Showing posts with label 1917. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 1917. Show all posts

Sunday, January 20, 2019

What happened in Koo Wee Rup in 1917

Here is a look at what happened in Koo Wee Rup  and surrounds 100 years ago. Naturally the town was still focused on the war effort, local men were still enlisting, sad news about injuries and deaths continued to arrive and the town was still raising money for the War effort and the comfort of soldiers, but this is a look at some of the other activities of the town.  These reports all come from the various newspapers available on Trove.  http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/

In February, an unnamed correspondent writing from Koo-Wee-Rup to the Dandenong Advertiser wrote We have a wretched train service on this line and I think it would be a God-send if a deputation, headed by Messrs Keast and Downward M.L A waited on the Department, urging something better….the Railway Department sends along a train service which is altogether preposterous and the conditions execrable in the extreme. Why the country people have no consideration at all, while the suburban travellers are pandered to. The letter writer goes on for another few paragraphs complaining about the Cranbourne Shire Councillors, Government waste and representatives [politicians] engrossed with their own private affairs.  So fast forward 100 years and many Koo Wee Rup citizens might be happy to have any sort of train service, even a wretched, execrable one! (Dandenong Advertiser, February 22 1917)

In May, it was widely reported that Carlo Catani had retired as Chief Engineer of the Public Works Department. A function was held on May 9 and the Premier of Victoria, Sir Alexander Peacock presented Mr Catani with an ‘Illuminated address’. Catani was responsible for the all drainage works on the Koo Wee Rup Swamp from 1893 and had been employed by the Public Works Department since his arrival in Melbourne from Italy (via New Zealand) in 1876.

On July 25, the Lang Lang Guardian reported the Koo Wee Rup Red Cross had despatched a number of items to Red Cross Central Depot to be sent to the soldiers overseas. Amongst the consignment were 57 flannel shirts, 13 sets of pyjamas, 30 handkerchiefs, 22 toilet bags, 72 pairs of socks, 8 balaclavas and 7 pairs of mittens.

The Lang Lang Guardian of October 17 had an obituary of an old Colonist, Mr Thomas Boxshall, who passed away at the age of 88 on September 14. Thomas had arrived in Melbourne in 1842 and took up land in Yallock in 1895. He was survived by ten children and had a son and four grandsons on active service. (Read the full obituary, here)

On October 19,  there was a report in the Powlett Express about three convicts who escaped from the penal settlement of French island. They got away in a boat and landed several miles from Koo-Wee-Rup where they engaged a motor car and were driven to Melbourne. They did not seem to be short of funds. A few days later two more convicts disappeared. The newspaper report goes on to say - The condition of this island establishment almost invites the indulgently treated persons to escape.  Thus even 100 years ago people were unsatisfied with the justice system. The McLeod prison farm was opened on French Island in 1916 and it closed in 1975. It was named after the Chief Secretary of Victoria, Donald McLeod, and one report said the prison was intended for the ‘worthier type of prisoner’ who would work on the prison farm and a pine plantation.


Powlett Express October 19 1917

In early November at  Koo Wee Rup a serious accident which might have had a fatal termination occurred. Mr W.L McClure, Accountant, at the London Bank accidently knocked down the bank’s revolver and the weapon was discharged, the bullet striking him in the left groin and inflicting a dangerous wound. He was taken to a private hospital in Dandenong where an operation was successfully performed… and he is now making satisfactory progress towards recovery. Apart from feeling very sorry for Mr McClure this report is an indication of how times have changed - Banks no longer have their own loaded revolver, lying around (which is probably a good thing) and can you just imagine the massive amount of paperwork that would be generated by this sort of accident today - a Worksafe Inquiry, a Police Inquiry, an internal Bank Inquiry at a minimum. (Report from The Argus, November 5 1917)

The first weekend in December 1917 was a busy time for the town of Koo Wee Rup as there were two well attended events - a Flower Show and the Dedication of the Anglican Church.

On December 6 and 7 the first Horticultural show and exhibition of home products in connection with the Presbyterian Church took place in the Koo-Wee-Rup Hall and the results surpassed expectations. The Lang Lang Guardian records the names of about 150 prize winners in 10 different categories - blooms, arranged baskets of flowers, potatoes, baked items, butter and preserves, fancy work (embroidery and sewing) and a number of categories for children.  The paper reports that in the produce class some very fine sample of what the district can cultivate were shown and in many instances the judges had difficulty in making a decision. (Full report Lang Lang Guardian December 15, 1917, read it here)

On the same weekend on the afternoon of December 7, the Bishop of Gippsland, the Right Reverend George Cranswick, officiated at the dedication of St George’s Anglican Church. The Secretary of the Church, Mr Adeney, read a petition from the Board of Guardians asking the Bishop to dedicate the Church. The Bishop started at the font, then went to the lectern, chancel steps and communion table before which different members of the Clergy read appropriate chapters from the Scriptures. In the evening a baptism was performed and twenty people were confirmed. The Church closed in 2012 and the congregation moved to the Uniting Church. (Full report Lang Lang Guardian, December 15, 1917, read it here)

