Monday, December 23, 2024

What happened in Garfield in 1925

 This is a look at what happened in Garfield and surrounds 100 years ago in 1925.

January 1925 - the year started with this tragic incident on Saturday, January 10th  
At Garfield North, George Brew, aged 12 years, was fatally shot by his cousin, John Brew, aged 14 years. George Brew was sent on a message to his aunt's house. While there John told him of a Winchester repeating rifle, which belonged to a visitor from Melbourne. John brought the rifle out from the house, and in some unknown way it was discharged. George was shot in the back of the ear. He was hurried to Warragul Hospital, but died soon after admittance. Much sympathy is felt for both families, who are pioneers of the district. 
(The Argus, January 16, 1925, see here
The formal findings of the Coroner into this sad event were - Albert George Henry Brew died at Warragul  from a bullet wound in the head, from a pea rifle, and I find that the pea rifle was accidentally discharged whilst in the hands of John Aloysius Brew, no blame being attachable to anyone. (1)


Death notice for young George.
The Argus, January 21, 1925 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article2028802


January 1925 - This interesting look at Tynong was written by 12 year-old, Jean Chilcott, to Aunt Connie, the editor of the children's pages in the Weekly Times. 
Dear Aunt Connie -  This is my first letter to you. I will take for my subject Our District. Tynong is 42 miles from Melbourne. Tynong is a very small township. There are two grocers, two butchers, two fruit shops, two blacksmiths, one draper, and one dressmaker's shop, and also one post-office. The school is about a quarter of a mile from the township. Our teacher is Mr Giles. There are about 50 children going to Tynong school. Our school is called the State School. The number is 2854. We are about three-quarters of a mile from the station. I am 12 years old, and in the sixth grade at school. 
(Weekly Times, January 31, 1925, see here)

February 1925 - Apples exported 
Heavy crops of well conditioned apples are being gathered in the Nar-Nar-Goon, Bunyip, and Tynong districts. Prices are satisfactory for apples and pears. Last week 6000 cases were despatched from the Pakenham station, 4000 of which left by the steamer Mooltan on February 17 for the British markets. 
(Weekly Times, February 28, 1925, see here)


Shipment of  40,125 cases of apples from Victoria including Garfield
Weekly Times, February 17, 1923 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article223856734


April 1925 - Racing at Garfield and Cora Lynn
Special Train for Garfield - In connection with the Garfield races on Tuesday; a special train will leave Flinders street station at 10 am., leaving on return at 5.10 p.m. Owners and jockeys must obtain coupons, as no refunds will be made. The club has announced that two gold mounted riding whips will be presented - one to the rider of the winner of the 14.2 Pony Race, and one to the most successful jockey at the meeting.
Cora Lynn Weights - Mr. W. Cahill's weights for the Cora Lynn pony races, to be held on Easter Monday, April 13, appear to-day. Owners are notified that they should make early application to the Railways department for horse-boxes, which should be sent to the Tynong railway station. A special train will leave Flinders street at about 9 o'clock, on the morning of the races. 
(The Argus, April 4, 1925, see here)

April 1925 -  Miss Peverill leaves Garfield North School
Miss Peverill, head teacher of Garfield North State school, was farewelled by residents, prior to her departure, and presented with a leather bound writing case, a silver jewel case from the tennis club, and a case of perfume and other gifts, from the scholars. 
(The Age, April 20, 1925, see here
Charlotte Elizabeth Peverill had been at the school since September 1921; after Garfield she taught at Tungamah until June 1927, when she resigned from the Education Department. She had to resign as she married William Costigan and married women were not  allowed to continue teaching. In fact it wasn't until the Teaching Service (Married Women) Act of 1956 was passed which made it possible for women teachers to remain on permanent staff when they married. (2)

May 1925 -  A peculiar accident
A lad named Frederick Gross, aged 17 years, of Garfield, met with a peculiar accident which was attended with fatal results, while fishing on Sunday. He tripped and fell while walking through the bush, and his head came in contact with a log. The boy returned home, and after taking several fits he was removed to a private hospital at Bunyip, where he died on Monday. 
(Koo Wee Rup Sun, May 14, 1925, p. 4.)

May 1925 - The Main Drain silts up
Berwick shire council has passed a resolution to close the roads during certain winter months against sand carting, but it is powerless to prevent sand coming into the shire. The main canal is in a fair way to become obliterated with thousands of tons of this material, which is silting up year after year. Already through the Vervale and Cora Lynn districts it has reduced the carrying capacity of the waterway to less than half, and the danger of flooding has increased proportionately. 
(The Age, May 27, 1925, see here)


The Main Drain near Walkers Drain, between Cora Lynn and Iona, in 1939, when siltation was still a problem.
State Rivers & Water Supply Commission photograph


May 1925 -   A Priest farewelled and a Priest welcomed at the Iona Parish
At the Columba Hall, Iona, on Tuesday, 19th inst., the parishioners assembled to say farewell to the Rev. Fr. M. T. Keenan, who was recently transferred to Balaclava, and to welcome his successor, the Rev Fr. O'Callaghan. A well-organised concert by the pupils of Iona and Cora Lynn Convent schools, was greatly appreciated. Two little girls from the Cora Lynn Convent, and two from Iona, presented Fr. Keenan with a set of stainless cutlery and carvers, and a tea-set was presented to Fr. O'Callaghan.... [After various speeches] The shire president, Cr. J. G. Dore, then presented Fr. Keenan with an Australian oak roll top desk, an Australian oak chair, suitably inscribed, an easy chair and down cushion, an American clock with silver plate inscription and a handsome wallet. 
(The Advocate, May 28, 1925, see here)

May 1925 - A lucky escape
For two nights, John Noble, of Garfield North, was pinned beneath a dray which had capsized in going over rough country.  The horse freed itself, but in its exertions kicked Noble in the head. The imprisoned man had to dig himself out with a small stick. The skin was worn off both hands in his efforts to extricate himself. He finally found his way to a neighbor's place in an exhausted condition, and is now recovering from the effects of his trying ordeal
(The Sun News-Pictorial, June 1, 1925, see here)

June 1925 - Modella Hall opens


The greatest event of 1925 - the opening of the Modella Hall
Koo Wee Rup Sun, May 7, 1925, p. 1

In the presence of a large assemblage the newly constructed hall was officially opened by Mr. Paterson, M.H.R., who spoke of the fine public spirit displayed by Mr. Camp, a returned soldier, in purchasing the land and giving it to the public of Modella for the purpose of constructing a hall. Mr. Camp, aided by Mr. Gardiner, another returned soldier, then constructed the building. Messrs. Groves and Walters, M.L. A.'s, also spoke. (The Argus, June 12, 1925, see here)  
An Age report of June 8, 1925, see here, noted that the debt on the hall is about £275. The 1925 hall burnt down in  November 1976;  the new hall was opened on April 20, 1979 by Arthur Dawson (a member of the Modella Hall Committee), and assisted by Athol Camp. (3)

