District Council of Yorke Peninsula - History of Maitland

The first name bestowed on the area was "Yorke Valley". The aborigines knew the locality as "Madi Waltu" meaning "White Flint". The township, which was proclaimed on 22nd August 1872, was named by Governor Sir James Fergusson after lady Jean Maitland, wife of the Second Baronet and First Lord of Kilkerran, one of his ancestors. The streets of the town bear the names of the Rogers family: Robert, Elizabeth, Gardiner, Alice, Walter, Caroline. They occupied this country as pastoralists until 1872 when the lease was revoked and the land was surveyed for closer settlement and agriculture....

THE ROGERS FAMILY

For twenty years 1851-1871 the land on which the town of Maitland now stands was once part of Samuel Rogers' grazing property 'Ynoo'. In the early eighteen seventies the Government reclaimed Rogers' lease, Rogers keeping 1,126 acres surrounding his homestead. The remainder was auctioned in Adelaide, and taken up by pioneers.

Samuel Rogers, third son of William and Ann, married a daughter of Robert Gardiner, who was senior surveyor and draughtsman of the Survey Department. It was the Samuel Rogers family who gave so many names to Maitland. There is Rogers' Terrace; Samuel, Elizabeth and Alice Streets (after Alice Gardiner, Sister of Mrs. S. Rogers). Gardiner Terrace, Caroline, Walter and Robert Streets after members of the Rogers family.

GOVERNMENT SURVEYS.

Mon 19 Nov 1866, South Australian Register (Adelaide, SA : 1839 - 1900)

From the Wallaroo Times, November 17. A party of surveyors are at present engaged in surveying land to the northward of this township, with the view, it is said, of offering allotments for sale at an early period. Surveys of allotments nave also been made in the neighbourhood of Tipara. It is said the Government intend prosecuting the survey of land on the Peninsula southward of the mining districts. It is well known that at Yorke's Valley, Gum Flat, and on stations further south, there is some of the finest land in the colony, nearly every acre of which is held under pastoral leases. But to offer this land for sale under the present land regulations would not be of the slightest benefit to men with little capital, inasmuch as the present lessees having, with scarcely an exception, grown fat, like their sheep, upon the 'people's grass,' would outbid all competitors.

Thu 29 Aug 1867, South Australian Register (Adelaide, SA : 1839 - 1900)

ROGERS-GARDINER.-On the 27th August, at St. John's Church, by the Rev. D. J. H. Ibbetson, Samuel Rogers. Esq.. of Yorke Valley Yorke's Peninsula, to Sarah Elizabeth, eldest daughter of Robert Gardiner, of Parkside.

Sat 25 Apr 1868, Adelaide Observer (SA : 1843 - 1904)

Fencing Runs, Yorke Valley.—Mr. S. Rogers, following the example of the other sheep farmers on the Peninsula, has been for some time occupied in fencing his run in Yorke Valley, and has enclosed the greater portion of it. The most of his shepherds have had notice to leave, their services being no longer required.

Sat 2 Jan 1869, The Wallaroo Times and Mining Journal (Port Wallaroo, SA : 1865 - 1881)

A correspondent at Yorke Valley writes to say, that on the 1st very heavy thunder and lightning was observed in that district. After this the wind suddenly shifted a few points west, and the rain came down in torrents, something like a tropical rain. Our correspondent thinks that the storm was heaviest still over Clinton, while at Parrara, it was not so violent.

The most important portions of the New Land Bill passed the ordeal of Committee in the House last week. As the Bill now stands, land may be sold on four years credit, the interest being prepaid, and land to the extent of 320 acres, may be selected in declared and surveyed areas. We maintain that the Bill, if it passes, as it now stands, will be but a bald and unsatisfactory measure, and that it is but an instalment of one which will shortly be demanded. In these areas, farmers will demand to go and select their sections of unsurveyed land at a reasonable and not a fancy price.

BUSH STORM AND FLOOD.

Thu 13 Oct 1870, Evening Journal (Adelaide, SA : 1869 - 1912)

A correspondent writes as follows to the Wallaroo paper:—" One of the most terrific, and at the same time most wonderful thunderstorms occurred at Yorke Valley, the station of Mr. Samuel Rogers, on Saturday, the 7th inst., ever witnessed in the memory of the oldest bushman. It commenced about 1.20 p.m., and continued without intermission for two hours. At its commencement it had the appearance of a second deluge, then a roaring sound was heard through the air, which terminated in one of the most fearful falls of hailstones, or more correctly speaking lumps of ice, ever known. The stones in many instances measured from two to three inches in length, and were of the most extraordinary and grotesque shapes imaginable: in their descent clipping the trees of their leaves and lighter branches as completely as though they were severed by a thousand knives, many of the hailstones remaining on the ground for more than six hours. They broke the windows in the woolshed, and cut cabbages and other vegetables in the garden into mincemeat. Cattle and horses careered about in the most uncontrollable terror. In fact, it was a scene of wild grandeur, and at the conclusion of the storm our beautiful and picturesque valley assumed the appearance of a rapid and expansive river."

Wed 16 Aug 1871, The Wallaroo Times and Mining Journal (Port Wallaroo, SA : 1865 - 1881)

A CORRESPONDENT informs us that " four practical farmers passed through Moonta on Friday, having visited Yorke Valley, the Kalkabury and other runs, in search of land adapted for agricultural purposes. They expressed themselves as much pleased with the land that they had seen and they considered that there were many thousands of acres in the locality, well adopted for agricultural purposes, that would be taken up at good prices, if areas were declared. At the same time they very much deprecated, and complained bitterly of the injustice and unfairness to both squatters and farmers, in just picking out the eye of a squatter's run, and surveying it for sale, as has been done at Kalkabury." We have reason to believe that this survey, to which we directed some attention two or three weeks ago was discontinued before completed; but, under the intelligent rule that obtains in the Crown Lands Office, there is really no telling what may or may not be done.

YORKE VALLEY.

Wed 22 Nov 1871, Evening Journal (Adelaide, SA : 1869 - 1912)

On Wednesday, November 22, Mr. E. Ward, M.P., waited on the Hon. the Commissioner of Crown Lands, and presented the following memorial from 32 farmers of Flaxman's Valley, Keyneton, Yorke's Peninsula, &c.:—"We the undersigned, farmers and others, do hereby petition the Government to have surveyed and thrown into agricultural areas as soon as it is convenient that portion of land known as Yorke Valley, situated in a westerly direction from Port Wakefield on Yorke's Peninsula. There is upwards of 30,000 acres of good arable land in the above-named locality, now only used as a sheep run, which we think sufficient grounds for making this requisition, there being many persons desirous of occupying it." The Commissioner said as Mr. Ward had informed him of the purport of the memorial, owing to the short time in which he had been in office, he had laid the matter before his predecessor, Mr. Blyth, and he had agreed with him that the request should be agreed to.

THE LANDS AT YORKE VALLEY.

Thu 1 Feb 1872, South Australian Register (Adelaide, SA : 1839 - 1900)

Mr. WARD moved that the House at its rising adjourn until next day at half-past 2 o'clock. Last session he presented a memorial signed by a considerable number of farmers asking for the declaration of an area on Yorke's Peninsula in the vicinity of Yorke Valley. The Government of the day were good enough to promise to take steps to declare the area. The present Treasurer, then not in office, asked on the following day whether the area was not really in process of survey and about to be open for selection, and the reply was in the affirmative. Since then an area had been declared at Penton Vale adjoining Troubridge, but nothing had been done towards proclaiming an area at Yorke Valley. He asked whether it was intended to declare one at the latter place.

The COMMISSIONER of CROWN LANDS (Hon. E. H. Derringtou) said if the hon. member would refer to the Votes and Proceedings of Tuesday, January 23, he would find in an answer to his own question that Yorke Valley was included amongst the areas now being surveyed.

The TREASURER (Hon. H. K. Hughes) might perhaps be able to throw a little more light on this question. (Hear, hear.) He believed that six months notice of resumption was given to the lessees of the land at Yorke Valley about the 6th of September, so that the term would expire about the 6th of March next. He believed further that a former Commissioner of Crown Lands had given instructions that the land should be surveyed and thrown open to selection as soon as possible. He had seen the plan of the proposed area, and it included 55 square miles of good land. It was not the same area as that which the hon. member seemed to have confounded it with.

Mr. WARD was quite as well acquainted with the geography of the Peninsula as the Treasurer. He was quite aware that the Commissioner had given an answer about areas on January 23, but he had only spoken of land to be available for settlement—he bad not stated that it would be declared open for selection. He was now following out the spirit of the memorial, presented to the House on behalf of persons who were willing to select land at Yorke's Peninsula. He wished to know when the Government would take steps to declare this area, for it seemed to him, if he were allowed the use of the word, the Commissioner of Crown Lands wished to burke the question. (The Commissioner— 'I do not allow you to use the word.' A laugh.) If he were challenged he would use the term. He did not wish to raise a discussion, but simply to bring this matter before the Government. Negatived.

YORKE VALLEY LAND.

Thu 16 May 1872, South Australian Register (Adelaide, SA : 1839 - 1900)

Mr. KRICHAUFF asked the Commissioner of Crown Lands ' is the good agricultural land at and south of Yorke Valley surveyed, and at what time will it be offered for selection.'

The COMMISSIONER of CROWN LANDS (Hon. T. Reynolds) replied:— 'There are two survey parties now engaged upon the proposed new agricultural area of Yorke Valley. Already 17,310 acres have been surveyed, and the area will be proclaimed immediately after completion of the survey. All the good land in Yorke Valley, and immediately to the south, is included. I expect the area to be proclaimed about August next.'

COPPER IN YORKE VALLEY.

Sat 7 Sep 1872, Evening Journal (Adelaide, SA : 1869 - 1912)

—With reference to the discovery mentioned last week as having been made on the Yorke Valley Run, it may be stated that the spot where green carbonates were found is distant about three miles from Mr. S. Rogers's head station.. We are informed that the holder of the run has applied for a mineral lease of 700 acres, and arrangements have been made for testing the value of the property.

WATER RESERVE AT YORKE VALLEY.

Sat 28 Sep 1872, Adelaide Observer (SA : 1843 - 1904)

Mr. WARD had been requested to ask the Commissioner of Crown Lands a question by a number of gentlemen who had been looking at the lands about to be opened at Yorke Valley. It seemed that there were only one or two sections with water upon them, and it had been represented to him that the others would be comparatively useless unless this water was reserved. A well had been sunk to the depth of 150 or 160 feet on Section 41, and that was the one which it was desired should be reserved. He had been informed that the value of the improvements was greatly in excess of the amount which would be paid.

The COMMISSIONER of. CROWN LANDS (Hon. T. Reynolds) said it was impossible that he could answer the question off-hand. There must be some very powerful reason to induce the Government to declare a reserve, but of course they would give every facility to settlers there until they were able to obtain a supply of water for themselves.

HUNDRED OF MAITLAND.

Thu 3 Oct 1872, The Express and Telegraph (Adelaide, SA : 1867 - 1922)

Mr. WARD asked whether the Government would consent to declare as a reserve the sections in the Hundred of Maitland (Yorke Valley) from which the present water supply of the district is obtained.—

The COMMISSIONER of CROWN LANDS replied " There is no intention to declare as a permanent reserve the lands referred to, but it is intended to withhold from selection or sale for a time certain blocks of land from which the present supply of water is obtained."

COUNTRY CORRESPONDENCE. YORKE VALLEY.

Fri 4 Oct 1872, Yorke's Peninsula Advertiser and Miners' News (SA : 1872 - 1874)

The important fact that about 30,000 acres of country lands have been declared open for selection at Yorke Valley induced us to request the visit of an experienced representative, who returned from the neighbourhood a few days ago.

Yorke Valley is a station about 30 miles from Moonta, and is reached by the road passing by Tiparra, Moore's hut, and an unoccupied out-station called Warawurlie, the latter being between three and four miles from Mr. Rogers's home station. The run extends towards Moonta a great many miles—we should be afraid to say how many —but the land surveyed for agricultural settlement comprises about 50 square miles within the two hundreds of Maitland and Kilkerran. Within two miles or so easterly of the Warawurlie but a reserve has been made for township and suburban allotments, and is already divided and pegged out, although it subdivisions are not shown on the plan of country lands for selection. Within a few miles of this reserve the selector would have little difficulty in fixing on some good looking sections, although the surface is sadly marred by the prevalence of "black grass" in tufts, which so far detracts from the value of the herbage that the proprietor of the run estimates two-thirds of its area is thus occupied, to the exclusion of more satisfactory feeding grasses. It may be seen by the Gazette that three sections carry weight to the extent of nearly £2,000 for improvements, and for this and other reasons there is little cause to expect that they will be eagerly competed for. In the immediate vicinity of the home station the ground has been cleared of "black grass" by folding the sheep on it, and there, and in a few old out-stations and camping places, the ground is beautifully carpeted with low, sweet grass. Around the home station the undulating nature of the ground, the pleasant sward and the carefully preserved she-oaks, give quite a delightful and sylvan aspect to the place, much enhanced by the buildings with walls of the whitest and roofs of thatch. It is thought that the distance from Moonta might be much decreased were a road more easterly and less circuitous to be defined, and as the northerly sections are fully five miles from the home station, there can be little doubt that they might be reached in somewhere about 20 miles. Until, however, a new and better road is made persons visiting Yorke Valley will act wisely in adhering to the old way, and eschewing the nasty tracts of scrub in a north and north-easterly direction from the new township.

Mr. Rogers and lady are too well known to make needful any extended reference to the courtesy and hospitality which our representative received. Sheep-shearing was full swing, and the busy scene was well worth some trouble to view. Including some dozen shearers, the number of hands grabbed at the men's hut was about 35, and their behoof two sheep daily were committed to the camp-oven, with vegetables, bread, tea, &bc., in proportion.

It may be worthy of remark that the clip is usually lightered from Parara, or rather Clay Gully, having been previously dumped at Yorke Valley so to need no further manipulation beyond hoisting at Port Adelaide into one of the liners, en route for England.

It is in the vicinity of Parara that so important a discovery of copper ore has been made within a few days, and in view of the very important light in which it is regarded, and the consequent rise of a new settlement there, there is some probability of Clay Gully becoming an intermediate stage in our communication with the metropolis. Four hours approaching from Moonta, and four hours steaming from Clay Gully, it is said, would enable us to reach Port Adelaide. If so, there would be few in favour of our continuing the present circuitous and wearisome route. This topic will, however, well bear further discussion and consideration, and these are certain to be bestowed on it if the agricultural importance of Yorke Valley and the metallic treasures of Parara should prove substantial and permanent.

THE LAND IN THE HUNDRED OF MAITLAND.

Tue 8 Oct 1872, The Express and Telegraph (Adelaide, SA : 1867 - 1922)

The lands on Yorke's Peninsula, in the Hundred of Maitland, County Fergusson, were thrown open for selection on Monday, and attracted considerable attention from intending settlers. The Land Office was quite besieged with selectors, although the upset price was £2 per acre ; and an evidence that the land was highly valued is afforded in the fact that there was a very keen and exciting competition for some of the lots.

In the area offered the road and reserve had been cut off of Sections 40 and 41, so as to secure the well to the public and access to it from each of the leading lines of road. The remainder of these two sections, comprising the head station, was selected by Mr. Rogers, the lessee of the land, without opposition.

The applications for the other lands varied in some cases from one or two applications to twelve simultaneous applications for one section, and during the limited auction that ensued the price was run up by competition in some instances as high as £4 2s. an acre—thus doubling the upset price fixed by law. About 10,000 acres were selected in all, and doubtless a large portion of the remainder will be taken to-day, when the selectors see what is absolutely available.

We subjoin the particulars of the day's selections :—

—Sections for which there was no competition. —

HUNDRED OF MAITLAND.

Section 56, Aaron Jarrett, of Mount Lofty, gardener, 213 acres, £426.

. Sections 1 and 2, Charles Hayes, of Yorke's Peninsula, farmer, 528 acres, £1,056.

Section' 74, William Thompson, of Virginia, farmer, 161 acres, £322.

Sections 55, 58, and 59, Thomas Hill, of Dry Creek, farmer, 614 acres, £1,228.

Section 32, N. W. Wilson, of Mount Lofly, gardener, 161 acres, £322. ;

Sections 15, 20, and 21, Laurence Buckley, of Hoyleton, farmer, 542 acres, £1,0S4.

Section 47, William Stantiford, of Mount Lofty, farmer, 169 acres, £338.

Section 51, T. B. Cobbledick, of Mount Lofty, farmer, 263 acres, £526.

Sections 89 and 90, Robt. Whitelaw, of Myponga, farmer, 4L6 acres, £832.

Section 77, Reuel Bentley, near Rhynie, farmer, 262 acres, £524.

Section 87, James Shannon, Stockwell, sheepfarmer, 180 acres, £360.

Sections 40 and 41, Saml. Rogers, of Yorke Valley, stockholder, 579 acres, £1,158.

Sections 37, 115, and 117, Henry Hughes, of Tusmore, butcher and farmer, 246 acres, £492.

Sections 43 and 57, James Howard, of Lochiel, farmer, 305 acres, £610.

Section 126, Wm. Hy. Paul, Eden Valley, laborer, 227 acres, £454.

—Sections for which competition took place. —

HUNDRED OF MAITLAND.

Section 34, 138 acres, £2; Section 44. 170 acres, £2 13s. 6d.; Section 45, 217 acres, £2 lis. ; total, 525 acres, £1,284 2s.; Joseph Anderson, Yorke Valley, carpenter.

Section 104, 218 acres, £2 12s. ; Section 105, 125 acres, £2; total, 343 acres, £816 16s.; John Moloney, Troubridge, farmer.

Section S6, 215 acres, £2 5s. ; total, 215 acres, £48315s.; Joseph Kelley, Alma Plains, farmer.

Section 38, 304 acres, £2 ; Section 39, 185 acres, £3 Is. Section 112, 117 acres, £2 ; total, 606 acres, £1,406 5s.; Henry Lamshed, Strathalbyn, farmer.

Section 114, 122 acres, £3 6s. ; Section 116, 112, £3; total, 234 acres, £73S 12s.; Thomas O'Brien, sen., Dry Creek, farmer.

Section 109,85 acres, £4 Is.; Section 118,117 acres, £4 2s.; Section 119,143 acres, £3 3s. ; Section 120, 150 acres, £3103. 6d. ; total, 495 acres, £1,803 3s.; John Hill, jun., Salisbury, farmer.

Section 80, 247 acres, £3 4s. 6d. ; Section 81, 278 acres, £2 8s. 6d. ; total, 525 acres, £1,470 1 14s. 6d.; Albert Short, Salisbury, farmer.

Section 107, 216 acres, £2 12s., £561 12s.; O. A, Thomas, of East Auburn, farmer.

Section 84, 231 acres, £2 93. 6d.; Section 85, 231 acreB, £2 8s.; total, 462 acres, £1,126 2s. 6d.; Edwin Short; jun., of Salisbury, farmer.

Section 101,129 acres, £2 0s. 6d., £261 4s. 6d. ; Henry Adams, of Mount Templeton, farmer.

Section 108; 75 acres, £4, Is.; Section 110, 112 acres, £3 5s. 6d.; total 187 acres, £670 lis.; Thomas Bowman, of the Hummocks, farmer.

Total sold, with competition, 4,567 acres, realising £11,886 33. 6d ; without competition, 5.506 acres, realising £11,012 ; grand total, 10,073 acres, realising £22,898 3s. 6d. "The interest received amounted to: £2,290.

These sales are additional to the disposal of Sections 82, 83, and 113, which are standing for the decision of the applicants as to whether they will give notice of their intention to throw up their purchases, they not having obtained the whole block applied for.

It may be mentioned that there were 68 applicants altogether, and that there were 29 sections for which there were more than one application. In some cases there were as many as 10 or 12 applicants for one section.

AGRICULTURAL AND STATION MEMORANDA.

Sat 12 Oct 1872, Adelaide Observer (SA : 1843 - 1904)

The faith of our farmers in the agricultural capabilities of South Australia is far from having died out. Since the pasting of the new Waste Lands Act a month or two since scores of thousands of acres of land have been purchased, and now we have information of as genuine a rush to Yorke Valley, on Yorke's Peninsula, as ever was attracted by a gold-field. This land has been long coveted by farmers, and the Commissioner of Crown Lands has many a time and oft been importuned to bring it into the market. Why it should have been kept back from selection until now it is difficult to understand, but being open the Government are reaping a good harvests from it in the shape of interest payments. On the first day there were about 70 applicants for sections, comprising in all some 10,000 acres. Nearly half the sections taken up were applied for by more than one intending purchaser, and the system of limited auction was resorted to in very many instances. On the second day the rush continued, and it was with difficulty that any other business could be transacted in the Land Office, except that relating to the land in the Hundred of Maitland. The highest price obtained during the two days was £4.5s. an acre.

OUR ADELAIDE LETTER.

Sat 12 Oct 1872, Border Watch (Mount Gambier, SA : 1861 - 1954)

The opening for selection of an area of land at Yorke Valley, upon Yorke's Peninsula, has been, the signal for an agricultural rush on a moderate scale. This land has been so long kept back, and has in the interim received such frequent and glowing eulogiums from Mr. Ward and other warm-hearted farmers' friends, that it has gained the character of being the very cream of the country-hence the briskness of the demand for it. Some of the sections were applied for by intending residents and intending dummies, and, as provided by the Act, the residents got the, preference others of them were competed for at limited auction and were purchased down at as much as £4 an acre. Some of the squatters who have stations near the run of which the Yorke Valley' country formed a part, are deeply indignant that their land, pronounced by themselves as of the most inferior quality, should have been cut up and thrown open for selection before the Yorke Valley territory.

I have referred above to tho demand for Yorke Valley land on Monday. The rush has been continued to-day, the officers being blockaded with applicants, "bunnafide" and otherwise. Yesterday's selections will add to the revenue between £20,000 and £30,000 that is if the purchase money should happen to be all paid up.

SELECTIONS IN THE NORTHERN AND PENINSULA AREAS.

Sat 12 Oct 1872, Adelaide Observer (SA : 1843 - 1904)

Mr. Bonney started again on October 7 to complete his examination of the areas in the North. We may mention that the selection of land at Yorke Valley, Hundred of Maitland, commenced on October 7. The demand was brisk, and under the limited, auction System, which, was brought into operation, and was found to work very well, some choice allotments realized as much as £4 2s. an acre. In a good many instances the provision giving a preference to selectors who intimated an intention to reside personally on the sections applied for was brought into force. It is singular that this land, which has long been known to be of an exceptionally high character, should have been kept out of the market for such a length of time. Surely it might have been offered for selection in preference to much of the inferior land on the Peninsula upon which credit purchasers have for many months had the chance of settling. Particulars of the selections will be found elsewhere.

On Saturday the Commissioner of Crown Lands, upon consideration, accepted the legal opinion gratuitously given in the Assembly on Friday last by Mr. Mann, and issued a Gazette, Extraordinary reserving certain lands at Yorke Valley for the preservation of water supply. It has been thought safest not merely to withhold the land from selection, but to dedicate it to the use of the public as a water reserve and public road. Here is the description of the land set apart:—" All that piece of land commencing at the south western corner of Section 39, Hundred of Maitland; thence easterly, along the southern boundary of said Section for 839 links; thence east, along said boundary for 3,318 links; thence east, along south boundary of Section 38 for 1,082 links ; thence true north for 200 links; thence true east, for 450 links; thence true south for 200 links; thence east, along south boundary of Section 38, to the south-east corner of said section; thence south-south-westerly for 316 links along the western side of road; thence west for 9,265 links by a line 300 links south of and parallel to portion , of the south boundaries of Sections 38 and 39; thence about north of west to a point on east side of road 301 links south of the south-western corner of Section 39; thence northerly to the point of commencement." Further on the description of the improved lands open for selection in the Hundred of Maitland published in former issues of the Gazette is corrected, so as to agree with the new phase that the matter has taken. Strange to say Section 41, which it was considered by the Assembly necessary to withhold from sale, has been taken up, and at a price of £2 an acre, Mr. Samuel Rogers being the fortunate selector. Mr. Reynolds took the opportunity of announcing tin the Gazette Extraordinary that the Governor in Council has seen fit to dedicate " Allotment No. 49, in the Township of Caltowie, for the building of a common or district school (not being a denominational school) for the use of the inhabitants of the township and surrounding district;" This is, we believe, the first reservation that has taken place for school purposes under the new Act.

Yorke Valley Land Selections.

—Yorke Valley Land Selections.— The following return of sections situated at Yorke Valley taken up on the 7th, 8th, 9th, and 10th instant, at an advance upon the upset price, has been obligingly furnished to us by the Commissioner of Crown Lands. The test applied in all cases, of simultaneous application was that popularly known as the ' limited auction,' the bidding being strictly confined to the simultaneous applicants. In two and only two cases the first advance of 6d. secured the land. In most of the other instances competition was brisk, and as much as £4 5s. an acre was realized. The number of sections on the list is 36, and the aggregate of applications 157, making an average of between five and six per section. The largest total of applicants for a single allotment was, it will be seen, ten. It is to be regretted that in the return it is net indicated which of the successful competitors intend residing upon the land personally and which of them contemplate placing, a manservant upon it to exhaust in on their account.

The figures are as under :— No. of Section, Area in Acres. Price per Acre. No. of Applicants.

Hundred of Kelkerran.

28 132 £2 0 6 , 3

Hundred of Maitland.

THE YORKE VALLEY SELECTIONS.

Sat 19 Oct 1872, Evening Journal (Adelaide, SA : 1869 - 1912)

—With reference to the letter of our correspondent, " One who was Interested in the Matter," we are informed that Sections 77, 78, 79, and 8I have been applied for for mineral purposes. Section 8I, which was supposed to give the greatest promise, fetched £2 8s. 6d., the selector covenanting to reside upon and cultivate it. Sections 77 and 78 were taken up by farmers intending personally to reside upon them. Section 78 brought £2 Is. 6d., and passed into the hands of a selector who agreed to carry out the principle of personal residence. Only two (Nos. 114 and 116) out of the long list of blocks published by us a day or two ago as having been selected at Yorke Valley have, it is stated, been taken up by persons intending to take advantage of the substituted residence provision. We are led to understand that scarcely 10 per cent, of the land selected under the new Act has fallen to others than those intending to reside personally upon it.

YORKE VALLEY.

Sat 12 Apr 1873, Adelaide Observer (SA : 1843 - 1904)

Concerning the York Valley Area the Yorke's Peninsula Advertiser gives the following information:—"There are now about 30 settlers in this locality, who appear to be very well satisfied with their holdings. The land is of such a quality as to give a promise of permanency to the settlement — a 'lasting' country, the soil being strong, and the decaying roots of the black grass becoming a manure to it. The new surveys which are proposed will largely extend the settlement and increase population, and in process of time the shipping port of the district, Parara, will become a bustling and thriving little town, the more especially if that place is made the point of ingress to the Peninsula. One of the greatest difficulties the farmers experience in this early stage of their settlement is the want of water, having to send their cattle from one to four miles away to the wells; and having to send from nine to ten miles to procure water for their own drinking purposes. Of course this inconvenience will be remedied after the rains set in, but meantime it is a serious tax upon their time and labour. Like the hardy pioneers of this colony they are 'roughing it' in the veriest apologies for dwelling-houses, throwing all their energies into the cultivation of their farms; but by and by we may expect to see quite a sprinkling of snug homesteads dotting the country. We are led to understand that the settlers have been holding Divine service among themselves up to this time, and that now they have agreed to unite together in a Church in connection with the Wesleyan Methodists, with the prospect at no very distant date of becoming with Parara and Kalkabury a properly-organized circuit.

YORKE VALLEY.

Sat 26 Apr 1873, South Australian Chronicle and Weekly Mail (Adelaide, SA : 1868 - 1881)

April 22. The aspect of this locality has changed during the last few months. Now, instead of station life, the plough may be seen in all parts turning up the virgin soil and although there is no promise of any thing very great being done this season, yet there will be a good many acres under cultivation. There is a considerable number of settlers, in fact, most of the land taken up, is settled, and all are working away with a will. During the last two months the weather has been very dry, and the ground in some places had got too hard for the plough ; but during the last week we have had a soaking rain. There has been great scarcity of fresh water, on account of it haying to be carted at least 12 miles. The water for the cattle has to be pumped from the well on the Government reserve, at a cost of fourpence a head per week. — Horse feed is very, scarce, fires having destroyed the grass. It is difficult and expensive to get feed over from Port Adelaide. The cost of carriage for chaffed hay is £1 10s. per, ton ; and at that price the boats have not cared to come with it, being busy In the wheat trade; but this difficulty will soon come to an end, as the wheat is being rapidly cleared off.

YORKE VALLEY.

Sat 14 Jun 1873, Adelaide Observer (SA : 1843 - 1904)

June 10. This locality is rapidly undergoing a change in its appearance, for the farmers are busy with the plough.

There will be a considerable area under cultivation this year, and the settlers are already taking of appealing to the Government for a jetty at Parara, also for a road to that place. Tradesmen are going ahead here, there being a blacksmith's and butcher's shops, also a store doing business.

Complaints are rife because the Government do sot offer the township for sale, for the tradespeople are of course anxious to build.

His district has been favoured with abundant rains, giving the farmers plenty of work, and bringing up the wheat, so that it is looking healthy and vigorous.

OUR YORKE VALLEY LETTER.

Fri 17 Oct 1873, Yorke's Peninsula Advertiser and Miners' News (SA : 1872 - 1874)

October 15, 1873. I am pleased to inform you that Mr. Bowden, who had his thigh broken recently, is progressing very favorably. The weather still keeps very dry. The general opinion here is, that unless rain comes soon the crops will he very short, and the yield consequently must be very small. Indeed, it is astonishing they look so well as they do under the circumstances of the case.—The Government has, I am glad to say, granted the request of the settlers in this locality in appointing S. Rogers, Esq. to be Justice of the Peace. There has been a great deal of inconvenience caused by the non-residence of any Magistrate in the Valley, which will now be avoided.

YORKE VALLEY ATHLETIC CLUB.

Sat 25 Oct 1873, The Wallaroo Times and Mining Journal (Port Wallaroo, SA : 1865 - 1881)

The meeting of this Club took place on 21st Wednesday the 22nd inst.. and there was a capital attendance of spectators.

The first event on the programme was the running high jump, which was won by Mr G. Chatfield, who jumped 4 feet 7 inches. The next was the maidens, for 100 yards, Won by Adams. Then came the Ladies' Purse, in three events, 150 yards, 250 do., and 440. This was won by Mr W. Thompson, Mr Mudie being second. The 150 yards Maiden Hurdle Race, was won by Adams, and the Three-Legged Race, was won by Thompson and Hall. In the Running Long Jump, Thompson was first, and Chatfield second. Then there was a Walking Match, for 2 miles, won by Hubble; and the Champion Race that followed was won by Chatfield, Thompson coming in second. In the Steeplechase for 440 yards, the competitors were handicapped, Grant 20 yards, Thompson 12 do., and Chatfield at scratch. This race was over 7 hurdles with a great water jump 14 feet wide, the take of 3 feet 6 inches in height and the depth 2 feet. At it Grant arrived first and fell in the middle as also did Thompson, and Chatfield who followed. On reaching the post Thompson came in first, and Chatfield second.

Hill won the prize for Putting the Shot, and in the All Comers Race, for 250 yards, Thompson was first and Francis second. A Novel Race was won by a gentleman from Yorke's Valley. The Beatens were won by Mudie, and the pole leaping by Hayes. S. Rogers, Esq., acted as President, and the sports came off in his paddock. Great praise was due to the President the Stewards and Committee for the manner in which affairs were conducted. The weather was very fine, and not less than 150 persons were present. There was a refreshment stall on the ground, and numcrons games were indulged in.

OUR YORKE VALLEY LETTER.

Fri 31 Oct 1873, Yorke's Peninsula Advertiser and Miners' News (SA : 1872 - 1874)

October 27.1873. Since my last we have bad some beautiful showers of rain, which have done a great deal of good to the crops . They are looking splendid at present, and if the hot winds do not come too freely the farmers will expect a good yield.

The rain was not sufficient to fill the dams and tanks, and water is still very scarce. Nearly all the settlers have to cart their water, some as far as fifteen miles.

Snakes are very plentiful in the neighborhood —so numerous that I hear of several being killed daily.

Feed is very good, but thousands of young locusts have made their appearance, and it is feared that they will do much damage.

Mr. S. Rogers completed his shearing last week, having obtained a good average slip, and the last of wool leaves Port Pearce today.

Building operations are being pushed on vigorously at the township; a public-house, a blacksmith's shop, a butcher's shop, and a large store, are now in course of erection, the latter being on Mr. J. O, Tiddy's account ; that gentleman having purchased "Messrs Smith and Howie's business, at present carried on near the Government Well. Traders are also being invited for the erection of a schoolroom, which will be a great boon to the neighborhood, many of the settlers having large families for whom they would be glad to avail themselves of a school.

On October the 22nd, the first sports in connection with the athletic club, took place in a paddock kindly Ient for the occasion by Mr. S. Rogers. J.P. There were about 20 people on this ground, including a goodly number of the fair sex, who seemed to take an interest in the sports. Amongst the ladies were the President's lady and Hiss Herbert, with others from the adjoining area of Kalkalbury and the surrounding districts. No intoxicating drinks were allowed on the ground, but this was compensated for by a tea and coffee saloon conducted by Messrs. Adams and Vudie, which was well patronized the proceeds being handed over for the benefit of the club. As usual on such occasions Aunt Sally was present, looking as blooming as ever, in charge of a well-known member of the club, who returning home that evening, found that she had taken possession of his quarters. During the day she was well knocked about, and the proceeds obtained were also handed over for the benefit of the club. On Friday night the prizes were distributed by the stewards, when an unanimous vote of thanks was given to the ladies for their successful efforts in collecting for the Ladies Purse.

The following is the list of prizes. :—

The first event 100 yards—Maidens—First prize, 10s; second, 5s-7 entries. W. C. Adams. 1st; W. Stoch, 2nd.

Pole-leaping—Prize 5s Cr Hayes, 1st.

Ladies' Purse—Event 440 yards. First prize, £3, and a goId wedding ring, presented by Mrs. Rogers to be returned to the club if not used by the winner prior to the next meeting ; second prize, £2 ; third prize, £1 Wm. Thompson, scratch, 1st; W. Mudie, handicap, 2nd; W. Stock, do., 3rd. 7 entries.

Putting the stone—Prize. 7s 6d. John Hill, 1st.

Walking Match—3 entries, 2 of which were disqualified First prize, 10s; two miles. F W ubble 1st.

Running High Jump—First prize, 5s second prize, 2s 6d. G Chatfield, 1st; C Haves, 2nd.

Maidens Hurdles—150 yards. First prize, 10s; second prize, 5s. W C Adams, 1st; W Stock, 2nd.

Standing High Jump—First prize 5s; second prize, 2s 6d. C Hayes, 1st; W Thompson 2nd.

Champion Race—Prize. 15s; two entries. G Chatfield, 1st.

Hop Step and Jump—Prize, 5s. C Hayes, 1st.

Running long Jump—Prize, 5s. Wm Thompson, 1st.

Steeple Chase 440 yards, with 14 feet water jump, with 3 feet hurdle in the middle. First prize, £1 Is : presented by the President of the Club. S Rogers, Esq ; second prize, 10s ; third prize. 5s Wm Thompson, 8 yards, 1st ; G Chatfield, scratch, 2nd ; E Grant, 20 yards. 3rd. This race caused much amusement to the spectators, not one of the competitors clearing the water, each getting a good ducking.

Three legged Race—First prize, 7s 6d ; second prize, 2s 6d. R. Hill and W Thompson, 1st; T Fuller and A. W Hubble, 2nd.

Half-mile Race—1st prize, 10s ; second prize. 5s; third prize. 2s 6d. E Grant, 20 yards, 1st; R Hill, 8 yards, 2nd; W C Adams, 8 yards, 3rd.

Set of gold studs, presented by Smith and Howie, value £2. W Thompson, 1st.

Gold Locket, presented by J O Tiddey, value 30s. Thompson, scratch, 1st.

Boys' Race — 100 yards First prize, 10s ; second prize, 5s ; third prize, 3s. J Stock, 1st; J Davis, 2nd ; W Smith, 3rd.

Novel Race—First prize. 7s 6d ; second prize, 2s 6d. G Meyrick. 1st; J Ferguson, 2nd.

Beaten Stakes—First prize, 12s; second prize, 8s ; third prize, 5s 6d. W Paul, 1st; J Bentley, 2 d ; Wm Wilson, 3rd.

OUR YORKE VALLEY LETTER.

Fri 4 Nov 1873, Yorke's Peninsula Advertiser and Miners' News (SA : 1872 - 1874)

November 12, 1873. Since my last we have had some delightful showers which have improved the crops very much. The early-sown wheat may be considered pretty well safe. I think, according to the present prospects, the whole area will average about ten bushels to the acre.

The locusts are here by millions ; whether they will do much injury or not it is hard to say. As yet they are confining mostly to the grass paddocks ; not being able to fly.

Poor old "Aunt Sally", has been paving most of the young men a visit since the athletic sports and has frequently taken the liberty of going into their bed's, and in one instance she had taken possession of a person's house in his absence from home. On the return of the family she was found sitting at the harmonium, as if quite familiar with music. However, at last, the poor old lady was shot, and frightfully mangled. The perpetrator of the deed has not yet been caught.

OUR YORKE VALLEY LETTER.

Fri 14 Nov 1873, Yorke's Peninsula Advertiser and Miners' News (SA : 1872 - 1874)

November 12, 1873. Since my last we have had some delightful showers which have improved the crops very much. The early-sown wheat maybe considered pretty well safe. I think, according to the present prospects, the whole area will average about ten bushels to the acre. The locusts are here by millions ; whether they will do much injury or not it is hard to say. As yet they are confined mostly to the grass paddocks ; not being able to fly.

COUNTRY NEWS. YORK VALLEY.

