863

1864
May – corrects a misquote in The Herald11 -squatters are the victims
Hood writes a letter to the Herald advising he has been misquoted:
“I stated that I could, were it the proper time or place, show most glaring instances of how the Government had cheated the arbitrators. I certainly ought not to have been misunderstood in this matter as I followed up the observation with an instance of the sort of cheating I alluded to12“.
“…I do charge the Government with this— that in its anxiety to appear economical of the public money in this instance, it refused to recognise the claims of those who honestly performed their duty ; while those — in most instances— who had made overcharges were paid by the squatters when the awards were taken up, and so got all they asked.13” 
[who is the government, who are the arbitrators, what is he talking about – it’s all seemingly around surveyors, squatters, costs of land and someone profiting on the side at the cost of tax payers?]

July – multiple letters to the Belfast Gazette editor three way face off
-from Hood, from a BELFASTIAN and from AN ELECTOR14
-Hood makes a point that he does not read what is reported in Belfast Banner, but is upset to learn he was misquoted about country hospitals15.
-Calls theBelfast Banner editor captious (=a petty objector always tending to find fault with him). Corrects and advises he is in support of country hospitals but not benevolent asylums as they can be in the city and the patients don’t require rehabilitation back into their district16. (my summary)
-adds as a PS: “…should there be any amongst you in any way surprised at, or wish to know the reason why I have been so strongly and persistently traduced by the Editor of the “Banner”, I can, I think – supply them with a cause.” 17 (traduce = speak badly of or tell lies about (someone) so as to damage their reputation)
– Hood writes into the editor and two other letters are included from people attacking each other all over the place i cant keep up but Hood also contends that the Belfast Banner editor has it in for him.

29 October 1864
Speech at Belfast Temperance Hall 18on
-his issues with Banner of Belfast newspaper which Belfast Gazette chose not to republish due to legal considerations19
-merits of Free Trade, mentioning Irish linen industry, tobacco industry20
-cross-questioned as to the part he had taken during the passage of the Land Bill of 1862. He defended his votes on that measure21.
– also questioned respecting his explanation in the matter of Mr Horne’s telegram.22 (see 15.11.1864)
-has support of mayor for re-election and some weird non compelling vote (a show of hands) where people are not happy with the defence re telegram and dont believe he is fit to run for parliament as a result.23
MR. JOHN HOOD AT BELFAST (1864, November 4). The Belfast Gazette and Portland and Warnambool Advertiser (Vic. 1849 – 1876), p. 2. from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article281727543

25 November 1864
Supreme Court: Hood’s Libel claims against newspaper Banner of Belfast dismissed as being mere formalities,
Hood Found Guilty of Pilfering Telegram for Personal Political Gain24
-A telegram intended for a political rival is infiltrated, read and destroyed by Hood all by chance and accident. Found guilty by jury of pilfering the sensitive correspondence which he used to his gain.
More details:
SUPREME COURT (1864, November 25). The Belfast Gazette and Portland and Warnambool Advertiser (Vic. 1849 – 1876), p. 2-3 from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article281727564

coverage a few days later: better explanation/write up
SUPREME COURT. (1864, November 30). The Banner of Belfast (Vic. : 1855; 1857 – 1876), p. 2. Retrieved February 3, 2025, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article281517962

and a mention at top and end of this
TOWN TALK (1864, November 30). The Banner of Belfast (Vic. : 1855; 1857 – 1876), p. 2. Retrieved February 4, 2025, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article281517960


1865

1866


1867
-at this point John is running his own pharmacy / company JOHN HOOD & CO in Elizabeth Street (address?).
-Goes to court over illegal quantity of Opium importation while running JOHN HOOD and CO based in Elizabeth St
(see: SERIOUS CHARGE OF SMUGGLING. (1867, October 24). The Age (Melbourne, Vic. : 1854 – 1954), p. 6. Retrieved December 9, 2024, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article185502398)


FURTHER READING~ (no particular order)





SERIOUS CHARGE OF SMUGGLING. (1867, October 24). The Age (Melbourne, Vic. : 1854 – 1954), p. 6. Retrieved December 10, 2024, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article185502398
-found innocent of receiving above legal weight of opium by claiming it was an accident/ mix up and his married son also comes to his defence.

—–

https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/281727543?searchTerm=tobacco

https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/196688620?searchTerm=john%20hood%20opium

https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/197572620?searchTerm=john%20hood%20opium

https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/138057143?searchTerm=john%20hood%20opium

https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/138057811?searchTerm=john%20hood%20opium

https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/27262543?searchTerm=john%20hood%20opium

https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/138056730?searchTerm=john%20hood%20opium

https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/70461476?searchTerm=john%20hood%20opium

https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/185502398?searchTerm=john%20hood%20opium

https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/196637385?searchTerm=john%20hood%20opium

https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/112871448?searchTerm=john%20hood%20opium