July 1925 - The route of the 100 mile cycle race is announced
The annual cycle traders' 100-mile road race, one of the most important events of the season, is claiming attention of the organisers and officials. Early this week the route followed on previous years was inspected by officials of the association, and though in the main the course will be the same again this year, owing to the bad state of portions of the road to Drouin and farther along the old Gippsland road, that part of the route has been eliminated. The following is the course which will be followed: Starting at Kelly's Hotel Oakleigh, along the Dandenong road to Cranbourne and Tooradin, thence to
Bayles, Cora Lynn, Iona, and Longwarry (one of the principal checking stations), and along the Princes' Highway, to Bunyip, Garfield, Tynong, Nar-nar-goon, Pakenham, Berwick, Narre Warren, and Hallam; on striking Dandenong there will be a direct return to the starting point. Feeding stations at convenient distances have been arranged
(The Argus, July 4, 1925, see here
The race was held on August 15 and 1930 riders participated. The winner was C.M.F. Shillito of the Coburg Club in four hours, 56 minutes. (4)


The start of the 100 mile cycle race. 
Three of the men pictured, Hubert Opperman, Ern Bainbridge and Percy Osborn (who was from Bayles) participated in the 1928 Tour de France cycle race.
The Sun News-Pictorial, August 17, 1925 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article277183735


August 1925 - Another lucky escape 
Garfield -  Frank Harris, an old League footballer, met with a severe accident on Saturday. He was felling a tree when it fell back on him and broke his leg at the thigh. Notwithstanding that the bone was protruding, the unfortunate man crawled half a mile through the bush to obtain assistance
(The Age, August 25, 1925, see here)

September 1925 - New Presbyterian Minister 
The Rev R.G. Butler has been inducted into the charge of the Presbyterian Church, and will have charge of the districts of Garfield, lona, Cora Lynn, Bunyip and Longwarry. Mr and Mrs Butler were given a welcome social after the service. 
(The Argus, September 8, 1925, see here)

September 1925 - Young Patrick thrown from his horse
Patrick Quigley, 15 years, son of Mr. Martin Quigley, of Cora Lynn, whilst riding a young, restive horse was thrown and injured. He is an inmate of a private hospital, but his condition is not serious
(The Advocate, September 17, 1925, see here)

September 1925 - Burglary at the Hotel
At an early hour on Monday morning the Iona Hotel [at Garfield] was entered by burglars, and the cash register, together with a hospital collection box, rifled. About 4 a.m. the licensee was disturbed by a noise in front of the house, but on investigating  failed to locate the origin. At  a later hour on opening the bar door, he was surprised to find a railway service lamp and a steel jemmy on the counter. An examination of the cash register proved that £1 in small silver had been removed and the hospital collection box broken open. It is evident that the thieves were disturbed as the shelves, lined with cigarettes, cigars and spirits, were left untouched. 
(Koo Wee Rup Sun, September 25, 1925. p. 4.)

November 1925 - Presbyterian Church fund raiser
From a queen competition and other sources the adherents of the Presbyterian Church raised 3/0, which effort was considered very satisfactory. The queens were Miss Ferguson (Cora Lynn), 1; Miss Barker (Garfield), 2; Miss Leithhead (lona), 3; Miss Wilson (Bunyip), 4. The crowning of the successful queen took place at a crowded concert in the Garfield Theatre on Thursday night. 
(The Argus, November 9, 1925, see here)

November 1925 -  Asparagus season
Now in the middle of the asparagus season, Mr Roxborough's farm [at Vervale] is  a scene of activity. Four men are constantly employed tending the crop, and when matured extra hands are engaged for cutting, trimming, washing and packing. The harvest, commencing in September, lasts until late December. The original nine acres planted has been extended and about 30 acres are now under cultivation. An average of over half a ton per day is despatched to the metropolis, the bulk being consigned to canning factories, while the balance is retailed to leading hotels, cafes and shops.
(Koo Wee Rup Sun, November 26, 1925, p. 4)


Footnotes 
(1) Inquest into George's death - Public Records Office of Victoria can be read here
(2) Charlotte Peverill's teaching record - Public Records Office of Victoria 
https://prov.vic.gov.au/archive/3D7FF25D-F7E4-11E9-AE98-DD3948FEC58C?image=249  
Information about the Teaching Service (Married Women) Act of 1956 from Vision and Realisation: a centenary history of State Education in Victoria, edited by L.J. Blake. (Education Department of Victoria, 1973), v. 1.
(4) Sporting Globe, August 15, 1925, see here.

Friday, December 6, 2024

Cardinia Hall - the original Trustees

The Cardinia Hall was opened on December 17, 1924, you can read an account here. I have written about the community activity which led to the building of the Hall, here.  In this post we will now look at the five original Trustees - Michael Conroy, Alexander Duff, George Benjamin Beazley, Ernest Gordon Mills and Joseph Gordon Lobb. The first three men - Messrs Conroy, Duff and Beazley -  are names synonymous with Cardinia.

Michael  Conroy
Michael, born in Bungaree in 1876, married Ruby Elizabeth Thornell of Somerville on November 11, 1915.  They settled on their property Corofin, Ballarto Road in Cardinia and raised their family of seven children - Elizabeth Bridget (1916-1920), James William (1917), John Patrick (1919), Michael Mark (1920), Brendan Ignatius (1921) Bernice Mary (1922) and Phoebe (1925).  Michael was involved with the Football Club, the School Committee and the Hall Committee. Michael and Ruby retired to Somerville in 1948.  Michael died July 1956, aged 79 and Ruby died August 1973, aged 87. They are buried at Cranbourne Cemetery.  Their son Michael spent his life in Cardinia and his wife Joan, who turned 100 in 2024, had the honour of cutting the Cardinia Hall Birthday cake, along with 90-year old Ian Ridgway, at the Centenary Celebrations. (1)


Wedding report of Michael Conroy and Ruby Thornell
Mornington Standard November 27, 1915. 


Alexander Duff
Alexander, was a descendant of the Reverend Alexander Duff (1824-1890), the first Presbyterian Minister in the area. The Reverend Alexander had married Annie Tucker in Belfast, Ireland and they had eight children, three of whom settled on farms in the Cardinia area. The name Alexander was used for one of the sons, a grandson and a great grandson. Which one was the Hall Trustee? Son Alexander (1869-1941) married Mary Irwin in 1899. He was a Cranbourne Councillor from 1930 until 1936,  and a keen cricketer. Alexander and Mary had three sons, the eldest being Alexander William who was born in 1900, and who died in 1987. Either of those are the right age to be a Trustee, even though Alexander William would only have been just 21 when he was appointed, so I believe the older Alexander (1869-1941) would be more likely the original  Trustee. (2)


The obituary of Alexander Duff (1869-1941)
Dandenong Journal, October 8, 1941. 


