'The famous revolt of the miners against the excessive license fees is made the central incident in a story of romance and intrigue. It commences in England with the departure of Stan Gifford for Australia, to make a fortune that will enable him to marry Violet Howard. Pellow Owen intercepts the letters from Stan, and pressing his attentions on Violet, is present when her father shoots a man in a quarrel at cards, and he uses the incident as a lever to force her to marry him. The marriage is, however, bogue [sic], and Owen throws her off. The scene shifts to the Ballarat diggings, where Stan and Violet again meet, and Owen continues his nefarious practices. The scenes on the goldfields are splendidly pictured, and aroused enthusiasm that reached a high pitch when Peter Lalor is shown leading the uprising of the miners, and the fight In the Stockade takes place. The history of the incidents of the period and the uprising are closely adhered to, so that the picturisation is interesting from this, as well as the spectacular aspects, and the fact that it is an essentially Australian subject.'
Source:
'Imperial Pictures', Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners' Advocate, 7 January 1916, p.6.