Fri 21 Nov 1873, The Irish Harp and Farmers' Herald (Adelaide, SA : 1869 - 1873)

November 14. The weather in this district has been very cool for the last fortnight, with light showers of rain passing over, which has improved the crops very much. By the accounts I hear from other districts the crops are almost a failure in some places. Some of our farmers expect as much as fifteen to twenty bushels per acre. The crops have stood the hot weather very well ; only in a few very rich spots, I noticed the tops of the heads blighted. I think the average will he about 12 bushels, as some of the crops were not sown until about the first of July. It is a great pity that such a lot of fine land should he lying waste here so long. Most of the farmers here are of the opinion that the land in York Valley will turn out some of the best agricultural land in the colony. Our township is going ahead fast ; there are two blacksmiths' shops and a public-house going up. We have only one butcher, and he seems to put in practice the old proverb, " Make hay while the sun shines." The half sheep is 3.25. per pound, hind and fore-quarters 4.25d., and the leg 5d. The sooner we get opposition the better. Now that we have a Bishop I hope it will not he long before we have some little-place of worship, as there are fifteen or sixteen Catholic families between this place and Kalkabury. I think there would be about fifty or sixty that could attend once a month. It is blowing a hard cold wind today, with a few showers passing over.

OUR YORKE VALLEY LETTER.

Fri 12 Dec 1873, Yorke's Peninsula Advertiser and Miners' News (SA : 1872 - 1874)

December 10, 1873. We have had ten days of frightfully hot weather, almost hot enough to parch up everything. We had a nice change last night—-thunder and lightning, with a very little rain, which was very acceptable to the settlers, as most of them have to carry water for their cattle, which Is a great tax upon them. If the Government well was to fail it would be a very serious matter, and a great many would have to leave the Valley with their stock for some time. A meeting was held last Friday to consider the Public House question that was spoken of a fortnight since, and the majority considered it was necessary that there should be one. Our farmers are now about to commence reaping. It is to be hoped that they will realise a bountiful harvest. The grain, whatever there is of it, i think will be very good.

COUNTRY NEWS. YORK VALLEY.

Fri 12 Dec 1873, Harp and Southern Cross (Adelaide, SA : 1873 - 1875)

Dec. 3. The weather for the last few days has been very warm — if it continues so, reaping will commence next week. Water is netting very scarce, most of the farmers have to bring their water from Point Pierce — a distance of about ten miles. One of our farmers met with a sad loss a few days ago. It appears he had a 400-gallon tank standing at the end of his house, and, some time during the night, one of his mares — (he says the best one he had) — got her head into the the mouth of the tank, and, on trying to get it out again, upset the tank, and in the morning he found her choked. I understand there is to be a meeting at Mr. O'Tiddy's store on Friday, to try and prevent Mr. Driscoll getting a licence for, his new public-house which is in course of erection since my last. Mr. O'Tiddy has commenced building his new store in the township.

OUR YORKE VALLEY LETTER.

Fri 26 Dec 1873, Yorke's Peninsula Advertiser and Miners' News (SA : 1872 - 1874)

4 December 24,1873. WE have had some few cold days, quite a treat after so much hot weather. The farmers are busy taking of their wheat to day—you may see the machines going in all directions. I am pleased to inform you that the wheat is quite up to most of the farmers' expectations, yielding from 8 bushels to as high as 16 per acre. The average will be somewhere about 12 bushels. Our Post-Office has been opened at Mr. Tiddy's store, which is a far more convenient arrangement for the farmers and others than that existing before. I hope the day is not far distant when our York Valleyites will wake the Government up, and try to get a road open from here to Moonta, and also telegraphic communication; for it seems ridiculous that only about sixty miles distant from Adelaide we can only hear from the city once a week ! And then we must sit down and reply at once, otherwise we must wait a for an answer It seems abominable on the part of our farseeing Government (as they profess to be ) that the sell the best way to the public, and then they let the farmers get to market the best way they can, unless they are continually stirred up in the matter.

OUR YORKE VALLEY LETTER.

Fri 9 Jan 1874, Yorke's Peninsula Advertiser and Miners' News (SA : 1872 - 1874)

4 January 7, 1874. The young man Thompson, who broke his arm by a dray accident, is, under Dr. Herbert's skilful treatment, progressing very favorably. There has been a fire raging here for two or three days, but very fortunately for the settlers, the wind was in the right direction and carried it off into the scrub, otherwise it must have swept everything before it. It started from Mr. John Hill's place, a few yards from his house, and like many other fires, its origin will ever remain a mystery, no one being at the spot at the time.

OUR YORKE VALLEY LETTER.

Fri 30 Jan 1874, Yorke's Peninsula Advertiser and Miners' News (SA : 1872 - 1874)

Harvest operations are now about to end in this district and the yield will be very satisfactory, about an average of eleven bushels to the acre; the prices have also been very good, five shillings and two pence at the Valley, and five shillings and six pence at Parrara. An old servant of S. Rogers, Esq. J.P. named Anderson was interred yesterday. He was an old colonist of thirty four years. The weather is now delightfully fine and all that any one can desire. But there is still a great scarcity of water, very little having been secured by the late rains.

ANDERSON. —On the 26th January, at York Valley, Yorke's Peninsula, from disease of the heart, Joseph Anderson, aged 53 years. A colonist of 34 years.

OUR YORKE VALLEY LETTER.

Fri 13 Mar 1874, Yorke's Peninsula Advertiser and Miners' News (SA : 1872 - 1874)

March 11th, 1874. There is very little here to write about; every thing is as dull as ditch water. The farmers are about to commence ploughing again, and if we should get a good soaking of rain it would facilitate it very much. The Government well is still kept going night and day watering daily about four hundred head of cattle and horses. The Government has not altogether lost sight of our requirements, for they are now clearing a road from the township of Ardrossan to the township of Maitland, which will save three or four miles travelling to the seaside.

YORKE VALLEY.

Sat 18 Apr 1874, South Australian Chronicle and Weekly Mail (Adelaide, SA : 1868 - 1881)

April 30. Ploughing here is the order of the day at present. The black grass is being turned down fast, and the aspect of the country is looking wonderfully changed. — A football match was got up on Easter Monday by the young athletes of Yorke Valley. — A meeting for the erection of a jetty in the evening brought every selector on the area to have a friendly chat at Host Driscoll's Maitland Hotel. The house is hot opened to the public at present, but Mr. Driscoll very kindly gave the use of one of his fine rooms to hold the meeting in. After the cloth was removed, Mr. Smith was voted to the chair. A motion, was proposed by Mr. Lambblack, and carried unanimously, to erect jetty, and have it finished in time for next harvest. The estimate of the doming wheat harvest is supposed, to reach from 50,000 to 70,000 bushels of wheat, if we are not counting our chickens before they are hatched. I hope not, and to wait until the harvest is in upon us, would be too late for the jetty.—

The extension of a telegraph line from Moonta, via Kalkabury and through Yorke Valley, and on to the Lower Peninsula, would suit all parties better than taking it along the sea coast, and at any future time the Government could put on branch lines to any port of shipment on the coast. — We have got two mails per week at present, and we find it a great convenience, and have our letters answered, now within the week.— Hands are very short, and a few good ploughmen would get a long job and good wages if they were to show up in a short time ; also some good men who have experience in wire fencing. — Water is very scarce, and we ate entirely dependent on the Government well for a supply for our cattle. We pay a man five guineas per week to pump the water. The Kalkabury selectors have to come here for water at present.

MAIL ROBBERY.

Wed 29 Apr 1874, South Australian Register (Adelaide, SA : 1839 - 1900)

The direct mailbag that was sent from Weaner's Flat, at the southern end of Yorke's Peninsula, on Thursday, April 16, via Yorke Valley and Kulpara, for the General Post-Office, never reached its destination. The bag contained, we hear, about 70 letters, and it is stated that the various business people of the place had remitted between £250 and £300, none of which has been recovered. Mr. Johnston, the publican at Kulpara, who is the contractor on this line, sent on the 15th for the mail a young man who had not been so employed before, and upon the driver's return to Kulpara the following day he stated that he wished to purchase a suit of clothes at Port Wakefield. After reaching that place, he wrote to his employer, alleging that he could not do all his business there, and so intended going to Adelaide, but would be back in a few days. The young man travelled per Cobb and Co.'s coach on Friday, the 17th, and it is believed must have started overland to Victoria or New South Wales forthwith. One trader at Weaner's Flat had, we learn, remitted £80, of which £40 was in ten-pound notes and the remainder cheques. Several other business people have lost sums varying from £20 to £30 or £40 each. Some uneasiness existed at Weaner's Flat on account of letters remaining unanswered : but no intimation of the non-arrival of a mail was, we understand, received by the local postmaster, himself a serious loser by the robbery, till the 27th, when he at once started for the city, the message having asked whether the mail of the 17th had been sent. Much valuable time has thus been apparently lost, and the difficulty of getting a clue to the whereabouts of the absconder has been increased. Several of the stolen cheques taken from the rifled bag have been cashed at the Bank of Adelaide and the Bank of South Australia. This province has been particularly free from mail robberies, and the present case is not so sensational as those that were so frequent in the sister provinces not long ago. We are not, however, desirous of having this particularly unpleasant, form of crime acclimatized here.

ECHOES FROM THE BUSH.

Tue 9 Jun 1874, South Australian Register (Adelaide, SA : 1839 - 1900)

The debate on Wednesday upon the watering-place in Yorke Valley known as the South Well is remarkable in many aspects— and not the least in that it galvanized my high-flown Hughes into the perpetration of a pun— an act which I should have thought would exceed the powers of a Weller, let alone a simple well. The pathetic picture which my commendable Cottrell drew of the alarm of the district on his recent visit lest the well should be sold would have drawn tears from the double force-pump itself had it not been marred by his startling theories respecting the drinking capacity of a bullock. That one of these harmless and temperate creatures should absorb 15 gallons at a draught, and require to repeat the process every twelve hours, is a phenomenon in physics which I must see before I can believe it. My credulous Cottrell must surely have been thinking of the bovine ballad, to the air of 'Mynheer Van Dunk:'-

' The Yorke Valley bull,

Though he never got full,

Quaffed his fifteen gallons daily;

And he quenched his thirst

With no fear of a burst,

Twice at least in this manner daily

Singing— Oh, that a bullcalfs draught might be

As deep as the rolling tide, d'ye see!'

Again, the Hon. Arthur Blyth in moving terms described the dilapidations of this rentable well in the wilderness ; although it was surely natural that there should be a difficulty in drawing water if he was right in implying that the well was out of the pail of civilization. It is, however, satisfactory to learn that the imaginary machinations of the suspected squatter— who as Mr. Ward mysteriously but of course not offensively remarked has a relative high in the Crown Lands Department— are to be circumvented, and that the well is to be handed over to the District Council of Maitland and Kilkerran so soon as it is formed. [Which reminds me that one Paddy Murphy, a recent immigrant, writes to ask whether this Mateland is the land of beef and mutton which was promised them in England.] This is far better than selling a lease of the well, the prospect of which so startled the district according to Cottrell, whose experiences have been thus versified by a local poet : —

The South Well. (After South-ey)

OUR MAITLAND LETTER.

Fri 15 May 1874, Yorke's Peninsula Advertiser and Miners' News (SA : 1872 - 1874)

May 11th, 1874. We have had splendid rains, and the farmers are now busy getting in their seed. Many of them had already sown a good breadth of land and were daily waiting anxious for Dame Nature to come to their help. I am sorry to have to record the death of one of the settlers, Mr. Palin, which took place on the 7th inst. His remains were conveyed to Moonta the following day. Though known to most of us here only about twelve months, he had won the esteem and respect of all his neighbors. He leaves a widow and eight young children to mourn his loss.

OUR YORKE VALLEY LETTER.

Tue 23 Jun 1874, Yorke's Peninsula Advertiser and Miners' News (SA : 1872 - 1874)

June 18th, 1874. There is not much news from this district. Everything seems very quiet. The farmers have most of them very nearly finished putting in their seed, and the season so far has been all that one can desire for farming operations. The Maitland Hotel was opened last week by Mr. Driscoll, and it will be a great convenience for travellers, as there was no place of accommodation in the district. Yesterday, the 17 inst, there was a public meeting held at the Maitland Hotel to consider whether the district should be formed into a District Council or not. Mr. Macauly presiding. A resolution was carried by a large majority against it.

OPENING OF AGRICULTURAL LANDS.

Wed 24 Jun 1874, South Australian Register (Adelaide, SA : 1839 - 1900)

Mr. WARD asked when do the Government intend to open for selection the lands at Gum Flat, Yorke's Peninsula, and the lands between Yorke Valley and Point Pierce.

The CHIEF SECRETARY (Hon. A. Blyth), in reply, read the following report from the Surveyor-General :—' 1. The lands in Gum Flat will be gazetted on expiration of the notices of resumption; the first selections will take place in August or (September, 1874. and following months until the whole have been offered. 2. The Iands already surveyed in Hundred of Kilkerran have not all been taken up, and there are no applications in the office for survey of further lands in the Hundred of Kilkerran between Yorke Valley and Point Pierce. The area of land open in the hundred is 3,216 acres. The whole of the available lands on the Peninsula are to be cut up for selection before the survey parties are withdrawn.'

THE LAND ACT AMENDMENT BILL. The CHIEF SECRETARY (Hon. A. Blyth), in reply to Mr. Ward, said he hoped to lay the Land Bill on the table that day. If he did not he would certainly do so next day, and he would then fix a date for the second reading.

—Yorke Valley and Parara Road.—

Mr. ROGERS asked 'what amount of money has been expended in clearing the road between Yorke Valley and Parara, what distance has been cleared and at what rate per acre has the present clearing cost, and when will the road be completed.'

The COMMISSIONER of PUBLIC W0RKS (Hon. H. K Bright) replied:-1 £107 5s. 3d. has been expended on the survey of the road between Yorke Valley and Parara. 2. Three and a quarter miles have been cleared at a total cost of £189 6b. 2d., including cartage of water, transport, &c, equal to a rate of £14 10s. per acre. 3. Day work proving unsatisfactory, tenders have been called for in the Government Gazette for the remainder of the work, which it is expected will be completed by the end of September next'

—Jetty At Parara.—

Mr. ROGERS asked 'when do the Government intend to erect the jetty at or near Parara, Yorke's Peninsula.'

The COMMISSIONER of PUBLIC WORKS (Hon. H. K Bright) said there were so many requests for jetties for the accommodation of the people of Yorke's Peninsula that the Government wished to obtain a report from the Marine Board, and one in reference to the amount of land being cultivated, before they gave a decided answer. The formal answer was :— ' The question of the erection of a jetty at or near Parara is still under the consideration of the Government'

TELEGRAPH EXTENSION TO CAPE BORDA.

Mon 20 Jul 1874, South Australian Register (Adelaide, SA : 1839 - 1900)

Sir— Tour Kangaroo Island correspondent suggests the propriety of connecting Cape Borda by laying a cable from either Cape Jervis or Yankatilla, and then branching east and west. As I understand the intention of the Government is to connect all the lighthouses on the coast by telegraph, I should think the Government would construct the line thought the most densely-populated country.

Yorke's Peninsula contains one-sixth of the population of the whole province, and a large area of land has recently been settled upon. A large amount of wheat and other produce will have to be exported from the Peninsula, when telegraphic communication will have to be established; in fact, already large public meetings have been held at Maitland, Yorke Valley, and Troubridge. If the line is carried as suggested by your correspondent, it would paw through a comparatively sparsely -populated country.

I would suggest to start from Moonta, thence via Maitland and Troubridge Lighthouse and the Althorpes to Cape Borda. Commander Howard, R.N., in his report laid before the House of Assembly, considered this the best route. A short cable could then be laid from Cape Jervis to Cape Willoughby, the three lighthouses of Troubridge, Cape Borda, and Willoughby would be connected, and the important districts of Yorke Valley and Troubridge have telegraphic communication, which is much wanted.

Besides, the Chief Secretary, in reply the other day in the House of Assembly to the hon. member Mr. Ward, stated that all the available land on the Peninsula would be cut up for selection before the survey parties were withdrawn, so that in a short time the whole of the Peninsula would be under cultivation— at least the available part of it.

I am, Sir &c, JAMES SMITH. Yankalilla, July 14, 1874.

OUR MAITLAND LETTER.

Fri 24 Jul 1874, Yorke's Peninsula Advertiser and Miners' News (SA : 1872 - 1874)

July 20, 1874. The weather is gloriously fine, and the early sown crops are looking splendid, having had an abundance of rain. The farmers are living in hopes of an abundant harvest which I have no doubt will be realised if the weather continues so propitious. Our young men had a game of Foot Ball last Saturday which was well contested, ending at last in favor of the 19 Northern pinks against 19 of the Southern (blues), on some ground kindly lent for the purpose by Mr. T. Bowman who took a very active part in the play. The game commenced at 1 30 p.m. Mr. Albert Short the captain of the pinks winning the toss and Mr. Fred Cottrell the captain of the blues having the first kick off at the ball which was knocked away most admirably but was soon followed up by the pinks and brought back close to the goal. It was knocked out of bounds by one of the blues to prevent its being put through the goal and it was then kicked off from the goal by the blues but was fetched back almost at once and put through the goal by Mr. Kapper of the pinks; which the Blues would not have as a fair goal. So it was kicked off again by one of the Blues, and the Pinks put it through the goal at 2. 30 p.m., to the astonishment of the Blues. There were hearty cheers given by the bystanders at the success of the Pinks. The game for the second goal commenced at 3 p.m, Captain A. Short again winning the toss and Captain Cottrell getting the kick off as before. The ball after being kicked off was knocked to the centre of the goals for a good while until Mr. Bowman gave it a clear kick of the crowd and it was knocked close up to the "goal by Mr. James Stephens of the Pinks at 4 p.m. which terminated the game and brought the pinks off victorious, winning their two goals easily. After the game the players retired to the tea table to get lunch which was provided by Mrs. T. Bowman and Mrs. Hanralm. A petition has gone into the House of Assembly praying for £5000 for the erection of a jetty at Ardrossan which if granted will be a great desideratum, for the present time, goods are thrown on the beach and left at the mercy of horses pigs or anything else that may come in the way.

YORKE VALLEY.

Sat 25 Jul 1874, South Australian Chronicle and Weekly Mail (Adelaide, SA : 1868 - 1881)

July 20. There was a football match played on Saturday, the 18th inst , on a section adjoining the township of Maitland, belonging to Mr. Thos, Bowman, which was kindly lent for the day. The match was between 19 of the Southern young men and the same number Northern. The game originated from a challenge sent by the Southerns, in March last, to play for a new ball on Easter Monday. This had to be a drawn game, as neither sides could get a goal, so it was arranged to play off on the above mentioned date. About 11 o'clock the players began to assemble, the Northerns wearing pink and their opponents blue caps. About 1 o'clock the play commenced, the pinks winning, the toss for choice of goals. Mr. W. J. O'Brien acted as umpire, and Mr. F. Cottrell as captain for the blues; Mr. W. Thomas as umpire, and Mr. Albert Short as captain for the pinks. After, about two hours smart playing the pinks made one goal, which caused great hurrahing. The players took 10 minutes rest, and commenced again, and after about half an hour the pinks again came off victorious in making another goal. Amids great cheering the umpires declared the pinks the winners, and handed the ball over to the Captain, Mr. A. Short. Three cheers were then given for the winners and three more for the losers, after which they partook of lunch, which was kindly prepared by Mrs Bowman and Mrs. Hanrahan. After refreshing themselves, the players all assembled, and the Captains picked their men from both sides, and again went in the field and played until sundown, each side getting one goal, when the Captains called their men in and assembled them together. Mr. Kappler proposed a vote of thanks to Mr. Bowman on behalf of the players, after which they gave three cheers for the use of the ground. They also gave a similar compliment for the ladies who so kindly provided the lunch, the Umpires and the Captains, after, which they all dispersed, each one well pleased with the day's sport. There was a good sprinkling of the fair sex, on the ground and I noticed, one group at a little distance who seemed to be enjoying themselves in a game of croquet.— The Athletics club is going to hold its meeting on Monday the 27th inst to make arrangements for their sports, which will be duly advertised. They intend to have a good day's fun this time. About 40 members have joined, which speaks well for a club only about twelve months in existence. The farmers have all done sowing,- and the young wheat looks well. Should a fair season set in they may expect a bountiful harvest.

MAITLAND.

Sat 15 Aug 1874, Adelaide Observer (SA : 1843 - 1904)

August 10. This part of Yorke's Peninsula, which nearly two years ago excited public attention when the land here was offered for selection, it being the first thrown open under the existing Act, has unfortunately not been often mentioned in the Press. Maitland is, however, a growing, lively, and prosperous place, and is weekly becoming more so. It was remarked the other day by a stranger that the Paradise where Adam and hive dwelt must have been here. Maitlandites do not indulge in ecstasies over their happy lot, but are sure that this may well be termed the garden of Yorke's Peninsula, both because of the quality of the soil and the beauty of the scenery. The settlers have been favoured with abundance of rain—a great boon—and they have been able to store a supply of water which in most cases will last through the summer. It is hoped that our esteemed friend Gooffry Crabthorn will not under such circumstances as last summer be again able to write an ode addressed to the "Yorke Valley Bulk." The crops look very promising, but are rather backward in some places. Sowing was continued in several instances up to the end of July, and the weather has been lately cold and frosty.

If the season continues as favourable as it has been there is a probability of 150,000 bushels of wheat being available for export from this locality. This will necessitate the Government at once complying with the petition sent some time since asking them to erect a jetty at Ardrossan. The matter has had little or no consideration in the Assembly as yet, and we are afraid that nothing will be done in time for the coming harvest. Considering the amount added to the revenue by the deposits paid upon the land here, which in several instances realized over £4 and £5 per acre, the House ought at once to vote a sum for the purpose mentioned. It is hoped that the settlers will not cease agitating to obtain facilities for getting their wheat to a market, for otherwise there may be serious consequences at harvest. Moonta is certainly a market, but the road to it is through a dense scrub, with numerous sand-hills intervening.

We hear from a reliable source that Messrs. Darling & Son intend building large and commodious stores at the newly laid out township of Ardrossan for the purpose of storing wheat, and intend buying grain at the Maitiand township. If they do so, doubtless they will get the bulk of the wheat grown in this district.

The Athletic Club is still prosperous. A Cricket Club has lately been formed, and many persons have joined.

The work on the remainder of the road to Ardrossan, the clearing of which was begun by the Government, is now let by contract. We hope soon to see the undertaking completed, as many miles in the distance to the shipping-place will be saved in the new out.

It is hoped that the copper mine at Parara will turn out payable, for if so, it will greatly add to the importance of Ardrossan.

OUR MAITLAND LETTER.

Fri 21 Aug 1874, Yorke's Peninsula Advertiser and Miners' News (SA : 1872 - 1874)

August 17th. 1874. Mr. Goyder, the Surveyor General paid this neighborhood a visit last week. About 20 gentlemen waited on him, asking for a road to be surveyed from Maitland to Moonta, to which request he readily assented and the surveyors are to survey the road at once. It is to be cleared in time for the coming harvest. Much dissatisfaction and disappointment felt here that the Government do not purpose erecting a jetty at Ardrossan for the next harvest. It appears that in regard to any Public Works that are wanted for the Peninsula, you may as well try to get their blood as to get money for anything costing more than a few hundred pounds while they are spending their tens of thousands in other parts of the colony. The quietude of this place was disturbed last Saturday by some rascal or rascals going into Mr. Tiddy's store, and taking about £5 in cash, while Mr. Pascoe was at Mr. Driscolls having his tea. I hear they have no clue to the villain or villains, though they have some slight suspicions. It is to be hoped before long these light fingered gentlemen will be detected, as there have been several petty thefts such as taking a bag of chaff, opening bags of sugar and taking a few pounds from them, whilst lying at Ardrossan, &c. I thing it will be some time before our farmers in this neighborhood will require immigration, if their wives continue to be so prolific as they have been of late. There have been four cases within the last three or weeks, and in three of them the happy parents have received twin "treasures." I should think that is not doing badly for a small community.

OUR MAITLAND LETTER.

Fri 4 Sep 1874, Yorke's Peninsula Advertiser and Miners' News (SA : 1872 - 1874)

August 31, 1874. The weather this last fortnight has been very wet and cold, which has had a tendency to keep the grass from growing much ; but the early sown wheat is looking first rate, and bidding fair for an abundant harvest, which I have no doubt will be very acceptable to the farmers. The Lord Bishop of Adelaide, on his way to Kadina, called here last Thursday, and preached at Mr. Roger's, J.P., in the evening. His Lordship based his discourse on the 3rd chapter of St. Mark, and 28 and 29 verses, and gave a thoroughly theological discourse, although his audience was small through the unpropetious state of the weather, and the short notice given. We had athletic sports here last week which went off very successfully. The Secretary has given you all particulars before this no doubt, consequently it is not necessary for me to do so.

YORKE VALLEY.

Sat 12 Sep 1874, South Australian Chronicle and Weekly Mail (Adelaide, SA : 1868 - 1881)

Maitland, the township of Yorke Valley, which two years ago was totally unknown, bids fair to become a place of consequence, and in a few years to rival some of the northern townships. We have had lately added to our business people two saddlers and a boot-maker. A machinist also intends settling here in a few weeks. Business, although rather dull at the present, will undoubtedly increase towards harvest and it is to be hoped that every one will then have a fair share of trade. - Rain has again, and is still filling in plenty. The crops are really a sight worth seeing ; in fact, I do not think their equal is to be found in the colony.— A petition has again been sent to the Government, praying for the erection of a jetty at Ardrossan. If this is not done, I am afraid our "sons of the soil" will be heavy losses in consequence of not being able to send their wheat to market at a reasonable figure. It is really a work most urgently needed. —The Right Rev. Dr. Short, Bishop of Adelaide, paid us a flying visit a short, time ago, and held evening service at Mr. Rogers's house, but in consequence of the short notice and Inclemency of the weather there was not a large attendance. It is proposed shortly to erect two places of worship in the township— one by the Church of England, the other by the Catholics. TheWesleyan body are at present holding Divine service every Sunday in Mr. Lamshed's residence.

FOUND DEAD.

Tue 29 Sep 1874, South Australian Register (Adelaide, SA : 1839 - 1900)

Moonta, September 28, Afternoon. An inquest was held on Saturday, at Maitland, Yorke Valley, on the body of Reuel Bentley, who was found dead beside Mr. Tiddy's store. Mr. S. Rogers, J.P., was the Coroner, and a verdict of died from heart disease, accelerated by the effects of brandy, was returned.

DEATH FROM : DRINK AND EXPOSURE.

Tue 29 Sep 1874, The South Australian Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1858 - 1889)

Moonta, September 28. A man named Rule Bentley was found dead on Saturday at Maitland, in Yorke Valley. He had been drinking heavily, and lay all Friday night exposed to the weather. A police-trooper went from here and made arrangements for an inquest, which was duly held, the Jury returning a verdict that death resulted from heart disease, accelerated by heavy drinking, and adding a rider to the effect that no blame was attachable to the persons who were last in the deceased's company.

SUDDEN DEATH AT MAITLAND.

Wed 30 Sep 1874, The Express and Telegraph (Adelaide, SA : 1867 - 1922)

Yorke valley, September 27. The inhabitants of the quiet township or Maitland were on Friday morning alarmed by the report that Mr. E. Bently was lying dead near Mr. Tiddy's store. On visiting the spot, I found that the news was too true. An inquest was held on the body on Saturday morning, Mr. Rogers, J.P., acting as Coroner. Mr. E. Mclntyre was chosen Foreman of a Jury of 12, The following evidence was taken:—

Jane Bently stated—The deceased, Ruel Bently, was my husband. Last saw him alive on Thursday evening. He had been-working on the other farm during the day. He did not feel very well, and said he would take a walk to the township. Deceased has for some years past suffered from enlargement of the heart. Have always lived in good terms with him. Have seen the body, and identify it as that of my late husband.

Annie Driscoll said—I am landlady of the Maitland Hotel. Knew the deceased. Saw him about 9 p.m. on the 24th. Served him with about five or six nobblers of brandy from that time until 11. On closing up served deceased with a bottle of brandy, which he took away with him. Considered the deceased was a temperate man. Have heard deceased say he suffered from heart disease. He seemed to be in excellent spirits. He was sober when he left the house,

Charles E. Short, farmer, of Yorke Valley, said—I saw the deceased alive last on the evening of the 21st. Was in company with him and several others on that evening. After the hotel was closed noticed that deceased had a bottle covered by a straw envelope. We stayed for some time talking together in front of Sir. Tiddy's store. Buckly had a bottle of, I believe brandy. He opened it, put it to his mouth, then handed it to deceased. I had none of the contents. Should think about half the contents was spilt on the ground. Tried to persuade deceased to go home. He was intoxicated, when I went away. He was lying down in front of Mr. Tiddy's store. Went about 40 yards, and then went back to him again. This was about 1 a.m. on the 25th. " H. Thompson, L. Buckly, and myself removed him from the front to the west side of the store. Neither Buckly, Thompson, myself, nor my brother were the worse for liquor.

The evidence of H. Thompson and L. Buckley was also taken, and was in the most essential points the same as the last witness had given.

Mathew Thomas Tiddy, storekeeper, deposed —I know deceased. Found him dead on the west side of our store on Friday morning. He had some straw under his head, and covered by a bran and sugar bag, he was lying on his right.

Kenny Kappler, storekeeper, said—I heard on Friday morning from last witness of the death of deceased. Went to see the body. Found it lying on the west side of the store covered by a bag. Took it off and also his hat. Examined his face and head. His features were quite calm. The face was getting blue from decomposition. Turned the body over and looked at the right side of his face. Did not find any injuries on the body. Assisted to place the body in the hotel. Had heard since his death that he suffered from heart disease.

Police-Constable Harris said—I arrived at Maitland on Friday evening from Moonta to enquire into the death of Ruel Bently. Examined the body. Did not find on it any marks of violence.

This being all the evidence, the Coroner summed up, and the Jury, after due deliberation, handed in the following verdict:- " That the deceased, Ruel Bently, died from heart disease, accelerated by an over-supply of brandy. Rider—There is no blame attached to the four men who were in his company at the time."

The funeral took place the same afternoon. A large concourse of people assembled to pay their last respects to the dead. The beautiful Church of England burial service was read at the grave by Mr. Kenny Kappler. Deep sympathy is felt for the widow and children, who have been so suddenly deprived of their protector and bread-winner.

OUR MAITLAND LETTER.

Fri 2 Oct 1874, Yorke's Peninsula Advertiser and Miners' News (SA : 1872 - 1874)

Sept, 28. An inquest was held on Saturday last, at the Maitland Hotel, on the body of Mr. Bentley, a farmer of this place, who was found dead outside Mr. Tiddy's store on Friday morning. S. Rogers Esq., J. P. acting as coroner, with a jury of twelve. Mr. McEntire acting as foreman. After four or five hours enquiry, the jury brought in a verdict that the deceased died from heart disease accelerated by taking too much brandy, adding as a rider that great blame is attached to the individuals who were in his company the evening before his death, laying the man down in such a cold and exposed place as they left him.

A little fine weather would be quiet a treat now, for we have had scarcely anything but rain and hail for some time. The crops are still looking splendid, bidding fair for a beautiful harvest as yet. It is to be hoped that the farmers prospects will not be blighted at the eleventh hour. I believe shortly the members of the Church of England are going to erect a place of worship. Our Wesleyan friends have talked about the matter this last twelve months, but as yet it has only ended in talk. A place of worship is very much needed, for hitherto Divine Service has been held in private houses, or you may term them private huts, which is a very inconvenient arrangement, as on a fine day many cannot gain admittance. The trustees of the ground for school purposes have set to work also, trying to get subscriptions for erecting a day school and teacher's residence. It is to be hoped there will be a ready response to their solicitations, as it is very much needed. There are a great number of children running about who should be at school. Great dissatisfaction is felt here with the Government, in not doing something for the farmers to get away their produce, and if that Bright individual, should ever pay Yorke Valley a visit I guess it would not be very bright for him.

OUR MAITLAND LETTER.

Fri 23 Oct 1874, Yorke's Peninsula Advertiser and Miners' News (SA : 1872 - 1874)

We have had a delightful change in the weather, with beautiful showers yesterday, which were very acceptable, after about three weeks' very hot weather. On the 11th inst. a hot wind was blowing most terrifically, and the glass stood as high as 95 ® in the shade. The crops, however, suffered but very little from it. They are still looking all over the district very promising. A gentleman who has been passing through the Northern Areas has visited this locality, and says there is none to surpass them, and very few to equal them, as a whole.

ALLEGED CRIMINAL ASSAULT.

Sat 7 Nov 1874, The Wallaroo Times and Mining Journal (Port Wallaroo, SA : 1865 - 1881)

William Shannon, farmer, was charged with having at Maitland, Yorke Valley, on Sunday, 1st November, unlawfully and indecently assaulted Mary Jane Whitelaw (aged thirteen wars) with intent to carnally know the said Mary Jane Whitelaw. Mr James for plaintiff who was represented by her brother Robert Whitelaw. Mr Burtt with Mr Pater for defendant, who had been arrested upon warrant. The evidence went to show that she resided with her brother, and that there was a certain amount of intimacy existed between the families. On Sunday 1st Nov. her brother with a man named T. Florence a servant of Shannon, went to "a preaching place" together. The girl was left at home, and according to her own account was sitting on the kitchen table when Shannon came in. After passing some time in singing songs from a song book, he engaged in familiarities and offered her £50 for a certain purpose. She refused and resisted, and matters were proceeding to extremity when her brother and Florance came in to dinner. It does not appear that the equivocal position in which Shannon and his companion were found produced any very great amount of domestic disturbance or inconvenience, for the girl and Shannon went outside and had some conversation. Robert Whitelaw was deterred from any very demonstrative measures on account of the stalwart proportions of the offender, and he did not say much to his sister as he was satisfied it could be no fault of hers. Robert Whitelaw laid the dinner table, and he and Florance partook of the repast. Portions of the evidence went to show that the girl had been more or less in the habit of accompanying Shannon at the plough, and in other rural excursions. She had also taken him letters to the plough, and sometime after the occurrence, she told Shannon she would go with him to the beach in a vehicle on a subsequent Sunday if her brother went with them. Florance's evidence went to show that the girl was upon more familiar terms with Shannon than appeared from her own testimony. This witness was called by Mr Burtt for the defence, but the latter had previously announced to the bench that his client would reserve his defence. Mr Shepherdson, S. M, had also administered the usual caution in case Shannon should be committed for trial, therefore, Shannon's statement was taken down that he was not guilty, any further than that the girl gave her consent. After Florance's evidence, that of Harris, the arresting constable was taken. Shannon had then said "This is the brother's doings." The evidence of some neighbors named Dodds was also taken. Shannon was committed for trial at the forthcoming Criminal Sittings of the Supreme Court. Bail was taken: his own recognizance in £50. and two sureties in £25 each.

The Court then rose.

William Shannon, farmer at Yorke Valley charged at the Supreme Court with indecently assaulting Mary Jane Whitelaw has been acquitted.

OUR MAITLAND LETTER.

Tue 22 Nov 1874, Yorke's Peninsula Advertiser and Miners' News (SA : 1872 - 1874)

Hay making is pretty general now, and the crops are very good, yielding in most cases from one ton and a half to two tons to the acre. The wheat is also looking splendid, and filling out well, in fact I should say it could not do any better. There is no doubt but some will average from (25) twenty-five to (30) thirty bushels to the acre. There are rumours about that there will be competition this year for buying. I hear that Messrs. Dunn & Co., Morgan & Co,, and J. Darling & Son, are coming into the market.

The measles has made its appearance in this neighborhood at last. There are four adults attacked with the disease. I don't know of any children ill with it, although there is one family of nine children in the Valley-—where there has been a young man ill and recovered. The children so far have escaped.

Our quiet township is moving ahead steadily ; but I suppose surely.

We have a minister of the Wesleyan body appointed to labor amongst us here, who I believe will meet with hearty reception. The church congregation are also about to commence building in a few days, and the Roman Catholics are making progress. I see they have stones and sand carted on the ground.

OUR MAITLAND LETTER.

Fri 1 Jan 1875, Yorke's Peninsula Advertiser and Miners' and Farmers' Journal (SA : 1875 - 1878)

Farming operations are quiet at a standstill in our neighborhood : very little else than hail and rain these last few days, and no appearance of a change.

The little wheat that has been cleared is meeting the farmer's most sanguine expectations.

The lowest yield I have heard of is fifteen bushels to the acre and as high as twenty-seven has been obtained.

There is a great scarcity of farm labourers in this neighborhood as well as in other parts of the colony, and servant girls are out of the question. We cannot get them for love or money. One of my neighbours obtained one a few weeks since, as a favour at the moderate sum of fourteen shillings a week.

OUR MAITLAND LETTER.

Fri 22 Jan 1875, Yorke's Peninsula Advertiser and Miners' and Farmers' Journal (SA : 1875 - 1878)

Our farmers in this district have most of them finished reaping— and the yield is good in most instances where the cleaner has been at work. But the farmers complain of the very low price, buyers only offering 3s. 2.5d. per bushel with the prospect of the market falling.

People of this place are well supplied with religious service . There are already a Wesleyan and Independent Minister, and shortly we are to have the English Church open, and the duties and labors of those ministers are confined principally to about forty families.

We could do well with a good thunder shower here for a few hours. Many of the dams are dry and many persons have to resort to the Government well.

OUR MAITLAND LETTER.

Tue 16 Feb 1875, Yorke's Peninsula Advertiser and Miners' and Farmers' Journal (SA : 1875 - 1878)

The weather has been very changeable of late, sometimes unbearable hot, at other times we could bear an overcoat. We were blessed with a fine rain a few days since, which has given us an abundant supply of water for a while that was greatly needed, for a great many had commenced to cart water from the Government well.

Very little interest is taken here in electioneering matters. And there seems quite as little on the part of candidates, for none of them think it worth their while to visit this place which will eventually be the Garden of the Peninsula. I think it would be a great benefit to the farmers, and also to the Moontaites, if they even joined together, and tried to get a tramway from Moonta, I don't see why what should be sent to Adelaide, at a cost of eightpence per bushel, and cost another similar amount to take it from Port Adelaide to supply the Moonta people.—Whereas if a light Tramway was constructed, it could be conveyed direct for threepence or four pence per bushel, Our liberal and far-sighted Government is now about to spend the one hundred pounds that was voted by Parliament for a cutting at Ardrossan, to enable the farmers to ship their wheat this season. They may just as well throw it in the sea as spend it there now for the bulk of the wheat has been shipped or will be before the work is done. Wheat is quoted at a very low price. Buyers offering only 2s. 11d.; and in all probability it will be lower.

OUR MAITLAND LETTER.