George Benjamin Beazley
George was a descendent of Henry and Susanah (nee Lineham) Beazley. Her parents, James and Charlotte (nee Ridgway) Lineham had taken up land in Cardinia in 1878; earlier still, in 1854 had taken up land at Clyde. Henry and Susanah had numerous children including George Henry, born in Cheltenham in 1874. George and two of his brothers, Fred and Sam, farmed at Cardinia. George married Jane Williams in 1911 and they had three children. The Beazleys were all involved in community life in Cardinia, including the School, the Church and the Hall. George and his family left Cardinia in 1937 and moved to Cockatoo. He died in 1965, aged 87, Jane had died in 1943, aged 65. (3)


The Beazley's leave Cardinia
 Dandenong Journal, April 1, 1937. 
Read the full report here  http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article200679647


The other two Trustees were Ernest Gordon Mills and Joseph Gordon Lobb.
 
Ernest Gordon Mills
It appears from the Electoral Rolls that Ernest Mills was only in Cardinia from 1919 until around 1925. He had previously lived in Woodleigh and Wonthaggi. He married Eliza Azenath Hutton in 1913,  and  they had three children – Harry (born 1913), William (1914) and Clara (1920). Sadly little Clara, born at Cardinia, died only six weeks later, at only 6 weeks of age. Ernest and  Eliza farmed on 40 acres.

Harry and William commenced at the Cardinia School in 1919; however, by 1925 the Mills' farm was sold and they were living back in Wonthaggi, where Ernest was a fruiterer. He died in Wonthaggi, aged 70, in 1955 and Eliza died in 1965, aged 77. 

The only other thing I can tell you about the family was that in 1945, Harry, then 31, was charged with murder of his wife, Linda Marion Mills, with whom he had two children aged 3½ and one year old. They were living at Wonthaggi, and his occupation was a coal miner. There was evidence given at the Inquest that he had a 'friendship' in the previous four years with 20 year old Elizabeth Mary Grayden of Phillip Island and he had asked his wife for a divorce;  his father gave evidence about the gun and his mother also have evidence as Harry called her first after the shooting and, and as she lived only three doors down, she was quickly on the scene. Harry gave various versions of the event, including at one stage blaming his 3½ year-old daughter, saying she had pulled the trigger whilst he was cleaning the loaded gun which he had put down for a short time. 

In the end he settled on this explanation - he was greatly in love with Betty Grayden. He knew his wife would not divorce him. The situation with his wife became such that they could hardly bear to be in each other's company... "I don't know what came over me; I must have gone mad. I put a bullet in the chamber and was working the bolt back and forwards to test the ejector. I saw my wife coming down the yard, something came over me, the gun went off and I saw my wife fall down."

He was charged with murder, however the Jury found him guilty of manslaughter and sentenced him to ten years in gaol.  I have nothing good to say about this man, especially as he cravenly tried to blame his little daughter.  It would be interesting to know how many past scholars of the Cardinia School have been charged with murder, but that’s a story for another day. (4)


Death notice of little Clara Mills


Joseph Gordon Lobb 
The fifth Trustee was Joseph Gordon Lobb, on whose land the Hall was built. Joseph was born in South Australia in 1885 and married Rose Alice Burgess in 1911 at Hill End, in Victoria. Rose had a daughter in 1908, Marjory Grace, and after her marriage had four more daughters - Hughina Margaret (1912),  Doris Anne (1914), Rosamond Alice (1916) and Pearl May was born in 1924 whilst they were living at Cardinia. Joseph served in the First A.I.F - enlisted July 1917, embarked for overseas service December 1917 and Returned to Australia December 1918.  Joseph and Rose had been on a dairy farm in Clayton Road, Notting Hill before they arrived in Cardinia and took up their 67 acres around 1920 - which was the year that three of their daughters, Marjorie, Hughina and Doris commenced at the school and a year later their fourth daughter Rosamund also started at the school. 

Joseph Lobb took up community life in Cardinia with gusto – he was a Hall Trustee, chairman of the school committee, on the Board of Management of the Presbyterian church, as a Returned Soldier he addressed the school children on Armistice Day and chaired the Arbour Day celebrations. However it appears the marriage did not last and by 1931 Joseph was living at Hill End and Rose was living in Oakleigh. In 1948, Joseph married Margaret Scouller. Joseph died in 1973, aged 87 and Rose died in 1967, aged 78. (5)


Wedding report of Joseph Lobb and Rose Burgess
Narracan Shire Advocate, July 19 1911 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article256443038


To read a report on the opening of the Cardinia Hall, click here. To read about the community activity which led to the building of the Hall, click here

Acknowledgment - Look to the Rising sun: Back to Cardinia 1984 - a history of Cardinia and District, including Rythdale and Pakenham South, by  Eileen Williams and Jewell Beard. (Published by the Back to Cardinia Committee, 1984) provided very useful information on the lives of Michael Conroy, Alexander Duff and George Beazley. 

Footnotes
(1) Conroy information sources - Indexes to the Victorian Births, Deaths and Marriages; Wedding report of Michael Conroy and Ruby Thornell in the Mornington Standard November 27, 1915, see here; Look to the Rising Sun (see Acknowledgment).

(2) Duff information sources -  I have written about the Reverend Alexander Duff at the bottom of this post -  https://kooweerupswamphistory.blogspot.com/2021/12/cardinia-tree-plantation-in-honor-of.html;  Indexes to the Victorian Births, Deaths and Marriages; Look to the Rising Sun (see Acknowledgment); Alexander Duff obituary - Dandenong Journal, October 8, 1941, see here

(3) Beazley information sources - Indexes to the Victorian Births, Deaths and Marriages; Look to the Rising Sun (see Acknowledgment); report of the Beazley family leaving Cardinia  for Cockatoo - Dandenong Journal, April 1, 1937, see here

(4) Mills family information - Indexes to the Victorian Births, Deaths and Marriages; Look to the Rising Sun (see Acknowledgment); Electoral Rolls on Ancestry.com; Shire of Cranbourne Rate Books; Clara Mills death notice The Age, April 3, 1920, see here. Mills murder case -  The Herald, March 22, 1945, see here; Inquest report - The Herald, May 1, 1945, see here;  The Age, July 20, 1945, see here; The Sun News Pictorial, August 17, 1945, see here.