  1. J. McI. Young, ‘Hood, Sir Joseph Henry (1846–1922)’, Australian Dictionary of Biography, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/hood-sir-joseph-henry-6725/text11615, published first in hardcopy 1983, accessed online 10 December 2024.ustralian dictionary of biography for more info on son: Sir Joseph Henry Hood (1846–1922 by J. McI. Young:  Australian dictionary of biography, https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/hood-sir-joseph-henry-6725)  ↩︎
  2. J. McI. Young, ‘Hood, Sir Joseph Henry (1846–1922)’, Australian Dictionary of Biography, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/hood-sir-joseph-henry-6725/text11615, published first in hardcopy 1983, accessed online 10 December 2024.ustralian dictionary of biography for more info on son: Sir Joseph Henry Hood (1846–1922 by J. McI. Young:  Australian dictionary of biography, https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/hood-sir-joseph-henry-6725) ↩︎
  3. ‘John Hood Former Member’ https://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/members/john-hood/ ↩︎
  4. J. McI. Young, ‘Hood, Sir Joseph Henry (1846–1922)’, Australian Dictionary of Biography, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/hood-sir-joseph-henry-6725/text11615, published first in hardcopy 1983, accessed online 10 December 2024.ustralian dictionary of biography for more info on son: Sir Joseph Henry Hood (1846–1922 by J. McI. Young:  Australian dictionary of biography, https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/hood-sir-joseph-henry-6725)   ↩︎
  5. PUNCH’S PARLIAMENTARY BIOGRAPHIES. (1860, January 26). Melbourne Punch (Vic. : 1855 – 1900), p. 2. Retrieved December 9, 2024, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article174525230 ↩︎
  6. INSOLVENTS. (1860, June 6). The Star (Ballarat, Vic. : 1855 – 1864), p. 3. Retrieved December 9, 2024, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article66056266 ↩︎
  7. ‘John Hood Former Member’ https://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/members/john-hood/ ↩︎
  8. BELFAST ELECTION. (1861, August 16). The Belfast Gazette and Portland and Warnambool Advertiser (Vic. 1849 – 1876), p. 3. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article281727588 ↩︎
  9. To the Editor of the Banner of Belfast. (1861, August 27). The Banner of Belfast (Vic. : 1855; 1857 – 1876), p. 3. from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article281520591 ↩︎
  10. THE NEWS OF THE DAY. (1862, June 16). The Age (Melbourne, Vic. : 1854 – 1954), p. 5. Retrieved December 9, 2024, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article155008096 ↩︎
  11. A CORRECTION. (1864, May 28). The Herald (Melbourne, Vic. : 1861 – 1954), p. 2. from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article247589036 ↩︎
  12. A CORRECTION. (1864, May 28). The Herald (Melbourne, Vic. : 1861 – 1954), p. 2. from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article247589036 ↩︎
  13. A CORRECTION. (1864, May 28). The Herald (Melbourne, Vic. : 1861 – 1954), p. 2. from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article247589036 ↩︎
  14. CORRESPONDENCE (1864, July 1). The Belfast Gazette and Portland and Warnambool Advertiser (Vic. 1849 – 1876), p. 2. from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article281730163 ↩︎
  15. CORRESPONDENCE (1864, July 1). The Belfast Gazette and Portland and Warnambool Advertiser (Vic. 1849 – 1876), p. 2. from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article281730163 ↩︎
  16. CORRESPONDENCE (1864, July 1). The Belfast Gazette and Portland and Warnambool Advertiser (Vic. 1849 – 1876), p. 2. from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article281730163 ↩︎
  17. CORRESPONDENCE (1864, July 1). The Belfast Gazette and Portland and Warnambool Advertiser (Vic. 1849 – 1876), p. 2. from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article281730163 ↩︎
  18. MR. JOHN HOOD AT BELFAST (1864, November 4). The Belfast Gazette and Portland and Warnambool Advertiser (Vic. 1849 – 1876), p. 2. from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article281727543 ↩︎
  19. MR. JOHN HOOD AT BELFAST (1864, November 4). The Belfast Gazette and Portland and Warnambool Advertiser (Vic. 1849 – 1876), p. 2. from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article281727543 ↩︎
  20. MR. JOHN HOOD AT BELFAST (1864, November 4). The Belfast Gazette and Portland and Warnambool Advertiser (Vic. 1849 – 1876), p. 2. from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article281727543 ↩︎
  21. MR. JOHN HOOD AT BELFAST (1864, November 4). The Belfast Gazette and Portland and Warnambool Advertiser (Vic. 1849 – 1876), p. 2. from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article281727543 ↩︎
  22. MR. JOHN HOOD AT BELFAST (1864, November 4). The Belfast Gazette and Portland and Warnambool Advertiser (Vic. 1849 – 1876), p. 2. from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article281727543 ↩︎
  23. MR. JOHN HOOD AT BELFAST (1864, November 4). The Belfast Gazette and Portland and Warnambool Advertiser (Vic. 1849 – 1876), p. 2. from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article281727543 ↩︎
  24. SUPREME COURT (1864, November 25). The Belfast Gazette and Portland and Warnambool Advertiser (Vic. 1849 – 1876), p. 2. from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article281727564 ↩︎