Fri 26 Feb 1875, Yorke's Peninsula Advertiser and Miners' and Farmers' Journal (SA : 1875 - 1878)

Our farmers are not to be transformed into rich men this year ! I hear that 2s. 11d. is the price offering for wheat, but most of us hope and expect that we shall see a higher price erelong. The sample is very fine, and of course as ours is new land it is clean too, and would be very suitable for seed purposes for some of the more northern areas.

We are beginning more than ever to feel the farmers' pinch"—the difficulty and expense of conveying our produce to market. I believe that even this year it will cost our little district between £2000 and £3,000 more than it should do if we had ordinary railway facilities, and that's no small sum to be taken out of the pockets of a few struggling farmers ! But I think there will be some effort made to get a railway between Ardrossan, near Parara, and Moonta before long. A preliminary meeting was held at Mr. Lamshed's last night, when the question was taken into serious consideration : and a Committee was appointed to arrange for a public meeting on the 9th March, when all interested are invited to attend. I hope we shall commence such a movement, as shall ensure a result; and that we shall have the support of Moonta in this affair. I understand the Committee to consist of Messrs. Rogers. Thompson, Miller, Lamshed, and Howard, with Mr. Macaulay as Secretary, and with power to add to their number.

The Rev. Samuel Knight, of Gawler, delivered an excellent lecture here on Tuesday evening. February 23. on " How to be Happy.'" to a crowded audience. Mr. Lamshed presided, and at the close a collection was made on behalf of the Wesleyan Circuit Funds. Of course there was a vote of thanks to the Lecturer, moved by Captain Tregowoth, and seconded by Mr. Howard, and the proceedings were brought to a close in the usual way. After this business was over, the question was introduced as to the continuance of a Wesleyan Minister in that district, and the opinion of those present was taken. The result appeared to be arrived at unanimously, and led to the promise of a successor to the Rev. Mr. Pollard, who has been working in this neighborhood very diligently for some time past, and who is now about to be removed.

OPENING OF THE LOYAL MAITLAND LODGE, No. 90.

Wed 10 Mar 1875, The Wallaroo Times and Mining Journal (Port Wallaroo, SA : 1865 - 1881)

On Monday evening, March 1, a lodge in connection with the Independent Order of Oddfellows, M.U., Daly District, to be called " the Loyal Maitland Lodge, No. 90," was opened, at the Maitland Hotel, by Prov. C.S., W. Phillips. About November last steps were taken by the Moonta Lodge to get a Dispensation for this branch, it being the wish of several persons there to establish the Order at Maitland. At the District Meeting held on 28th December, 1874, at Green's Plains, the matter was considered, and it was resolved that the District should apply to the Board of Directors for the said Dispensation, and that Mr W. Chillips, being the oldest District Officer, should open the said Lodge. Dr. Gosse, of Moonta, attended the opening and examined the candidates, of which there were twelve, who applied for admission. After the usual formalities were gone through, they were initiated into the mysteries of the Order, the Dispensation presented, and the Lodge declared opened. This business was not completed until eleven o'clock, and then a " cold collation " was laid before the newly installed. officers and member, to which ample justice was done, and the company dispersed. The Lodge is to meet in the large room adjoining the Maitland Hotel, which is very convenient. The, following are the names of office bearers: G.M., H. C. Hick; H.C., Thomas McAuley; V.G., James Stevens; Secretary, Henry Pitcher ; Treasurer, John Hill. The foregoing officers are Past-Officers of other lodges. We have no doubt that, with the experience and efficiency of these officers the Order will make great progress, and become in time, to the locality, a great benefit. Arrangements are being made with Dr Gosse to visit Maitland once a fortnight, taking with him a medicine chest, and thus the Lodge will confer, on the area, a great boon, saving in medical attendance a large amount of money. We believe during the short time Dr. Gosse was in attendance at the Maitland Hotel, on Monday, he was called upon to visit several of the residents.

MAITLAND IN NEED OF A RAILWAY.

Tue 16 Mar 1875, Yorke's Peninsula Advertiser and Miners' and Farmers' Journal (SA : 1875 - 1878)

THE report published in our last issue of the meeting held at Maitland on the 9th instant, should go far to establish (if the fact had not already been fairly demonstrated), the necessity for railway communication, on Yorke's Peninsula. Very few of our readers are aware of the extent, the importance, and the capabilities of the agricultural settlements upon the Peninsula, and if that meeting achieved no other purpose, it was at any rate useful in informing the public somewhat upon these points. It may assist possibly the object the farmers have in view, as well as create some interest on the part of the mining community, who would receive large benefit from the successful accomplishment of their proposal, if we place the facts of the case a little more directly before their minds. They are as follow :—In the locality of that meeting there are over thirty thousand acres of freehold land, of which about two-thirds is already enclosed, and considerably more than one-third, say 11,000 acres, have been broken up by the plough. If our information is correct, and it is based upon the extent of the land now fallowing and in process of subjugation, there will be somewhere about 16,000 acres under wheat next season, which should yield (allowing a reduction of more than two and a half bushels to the acre on the present season's crop), 240,000 bushels of wheat, besides hay, potatoes, and other produce. At the present time the only means of reaching a market are by way of Ardrossan or Parara, distant about twelve or thirteen miles over a road which only the most courageous and experienced teamsters attempt in winter ; or to Moonta via Kalkabury, distant about thirty-five miles by the only road which laden teams can travel. The effect of this expensive cartage, and of the costs of shipping at places which present no facilities of any kind, is to tax the farmer very heavily, and to detract very considerably from the advantages which Yorke Valley otherwise presents. Now anyone living in the mining settlements knows full well that one of the greatest drawbacks experienced is the lack of a fair and wholesome supply of farm and dairy produce. With these life and health would be promoted, and economy could be secured to an extent that would soon tell upon the pockets of the fathers of families. And the Yorke Valley farmers could supply these in abundance if they could only get the means of transit. The distance direct to Maitland is certainly not more and we think much less than twenty-five miles but the country is such as forbids the teamster carrying more than half a load, consequently the expense is an effectual bar to the traffic. The farmers are under these circumstances proposing to the Moonta and Moonta Mines residents to unite with them in urging upon the Government to bridge the distance by a railway, which will not only meet the requirements of the farmers, but will also form part of the trunk line which we hope to see carried through all the areas on Southern Yorke's Peninsula. We trust that in justice to the farmers who have taken up the land for the purposes of permanent settlement, and in justice to ourselves who will reap so much advantage, we shall act responsively to their appeal, and unite so earnestly and urge the project so vigorously as to secure the end sought without any delay.

OUR MAITLAND LETTER.

Tue 30 Mar 1875, Yorke's Peninsula Advertiser and Miners' and Farmers' Journal (SA : 1875 - 1878)

The opening of the new Church, at Maitland, is postponed until Sunday next. A festivity follows on the Monday afternoon. The Rev. Mr. Pollard preached his farewell sermon to his Maitland congregation on Sunday evening last. The assemblage completely filled the preaching-place, and his address (which was a very good one) was listened to with marked attention throughout, although it occupied nearly an hour and a quarter in delivery. It is not yet known who will be his successor. Our farmers are busily engaged ploughing, and a large area will be under crop next season. The locusts have put in an appearance, but it is not anticipated that they will do much injury. Wheat is advancing in price, and farmers are generally speaking not anxious to sell.

OUR MAITLAND LETTER.

Fri 2 Apr 1875, Yorke's Peninsula Advertiser and Miners' and Farmers' Journal (SA : 1875 - 1878)

I regret t o say that the locusts are putting in an appearance in such swarms that it is a matter of thankfulness that they are too late to do much mischief. We shall gladly welcome the first frost, so that these " critters'' may get their " walking ticket." We have great anticipations respecting the coming event—the opening of our new Church on Sunday next; and some of the young folks are preparing themselves as a choir to assist on the occasion. They have been very zealous ill their rehearsals, and will give us some good music. The Wesleyan friends have decided to lose their services on that day in order to assist as far as they can in making the opening a success; and at the service on Sunday evening last, the Rev. Mr. Pollard urged on all those there present the desirability of attending and giving what help they could. To say the least of it, this was neighborly and liberal.

The Railway Commission. I hear, is likely to visit Moonta. and come thence to Maitland. From all I hear it is intended to give them a hearty welcome when they arrive tomorrow (Thursday) evening. I hope they will be convinced that if anything ever was really wanted it is railway communication between here and Moonta : and also from here to Ardrossan.

OUR MAITLAND LETTER.

Tue 6 Apr 1875, Yorke's Peninsula Advertiser and Miners' and Farmers' Journal (SA : 1875 - 1878)

The Railway Commission has been here and I think their visit has been a satisfactory one. They held a sitting at the Maitland Hotel, and took the evidence of Messrs. Rogers. Lamshed. Wilson. Thompson, Smith, and Tiddy. From what I know of the facts placed before the Commission. I am certain a strong case was made out.

To-day (Friday) the Commissioners went on to Ardrossan. our shipping-plate, and they will see how easily, with a small expenditure, that Port might be made useful in promoting the general welfare of the district. Whilst speaking of Ardrossan, I should like to point out that there is a splendid natural reservoir offering itself, which lies close to the shipping-place. Clay Gully carries the winter's rain off a considerable area to the sea. At the sea mouth the gully contracts, so that by the erection of a small dam, a reservoir of more than a mile long, by say twenty yards average width, and probably twenty feet deep, would be secured—a splendid boon to the locality-. Less than £200 would complete this work. Should it not be done.

Another matter should be mentioned, in the interests of the district. There is no jetty at Ardrossan, and this should be provided in time for the wheat shipments of next year. I hope one of the results of the Railway Commissioners' visit will be the construction of this jetty, which need be but about 100 fathoms long to give a very considerable depth of water—some people say twenty-three feet.

OUR MAITLAND LETTER.

Tue 13 Apr 1875, Yorke's Peninsula Advertiser and Miners' and Farmers' Journal (SA : 1875 - 1878)

The opening services in connection with St. John's Church of England, Maitland, were held on Sunday last. The Rev. C. G. Taplin, from Moonta, conducted both morning and evening services. The building on both occasions was crowded : the collections amounted to about £7, rather a handsome sum for Yorke Valley.

A harvest festival and tea meeting was held on Monday afternoon, in a booth erected near the Church, when a large number attended, and partook of the sweet things provided. The trays were all exceedingly well and tastefully got up and arranged by the ladies in connection with the church. I must not forget to mention that the bachelors distinguished themselves by giving and attending upon a tray, and altogether made a fair show at it. It is expected that the tea meeting will realize about £10, which will be of great assistance to the trustees, as the Church is not as yet free from debt.

Divine service was held in the evening, when the Church was again well filled. Mr. Mudie read the service. The choir, under the direction of Mr. J. Howard, rendered the anthems, " Awake, awake," and "Eternal Mansions," very nicely. They deserve credit for their services on this occasion as well as for the Sunday services, especially as most of them belong to other churches, and have given a deal of time to attend rehearsal, so as to make the affair as successful as possible.

Mr. J. Smith, on returning home on Sunday evening from service, was thrown out of his trap by its running against a tree. He was severely shaken, but not otherwise injured.

Locusts are here in thousands. The cold weather—when it sets in—will no doubt give them their quietus.

OUR MAITLAND LETTER.

Fri 30 Apr 1875, Yorke's Peninsula Advertiser and Miners' and Farmers' Journal (SA : 1875 - 1878)

Things have been very quiet of late, now that wheat carting is less engaging attention. Rain has been sadly needed. Many of our farmers have for some time been out of water, and have been obliged to cart it from Point Pearce and other places. I am thankful to say, however, it is now coming down heavily. It, began last night, and has kept on with short intervals ever since. This will prove a great boon to all. The Independents are erecting a galvanized iron building in which it is intended to hold divine service, and also for other objects. I understand also that the foundation stone of the Catholic Chapel is to be laid shortly. Mr. H. C. Hick has the contract for its erection.

OUR MAITLAND LETTER.

Tue 1 Jun 1875, Yorke's Peninsula Advertiser and Miners' and Farmers' Journal (SA : 1875 - 1878)

The weather is now gloriously fine for seeding, and the farmers are making the best of it by rapidly pulling in the seed. There is a great deal of crop up and looking splendid.

It was a great day last Sunday with the Roman Catholics. The foundation stone of their chapel was laid by Father Byrne, amidst a large eoncouise of all denominations, and was quite a success. Forty pounds in cash was laid on the stone, besides the committee having in hand a good many promises of cash and material towards the erection of the building. This is already commenced by Mr. Hick, who was the successful tenderer. Mr. Tiddy has also a six roomed house in the course of erection: so after a little while we presume our Township will have quite a respectable appearance. I hear that our Wesleyan friends have also aroused from their slumbers, and are going to build a chapel shortly ; and I think not before it is time, after holding services in private houses for over two years, and having a minister with them about nine months. However, the Rev. Mr. Rowe has taken the matter in hand, and is determined with the people to accomplish the erection of a place of worship. He has already over £100 in labor and cash promised, I am given to understand.

The grasshoppers are still a nuisance ; they are eating the young wheat, just like a flock of sheep would trim it off, just down in the Valley by the well. I have not heard of them being general. It is hoped that Mr. Frost will soon make his appearance, and give them rheumatics, so that they cannot do any more harm.

OUR MAITLAND LETTER.

Fri 25 Jun 1875, Yorke's Peninsula Advertiser and Miners' and Farmers' Journal (SA : 1875 - 1878)

The terribly wet and stormy weather has left its mark upon our township. Mr. J. Stevens's nice little cottage was very much injured, nearly the whole of the wall on the weather side having come down. Mr Driscoll's Hotel also sustained some injury, and other buildings were more or less damaged.

Some time ago we were led to believe that a telegraph line would soon run down the Peninsula ; but nothing seems to have been done in the matter, although, I believe, the money was voted for this work long ago. There is little doubt that the " Gently rock me to sleep" style of the late Blyth Government has had a good deal to do with this state of affairs. Perhaps our members would take a gentle hint, and make some enquiries in the House re this telegraph line, as if is very much wanted.

Nearly all the farmers here have done sowing, but some have kept on until now, having been detained by the wet weather.

OUR MAITLAND LETTER.

Tue 27 Jul 1875, Yorke's Peninsula Advertiser and Miners' and Farmers' Journal (SA : 1875 - 1878)

I have much pleasure in forwarding the following report of the formal opening services in connection with the Maitland Congregational Church, which is a comfortable iron building, situated on a rise to the north of the township, commanding a fine view of the Gulf westward, and in which services have been regularly conducted for the last two months...

LAYING THE FOUNDATION STONE OF THE WESLEYAN CHURCH, MAITLAND.

Fri 20 Aug 1875, Yorke's Peninsula Advertiser and Miners' and Farmers' Journal (SA : 1875 - 1878)

On Tuesday 17th inst. This ceremony was performed by Mesdames Lamshed, Miller, and Greenslade and the Rev. T. M. Howe., in the presence of a very Considerable concourse of persons gathered from all parts of the now extensively settled Yorke Valley district,. The day was peculiarly fine, and favored the proceedings, which were commenced by singing and prayer, in which the Rev. H. W. Campbell engaged. The stones were then laid " well and truly," and the Doxology having been very heartily sung, the Rev. A. Higg, briefly gave an exposition of the doctrines of the Wesleyan Methodist Church, in conformity with the usages of such occasions....

OUR MAITLAND LETTER.

Tue 21 Sep 1875, Yorke's Peninsula Advertiser and Miners' and Farmers' Journal (SA : 1875 - 1878)

The weather is fine, and the crops around are looking strong and healthy. The road to Ardrossan is again passable, so wheat, carting has become the order of the day. The return cricket match between the Maitland and Kalkabury teams came off on Saturday last, but in consequence of the Kalkabury team not being able to muster in full force, they were soon disposed of by the Maitland. For the evening a good supper had been provided, after which dancing was kept up to a late hour, many couples exercising " the light fantastic toe'' to the delightful strains of a medium sized concertina.

The, Rev. Mr. Ash gave a lecture on Monday evening in aid of the Church of England funds, the subject being " Music" in connection with the church. The attendance was very fair, and the rev. gentleman was listened to with great attention. The Maitland choir under the leadership of Messrs. P. Howard and C. Painter rendered valuable services. Votes of thanks to the lecturer, and the choir closed the proceedings. Strong comments are made respecting the conduct of our members in not appearing and assisting our deputation re railway for Ardrossan while in Adelaide. Some people think that the line, via Green's Plains is their pet scheme, and that, they do not care a rap about the people of Southern Yorke's Peninsula.

SOUTHERN YORKE'S PENINSULA.

Sat 11 Dec 1875, The Wallaroo Times and Mining Journal (Port Wallaroo, SA : 1865 - 1881)

Maitland. Several buildings are in course of erection in this town, a Wesley an Church being nearly ready for the opening services, and the Catholic Church which was completed was opened on Sunday, Dec. 5. The new bank; the National-has been found of great convenience to residents in the lower end of the Peninsula. The crops in the neighbourhood are looking well, the unseasonable weather seeming to have none other other but an increasing and ripening effect. The country is gradually being cleared, and miles of fencing have been erected. Want of labor is the chief cry here. The proprietor of the Maitland Hotel, which has been found, of late, too inconvenient to meet the demands of travellers, intends adding to his present premises, but cannot find the labor.

MAITLAND.

Tue 25 Jul 1876, Yorke's Peninsula Advertiser and Miners' and Farmers' Journal (SA : 1875 - 1878)

A public meeting convened by Mr. Peter Howard J.P., was held on Saturday night at the Maitland Hotel, for the purpose of securing the services of Dr. Wm. Baly lately in charge of the immigrant ship Northern Monarch. Mr. S. Rogers, J.P. presided. After some discussion a £500 guarantee was drawn up by Mr. Braddock, and signed by the committee on behalf of the public, the same to be at once forwarded to the doctor.

A second meeting then took place anent telegraphic communication to Maitland. Mr. J. O. Tiddy stated that he had again seen Mr. Colby (of the post office department) in town, and that gentleman had assured him that; the telegraph would be extended as soon as the inhabitants had erected a room for the operator. The poles were all up, and the contractors were busy "wiring in" from Edithburgh towards Gum Flat. The Government were fully alive to the importance of telegraphic communication with Maitland. and the matter would be pushed on as speedily as possible.

Mr. Rogers here vacated the chair and Mr. H. Lamshed. J.P.. took it. The latter stated he had received form from the Chairman of the Education Board, asking him o get the same filled in with the number of children of a school going are in and around Maitland. He had done so and the result was as follows—from 6 to 13 years of are 93. 54 of these are living within one and a half miles of the township, 30 within three, and nine within four miles. These figures proved that a school was urgently required. He (Mr. Lamshed) had gone round and collected subscriptions to the amount of £145 19s.. and the list had been sent in to the Education Board. Mr. S. Rogers proposed that a letter signed by 5 or 6 of those present be sent to their senior member Mr. Duncan, requesting him to ask that a sum of money might be placed on the Estimates for the erection of a school at Maitland. Mr. P. Howard seconded. He considered Maitland was as important a township as Laura. Crystal Brook, or Red Hill, where schools were to be erected at a cost of £1000 each. Messrs. J. Simeon. F. A. Braddock. and J. O. Tiddy spoke in support of the motion, which was put and carried unanimously. A vote of thanks to the Chairman closed the proceedings .

The Mutual Improvement Association holds its meetings fortnightly in the Congregational Church. Last Tuesday's gathering proved both interesting and instructive. The Rev. R. G, Bayly occupied the chair. Mr. J. Hill opened a debate on the question " Whether it is not desirable that the farmers should unite in trying to obtain a cheaper market for their produce." Messrs. Braddock, T. Hill. P. Howard, .T.P., H. Thompson, and W. H. Paul took part in the discussion. Reference was made to the fact of a mill being in course of construction at Ardrossan, and if was the unanimous opinion that a mistake had been made and Maitland should be the spot for a mill, being more central, and for the reason that the farmers would have to cart their wheat in many instances a distance of twenty miles to be ground into flour, thus making that article much dearer than it would be if a mill were built at Maitland. The discussion was adjourned to next meeting.

MAITLAND.

Fri 25 Aug 1876, Yorke's Peninsula Advertiser and Miners' and Farmers' Journal (SA : 1875 - 1878)

OBITUARY. August 21. On Friday last one of the oldest residents of Maitland died, Mr. James Harper , leaving a widow and seven children. He was universally respected and esteemed by the inhabitants and will be a great loss to the town. On Sunday the funeral (a very large one) took place. The Rev. R. Kelly officiated at the grave.

OUR MEDICAL RESIDENT. Dr. Baly, who came out as medical officer in the immigrant ship Northern Monarch, has arrived in our midst, and appears to have plenty of practice.

MUSICAL AND LITERARY ENTERTAINMENT. On Friday evening, the 18th, an entertainment took place in aid of the Congregational Church harmonium fund. There was a large and respectable audience, and Mr. James Smith, J.P.. ably occupied the chair. In his opening remarks he said it, was a pleasure to see so many denominations represented that evening. Their attendance at, such pleasant gatherings was an indication of the good feeling that, had existed among the various Christian bodies. The programme was a varied one consisting of instrumental music, glees, duets, solos, and recitations from the very best authors. The following Ladies and gentlemen contributed successfully to a most pleasant evening's amusement, viz., the Misses Norman, Straneways, Bowman (2), Hill (2), Swann (2). and McCauley, and Messrs. P. Howard, J.P., F. A. Braddock, J. Howard, J. Weidenbach, T. and R. Hill. Jas. Symons, H. R. Adams, and W. H. Paul. here all vied with each other in making the evening pass off pleasantly, it would be invidious to make comparisons, but a word of praise is due to Miss Norman, of Salisbury the fair accompanist whose brilliant execution and entire mastery over the harmonium were the themes of general admiration.

DISTRICT COUNCIL. On Saturday afternoon a large and influential meeting was held at the Maitland Hotel, for the purpose of discussing several important questions. Mr. H. Lamshed, J.P.. was voted to the chair. He stated that two or three of the inhabitants bad spoken to him anent a District Council for Maitland, he should remain neutral in the matter unless he heard arguments either for or against that would convince him. The matter was then freely ventilated. Messrs. J. Smith. J. P.. A. Waterman, T. McCaulay. J. Cliff, and others debated the question, and on a motion being put to the meeting for a District Council it was lost by a very large majority.

TELEGRAPH TO ARDROSSAN. Mr. James Smith. J.P., then proposed that the Government be memorialized praying for an extension of the telegraph to Ardrossan. He had been given to understand that a large portion of the material required was now in the neighborhood, being the balance left after constructing the Southern Yorke's Peninsula line. Mr. Braddock seconded, remarking that as Ardrossan was fast becoming an important Port, the line would be an equal benefit to the buyers of produce at Ardrossan and the seller at Maitland. Now was the time to agitate as half the material was already upon the ground. Carried nem con.

TRAMWAY. Mr. J. Smith, J.P., moved that a petition be presented asking for a tramway to Ardrossan. It was far preferable and in the long run much less expensive than a macadamized road. Seconded by Mr. N. W. Wilson and supported by Messrs. J. Hill. J. Reynolds and others. The following gentlemen to be a committee to prepare the above mentioned memorials. Messrs. A. Waterman. F. A. Braddock. J. Hill, T. McCaulay, J. Smith, J.P., S. Rogers, J.P.. R. Hyde, and the Chairman.

POINT PIERCE MISSION. I see a letter in your last issue signed "Fair Play," which to my thinking is an uncalled for and splentic effusion. I wish an abler pen than mine would contradict the assertions made. Mr. and Mrs. Kuhn are universally respected in this district ; and their ability to conduct the native mission properly, has never been questioned by right thinking people. Why does does not " Fair Play" sign his own name? It is a most cowardly thing to make a dastardly attack under an assumed name upon a public man.

MAITLAND.

Fri 27 Oct 1876, Yorke's Peninsula Advertiser and Miners' and Farmers' Journal (SA : 1875 - 1878)

October 23. Maitland has just lost one of its oldest and most respected setters by the death of Mr. Edwin Short, junr, at the early age of 31. He had been suffering from heart disease and bronchitis, and although Dr. Baly was unremitting in his attentions, Mr Short gradually sank, and passed away on Monday morning last. The funeral, which was a very large one, took place on Tuesday afternoon. The Rev. Mr. Corvan, Church of England clergyman, officiated at the grave. Mr. Short was unmarried, but leaves a number of relations to mourn his loss. His early death has cast quite a gloom over the neighborhood, and he will long be remembered for his kindly disposition and genuine good humor. The deceased was an active member of the Oddfellow's Lodge, and took a lively interest in many matters of local importance.

It is a matter of great regret that Dr. Baly has just left us for a more active sphere of labor at the Moonta Mines. He had only been here ten weeks, but during this short time he has by his many excellent qualities gained the esteem and good wishes of all with whom he came into contact, professionally or otherwise. Its to be hoped we shall soon have a successor, as there is an excellent opening here for a medical man. Dr. Baly's practice was by no means small (about £50c per annum.)

The Government have commenced making the Ardrossan Dam, but it is feared the outlay is far too small for such an important work. The dam will only contain 400,000 odd gallons, quite insufficient for the large number of teamsters engaged on the road during harvest.

The settlers feel anxious that a few thousand pounds may be spent on metalling portions of the Ardrossan road in time for the coming harvest; after a few heavy showers it is almost impassible in places. The Government are about to spend £5000 on a jetty at Port Victoria, which is a matter for congratulation to the Kilkerran settlers ; but the modest sum of £2000 only has been spent on the Ardrossan jetty, and its little or no good at low water. To make it a really useful work it should be extended 200 yards at least. There will probably be just about twice as much wheat shipped at Ardrossan as there will be at Port Victoria ; and yet the superior claims of the former Port have been grossly overlook. If this is not being " sat upon," I don't know what is.

There were continuous soaking showers on Saturday morning early, and the crops are looking splendid. Probably 10 bushels to the acre will be reaped in the Hundred of Maitland. The hay crops will yield from 20 to 25 cwt. to the acre. A crop belonging to Mr. Peter Howard, J.P., suburban to Maitland township will, I think, average over 30 cwt. to the acre, a great deal of the wheat being over four feet high. Visitors state that nowhere in the colony are the crops looking better than in this neighbourhood.

Messrs. Swann & Simeon have just put the finishing touch to Host Driscoll's Maitland Hotel additions, and this firm may be congratulated on their really excellent workmanship. The stone-work also is a credit to Messrs. Nettleton & Son, of Moonta.

MAITLAND.

Tue 27 Mar 1877, Yorke's Peninsula Advertiser and Miners' and Farmers' Journal (SA : 1875 - 1878)

March 21. Maitland has been the scene of sereral severe accidents the last few days. On Thursday last Mr. Fotherby received a kick in the face, causing such a severe wound that Dr. O'Grady had to sew it up. He is now progressing towards recovery. On Monday last Mr. J. Douglas, farmer, while engaged in his usual duties, broke one of his fingers. The worthy Doctor promptly set the joint. Unfortunately for the sick, the Doctor himself had a narrow escape from losing his life on Friday evening last. While riding to see one of his patients, his horse threw him violentlv against a tree, causing the latter to fall. The Doctor was severely bruised on the face and groin, and it will be some days before he will be able to resume duty. Fortunately the accident occurred near the residence of Mr. Rogers, J.P., and thanks to the kindness and courtesy of that gentleman and his family, he is receiving every attention.

The Hibernian Australian Catholic Benefit Society's festival took place last Saturday, and in the evening a dinner was held at the Maitland Hotel, got up in Host Driscoll's first-class style. About 40 guests sat down, including members of other Benefit Societies. Mr. John Moloney, the presideut and founder of the Society in Maitland, occupied the chair; and Mr. Thomas O'Brien, junr., the vice chair. After the usual loyal and patriotic toasts, the vice-chairman proposed the health of the Pope. Mr. W. J. O'Brien, the Secretary, gave a brief history of the Order, stating that their numbers had increasd from 13 to 26 since the Maitland : Branch was opened. The Chairman in responding to the toast, success to the H.A.C. B. Society, said the objects of the ; Society were not only dispensing charity, and relief to the sick, but also the promotion of sobriety among its members. Mr. D. J. Hanrahan proposed the " Visitors," which was responded to by Mr. G. Coleman, of Ardrossan, and Mr. Braddock. Several other toasts followed, interspersed with some good songs, and one of the most orderly and pleasant gatherings ever held in Maitland wound up at 10.30 p.m. Heavy rain fell yesterday causing the dams to fill. Mr. Colburn, of the General Post Office, has been here, and several of the inhabitants interviewed him about Telegraphic communication to Maitland. A public meetiing is to be held shortly on the matter.

MAITLAND.

Sat 17 Nov 1877, South Australian Chronicle and Weekly Mail (Adelaide, SA : 1868 - 1881)

November 15. The crops all round this district are more or less affected with red rust, and as elsewhere it would be very hazardous to venture to compute the yield, for as long as the milk is in the grain it is not safe from this insidious disease. The state of the crops and the progress red rust has made have cause a greater quantity of hay to be cut than otherwise would have been the case for the price of hay is very low. Firstclass chaff is selling at £4 10s., and hay at £2 15s. to £3 per ton. The yield of hay will be heavy, as in consequence of the cold and rainy weather the straw has grown to an immense height, and there is also a good undergrowth. The want of fine sunny days has prevented the ear from filling out: The early sown crops are looking the healthiest.; whilst the later sown are looking poor and thin; still the farmers hope to have a very good harvest. I sincerely trust they may not be mistaken, but I am afraid the yield will not be up to expectation. A great deal depends on the seed sown by farmers, as some grain is more liable to be affected by red rust than ; others; : for instance, in a paddock sown with Goldsmith or Hill wheat I found a few ears of Purple Straw. The Goldsmith, which is a delicate wheat, was ruined with rust, and only fit for the mower, whilst the Purple Straw was perfectly healthy and the ear fall of plump ; grain. I am informed that Purple Straw, Tuscan, and White Lammas are the best kinds to withstand rust, whilst Goldsmith or Hill, although in propitious seasons good yielders, are in seasons when rust is about the very first and most likely to succumb to its influence.— Maitland requires a good mill, as it is in the centre of a large farming district, and any one who has the courage to start one will find he has made a good. investment. — The site for the township of Maitland his been most judiciously chosen. It lies in a hollow, surrounded on three sides by gently delining slopes, thus the heavy rains which fall in the wet season are caught and stored by the inhabitants. Some four years ago this now thriving township was a piece of waste land. Maitland is surrounded by most fertile country, and the hardy agricultural pioneer is rapidly converting it into fields of golden grain. The township contains one hotel (which is the oldest built house in the district, and a new one is in corse of erection), three good stores a branch of the South Australian Bank, a post and telegraph office (not a public building), two saddlers, two butchers, one baker, two carpenters, four churches, masons, boot-makers, and artisans of all descriptions, and a few private residences. A railway from Maitland to Ardrossan, if the jetty at that port were lengthened so as to reach deep water, would be of immense benefit to the settlers.— The first house erected here was as before stated, the Maitland hotel, by the present owner and landlord Mr. J.Driscoll. Four years ago it was a very small building, but the proprietor has added a new wing and is about to erect a large room for the accommodation of I.O.O.F., M.U., and for holding public meetings. — A new and very handsome hotel is being erected in Robert-street, opposite the Government Reserve. The front is built of grey species of granite which was discovered some few months ago in a quarry on the land of a Mr. Wandusett, about two miles from the township. The sides, &c, are of limestone, quoins and dressing red brick. It will contain on the ground floor five rooms, billiard-rooms, bar, and other necessary apartments. On the first floor there will be nine good bedrooms, and along the front is a spacious verandah. In the same street a very fine building is being erected for the branch of the Bank of South Australia. It is built of the same material as the hotel. On the highest point of one of the slopes to the eastward a new school is being rapidly completed. In about two months' time all these new buildings will be finished, and the town will assume a more imposing appearance. Post and telegraph accommodation is much required. The business is at present carried on in the very pretty residence of Mr. Waterman in Elizabeth-street, in which the bank of South Australia also has a room. Police protection is much wanted, and I think before long the inhabitants will bestir themselves in order to obtain a Local Court and Police Barracks.— A very useful piece of road is now being made by Mr. D. Wardne on the main road to Ardrossan; but useful and necessary as it is it will not prove of such great benefit as at might if the western portion of the road were made, as the water coming off the Ardrossan road will cause a swamp to be formed in: Elisabeth-street. Mr. Beck has nearly finished, the new dam or reservoir, and I believe the surveyor is well satisfied with the work, which, as I far as I can judge, is well done. It is a pity it is not larger, as a second or third, reservoir will have to be built before long. There are three stone churches— one for the Wesleyans, the interior of which is very neatly fitted up; one for the Church of England; and one for the Roman Catholics. Adjoining this is a neat building occupied by the Sisters of St. Joseph. The kindness of these ladies ; cannot be too highly spoken of. In these outlying places they perform acts of kindness that are not known to the world at large. They not only educate our children, but are the kindest and best of nurses to the sick, without any regard to religious denomination.

MAITLAND.

Sat 5 Jan 1878, The Wallaroo Times and Mining Journal (Port Wallaroo, SA : 1865 - 1881)

The New Year was ushered in by the usual Watch service at the Wesleyan Chapel. A private ball was also held at the Yorke Valley Hotel, and dancing was kept up until day dawned. The remainder of the residents spent their New Year's Eve very quietly, Masses celebrated on New Year's Day in the Catholic Chapel by the Rev. Father McCabe and was well attended. Meirs Flintoff, Pearce, and O'Brien have been engaged for the last few days is collecting subscriptions with a view to organising sports, with marked success. A public diner was held at Driscoll's Hotel at one o'clock, at which a large number assembled to do justice to a really excellent dinner which reflected great credit on the hostess. The sports took place on a piece of land facing the Yorke Valley Hotel, the balcony of which was crowded with ladies.

Mr. A. D Flintoff acting as judge, Mr. Payne as starter, and Mr. T. O'Brien as handicapper. The course having been cleared, the following events took place.

150 yards FLAT RACE MAIDENS—This race was ... read on

200 yards FLAT RACE HANDICAP

100 yards SACK RACE-....

An amusing THREE LEGGED RACE..

THE BLINDFOLDED WHEELBARROW RACE...

THE RUNNING LONG JUMP...

ONE MILE HANDICAP FLAT RACE...

CLIMBING THE GREASY POLE..

THE ONE MILE HANDICAP WALKING MATCH..

THE SKITTLE MATCH...

THE HOP, STEP, AND JUMP...

THE EGG AND SPOON RACE... read on

At about half-past seven about 40 persons sat down to excellent spread provided by Host Pearce of the Yorke Valley Hotel. This is the large new hotel lately opened in Maitland. The dinner took place in the large dining-room and the good cheer provided speaks well for the catering of the new Host and Hostess. After the guests had disposed of the good cheer, Mr D. A. Flintoff, (Chairman) proposed the loyal toasts "The Queen and the Royal Family" and, "the Governor," which were loyally responded to.....read on

FARMING ON YORKE'S PENINSULA.

Sat 25 May 1878, Adelaide Observer (SA : 1843 - 1904)

"Whilst travelling over a long stretch of the southern part of Yorke's Peninsula our Special Reporter observed a marked extension of area under cultivation, not only in the district of Parawurlie, but also in those of Maitland and Kilkerran. In almost every direction new ground has this year been broken with the plough, and further inroadB on the scrub lards lave been made by way of clearing it for future cultivation. The farmers were all hard at work putting in seed, while in some localities it was apparent that they had already finished sowing. The progress made within the past year or two is absolutely surprising, and some holdings which not long ago presented nothing more inviting than a white surface of limestone are now comparatively free from that obstruction, the stone having been utilized in building up boundary walls and erecting substantial homesteads. As yet, however, few of the farmers have reaped any return for their labour. It has been all expenditure and hard work, and they naturally look forward with more than ordinary anxiety to the next harvest to be recouped in some measure for their heavy outlay. What with frost and rust last season the crops proved a lamentable failure, the yield being rarely over six bushels per acre, while the more general result was much under that. In the Maitland Hundred one or two farmers declared they had been so very unlucky as to be scarcely able to get one pannikin of wheat to the 100 acres; but this must be taken cum grano.. To add to their difficulty, the last payment on the land becomes due in October next—a time when the majority of them will be quite unprepared to meet that demand in consequence of the bad season they have had. On Saturday last the farmers of Maitland and Kilkerran, to the number of nearly 200, assembled in public meeting at the Yorke Valley Hotel to consider the advisability of petitioning the Government for an extension of the time of payment till after the next harvest has been realized; but the object of the meeting was anticipated by Mr. R. D. Ross, the senior local member, who conditionally obtained the requisite concession from the Government and telegraphed that gratifying information to the Chairman. Our reporter visited the large farm of Mr. B. Cottrell, which lies about midway between Minlaton and Maitland,'and was courteously shown over the property. Here might be seen what energy and management, aided by a judicious expenditure of money, can do to convert bush-land into a perfect Eden of agriculture. It stretches over a fine open valley, most picturesquely situated, and the soil, which is of a rich chocolate character, is absolutely free from stones. Mr. Cottrell has several large reservoirs on the ground, which at present contain as much water as he will require for the next three years. It might well be described as a model bush farm.

THE MAITLAND CEMETERY.