(5) Lobb family information - Genealogy SA - https://www.genealogysa.org.au/ ;  Indexes to the Victorian Births, Deaths and Marriages; Wedding report of Joseph Lobb and Rose Burgess, Narracan Shire Advocate, July 19 1911, see here;  Joseph's First Australian Imperial Force Personnel Dossier at the National Archives of Australia; Electoral Rolls on Ancestry.com; Shire of Cranbourne Rate Books; Look to the Rising Sun (see Acknowledgment); Some of Joseph's activities in Cardinia - South Bourke & Mornington Journal, October 14, 1926, see here; Dandenong Journal, November 17, 1927, see hereDandenong Journal, March 29, 1928, see here; Dandenong Journal, July 19, 1928, see here; The Argus, August 20, 1928, see here; Dandenong Journal, April 11, 1929, see here; Dandenong Journal, February 6, 1930, see here.

Cardinia Hall - the very early days

The Cardinia Hall was opened 100 years ago on December 17, 1924. You can read a report here. There was a function held at the hall on November 23, 2024 to celebrate the Centenary, which in spite of the very hot weather, was attended by over 120 people. Some of the locals spoke of their memories of events held at the Hall and the role it played in the local community. I also gave a short talk on the early history of the Hall which is the basis of this post. The original Trustees were Michael Conroy, Alexander Duff, George Benjamin Beazley, Ernest Gordon Mills and Joseph Gordon Lobb, and I have written about them, here.


The Cardinia Hall, taken November 23, 2024 at the Centenary Celebrations.
Image: Heather Arnold

I looked at the three Cardinia Hall files at the Public Records Office of Victoria (PROV) and I paid to have two of the files digitised, and you can look at them online - 
VPRS 242/P0000, C72699 Cardinia Hall Site Correspondence, view it here;  
VPRS 5714/P0000/14893, 496 Cardinia Hall Site Trustees, view it here
and VPRS 7882/P0001, 1142 Cardinia Public Hall Building files. 
My other source was Look to the Rising sun: Back to Cardinia 1984 - a history of Cardinia and District, including Rythdale and Pakenham South, by  Eileen Williams and Jewell Beard. (Published by the Back to Cardinia Committee, 1984)

As noted in Look to the Rising Sun the first hall in Cardinia was built about 1880 in Bould Road, the same road where the original Cardinia Primary school operated from 1874 until 1906. The current school opened 1911. The Bould Road Hall  building was used until 1914, when it was sold and this left the town without a hall, and thus in 1921 a public meeting was held with the view to establish a new hall. (1)

What I found from the files at the PROV was that on July 29,1921  Henry Whitmore (2) of Connewarre, Cardinia, Secretary of the Cardinia Hall wrote a letter  to the Public Works Department  - 
Sir, At a representative meeting of the residents of this district, a site on which to erect a hall, offered by C. E. Osborne, Esq. (3) was accepted. Five Trustee for the proposed hall were also appointed at the meeting their names being Mr Conroy, Mr Lobb, Mr A. Duff, Mr E.G. Mills, Mr G. Beazley....... (4)



The first page of Mr Whitmore's letter from July 29, 1921.
 Public Records Office of Victoria VPRS 242/P0000, C72699 Cardinia Hall Site Correspondence


The map that was sent to the Public Works Department  showing the proposed site of the Hall on Mr Osborne's land. 
Public Records Office of Victoria VPRS 242/P0000, C72699 Cardinia Hall Site Correspondence


However on July 6, 1921, a few weeks before Mr Whitmore's  letter, Cardinia farmer, Joseph Lobb had written a letter to the Closer Settlement Board (CSB) asking if they would raise any objection to -
me having a general store opened on a site facing Ballarto Road near the School Ground on Block 71C Homestead Moxon's Land.....or of a site being given for the purpose of erecting a Public Hall or Tennis Court. The position is one of the most suitable for the purpose that can be found in the district..... (5)

The CSB was happy for both a store and or a hall and on August 22, 1921 Joseph wrote again that -
I propose to give a site of 1/3rd or ½ an acre as may be required, adjourning the School Ground on the west and having a frontage of  66ft to Ballarto Road. He also wrote that there would be  a public meeting held on August 26 to discuss the adoption of the proposed site. (6) 

Consequently on August 31, 1921 Mr Whitmore wrote another letter to the Department of Lands and Survey telling them that it had been decided at a public meeting to build the hall on Mr Lobb’s land rather than Mr Osborne’s. Mr Whitmore had also written earlier saying that they wished to apply for moneys from the sale of the old hall. (7)


Joseph Lobb's correspondence with the Close Settlement Board.
Public Records Office of Victoria VPRS 5714/P0000/14893, 496 Cardinia Hall Site Trustees


The map sent to the Department of Lands and Survey showing the 'new' Hall site 
next to the Cardinia School.
Public Records Office of Victoria VPRS 7882/P0001, 1142 Cardinia Public Hall Building files.


The surveyed site of the Cardinia Hall drawn up by J.R. MacDonald April 26, 1924.
Public Records Office of Victoria VPRS 5714/P0000/14893, 496 Cardinia Hall Site Trustees


A year later on August 22, 1922, the hall site of 2 roods was excised from Mr Lobb’s 67 acres and sold to the Trustees for £9/16/6. (8)


Sale of the Hall site to the Trustees in August 1922
Public Records Office of Victoria VPRS 5714/P0000/14893, 496 Cardinia Hall Site Trustees


After the land was acquired the  real work started with fund raising for the new hall and as reported in Look to the Rising Sun, tenders were called in March 1924 for the erection of the hall and Mr Sykes’ tender of £496 was accepted, plus £17 for painting. (9)  The specifications of the Hall were sent to Public Health Department in June 1924 (10) and the Hall was then opened on December 17, 1924, as mentioned before.


The original plan of the Cardinia Hall, in the specifications sent to the Public Health Department, dated June 25, 1924.
Public Records Office of Victoria VPRS 7882/P0001, 1142 Cardinia Public Hall Building files.

The Supper Room was added to the Cardinia Hall in 1927.


Application to erect a supper room at the Cardinia Hall on January 15, 1927.
Public Records Office of Victoria VPRS 7882/P0001, 1142 Cardinia Public Hall Building files.


The Supper Room plan
Public Records Office of Victoria VPRS 7882/P0001, 1142 Cardinia Public Hall Building files.

1927 is where we will leave the Cardinia Hall and 100 years since it first opened in 1924 still plays a role in the  life of the Cardinia community.  To read an account of the opening ceremony from December 17, 1924, click here; to read about the five original Trustees, Michael Conroy, Alexander Duff, George Benjamin Beazley, Ernest Gordon Mills and Joseph Gordon Lobb, click here.