Thursday, January 17, 2019

What happened in Garfield in 1917

This is what happened in Garfield 100 years ago in 1917.  Naturally the town was still focused on the war effort, local men were still enlisting, sad news about injuries and deaths continued to arrive and the town was still raising money for the War effort and the comfort of soldiers. These reports all come from the various newspapers available on Trove,  http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/

The South Bourke and Mornington Journal reported on a divorce case on February 15. There were no privacy considerations in those days and divorces were often reported in full detail. In this case, the divorce was reported in two local papers and the Melbourne dailies, The Age and The Argus.  George Bird sought a divorce from his wife, Grace Bird, on the ground of desertion. Both the parties were 52 years of age and they had been married in October 1896 and there were two children. In January 1909, Grace had left Garfield, where they had been living for eight years taking her daughter with her. George had seen her twice since then and she stated that she would not return because she found life in the country, ‘too slow’. The divorce was granted and the alimony was fixed at the rate of 15 shillings a week. George was a baker and it was reported in a paper in August that he was building a new brick bakehouse and storeroom in Garfield.

On March 1, the Dandenong Advertiser reported on the annual excursion of children attending schools from Longwarry to Pakenham took place. The trip was to Sandringham, one of the beautiful stretches of our bay shore.  A very large number of children accompanied by their parents and friends were conveyed to the seaside in three special trains which were fully loaded. The trip being thoroughly enjoyed by the excursionists. 

There was a report in The Argus of March 22, of two house fires in Garfield.  On March 15, Mr T.W. Jefferson’s four roomed house was totally destroyed by fire caused by the wind blowing open the front door and scattering sparks from the fire. On March 19, a house owned by Mr H.A. Hourigan and occupied by Mr & Mrs Norton was set alight when Mrs Norton accidently overturned a lamp. The blaze spread quickly and the house was well alight before help was available. The report goes on to say that the house was insured for £130 and the furniture for £100.  T. W Jefferson was Thomas William Jefferson, the brick maker and H. A Hourigan was Henry Hourigan who was a coach builder.

In May, it was widely reported in many papers that Carlo Catani had retired as Chief Engineer of the Public Works Department. A function was held on May 9 and the Premier of Victoria, Sir Alexander Peacock presented Mr Catani with an ‘Illuminated address’. Catani was responsible for the all drainage works on the Koo Wee Rup Swamp from 1893 and had been employed by various Government Departments since his arrival in Melbourne from Italy (via New Zealand) in 1876.

The Cora Lynn Horticultural Show was held on May 12. The exhibits were down from previous years but they were of very good quality, in fact the fancy work was of an exceptionally fine standard a triumph of art and patient industry. (Dandenong Advertiser, May 24, 1917). Whilst on the subject of shows, the Iona Cheese Factory won a prize at the Royal Melbourne Show in September for the best cheese over 6 months old and not less than 300lbs in weight (that’s 136kg - a big cheese!) The Cora Lynn Cheese factory was second. (The Age, September 26, 1917)


Gippsland Independent June 22, 1917

On June 8, local teachers met at Tynong and were given instruction in gardening. The instructor, Mr Lee, of the Drouin School pointed out that the geometrical style was not now encouraged, and that elaborate and complicated arrangement of flower beds should be avoided. He advised having most of the school garden laid out in grass, and flower beds distributed over those lawns. Shrubs formed a fine background for the beds.  Teachers today, should be grateful that they don’t have to plant and maintain the school gardens in addition to their many other duties! (Gippsland Independent, June 22, 1917)

In more school news on September 13, the Dandenong Advertiser reported that September, Garfield Head Teacher, Mr Thomas Loutit was transferred to Sea Lake and in December various newspapers reported that Mr William Waugh was transferred to Garfield State School from Elphinstone.

At the beginning of August, Mrs Aspinall, the wife of the Manager of the London Bank in Garfield was presented with a very chaste silver rose bowl, suitably inscribed by the members of the Church of England Sunday school.  Chaste in this case means without unnecessary ornament. Mr Aspinall was presented with a gift, a valuable case of pipes at a social evening a few weeks later.  William and Jean Aspinall were moving to Moama, they had been in Garfield since about 1913. (Dandenong Advertiser, August 9, 1917 and August 30, 1917)

Dandenong Advertiser August 9 1917

The Pakenham Gazette of September, 14 reported that the Post Office, known as Kirwan’s was to be changed to Vervale. This is the Post Office on the corner of Main Drain Road and the Thirteen Mile. It was known as Kirwan’s after John Kirwan who ran the Post Office and general store from 1907 until 1915 when it was taken away from him as he was convicted of selling liquor without a license.

And finally in November in a report on the Berwick Shire Council meeting, Cr Pearson pointed out that owing to the different meal hours at various Post Offices the telephone service was held up from about 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. every day. At Nar Nar Goon, the office was closed from about 4pm to 5pm and at Bunyip from 5pm to 6pm. He moved that the Department be asked to arrange for a uniform closing hour. The motion was seconded by Cr Dore and carried. (Pakenham Gazette, November 9 1917)

Sunday, May 28, 2017

100 years ago this week - Telephone charges

The rates charged for conversation with the undermentioned places from the Warragul exchange are as under for the first three minutes or portion thereof, and for each additional three minutes or portion thereof respectively:- 


West Gippsland Gazette May 29 1917