Wed 29 May 1878, The Wallaroo Times and Mining Journal (Port Wallaroo, SA : 1865 - 1881)

In accordance with the previous notice, a public meeting took place at Driscoll's Hotel Maitland, on Saturday the 25th May, for the purpose of adopting measures for the immediate fencing in of the cemetery. The attendance was not numerous. S. Rogers Esq., who occupied the chair, explained the objects of the meeting, and said that although the land for cemetery purposes had been granted between three and four years it was still unfenced, and pigs, goats and horses, were allowed to grase among the graves without let or hindrance. He would call on Mr Lindo, who had for some time past been in communication with the superintendent of cemeteries on the subject, to read the correspondence, and also the regulations relating to grave yards. Mr Lindo having done so, stated that he had been requested by the Rev.—Baily to take action in the matter. The Chairman enquired whether any of the Trustees were present, and Mr John Hill replied that he was one of those appointed. The Chairman considered that the Trustees bad greatly neglected their duty. He would like to ask the only trustee present why he and his co-trustees had not complied with the regulations, and especially with Nos. 1 and 2. He would also like to be informed whether any fees had been received, and the reason why if such had not been the case, and if, on the contrary, they had been received, what had become of them. Mr Hill replied that he had come for information but was not in a position to give any. He had seen Mr Lindo on the subject and understood that he would call a public meeting. Mr Lindo stated that he had seen all the Trustees (five in number) and had made appointments for a meeting of Trustees but only Mr Lamsbed attended. At the request of several he had called this meeting, he had given copies of the regulations to two Trustees and the others had read them. The Chairman requested the Trustees to resign, as they had merely appointed themselves at a tea meeting, which Mr Hill denied. Mr Braddock thought it was not fair to place Mr Hill in the position of being solely responsible for the shortcomings of the Trustees as a body, and the Chairman said, that he believed the other four were afraid to be present, and an animated discussion took place between Messrs Shannon, Langford, Hill, Renfrey. Hanrahan, and the Chairman. Mr Lindo offered, if the present Trustees would resign, to give £5 towards carrying out the regulations. Mr Shannon said he would subscribe a similar amount, Mr J. Malone moved and Mr D. A. Flintoff seconded, that the meeting do adjourn for one month in order that the Trustees might consider whether they would carry out the regulations or resign. Carried. The adjourned meeting was appointed to take place on Saturday the 22nd June. Messrs Hill. Shannon, Henwood, and the Chairman then ordered Mr Lindo to get 50 placards printed and well circulated. Mr W. J. O'Brien having proposed a vote of thanks to the Chairman the proceedings terminated.

MAITLAND.

Wed 12 Jun 1878, The Wallaroo Times and Mining Journal (Port Wallaroo, SA : 1865 - 1881)

The new dam now contains 8 feet of water at least. This would not have been the case if Mr E. Langford and others had not cleaned the drains and water courses leading into it. Surely after the Government have gone to the expense of making a splendid dam the residents ought not to allow water to ran to waste for the want of a proper custodian. The fees that would be charged to those who require water would more than pay the expense as well as keeping the dam in repair. I am quite certain after the hardships that had to be endured last year for the want of water no one would object to pay a small fee to obtain it as they do for depasturing cattle, &c., A mistake has been made with regard to the pump, it ought to be either inside the embankment or the pipe let through the embankment at the same level as the top of the dam. Now the water has to be pumped up, on the embankment and then run down, and it takes nearly 10 minutes before the water begins to flow.

We have had some splendid rains lately, and the early sown crops are looking remarkably well, which puts the farmers, and in fact everyone in high spirits, and if this propitious weather continues, a capital harvest may be anticipated. The seeding and ploughing are nearly over, and then the township will once more be visited by the farmers, for lately they have been too busy to come in. That the tradespeople have faith in a great future for Maitland, is proud by the fact that a new store, belonging to Mr Lehman, has just been erected. Our new saddler, Mr Henwood has built a large workshop, and it is rumoured that Messrs Drew Bros., and Mr J. McH. Clark of Moonta are going to erect stores. Mr Lousada, the agent for the Colonial Life Insurance Society is about to establish himself here as a General Agent and Auctioneer. Mr Pearce, the landlord of the Yorke Valley Hotel, is to build him an office next to his house, and when the Post and Telegraph Office Is completed, and the prayer of a Petition which will be forwarded to the Honorable the House of Assembly, for the erection of a Court House is granted, Maitland will assume a very imposing appearance. Why the Government are so dilatory in accepting the tenders sent in re Post Office I cannot understand. The same remarks apply to Police protection. The road from this place to Moonta is wonderfully improved thanks to the energy of our Local Road Board and the Superintending Surveyor. The fencing of the School has been commenced. I wonder when they are going to enlarge the schoolroom, as it is most necessary they should do so.

MAITLAND PUBLIC SCHOOL.

Fri 19 Jul 1878, Yorke's Peninsula Advertiser (SA : 1878 - 1922)

MAITLAND PUBLIC SCHOOL.—We find that there are ninety scholars on the roll of this school, which is under the charge of Mr. Unwin. The accommodation provided is for fifty-four children, and there is no classroom. This fact will speak for itself. On the occasion of our visit we were permitted to see the attached residence provided for the schoolmaster. We were sorry to note that the structure on the weather side is so pervious to rain that the room-walls on that side were thoroughly saturated, with here and there great "tears" trickling down. This is a matter requiring attention for economy's sake, to say nothing of the comfort of the inhabitants.

Fri 5 Mar 1880, Yorke's Peninsula Advertiser (SA : 1878 - 1922)

DEATH OF ME. F. F. UNWIN.—Our Maitland correspondent telegraphs that Mr. F. F. Unwin, the head master of the Maitland School, died yesterday after a short illness. The Maitland people will greatly regret Mr. Unwin's death as be was much respected and generally liked in the neighborhood. Much sympathy will also be felt for his widow in her bereavement. He leaves no family.

PROPOSED DISTRICT COUNCIL.

Sat 24 Aug 1878, Adelaide Observer (SA : 1843 - 1904)

A largely attended meeting was held at Pearce's Hotel, Maitland, on Saturday, August 17, to take into consideration the question of forming a District Council. The Chairman (Mr. H. Lamshed, J P.), having briefly stated the object of the meeting, called upon Mr. Peter Howard, J.P., to move the first resolution. Mr. Howard then moved—" That a District Council be established, comprising the whole of the Hundred of Maitland and such portion of the Hundred of Kilkerran as is included in a strip about two miles wide, bounded by a road running north and south from Section 68 to Section 125 on the west side, and adjoining the Hundred of Maitland on the east side, also to include a portion of the Hundred of Waraultee, about 10 square miles near Urania, the said District Council to be called the "Maitland District Council."' The mover said he would rather have done without a District Council, but he thought that it was impossible to go any longer without one, as they had not received sufficient public support for many local wants. He alluded more particularly to the apathy shown by the public of Maitland and the surrounding district in not subscribing towards the fencing in of the cemetery, also to the had state of the roads, and thought the boundaries fixed were but fair. The Hundred of Kilkerran was included in the proposed district, as the peopk4 of that hundred made more use of the roads than the Maitland people themselves did. Mr. J. Smith, J.P., said it was well known that he had hitherto been opposed to District Councils, but finding that the inhabitants did not come forward in response to a three weeks' notice to subscribe towards fencing in the Cemetery, he would second the motion. Mr. B. Cornish supported, and pointed out some of the advantages to be derived from a District Council. Mr. Thomas Bowman quite con curred in the boundaries fixed. He thought that all should take their share in carrying out certain public works. Mr J Lamshed supported the motion. Speaking as a ratepayer he fully bore out the remarks that had fallen from the previous speakers. He did not himself require a road, as one was being made to his door, and he hoped before long to see a good road to Ardrossan and Port Victoria. In reference to the fencing in of the Cemetery and other public matters he thought it very hard that a tax should be made upon himself and a few others, and certainly thought that the whole district should come forward, There were gentlemen who were always ready to support public matters, but he could show letters he had received from others who declined putting their hands in their pockets until there was a corporate body formed and they knew what became of the money. It was through the kindness of neighbours that he himself had got through the summer. The Government refused to do anything unless they formed themselves into a corporate body. Mr, Lindo, amidst frequent Interruptions, was understood to say that he was in favour of a District Council. Mr. R. Hyde said, that the ratepayers of Kilkerran intended holding a meeting to consider the advisability of forming a District Council of their own. He would object to Kilkerran being included Within the proposed boundaries.*Mr. John Hill spoke as to the present bad state of the roads, and said that in order to have the work done completely it was necessary to have a District Council, as the Government would not assist them without. Mr. Wm. Thompson also spoke In favour of the motion. Mr. Cottrell considered that the time, for forming a District Council had not yet arrived. The land should be actually the property of the present occupiers before they could go to the Government for a District Council. He mention to say that before six months the people would be taxed very heavily by the Government, and he thought that it was a wrong thing to form a District Council. He would not move an amendment but was "decidedly "against the motion. As regarded the fencing in of the Cemetery he had never been asked to subscribe, and he new nothing of the list. Mr. Ward then moved—" That the District of Kilkerran be taken out of the resolution." Considerable confusion here took place and much desultory conversation. When something like order had been restored Mr. Pitcher he was opposed to District Council. He wished to know what complaint had been made against the state of the roads. Mr. John Hill thought that the arguments used against the formation of a District Council were all empty ones. The gentlemen who opposed it had not been much in the habit of attending the public meetings in Maitland, and the very gentlemen who were there that night to oppose the resolution were the ones who would not subscribe to support necessary public works unless a corporate body was formed. He knew that the Government would not pay for their works unless a District Council were formed. There were things to be met, which could not be done without the support of every ratepayer. He was surprised to hear such arguments as had fallen from Mr. Cottrell. He further pointed out that with the assistance of a District Council many evils could he obviated. In his opinion there was every reason to have a District Council. Mr. R. Hyde had not altered the opinion he had formed two years ago that they should first pay for them land. If the Maitland people attempted to bring in Kilkerran no proposition for a District Council would go through. After a great deal of con fusion Mr. J. McCaulby was understood to move as amendment on the original motion —"That the District Council comprise the Hundred of Maitland alone." This was seconded by Mr, Hall, and on a show of hands being taken was declared carried. (At this stage the meeting became most disorderly, the Chairman having twice to leave the chair.) Order having been restored a motion was put to the effect that the rate payers of the Hundred of Maitland should decide whether they would have a District Councilor not, leaving out the other districts, and the show of hands was against the formation of the District Council. The meeting closed with a vote of thanks to the Chairman.

MAITLAND, A BRIEF OUTLINE OF ITS HISTORY.

Sat 16 Nov 1878, South Australian Chronicle and Weekly Mail (Adelaide, SA : 1868 - 1881)

November 6. As some of your readers may be unacquainted with the position and status of our little town a brief outline of his history may not be unacceptable. Though unlike its namesake in New South Wales, which can boast of its population in thousands, the inhabitants feel justly proud of the progress the district has made since it was opened up some five years since. At that time the land lying between Moonta and Yorketown, a distance of 80 miles, was little more than a trackless waste, dotted here and there by shepherds' huts, but there are now hundreds of smiling homesteads, busy townships,and a population which can be numbered by hundreds: The part known as Yorke Valley, where Maitland stands, is by far the most fertile and pleasing in appearance. Maitland is situated 22 miles south of Moonta, just about half-way between St. Vincent's and Spencer's Gulfs, the distance from one to the other being, about 30 miles, so that there is always a sea breeze, which, makes, the climate particularly healthy and invigorating. The Hundreds of Maitland and Kilkerran (adjoining) contain some 200 square miles mostly taken up by farmers. Of this large tract of land some 30,000 acres, are actually under the plough ; so that this season, with, say, a low average of 10 bushels to the acre (at present it looks like 12 or 13), 300,000 bushels, of wheat will be shipped at our two ports, Ardrossan and Wauraltie, which lie to the east and west respectively. The wonder to many is that with such prospects before us there is not a miller with sufficient enterprise to start a mill here. Water of sufficiently good quality could be obtained, it is believed, for milling purposes. The township has made rapid strides since it was sold five years ago. The best allotments were disposed of for sums of from £10 to £20, and some of these have since changed hands at ten times their cost. — We have five, large substantial general stores, two handsome hotels, a very fine branch of the Bank of South Australia, and various tradesmen. — Telegraphic communication was opened 18 months since, and the Telegraph Department is now building premises containing three rooms and an office. This building is intended for a married man and family, but how he is to stow away the latter in three rooms is a mystery. — We can also boast of a school and teacher's residence. The, former, however, is too small, there being only accommodation for 60 children, whereas there are at least double the number of a school going age. — Great inconvenience is felt from the want of a Court-House and Police Station, the nearest one being at Moonta. What is still worse there is no trooper stationed between Yorketown and Moonta. Surely, with a population of 1,500 souls, residing in and around Maitland, we have a good claim for police protection. A trooper from Moonta has to come down frequently two or three times a week. — The religious wants of the community are well represented, there being no less than four churches in the township, viz., the Church of England, Roman Catholic, Wesleyan, and Independent, and a Lutheran, Church in the Hundred of Kilkerran, which is mostly populated by Germans.— Branches of the Manchester Order of Oddfellows, Foresters, Rechabites, and Hibernian Australasian Catholic Benefit Society have been formed, numbering in all about 40 members. There is a fine opening for a steady duly qualified medical man.— An Agricultural, Horticultural, and Floricultural Society has just been formed, and its first show proved a great success, there being some £80 left for next year's show, after paying away over £100 in prize?,— The inhabitants are now bestirring themselves in the matter of an Institute, and Mr. James Driscoll, of the Maitland Hotel, has generously offered to give a piece of land of that purpose. A railway from here to Ardrossan (15 miles) it is believed would prove a paying concern, and would be the pleasantest and shortest possible route from Adelaide to Moonta.— Probably 200,000 bushels of wheat will be shipped from Port Ardrossan this season, and the passenger traffic is considerable, the steamer Wakefield frequently taking to and fro between twenty and thirty passengers, and this number would no doubt he largely increased were railway facilities afforded, as it would bring Moonta within eight hours of the metropolis, viz, four hours' sail from Port Adelaide to Ardrossan, one hour by rail to Maitland, and three from thence by coach to Moonta. — The athletic sports held here last Wednesday proved a great success, thanks to the energetic Secretary, Mr. J. J. Thomas, and the Committee, Messrs. W. F. Thompson, F. H. Taylor, and Albert Short. These gentlemen acted wisely in the selection of the grounds on the North-East Park Lands. There was a large attendance, and the sports were pretty well contested ; the principal prize-takers being Messrs. Jas. Lowe, J. and R. Barry, Edward Short, and E. Wolfe. T. H. Francis won the mile walking match in 8 minutes 13 seconds. The rousing long jump by Edward Short, 19 feet 3 inches, was, I believe, the longest ever made at sports out of Adelaide. An entertainment took place in the evening in connection with the sports in the Assembly room of Driscoll's Hotel. About 200 people were present. Mr. F. A. Braddock occupied the chair, and the following ladies and gentlemen contributed to the programme :— Mrs. Gardner, the Misses Strangways and Rogers (2), and Messrs. H. B. Tousada, W. Roe, and others. The laughable farce, " Mr. Johnson in Want," in which Messrs. J. J. Thomas, J. Martin, and J. Symons took part, concluded a pleasant evenIng amusement. During the interval Mrs. S. Rogers distributed the prizes to the successful competitors. — On Sunday and Monday last anniversary services in connection with the Congregational Church took place. Mr. W. R. Bayly, of the Kadina Grammar School, preached excellent and eloquent sermons to crowded congregations. The usual tea was held on the Monday, followed by a public meeting. At the latter the Rev. R. G. Bayly, pastor of the Church, Messrs. Jno. Hill, jun., T. McCauley, B. Cornish, H. R. Adams, and W. R. Bayly spoke, and the choir sang some anthems. The total proceeds amounted to £13, and £30 were promised towards the reduction of the debt on the minister's residence.

MAITLAND.

Sat 18 Jan 1879, South Australian Chronicle and Weekly Mail (Adelaide, SA : 1868 - 1881)

January 11. The holidays have passed quietly, the farmers for the most part being too busy gathering in their crops to devote much time to pleasure.- Athletic sports took place on New Year's Day, and Ashton's Circus performed the same evening. Both were fairly patronised.— Red rust has made frightful havoc with the crops, which in October promised to yield an average of 15 bushels. The probability is the average for Kilkerran and Maitland Hundreds will not go more than half that, and the farmers of Cunningham Hundred will only reap about five bushels. This is very discouraging, but I think it is no fault of the land. Kilkerran, which is considered inferior soil to Maitland, being of a lighter description, will average about one bushel more per acre. This probably is to be accounted for from the fact that the wheat did not grow so rank and thick in the first-named Hundred, consequently there was less rust. Wauraltee— to the south of Maitland and Kilkerran — will produce, I think, about 8 or 9 bushels per acre. I have heard of some farmers in this Hundred who are reaping 12 and 15 bushels, but these are only isolated cases.— A farmers meeting was held here a short time since for the purpose of discussing the advisability of getting a change of seed from some other part of the world, and the south of Russia was mentioned as a desirable place to procure the grain from. Mr. Peter Howard, J.P., was in the chair, and Messrs. C. Hayes, J. Moloney, D. A. Flinton, J. Weidenbach, and others spoke. The meeting was adjourned to a future date for the purpose of obtaining more information from Adelaide grain merchants. If the latter could be induced to import a large quantity of seed wheat — say from Russia— and dispose of it to the farmers, it is thought by many the change of seed would be beneficial ; at any rate there would be no harm in trying the experiment on a small scale at first.— The weather here is extraordinary for this time of the year, the evenings being quite winterly and the days frequently too cold for reaping. — It is rumored that Dr. Engelhardt, of Kapunda, is going to settle amongst us. Mine host of the Maitland Hotel has had to send all the way to Moonta, in a serious case of illness lately, and this is no joke, as it means a £10 or £12 fee. This is not the only instance of a similar kind that has occurred recently.— The Telegraph and Post-Office is rapidly approaching completion. The Government Overseer of Works, Mr. Robert Anderson, is certainly a very zealous and conscientious officer, and deserves well of his department, if strict attention to duty is any criterion. The building when completed, although rather small for this growing township, will reflect credit on the contractors, Messrs. Hague & Lake, of Moonta. — New wheat is now coming in, though slowly on account of the unfavorable reaping weather. There are several large wheat stacks at Port Victoria. One buyer there has recently built an immense wheat store, 60 by 30 feet, the largest building of the kind on the Peninsula south of Moonta. The proprietor evidently means wheat-buying on a large scale. — Port Victoria shows signs of activity in trade and buildings are going up at a fair rate. Telegraph poles and wire are laid to that port and Ardrossan, and offices will shortly be opened. There is really a fine jetty at the first-named, port, there being fifteen feet depth accommodation at low water. The Government are about extending the Ardrossan jetty some 800 or 900 feet, and this is much required, as at present the jetty, is practically useless. — We have no trooper yet, though there is frequent necessity for one. A sum of money is on the Estimates for a police station, but no active steps are yet taken towards its erection. — Institute matters are looking up, and a meeting is shortly to be held for the reappointment of officers! Subscription-lists are afloat, and a considerable amount of money has been promised besides labor and material.

MAITLAND.

Wed 4 Jun 1879, The Wallaroo Times and Mining Journal (Port Wallaroo, SA : 1865 - 1881)

The I.O.O.F.M.U. Loyal Maitiand Lodge bad determined some weeks ago to celebrate Her Majesty's Birth' Day by holding their annual pic-nic on Monday the 26th May.

Every preparation was made to have a gala day. The first disappointment the Committee met with was the refusal of the newly established Court of Foresters to join in the festivities. Why or wherefore, only the initiated of that secret brotherhood know, but it is a great pity that in small communities more friendly feelings do not exist. Maitland is most unfortunate; it seems divided into two factions, and what is proposed by the one is sure to be greatly marred by the opposition or non-support of the other ; it matters not how good or beneficial the object may be but n importe revenons a nos moutons. The Queen's Birth Day was to be celebrated by a Pic-nic, Dinner, and, in the evening, with an Entertainment; and I will endeavour as faithfully as possible to narrate the success of each event. Monday morning broke upon us dark, showery and dismal, and was of itself an omen of ill. The celebrated Bargwanna Band from Moonta arrived punctually at Driscoll's Maitland Hotel, at 9 a.m. playing merrily ; and this somewhat enlivened the damped spirits of the faint-hearted, but alas the weather was against us. At about a little after 10, the brothers formed themselves into marching order with banners flying, and band playing, and after parading the township, they marched to Elphinstone Grange where the sports were to be held, but unfortunately the wind was too high to allow the handsome banner kindly lent by the Moonta Lodge to be displayed. Arriving on the ground the Stewards lost no time in endeavouring to get the sports off, but only 6 events could be gone through, which were as follows

1st event—100 yards, flat—race. Maidens. 6 entries—1st prize,.Silver locket, kindly presented by Mr M. Mannheim, of Moonta—2nd prize, Set of Studs, presented by Messrs Milhinch, of Maitland.

This was won easily by Ottoway, Goldner a bad second, hotly followed up by A. Thomas a splendid third. Both Ottoway and Thomas bid fair to be champion runners.

2nd event—Banning Long Jump. 4 entries— 1st prize, Meerschaum Pipe, kindly presented by Mr F. Weidenbaok, of Maitland—2nd prize, 2s 6d. Won easily by E. Short, who was handicapped, by an easy jump of 17ft. A Short second.

3rd event—150 yards, flat' race, handicap. 6 entries—1st prize. Album, kindly presented by E. H. Lehmanh—2nd prize, Silver Pencil Case given by Mr N. Thomas,-both of Maitland. A. Thomas, 10 yards; A. Short, scratch; O. Short, scratch ; Palin, 6 yards E. Sarre, yards; Knealey, 3 yards. This race was well contested and O. Short had to put on steam to take first prize. A. Thomas being a capital second.

4th event—Running High Jump. 5- entries— 1st prize, 10s—2nd prize, 5s. Won easily by E. Short, A. Short, 2nd.

5th event—220 yards,' handicap. 6 entries let prize, Silver Compass, presented by Mr J. McH. Clark—2nd prize, Chain, presented by Mr H. Thomas, both of Maitland. A. Meyerhoff, 10 yards ; Meyerhoff, junr. 12 yards; A. Thomas yards; Bentley, 10, yards Knealey, 8 yards Ottoway, scratch. Won easily by Ottoway, A. Meyerhoff, second.

6th event—Half mile race (for Hacks.) 7 entries prize, Whip, kindly presented by Messrs Bowley & Martin, saddler of Maitland. Great interest was manifested in this event and a trifle of money changed, hands.

D. A. Flintoff's c.g. " Shylock"

Albert Short's b.m. "Jarto"

Alfred Short's blk.g. " Morok''

W. Stock's b.m.

D, Stevens' b.m. *' Lady"

T. E. Pearce's b.g."Doctor"

Kroneke'e c.g. "Buck;"

Starter—Mr F. W. Cottrell.

Judge—Mr H. B. Lonsaday

The horses were well got away and the race between Jarto and Shylock was very exciting, and the latter only won by bravely half a neck.

About 3 o'clock, the rain began to pour down in torrents, and so put a stop to all sport, and a retreat was beaten. I am sorry to say that one or two not being satisfied with being wet outside, wetted rather too copiously the inner man, the consequence was a fight which caused a good deal of amusement, because the belligerents having knocked each other down in the soft mud, made their appearance before the damp crowd as blackfellows. Punctually at 5o'clock a most sumptuous

—Dinner.—

was put on the table by Host Driscolll of the Maitland Hotel. - Some of the gentlemen eat down. The dinner was presided over by the oldest P-N.G. in the colony. Thos. Jones Esq., Architect of Moonta: After ample justice had been done and the toasts usually given on such occasion were drank and responded to, as the time was short, so the speakers were brief in their remarks.

The Chairman gave the usual loyal toast.

G.M. A. Short, Vice-Chairman gave the Ministry and Houses of Parliament.

Dr H. Boss Brown proposed the Army, Navy, and Volunteers, which was excellently responded to by Mr Dowleans.

This was followed by success to I.O.O.F.M.U. and Kindred Societies,

Mr F. Murdock gave in appropriate terms the Agricultural, Pastoral and Mineral Interest, which was responded to by Mr John

Hill.

The success to the Daly District and Orphan Fund was then enthusiastically drunk.

Mr Prendiville gave Success to the Loyal Maitland Lodge, Past and Present Officers.

The Secretary, Mr McCauIey. in replying gave a statement of the affairs of the Lodge which was highly satisfactory.

The health of the Successful and Unsuccessful competitors in the days sports were then given.

The Ladies test of the humorously proposed by Mr Dowleans, and equally wittily responded to by Mr J. M. Symons.

The Host and Hostess were deservedly complimented by Mr McCauIey, and a response given in suitable terms by Mr Driscoll.

The Press, given by Mr Hyde jun., was responded to by Messrs Lindo and Lousads, after which

P.N.G, Swarm proposed the health of the Chairman, referring to the many years he bad bad the pleasure of Ms acquaintance, and the nee he bad been to the order.

The Chairman in returning thanks for the compliment paid to him, said he could dwell at some length on the early days of the Order. Mr Holmes, Mr Harris, and himself were the first to introduce Oddfellowship into South Australia.

The health of-the Vice-Chairman brought this part of the days proceedings to a close,

After each toast the band played appropriate airs.

After a brief-interval the doors of Driscolls Assembly Room were thrown open, and in spite of the unpleasant weather, in a short space of time the room was filled.

—The Concert.—

Commenced with an overture rendered in, capital style by Bargwanna's Moonta band." Our old friend and favorite, Mrs Woods, who was in splendid voice gave " God Bless the Prince of Wales" with invisible chorus, was loudly and deservedly applauded. This Lady also gave by desire "Barney O Hea," which she rendered very-sweetly, and it being a special favorite with the Maitland people, and suiting Mrs Woods' voice, an encore naturally followed. Our great events of the evening was the debut of Mrs Conlow, of whom great things had been said, and the fair debutante did not disgrace the report. She has a splendid soprano voice, which is well cultivated and of great compass. She evidently possesses a natural taste for music, as she sung; two songs "The Gipsy Girl" and the "Blind Girl to her Harp" con amore, and with great feeling, she was rapturously applauded. Our old friends—Messrs Flintoff, Thomas, and Woods, brought down the house with their serio comic singing. They are so well known to us that I have merely to state that they added fresh laurels to those they had already won. I must not forget to mention Mr Daden, as he possesses a good voice, but it requires some softening down by tuition, before he will make a concert singer The " Lovers Quarrel" well given by Mr and Mrs Woods brought the first part to a close. I cannot conclude this without referring to the difficulties the Committee bad to contend with in obtaining an accompanist. Those small jealousies and ill feelings spoken of before, prevented some taking part in the entertainment. Surely all such bickering should have been put aside, when almost a stranger, and that a lady offered her services gratuitously, but the Committee cut the gordian knot at the 11th hour by telegraphing to the well known pianist Mc Plumstead, and he rendered as usual excellent service. Mr Conlon then distributed the prizes.

- After an interval of 10 minutes the Christy Minstrels gave the 1st part of their entertainment. The performance closed with the laughable farce of the lawyers clerk. This as I predicted in my last improved on acquaintance. The whole of the entertainment was a grand success.

MAITLAND.

Tue 23 Nov 1880, Yorke's Peninsula Advertiser (SA : 1878 - 1922)

22nd November 1880. Since my last death has again been busy in our midst. A fortnight ago and we followed the remains of the late R, Cottrell, Esq., to his last resting place ; and now death has stricken down Mr. William Lamsbed, a much respected tradesman in this township, at the comparatively early age of 35. He died on Friday morning last. About a week ago Mr. Lamshed was seized with a severe cold, which terminated, notwithstanding the unremitting attention of his medical adviser, Dr. Engelhardt. in inflammation of the lungs. Dr. James, of Moonta was also called in but could not succeed in arresting the fatal disease. The late Mr. W. Lamshed was interred yesterday and as a mark of the respect in which himself and his family were held in the district, fully three hundred people followed his remains to the Maitland cemetery. The funeral service was read by the Rev. B. Kelly of Port Wakefield. Mr. J. Swann, assisted by Mr. Klopp, was entrusted with the arrangements of the funeral and gave every satisfaction. The late Mr. W. Lamshed was an old sailor, having served in the Royal Navy fourteenyears ; he leaves a young widow and two children.

MAITLAND.

Tue 28 Jun 1881, Yorke's Peninsula Advertiser (SA : 1878 - 1922)

The second meeting relative to the mill question was held on Tuesday 2lst inst., at the Yorke Valley Hotel. There was a large attendance. Messrs. Ford and Goercke attended to hear the various arguments brought forward in favor of building a mill at Maitland instead of Port Victoria. Messrs. Miller (chairman, Pitcher, Murdock, McCauly, J. Hill, Hyde Tiddy, Howard, Warn and Hussey severally expressed their views, and hoped that Mr. Ford would decide to build in Maitland. Mr. Ford in reply said at present none of the speakers has succeeded in convincing him that a mill would answer better in Maitland than in Port Victoria. He looked upon Port Victoria as the natural market for the wheat about here, he intended to build at Port Victoria and erect the very best machinery. As regards water he thought that sea water condensed was the purest that could be obtained. Mr. Goercke corroborated Mr. Ford's remarks, and the meeting closed with votes of thanks to Mr. Ford (for his attendance) and the chairman.

The Yorke Valley A. H. and F. Society held a meeting on the 15th inst. The President W. H. Wilkinson, Esq., J.P.. in the chair. Sub-committee were appointed and it was decided to hold the Annual show on the 5th of October. This is rather earlier than last year.

Our Rifle Company had quite a field day of it on Thursday last, when a parade was held, and the company put through their first skirmishing drill by Captain Beare. Quite a fusilade was kept up with blank cartridges. Mr. A, F. Gunning has fully sustained the credit of our branch of the company by his really excellent shooting at Wallaroo, for Mr Duncan Grant's prize, on the 23th inst., Considering that this gentleman has only just joined the association and has little or no practice his score of 95 out of a possible 140 was extremely creditable. Messrs. Altorfer and Flintoff also acquitted themselves with credit.

MAITLAND.

Wed 4 Jan 1882, Wallaroo Times (Port Wallaroo, SA : 1882 - 1888)

On Friday Dec. 23, an examination of the Maitland Public School was held, and the affair passed off very satisfactorily. Several of the parents were present and were pleased with the progress their children bad made. The Rev. W. Bayly conducted most of the criticisms, and was assisted by Mr Cornish and others. The following is a list of the chief prize takers Poetry—Junior Class, M. Lamshed; First Class ; E. Wharton and R. Douglas; Second Class ; M. J. O'Grady; Third Class; E. Busch ; Fourth Class ; E. Payne. Grammar—-Second Class, W. Graves; Third Class. F. Greenslade; Fourth Class, E, Cornish. Geography— Junior Class, L. Jarrett; Second Class, W. Graves ; Third Class, F. Greenslade ; Fourth Class, L. Cornish. Writing— Junior Class, L. Jarrett; First Class, J. Tiddy; Second Class, M. A. Tiddy; Third Class E. Busch ; Fourth Class, L. Cornish. Neatest Exercise Book—Second Class, B. Wharton; Third Class, E. Bosch; Fourth Class, C Payne. Arithmetic— Junior Class, L Jarrett; First Class, J Langsford ; Second Class, W Graves ; Third Class, F Greenslade. History, and Composition—Fourth Class, L Cornish. Reading and Spelling—Junior Class;. M. Hick; First Class, M O'Grady; Second Class, F Gartrell and M J Tiddy; Third Class, E Busch and F Greenslade ; Reading-Fourth Class, L Cornish; Spelling do C Payne. Sewing—Hemming, Junior Class, L Jarrett; First Class, J Lwann; Second Class, M Bowman; Hemming and Seaming do M. A. Tiddy; Third Class, E Harper; Hemming, Seam, Gather and Stitch—Third Glass, B Lehmana. Hem, Gather, Stich and Unit— Fourth Class, E Payne. Batton Holes and Darn—Fourth Class, L. Cornish. Seam—Fourth Class, L Miller.

The day was very unfavourable, as a hot wind and dust storm prevailed. On Monday many of the Maitland people went to Port Victoria to attend the Anniversary tea meeting of the Wesleyan Chapel. A good programme of sports was got up also, which tempted our local athletes, one of whom, Mr H Richardson, succeeded in carrying back the cup. Wednesday morning broke with storm land rain which continued till near mid day. All concerned were afraid that the childrens" picnic which was planned for the day could not be held, However, at about 2 o'clock a start was made for the ground, the children formed in procession through the township headed by our local band, A good programme of sports and games for the Children, and an excellent and abundant spread provided, by the ladies, was thoroughly enjoyed. In the evening a concert was held in Mr Chappie's Assembly rooms, No charge was made but a collection to defray any expenses, Mr. Lamshed Esq., occupied the chair and passed some highly complimentary remarks on Mr Gunning, the teacher. Mr Gunning was presented with a handsome silver Inkstand by Mr P Howard, In the name of the scholars, as a token of, their respect. The items of the programme were well rendered by the Misses Bowman, Lunshed, Jarrett, Cornish, Harper Payne and Wharton, and Messrs Hussey, Thomas and Company. The weather is cool for the time of year. The farmers are busy reaping, an average yield is expected, the grain is good. Our institute foundations are progressing. The foundation stone will be laid on the 16th January by Mrs S Rogers. The hall when complete will be 60x36 feet and 20 high, from floor to ceiling.

MAITLAND.

Tue 10 Jan 1882, Yorke's Peninsula Advertiser (SA : 1878 - 1922)

January 9—The weather for the most part during the past week has been very favourable for reaping. Some of the farmers complain of having lost a considerable portion of their grain owing to the high winds blowing down the wheat.

A nasty accident occurred to Mr. John Brown on Friday afternoon. Whilst engaged in reading, his left foot caught in the beaters of the machine and smashed his big toe, besides injuring others. He is now progressing favourably under the care of Dr. H. Roas Brown. This is another accident which shows how careful people should be who have the handling of machinery.

Mr. Hutchinson, the energetic canvasser for the Colonial Mutual Life A surance Society, is now here and intends canvassing the district. As the office he represents is an extremely popular one Mr. Hutchinson should have no difficulty in obtaining a good number of candidates.

Monday the 16th lnst., the day fixed for laying the foundation stone of the Maitland Institute, is destined to be a red letter day in the annals of Maitland. The Committee have prepared a very liberal programme In addition to laying the stone, there will be a procession of the Friendly societies who have been invited, sports, and in the evening a popular Concert at Chappie's Assembly Rooms. In addition to our three members the whole of the Ministry of South Australia have been invited and doubtless one or two of them will accept the Invitation. A public luncheon will be held at Pearce's Hotel at 4 o'clock after the stone is laid and it is to be hoped that the storekeeper's, men and others will observe the day as a general holiday. Mr H. Hick is progressing nicely with the building which will soon begin to present an imposing appearance.

Wed 15 Feb 1882, Wallaroo Times (Port Wallaroo, SA : 1882 - 1888)

A meeting was held at Pearce's Yorke Valley Hotel on Saturday last, H Lamebed Esq.. J. P., presided. The object of the meeting was to obtain concessions from the Government. The chairman spoke on the general questions and stated that since he bad been farming on the Peninsula it had left him £900 in debt and he bad only been able to maintain his position as a farmer by his outside occupations. Mr Wilkinson proposed, "That in view of the distress arising from the last few bad seasons on the Peninsula it is the opinion of this meeting that all arrears of interest when paid, and all future payments of the same, be credited to the selectors as part of the purchase money." Messrs Wilkinson, Hyde, Kelly, Waterman Wilson, and William Shannon spoke on the subject. The second proposition was noted by Mr James Howard, " That in all cases where any selector has agreed up to date to pay a higher price for the land than he is able to pay, or that the land is worth, relief should be granted by having the land valued by an arbitration committee, to consist of two practical farmers and one Government officer." Both resolutions were carried unanimously. Another resolution, " That a committee be formed, consisting of Messrs Lamshed Wilkinson, Miller and Jas. Howard to attend the Dowlingville meeting on the 15 inst," was carried. The water question was then brought on. The meeting was rather in an uproar. I hear this evening, in answer to Mr Lamshed's telegram in reference to starting a well between here and Mr Rogers' station, that Ranger Noble has received instructions to inspect the well and report on it, as to what it would cost to put it in repair. I may say no time was lost on Mr Noble's part who immediately proceeded to the place and replied that it would cost £49 to put it in working order. This is one step in the right direction, only it is a pity action was not taken sooner, to prevent the stock from drinking the water in the dams. The weather is much cooler.

The D. O. P. Company perform here on Wednesday evening. It is to be hoped they will have a good house on behalf of the Institute.

MAITLAND.

Tue 21 Feb 1882, Yorke's Peninsula Advertiser (SA : 1878 - 1922)

February 20.—Owing to the active exertions of the Water Committee the well near Maitland has been opened, and water for stock can now be obtained there. This is a great boon, but if the rain does not come shortly there will be a scarcity of drinking water, which will be a very serious matter. On Wednesday last the D O P's (Dear Old Pals?) Dramatic Club from Moonta gave an entertainment in Chappel's Assembly Rooms in aid of the Maitland Institute. The attendance was, I regret to state, only moderate. The performance taken as a whole was very fair, but where all did their best it would be invidious to select anyone for particular praise. Those that attended the performance were well pleased and doubtless our dramatic friends will pay us another visit when the Institute is open. The Rev F Richmond and his bride have returned from their wedding tour and are at present residing at the school-home which has been kindly placed at their disposal by A Gunning Esq., our State School teacher, until the parsonage vacant.

Now that uniforms are given out free to recruits for the V R F the Maitland contingent should receive some addition to their present strength. They have dwindled down to something like 13 all told, and in a district like this there should be at least 40. I hear they are about to commence drilling regularly again.

I hear that the Maitland Hotel is again about to change hands Mr C H Bennett, from Moonta succeeding Mr Chappie. Mr Bennett I am sure has only to be known to be appreciated and I wish him every success in his new venture. Mr Chappie it is said is returning to Pt Augusta where I wish both Mrs Chapple and himself happiness and prosperity.

MAITLAND.

Tue 18 Jul 1882, Yorke's Peninsula Advertiser (SA : 1878 - 1922)

July I7.—Like deciduous plants in midwinter we are at present in our quiescent stage. Wheat is, for the most part, in some time back, and enjoying the benefit of the splendid rains which we have had lately. During the last few nights severe frosts were experienced, and we are having whiter in three forms.

The advertised sale by auction, of scrub-sections, in the Hundred of Cunningham, at the Maitland Hotel, was not very animated, as no bid was made whatever. Some sales were effected privately afterwards, I am told. Recently held sales of fat cattle and horses were well attended and realised good prices.

A question which has some time since occupied the attention of the inhabitants in the neighborhood, and the urgency of which has been illustrated last week again particularly, is the appointment of a Justice of the Peace residing in the township or within easy distance from it. At present by far the greatest share of the duties of this office—an unfair amount, falls upon one man who lives some distance out of Maitland, but still being the nearest, is constantly called upon, and has to lose much of his valuable time thereby. On the other hand, as the next nearest J. P. lives about live miles away, in either a direction, cases for adjudication have to wait for hours, and, on Monday last, had to be adjourned, alter some of the parties concerned had come distances of from 16 to 23 miles expressly. The signing of papers and documents is also often unduly delayed on account of the difficultly in finding one of the distant J.P.'s Letters expressing this want have been written pro and con months ago, and in consequence, two gentlemen have been recommended for appointment. But objection was then taken to the recommended on the grounds that mast of the inhabitants had been left ignorant in the matter. A letter in the S.A. Advertiser expressed that the choice would be anything but the result of the public opinion. Now, it is not usual, as far as I am aware, that, J.P.'s, are appointed by public vote but no harm could come from consulting the feelings and wishes of the majority which would prevent a recurrence of the former objections. The present state of things imperatively demands a remedy, and it is hoped that the matter will not be let rest until settled to the general satisfaction.