Footnotes
(1) Information in this paragraph from Look to the Rising sun: Back to Cardinia 1984 - a history of Cardinia and District, including Rythdale and Pakenham South, by  Eileen Williams and Jewell Beard. (Published by the Back to Cardinia Committee, 1984) and Vision and Realisation: a centenary history of State Education in Victoria, v. 3, edited by L.J. Blake.  Published by the Education Department of Victoria, 1973.
(2) Henry Francis Whitmore, Connewarre, Cardinia. His entry in the Electoral Rolls said he lived at Dalmore, with his wife Doris Margaret. Doris was the daughter of  Walter Duff (1855 - 1925) and his wife Eva Sharp. Walter was the son of the Reverend Alexander Duff - I have written about the Reverend Alexander Duff at the bottom of this post  https://kooweerupswamphistory.blogspot.com/2021/12/cardinia-tree-plantation-in-honor-of.html and thus Doris was the niece of original Trustee, Alexander Duff.  In 1927, the Electoral Rolls show they were living at Natya, which is east of Ouyen and southwest of Mildura. Henry died in 1959 aged 58 and Doris in 1973, aged 85.
(3) C. E. Osborne - the Shire of Cranbourne Rate Books list Harry and Ernest Osborne owning 423 acres, Allotments 21 to 32, Parish of Koo Wee Rup at Cardinia in 1921. Ernest Charles Osborne, the son of  James and Esther (nee Houston) Osborne died March 25, 1926 and his death notice, see below, notes that he was from Kergunyah, Cardinia, aged 52 and that his death was the result of wounds received during the War. A notice about his estate notes his occupation as a Solicitor. 


Ernest's death notice.
The Argus, March 27, 1926 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article3742355 

 Ernest Osborne's bequest
The Argus, October 21, 1926 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article3816415

The other owner of the property, would be his brother Harry Houston Osborne, listed in Ernest's will. So the only other mystery is Ernest's War service. Harry served in the Fifth Victorian Mounted Rifles in the Boer War (see here) but I can't see Ernest listed, nor is he listed at the National Archives or the Australian War Memorial. I suspect he may have enlisted in England - there is a Corporal Ernest Charles Osborne listed on Ancestry.com in the UK, World War I Service Medal and Award Rolls, 1914-1920 database, but there is no other information about him. However, in 1917 twenty-five trees were planted at the Cardinia State School, in honor of the boys of this district who have responded nobly to the country's call and one was for Ernest and he is also on the Honor Board. You can read about this here  https://kooweerupswamphistory.blogspot.com/2021/12/cardinia-tree-plantation-in-honor-of.html
(4) Public Records Office of Victoria VPRS 242/P0000, C72699 Cardinia Hall Site Correspondence
(5) Public Records Office of Victoria VPRS 5714/P0000/14893, 496 Cardinia Hall Site Trustees
(6) Ibid
(7) Public Records Office of Victoria VPRS 242/P0000, C72699 Cardinia Hall Site Correspondence
(8) Public Records Office of Victoria VPRS 5714/P0000/14893, 496 Cardinia Hall Site Trustees
(9) Look to the Rising Sun - see footnote 1.
(10) Public Records Office of Victoria VPRS 7882/P0001, 1142 Cardinia Public Hall Building files.

Saturday, November 16, 2024

The 1934 flood on the Koo Wee Rup Swamp - report from The Argus of December 6, 1934

This report of the 1934 flood was in The Argus of December 6, 1934 (see here.) The reports from The Argus of  December 3, can be read here and from December 4 & 5, here.  There are photographs of the flood herehere and here.



The Argus, Thursday, December 6, 1934, see here.


DR. SHIELDS VISITS STRICKEN DISTRICTS
PROGRESS AT KOO-WEE-RUP
400 MEN CLEARING TOWNSHIP
2,000 Carcases Floated to Sea

Hundreds of dead cattle and sheep, ruined asparagus and potato crops, grazing lands covered with slime, bridges and plantations swept away, mud inches thick in houses, and business almost at a stand-still in the main street these are some of the impressions received by the Minister in Charge of Sustenance (Dr. Shields) when he visited Koo-wee-rup yesterday. "The trail of ruin left by the floods presented a terrible scene," he said. "It was difficult to believe that such devastation was possible."

Dr. Shields, who was accompanied by the secretary of the department (Mr. F. W. Frawley), went first to Bunyip, where he discussed the position with the municipal authorities. He found that 150 families were in distress, but they were all receiving, clothing, and shelter. Dr. Shields arranged for men to be employed cleaning out the houses and for the disposal of 200 head of dead stock.

Flood waters in the Bunyip River had caused great damage to bridges, Dr. Shields said. Banks 12ft. in height at either end of the bridge on the Nar-nar-goon road had been scoured away, leaving the bridge isolated in the middle of the torrent. Foundations around the piles of the Bunyip railway bridge had been washed away, making it unsafe for trains. Farm land near by was reappearing as the waters subsided. Many stories of bravery had been told. Two men had crawled across the flooded railway lines
with school children who had been cut off from the town on their backs.

At Bayles, Monomeith, and Lang Lang Dr. Shields found that the damage was less extensive. At Koo-wee-rup the flood had receded, and the town was free from water. Houses had been hosed out, and were drying before the return of their owners. Progress was so good tht it was expected the women and children, who were being given shelter in Dandenong, would be able to return by Saturday morning. About 400 men were cleaning shops and houses and removing dead stock.

"More than 2,000 carcases including cows sheep pigs goats and poultry have already been disposed of," he continued. "The carcases have been thrown into the main canal and floated down to Westernport. There are still about 1,000 dead animals in the district but some of these will have to be buried.

Feast for Sharks
The party was told that the carcases would be devoured readily by sharks which were plentiful in the northern end of Westernport. One resident said that they were so numerous that fishermen were afraid to put out in small craft. Countless hundreds of chickens and fowls have been destroyed by the floods. Only the dogs seem to have escaped. These are ravenously hungry and fight for scraps of food when it is thrown to them.

Water Supply in Danger
Serious difficulty had arisen over the town 's water supply Dr Shields said. The pump in the water tower on the main canal was three feet under water and could not be operated. Arrangements were being made to send two railway trucks with drinking water to-day. Supplies of firewood would also be sent as they were running short. All in need had received clothing and fresh food. Men on relief work rates would receive their first pay on Saturday by which time the stores would again be open. Dr Shields said that it was useless for other men to come to the town seeking work. All who were needed had been engaged and any who arrived would be ejected by the police.

Rates on Flooded land
Dr Shields said that a valuable asparagus crops which were worth £80 an acre had been ruined by the flood waters. The municipal valuation was £20 an acre and a rate of 4/3 in the £1 was imposed. Potato crops had been dug since the waters had receded and almost all were ruined. One farmer had lost 120 acres of potatoes As the yield was about six tons an acre and the product worth between £8 and £10 a ton the extent of the losses could be realised.

