Showing posts with label 1915. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 1915. Show all posts

Sunday, January 20, 2019

What happened in Koo Wee Rup in 1915

This is what happened in Koo Wee Rup and surrounds in 1915, 100 years ago. These references all come from digitized newspapers available on Trove, http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper  There were many references to the War and the soldiers who enlisted and served, but this is a look at the non military activities in the town.

The year started off with an arrest -  Elizabeth Allen, a resident of Fitzroy, was arrested on warrant by Constable Anstee on Mr. Strafford's farm, Iona, on Tuesday. Allen and her husband band were digging potatoes on Koo-wee-rup Swamp and she had a serious quarrel with another married woman named Ellen Fielder on Tuesday morning. It is alleged that Allen went into the house occupied by Mrs. Fielder, and pulled her out of bed on to the road by the hair. Mrs. Fielder issued a warrant, and Allen was locked up on a charge of assault. She was admitted to bail, and will appear to answer the charge to-day  (The Argus January 7, 1915)

On January 8, the Wonthaggi Licensing Court granted  Denis McNamara a licence to operate a Hotel in Koo Wee Rup. This Hotel was named the Royal Hotel and opened in Koo Wee Rup on September 9, 1915. There were six applications to open a hotel at Koo Wee Rup, you can read about them, here.
(Powlett Express, January 15 1915)

On February 24 the Lang Lang Guardian reported on a severe storm in Yannathan. The storm was described as unprecedented.   All day the weather had been threatening, and thunder showers which visited other parts of the district left this locality untouched. But at about 4 o'clock, while about 30 ladies and gentlemen were witnessing a cricket match in Mr Stewart's paddock between the Lang Lang and Yannathan teams, a densely black cloud, lit up constantly by vivid flashes of lightning, was seen approaching from the south-west. When the first drops of rain fell players and spectators left the field for the shelter of the Mechanics' Hall, and while there the storm burst, and for about ten minutes the elements were in almost indescribable tumult. A hurricane blew jinkers about the hall yard, and everything in the shape of boxes and loose timber was lifted by its violence. Then something in the nature of a cloud-burst descended, and rain and pieces of ice fell in such density that looking across towards the Union Church, only a shadowy outline of the building could, be seen, and the hall yard was soon under water. Deafening peals of thunder and constant flames of lightning combined with the downpour, and twice the crash of a falling tree was heard. The door of the church being opened, all made a dash from the hall and entered, but were drenched in doing so. As suddenly as it broke, the storm abated, and very little rain fell during the remainder of the afternoon. 
Sadly, the storm also caused a fatality - seventeen year old Don Cameron, who was employed by Mr W.H. Gardiner, of Yannathan. He was working in a paddock was struck and instantly killed by lightning. His parents were from Beaconsfield and he was buried at Berwick Cemetery.

On March 3, the Lang Lang Guardian had a report headlined 'Tramps at Koo Wee Rup' - For some years past residents of the Swamp have complained, without any remedy being applied, of the great nuisance of tramps camping at the bridges and frightening horses. An example of the real danger of this habit was given on Saturday morning last, when Mr R. Glen was conveying a load of potatoes in a dray, and when at Mallcotl's crossing the horse shied at a couple of tramps camped at the bridge; with the result that the dray was capsised and the potatoes tipped into the drain. Mr Glen was thrown out of the dray and was badly shaken, but it was wonderful that be did not sustain severe injuries.

In March the Koo Wee Rup Railway Station handled 54,000 bags of potatoes and 14,500 bags of chaff, the whole of £24,000 (Lang Lang Guardian April 21, 1915)

Lang Lang Guardian April 28, 1915

In April there was an unusual sighting of an aeroplane flying over Koo Wee Rup - see the report above.

In July a 'Plain and Fancy Dress Ball' was held at Koo Wee Rup. The successful ball was a fund raiser for the Red Cross. Over 220 people attended the ball at the Mechanics' Institute (Hall) and £22 was raised. You can see a list of some of the participants and how they were dressed, here, in the Lang Lang Guardian of July 28, 1915.

Constable Anstee was busy again in September, when he along with Constable Allen seized a large quantity of whisky, beer, and stout in cases from the store owned by John, A. Kirwan at Iona. The report goes on to say that for some time the police have suspected that there was trafficking in liquor at Iona, and they watched the store owned by John A. Kirwan. They saw a man leaving the store with a bottle of whisky, and he admitted to the police that he obtained the liquor at Kirwan's. Kirwan was charged with having trafficked in liquor illicitly. (Dandenong Advertiser September 23, 1915) Kirwan's store was actually at Vervale (Main Drain Road south and Fourteen Mile) and was taken over in 1916 by James and Edith McMannis, read about this, here.)

We will finish with this report about a 'Cinematograph' entertainment at Yallock held on November 25. A cinematograph is a motion picture film camera, which also serves as a film projector and printer. It was invented in the 1890s in Lyon by Auguste and Louis Lumière - according to Wikipedia.



Lang Lang Guardian December 1, 1915

Thursday, January 17, 2019

What happened in Garfield in 1915

This is what happened in Garfield in 1915, 100 years ago. These references all come from digitized newspapers available on Trove, http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper  There were many references to the War and the soldiers who enlisted and served, but this is a look at the non military activities in the town.