A marked case of scarlet fever occurred in the neighborhood recently, but owing to the strict measures of the medical attendant the disease was confined to the one case and the young patient soon recovered.

MAITLAND.

Tue 22 Aug 1882, Yorke's Peninsula Advertiser (SA : 1878 - 1922)

August 21—Last Saturday a meeting was held of the Maitland A. H. and F. Society at Chappie's Hotel. There was a fair attendance of members. It was decided that £65 be given as prizes for the Stump Jump Ploughing match to be held previous to the Show. Mr. Flintoff's tender for enlarging the Show ground was accepted. Report of the sub-committee was received. It was resolved that £200, including £65 for the above-mentioned match, be given in prizes at the next Show. Judges will he appointed at the next meeting, to be held at the 1st of September next.

A man named Casley was brought before Mr. Arthur Short, J.P., by M. C. Noble, and fined £1 for being drunk. He was told that for the next similar offence he would he fined £5.

We had fine weather last week, but more rain is apparently near at hand.

Information had been received by the police on Wednesday of the death of Mrs. Walding, Tipara, being over 70 years of age. Medical evidence went to show that cause of death was senile decay, and an inquest was not considered necessary.

Maitland has for some time past been the scene of an inundation of a peculiar kind— not by floods from the heavens nor by the overflowing of our creeks—and the traces which it leaves-behind are not so sad as a look into the future. The fact is, our benevolence stands in danger of being undermined by a raging sea of calls, and while yet above the water we will try and keep it upright so as to let its rays penetrate any days to comes. It has become a practice here that when a few people wish to gain a certain object of their fancy, but without the means to do so, this creation of theirs is dressed up suitably and sent round with the plate to the public. Now, little important as this subject may seem, when the practice becomes a frequent one it naturally taxes the feeling of generosity, and it may happen that a really deserving cause is left unaided. It is on account of this possibility that we have ventured to make mention of the matter.

MAITLAND.

Wed 13 Sep 1882, Wallaroo Times (Port Wallaroo, SA : 1882 - 1888)

(From our own correspondent.) 7 th September 1882

This has been a splendid season so far,and the crops are looking beautiful. Every one seems to be in good spirit, looking forward to a good harvest, and, I believe, most persons in and around the District are well supplied with water. The rainfall for June being 2-195, July 2-125, August 3-410, to 7th Sept 0-310.

The Institute is expected to be finished the latter end of the month, or early in October. Messrs Tiddy & Co's new store is so far towards completion that they have removed their Drapery Stock into it.

The Wesleyan Parsonage is roofed and the plasterers have begun. Mr Dixon has commenced building a new Blacksmith's Shop and residence opposite Messrs Warn Bros Store.

We have had a fair share of concerts and entertainments lately, and considering the wet weather and heavy roads, have been very well patronized. One in connection with the church, on behalf of the new organ—a Tea and Concert-—every one thought would be a failure, the weather being so wet and cold. Towards the afternoon it cleared a little, and it I was astonishing to see the people turn up all of a sudden. The sum of £18 was taken that evening. Great credit is due to those who assisted, more especially those coming a long distance. The farce, Betsy Baker, was very good, several remarking that had they been professionals they could not have been better.

Georgie Smithson, only for rough weather, would have been well patronized. Every one that saw her was well satisfied.

The Christian Young Men's Association started a few months back, is progressing favourably, several gentlemen kindly assisting by giving lectures and Readings. The Rev Reed, from Yorketown, not long from England, gave an interesting account of Home; Mr Wilkinson, an hour with Columbus ; Mr Hussey, an essay on smoking. I believe he was challenged by one of the partners of a leading firm here, but I have not beard the result.

With the assistance of the Misses Bowman, Lamshed, Jewell, Swann, and several other young ladles, who rendered some nice pieces of music, several pleasant evenings have been passed.

The great social reformer Matthew Burnett is here, he came on Saturday last, and had a Torchlight procession headed by the Maitland Brass Band. Seventy five (75) signed that evening. There is great excitement now that he is here ; and meetings will be held every evening.

A new Cricket Club has been started —the married men, or Yorke Valley Cricket Club. About 40 members have been enrolled. £11 was collected at the opening meeting on Friday last. Several of them turned out on Monday.

A meeting convened for the purpose of forming a Cricket Club was held at Chappie's Hotel, Maitland, on Friday, September 1st. Mr James Oxenbury Tiddy, in the chair. Resolutions were passed as follows: —That we form ourselves into a club, and that the name of the club be the Yorke Valley Cricket Club, and that after to night any friend seeking admission as member must be elected by ballot. That Mr James Mayor Symons, be Hony Secretary and Treasurer. The entrance fee to be 5s, sub 2s 6d per year, to be paid in advance. That Henry Lamshed, Esq., J.P. be President of the club; Messsrs, W. H. Kelly, Arthur Short, and H. I. Conlon, vice Presidents; that Messrs Chappie, Arthur Short, Conlon, the president, and Secretary, be a sub-committee to draw up code of rules, and that same be submitted at the next meeting of the club ; that Mr R. Noble be practice captain ; that Mr John I. Hyde vice do, that Messrs Noble, Conlon, Chappie, Albert Short, and the Secy be the watch committee; that Messrs Tiddy & Co., be empowered to get the tools, &c; that 10s 6d be the fee for Honorary members, and that the colours be Amber and Blue. Resolved that the next meeting to be held on the 8th inst, at 8 pm. Messrs Tiddy & Co., promised a bat for highest average Score during the season; Mr C. Chappie a ball for the best average bowler. Mr Conlon a ball for the smartest field ; Mr Arthur Short a bat for the highest scorer in the first match against visitors. The usual vote of thanks brought the meeting to a close; and Tuesday afternoons to clear the ground. The place selected is near the Ardrossan road.

Mr Lamshed, the President, offered to roll it for them on Saturday next, which offer was accepted.

OPENING OF MAITLAND INSTITUTE.

Sat 14 Oct 1882, Adelaide Observer (SA : 1843 - 1904)

The new Maitland Institute, which has been in process of construction since January last, was opened on Wednesday, October 11. Owing partly perhaps to the whole of the design intended not having found been completed the outside appearance is massive but monotonous, the bare oblong building being in no way relieved; but inside everything that could be wished for the purpose of a public hall is found, few if any Institutes out of Adelaide and Gawler surpassing it. About 5 in the afternoon the committee of the Institute, headed by Mr. Beaglehole, M.P., and followed by the local brass band and the Friendly Societies dressed in regalia, perambulated the four main streets which radiate from the Post Office corner, and then assembled at the front door of the Institute. Mr. Rogers, the President, had had a severe attack of illness, and was then under medical treatment, but his interest in the event of the day was great enough to cause him to be present, and he presented the key to Mr. Beaglehole as the representative of the district, and asked him to unlock the door. When this was done the crowd filled the spacious hall and settled themselves down to hear the speeches. Mr. Beaglehole, after expressing regret at the Chairman's illness, and more still at its inopportuneness, said his duty that day was pleasant to himself and satisfactory to his hearers. It only seemed as yesterday since he came kangaroo-hunting on the spot where the thriving town of Maitland now stood, and where, owing to the arduous work of the committee and the generosity of the people, a new step in the progress of the place bad just been made. The fact was astonishing when they considered the enemies they had had to encounter in rust, take all, and drought, and the liberal land laws they were suffering from, that they should erect a building to cost over £1,200 for their mental recreation. He hoped they would soon be able to clear away all the comparatively small debt that was left. Mr. H. Lamshed said people had blamed them for having their ideas too large, and making more accommodation than was required, but the meeting that day showed who were right. The Institute would be a permanent testimony of the unselfish care the committee and people had for the rising generation. Those who grumbled the most cave the least, and though he gave them all credit for honest opinion, in grand national undertakings of this sort individual likings might often be suppressed with advantage. The Rev. Mr. Rowe said it was a day for mutual congratulations, both the building and the assembly being wonderful for Yorke's Peninsula. He thanked Mr. Beaglehole. Maitland had put him in that position he so worthily occupied. The honourable, manly, and faithful stand he had taken on be naif of the farming community was deserving of their approbation. Mr. Wilkinson said that a visitor should be introduced blindfold that he might not see the exterior of the building, but he was willing to estimate it as men did their friends, not for appearance only. Having got the building they must not be afraid of using it, not mind taking the gilt off the gingerbread. He was pleased, too, that the Institute would offer a common platform to men of every class and creed to meet for the advancement of the neighbourhood. Mr. Braund spoke of the good appearance of the country to him as a visitor, and the beneficial use of Government money in subsidies to Institutes. The Rev. Mr. Richmon, as Secretary, mentioned the delays the work had bad. He said Mr. Hussey, who deserved special mention for his zeal in all public matters, might possibly be leaving them some day, but he hoped the people would endeavour to prevent it. Mr. Hussey, who, as the President, had to be spokesman for the Chairman the whole evening, showed how when he took office there was orly £25 in hand. Considering the bad seasons and other adverse circumstances, he thought there was reason for congratulation. He then read a report which estimated the cost of the hall at £1,000, and fittings £105. Towards this £313 bad been given in subscriptions, £78 in lectures and concerts, and the rest in subsidies. There was still £314 owing. The total proceeds of the day's work in concert money and donations was about £70, so that owing to the Government's usual assistance they might expect to only hare to pay £100 more; and as there was to be an entertainment on the25th instant, and a bazaar to be held shortly, it was expected on very good grounds that the building would soon be entirely free from debt Mr. Beaglehole gave a subscription of £5 5s. and ten volumes of Chambers's Encyclopaedia handsomely bound as a present to the library.

In the evening the room was again uncomfortably full, many having to stand. Mr. Bows, of Wallaroo, and his friends had undertaken the main part of the entertainment, and they did it well. Miss Bennett, of Moonta, played the first overture, and later in the evening " Home, Sweet Home" with her left hand—a remarkable though not a unique feat, Madame Tasca having done it before. Both pieces were effective and well given. Two pretty glees, " Fairy Whispers" and " Shepherds Tell -Me," were sung. Mesdames Conlon and Woods and Miss. Lamshed sang their respective solos so as to gain the appreciation of the audience. Miss Sparkinan, who appeared many times, and was always greeted with deserved applause, gave the gem of the evening in the " Savoyard's Return," rendered in a clear cultivated voice. Mr. Thurston, of Moonta, gave some solos on the English concertina, such as are seldom heard from that humble instrument. Mr. Price was perhaps the best comic actor we have seen in Maitland. Selecting songs such as " Oh, what a beauty," and ducts such as "Very suspicious," he redeemed them from the sniggering vulgarity almost inseparable from such productions. His whole action and gesture was admirable. He received vociferous applause and the only encore of the evening, for despite a rigorous ride against recalls the audience were persistent. In replying to a vote of thanks to himself as Chairman, Mr. Beaglehole said he would take the first opportunity he could get of returning to Maitland. The proceeds of the concert were about £30.

MAITLAND PUBLIC SCHOOL.

Fri 29 Dec 1882, Yorke's Peninsula Advertiser (SA : 1878 - 1922)

On Friday, the 22nd inst. the second annual picnic and examination of the public school, Maitland, was held. At the intimation of several of the parents Mr. Gunning, the head teacher, held an examination and picnic before the Christmas holidays last year ; the parents having thus a pleasant opportunity to notice the progress their children had made. It having been a success, Mr. Gunning, at the cost of much trouble, besides his ordinary duties, held the second open examination which were attended with distribution of numerous prizes to the successful scholars. There was about 70 children present, belonging to six classes, which are all managed by Mr. Gunning without assistance. There were exhibits of sewing by the senior girls, in the shape of doll's dresses, which were considered excellent, and reflect credit upon the sewing mistress, Miss Baily. The examination included geography, grammar, history, reading, writing, arithmetic and sewing The Rev. Mr. Richmond and several other gentlemen present asked the questions, which were, on the average, most satisfactory. The reading and writing was also very good. The prizes were arranged according to the results at the Inspector's last examination, and the opinion of the gentlemen present as to the merits was also taken into consideration, so that the distribution was a most fair one to all.

At about two o'clock in the afternoon the children marched from the schoolhouse through the township to the show-ground, headed by the Maitland Band. Cricket and other games were then indulged in. Two weighty items, for juvenile minds, in the afternoon's programme were the dinner and tea, for the administration of which several of the mothers, assisted by other ladies, deserve credit. The weather was favorable and there was nothing to prevent the children from enjoying themselves heartily.

To close the day's amusement an entertainment was held in the institute where the juvenile performers displayed their musical and vocal talents. Mr. Henry Lamshed, J.P., presided, he expressed himself well satisfied with the result, and congratulated the parents an the progress the school had made under Mr. Gunning. The children sang several "rounds" which were a new feature to the Maitland amateur stage, solos and duets on the piano, by pupils of Miss Merritt, and recitations completed the programme. The parents may well congratulate themselves when viewing the advance made by the scholars ; and the results throw light on the vast amount, of work the teacher must have to get over in teaching six classes The attendance is sometimes over 70 children, but through the parents keeping some of them at home during busy times or bad weather, the average attendance is naturally considerably lower ; and when the thus back ward children return again the teacher, besides instructing his current six classes, has to coach them almost individually, according to their length of absence. What tax this irregular attendance throws upon the teacher a little reflection will speedily show ; and it would be in the patents' own interest to let their children attiiiJ more regularly and thus give them as well as the teacher a better chance. The average number on the roll is just a little too low, according to the Education Regulations, to allow the school an assistant, whereas, at other times, as already stated, the number is above 75, which if kept up would entitle the head teacher to an assistant. It can readily be seen that his work is just the same, or rather more, than if he had always the full number on the roll attending. It is to also hoped that the department will grant this school an assistant and thus relieve one man from doing the work of two, wich seems unfair and cannot last forever. The patents may be pleased to find in last reports of the results of public schools that Maitland, with only the one teacher, ranks fourth out of 200 schools examined.

The weather continued cool nearly all this week thus leaving the farmers little time for good reaping. Christinas day promises to be very quiet here The Port Victoria sports will absorb a good part of Maitland people.

MAITLAND.

Tue 13 Feb 1883, Yorke's Peninsula Advertiser (SA : 1878 - 1922)

February 10.—The news that the Largs Bay Company had purchased a fast steamer for the Ardrossan and Port Adelaide trade is received here with general satisfaction as all risk and responsibility is taken off our shoulders in this matter, and at the same time a great want is supplied. The Largs Bay Company not requiring an extra staff of officials will no doubt be. able to make the line pay well.

We are also glad to hear that Mr. James Pearce has been the successful tenderer for the mail contract between Maitland and Kulpara. During the term ending next April, Mr. Pearce has carried the mail so regularly that we can hardly expect any improvement; and the convenience of being able to get to town via Kulpara is not to be overlooked by business people and others.

An item which has caused some dispute lately, is the closing of the Institute during four evenings in the week. There being no special reading-room in the building, a largo table with newspapers and periodicals was put on the stage for the free use of the public." As it was found that only very few availed themselves of the opportunity the Committee decided to keep the Institute open during two nights a week only (besides being open every week-day). This resolution caused great indignation with some, and a list of names is being collected asking to re-open the Institute every night to the public. The library of the Institute is growing gradually and offers a fair selection for subscribers to choose from, and it is to be hoped that it will be well patronised.

An accident happened this week to a son of Mr. Walters of the Maitland Hotel, who dislocated his elbow joint while wrestling with another young man. He is getting on well now under Dr. Dobie's care.

The meeting to reorganise the Rifle Corps last week, not being well attended was adjourned until Friday, February 16th, when a larger number is expected,

MAITLAND.

Sat 24 Mar 1883, South Australian Weekly Chronicle (Adelaide, SA : 1881 - 1889)

March 13. The anniversary services in connection with the Wesleyan chapel were held on Sunday last, the morning and evening services being conducted by Rev. James Reed, of Minlaton, and the Sunday-school service by the Rev. John Chapman (Congregational). The attendances were very large. On the following afternoon an excellent tea was provided in the institute. This was followed by a public meeting in the chapel, to which an adjournment was made. The Rev. T. Rowe occupied the chair, and gave a short history of the church at Maitland, and showed that the Wesleyan circuits have embraced the entire peninsula during the past seven years. As he was soon to leave for another field of labor he wished the church every success. The Revs. Chapman and Reed and Messrs. B. Cornish, sen., and Howard also addressed the meeting. Mr. H. Lamshed proposed, and Mr. Miller seconded a comprehensive vote of thanks. The debt on the chapel amounts to £650. To lessen this Messrs. Messrs. Greenslade have promised £150, if the rest of the church will raise a like amount. Of this amount £120 have been promised. The proceeds of the collections and tea amounted to £12. After the financial statement, the benediction was pronounced, when most of those present wended their way to the institute hall for supper. Everything passed off pleasantly, and was the more enjoyable on account of the heat and dust having been succeeded by cool and cloudy weather.

March 13. At the meeting of the Maitiand Agricultural Horticultural and Floricultural Society on last Wednesday afternoon, the resignation of Mr. J. M. Symons as hon. treasurer and secretary, who is leaving Maitland, was accepted. The chairman, Mr. W. H. Kelly (president), and others, spoke in high terms of Mr. Symons, and all expressed their regret at his leaving, and of the loss the society would sustain. Mr. M. T. Tiddy was elected secretary at £15 per annum, and Mr. W. H. Hussey was again asked to allow himself to be elected as hon. treasurer, to which Mr. Hussey answered that he had declined to accept office again, but that under the circumstances that had arisen he would consent to hold office for the ensuing year. — The ploughing operations are being pushed on busily. Considering the dry state of the ground much better work is being done than might be expected.

March 20. Harvest thanksgiving services were held on Sunday and Monday last in connection with the Maitland Congregational Church. Sermons were preached by the Rev. J. McEwin of Hindmarsh, on Sunday morning at 11, at the Congregational Church, and in the evening in the Wesleyan Church, kindly placed at their disposal. On Monday there was a public tea, followed by a popular lecture on ' The American Civil War' in the institute halL There was a good attendance, and the lecture was much appreciated. The proceeds in aid of the church funds amounted to £19. — The weather at the close of last week was extremely hot, but to-day and yesterday witnessed a pleasant change accompanied by a few smart showers.

SUBSCRIBERS OF THE MAITLAND INSTITUTE.

Tue 3 Jul 1883, Yorke's Peninsula Advertiser (SA : 1878 - 1922)

June 28.—The annual meeting of subscribers of tho Maitland Institute was held yesterday evening. The attendance was moderate. In the absence of the president the vice-president, Mr. W. P. Hussey, took the chair, and read a report of the progress of the Institute ; a copy of which will be found in the columns of this paper. Tho Balance sheet was also read and both were approved by the meeting. The following is the result of the election of officers' and committee for tho ensuing year. President, Mr. Samuel Rogers; vice-president, and lion, treasurer, Mr. W. H. Hussey; lion, secretary, Mr. Venning. Committee, Messrs. T. Bowman, H. Lamshed, R. Noble, Warn; Arthur Short, J. O. Tiddy and Conlon.

TO THE SUBSCRIBERS OF THE MAITLAND INSTITUTE. Dear friends, In presenting this report to you for tho past year, I may say, on the onset, that I do so with feelings of very great pleasure at the advancement we have made, and the prosperity and success that are so marked since we last met, and held our annual meeting in the room of Host Pearce's Hotel. This hall in which we are called together to-night is a hall which we can be justly proud to possess, and I am sure you can with good reason congratulate, not only the trustees and Committee, but yourselves on the fact, that it is not only built and finished as you see in a workmanlike manner and also furnished in a style becoming such a spacious edifice, but it has been all paid for since we last met together; as you will hear from the balance sheet presented ; a fact. I say that reflects the greatest praise and credit on the town land district. I should here mention that this large work has not been completed or accomplished without the Trustees and Committee having to bear their share of the trouble ; and that seems part of the common lot of those who try to do their little to aid a good work for the benefit of their fellow men.

The Trustees and Committee are hopeful that their actions in the past will merit your appreciation, respect, and thanks, for they have I am confident tried to fulfil the important duties you placed upon them in a manner satisfactory, just, and fair to all.

It may be interesting for you to follow me in the subjoined figures relative to the financial position of affairs. Our last balance sheet showed £53 in hand (with the building partially completed and paid for) since then we have raided by donations £108 12s. 6d., and £115 previously by concerts, £55 9s 4d, and £20 previously ; while we have to make special mention of the architect, Mr. T. Jones, for his liberality in handing us the amount of his fees (£40) as a donation. Further thanks are due to Mr. James Pearce for his untiring exertions, ready help, and timely advice in the building of the hall and further for his liberality of £10 donation being the amount paid to him for plans, etc. ; and lastly, but not leastly, we have to express our many and grateful thanks to the ladies who so kindly and so ably carried out the late bazaar, which realised the handsome addition of £10—net—to the funds. Subsidies.—We have received from the Government £575 0s. Id. as subsidy on the Hall; leaving £77 4s. 10d. still due ; while we have received as special grant £82 2s. 6d. ; and about £100 now expected daily which will make our position at the present time over £100—to the credit. The Institute Hall so far as completed, has cost in all £1,150, plastering included ; 300 chairs—cost 4s. 4d. each — £62 8s. ; four chandeliers with duple and burners cost £33 10s. The piano, one of the best in the market cost £66 ; or less Mr. Mannheim's donation of £8 re same and Government subsidy of the same £50. The carpet, curtains, table, bookcase, &c. have all been purchased at very fair prices. Library—Considerable attention and very liberal amounts have been voted to the purchase of new books, which have during the year increased from 50 to 350 volumes of first class literature to suit all classes of the community ; and it is sincerely hoped that all present members will endeavor to induce one or more to subscribe during the ensuing year ; for it is felt that a great many do not support our Institute that should, and it is sincerely hoped that they will at once do so and thus show their sympathy with the Institute. The subscription has been reduced to 2s. 6d. per quarter or 10s. per annum and entrance money dispensed with. There are at present only 57 subscribers against 20 last year; while 635 ; volumes have been taken out, against, 210 last year. The reading-room department of the Institute has been kept up at considerable expense, and on this account more subscribers are earnestly sought for. On the tables you will find the leading papers and periodicals of the colony, also the "Graphic" and other illustrated papers, draughts and chess have also been added to the attractions of the Institute. It would be ungrateful of us not to make special mention of the very liberal and handsome gift of a pair of silver candlesticks from Mr. F. W. Cottrell, which will always remain as a memento of his kindness and sympathy with the Institute. Thanks are also due to Mr. Mannheim of Moonta for his useful gift of a table cover, and to Mr. Wivell for a handsome picture, which I trust may form the nucleus of an Art Gallery in connection with the "Institute. Special mention is also due to Mr. Beaglehole, for his valuable gift of 10 volumes of the British Encyclopaedia that he so kindly presented to the Institute at the opening of the hall.

Scenery—With a view of improving the appearance of the stags and making the Hall more complete. Scenery was ordered from England, and has since arrived in Adelaide, consisting of a drop scene ; also scenes representing a parlour, sitting room and forest to correspond, and it is hoped this valuable and indispensable addition may be a source of attraction to all.

Additions—Stimulated by past success a desire to afford greater advantages, and comfort to the public, the trustees and committee have as you are, no doubt aware, decided to complete the Institute once ; and in doing this they depend upon the public's continued sympathy and ready help which will he required to liquidate the debt now contracted, and in saying this we feel but little doubt the liberal minded philanthropic character of the people will not allow the debt to remain. The plans of these additions which you have on the table before you include fire-place, &c., the committee wish to make this room as attractive and homely as possible. On the ground floor will also be a library-room, also cloak and committee rooms, while on the upper floor will be provided a large room, suitable for Lodges, Classes, Council Chambers, etc., with two roomy offices. Tenders have been accepted from Mr. J. E. Pearce for £765 and it is expected it will be finished by October next. Circulars will shortly be issued far and wide putting forth these facts and it is sincerely hoped that they will have in free and ready response. I trust providence may bless our Institute and that the influence it may have upon this town may be for good, and not for evil. I may mention that some people have said that these Institutes are no longer required and that the objects for which they were first established, had been gained by Board Schools. I must say I think differently and further believe that their Institutions have a great future them, if they are only carried out in the way intended when first established. The Legislature now require every child up to a certain age to receive an elementary education, but if the knowledge gained at school is now followed up, the probability is that before manhood is attained that knowledge will be forgotten ; and here is where, the value of these institutions becomes apparent. As I have said I hope this Institute may prosper and that it will secure more support from the merchants and others of this town. I might here remind subscribers that each member has a vote in the general election of officers and committee, so if dissatisfied they have the alternative of displacing them at the next election. I have the the honor to be, yours faithfully, W. H. HUSSEY,

Vice-president and lion. Treasurer,

General news from this neighborhood has been scarce of late on account of the rarity of noteworthy occurrences Like all our neighbors and the whole of the colony, we have been blessed with a plentiful rainfall ; giving the ground such a soaking as it has not had for years past. For the last few days the wet has given way to sunshine which, like most good things, is more enjoyable after a term of absence. The crops are coming on nicely and look promising. Some very advanced.

As your " listener" has found, out we have another medical man here, C. Richard James Corr, late of London who brings with him good qualifications he has already had some serious cases to attend ; which are progressing favorably under his care. A great number of Maitland folks visited Moonta on Monday last to witness the Salvation Army's fete. To many their method of conducting and imparting religion was new, and the impressions were diverse. One of our public men expressed the opinion that the success of the Army was mainly due to their great energy and the fact of one and all taking active part—in their cause thus giving an example worth imitating by other bodies.

MAITLAND.

Fri 28 Sep 1883, Yorke's Peninsula Advertiser (SA : 1878 - 1922)

The class firing of some of the members of the Maitland contingent, Y. P. No 1 R.V.F. was completed today. The weather was fine, but a puffy wind affected the aiming slightly. Ten shots at each range. Private A. S. Gunning, 145 ; Lieutenant A. Short, 144 ; Private John Hill, 131 ; Private A. Short, 102.

An accident happened at the Maitland Hotel to-day that might have been attended with fatal consequences. Part of the scaffolding got shifted and precipitated Mr. Rudd, the contractor, and two of his men. One of the latter named Roberts, fell with his hod a distance of 12 or 15 feet, and was saved from a severe fall by the beams of the upper floor. He has received some severe bruises that will compel him to keep his bed for some little time. While speaking of this building, I may mention that some of the mason work is done, and the carpenters have begun roofing.

On Saturday last a cricket match was played here between the Dowlingville and Yorke Valley clubs. The visitors first to the wickets, and scored 67 which James Swann 1, and Phelps 22, were the highest. Yorke Valley then followed and ran up a score 107, the chief contributors being W. Moody, 31 not out, A. Gunning 18, Albert Short 17, and J. Haws 14. The Dowlingville in their second innings brought their score up to 107., Willing 14, and Lodge 11, being the highest scores. This necessitated the Yorke Valleys going in again to make the winning hit, which was done by the loss of one wicket. Roberts and Lodge for the visitors, and Swann and Dexter for the local team. Mr. Dexter was most fortunate, he secured 15 wicket for very few runs. The weather continues beautifully fine and the crops are looking very promising.

DEATH OF SARAH ROGERS.

Fri 4 Jul 1884, South Australian Register (Adelaide, SA : 1839 - 1900)

ROGERS.— On the 1st July, at Ynoo, Maitland, Sarah Elizabeth, wife of Samuel Rogers, and only surviving daughter of Robert Gardine, Parkside, aged 45 years.

MAITLAND.

Sat 1 Nov 1884, South Australian Register (Adelaide, SA : 1839 - 1900)

October 18. We have truly had a foretaste of summer this week, and this, coming so soon after the rains, is making a marked difference in the appearance of the crops. If this weather continues the late-sown wheat must suffer considerably, and even now with the most favourable weather very much of a yield cannot be expected, owing to the dry months of August and September. The earlier sown and mullenized-land crops are looking very promising, and in some cases, though short, are now out in head. It is generally expected that the hay harvest will be early, and very light.

The old saying of 'Accidents do not come singly' has been exemplified in this township lately. No sooner had the poor man Sanders (who was killed through being thrown from a trap) been consigned to his last resting place than a man working for a farmer named Jury, of Kilkerran, had the misfortune while cutting down scrub to let the axe slip, cutting his foot terribly, with the result that four of his toes have had to be amputated, Dr. Elphick successfully performing the operation. The third misfortune happened to a man name Lofting, ostler at the Yorke Valley Hotel, who by some means fell out of one of the windows of the hotel, breaking the small bones of his shoulder.

The Anglican Church in this district is again without a clergyman. The Rev. B. G. Fitzpatrick, who was lately appointed after a brief stay here of thirty-six hours has returned to England. He was only in the colony about two months, and found that it did not agree with his health, and having had the misfortune to injure, for the second time, his left lung, he decided to act upon his doctor's advice and return to the old country and retire from the ministry altogether. His earnest discourses will long be remembered by all those who had the pleasure of listening to them. For the time the Rev. M. M. Whitton, from Southern Yorke's Peninsula, has the charge of this district.

Last Wednesday afternoon some excitement was caused by the spectacle of a man half-covered with blood being led by a rope tied around him through the streets to the Police station by two horsemen. The man had burglariously broken into a farmhouse and stolen sundry things there from, the property of Mr. G. Bennett, at Weetulta, about nine-miles from here, on the Moonta road. He passed Mr. Bennett with a swag of things, which the latter identified, and hastening home found part of a wooden structure pulled down and the things missing, so with his son he immediately gave chase after the man, who flung down the things and made off into the scrub. Young Bennett then called on him several times to stop or he would knock him down with a stone. To this the man made no reply, and young Bennett flung and hit him on the head. He staggered, but still ran on, but the Ioss of blood made him stop. He then kept Bennett off by presenting a huge knife at him, but with the assistance of his father they secured him and led him to Maitland to the police. He was brought up next day and committed for trial. Prisoner said he had been drinking heavily. His name is Charles Henry McLaren, though he told Bennett it was Charles Flynn.

October 24. The extreme heat of last Saturday and Sunday culminated in a heavy thunderstorm on Sunday evening, the lightning being most vivid and for some hours almost continuous. The effect was very grand, but little rain fell till Monday evening when a little more than a quarter of an inch was registered. Since then we have had genial and seasonable weather, bringing on the crops in a most marked manner; and should this fine weather continue haymaking will soon be in full swing. The crops, as a whole, will be short in this district.

A peculiar rumbling noise, resembling the shock of an earthquake, was heard by several in this township about 8. 20 p.m. last Sunday. It lasted for about twenty-five to thirty seconds, and shook the windows of several houses. Whether it was an extra long peal of thunder or (as supposed) the shock of an earthquake is not quite known.

Snakes have been making their appearance in unusual as well as unpleasant numbers lately. Mr. Thomas Bowman killed two large ones recently near his house ; Mr. Daw also killed one ; Mr. Bayly narrowly escaped being bitten by a large one, which sprang at him ; while a lad working for Mr. Rogers at Truro was bitten by one, but the attention of Dr. Elphick averted any serious result.

MAITLAND.

Tue 9 Dec 1884, Yorke's Peninsula Advertiser (SA : 1878 - 1922)

Michall Hicks a boy about 12 years of age when trying to ride his fathers horse fell off and was walked on sustained some severe bruises.—The hostler at Mr Walters' hotel bed a narrow escape on Sunday. The horse he was riding put its foot in a hole and rolled over on the rider who fortunately escaped with a shaking.—Advance Maitland. Our local saddlers are extending their business one has opened at Port Victoria and the other at Ardrossan. Messrs, Swann and Sons finding their shop accommodation too limited for the amount of work on hand are having a showroom and furniture depot built in front of the workshop. They are the successful tenderers for the completion of the Curramulka Institute.—On Wednesday evening, at St. John's Church, Rev. Mr. Robinson, agent for the Home and Foreign Bible Society, conducted the annual meeting of the society, the attendance being small The weather on Sundry was boisterous, a strong W, S. W. gale blowing all day. Friday and Saturday threatened thunderstorms but they apparently stormed to the North of us.—Hay harvest is nearly completed here. Reaping has been started in Kilkerran. The Maitland crops are turning off, it is thought the heavy winds will do some damage.

SALE BY AUCTION ON THE FARM, YNOO, NEAR MAITLAND

Tue Feb 3 1885, Yorke's Peninsula Advertiser (SA : 1878 - 1922)

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 1885 At 12 o'clock sharp.

Large and important sale of Freehold Properties adjacent to Maitland.

Superior Farming Stock and Implements.

By order of Samuel Rogers Esq

MOODY, FURNER & CO. haveL been favored with instructions from SAMUEL ROGERS ESQ. to sell at Ynoo, near Maitland, above—

Those Valuable Sections No 35 and 36 in the Hundred of Maitland, containing 345 Acres and Sections No 208 and 209 in the same Hundred, containing 350 Acres making a total of 695 Acres of first class land, in fact, some of the pick of the hundred, well-improved in all respects, and such as to cominant the attention and inspection of any persons in want of a very comfortable holding.

FARM STOCK and IMPLEMENTS

Several head first-class Horses

Team 8 Good Working Bullocks and Bullock Dray

Water Cart, 400 gallons

3 Damp-weather Reaping Machines

2 Ordinary Reapers

2 Winnowing Machines

2 Seed Sowers

Treble Stump-jumping Ploughs

Four-furrow Plough

3 Single-furrow Plough

4 Set Harrows, 3 each

Horse Rake

Earth Scoop

Spring Dray

2 English Wagons

Lot Hatness

And Host Sundries too numerous to mention

The Auctioneer direct special attention to this sale, as the Live Stock to be offered is of first quality, and the Implements and machinery are by the best makers and on the most improved principals.

Terms --- For Cand, liberal at Sale ; for Stock and Implements, Approved Bills at 3 months.

MAITLAND RACES.

Sat 28 Mar 1885, Wallaroo Times (Port Wallaroo, SA : 1882 - 1888)

The majority of sports are as a rule generally well patronised, but races always, wherever they are held, there will the lovers of that sport be found, and the day of the Maitland races proved no exception to the rule. The exodus from the township to the course commenced about half-past twelve, and a continuous line of every description of vehicle, from the four-in-hand to the donkey cart, led the pedestrian without difficulty to the paddock kindly lent to the Committee by Mr J, Hill for the occasion. Its situation, embosomed within beautifully timbered rising ground, which formed a natural amphitheatre, enabling all to witness the races from start to finish. The course was in excellent order, and the absence of dust added greatly to the day's enjoyment. The desires of all classes were well provided for by Messrs Walters, Ellery and Muller, who did a good trade during the interval of the various events. The card sharping element on this occasion were conspicuous by their absence. " Aunt Sally," though present, did not find many admirers. The Maitland Brass Band discoursed a few enlivening airs during the day. At a quarter-past one o'clock the bell rang for the horses to start for the Maidens.....

FATAL ACCIDENT AT MAITLAND.

Sat 2 Jan 1886, South Australian Weekly Chronicle (Adelaide, SA : 1881 - 1889)

Maitland, December 29.

An inquest was held to day at the Yorke Valley Hotel by Mr. Arthur Short on the body of Arthur Peter, who met with his death on Christmas night through falling down the dairy cellar at the rear of the hotel. The jury found that deceased came to his death by effusion of blood on the brain, caused by falling down the cellar steps. The landlord was severely censured for neglecting to have his cellar properly protected. The landlord said it had been in the same state for seven years before he took the house, and no accident had previously occurred.

INQUEST AT MAITLAND.

Fri 1 Jan 1886, Yorke's Peninsula Advertiser (SA : 1878 - 1922)

On Tuesday, December 29, Arthur Short, J.P., held an inquest at the Yorke Valley Hotel on the body of Arthur Peter.

Elias Greenslade, farmer, said—Decease I was in my employ. He left home on Christmas Day, about I or 2 p.m. He asked me in the morning to give him £1 which I did. I did not see him again until after the accident.

By the Police—He has frequently come up to the township for a week on the spree and he has generally been very ill afterwards. Do not know that he has any relations in the colony. He has £3 12s. 11d. wages Cuming from me. Deceased is about 62 years of age.

Edward Elphick, duly qualified medical practitioner, residing at Maitland, said—I was called in to see deceased on Saturday morning last: found him unconscious, and evidently suffering from an injury to the brain. Found a small bruise on the right side of the head and some blood in the right ear. He continued unconscious, and for the last day or more showing almost continuous one side convulsions, pointing to serious injury to a particular part of the brain. Did all that I possibly could for him under the circumstances. There was no improvement at any time. When I first saw him could not detect any evidence of his being decidedly under the influence of liquor.

By the Police—The bruise on the head might be caused by a fall down the steps pointed out. Consider the bruise on the side of the head was the indirect cause of death. If deceased had been very drunk, the night before should probably have been able to detect it the following morning.

Robert Bryant said —I know the deceased. Last saw him alive on Christmas evening at 11.20 p.m. We left Mr. Greenslade's about 2 o'clock p.m. Came up to the township, and went into the Yorke Valley Hotel at about 3 p.m., and remained together till 6 o'clock. Was away from him till about half-past 7. Deceased drank about three or four glasses of beer in about an hour. After I came back in the evening saw him drink nobblers of beer and whisky. Saw him being served. He was in the hotel when I left, about 20 minutes to 11. I asked him to go home with me, but he said he would not for half an hour or so. He wanted to see someone I had a glass or two of beer and two or three ginger beers. I went straight home. Did not again see deceased till I saw him dead.

By the Foreman—Am certain I did not go outside with deceased. He was not able to walk without staggering about. Was with him an hour and a half in the evening. He had several drinks during the time. Deceased was not quarrelling with any one. He did not say the name of the party he was waiting for.

By the Police—Would not swear he was drunk when served with liquor.