"The main canal at Koo wee rup which has always been regarded as safe against erosion because of the vegetation along its banks is showing signs of erosion." Dr Shields continued, "Siltation is occurring and in one place there is between 10 and 12 feet of sand."

The chairman of the State Rivers and Water Supply Commission (Mr R. H. Horsfield) estimated yesterday that the damage to the commissions works in the Koo wee rup district amounted to £5,000. One bridge, he said, over a large canal had been lifted bodily by the flood and deposited on a farm some distance away.

The 1934 flood on the Koo Wee Rup Swamp - reports from The Argus of December 4 & 5, 1934

These reports of the 1934 flood were in The Argus of December 4 & 5, 1934. The report from The Argus of December 3, can be read here and from December 6, here. There are photographs of the flood herehere and here.




The Argus, Tuesday, December 4, 1934, see here.

VAST DAMAGE IN WAKE OF FLOODS
THOUSANDS OF VICTIMS STILL HOMELESS
RELIEF TRAIN REACHES KOO-WEE-RUP
REHABILITATION OF TOWNSHIP BEGINS

Leaving in their wake scenes of desolation unprecedented in the history of the State, flood waters in all the stricken areas began to recede yesterday. Five thousand people are still homeless, and most of them are likely to remain so for some days. 

Upon the arrival of the relief train at Koo-wee-rup yesterday, immediate arrangements were made by the Minister in Charge of Sustenance (Dr. Shields) on behalf of the Government for the rehabilitation of the township and the surrounding district, following the disastrous flood which rendered the inhabitants homeless on Sunday. 

Incalculable damage has been done in the township of Koo-wee-rup and to hundreds of farms, and the work of reconstruction will take several months. The women and children have taken refuge at Dandenong and other centres, and it is the Government's wish that they should remain away from Koo-wee-rup until conditions are again normal.

HOMELESS MEN ENLISTED TO CLEAN UP TOWNSHIP
BY OUR SPECIAL REPORTER
Within half an hour of the arrival of the relief train at 1.35 p.m. yesterday the Minister for Public Assistance (Dr. Shields) had surveyed the flooded town ship of Koo-wee-rup by using a rowing boat and a motor-car. He then made arrangements for sustenance to be provided for the 4,000 flood victims in the town and district, and put into immediate operation a plan of reconstruction.

After having expressed sincere admiration for the fortitude and cheerfulness of the people, Dr. Shields assured the crowd of about 200 who had remained on the railway station or on the roofs of houses, and the privileged few who occupied the upper floors of the hotel and the bank - the only two-story buildings in the town - that the Government of Victoria would accept responsibility for the repair of damage done by flood water. The question of compensating settlers for the loss of their live stock and crops and the contents of their homes would receive the most sympathetic consideration of the Cabinet. The first work to be done was the removal of the carcases of the thousands of dead cattle, horses, sheep, pigs, and poultry. That had been begun already. The carcases would be dragged to the main canal, floated down on rafts to Westernport Bay, where they would be cut up and deposited in the sea.

Men to Clean Up Own Town
Dr. Shields said that all the homeless men in the district had been enlisted by his department as relief workers. They would be paid wages to clean up the town. More than 60 were at work already that afternoon, and another 150 men who had been rescued and taken to Dandenong, would be brought back by an early train to-day and given work. Until the debris was removed and the sanitation and water supply restored, it would be better that the women and children, who had been provided with food and shelter in Dandenong and elsewhere, should stay away. All the fit men would be brought back to prepare for the return of their families, and when conditions in the town were normal, with the shops stocked with food supplies and clothing, the population would be permitted to return. In the meantime the Government asked all but authorised relief workers to stay away. The families of the relief workers would be returned to their homes at the expense of the Government. In the meantime everyone in the district would be supplied with food, and those in special need with clothing. Relief workers would not receive their wages until the shops reopened. Dr. Shields said that many men and women from the adjoining towns and farms, particularly the fishermen from Tooradin, who had navigated their boats
through the floods, had rendered great assistance to their unfortunate neighbours. The flood had brought forth the best Australian qualities of prompt action, unselfishness, and help to others.

Canvas Town for Relief Workers
The relief train which brought Dr. Shields and the chairman of the State Rivers and Water Commission (Mr. R. H. Horsfield), with Dr. Paul Rowan, of the Health Commission, and other relief officials, was the first to reach the railway station since Friday.

The train brought food supplies for three days, and some clothing. Another train was sent last night with 100 tents, blankets, hydrants for hosing the houses and streets, and other plant for cleaning operations. Most of the relief workers slept last night in the goods shed at the railway station. A canvas town will spring up to-day, and the men will remain under canvas until the immediate work of reconstruction is complete.

Dr. Shields decided that school should not be opened before the Christmas holidays. Provision will be made for pupils to sit for their merit certificates and scholarships at other schools. 

It was officially announced last night that the Health Commission had declared all shops and dwellings in Koo-wee-rup unfit for habitation until they had been cleaned and disinfected. Owners or occupiers will be informed when they may be occupied again. Prompt measures have been taken by the police to protect the town against people who may come there seeking free sustenance during the period of reconstruction.

On every hand there were expressions of thankfulness that the flood came in the early hours of Saturday, when many people were awake and able to raise the alarm. Senior-constable Whiteside, who, assisted by recruits from the police depot and scores of volunteers from Tooradin and elsewhere, led the rescue work, said that had the flood arrived in the middle of the night the death roll would have amounted to hundreds. Of the 600 inhabit ants of the town of Koo-wee-rup and about 3,500 settled on farms on the reclaimed swamp. Senior-constable Whiteside said that all had been accounted for except an unknown elderly man who had been camped near the main canal. It was believed that he was washed away after having refused to heed the warning that the flood was coming.

The Government will supply chaff for surviving cattle marooned on hills which are still surrounded by flood.

Telephone communication with Koo-wee-rup has been restored. The first motor-car to reach Koo-wee-rup contained the chief linesman from Lang Lang (Mr. J. Cuneen) and his two assistants Messrs D. Donaldson and J. Dixon. They drove for more than two miles through flood waters by the device of taking off the radiator fan, pulling rubber caps over the distributer, the oil intake, and other parts, and driving with the engine submerged. Water at one stage was 4 inches above the floor of the car. From the railway station they were taken across to the town by boat. The water was still 5 feet deep in the post office but the post mistress (Mrs Hamilton) remained in the town and yesterday afternoon she sorted the mails again. The telephone exchange is still submerged.

