Thursday, January 20, 2022

What happened in Koo Wee Rup in 1922

 This is a look back 100 years at what happened in Koo Wee Rup and surrounds in 1922.

In February 1922, Mr Gray of the firm Barhop and Gray, commission agents, received a surprise on opening his office, as he found that all his cheques had been destroyed…..It happened that on closing the office on Saturday, Mr Gray placed the cheques in a cigar box, and on Tuesday when he examined the box he found that a hole had been gnawed through the top and the contents, cheques etc torn into hundreds of pieces The mischief makers in this instance were mice. (Koo Wee Rup Sun February 2, 1922)

The state of local roads was the subject of a complaint in April – a correspondent to the Koo Wee Rup Sun complained about the bad state of Denhams and Naughtons Road. Repairs are urgently needed, and if not attended to before winter sets in they will be in a dangerous and disgraceful condition. The work involves very little expense, as the metal and sand has been heaped alongside the roads since 1914. The metal should not be put there to act as an ornament. If the Council do not intend to use it, then for what purpose was it put there? (Koo Wee Rup Sun, April 13, 1922) Eight years does seem a long time for a road repair, even allowing for the fact that for half that time the War was on.

This wasn’t the only complaint about roads – this one is about the South Gippsland Highway – We have received several complaints re the bad conditions of the main coast road from Koo wee Rup to Tooradin. Loose metal, projecting metal, holes and ruts are much in evidence and those using the road are loud in their denunciation of the state of the state of disrepair in which they find it. To travel along this road is a most unpleasant experience, and it is hoped that the authorities will take the matter in hand and give attention immediately. (Koo Wee Rup Sun June 15, 1922)

The Koo Wee Rup Sun of April 27 had a lovely report on gardens in Koo Wee Rup - A walk along Rossiter road, Kooweerup, reveals a number of fine gardens which are at present presenting a picturesque appearance. There is a large variety of blooms of various shades, and the care and attention given by the owners redounds to their credit, especially when consideration is given to the fact that many difficulties have to be overcome and they are not blessed with a water supply.


Picturesque gardens in Rossiter Road.
Koo Wee Rup Sun April 27, 1922

Also from the Koo Wee Rup Sun of April 27 comes this report - We are pleased to be able to state that Mr. A.W. Giles is now restored to health and is back at his home, Mank’s road, Koo Wee Rup. His homecoming caused a surprise to his family, as they were not acquainted that he was returning. It appears that a bed was required for a patient, and Mr Giles said he was well enough to leave. He took the train to Pakenham, and from there walked home.


Mr Giles is restored to health
Koo Wee Rup Sun April 27, 1922

The Koo Wee Rup Sun of May 18 reported that the Bayles Milk Factory opened on May 15. It was operated by Sage & Co. P/L


Opening of Bayles Milk Factory
Koo Wee Rup Sun, May 11 1922

On June 29, 1922 the railway line which used to run from Koo Wee Rup to Strzelecki officially opened. The Stations were at Bayles, Catani, Yannathan, Heath Hill, Athlone, Topiram, Triholm and Strzelecki. I have written a history of this line, here.

The last day of June in 1922 was very cold and The Argus reported on the unexpected snow falls throughout the State - Bitterly cold weather was again experienced throughout the State yesterday, and heavy falls of snow occurred at many places. The minimum temperature recorded at the Weather Bureau was 32.7 deg. early in the morning, and the maximum reading was 46.0 deg. at about 3 o'clock in the afternoon..... Snow fell at - Bunyip, Pakenham (only fall remembered by residents for 40 years), Mount Cannibal (near Garfield), Nar Nar Goon (first for 30 years),Tooradin, Koo-wee-rup (first time on record). (The Argus, July 1,1922, see here).
32.7 degrees Fahrenheit is about 0 degrees Celsius and 46 degrees is about 8 degrees.

On July 29, 1922 there was a public meeting held at Koo Wee Rup and a motion was passed to relocate the Cranbourne Shire Offices to a more central position, i.e. from Cranbourne to Koo Wee Rup. There were various reports in the Koo Wee Rup Sun over the next few months on this issue, but in the end they stayed at Cranbourne.

The Advocate
of October 5, 1922 (see here) had some interesting local news -
Representatives from the parishes of Lang Lang, Kooweerup and Nar-Nar-Goon and Iona recently met and decided to purchase a four-cylinder Buick car for use of the priests and the Sisters. The necessity of the action has been apparent for some time, owing to the distance the priests have to travel. The sisters from Iona, who also teach at the convent school at Cora Lynn, invariably depend on the neighbours to take them to school, but the parish car will suffice for all purposes.


Andrew Colvin's Pictures at the Mechanics' Institute
Koo Wee Rup Sun, October 5 1922

The October 25, 1922 edition on Everyones magazine, which covered the Movie and Picture Theatre industry in Australia, had a short report on Mr Colvin of Koo Wee Rup Kooweerup (Vic.). - Mr. Colvin, of this town, is a pushful exhibitor. He shows only one night per week, and uses Pathe machine and Universal set. Besides the picture game, Mr. Colvin owns a motor garage, and is interested in several other enterprises in the town. Occasionally he exhibits at the little townships of Tooradin and Yallock. Andrew Colvin showed films at the Mechanics’ Institute Hall (which later became the Memorial Hall). (Everyones magazine, see here.)

We will finish this report off with this rather topical advertisement which appeared in the Koo Wee Rup Sun in November and December. Madame Corona was working remotely even in 1922.

Koo Wee Rup Sun November 2, 1922

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