January 14 - The Iona Hotel had been completed. This new brick building, replaced the old wooden building which had burnt down. The new building cost £8,500, contained 30 rooms and is without doubt one of the best and commodious houses of its class in Gippsland. (Dandenong Advertiser)

January 14 - Mr Henwood was unfortunate enough to have a dairy cow run over by a train. Needless to say, the cow was severally damaged. (Bunyip Free Press)

February 26 - Many papers reported on the misadventures of Charles Gregory of Garfield. Charles had climbed the weight tower of the air-gas plant of the Iona Hotel, and remained at the top for some time and then jumped to the ground, a distance between 30 and 40 ft (9 to 12 metres) His thigh and elbow were broken and his head was considerably battered.  He told Constable Anstee that he had been ‘studying astronomy’ but when he saw the moon fall, he thought ‘discretion the better part of valour and he jumped to prevent it falling upon him’. (The Age)


The Age February 26, 1915

March 18 - On St Patrick’s Day eve two men came across a man lying on the road with his face considerably bruised. They drove him to the Bunyip Police Station and left him with Constable Anstee. The man later explained that he had been ‘keeping up’ St Patrick’s Day, obviously beginning early. Constable Anstee allowed him to go home without having to answer to the common charge of being drunk.  (Bunyip Free Press)

May 13 - Constable Anstee gave evidence at the Bunyip Court against Edward Heffernan a ‘young man from the city.’ Heffernan was charged with using obscene language. Anstee deposed that the accused was in front of the Iona Hotel and was using very bad language (sample produced). He was fined 20 shillings or 7 days imprisonment. (Bunyip Free Press)

June 24 - Harcourt’s store at Garfield was burnt down. It was a drapery, grocery and general store. All the contents were destroyed apart from a tin of kerosene and a few bags of chaff. On the same night the Railway Station was broken into and it is thought that the same people were responsible. The stock was valued at £400.00 and the building at £250.00 (Bunyip Free Press)

July 29 - Constable Anstee arrested William McMillan at Iona. McMillan was proceeded against at the Carlton Court by a resident of Garfield for the maintenance of an illegitimate child. It was ordered that McMillan should pay 10 shillings per week, provide a surety of £80.00 or else face three months imprisonment. After his arrest he was conveyed to Melbourne to undertake the prison sentence. (Bunyip Free Press) 

September 30 - An energetic committee has control of the Garfield Hall - a new lighting system was introduced and the interior had been generally improved. (Bunyip Free Press)

October 7 - Constable Anstee was busy again – he arrested Charles Joseph Lyons at Garfield on a charge of horse stealing. Lyons’ tracks had been followed up for 20 miles by the’ Dandenong black trackers’. Lyons had driven the horses from Koo-Wee-Rup, across country to Ringwood where they were sold. He also had stolen a horse from Croydon. (Bunyip Free Press)

December 2 - This is a lesson for everyone who runs a Post Office.  The Bunyip Free Press reported that ‘for some year residents of Iona obtained their mail at Kirwans’ store. Since Mr
Kirwan was fined for selling liquor without a license the Postal authorities have removed the post office to the residence of Mr Clark’.

December 16 - Constable Allen took up residence in Garfield as Officer in Charge of the district, so I presume Constable Anstee had been appointed somewhere else. Constable Allen had been at Bunyip for a few months and was married in Portland on December 7, so he was bringing his new bride back to Garfield. (Bunyip Free Press)

Monday, December 31, 2018

First subdivision sale of Koo Wee Rup Township Estate in 1915

This advertisement for the 'First subdivision sale of Koo Wee Rup Township Estate' was from the  Gippsland Standard and Alberton Shire Representative  February 24, 1915. There is a fair bit of Real Estate agent hyperbole in the description - but it's a fun read about the area - they predict Koo Wee Rup will be a 'future city'!



 Gippsland Standard and Alberton Shire Representative  February 24, 1915


First SUBDIVISION SALE OF KOO-WEE-RUP TOWNSHIP ESTATE.
The Future City of 100,000 acres of rich reclaimed SWAMP (AND ADJACENT) LAND.
Auction Sale on the Ground. On Account of Owner. By A. F. Witham, Agent, Dandenong
Local Agent - Albert Woodman.
On SATURDAY, MARCH 20, 1915. at 2 p.m.

BUSINESS SITES, RESIDENCE SITES. CULTIVATION ALLOTMENTS, GRAZING ALLOTMENTS OF 1 to 6 acres.
Liberal Terms 10 per cent, deposit, balance equal quarterly payments over three years at 6 per cent.