William Ellery said—I am the landlord of the Yorke Valley Hotel. Deceased came to my house between 2 and 3 p.m. on Christmas Day. Met in the yard with, Bryant. Asked him if he had had dinner he said yes and a good one too. He then came into the bar and called for a nobbler of whisky and asked another man to join him. Did not serve him with another for an hour afterwards. He then had another whisky, that was between four and five o'clock, he was standing against the bar. Between nine and ten he asked Bryant to have a drink. He had whisky and Bryant ginger beer. At shut up time, asked the people to leave the bar. Did not notice deceased. Did not see him after ten o'clock. After the bar was closed went into my private parlor with some friends and stopped about at hour-and-a-half, went upstairs for a candle, and afterwards went around the yard to see that all was right, and when passing the kitchen cellar steps which are opposite the kitchen door, heard a noise as if some one was snoring, looked down and saw the deceased, with his head against the door and his legs lying alone the steps. Got down and tried to move him but could not, I then got the ostler and a young man to come and assist. Made him up a bed and covered him with a blanket. He did not speak. It was about twenty minutes past two. Went upstairs then. Came down between four and five-o'clock to see how he was getting on. He was unconscious. About six o'clock I sent for the doctor and L. C. Noble. The doctor came about seven o'clock.

By Police — Attended to deceased as directed by the doctor. Have known him ever since I came here. He has been several times on the spree. Served him with whisky only, he had about four nobblers served by me. He might have drunk more without my knowing it. He was not drunk. I did not go past the cellar steps between the hours of ten and one o'clock. The cellar steps are between five and six feet deep, and are protected by a hand rail on each side. When I took deceased up did not notice any bruise.

By Foreman—Deceased has been in the habit of staying in my house. He was insensible when I found him. My reason for not sending for the doctor as soon as I found him was that I did not know what to do. I thought he was hurt, but did not think it was so serious. Will not swear that I did not serve deceased when he came in first with a glass of bear. It was ten o'clock when I served him with the last drink.

Henry Lofting, said—I am Ostler at the Yorke Valley Hotel. On the morning of the 26th. inst at about 2 a.m. Mr. Ellery called me and said there was a man in the kitchen cellar steps, went down and found deceased with his head against the door, and his feet lying along the steps. Assisted to take him up. Mr. Ellery said I do not think he is hurt. I then went to bed and Mr. Ellery stopped with him. In the morning between 6 and 7 I went for the doctor and Lance Corporal Koble, then went and told Mr. Greenslade, who said that he could do nothing for him.

By the Police—Had a pint of beer with deceased about half-past 10 in the bar. That was the last time I saw him. I sleep in the stable, I passed the cellar steps between 10 and 11 o'clock. Had previously locked the cellar door between 9 and 10 o'clock. Deceased was drinking all the evening. When I left him he was jolly. I do not think he was drunk. Did not notice any girls in the kitchen when I passed. It is not the first time someone has fallen down the steps. The man who assisted to take deceased out of the cellar is working for Mr. Smith. Don't know that he was in company with deceased.

James Martin, mounted constable, said— About 8 o'clock yesterday evening, I went to Yorke Valley Hotel, and examined deceased and found a bruise on the forehead and side of the head, and was shown the steps he had fallen down. He appeared to have fallen on his face. Have the effects of deceased from Mr. Ellery, and from enquiries made, ascertain that he has no relations in the colony. Consider the steps to the kitchen cellar are dangerous and are not protected. The cellar is directly opposite the kitchen door, and is about five or six feet deep.

The jury, of whom Mr. J. O. Tiddy was foreman, returned a verdict that the deceased, Arthur Peter, came to his death, according to medical testimony, by effusion of blood on the brain, caused by falling down the cellar steps at the back of the Yorke Valley Hotel, on the night of the 25th inst, and the jury wish to add the following rider that the landlord, Mr. Ellery, be severely censured for allowing the cellar opening to be in such an unprotected state. Mr. Ellery was accordingly severely censured by the coroner.

INQUEST AT MAITLAND.

Sat 14 Aug 1886, Wallaroo Times (Port Wallaroo, SA : 1882 - 1888)

An Inquest was held at the Maitland Hotel, Maitland, on Thursday, August 12, to enquire into the circumstances of a fire which occurred in one of the rooms of the Maitland Hotel, on the night of the 11th inst. Mr Arthur Short, Mayor, J.P., acted as Coroner, and Mr J, W. Warn, foreman of the jury.

Mary Ferguson —Am servant for Mr Walters, of the Maitland Hotel. September the evening of the 11th. Between 10 and 11 o'clock saw Jas. O'Malley coming out of the parlor, go toward the second parlor door, leading out into the yard. Next, saw him going to the bedroom, window, opening it, and getting in through the window into my room. He had a candle, which set the curtains on fire. Then called Mrs Walters.

By the police—Was in the kitchen ironing and heard O'Malley at the door. I did not speak when he was opening the window. Am sure that the candle he had set fire to the curtains. O'Malley, previous to this, about seven o'clock, made improper proposals to me. He did not state that he wanted to go into my room. No one but myself occupies the room.

By the Foreman—When he was getting in the window I think he saw me. He came from the surgery with the candle. Was in the dining room, and saw him through the window. He did not appear to be under the influence of drink. Noticed the fire about a quarter of an hour after I saw him going with the candle. He asked me where my room was and I told him.

By O'Malley—You asked me where my room was.

Mrs Walters—Between 10 and 11 o'clock on the night of the 11th inst., Mary Ferguson came to me and said that O'Malley was getting into her bedroom. Immediately got up and went to the room when I found the place on fire. The window curtains were burnt, and the bed was on fire. Got some water and threw on the fire.

By the Police—Saw O'Malley at the time of the fire at the bedroom door. Then accused him of causing the fire. He said "You are a b—- liar." I slapped his face because he was insolent. Previous to the fire he was wandering about the house, and tried to force his way into my private parlor. He did not sleep on the premises the night previous to the fire. He had two meals at my house. Do not know where he got the candle. Estimate damage done to be about £7- The servant made no complaint to me of O'Malley's conduct.

By the Foreman—I put the fire out.

Richard Eustsee WaIters—Was called from the bar on the night of the 11th by an alarm of fire, which occurred in the girl's, bedroom, between 10 and 11 o'clock. Ran in and saw the bedding was on fire. Poured some water on to extinguish it.

By the Police—The property is insured. Did not give O'Malley permission to go into that bedroom. Asked him why be went into the room, and he denied going in or setting it on fire. He did not sleep on the premises the the previous night. O'Malley was not drunk.

Alfred Stutley, ostler—About 9.30, on the on the night of the 11th, I went into my room when O'Malley came in. Went out to look for a pair of boots. Left O'Malley in the room with the candle burning. When I came back was told of the fire. Went back to my room and found O'Malley asleep there.

By the Foreman—There was no light in the room when I came back.

The Jury, having retired for a short time, brought in the following verdict—"That there is not sufficient evidence to show how the fire originated, but that strong suspicion rests on O'Malley."

MAITLAND SHOW.

Tue 12 Oct 1886, Yorke's Peninsula Advertiser (SA : 1878 - 1922)

October 9.—Preparations are being made for the Show, to be held on October 20, but I do not think it will be so great a success as it was last year. Apart from the dry weather affecting the quality of some exhibits, the prizes offered are so small (some first prizes being only the same as the entrance) that people will not be likely to exhibit very Iargely.—Our Philharmonic Society bids' fair to be a success. There are about 50 performing members on the roll, including nearly all the leading singers in the district. With a good conductor and player, they ought to produce something very good.—The Wesleyan Sunday School Anniversary was held in the Show ground last Wednesday, and proved a great success, although it was showery during part of the day. The Rev. W. A Potts preached three eloquent sermons on Sunday. Although the gallery was fixed and held all the children (about 120) the body of the church was crowded. On Wednesday evening a public meeting was held, Mr. Jarrett in the chair. The secretary's report showed the school was in a flourishing condition. Mr. Potts again addressed the children for some time, and seemed to keep them thoroughly interested. Mr. Tiddy proposed, and Rev. H. H. Teague seconded, a comprehensive vote of thanks to all who had helped to make the anniversary a success.—A meeting of the Maitland R.V.F. was held recently at the Maitland Hotel. Lieutenant Gunning informed the company that he had received an offer to have an instructor sent over for a few days, but it was the opinion of the members present that they could not spare the time to drill just now. The company has gone to a lot of trouble this year in erecting a new butt with every convenience for marking. It is probable that if the Bill now before the House is passed, this company will take the General's advice and form., themselves into a mounted infantry company.—Our cricketers are busy putting down an asphalt pitch, and clearing the ground. When that is done and rolled they will have a ground second to none on the Peninsula.

PROVINCIAL TELEGRAMS.

Sat 5 Mar 1887, Evening Journal (Adelaide, SA : 1869 - 1912)

Maitland, March 4 1887. A complimentary banquet was tendered in the Institute Hall last evening to Mr. Samuel Rogers, late of Ynoo, who is retiring to the city after a residence of thirty-five years in this district. About thirty gentlemen, representative of all classes, were present. Mr. Solomon Moody, J.P., presided. The toast of the evening was entrusted to Mr. Huseey, who spoke of the guest in the highest terms, and on behalf of the residents presented him with an address. Many other speakers followed, endorsing the remarks and expressing regret at Mr. Rogers's departure. Mr. Rogers ably responded, and gave a graphic description of the hardships he had undergone in the early days. Songs and toasts followed, and a very pleasant evening was spent. The annual Friendly Societies' gathering was held to-day. A procession, headed by the Maitland Band, marched to the Exhibition Grounds, where various sports and games were indulged in. A ball in the Institute followed in the evening. Water-carting is again the order of the day, and it is becoming a serious matter. The Corporation and Government dams in the district are exhausted. Many settlers have to go to Point Pearce Wells and other long distances. The township supply is short. —

FAREWELL TO MR. RODGES.

Sat 12 Mar 1887, Adelaide Observer (SA : 1843 - 1904)

A complimentary gathering was tendered to Mr. Samuel Rogers on Thursday evening, March 3, in the Maitland Institute, when about thirty gentlemen attended to bid farewell to Mr. Rogers, whose career on the Peninsula dates back to 1852. Mr. S. Moody, J.P., was voted to the chair. The toast of the evening was proposed by Mr, W. H. Hussey, who referred to the high esteem and respect in which Mr. Rogers had always been held by the residents of the district, in the affairs of which he had always taken such an interest, for his sterling honesty and his gentlemanliness. Mr. Hussey, on behalf of the meeting, presented Mr. Rogers with a beautifully illuminated address, which read as follows: — "Respected Sir —

We the undersigned, residents in the town and district of Maitland, having heard with regret of your intention to relinquish farming and leave the district, feel we cannot allow you to depart without giving you this expression of the high esteem in which you have always been held by all those who have had the pleasure of your friendship during the past thirty-three years' residence in this district. Your kindness and hospitality to the early settlers, and your gentlemanly, upright, and straightforward character has been most marked, together with your liberality to all charitable and philanthropic objects, and especially the Maitland Institute and the Anglican Church. We also desire to mention the esteem in which your late wife was held, and whose cherished memory, with those of yourself and family, will ever remain as pleasant recollections of the past in the hearts of all of us. While sympathizing with your in your reverses, we sincerely hope you may long live to enjoy your well-earned rest in a retired city life.

The toast was honoured right heartily. Mr. Rogers, in responding, stated that it was in 1852 when he first came over to the Peninsula, when nothing but natives, kangaroos, and other animals were to be found. He had opened up with his bullock-dray the overland route from Maitland to Adelaide via Kalkabury and over the Hummocks. He bad worked hard, and just as he was getting the station into good order, and had spent some thousands of pounds in improvements, the Government came in and resumed the land, and from then he dated his downward career of adversity. Other toasts followed, and a most enjoyable evening was spend,

MAITLAND PHILHARMONIC SOCIETY.

Fri 9 Dec 1887, Yorke's Peninsula Advertiser (SA : 1878 - 1922)

Under distinguished patronage the Maitland Philharmonic Society gave their third concert in the local Institute on Wednesday evening to an exceedingly meagre but appreciative audience. No efforts had been spared by the society to make the occasion musically successful, and while it was thought the list of old favorites was a sufficient guarantee of the quality of the performance, it must have been disheartening to the management to see so small an assemblage of townspeople present to do honor to the society. We have on previous occasions alluded to schemes which should be devised by means of which a concert of this kind should be as successful financially as it deserves, and need only mention here that the appeal has not met with that hearty response which it deserves. The first half of the season was brought to a close in June last by the rendering of "The Haymakers." The piece chosen for the closing of the season as Roots cantata the "Pilgrim Fathers," a modest and novel selection, but one which suited the grasp and the power of the class. The cantata of the Pilgrim Fathers is founded on incidents, real and supposed, in the history of the Puritans, from the time shortly previous to their embarkation in the Mayflower to the famous treaty with Massassoit which gave them peace for so many years. The music is of a light and at times pleasing and attractive character,and throughout such is the leading air of the concerted pieces that the auditor seems almost irresistibly driven to the conviction that he is about to hear some favorite strains from well known works, but immediately is agreeably surprised at the novel turn the chords take in change of measure and of key. For the effective rendering of such a piece a full band is really essential, but this was considerably atoned for at Wednesday's performance by the accomplished playing of Miss Merritt as pianist. The newly elected conductor (Mr. A. S. Gunning) is fortunate in securing such a good chorus of trebles and alto, the greater portion of whom are fairly well trained, but there is a great lack of tenor and bass, which very materially marred the artistic rendering of some of the pieces, this being especially noticeable in the semi-choruses, where there was an absence of the accessories of sentiment and correct intonation. The stage was tastefully decorated with evergreens, giving a nice relief to the raised platform, on which the class were arranged as well as the circumscribed space would allow. Prior to the rendering of the cantata Misses Tiddy and Payne played an overture, followed by a glee by the society, "Swiftly from the mountain's brow." A duet "Shower of pearls," by the Misses Hunt and Howard was executed in good style ; as was also the glee " How sleep the brave " by the Society. Miss Merritt then played the instrumental piece with which the cantata opened. The opening chorus by the class, as might be expected, went unevenly at first, but after the novelty of the situation to many had worn off and confidence been gained, a harmonious and pleasing volume of sound favorably impressed the audience, to most of whom the music must have been entirely new. The principal characters in the cantata were Misses Hunt, Lamshed, Howard and Messrs Venning, P. Howard and Thomas. It would be ungenerous to criticise either in their respective roles, as each one did his and her part in a highly creditable manner, although the audience was immovable during the whole of the rendition, there being not one encore during the evening, yet several items deserved recognition. The frequent choruses were given, as already indicated, with precision and good effect. Of the choruses, "We have triumphed" and the sprightly finale "Blessed is the nation" may perhaps be singled out as especially praiseworthy. There are some very taking numbers, in the work, the general characters of which, however, is of a sombre cast, and there is rather a superabundance of semi-choruses, but it is a skilful musical composition, and its execution as a whole left nothing o to complain of. Mrs. Cornish and Miss Jarrett then sang the duet " The 'flight of the swallows" in good style. A chorus by the class ' Now tramp o'er moss and fell " followed, and " God save the Queen " by the whole company formed a fitting finale.

SUDDEN DEATH OF MR. SAMUEL RODGERS

Sat 18 Jul 1891, South Australian Chronicle (Adelaide, SA : 1889 - 1895)

Maitland, July 14 1891.
Widespread regret is expressed here at the sad news of the sudden death of Mr. Samuel Rogers, of Edwardstown, late of Ynoo. The deceased was one of the first settlers on the Peninsula, and was highly esteemed for his many sterling qualities. Flags are flying half mast.

SUICIDE AT MAITLAND.

Tue 14 Mar 1893, The Express and Telegraph (Adelaide, SA : 1867 - 1922)

Maitland, March 13. A Bank Clerk Shoots Himself.

Quite a gloom was cast over the township this evening when it became known that Mr. Percy Styles, a clerk employed at the Union Bank, had shot himself with a revolver at his lodgings at Mr. LeCouteuer's. He had tea at 6 o'clock, and seemed in his usual spirits. He remarked that he would go to the bank and get a revolver to shoot cats, and when last seen alive he was sitting outside smoking. The deed must have been committed between half-past 6 and 7 o'clock. He died at 8.10 p.m. He was a universal favorite, and was a son of Mr. John Styles, late of Kadina.

Wed 15 Mar 1893, South Australian Register (Adelaide, SA : 1839 - 1900)

A gloom was cast over this town last evening when Percy John Styles, a clerk in the Union Bank, shot himself with a revolver. The unfortunate young man met with an accident about a year ago, necessitating the amputation of one of his legs. Although no motive can be assigned for the suicide, it is thought that the accident was the primary cause. The greatest sympathy is expressed, the deceased having been a general favourite. An inquest was held to-day by the Mayor (Mr. Tiddy) as Coroner, when the following verdict was returned : — 'The deceased came to his death through shooting himself in the mouth with a revolver, but there is no evidence to show why he did it. '

SUDDEN DEATH AT MAITLAND.

Sat 16 May 1896, Adelaide Observer (SA : 1843 - 1904)

On Tuesday, May 12, the Mayor of Maitland, Mr. J. O. Tiddy, held an inquest upon the body of George Williams, who had died suddenly. Mr. S. Tuckwell acted as Foreman of the Jury;

John Bray, painter, of Maitland, said that last Thursday he found Williams asleep at his house. Was annoyed at his having broken into his place, and turned him out. Then found that he was in such bad health that he had to take him back. Deceased stayed at witness's place until Monday morning, when he left, saying that he was going to his late camp. About an hour after saw him go into the hut adjoining McLeod's stable. When deceased was at work he was a very abstemious man, but when he came into the township with money he drank until it was exhausted. On Monday he was suffering from the effects of drink.

Thomas Hiley stated that at about 8 o'clock that day he saw the deceased trying to rise from the ground at the back of the hut at the rear of the Maitland Hotel-stables. Went across to him and asked him what was the matter, but could not distinguish the reply. Informed the police, and went home, thinking that they would take charge of him. Did not think from his manner that his condition was so critical.

Dr. Frost, medical practitioner, said that at about 8.30 that morning, at the request of the police, he went to the back of the Maitland Hotel stables and saw deceased lying dead on the ground. He was on his back at full length. The body had not long been dead. There were no marks of violence upon the body, and he was not able to give the cause of death. Excessive drinking combined with dysentery might at times cause death.

The inquest was here adjourned to allow of a post-mortem examination of the body being made. On resuming Dr. Frost said that he had found that death was caused by pleura-pneumonia, a severe form of inflammation of the lungs. The deceased must have been suffering from it for several days, and the severe form it assumed was no doubt due to a heavy drinking bout.

M.O. Kerrin gave evidence of having removed the body to the police station.

The Jury, after a short adjournment, brought in a verdict that George Williams died from pleura-pneumonia, death having been accelerated by excessive drinking.

THE EARTHQUAKE AT MAITLAND.

Fri 3 Oct 1902, Yorke's Peninsula Advertiser (SA : 1878 - 1922)

From the Maitland Literary Society's Magazine ; by the editor, T. S. Williams,

MAITLAND.

Sat 24 Dec 1904, The Pioneer (Yorketown, SA : 1898 - 1954)

Maitland, Dec. 21. The Bishop of Adelaide (Dr. Hartmer) accompanied by Archdeacon Bussell, visited this part of the Peninsula last week. Services were held at Ardrossan on Friday evening, and on Saturday His Lordship administered confirmation to 12 candidates at St. AIbans, Port Victoria, and on the following Sunday the church and new tower were consecrated. The Point Pearce Mission was visited in the afternoon and a service held. On Sunday evening confirmation service was held at St, John's, Maitland, 15 candidates presenting themselves. The church was densely crowded, a number of people failing to gain admittance. The Bishop and Archdeacon Bussell were accompanied to the Various churches by the Rev. A. B. Wyrill, the priest-in-charge of this mission district. After the service on Sunday evening, His Lordship and the Archdeacon were conveyed to Moonta in Dr. Nicholla's motor car. A meeting in connection with the Yorke Valley Mining Syndicate was held a few days ago at the Yorke Valley Hotel. Directors were appointed and other necessary business transacted. Work is to be commenced on the property immediately after the holidays. Beautiful reaping weather has been experienced during the past month in this district, and the former has taken every advantage of it, with the result that some of them have finished reaping. A large number of harvesters have been in use this season, and appear to have given satisfaction. The yield around Maitland is good, but in many places on the light scrub lands towards Ardrossan it is very light, the want of rain in the latter part of the season amounting for it. On Saturday evening the members of the Maitland Brass Band serenaded Mr. J, W. Shannon, M.P., the Mayor of the town. Mr. Shannon thanked them for the honor done him and invited them to light refreshments. Dr. Nicholls in the absence of the bandmaster (Mr. Ryan) acknowledged and replied.

MAITLAND.

Sat 5 Nov 1905, The Pioneer (Yorketown, SA : 1898 - 1954)

November 7. On Friday last a large sale of horses took place at the Maitland Hotel yards. There were about 230 head yarded and 160 were sold at an average price of £15 16s. Best draughts were sold at from £35 to £45, mediums from £25 to £35, and light sorts up to £17. A number were sold privately the next day at good prices Mr. J. W. Shannon wielded the hammer and a large number of people attended the sale.

A number of people both old and young are suffering from influenza, and the local doctors are having a busy time.

The crops in the district looking well and a good yield is expected. Haymaking is in fall swing and some heavy crops are being cut. The weather has been very stormy lately, which has interfered with the work.

A large number of shares have been taken up in the Yorke Valley Copper Syndicate, and operations are likely to begin soon.

Try a Cup of M. J, Russell's famous Coffee. Tea and Coffee at all hours.

TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION.

Fri 28 May 1909, Yorke's Peninsula Advertiser (SA : 1878 - 1922)

THE TELEPHONE—Everything comes to those who wait and Urania has at last been placed in telephonic communication with Maitland. The telephone was opened on Thursday afternoon by Mrs George Greenslade, of "The Peppers," Urania, who in her first message to Mr Glatwick (post master at Maitland) -expressed her pleasured being able to congratulate the people of Urania on having been placed Into communication with Maitland. The convenience would be greatly appreciated by them.

EMPIRE DAY—On Monday, 24th inst, the scholars of the local school celebrated Empire Day. After listening to speeches at the school in the morning, they, at about 11 o'clock, paraded the main street and marched to the A. H. & F. Society's grounds, where dinner prepared by several of the patents awaited them. During the afternoon a programme of sports was carried out, the racing, &c., lasting until teatime, when all present partook of a very nice meal. The children from the Yorke Valley and Tiparra schools were also present, and joined in the afternoon's amusements, &c.

THE PIERROTS played to a very good house at the Institute Hall on Friday night last to a very good house, and were well received, so well in fact that they returned again on Monday, when they were again accorded a good house:

THE Bishop (Right Rev A. N. Thomas held a confirmation service at the Anglican Church on Monday evening.

The adult class in connection with the Congregational Church have this evening, been enjoying themselves at a social gathering in the Institute Hall. There was a good number present and a very pleasant time was spent by all.

The appearance of our main street (Robert-Street) is being greatly improved by the erection of two new shops and the removal of the pepper tree opposite the Yorke Valley Hotel.

Football— Our footballers journeyed to the Mission Station on Saturday last and were defeated by 5 goal's 13 behinds to 1 goal 3 behinds. They will probably visit Ardrossan on Saturday next. -

MAITLAND IMPROVEMENTS.

Tue 26 Jul 1910, The Register (Adelaide, SA : 1901 - 1929)

Maitland, July 25, Considerable improvements have been made in the town during the past 12 or 18 months. Numerous residences have sprung up in all parts.

Numerousresidences have sprung up in all parts, others are in progress, and a number of people contemplate building on township lots at an early date. During this period a number of business people have either erected additional premises or increased the capacity of their old buildings. Improvements have been carried out at the post office and the institute. More rooms are to be added to the institute, and the capacity of the hall and stage accommodation increased. Additions are also on hand at the police station. Among the recent improvements to the town is the establishment of a branch business by Messrs. Duncan & Fraser. An up-to-date motor garage has also been built in the main street by Mr. B. Mathews. The premises are fitted throughout with a modern electric plant capable of dealing with all kinds of repairs. Recently Mr. Mathews made an offer to the corporation to instal a system of electric lighting far the township at an initial cost of £160 and a comparatively small sum for maintenance annually. The proposal covered a term of five years, at the expiration of which time the corporation was to have the option of purchasing the plant and running it on its own account. A poll on Saturday resulted as follows:— For the proposal, 101; against 86; majority for the proposal, 15.

CORONATION FESTIVITIES.

Sat 24 Jun 1911, The Register (Adelaide, SA : 1901 - 1929)

At an early hour on Thursday morning people began to arrive from all directions to take port in the Coronation festivities. Several wagon and buggy loads of aborigines drove in from the Point Pearce Mission Station. A procession, headed by the Mayor (Mr. J. T. King), Councillors, and the Ardrossan School band, marched from the institute to the show-ground, where a service was held in the main hall. In the procession were also members of the Yorke's Peninsula District Council, amalgamated friendly societies, local clergymen, and children from the school and the Point Pearce Mission Station. Mr. W. Bowey acted as marshal, The spacious hall was filled by about a thousand people. Tho Rev. W. T. Strahan (Anglican) gave an address from the text 'Fear god, honour the King' (1 Peter, 2-17). The Reve, Finch (Methodist) and Stacy (Congregational) also took part. The National Anthem and several well-known hymns were sung by the congregation and a massed choir from the various churches. At the close of the service the children and the Ardrossan School Band contributed items, after which the Mayor and Mayoress distributed 500 medals and bags containing fruit and sweets. Luncheon was provided for everybody by the ladies. During the afternoon sports were conducted, and about £7 was distributed as prize money. In the evening a bonfire was lit on the quarry hill, and with its extinction was concluded one of the most memorable days in the history of Maltland.

MAITLAND'S BIRTHDAY.

Sat 29 Jul 1911, Observer (Adelaide, SA : 1905 - 1931)

Maitland, July 17.—Thursday last was the twenty-eighth anniversary of the inauguration of Maitland as an incorporate town. To commemorate the event, the Mayor and Mayoress (Mr. and Mrs. J. T. King) invited the town Councillor's and officers to a social evening in their new home. A pleasant evening was spent by the fireside, chatting over the past history of the town. The Mayor, who was one of the first Councillors, has watched the gradual advancement of the town. He was here when the greater part of the surrounding agricultural areas was dense scrub, and has enjoyed the benefits of the good seasons of the last few years, which have enabled those responsible for the progress of Maitland to make it equal to any-town on the peninsula. So rapid has been its growth, that there is scarcely an available building site, and those wishing to make their homes here have now to build outside the borders of the municipality. Millerville estate, which borders on the north side, is shortly to be cut up and sold for this purpose. The council has spent a lot qf money in beautifying the streets and park lands. The streets have recently been kerbed and squared off at the corners, and a number of culverts have been laid; the park lands have been nicely fenced, and many trees which were a hindrance to business people in the main street have been removed. Quite a number of new residences have been erected or are in course of construction. In the main street a stone building has been erected for a printing office, from which a weekly paper will shortly be published. On Sunday evening at the Congregational Church, a corporalion service, the first to be held in Maitland, was conducted by the Rev. E. J. Stacy. By invitation, the Mayor and members of the town council attended officially. There was a large congregation. Mr. Stacy explained that the service was being held to mark the anniversary of the incorporation of the town, and as a public recognition that the powers to be, even of local self-government, were ordained of God, to whom account would ultimately have to be given of stewardship. He preached on the subject of the Holy City from Rev. 21, 27, and concluded with an appeal for support for the council in their attempt to translate permanent spiritual principles into action in the civic life of the town. The choir rendered a special anthem, and Miss Gladys Pearce sang the "Holy City."

A NEW HOSPITAL. BUILDING AT MAITLAND.

Sat 25 Nov 1911, Daily Herald (Adelaide, SA : 1910 - 1924)

Maitland, November 23. Premier Lays Foundation Stone.

Yesterday was a red-letter day in the history of Maitland, the occasion being the laying of the foundation stone of the new hospital by the senior member for the district (Hon.. J. Venran). There was a large attendance of residents of the town and district despite the hot weather. The school Children were lined up near the entrance to the new building which is situated near the town boundary- The chairman of the hospital committee (Mr. J. 0.' Tiddy) took charge of the proceedings and gave an outline of the wort that had been done in connection with the movement. The building would cost nearly £2000, and after it is completed the furniture has to be provided. He was pleased to welcome the Premier and asked him, on behalf of the committee to lay the stone.

—Premier's Speech.—

The Premier on rising was heartily cheered by the large crowd. He stated that although it was rather inconvenient for him to be away from the city, he felt in the interest of the object for which they had met that afternoon that he did the right thing in accepting the invitation of the committee.. As a boy he was taught to believe that hospitals were, institutions to be abhorred by the general public, but with the enlightenment of the present age he could safely say that hospitals were of great benefit to the community. Before the Christian era neither doctors nor nurses were in fashion, and one of Florence Nightingale's terse sentences was "Christ was the Author of the nursing profession." St. Paul was the pioneer of the nursing movement in the first century of the Christian, era, as he called the women of the early church to work for the caring of the sick and infirm. He instituted the order of "deaconess," which was the prototype of the modern religious and nursing sisterhood. In the records of these early times the personality of that Roman lady St. Paula stood out in bold relief. Early left a widow, Paula determined to devote her life and wealth to the cause of the sick and suffering. Nursing originally was the outcome of religious devotion. And in the fourth and fifth centuries pious ladies, following the example of Paula, made it their vocation to care for The sick. The first general hospital was the Hotel Dieu, founded at Lyons in 560 A.D. One hundred years later an Hotel Dieu was established in Paris by Tiaundy, Bishop of Paris. The advantages to be gained by hospital treatment were found in the fact that nurses trained to detect symptoms, and medical men, knew at a glance from the patient's record sheet the condition of the patient during his absence. Proper food, ventilation, heating, &c., were also provided in hospitals, which could not in very many instances be provided in private houses. There were also great advantages in midwifery cases, and another great factor was the benefit to the children who would eventually, build up a nation, as both mother and baby could be cared for in the hospital. With the modern appliances beds were made with the patients in them, and an up-to-date hospital was a great blessing to the town and district. In many cases it meant saving of life in urgent cases, and they also had the advantage of modern surgical treatment right in their midst. When the hospital was completed there would be no need to go to the city, and no long, pain-racking journey for the sick. He urged on the young men of the district to assist the committee by subscribing to the funds. He bad pleasure in stating that his Government had agreed to subsidise pound for pound on the amount privately collected by the committee, and £500 was on the Estimates now before the House for this purpose. He had exceedingly great pleasure in declaring the stone duly laid. The inscription on the stone was as follows :—"This foundation stone was laid by the Hon. John Verran, Premier of South Australia, November 22, 1911."

—Presentation and Refreshments.—

The president, on behalf of the committee, had pleasure in presenting to the Premier a handsome silver trowel as a memento of the occasion. On the motion of Mr. Bowey a hearty vote of thanks was accorded to the Premier for his kindness in coming to Maitland to lay the foundation stone. An adjournment was then made to the show buildings where tea was provided by the ladies. The Premier and his daughter left by motor early in the evening. .

AT MAITLAND. VISIT OF A STATE GOVERNOR.

Thu 7 Nov 1912, The Journal (Adelaide, SA : 1912 - 1923)

Maitland. November 5. Tuesday was a red-letter day in the history of Maitland. The occasion being the first official visit of a State Governor to the town. Sir Day Bosanquet was invited to be present and to declare the local hospital open, but owing to a prior engagement, he was unable to attend. Information was received, however, that His Excellency would visit the town at a later date. Tuesday was the day chosen, and a fitting welcome was given to His Majesty's representative. The streets were decorated with bunting, and other decorations, and a large streamer bearing the word "welcome" was hung across the road from the post office to the Maitland Hotel. The Governor and his Private Secretary (Mr. Row, E.N.) arrived by motor from Ardrossan at 11 a.m. The car pulled up at the institute, where His Excellency was welcomed by the Mayor I Mr. W. .T. Noble), and members of the town council. The Mayor asked Sir Day to accept an address of welcome. His Excellency, in reply, said it gave him great pleasure to visit this prosperous town, and to fulfil an old promise to come over there. He could:, not help noticing the difference in the crops between Ardrossan and the town as he motored along that day. The nearer one got to Maitland the better the crops appeared to be. His Excellency then read an official reply to the address of welcome. A visit of inspection was made to the public school, where the head teacher (My. W. J. Deebie) and the members of the Board of Advice welcomed His Excellency. The Governor took a keen interest in the work of the school, and requested Mr. Deebie to ask the scholars a few questions on the present tremble in the Balkans. The map of the country drawn on the hytoplate board on the wall. The questions were readily answered by the children tnbutpd by the scholars, and one of the elder scholars read an address of welcome I from the school, which was presented to j His Sir Day Excellency thanked the teachers and children for their cordial welcome. It was e a I ?; a long time since he baff had seen a better, brighter, l o n s s moeI ; of school addressed boys and hool girls the children His the subject "Self culture." and his remarks were instructive to all present. Mr. C. F. G. Heinrich proposed. and Mr. J. O. Tiddy seconded, a vote of 'thanks to His Excellency for tion, which was carried. His Excellency, in reply, stated that it gave him great pleasure to be among the school children, and he would reward their welcome by granting them a half-holiday. After the visit to the school His Excellency expressed a desire to see through the hospital. He evinced a keen interest in everything shown him, and had a few words to say to each of the patients. Leaving the hospital, His Excellency motored around the town. —The Luncheon.— One of the most important features of the visit was the entertaining of His Excellency at luncheon. In all about 25 sat down at the Maitland Hotel to an excellent dinner, supplied by Mis. Clausen. After the loyal toast had been honoured, Mr. Noble proposed "His Excellency the Governor," and stated that it afforded the townspeople much pleasure to receive a visit from one whose interest was in people of the State which he governs.

His Excellency, who was received with applause, said that it was gratifying to hear all the loyal sentiments that had been expressed that day. His Worship had mentioned that he (the Governor) had had a lot of travelling. He enjoyed it. It was as good as a holiday. He had travelled over 5,000 miles during the last six months, had attended 150 functions, and had spoken no fewer than 104 times. He was glad indeed to have the pleasure of seeing an energetic people and their pretty township. The town was perfectly situated, which gave it a distinct advantage. The surroundings also were lovely. One thing especially he noticed coming from Ardrossan was a splendid vineyard, and it was a wonder the wine industry was not carried on there. The prosperity of the district was largely known. When he was at the Moonta Show some time ago he noticed a lot of motor cars, and when he asked where they came from he was told—Maitland: His visit had been preceded by rain. It was a good thing he decided to come —(laughter)—and he hoped the rain would be beneficial. As to the prosperity of Yorke's Peninsula, there could be no two opinions. The splendid crops flourishing in the surrounding country seemed to grow to an enormous size. Some of it called "La Hugenot" attained the height of 7 ft. He was reading of their success in this direction, and he found it stated that Mr.s Cornell, the grower, had got rid of the beard of the plant by selection, and that it was a beautiful wheat for hay. He heartily congratulated farmers on the favourable chances of a good harvest this year. The Peninsula owed its present high position in the agricultural world to the use of super-phosphates, which came when success was trembling in the balance; just at the right moment to ensure the welfare and prosperity of the farmer. He trusted that prosperity would continue. The other day he was present at the celebration in Adelaide of the seventy-fifth anniversary of the establishment of the Congregational Church in South Australia, and somewhat to his surprise in reading up the history of that church he found that Maitland was one of the earliest places on Yorke's Peninsula, where Congregational worship was founded by the Rev. W. Wilson in 1875. His Excellency outlined his proposed trip, which would have to be done in quick time. He said speed to-day was everything. There was no time to go slow, and the fast travelling of motor and electric cars exercised an influence upon social life, which was communicated to country folk, who became infatuated with the chaffeur. He repeated the following little anecdote:—A cook in a certain hotel announced to her mistress that she was about to leave on account of her intended marriage' to a chauffeur. "Why, Mary, this is somewhat sudden ?" "Yes, mum," replied Mary, "but with my husband that is to be everything is sudden. The day before yesterday we became acquainted, yesterday we were engaged. and today I find that he already owes me £5." (Laughter.) He thanked them all for their very cordial and enthusiastic welcome. (Applause.) —Successful Fete.— In the afternoon His Excellency opened the hospital fete, and later motored to Wallaroo. The proceeds of the fete were nearly £190. It was the biggest fair ever held at Maitland The success of the fete was entirely due to the energies of the ladies, and the thanks of the board are due to them, and especially to Miss Pitcher (Secretary), and Mrs. Boncey (President of the Ladies' committee). The Chairman of the board (Mr. J. O. Tiddy) introduced His Excellency, who briefly addressed the large audience, and declared the fete open. A vote of thanks was proposed by the Secretary (Mr, Jack Tiddy) and seconded by Mr. A. C. Kdson. a member of the board. Stallholders:—Needlework, Mcsdames E. Greenslade, H. G. Tossell, and F. W. Dunk, and Messrs. Pitcher and Smith. Cool drinks, Messrs. E.' G. Jarrett and G. Harrison. Produce, Mrs. C. F. G. Heinrich, and Misses Bradley and Bowey. Sweets, Matesdames E. W. Bowey and S. F. M. Andrew, and Misses Arrownnith, Keade, and Kinge. Cakes, Mis. G. L. Greecslade and Miss Hcurich. Mission stall, Mesdamee Garaett and Steer, and Mis Francis, and two mission girls, Hilda Stewart and Elsie Mitchell. Jumble, Mesdames Lyons and H. W. Tossell, and Misses G. Coffey and A. Com Flowers, Mesdames J. o. Tiddv, J. O. Tiddy, jun., and Gunning, and Mies Stone. Fishpond, Master Jim Tiddy and Ted Oatey. Fancy, Mesdames L. D. Moloney and J. Tiddv, and Messrs. Keefe and Barry. Refreshments, Mesdames E. G. Jairett, W. J. Allen, li. H. Lamshed, H. Harris, and A. J. Flicker, and Misses Greenslade, I. Tossell, Ivy Tos&ell. Bristo, L. Heinrich and E. Lamshed.

FAREWELL TO SOLDIERS.

