DOIRON Jean Joseph Cicare

29 Liverpool Street, Hobart
61 Liverpool Street, Hobart

April 1842: Commenced business, Charles Street, Launceston, near the corner of Brisbane and Charles Streets.
Clock and watchmaker, Henry Ley of York Street accused Doiron of being an imposter, not a watchmaker, and challenged him to prove himself. Doiron fired back, calling Ley a scoundrel, and implied there was another initiator to the rumour.

Launceston Advertiser 21 April 1842
‘To the Botcher Doiron.
As you have not the honesty to accept my challenge and having given you every chance to shew your boasted talents, I now publicly denounce you as a miserable botch and impostor and inform you that no letters will be attended to, unless you come publicly forward. Having done my duty in exposing you, or as you term it, giving you a lift, I leave you to the contempt of every honest man. H. LEY.’

Joseph’s difficulties continued. Watchmaker and jeweller Alexandre Duchene of 106 Charles Street advertised he would sell a brooch Joseph left with him for security unless payment was forthcoming. In May 1842, Joseph was fined 10 shillings for assaulting Launceston clock and watchmaker Henry Ley, undoubtedly due to Ley’s allegations.
Despite the opposing public challenges, Joseph continued in the new business and advertised employing a ‘first-rate workman’ from Messrs. Forrest and Company, Chronometer, Watch and Clockmakers, Edinburgh, Scotland. June 1842 saw him take responsibility for the repairs of watchmaker and jeweller James Robe when he left Launceston and moved to Hobart Town. Joseph added an engraving service to the business later in the year; however, he tried to flee the colony around this time.

Launceston Advertiser 22 December 1842:
‘Monsieur Doiron, a watchmaker in this town, made an attempt to escape from the Colony on Monday last. He collected together a large quantity of jewellery, and many valuable watches left with him to be repaired. He succeeded in getting on board the Deborah bound for Sydney and was discovered in the hold stowed away amongst some casks. He tendered the constable five pounds to “hold his tongue”, and afterwards offered to give him the whole of the jewellery, protesting that he “would sooner poison himself than return.” He was brought to town and is being dealt with criminally. We believe Monsieur Doiron left Adelaide in a similar unceremonious manner.’

Joseph left his watch and jewellery repairs in Launceston with James Matthews, watchmaker, Elizabeth Street, for customers to collect, and in February 1843, commenced business with Jules Charet at 29 Liverpool Street, Hobart. They advertised as ‘pupils of the famous house of Le Roy, Paris’ and having been employed for many years in London, manufacturing chronometer, duplex patent lever, horizontal, repeating, and vertical watches.’

Launceston Advertiser 23 March 1843:
‘The celebrated Mons. Doiron, of watchmaking & watchmaking notoriety, in recently attempting to obtain entrance into the Freemason’s Lodge at Hobart Town, was capsized over the banisters and forcibly ejected out of the house.’

May 1843: Moved to 61 Liverpool Street, Hobart, nearly opposite Mr Watchorn’s Emporium.

The business in Hobart was brief; Joseph left Hobart Town on 7 July 1843, bound for Sydney.