"Merged Into One Great Flood"
After an inspection of the whole Koo-wee-rup area yesterday accompanied by his district engineer (Mr Lupson) and the engineer of the Shire of Cranbourne (Mr Cockroft) the chairman of the State Rivers and Water Commission (Mr R. H. Horsfield) said that the rapidity with which the waters were draining after the catastrophe demonstrated that the drainage system although unable to cope with an unprecedented flood was more than enough for ordinary floods. Six rivers and creeks and all their tributaries over an area of 500 square miles had brought down the torrents from a deluge varying from 10 to 12 inches of rain in a few days. All the waters had merged into one great flood and had been thrown with unparalleled swiftness on to an area of about 100,000 acres. The drainage system could not cope with that. The banks could be repaired with little cost.



The Argus, Tuesday, December 4, 1934, see here.

TALES OF TRAGEDY 
AND HEROISM
From Our Special Representatives

KOO-WEE-RUP, Tuesday. - Fire brought a new terror to flood-stricken Koo-wee-rup early today, when the home of Mr A. J. Gilchrist, carrier, suddenly went up in flames and was burnt to the water level. Hundreds of homeless townspeople camped at the railway station looked on, powerless to fight the 30ft flames which cast a lurid light on the flooded streets. The fire began when several blankets laid out in front of the house to dry caught alight.Mr Gilchrist was alone in the house. His wife and children are among the refugees in Dandenong. They had already lost most of their belongings, including a truck and car. On Saturday, Mr Gilchrist was nearly drowned while heading a rescue party on horseback.

KOO-WEE-RUP, Tuesday.- The streets of Koo-wee-rup are now free of water, but surrounding paddocks are still submerged. Rooms are being hosed out bodies of dead animals removed, and debris and litter cleared away. About 150 men have been enlisted for the work. The Johnson and McMillan families, and their eight children, sought refuge on Saturday in the rafters of Johnson's house. All 12 persons lay on one mattress strung across the rafters, until they were rescued yesterday afternoon. They were practically without food for two days.

Wrecked by Cattle
The house of Mr Stanley, editor of the shire newspaper, at Koo-wee-rup was wrecked when a herd of terror-stricken cattle broke in and smashed furniture and china. The first car to make a complete journey to the Koo-wee-rup swamp area thus morning was The Herald car, which travelled by way of Tooradin,Lang Lang, Koo-wee-rup township and Pakenham. Miles of road and fences have been destroyed. Paddocks are strewn with dead stock. Starving chickens are perched in dozens on farmhouse roofs. A swarm of bees was seen clinging to a branch above flooded hives.

Hardly a house on the swamp is inhabited. The only sign of life among the ruined crops and pastures are a few mobs of lost cattle, and here and there knots of homeless persons surveying the remains of their farms.



The Argus, Tuesday, December 4, 1934, see here.

POTATO CROPS
DAMAGE BY FLOODS
12,000 ACRES DESTROYED
SERIOUS SHORTAGE FEARED

Melbourne potato merchants said yesterday that floods in the Koo-wee-rup and Trafalgar districts and other low-lying potato-growing areas in Gippsland had destroyed 11,000 to 12,000 acres of potato crops representing a loss of from 40,000 to 50,000 tons of potatoes. As the crops in these areas have been under water for some days a merchant considered that no potatoes would be obtained from Koo-wee-rup.

The flood occurred at a time when growers would be unable to obtain seed for replanting he added. The areas affected supplied the bulk of the potatoes for Melbourne in the first five months of the year and Melbourne consumers would have to rely upon supplies grown in the Western district and in the Gippsland hill country. It is feared that there will be a temporary shortage of potatoes in the immediate future because growers in the Brighton district are unable to dig their crops. Owing to scant supplies in the market yesterday prices increased 20/ to 30/ a ton. Brighton Carmens were quoted at £10 to £11 and prime old season's redsoil potatoes at £7 to £7/1 a ton.



 The Argus, Wednesday, December 5, 1934,  see here.

BUSINESS AT STANDSTILL AT KOO-WEE-RUP
200 MEN CLEANING TOWN

KOO-WEE-RUP, Tuesday. - About 200 men were engaged to-day cleaning out business premises and houses. Business is at a standstill, and shops will not be allowed to reopen until passed by the
Health Commission. The houses are uninhabitable.

DANDENONG, Tuesday. - All the men refugees from the flooded areas of Koo-wee-rup, who had been cared for in the Scout Hall, Dandenong, returned to Koo-wee-rup this morning to help in the work of reconstruction. Several more refugees were brought to Dandenong last night and given clothing and food. One man, who had not removed his rubber waders since Friday night, was in a serious condition, and he was admitted to a private hospital.

The special committee of men and women appointed to carry out relief work in Dandenong gave splendid service in administering relief to sufferers at the Scout Hall. The Colonial Gas Association installed several gas-stoves to provide hot food and drinks to the refugees. After the men victims returned to Koo-wee-rup this morning a quantity of surplus clothing and foodstuffs in the Scout Hall was sent to Bunyip for distribution among sufferers in that area.

The 1934 flood on the Koo Wee Rup Swamp - report from The Argus of December 3, 1934

This report of the 1934 flood was in The Argus of Monday, December 3, 1934 (see here.) The reports from The Argus of December 4 & 5, can be read here and from December 6, here. There are photographs of the flood here, here and here.



The Argus, Monday, December 3, 1934, see here.

TOLL OF DISASTROUS FLOODS
MANY DEAD; THOUSANDS HOMELESS
DESOLATION IN GIPPSLAND
KOO-WEE-RUP TOWNSHIP EVACUATED
YARRA CAUSES UNPRECEDENTED DAMAGE

Many lives were lost and thousands of persons were rendered homeless during the week-end in the most disastrous floods ever known in Victoria. Damage done to property is beyond calculation. 

Koo-wee-rup township was overwhelmed when flood waters burst the main channels through the swamp and inundated 20 square miles of closely settled farming country. Six persons were drowned, and about 2,000 persons are homeless. The township was evacuated, four relief trains carrying refugees to various centres. Many persons clung to the roofs of their homes for hours before they were rescued.

In many other parts of Gippsland the flood waters rose, rolling over farm lands, submerging homes, and bringing desolation and distress to hundreds of homes. 

Countless deeds of heroism were performed in rescuing the victims of the floods. A party of fishermen from Lakes Entrance, with police, rowed for miles in swiftly flowing, debris-filled water in the Moe and Trafalgar districts, and saved many lives.

Distress scarcely less acute was suffered in the metropolitan area. At Chelsea 1,500 persons are homeless. About 600 women and children were rescued in boats and lorries. Many of the residents affected were aged or ill.

The River Yarra rose to unprecedented levels and caused untold damage to property. At Warrandyte 40 houses had to be vacated. About 300 persons at Richmond and residents at many other suburbs along the river had to leave their homes.

RESIDENTS OF KOO-WEE-RUP SPEND NIGHT ON ROOFS
Feared That Six Lives Were Lost
TOWN EVACUATED; SPECIAL TRAINS FOR VICTIMS
(By Our Special Reporter.)