Mon 31 May 1915, The Express and Telegraph (Adelaide, SA : 1867 - 1922)

Maitland, May 28. Private Arthur E. Burnett, of the 1st Reinforcements, 27th Battalion, Australian Expeditionary Forces, who has been in camp (Y.M.C.A. tent) at Mitcham for the past month, returned to this town yesterday evening to bid farewell to friends. Mr. Burnett is a native of Truro, and has been in the employ of Messrs. J. 0. Tiddy & Co. for the past three years, during which time he has made many friends. On severing his connection with Messrs. Tiddy & Co., and prior to his initial departure, his fellow assistants met to bid him farewell and God-speed. The firm's director, Mr. A. T. Mullner, speaking in eulogistic terms of Mr. Burnett, presented him, on behalf of the staff, with a silver-mounted pocketbook., Other speakers were Messrs. J. O.Tiddy, jun., S. F. M. Andrew. K. Hoffmann, and H. B. Johnston. Toasts were honored. Yesterday evening, on his return to bid a hurried farewell, all his comrades gathered together in the main street singing patriotic songs and "For he's a jolly good fellow." He then was conveyed to the residence of Mr. Joseph Francis, where he remained for the evening, and returned to Adelaide to-day.

PASKEVILLE TO MATTLAND.

Fri 11 Aug 1916, The Register (Adelaide, SA : 1901 - 1929) Trove

The question of the expediency of constructing a railway from Paskeville to Maitland was originally referred to, the committee by the Commishner of public Works, and the reference was endorsed by the House of Assembly. Very full evidence on the subject had been taken by the first. Standing Committee in connection with the proposal to build a railway from Port Hughes to Maitland, and that committee would have been in a position to settle the matter but for the fact that the reference somewhat narrowed the scope of their enquiry. The first committees investigations proved conclusively that if Port Hughes were linked up with the wheatgrowing districts the grain would still go to Wallaroo, on account of the better price obtainable there, whereupon the alternative scheme of a railway to Paskeville was taken up by the farming community, with the Moonta faction still contending strenuously for the Port. Hughes connection. Thus, any semblance of unanimity that prevailed before was broken down. The Arthurton and, Maitland people championed the Paskeville line, while the Moonta interests advodated a direct railway from Port Hughes to Arthurton and Maitland in support of which route— representing a slight variation in their favour— a number of witnesses from the western part of the Hundred of Tiparra, who had regarded the previous agitation with apparent indifference came forward and gave evidence.

—Water Supply.—

Many of the witnesses in the original enquiry made a strong point about the increased production and the consequent business for a railway that would be possible with an adequate water supply, which would permit of mixed farming being conducted on a much more extended scale than under present conditions. Quite a number of farmers, in fact, volunteered the information that they would sooner have a good water service than a railway. However a plan supplied by the Hydraulic Engineer shows that a large central slice of the proposed railway area, comprising nearly the whole of the Hundred of Maitland and portions of the Hundreds of Clinton, Tiparra, Kilkerran, and Cunningham, cannot at present be supplied wth water from the existing sources by gravitation.

—The Traffic.—

In the estimates furnished to the first committee the railway officers calculated the wheat traffic on the yield for the season 1913-14. They estimate that the railway will command fourfifths of the production of the Hundred of Tiparra; the whole of the Hundred of Maitland, half of Kilkerran, a quarter of Cunningham, and over eighth of Wauraltee and Muloowurtie, making a total of 931,788 bushels, or 24,780 tons, less 1,938 tons retained in the, district for seed. If the average production for 10 years ending with and including the 1913-14 harvest had been taken, the railway officers estimate of 981,788 bushels would be reduced to 841,822 bushels, or 22,549 tons. Since these figures were prepared two more harvests have been gathered. One, representing the most disastrous year in South Australia's rural history, yielded only 288,196 bushel in the areas to be tapped by the proposed railway— not half of the production relied upon in the framing of traffic estimates. The 1915-16 harvest, however, in the hundreds to be served is officially returned —allowing for similar proportions as previously stated— at 1,038,719 bushels, and as the area being cropped shows an expanding tendency the tonnage put down by the railway officers is probably correct, especially if a railway should command the traffic of the areas they anticipate. We are of the first committee's opinion, however, that the officers have calculated too large an area. It is safer, we think to take three-fifths of the Hundred of Tiparra rather than four-fifths, as the farmers in the western part of the hundred will continue to cart to Moonta; In our opinion, also, the railway would not receive much wheat from the Hundreds of Wauraltee and Muloowurtie— certainly not one-eighth, as calculated by the railway officers. This limitation of the area to be served, however, would not seriously affect the railway revenue, as the most productive land is in the centre, of the peninsula.

—The Official Estimates.—

Estimates of the cost of construction of the railway were submitted to the first committee by this Chief Engineer for Railways (Mr. J. C. B. Moncrieff), and estimates of the working results by the Goods Superintendent (Mr. G. J. Smith), after careful enquiries in the district in company with Mr. R. S. Ross (Traffic Superintendent of the Western Division). They were for a 3 ft. 6 m. gauge line on three alternate routes from Paskeville to Maitland, and for a 3 ft. 6 in. gauge line from Green's Plains West to Maitland. On account of the effect upon all railway undertakings which the abnormal conditions prevailing during the term of the war are having, the second committee called for fresh estimates for construction costs and working results of the proposed line, with the result that an entirely different complexion is placed upon the scheme. The profit £1,204 per annum shown in connection with the most favoured Piskeville route is turned into a loss of £6O4, and the profit of, £1,213 credited to the Green's Plains West route is now changed to a loss of £680. A similar result is shown in relation to the other twos Paskeville routes— a deficiency of £473 and £604 respectively. This result is apparent notwithstanding an advance in both the goods rates and passenger fares, and is due entirely to increased costs of construction and working, and the advance in the rate of interest. Whereas the rate of interest mentioned in the original estimates was 4 per cent.; in the revised Statement it appears as 5 per cent during construction and 4.5 per cent, afterwards. It will be noted from a comparison of the, figures that the revenue shows no substancial increase despite the higher freights now charged on the railways, and this is accounted for by the fact that the wheat rates - the chief source of business in this instance have not been disturbed since the original estimates were framed. In furnishing the new estimates—which, by the way, make no allowance for increased cost of rolling stock— the Railways Commisioner remarked:— "I desire to take this opportunity of again pointing out that under present circumstances estimates of cost of construction, in the absence of reliable quotations for various classes of material, are necessarily approximate only."

—Advantages of Delay.—

In view of the present abnormal conditions affecting railway construction It will clearly be an unwise proceeding to build the proposed line and saddle it for all time with an inflated capital expenditure that can be materially reduced when better times return. Being almost wholly a railway of convenience, the undertaking is one that must be approached as a strictly business proposition, and the people concerned may reasonably be asked to await a more favourable opportunity for pressing their claim. Yorke's Peninsula has been developed to a most satisfactory extent without railway facilities, and it was generally admitted by the witnesess that the construction of the line would not bring much new country under cultivation. With their numerous outlets for produce on the seaboard and their good roads the farmers on the peninsula generally are in an infinitely better position than those in many other parts of the State, particularly in the newly opened areas, and a railway is note essential to their continued profitable occupation of the land. The strongest argument for the line is the case of the Arthurton agriculturists, who are rather remotely situated from a market.

— The Committee's Finding.— For these reasons the committee have agreed unanimously that at the present time it is pot expedient to construct a railway from Paskeville to Maitlaad.

INSTALLATION OF ELECTRIC LIGHT IN MAITLAND.

Fri 9 Feb 1917, Yorke's Peninsula Advertiser (SA : 1878 - 1922)

Thursday marked another milestone in the history of the town of Maitland. At 8.30 p.m. the mayor and councillors with a large number of residents of the town and district assembled at the garage of Mr S. McPharlin to witness the ceremony of the switching on of the electric light to the town. The mayor, Mr J. Tiddy, in opening the proceedings mentioned that the town was made a corporate body in 1883. He was glad to see the first mayor and one councillor present there that evening also the first town clerk. At that time street lighting was not thought of but later on after many discussions a scheme was tried with four lights. This cost £52 per annum and proved a failure. Various schemes were discussed without result until in 1916 the council under the ex-mayor Mr A. T. Mullner, went into the a matter a d tenders were asked for.

Lights supplied by oil were fixed in the streets, but did not prove satisfactory. He, the mayor, was speaking to Mr McPharlin one day about the lighting and Mr McPharlin suggested a scheme of electric lighting but said that at present he was not prepared to place any definite plans before the council. The mayor told him to communicate with the council and ask them to wait until he could, formulate his idea This the council did and to night proved that they did the right thing. It has resulted in Maitland having an up-to-date scheme which will compare favourably with any in South Australia. Mr McPharlin has gone to considerable expense in his undertaking and the ratepayers were to be congratulated on the cheapness which the new light was to be installed. It would mean a slight addition to the rates. At the present the rates are 1/3 in the £1, but after tomorrow night they would be, he could safely say not more than 1/6 in the £, on the assessable value of the town. Thus they were getting the town lighted up in a beautiful way by the slight addition to the rates of 3d in the £. They were not committed to any capital expenditure. For £65 per annum they would have thirteen lights and one of the lights equal to two, so that would mean fourteen lights for £65 per annum. The lights they had tried cost £52 for four lights and now they were getting equal to fourteen lights of 100 candle power for £65. Mr McPharlin has shown his confidence in Maitland and it remains for the townspeople to show their confidence in him. He was sure that Mr McPharlin would make the undertaking a success if the ratepayers supported him. We all appreciated his action for the good of the town. The effect of having the light installed would mean increased value of property. He now called on the mayoress to switch on the current. He, the mayor, hoped when the current was switched on it would show the townspeople the beautiful light and would initiate the success of the contractors. The mayoress, Mrs J. Tiddy, then switched on the current in a graceful manner and at once the garage was lighted up brilliantly amidst applause from the people present. Three cheers were given for the mayoress, and one for the mayor, and one for Mr S. McPharlin. The Maitland Band then played the National Anthem. The mayor invited the people to remain and admire the light while the Maitland Band played a few selections outside.—" Maitland Watch."

MAITLAND WHEAT STATISTICS.

Wed 24 Mar 1920, The Register (Adelaide, SA : 1901 - 1929)

At a meeting of the Maitland branch of the Agricultural Bureau, a paper dealing with wheat statistics for the Hundred of Maitland was given by Mr. C. B. O'Reilly. Figures relating to the wheat returns before and after the use of superphophates showed what a marvellous difference the artificial manures had made to Yorke's Peninsula. When land was first cultivated in the Hundred of Maitland the wheat yields averaged anything from 5 to 7 bushels an acre. The best was 7.18 bushels in 1882-3 of 13,881 acres. In the two following years the area under wheat was about 37,000 acres, but the average was not quite so good. The nutriment was being taken out of the soil, and in 1890 the cultivation had dropped to 11,621 acres, and the yield to 4.88. The position became worse steadily, and in I897 only 7,498 acres were reaped, and the crop worked out at 3.5 bushels. About 1898-9 the use of fertilizers began, and there was an immediate improvement to a nine-bushel harvest. The acreage soon got back to five figure, and by 1902-3 the drill was in general use. For the first time in its history the Hundred of Maitland saw a double-figure average at the end of the 1902-3 season, for 13,436 acres gave 140,486 bushels, equal to 14.17 bushels an acre. Since then, with the exception of the dreadful 1914 drought, Maitland has always done well in cereals. The area under cultivation now ranges from 18,000 to 22,000 acres, and with easier access to market a lot of scrub land would be made subject to the plough. The summary of the two positions— before and after— shows that in the 11 years before fertilizers were used for which statistics are available the Hundred of Maitland produced 677,786 bushels of wheat off 135,219 acres, at an average of 5 bushels to the acre. The period of transition is left our calculation, but for the, 17 seasons 1902-3 to 1918-19, both inclusive, the yield was 4,236,835 bushels off 303,893 acres at an average of 13.94 bushels-practically 14 bushels an acre.

Teacher— 'If you take four fingers from 10, how many remain?

Alice did not reply.

Teacher— 'How many fingers have you altogether?'

Alice— 'Ten.'

Teacher ?.—'And suppose, four were missing— what have you then?'

Alice (beaming)— 'No music lessons.'

MAITLAND SOLDIERS' MEM0RIAL.

Fri 13 May 1921, Yorke's Peninsula Advertiser (SA : 1878 - 1922)

Maitland has decided to erect a soldiers' memorial at the corner of the Port Victoria and Yorketown roads at an estimated cost of £1,200. The memorial, which was designed by Messrs C. W. Rutt & Seppelt, of Currie-street, Adelaide, will be a handsome one. Its main feature is a tower-like structure standing 19 ft high, bearing an inscription on the face and a bronze wreath in a recess beneath the cornice. This tower stands on a low flight of steps, and at about 6ft from it, on each side, is a similar structure, but smaller in every dimension, being about 9ft high. On the front faces of these two flanking panels will be inscribed the names of those who enlisted from the district. Between them and the bold central feature the steps lead up to a floor about 4ft. above the ground level, around the back of the "tower," into which will be built a tablet or shrine containing the names of those who died in the Great War. Entrance to the Memorial will be through a gateway in a low wall surrounding a plot of land that may be planted with evergreen shrubs, or even with lawns. The size and shape of this enclosure will be determined by those of the site. The work is to be carried out in stone, and will be a worthy and beautiful monument.

A SOLDIERS' MEMORIAL.

Sat 30 Sep 1922, Chronicle (Adelaide, SA : 1895 - 1954)

Maitland, September 22.— The foundation-stone of the soldiers' memorial was laid on Wednesday afternoon. The structure is being erected at the corner of Roger terrace and Arthurton-road. Great preparations were made, and a large gathering assembled. The Maitland Brass Band played selections. Mr. H. Fischer conducted. Flags floated over the memorial, and the children formed a guard of honor from the roadway to the platform. The Mayor (Mr. J. O. Tiddy) and Captain H. Butler accompanied by the Mayoress and Mrs Butler, were escorted to the platform. The Mayor gave a short history of the memorial movement. The memorial committee had chosen a worthy memento, a design costing £1,525 having been selected. Mr. A. S. Tillett had the work well in hand. Mr. F. P. Wundewitz had collected over £1,000 in ten days, for which the committee were grateful. A carnival had realised £400. A silver trowel was presented to Captain Butler, who laid the stone. Captain Butler, who was greeted with a storm of applause, eulogised the soldiers, and also the ladies, for the great assistance they had given during the years of the Great War. He congratulated Maitland on halving on its list the one V.C. winner on the Peninsula. The foundation-stone was a fine piece of Macclesfield marble, bearing the words. "The Great War, 1914-1919" Little Don Ayliffe, son of the late Mr. G. W Ayliffe, president of the local branch of the Returned Soldiers' League, presented Mrs. Butler with a bouquet. The children sang 'Song of Australia.'- A football match followed. A combined team from Androsan, Port Victoria, and Missions played Maitland. The combined team won by 2 goals. 'The Players',' a local company, gave 'The Private Secretary' to a crowded house. The members are to be congratulated on their efforts. An orches tra provided music.

MAITLAND TRAGEDY.

Mon 11 Sep 1922, The Register (Adelaide, SA : 1901 - 1929)

I've done the Job story of the crime.

Maitland. September 10. Gradually the story of the tragedy at Sandilands, in the Maitland district, in which a bright, intelligent girl was sent to her death on Friday last, is being pieced together. So far as can'be ascertained the shooting was characterized by a determination unusually callous and cold blooded. According to the statements, which probably will be recorded in evidence at the inquest, Cyril Curnow, the youth accused of the awful deed, must have been nursing his feeling of jealousy for several days, while preserving his friendly relationship with the Bockmann family. It appears that Mr. Bockmann, his two daughters, Eleanor and Gladys, and niece, Alvera Bockmann were in Maitland on Saturday, September 2, and attended the challenge football match. After the game they walked down the street with two boy friends, and were seen by Curnow, who had for some time been paying attention to Miss Bockmann. All the young people stayed for the pictures in the evening, and Curnow accompanied them home in their trap. He remained at the house from Saturday night until the fatetul afternoon, and was treated as a member of the family. It was apparent, however, that the cordial relations between the two principal figures in the subsequent tragedy, had been disturbed, and it is stated that during the drive home on Saturday night the girl refused Curnow's request not to be so friendly with, her brother's companions.

— Feelings of Jealousy.—

She is alleged to have replied that she saw no reason for not speaking to them, and it seems that the youth could not suppress his feelings of jealousy. Evidence or Curnow's deep laid scheme for avenging himself on Miss Bockmann is said to be forthcoming, and it was only by the fortuitous circumstance that took her to her home on the Thursday evening, which delayed for one day this carring out of his dreadful intention. After breakfast on Thursday morning Curnow borrowed from Mr. Bockmann a 12 gauge single-barrel breechloader gun to go out shooting rabbits and birds. He did not return until about 8 o'clock at night, and then he sat and played cards with Laurence Bockmann, his younger sister Gladys, and their cousin. Miss Bockmann did not take part in the game.

— Died in Father's Arms.—

The story goes that Curnow lay in wait for his intended victim, who had ridden her horse to a house a few miles from Ardrossan, where she took lessons in dress making. For some reason which now will never be known she returned home by another road. On Friday morning the lad took out the gun again ostensibly for the same purpose, but came back in time for dinner. After that meal he and Laurence Bockmann had a few kicks at a football, and then father and son set out on their afternoon work. The three girls settled down to sewing and mending in the dining room. Suddenly Curnow appeared in the doorway with the gun in his hand. He put it up to his shoulder, swept the barrel past Gladys Bockmann and her cousin, and then discharged the contents of the cartridge full into the left side of the neck of Eleanor. The unfortunate girl called to him, and, rising from her chair, walked out of the room, across the enclosed verandah, and fell out in the open about nine yards away from the house. Her two companions, shocked and horror-stricken, ran out to give the alarm, and the father reached his stricken, daughter just in time to hear her give two short gasps, and die in his arms. Meantime Curnow had gone off across the paddocks toward Sandilands Post Office, and he came up to two farm workers, Murphy and Pearson, who are employed by Mr. Len. Rowe. He spoke to them, and, throwing down the gun and three cartridges, said he had 'done the job.' At that moment Mr. Rowe, who is a justice of the peace, came up, and Curnow surrendered himself.

—Bright, Attractive Girl.—

The Hundred of Muloowurtie comprises a large block of low mallee and broombush country on the eastern side of Yorke Peninsula. Only in recent years has it proved profitable for agricultural operations, and settlement is still very scattered, and communication with the outside world governed largely by the condition of the roads. There are two postal centres, one at Sandilands, about 12 miles south-east of Maitland, and one at Pine Point, on the coast. Mr. Bockmann has been sharefarming in that portion of the State about 14 or 15 years, and only six months ago, when the farm on which be resided was divided up and portion solid, he moved into a new house built of iron on a site near the road, known as the Beach road, which runs from the Sandilands Post Office direct to the Gulf of St. Vincent. The family consisted of Mr. and Mrs. Bockmann, two boys, and two girls, and it is the elder daughter who has been made the victim of one of the worst deeds recorded in the history of Yorke Peninsula. Miss Bockmann was an attractive, bright young girl, sturdily built, a typical type of the splendid womanhood of Australia. She was about 5 ft. 6 in. in height, and turned the scale at 12 st. Curnow is a splendid athlete, and was regarded as one of the best footballers in the Sandilands team.

— A Charge of Murder. —

The news of the killing of Eleanor Louisa Bockmann, at Sandilands, in the Hundred of Muloowurtie, on Friday afternoon, has caused a painful sensation through the district. Mr. Bockmann has been farming on shares in the Muioowurtie country for a number of years, and the whole family are well respected. The accused, Herbert C. Curnow, had been employed during the past three months by Mr. L. G. Rowe, of Sandilands, who lives about two miles from the Bockmann's. He had become very friendly with them, and went to reside with the family on Sunday last. On the previous day his employment with Mr. Rowe had ceased, and it is said that he intended to go on under Mr. Bockmann.

This morning Mr. J. O. Tiddy, the Mayor, sat in the Police Court, when Herbert Cyril Curnow was charged on the information of M.C West with having feloniously wilfully, and with malice aforethought killed and murdered Eleanor Louisa Bockmann. Immediately after the charge had been read M.C. West asked for an adjournment until Monday morning. He said the shooting had taken place at Sandilands on the previous afternoon, and he asked for time to prepare the case. The adjournment was granted. Curnow is a well set up youth, about 5 ft. 9 in. in height. He appeared in Court wearing a blue-and-white football guernsey under his coat, blue-and-white ribbon an the lapel of the coat, and football boots. He apparently took little heed of the proceedings.

HERBERT CECIL CURNOW. photograph

AN ECHO OF THE PIONEERING DAYS.

Mon 22 Jan 1923, The Register (Adelaide, SA : 1901 - 1929)

Travelling to Ardrossan in the Warrawee, on New Year's Day I made the acquaintance of a Mr. Coates, one of the sturdy old pioneers of the Maitland district, in Yorke's Peninsula ( writes 'Aerapetus' in The Saturday Journal). Some 50 years ago a small party, including Messrs. Lamshed, Greenslade, Hogan, O'Grady, Short, and Coates took up land not far from the present site of the flourishing peninsula town. The names have since become household words on the peninsula. Dense, almost impenetrable scrub, at that time, covered nearly the whole of the country. Forests of mallee, sheaoak, teatree, with a trackless undergrowth of broom, native holly, and many other indigenous shrubs made clearing and progress an herculean labour, and demanded from these early settlers indomitable spirit and a persistence that would not be denied. It must be remembered that these lion-hearted men entered on the apparently hopeless struggle with Nature's prodigal forces before mullenizing and traction engines were dreamed of, and when the scrub had to be conquered with spade and grubbing axe. Moreover, kangaroos, wallabies, emus, and wombats, roomed through the country in countless flocks and disputed the reclaimed land with their hardy, human intruders. Wire netting or barbed wire was unheard of, and the only defence against the marauders consisted of rough post and rail, or brush fences. Rambling through the primeval forest on Sundays, or other days of leisure, with a couple of greyhounds, one could almost knock the creatures on the head with a waddy. In two hours Mr. Coates could make a haul of from 16 to 20 animals. This strenuous fight had to be kept up continuously, and often the weary sleepers were roused from a well-earned rest by the furious and insistent baying of the hounds. There was nothing to do but to leave the snug couch and do manful battle with the invaders unless one was content to lose the fruits of months of labour — the succulent young stalks offering an irresistible temptation to the wild creatures of the forest. Add to these troubles the difficulties with regard to food and water. The latter had often to be carted for miles, and was not always of the best quality. There were no bakers, or butchers, to call regularly with their commodities, and the settler had to make his own bread and frequently to reinforce his larder with supplies of native game. When he ran short of flour, as sometimes happened, in spite of the most careful planning, he was obliged to travel miles to borrow from a neighbour, or to go without bread for some days. There was, however, a line spirit of good fellowship and genuine socialism, each settler ever ready to put his goods and implements at the disposal of a needy comrade. With common hardships and constant struggles against the most untoward conditions, was developed a fine system of mutual support and help. Pity something of this fine spirit cannot be applied to allay the bitterness of the class struggles of the present day. It is a matter of wonder the results achieved by these settlers with resources so inadequate. The scrub had to be cleared with an axe and spade, cultivation had to be done with single-furrow plough, the crop gathered in with the old Ridley reaper, and great heaps made in the fields. The tiresome and laborious process of winnowing followed. The bags usually weighed from 250 to 300 lb. These had to be bodily lifted into the wagon and placed in position without the aid of crane, or bag-lifter, and then carted miles to thmultipliede nearest port. And the returns were heartbreaking, often as low as 3 bushels to the acre, and seldom over 3/ a bushel. The almost miraculous increase brought about by the use of superphosphate reads like a fairy story. The chemist who discovered the secret, and the enterprising farmers who introduced this veritable "food of Gods," must rank among the greatest benefactors to our community, and especially to the cultivators settled in the peninsula. So where else in the State has the yield of wheat been multiplied so many times. Where once two or three bushels were reaped, 10 to 15 times that quantity is considered an ordinary return, and one hears of yields of even 40 to 50 bushels. Thanks to the daring and enterprise of the early settlers, the face of the peninsula has been entirely transformed. Prosperous homesteads and flourishing towns have supplanted the monotonous, premieval forest, and thousands of acres of land once deemed useless, are now covered with golden grain. Let us nor forget in our prosperity what we owe to these brave hearts who, taking their courage in both hands, went out into the lonely arid inhospitable wilderness to engage in an apparently hopeless struggle with overwhelming odds. And is now they enjoy a well-earned prosperity, who will be mean enough to grudge them the hard won rewards of unremitting labour and heart-breaking disappointment?

MAITLAND WAR MEMORIAL.

Thu 19 Apr 1923, The Express (Adelaide, SA : 1922 - 1923)

—Unveiled by the Governor.—

Maitland was gaily decorated with bunting on Thursday on the occasion of the visit from his Excellency the Governor (Sir Tom Bridges), who motored from Adelaide in the morning, accompanied by his private secretary (Mr. Legh Winser) _In the afternoon the townspeople assembled to hear the address of welcome prepared by the Mayor of Maitland (Mr. M. H. Lamshed), and to witness the unveiling of the War Memorial by his Excellency.

—The Address of Welcome. The address was as follows:—

To his Excellency Lieutenant. General sir G. T. M. Bridges, Knight Commander of the Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and St. George, Governor in and over the State of South Australia and its Dependencies in the Commonwealth of Australia, Companion of the Most Honorable Order of the Bath, and Companion of the Distinguished Service Order. May it please Your Excellency— "We, the representatives of the Corporation of the Town of Maitland, on behalf of the citizens of this Municipality, desire to extend on this your first visit to our Town and District, a hearty welcome to your Excellency. We take this opportunity of expressing our devoted loyalty to his Majesty King George V of Great Britain and its Dependancies, and our sincere and deep respect for your excellency as his Majesty's representative in South Australia. In coming to Maitland today to unveil the Memorial created by the residents in honor of the men from this Town and District who served in the Great War, and more particularly in memory of our brave soldiers who made the supreme sacrifice, we feel that your Excellency has been actuated by the highest of motives. Your Excellency's record as a soldier of our great empire is known to us all, and we trust that during the remainder of your sojourn in this sunny land of Australia or elsewhere, you and lady Bridges will enjoy good health and great happiness.

—The Governor's Reply.—

In his reply his Excellency said:—As his Majesty's representative. I thank you most heartily far the expression of loyalty and devotion to the Throne and person of his Majesty the King, I deeply appreciate your kind welcome and cordial wishes for the welfare of myself and my family. We feel that we are indeed fortunate in coming to this land of peace and plenty, where we find ourselves amongst so many kind friends. It is of great interest to me to visit the town and district of Maitland, when such progress has been made in the past 20 years, and where, by the industry, ingenuity, and determination of the men on the land, such magnificent crops have been raised in what used to be considered poor country. During my term of office as Governor it will be my aim and object to do all I can to further the interests of the people of this State, whatever vocation they may follow. I wish to Maitland town and district a long era of prosperity and continual progress.

MAITLANDS MEMORIAL.

Sat 28 Apr 1923, Observer (Adelaide, SA : 1905 - 1931)

Unreiled by the Governor "Land of Peace and Plenty" Maitland, Today.

His Excellency the Governor (Sir Tom Bridges), accompanied by his private secretary (Mr. Legh Winser, M.VO.), arrived from Adelaide by mptor car this afternoon. His principal mission was to unveil the fine memorial which has been erected by the residents of the town and district in honour of the soldiers who went to the European War from this part of Yorke's Peninsula. He was met by the Mayor (Mr. H. H. Lamshed) and other citizens.

After luncheon a civic reception was tendered to the Governor in the institute, which was crowded. He was introduced by the Mayor (Mr. H. H. Lamshed) to the members of the Council (Messrs. F. G. Thomas, T. J. Ash, F. H. Fischer, and H. G. Altus), the Town Cleric (Mr. A. E. Speers), and ex-Mayors Messrs. J. O. Tiddy, A. T. Mullner, J. T. King, and W. J. Noble. The Maitland brass band played the National Anthem.

—Soldier of the Empire.—

The Mayor said they were delighted to have the honour of welcoming His Excellency to Maitland. He asked the Town Clerk (Mr. A. E. Speers) to read the address of welcome which had been prepared.

The address was as follows:—May it of Maitland, on behalf of the citizens of this municijiality, desire to extend on this your first visit to our town and district a hearty welcome to your Excellency. We take this opportunity of' expressing our devoted loyalty to His Majesty King George V, and sincere and deep respect for your Excellency as His Majesty's representative in South Australia. In-coming to Maitland to-day to unveil the memorial erected by the residents in hononr of the men from this town and district who served in the Great War, more particularly in memory of our brave soldiers who made the supreme sacrifice, we feel that Your Excellency has been actuated by the highest motives. Your Excellency's record as a soldier of our great Empire is known to us all, and we trust that during the remainder of your sojourn in this sunny land of Australia or elsewhere you and Lady Bridges and Miss Bridges will enjoy good health and great happiness. We have, &c, H. H. Lamshed, Mayor; A. E. Speers, Town Clerk.

—Maitiand's Great Progress.—

Sir Tom Bridges accepted the address from the Mayor and made the following official reply:-His Worship, the Mayor and members of the corporation and citizens of Maitland -As His Majesty's representative I thank you most heartily for the expression of loyalty and devotion to the Throne and Person of His Majesty the King. I deeply appreciate your kind welcome and your cordial wishes for the welfare of myself and my family. We feel that we are indeed fortunate in coming to this land of peace and plenty, where we find ourselves among so many land friends. It is of great interest to me to visit the town and district of Maitland, where such great progress has been made in the past 20 years, and where, by the industry, ingenuity, and determination of the men on the land, such magnificent crops have been raised in what used to be considered poor country. During my term of office as Governor it will be my aim and object to do all I can to further the interests of the people of this State, whatever vocation they may follow. I wish Maitland town and district a long era of prosperity and continual progress. His Excellency added that he hoped his visit would be marked by a good downpour of rain. At the conclusion of the reception the people made their way along Robert street, which was gaily decorated with flags, to the memorial site at the corner of the Arthurton road and Rogers terrace, to be present at the unveiling ceremony.

—The Monument.—

The mamorial, which is of stately and unusual design, has been built to the plan and specifications of Mr. C. W. Butt, F.SA.I.A., by Mr. A. S. Tillett, at a cost of £1,525. The central pillar of finely dressed and moulded freestone rests on a base of blue Macclesfield marble, under which is a foundation of solid concrete. On the face of the marble block are carved the words," "The Great War, 1914-19," and in a niche beneath the cornice of the pillar is a bay laurel wreath. Let into miniature pillars on either side of the main structure are panels of bronze upon which are cut the names of the 98 men who represented Maitland and district in the A.I.F. The names of the 14 who made the supreme sacrifice, are on a like bronze panel recessed as a shrine in the rear of the middle tower. A low wall, half-circle in shape, connects the two panelled miniatures, and the enclosure, which is raised well above the ground level, is reached by flints of white marble steps that span the distances between the pillars.

—Maitland's Pride.—

During the assembly of the crowd the band, under Mr. F. H. Fischer, played selections, and on the arrival of His Excellency the proceedings opened with the National Anthem. A guard of honour was forme by returned soldiers in charge of Mr. H. L. Miller, President of the local sub-branch of the Returned Sailors' and Soldiers' lmperial League. The men wore civilian dress and their badges, medals, and decorations. After his inspection of the guard, Sir Tom Bridges shook hands with and spoke to each member in turn. The President of the Memorial Committee (Mr. J. O. Tiddy) received the Governor, and the party on the enclosure included also Messrs. Allen and Tossell, M.P.'s, the Mayor and Town Clerk, the Rev. C. E. Tapp, the members of the committee-Messrs. J. S. Honner, G. L. Greenslade, H. W. Tossell, and A. Oakley -and the Rev. J. Shaw (secretary).

The President said the committee had felt that the unveiling of the memorial was an event of national significance, and for that reason they had decided to fix the ceremony on a date which would enable His Excellency the Governor to visit Maitland and do them the honour of performing that function. They were proud of their enlistment roll, which was a true record of Maitland's contribution to the Empire's cause. They were proud of their roll of honoured dead. They were proud also of their memorial and looked lorward to the enhancement of its beauty by the completion of the surrounding garden and plantation. Their purpose that day was to dedicate the beautiful monument to the memory of the men who had served and died in the Great War.

The special choir of 40 voices, under the conductorship of the Rev. J. Shaw, sang an ode to the soldier men of Maitland, which had been written and set to original music by Mr. Shaw

The President then asked His Excellency to draw the veils from the rolls of honour and to dedicate the memorial.

—The Dedication.—

His Excellency said:- To the glory of God and the everlasting memory of the men of Maitland and district who fought in the Great War and of those who gave their lives for King and country I dedicate this memorial. Those whose names we here see were men of spirit and enterprise worthy of the followers of the hardy pioneer settlers of the peninsula. They sprang to arms at the call of danger. It is through them and their like from other parts of the Empire that Australia is a safe place to-day. This beautiful memorial is set here in this conspicuous position that all may see it and passer-by may pause and think of what it stands for, and think also of the men who died that others might live. It is for those who are left behind to see that their sacrifice was not in vain, but to keep the torch of patriotism burning and to hand it on to their children from generation to generation.

A magnificent wreath of white flowers and fern, tied with purple ribbon, was laid on the memorial by Mesdames W. Oatey and P. Smallacombe, representing the next-of-kin of thefallen soldiers. Attached to the wreath, written in gold, were the words, "Presented by the citizens of "Maitland to the next-of-kin of the fallen soldiers, 19th April, 1923." The choir sang "Land of hope and glory," after which-the Rev. O. E. Tapp offered prayer, and "The Last Post" was sounded by Mr, G. L. Tippet." An impressive silence followed. The proceedings closed with the- singing of the "Song of Australia" by the choir and school children, and of the National Anthem by the whole assembly.

A FANCY DRESS BALL.

Sat 19 Jul 1924, Chronicle (Adelaide, SA : 1895 - 1954)

A fancy dress ball was held in the Maitland Institute Hall on Wednesday evening. The hall was tastefully decorated. The Moonta orchestra provided the music, and supper was served by the ladies. Mr. C. R. Butterworth was M.C. The judges (Mesdames A. Watts, M. Moloney, and Miss Bartlett) decided on 'The Arabian Nights' as the best set; Mrs. W. Moloney. 'eastern princess,' as best dressed lady; Mr. W. Moloney, 'eastern prince,' as best dressed gentleman; Miss G. Archibald, 'night,' most original lady; and Mr. B. Pattinson, 'Night,' most original gentleman. Those in fancy dress wore: — Sets — ; Arabian Nights, Misses K. O'Reilly (Princess Bedr-el-Buda), C. A. Waters (Schertierzade), E. Heath (Aladdin), J. Harris (Morgiana), Messrs. W. Allen (Sultan), J. R. Egar (magician). W. S. Kelly (Sinbad), J. L. Harris (Ali baba); night and its adherents, Mrs. L. M. Gilbert (moth), Misses P. Gilbert (bat). J. McKenzie (wasp), G. M. Archibald (night), Messrs. R. Winton (moth), H. Winton (bat). W. Marshall (wasp), B. Pattinson (night) ; Palm Beach bathers, Misses P. Thomas, C, B., and L. Harris, Messrs. C. Ililbig, P. Kennedy, W. Thomas, and C. Byrth; jolly iazzing jesters, Mesdames G. Binder and E. F. Moloney, Misses M. and J. Tiddy, Messrs. G. Rinder, E. F. Moloney, G. Guiming and Dr. A. R. Fletcher; Miss E. Oatey and Mr. R. McDonald (gaiety), Mr. and Mrs. W. Moloney (eastern prince and princess), Messrs T. E. Ash and R. H. Jarrett (schoolboy and girl), Mrs. T .E. Ash (violet), Sister Cato (Carmen), M. Honner (carnival), B. Fcehan (cameo), J. Allen (ballet dancer), S. Butterworth (bandanna girl). A. Barry (query). L. Kennedy (Belgium), M. Greenslade (powder puff) L. Greensladc (marguerite), G. F. Smith (Miss Old World), D. Helnrich (rose), N. Wright (pillar box), E. Smith (Yes, we have no bananas), Leila Harris (carnival bells). M. Wiirton (rose), J. Winton (chrysanthemum), M. Fry (folly), Fem Power (Christmas cracker), M Kavanagrh (America), D, Power (back cat), A. G. Vaudeeepr (if winter comes), P. Harris (potato), M. Anderson (rainbow), I. Lodge (spider), E. Vandepeer (night). Nurse Thiele (chrysanthemum). H. Harding (magpie), K. Bur chell (night), L. Humble (gypsy), Messrs. H. Smallacombe (jockey), J. Tiddy (eastern lady.), C. Schultz (pirate), R. C. Harris (clergyman), H. Greenslade (pierrot), R.. Jones (pierrot), C. R. Toop (Uncle Sam), B. Noble (pawnbroker), K. Moloney (Uncle Sam), F. Moloney (Henry Ford), L. James (French courtier). K. Kelly (Jack of Clubs), T. Fleming (master of arts), H. Crump (harlequin).

FANCY DRESS BALL AT MAITLAND.