Go and see Koo-Wee-Rup and District before the sale.
It's Future - A Big Town - will at at once appeal to your judgment.
The Shops and Residential buildings now on the Estate form a mere beginning of the future town. On
the Estate are Two Churches, Hall, School and Bank. A large Hotel to be erected at once.
Splendid Gravel Roads all round the Estate, and all over the district. Average Annual Rainfall 30 inches. Only 40 miles from Melbourne.
A Big Fresh Water Canal close to Estate. Water obtainable at Shallow depths.
This Estate is the only possible Town Estate at Koo-Wee-Rup.
Good Railway Service, Close Settlement all round, increasing and extending every month. Prosperous Settlers.
Koo-Wee-Rup District land grows some of the heaviest yields per acre in Victoria of Potatoes, Onions, Turnips, Cabbage, Maize, all cereal crops., Good Fruit Tree land. Milk, Cream, Butter, Cheese produced in yearly increasing quantities.
Koo-Wee-Rup will be the junction station of the authorised and surveyed new Gippsland Railway to be constructed shortly.
Koo-Wee-Rup is the natural and only future trading centre for that Immense and Richest Soil District,
All roads centre at Koo-Wee-Rup.
Koo-Wee-Rup must shortly be the biggest loading station for Agricultural produce on the Great Southern Line.
Koo-Wee-Rup must be a favorite residental town, it is so conveniently situated and very healthy. Western Port Bay and Inlets only three miles away.

P. C. SMITH and McEACHARN,
Solicitors,
285 Collins street, Melbourne.
Vendors' Solicitors.

Thursday, September 17, 2015

100 years ago this week - Kirwan's store

100 years ago this week - John Kirwan, store owner, was caught illegally selling alcohol.  Kirwin's store was on the corner of the Thirteen Mile and the Main Drain. It was later taken over by James and Edith McMannis.

Dandenong Advertiser September 23, 1915

Thursday, September 3, 2015

100 years ago this week - Dalmore Roads

100 years ago this week comes this report from the Lang Lang Guardian  of September 8, 1915 about Dalmore ratepayers prepared to pay extra to get their roads fixed.  Apparently Dalmore was a 'quagmire covered with scrub'  The roads were partly bad as a great many tons of potatoes were being sent to the Dalmore Station. Dalmore Station had opened on October 1, 1888, it was originally called Peer’s Lane, then Koo-Wee-Rup West, then Dalmore. 

The School at 'the end of Ballarto Road' was the Cardinia State School, No. 3689, which had opened on November 3, 1911. The Church they are referring to is the Cardinia Presbyterian Church which was completed in October 1915.



Lang Lang Guardian  September 8, 1915.

Saturday, August 15, 2015

100 years ago this week - Junior teacher position available

Want a job as a teacher? Then apply to the Bunyip State School. You must be over 16, apply in your own hand writing, and prepared to pay a fee of 2/6 to sit the examination!


Bunyip Free Press  August 26, 1915

100 years ago this week - Iona citizens support the War effort

It's always interesting to read local newspapers and see how they either make or report pronouncements on international matters. This report looks at the meeting of Iona citizens held around the anniversary of the declaration on the Great War.



Bunyip Free Press August 19. 1915

Sunday, July 19, 2015

Mr Rodger the baker at Bunyip - 100 years ago this week

Hers is  a great advertisement from Mr Rodger the baker and general storekeeper at Bunyip in the Bunyip Free Press of July 22, 1915. In keeping with the nationalistic and imperialistic times, Mr Rodger advertises No fancy Foreign cakes kept on my counter


Henry Rodger is listed in the Electoral Rolls as a baker in Bunyip from 1903 until 1924. In 1928 he is listed as a retired baker. He was married to Hannah and she died August 10, 1926 and is buried at Bunyip Cemetery. Henry died December 17 1937 and he may well be buried with his wife but he is not on the gravestone. They  had three children Aldred (died 1969, aged 72, buried at Bunyip), Ada and Jessie.

Boys' football match - 100 years ago this week.

From The Lang Lang Guardian of July 21 1915, comes this account of a a football match between the boys at Yallock and Yannathan State Schools. Yannathan won the match 8.8. to 2.3.


Lang Lang Guardian July 21, 1915

Lots of familiar names - McCraw, McKay, Lineham, Games etc.

Sunday, June 28, 2015

100 years ago this week - Potatoes

100 years ago this week, The Australasian, in the Country Gleanings column reported on the good potato season on the Swamp.

The Australasian  June 26 1915
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article142975577



This is how the potatoes would have been loaded. 26 tons, 310 bags, loaded from Garfield.
State Library of Victoria Image H92.301/92.

Sunday, April 19, 2015

100 years ago this week - St Joseph's Convent School Iona opened

St Joseph's Convent School at Iona opened one hundred years ago, on April 11 1915. A report two weeks later  said that three Sisters of St Joseph on the teaching staff and sixty children attend daily,


Bunyip Free Press April 15, 1915



The opening of the Convent in 1915, from 100 years of a Catholic Faith Community: St Joseph's Iona 1905-2005 by Damian Smith.


A more detailed report, some of which is reproduced here,was in The Advocate, of April 17, 1915. the full article can be read here - http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-page17855840


Here's some description of the  building, from the same Advocate article.



Here's more description of the new Iona Convent from The Advocate, of April 17 1915.




Friday, March 6, 2015

100 years ago this week - Cora Lynn Ball

This report of one of the best balls ever held in Cora Lynn comes from the Bunyip Free Press of March 11, 1915.


Bunyip Free Press March 11, 1915