Bursting the main drainage channels through the Koo-wee-rup Swamp, flood waters from the hill country to the north Inundated about 20 square miles of closely settled farming country on Saturday morning and flooded the township of Koo-wee-rup. Six persons have been drowned and 2,000 others are homeless. The water rose at the rate of about 1ft. a minute.

The township has been evacuated, and four relief trains sent from Melbourne have carried the residents away from the flooded area. Several hundreds were taken to Dandenong, and others went to other areas of safety, some even to Melbourne where they were quartered. The flood is the most disastrous that has occurred in the district.

Two men, both thought to be farmers, were drowned near Bunyip. They were Councillor John Dowd, formerly president of the Berwick Shire, and a man whose, name was Jolly. George Wilson, of Iona who was drowned near Garfield. The body of a man named Williams was recovered at Garfield yesterday morning by Constable Jordan. The body of John Samwell, aged about 55 years, sustenance worker, was seen by Mr John Hickey being carried by the flood waters toward the main drain in the Koo-wee-rup Swamp. Mr Hickey, who is aged 70 years, was rescued after he had clung to a tree for 28 hours. Gordon Nash, aged 14 years, of Tonimbuk, was drowned in Diamond Creek.

Following heavy rain, which fell during Friday night, there was about 3 inches of water in the streets of the town at 8 a.m. on Saturday. The water rose so rapidly that in three-quarters of an hour its depth had increased to 7ft., and the residents of Koo-wee-rup were trapped almost without warning. It continued to rise until every single-story house was covered, and only the roofs of two-story buildings remained above water by early afternoon. As the waters rose the towns-people removed their furniture to the lofts
of their homes, but their efforts to save their property were futile, and few of them are known to have escaped with more than their lives. They had to rush from their houses and climb to the roofs, where they had to cling for hours before they could be rescued. Many of them had harrowing experiences. A large number were able to reach the station platform, where there was comparative safety, before the water became too deep for them to wade. Here they built rafts from logs and gathered boats with which they rescued as many people as possible.

The residents of Dandenong have provided clothing and shelter for more than 200 people who have been brought to them. At Dandenong refugees have been billeted with many of the residents of the town, and in the Armitage Scout Hall. Many others are in private hospitals, some of them suffering seriously from shock, exposure, and immersion. Very few of the rescued persons escaped without suffering lacerations and abrasions during the battering they received from the flood waters while on the roofs of their houses. Many families have become separated, and parents who are safely accommodated do not know whether their children are alive.

Small Girl's Escape
At 7.30 a.m. on Saturday a small girl walked out of her house on to the road where the water was a foot deep. She walked 200 yards to the railway station to give an alarm. When she reached the station the water was up to her neck. In some places the water soon rose to a depth of 30ft., covering the house-tops of settlers on the swamp and wrecking their homes. According to farmers, horses and cattle were carried by the floods toward Westernport Bay. Thousands of cattle and sheep were drowned. In Koo-wee-rup dead cows were swept into the houses.

One of the main channels draining the swamp is at Cora Lynn, the other is at Yallock Creek, two miles away. As the water rose drains broke and the flood swept over the country. The waters are spreading toward Lang Lang. Dairy farmers on the swamp, many of whom have up to 100 head of cattle, have lost all their animals. Potato fields have been ruined.

Food and Blankets for Homeless.
Blankets, bread, and tinned meat were rushed to Dandenong by the State Relief Committee. Residents of the town, however, rose to the occasion magnificently and provided shelter, food, and clothing for the sufferers. Half-naked men and women who have arrived are to be given every possible care. There was about a foot of water in the main street of the township late last night. Cuts have been made in the rail way embankment, which has prevented the escape of water to the bay, and the flood is now running down to the sea.

Water Infested With Snakes
Saturday night was a night of terror for the persons marooned on the housetops. The waters were infested with hundreds of swimming snakes, which tried to reach the roofs. The stranded persons had to fight them off with sticks as well as try to keep themselves above the level of the flood.

Koo-wee-rup Hospital was flooded to a depth of 7ft within a few minutes, and the patients, some of whom were seriously ill, were trapped before they could be moved. Mr Clarence Renner, who had undergone an operation for appendicitis a few hours beforehand, was in bed, and unable to help himself. His father, who was on the railway platform, waded and swam through the swirling water to the hospital, and climbed on to the roof, where with the the assistance of Mr Gannon, he cut a hole in the galvanised iron and pulled his boy to safety up through the hole. Aided by others who came to the rescue, the 10 remaining patients in the wards were taken out in the same manner.

Heroism and Fortitude
Mrs Mary Ann Bolleman, aged 59 years another patient held a baby in her arms above the water for 15 hours with the water surging above her neck before they were rescued. Mrs A. Adams and her baby which was born only the night before were being pulled out when the child was dropped into the water. She grasped the child's clothing frantically and saved it from drifting away. Both were raised through the opening to safety. Joseph Lee an elderly man was caught unawares by the water while in an open paddock but after being swept for some distance was able to scramble to safety on the roof of a shed. He was joined by another man. After remaining on the roof for several hours with the water surging round them, Lee's companion, whose name is not known, was carried away and drowned, but Lee remained there for 30 hours and was in a state of collapse when rescued. He was placed in Murray House private hospital, at Dandenong, where is is suffering from shock and exposure. His condition is serious. Mr. J. F. Brewer chemist of Koo-wee-rup, with his wife and two children, were caught almost unawares. Seizing a few clothes hurriedly they climbed to the top of the shop, where they stayed for several hours before they could be taken off.

The residents of Dandenong made a magnificent response to appeals to accommodate the refugees. The day before Koo-wee-rup was evacuated they had been engaged in rescuing persons and property from any houses in their own district which had been flooded. On Saturday night only straw mattresses and blankets were available for the victims, many of whom were dressed only in their night clothes. Last night every woman had been provided with a bed in the homes of residents of the town. The men slept in the Scout Hall, but under much better conditions. Admirable co-operation by the townspeople enabled sufficient food to be obtained for them.

Many Refugees at Garfield
A report from Garfield last night stated that hundreds of people are homeless there and were taking refuge in the Mechanics' institute and the hotel. Rescues were effected by police from barns and isolated houses. Mr. Patrick Brennan a resident of the town has been missing since Friday night, and as his horse and jinker have been found fears are felt for his safety.

The telephone operator at the Koo-wee-rup post-office remained on duty at the switchboard until the water entered his office and washed the switchboard away.

Drowned While Asleep
George Wilson an old-age pensioner of Iona near Garfield, was found dead in his hut, which adjoins the main drain It is believed that he was drowned while asleep. Gordon Nash, aged 14 years of Tonimbuk was drowned in Diamond Creek. His body was swept downstream and disappeared.