Sat 26 Jul 1924, Observer (Adelaide, SA : 1905 - 1931)

The Butterfly Band Club held a most suc cessful fancy dress ball in the Maitland institute on Wednesday, July 9. The hall was gaily deco rated with every colour imaginable. Excellent music was performed by the Moonta Orchestra, and a delicious supper arranged by the ladies. Mr. C. G. It. Bulterworth was M.C. The judges Mesdarnes H. Watts, M. Maloney, and Miss Bartlett, finally awarded prizes fo the "Arabian Nights" as the best set, Mrs. M. Moloney (Eas tern Princess), best lady, Mr. W. Moloney (Eas tern Fringe), best gentlemen, Miss G. M. Archi bald (night), most ongininal lady, Mr. B. Pattin son (night) most oiiginal gentleman. The pre sent included:—Misses K. M. O'Reilly, C. A. Waters, E. G. Heath, J. Harris, Messrs. W. Allen, J. K. Egar, W. S. .Kelly, J. S. Harris, Mis. L. M. Gilbert, Misses P. Gilbert, J. McKenzie, G. M. Archibald, Messrs. R. Winton, H. Winton, W. Marshall, B, Pattinson, Mesdame G. Rinder and F. F. Moloney, Misses Muriel and Jean Tiddy, Messrs. G. Binder, E. F. Moloney, G. M. Gun ning, and Dr. A. R. Fletcher. Misses P. Thomas, C. Bess, and Lily Harris, Messrs. C. Hilbig, P. Kennedy, W. Thomas, and C. Byrta. Mr, and Mrs. W. Moloney, Miss E. Oatley, Mr. K. Macdonald, Messrs. T. E Ash, R. H. Jarrett, Mis. T. E. Ash, Miss Catt, Misses M. Honner, B. Feehan, Joan Allen, S. Butterwoith, A. Barry, L. Kennedy, M. Greenslade, L. Greenslade, G. Smith, D Heinrich, N. Wright, Elsie Smith, Leila Harris, M. Winton, J. Winto, M. Fry, F. Power, M. Karanagh, D. Power, A. G. Vande peer, Thiele, Harding, K. Burchell, L. Humbie, Messrs. H. Smallacornbie, J. Tiddy, Schultz, C. Harris, H. Greenslade, B, Jones, C. B. Toop, F. Maloney, K. Maloney, L. James, K. Kelly, B. Noble, T. Flemming, H. Crump, Mesdames J. O. Tiddy, C. G. H. Buttcrworih, W. S. Harris, H. R. Hill, A. Greenslade, K. W. Ford, C. B. O'Reilly, G. W. Ayliffe, W. Allen, F. Bowman, Parkins, T Clarke, M. Moloney, H. Watts, Dick son, A. E. Speers, A. W. Butchell, C. R. Pen gilly, B. F. Honner, R. W. Arrowsmilh, Lyons, W. Harris, H. Smallacombe, Misses D. Maloney, M. Green, Kanoley, Langford, Jamieson, E. Bar field, Messrs. J. O. Tiddy, C. G. R. Butterworth, H. R. Hill, K. W. Ford, H. Watts, Dickson, A. W. Burchell, C. R. Pengilly, R. W. Arrow smith, M. Harnis, G Smallacombe, A. G. Norris, N. H. Martin, L. M. Gilbert, F. T. Bayly, M. Noble, E. Arrowsmith. R. Power, G. Kempe, L. Parson, H. Power, G. Lodge, F. Tynes, A. E. Jarrett, C. Beinrich, J. Power, V. Lodge, M. Kelly, G. Pearce, J. Heinrich, I. Adams, H. Bowman, E. Lamshed, C. Lamshed.

MAITLAND SHOW JUBILEE.

Mon 17 Oct 1927, The Register (Adelaide, SA : 1901 - 1929)

—Bullock Team to Tractor.—

Yorke's Peninsula is recognised as one of the finest agricultural areas in South Australia, and Maitland is the richest portion of the peninsula. Dry weather may lessen the wheat yield, but sufficient rain always falls to ensure payable crops. That desirable condition has prevailed ever since the use of artificial manures became general. In the 1914 drought year the peninsula supplied a quarter of the State's wheat. Prior to the revolution in soil treatment the Maitland farmers were little better off than their fellows elsewhere, but the lime stony character of the land seemed to need just that assistance contained in the fertilizers; and in a year or two the whole aspect was changed. Wheat averages multiplied, comfortable homesteads appeared, and the district prospered. In keeping with the altered circumstances the fortunes of the public institutions improved. Men of Maitland haw ever been loyal to home, and from the earliest years of settlement they have taken a full share in the promotion of the community's welfare. So the local agricultural, horticultural and floricultural society can boast a progress that is a tribute at once to appreciative support and zealous administration.

—Dreams Fulfilled.—

An unbroken run of 50 annual shows will to completed by the society on Wednesday next. Six years after the Hundred of Maitland was thrown open for selection the first exhibition was held. There was a small beginning, with prospects of vigorous growth that have been fulfilled beyond the dreams of the founders. Men who were

MR. THOMAS BOWMAN, first President Maitland A.H. and F, Society. photo

present on Thursday, September 26, 1878, at the inauguration of the society's public activities are still living, and they intend to take part in the celebrations arranged for the golden jubilee. They will be able to make a comparison between the well equipped, spacious area now available within the municipality and the small open paddock in Yorke Valley where they held the first show. They will feel a natural pride in the knowledge that they played a part in laying the foundations of an organization that has established its claim to be one of the foremost of its kind in the State. Leaders of the agricultural society to-day, many of them sons of the pioneer members, will honour the memory of their predecessors and will pay homage to the surviving few in the special functions, and all concerned are awaiting the happy reunion.

—From Bullocks to Tractors.—

In these days of tractors and multiple ploughs, drills and fertilizers, and 35 bushel crops, it is hard to picture the early agriculturists of Maitland toiling morning, noon, and night with bullock teams trailing single arid double ploughs, broadcasting seed, and reaping with joy the 'abundant' harvests of eight and ten bushels an acre. The pioneers did all that and still found time for the movements or promoting the welfare of the community. They had vision, and they saw that the spot, on which they had pitched their tents was good. As each acre of mallee scrub, pine and sheaoak was cleared and put into cultivation they realized the possibilities, and with fine public spirit they set about the establishment of an educative centre in which they could reap the benefits of consultation and discussion in the light of their experience. That thought was the genesis of the Maitland A. H. and F. Society; which was brought into being at a meeting held in the Maitland Hotel on June 22, 1878. Names which have become household words on Yorke's Peninsula are found associated with the first executive positions held. Mr. Thomas Bowman was elected President and Messrs. Henry Lamshed and John Moloney Vice-Presidents. All lived in the district to see the society attain a high measure of

MR. J. S. HONNER, President of the Maitland A.H. and F. Society.

success, and they have left an indelible record of continued service that in no small degree helped to secure that success. Furthermore, they have worthy descendants on the land in the Maitland district, who have given, strong support to the society. In the case of Mr. Lamshed, who has occupied the presidential chair, two sons have followed him into that office.

—Making Progress.—

At the original meeting in June, 1878, the name chosen for the new body was 'Yorke Valley,' and the first show was held on a block of land owned by Mr. Thomas O'Brien about a mile east of the township, on the Ardrossan road. In 1879 a site on Mr. Thomas Bowman's farm, half a mile nearer Maitland, was selected, and in the following year a move was made to five acres on the north Eastern boundary of the town granted by the Commissioner of Crown Lands, which was included as park lands in the municipality proclaimed in 1883. Having become settled in a home the committee directing the society's affairs changed Yorke Valley' to 'Maitland' in 1881, and so it has remained. A ploughing match was included in the programme on the eventful, day in September, 1878, and Mr. Harry B. Lousada, the secretary, was able to report a, profit of £50. A dinner was held to 'round off' the show, and prizes were presented amid general rejoicing. A notable figure at the second show was Mr. Clarence H. Smith, who had designed a grubbing machine for use clearing the peninsula lands. Thus began a long association with Maitland shows, which has been continued to the present day by the manufacturing firm that is carrying on at Ardrossan the agricultural implement factory established by Mr. Smith. All through its history the Maitland A. H. and F. Society administration has been marked by enterprise and progressive ideas. Ploughing matches in the course of time dropped out, and separate flower, exhibitions 'had their little day and ceased to be' that the show went on, recording the changes in farming methods, the improvements m agricultural machinery, and the development of the district. Poor times befel South Australia in the mid-eighties. Bank failures, financial distress, and bad seasons tested the mettle of the people and found it true. Yorke's Peninsula did not escape, and many good men went under in the storm of adversity. There were always plenty to carry on the work of the Agricultural Society, and when the good years came again, and land sickness was cured by the application of fertilizers, progress was resumed.

—Improvements and Expansion.—

Efforts were made to obtain full control over the showground with a view to the expenditure of a large sum on permanent improvements, but the town council of 1885-6 stood firm for the rights of the ratepayers to their park lands, and the society arranged a lease at on peppercorn rental. By the time the silver jubilee arrived the attendances at the show were exceeding 2,000, and the twenty-fifth show saw the opening of a substantial pavilion for the housing of flowers and other sections. That cost about £300, and further expenditure was involved in the erection of an iron fence around the 10 acres in use. The provision thus made served for many years. During the period covered by the European war all profits were handed over to patriotic funds, and the Red Cross circle made some hundreds of pounds out of the annual luncheon. When peace was restored the credit balance began to accumulate, and money was invested in strong cattle yards, additional fencing, grading the ring for horse events, and other improvements. Ten acres were not a sufficient area on which to accommodate the ever-increasing crowds, the swelling list of exhibitors, and the demands on space for the hundreds of motors which brought people, and a proposal

MR. A. E. SPEERS, secretary of the Maitland A. H. and F. Society.

was put forward for the purchase of 20 acres close to the town. An arrangement was made, however, under which a newly created recreation reserve committee should take over four acres, including the oval, and the Agricultural Society should have the use of that reserve on show day in addition to the grant of four acres on the eastern side of the then existing ground. That agreement respected the statutory obligation which limited the leasing of park lands to one person or society to 10 acres, and allowed the show to occupy 14 acres on the one day that area was wanted. The recreation committee built a picket fence at a cost of more than £100 around the ring, and the society spent about £200 on alterations and additions to the outside fences. In 1925 £565 was laid out in providing sheep pens, improved sanitary accommodation, coops for the poultry section, and the planting of 200 gum trees.

—Motors and Stock.—

A feature of the Maitland show in recent years has been the assemblage of motor cars. Beginning with 35 oil the ground in 1909, the count went up to 150 in 1912, and by 1920 there had been a gradual rise to 350. Then the number advanced more rapidly, and in 1921 the tally was 850. A year later the total was 1,150, and at the last show it was 1,200. Even with the additional area available the cars were banked eight and ten deep around the picketed circle, and a problem is promised the ground committee if the yearly increase is maintained. Many years ago the farmers of Maitland realized the advantaged of pedigreed stock, and the standard set in draught horses, cattle, and sheep ranks high in the State. There is no need to dwell on the reputation won through Australia and New Zealand by the Loudoun Stud Clydesdales imported and bred by Messrs. Joseph Francis & Sons. Right through the history of the show the draught championship has been gained by the highest class animals, and the name of Greenslade has figured with great success in that section. Foremost among the cattle and sheep breeders have been Messrs. E. and J. Honner. and J. Kelly and Son, and in later years Mr. W. H. Bagshaw has been a worthy rival with his merinos. Others, too, have shown their enterprise in stocking only the best, mid the filling of the new sheep pens last year was a justification of the heavy expenditure.

—Presidents and Secretaries.—

During the 50 years there have been several cases of father and son in turn occupying the position of President. The records are not complete, but the names available are Mr. Henry Lamshed and Messrs. H. H. and F. W. Lamshed Mr. J. O. Tiddy and Mr. J. O. Tiddy, jun., Mr. F. T. Pearce and Mr. G. F. Pearce. Mr. Thomas Bowman was President for the first three years, and subsequently had two terms each of two years, but so far as is known Mr. G. F. Pearce is the only one who was at the head of the society four years in succession. Seven secretaries have served the society:— Mr. Harry B Lousada. 2 years; Mr. J. M. Symons, 4 years; Mr. M. T. Tiddy, 3 years; Mr. J. O. Tiddy, sen., 22 years; Mr. John Tiddy. 6 years; Mr. C. H. King, 8 years; and S. J.Speers (still in office), 5 years.

Wednesday's show promises to eclipse all its predecessors. The magnificent response to the appeal for cups and trophies (75) for the jubilee prize list is an indication of a desire to make the engagement memorable. Mr. J. S. Honner (the President) has with him a set of enthusiastic officers who are leaving no stone unturned to ensure a record success. The celebrations will extend over three days. Beginning with a civic reception on Tuesday afternoon by the Mayor (Mr. T. H. Harris) they will be continued with a banquet to the pioneers in the evening. Wednesday will be devoted to the show, with an old-time ball at night in the institute, and on Thursday the pioneers are to be motored around the district. Splendid work has been done in carrying out the arrangements and every one is expressing a hope that the golden jubilee show will go down to history as the finest gathering ever held under the auspices of the Maitland Agricultural Society.

MAITLAND PIONEERS.

Thu 20 Oct 1927, The Register (Adelaide, SA : 1901 - 1929)

Reception and Banquet MAITLAND. October 18. Celebrations in connection with the fiftieth show of the Maitland Agricultural, Horticultural, and Floricultural Society began on Tuesday afternoon with a reception to pioneers at the institute by the Mayor (Mr. H. T. Harris). Among those present were Mesdames John Moloney (the late Mr. Moloney put the first plough into Maitland land), P. Coffey, and P. T. Pearce, and Messrs. P. Howard, W. J. O'Brien, J. Sanders, E. Moody, C. A. Pitcher, W. Kanally, T. Swan, all early residents of the district.

The Mayor offered to the pioneers the heartiest of welcomes to the jubilee, and expressed the hope that they would find much pleasure in renewing friendships They all owed a deep debt to the men who by their hard work had prepared the ground and given them the advantages which were enjoyed at the present day. Mr. Tossell, M.P., said they were proud of the progress that Maitland had made in agriculture. A Yorke's Peninsula man had invented the stump-jump implements, and thus revolutionized fanning methods throughout Australia. Therefore, they felt that Maitland district had done something not only for their own farmers, but for farmers all over the Commonwealth.

Mr. W. J. O'Brien, son of Mr. Thomas O'Brien, on whose land the first show was held, said his association with Maitland went back to 1873, and it was wonderful to see the progress that had been made. He had known the men who opened up the land there, and better men never settled in any district. Mr. J. S. Honner (President of the AS. and F. Society), in moving a vote of thanks to the Mayor, said the reception was a manifestation of the kindly interest shown by Mr. Harris in the society and other public activities in the town.

—The Banquet.—

In the evening there was an attendance of about 200 men at the banquet tendered by the Maitland A. H. and F. Society to the pioneers. Mr. J. S. Honner (President) was in the chair, and he was supported, among others, by Messrs. Peter Howard (84 years of age), who was one of the original selectors in the Hundred of Maitland, Mr. Harold J. Finnis, secretary of the Royal Agricultural Society, of South Australia, and the Mayor of Maitland (Mr. H. T. Harris).

Mr. H. G. Altus proposed 'The Parliament,' and said they were all pleased to see the members for their district present. There were many things the people of the peninsula were thankful to Parliament for, but there were others, including water and railways, that they would be thankful for if they could get them. One thing Parliament had given them was a Commissioner of Railways who had been allowed the power almost to say whether a farmer could employ a motor lorry to run his wheat to Wallaroo. Still, it was their jubilee show time, and perhaps, they would forgive Parliament for doing such things. (Laughter and applause.) .

Mr. Tossell, in response, said Parliament was guided largely in its activities by the revenue provided by the taxpayers. The Commissioner of' Railways deserved much credit for the way in which he had in his early administration reorganized the railway finances. Since then, however, the motor traffic had eaten into the earnings of the railways, and a mistake in policy was made in constructing good roads, which were encouraging opposition to the railways. The policy should have been to make good the roads as feeders to the railway.

In the absence of Mr. Fred Francis, through illness, Mr. A. W. Kelly submitted 'The pioneers.' He said that whether the pioneers had succeeded materially or not, they still had the honour of having done magnificent work in preparing the peninsula. Rev. A. M. Francis, in support, said patience and enthusiasm made for success, and it was a good thing when the enthusiasm of the young farmer was allied to the patience and perseverance of the pioneer. (Applause.) They should look back to the conditions under which that work was done, and revere and honour those who had laid the foundations of the fortunes of the people who were living on the land to-day. (Applause.)

Mr. Peter Howard said he was a young man when he settled in the Maitland district. Before the area was settled at all he and his younger brother rode to the peninsula after having seen Belalie, Caltowie, and other parts of the north, and they could see the advantages of coming further south. He and his brother drew up a petition to have the Ynoo run surveyed and thrown open for selection. The consequence was that they were among the first selectors. Many of the men who settled had gone to the beyond, but they could not forget them or the mothers— (applause)— who had braved the difficulties and overcame them. The pioneers who were left rejoiced to know that others were carrying on the good work and making Maitland a desirable place in which to live. The people of Maitland should be proud of the public men who had come out of the district. One was a young carpenter who was now Sir. George Pearce, formerly a member of the Federal Parliament (Applause.) In his youth Sir George worked on his (the speaker's) farm and used to spend his spare time in reading and studying instead of running around to all the dances in the neighbourhood.

Mr. Thomas Kenny said he remembered the time when he was secretary of a ploughing match at Kalkabury, and he went to Mr. Clarence Smith to help by bringing his new stump-jump plough for the match. He was glad to see a son of Mr. Smith present, as he was carrying on the firm which his father established.

Mr. Arthur Bowman, eldest son of the late Mr. Thomas Bowman, first President of the Maitland A. H. and F. Society; recalled experiences of his boyhood days on the peninsula.

Mr. Giles, M.P., gave 'Our society, coupled with the name of the President, Mr. J. S. Honner.' He said it was no accident that had placed in that honourable position a man who had shown such a high public spirit and devotion to the welfare of the community. (Applause.) He was sorry that the climatic conditions of the season were not so favourable as some they had experienced, but he felt certain that they would not have any permanent ill-effect on the peninsula. He heartily congratulated the society on its jubilee celebrations and on the success of the arrangements throughout. He hoped that the visit of the Parliamentarians to the peninsula at the end of the week would result in the motion approving of the building of the Maitland-Paskeville Railway being passed in the House.

The President, in reply, said he was delighted to see with them men who were responsible for the foundation of their society. They must have been men of action to bring about their first show three months after their first meeting. The happy co-operation which existed in those days was well worthy of imitation. The first President (Mr. Thomas Bowman) would always be honoured. He (the speaker) had been President 22 years ago when the gate takings for the first time exceeded £100, and he hoped that on the morrow the sum taken would for the first time exceed £500. (Applause.)

Mr. J. O. Tiddy proposed 'Kindred societies.' Mr. H. J. Finnis responded.

Mr. G. F. Pearce submitted 'Judges and exhibitors,' to which Messrs. H; W. Gepp and D. E. Brown replied. 'The town and district' was given by Mr. H. A. Montgomery, of Ardrossan. He said Maitland was the finest strip of agricultural country in South Australia, and the success of the young farmers of to-day was due to the good training of their fathers. The Mayor (Mr. H. T. Harris) replied. Songs were contributed by Messrs. E. F. Moloney and L. G. Cain, and instrumental items by Mr. Russell Melville. Mr. Claude Harris was accompanist.

MAITLAND. THE JUBILEE YEAR.

Sat 22 Oct 1927, Chronicle (Adelaide, SA : 1895 - 1954)

An unbroken run of fifty annual shows will be completed by the Maitland Agricultural, Horticultural, and Floricultural Society on Wednesday. Invitations have been issued to the surviving foundation members and pioneers up to 1880 to be present. Proceedings will begin on Tuesday afternoon with a civic reception by the mayor (Mr. H. T. Harris), to be followed in the evening by a banquet. Show day will conclude with an old-time ball at the institute, end on Thursday the pioneers are to be taken for a motor tour of the district.

Before Maitland was six years old, the A.H. & F. Society was in being. Until 1871 the district was a sheep run held by Mr. Samuel Rogers, whose head station, Ynoo, is still standing three miles south of the town. Selection for farming took place in 1871 and 1872, and the first crops were reaped in the summer of 1872-73. Mallee scrub gave way to the cultivated paddock, the square little township began to take shape, and men gathered to discuss their common needs. The meeting at which it was decided to form the Yorke Valley A.H. & P. Society, was held on June 22, 1878, and the first show followed on September 26, on land owned by Mr. Thomas O'Brien, along the Ardrossan-road. Mr. Thomas Bowman was elected first president. Messrs. Henry Lamshed and John Moloney were the first vice-presidents, and Mr. Harry B. Lousada was the first secretary.

The 1879 show was held on Mr. Bowman's property, and then the society obtained a grant of five acres of park lands on the north-eastern boundary of the township. Before the 1881 show the name bad been altered from Yorke Valley to Maitland. Arrangements have been made from time to time with the town council for long leases of the property, and the area has been extended to the full limit of ten acres, under the Municipal Corporations Act. In addition, the society, on show day, has the use of four acres, including the sports oval, vested in the Maitland Recreation Reserve Committee.

The whole 14 acres is enclosed by a substantial iron fence, and the improvements include a hall, which was erected in 1902 at a cost of £300, a refreshment booth sheep pens on which £350 was expended, strong horse and cattle yards, a picket fence around the oval, hundreds of beautiful gum trees, and conveniences. In the last six years the attendance at the show has never been less than 5,000, and a new record is looked for on Wednesday. The president (Mr. J. S. Honner), the secretary (Mr. A. E. Speers), and members of the committee, have been at work for months on the arrangements for the jubilee show, and with no fewer than 75 special cups and trophies, the entries promise to exceed all previous figures For three trotting events 34 nominations have been received, and there will be plenty of excitement in all the ring events.

MODERN FARMING.

Sat 24 Dec 1927, Observer (Adelaide, SA : 1905 - 1931)

More Successes on Yorke's Peninsula.

On the outskirts of Maitland is a beautiful well-tilled, property, owned by Mr. Eugene Moloney, who is one of the younger generation, and a son of a worthy Maitland pioneer farmer. Like most of the men of this district, Mr. Moloney is always up and doing, for there is much to attend to on his 2,100 acre farm. In addition, he has 400 acres at Mutoowurtie, and is interested in a pro perty of 700 acres on Eyre's Peninsula, at Ungarra. Mr. Moloney was busy cart ing wheat 15 miles away to Port Vic toria the day we called upon,him. He had already done two trips that morning, and had hia lorry loaded ready for a third before lunch. My auto-header harvested 290 bags of wheat in a day," he remarked, "but it beat me in keeping up with the carting. I delivered four loads, totalling 210 bags, to Port Victoria that day."

These modern farmers consider expeditious handling a good insurance. When they have a machine that will harvest the grain quicker than anything else, and the wheat Is In the bag, and the whole of their crop in the agent's stacks, they con tend that they no longer incur risk against damage by storm or fire. Why—to cite an instance — at Hoyleton a couple of weeks ago, Mr. C. Sandow took off 511 bags in a day out of a crop overaging 30 to 35 bushels. It is reported that at the top end of the peninsula, two farmers harvested 2,000 bags of wheat with two auto-headers in two days.

Mr. Moloney has 500 acres of wheat, and a similar area of barley this season. His auto-header, with two men abroad, was cleaning up a big crop of Gluyas, which was yielding between seven and eight bags to the acre. Ford variety is Mr. Moloney's best wheat this season, and he says it should yield 25 bushels to the acre.

Our next call was at Mr. Joe Honner's picturesque farm, overlooking Yorke Valley, near Maitland. He said that he had cropped about 900 acres. He has finished work on 390 acres of barley, and has reaped as much as 250 bags of this grain in a day with his header. He said that he travelled from home to his farm and took off 80 acres of barley in two days. It was a light yielding crop, and went under six bags to the acre. Gluyas has proved his best wheat this season. Daphne has also been good, but the wind has shaken the grain out of the heads. His auto-header was clipping off the grain in a 390 acre crop, which is averaging between eight and nine bags. A little strip at the bottom of a steep rise returned more than 10 bags to the acre.

SPINSTERS BALL AT MAITLAND.

Sat 23 Jul 1932, The Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1931 - 1954)

Thirty-eight spinsters of Maitland entertained more than 200 guests from all parts of Yorke Peninsula at a ball in the Maitland Institute. The hall was decorated with manderlne and green streamers and multi-colored balloons, and the supper room with brass bowls of Iceland popples nad colored candles In brass candlesticks. Music ?was provided by the Peninsula Dance Band, and Mr. J. B. E?ar was M.C The secretarial duties were carried out by Misses Jessie Moody and Joy W.nton. The guests were received at the main entrance by six of the spinsters—Miss Anne Barry, frocked in black georgette with red appllqued taffeta flowers on the skirt; Lilly Greenslade, wine lace with coatee to match; Renee Honner, blue satin with diamente outlining the neck; Jessie Moody, maize floral chiffon, with coatee to match: Jean Tiddy, blue satin moulded to the figure; and Joy Winton, black satin, the pirh satin yoke outlined with pink and black plelted ribbon. Other hostesses were:—Misses Note Barry, -vreartiig black taffeta and georgette, with pink rosebud shoulder straps; Joy ButleK blade beaded georgette: Edna Bowman, gold satin finished, with bow at the back; Ze'.va Bowman, lemon floral talfeta; Greta Brlckmann. pink georgette, with many frills on the eklrt; Hazel Crabb, flame georgette, with bustle effect; Dot Doolette. shell pink marocaln: Mavis Edwards, apricot georgette and lace; Marion Greenslade, green georgette, with coatee to match; Julie Harris, creme-demente taffeta, with bustle; Flo Harrison, pink taffeta, vita diamente shoulder straps; Mona Honner. green angel skin moulded to the figure; Elma Humphry, green satin with p'nfr fiowers on the bodice; Alma Jenzen, blue broderie anglaise, with coatee to match; Edna Kidmister, black satin fitting to the knees, with a flared skirt; Jane Lamshed. pink satin, with cowl neck; Mary Molooey, white georgette, with pick coatee; Rita Nelligan, blue satin, the backless bodice finished with a bustle; Jessie Peake, flame floral nlnon; Nellie Pratten. pink flowered taffeta; Nance Rinder, red shot taffeta with cape; Meta Schrapel. green angel skin, with bustle effect: Gladys SJoberg. white satin, with fully flared skirt; Gladys Smith, air force blue satin, with coatee to match: Dorothy Stasinowsky, white taffeta, with a black bow; Edna Stimson, red satin with flared skirt; Mildred Winton, green satin, with bustle underlined Tlth plrk: Vera Winton. green moire with bustle effect; Narma Woodards. apricot georgette: Gladys Wundersitz, pink floral taffeta with bustle: Win Wundersitz, black lace and tulle. Mr. and Mrs. Batten Pattinson donated prizes for novelty dances. The invited guests were:—Mr. and Mrs. C. H. Klng. Dr. and Mrs. C. G. Wells. Mr. and Mrs Baden Pattinson, Mr. and Mrs. A. J. Hawkes, Mr. and Mrs. V. F. Schultz. Mr. and Mrs. M. T. Haliday, Mr. and Mrs. B. J. Stanlake. Mr. and Mrs. N. C. Woodards, Mr. and Mrs. E. F. Moloney. Mr. and Mrs. K. W. Moloney. Mr. and Mrs. L. W. McMahon, Mr. and Mrs. H. A. Pratten. Mr. and Mrs. L. Stock. Mr. and Mrs. H. B. Cxxwnbe. Mr. and Mrs. K. L. McDonald, Mr. and Mrs. C. B. Pengtlly. Mr. and Mrs. P. Bowman. Mr. and Mrs. H. Bowman. Mr. and Mrs V C Mllnes. Mr. and Mrs. A. Clarke. Mr. and Mrs. Bray. Mr. and Mrs. D. Kelly. Mr. and Mrs. E. Oakley. Mr. and Mrs. M. Torode. Mr. and Mrs. D. R. Wlnton. Mr and Mrs. E. Gersch, Mr. and Mrs. P Bickman Mr and Mrs. G. M. Gunning Mr and Mrs. C. Bell. Mr. and Mrs. L James Mr and Mrs. E. J. Oatey. Mr. and Mrs C Eddy. Mr. and Mrs. A. Miller, Mr. and Mrs Walte. Mr. and Mrs. C. Hilble Mr and Mrs. H. Davles. Mr. and Mrs. Sharrad Mesdames B. T. Barry. M. Madlean W S Harris. J. Winton. Misses Madge Moloney, A. Wools-Cobb, P. Horgan. T. Humphries. I. Fletcher, B. Fletcher, J. Hogarth, G. Hogarth. B. Provls, E. Polklnghome, B. Tlmperon, J. Hopgood, N. Edwards, I. Bowman, N. Johnson, H. Wood, R. Gersch, L. Gersch. Worrell, A. Many, Joan Tiddy, J. McPharlln. S. Llnke. B. Hardy, Jean Harris. Treasure, Manklvell, G McCauley, C. Edwards. K. Hanranan, D Bowman. J. Bowman. Hoomeyer, M. Honner. Z. Coombe. L. Harris. M. Moody, Walte, Nicholson. Blchardson. S. Bradshaw, Bey. Donald Bedding. Messrs. B. M. Tlddy. C. Lamshed. Al. Brooks. M. C. Coombe. F. Nebmann. G. Edwards, fi. j^apel. M. Noble. T. B. Noble. B. A. Bymons, M. Mullner. B. J. Fitzgerald. M. B. Honner. p. J. Honner. B. Moody. J. Bond, T. F. Hayward. C. Mullner. H.. A., and C. fimit-ii, Len and L. Edwards, S. Wundersitz, J. Ha. E. Lamshed, C. B. Bowman, W. J. Mullner, M. Ker.y, 3. S. Honner. I. Adams, G. Brown. A. J. Crabb. L. E. Greenslade, F. Greenslade. L. C. Greenslade. H. J. Greenslade, Bob Harris, M. French, E. H. Lock. P. J. Nairn. D. Baroett. B. F. Barry, J. E. Egar. B. and A. BUI, L. Bowman, S. Matthews. M. T. NelUean. C. Moulds, H. Pearce, B. Humphrys. J. Humphrys, K. Meffert, A. C. Mussman. E. H. Peake. S. Lucas, G. Hogarth. J. Sanders, H. Norrla, J. Harris, E. Bochlln. F Shanaoan, J. Millhouse. F. Holmes. B. Starr. Bob Starr, L. Travers, Tod Cameron. B. Correll. H. Glffen, D. Pamell. K. Elchner. Paterson, W. Pattulo, A. E. Balnaves, L. Cluttertrack, E.. T.. J.. and L. Mahar. I. C. Eawards. B. Darley. John McFarlin, R. Castine. R. L. Squire. J. and K. Brown. K. Boberts. D. Markall. C. Edwards, Joe and Jack Correll. L, and D. Hanrahan. A. Brecfcun, W. Waite, Chinner, E. and T. Feehan, F. and T. Collins, T. Harvey, and T. Bowman.

MAITLAND WINS SECOND SUCCESSIVE PREMIERSHIP.

Fri 23 Sep 1932, The Pioneer (Yorketown, SA : 1898 - 1954)

Superior Stamina Tells in Last Quarter Rally.

The large crowd which assembled at the Minlaton Show-grounds last Saturday to witness Maitland - last season's premier team—defend its title against the Point Pearce Mission Station in the Grand Final match of the Yorke Valley Association were not disappointed in the exhibition displayed. Right from the outset the pace was on, and fine high marking and long kicking by the winners, and dashing ground play and tricky turnings by the Missions made the game spectacular throughout. It was grand football by two teams unrivalled in talent by country centres.

In the first quarter after a goal had been posted at both ends, the Missions commenced a remarkable burst of accurate shooting for goal. Seven goals were registered from all distances and angles without a behind being scored, placing Maitland 4 goals in arrears at the first change. Commencing a strong burst in tho second term Mainlands commanded respect, and good forward play placed it in a handy position at half-time.

The third term being evenly contested, the Mission team had a 4 point advantage at the beginning of the final term. This deficiency Maitland, finishing in a far better condition than its opponents, soon transferred into an 8 point lead, and though an eleventh hour challenge by the yellow-and-blacks reduced it by a goal, Maitland retained its advantage to win by 5 points. Final scores—

Maitland—17-10

Missions—17-5

In the winning team there wan half a dozen players of equal merit, but none was more conspicuous than Brooks on a half-forward flank. His position play and marking was faultless, and be continually sent the ball in with long well-directed kicks Mussman dominated the central area in his usual efficient manner, and the ex-Sturt man's kicking was always of good length and placing. The tall Smith in front of the sticks was a match winner. None of the Missions could cope with him in the air, and his registering of seven goals was a very creditable effort. Whether in the air or in knocking from the packs, Adair was seldom beaten. He was given solid support in the ruck by Stringer. Keightley made position excellently and his fast-footed dashes from centre wing were invaluable to to his team, his second quarter effort being a gem. Meffert was another who accomplished good work through out, and Col. Mullner, Oatey and the Tiddy brothers were serviceable. The Mission team, like the winners bad few passengers, but not being acquainted with the names of the players, I will not endeavor to individualise the losing team As result of a collision, in which he badly dislocated his elbow, George Giffen of the Maitland team wan forced to leave the field in the second term.

L. C. Thomas, of the S.A. League had charge of the game.

Combined Schools' Jubilee Celebration At Maitland.

Wednesday 5 June 1935, Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1931 - 1954) Trove

Maitland June 3 Between 400 and 500 children took part 'in the combined schools' Jubilee Empire Day celebration held at Maitland. The function was arranged by the Mid-Yorke Penin sula Public Schools' Association, which included the following schools:— -Ardrossan, Arthurton, Kilkerran, Maitland, Muloowurtie, Port Victoria, Raeburn, Roolama, Sandilands, Tiparra West, Wauraltee, Weetulta, Wheatleigh and Urania. Previous to the opening of the celebrations, the children mached (sic) in procession from the Soldiers' Memorial, headed by the Maitland Municipal Band, to the Institute, where addresses were given and an excellent programme was given by the pupils of the various schools. The president of the association (Mr Claude H King) presided, and the speakers were Mr. W. T. Martin, whose subject was "Empire Day"; Mr. Inspector Flint, "The King's Jubilee"; the Mayor of. Maitland (Mr. J. S. Honner). 'The Laws We Live Under"; Mr Davies. M.P., 'The King:; the Bishop of Adelaide (Dr. A. Nutter Thomas), "Comrade-ship."

All the children sang community songs, after which a programme was given by the following schools: — Choir. "Ye Mariners of England." Ardrossan; play, "A Strange Meet-ing, Maitland: song, "Blue Bells of Scotland," Cunningham; recitation, "For Eng-land." Wauraltee; national dance, "Irish Jig." Arthurton; flute selection, Ardrossan; recita-tion. "The Flag ot the Free." Port Clintonsong, "Changing Guard at Buckingham Pal-ace." Maitland; recitation, Yorke Valley. Recitations were also given by Maureen Davies, Urania, and Patricia Andrew, Wheatleigh.

The celebrations in the hall were concluded with a two minutes' silence in honor of the fallen soldiers, and the sounding of the "Last Post" by Trumpeter G. L. Tippet. The ceremony of saluting the flag was conducted, and the National Anthem sung. Luncheon was partaken of at the Maitland School.

In the afternoon sports were conducted on the showground. Results: — Boys under 7 — Evan Davies, Urania; Louis Arnold, Pine Point. Girls — Thelma Francis, Yorke Valley; Dora Magor, Pine Point. Boys under 8 — Bob LeMessurer. Clinton Centre; Colin McDonald, Ardrossan, Girls — Joyce Evans, Arthurton- Winnie Roads, Ardrossan Boys under 9 — Reg. Rowntree. Ardrossan: Douglas Olds. Maitland. Girls— Betty Armfleld, Ard-rossan; Audrey Gregor, Raeburn. Boys under 10— Kevin Oats, Sandilands; Geoff. Barton, Ardrossan. Girls — Kathleen Mahar, Mount Rat; Marie Gerke, Maitland, Girls under 11, first heat — Irene Roads, Ardros-san; Lorna Linke, Sandilands, Second heatMargaret Evans, Arthurton; Shirley Wheare, Pine Point. Boys under 12— Cliff Willis, Port Victoria; Glen Smith, Sandilands. Girls — Margaret Mahar, Mount Rat; Kathleen Hart, Urania. Boys under 14 — Laurie Mahar, Mount Rat: Glen Waldlng. Arthurton. Girls — Magare: Mahar. Mount Rat; Kathleen Han. Urania. Boys under 14 — Laurie Mahar. Mount Rat- Ross Montgomery. Port Clinton. Girls, first heat — Kathleen Roads (Ardrossan; Daphne Henderson. Pine Point. Second heat— Margaret Mahar. Mount Rat; Mary Kenny. Ardrossan. Boys under 14, first heat — Doug. Walsh, Ardrossan; Garth Kelly. Maitland. Second heat — Frank Lord, Ardrossan: Doug. Alvey. Maitland. Girls over 14. first heat — E. Gresror. Raebum; Rhonda Cowan, Ardrossan. Second heat — Barbara Cane and Eveline Cowan. Ardrcssan. Flag race- (boys! — Ardrossan team; Maitland team. Girls — Ardrossan team, Port Victoria team. Sack race— Laurie Mahar. Mount Rat; Mick Carty. Clinton Centre. Skipping race, girls — E. Gregor. Raeburn: Margaret Mahar. Mount Rat. Barbara Cane. Ardrossan. tied lor secctad place. Girls' three-legged race, under 10. first heat — Clarice Pciland and Joan Bagshaw. Weetulta: Joyce Rowntree and Va'dn Doualass Ardrossan. Second heat — Velda Koch and Melva Pfeiffer, Kilkerran; Betty Bowman and Irene Roads. Ardrossan. Wheelbarrow race, boys — Frank Lord and Doug. Walsh. Ardrossan- Keith GregoTy and George VerraJl. Tinarra West. Girls' plate and marble race, first heat — Dorothy Baillie. Port C.inton: Rhonda Cowan. Ardrossan. Second heat — Doreen Jones. Port Victoria; May Noach, Arthurton. Boys' bicycle race — Frank Lord. Ardrossan: Graham Klopp. MaltIsnd. Girls — Joan Cane., Ardrossan: Beryl Oatey. Maitland Boys' three-legged race, under 10 — Doug. Olds and Len Venus. Maitland: Jim Goldner and Niel Davies, Urania. Under 14 — Keith Gregory and George Verra!. Tiparra West: D'Arcy Walsh and Fulton Gibson, Ardrossan. Girls' three-leeeed r3te, under 14 — Mona and Dorothy Baillie. Clinton: Pessy O'Loughlin and Sheila Hanrahan, Arthurton. Girls' thread-the-needle. first heat — Eveline Cowan. Ardrossan: Barbara Cane Ardrossan Socond heat — Daphne Henderson Pine Point: Doris Arnold. Pine Point Boys' potato race— Doug. Walsh. Ardrossan: Laurie Mahar. Mourt Rat Girls — EveJine Ctfwan. Ardrossan; EveUne Gregor, Raeburn. Boys' tunnel ball — Ardrossan team: Maitland. Girls' over-head -all — Ardrossan team; Tiparra West team. A football match was played between sides representing East and West. The former team was drawn from Ardrossan, Clinton. Price and district, and completely outclassed the Easterners (selected from Maitland. Port Victoria. Arthurton and district, winning by 13 goale 12 behinds to nil.

MAITLAND COMMITTEE. AVENUE OF TREES.

Fri 27 Mar 1936, The Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1931 - 1954)

A meeting of the Maitland Centenary Committee was presided over by the president. Mr. J. S. Honner, who reported that Mr. C. B. O'Reilly had agreed to form a committee of old Maitland residents in Adelaide. Mr. B. G. Altus, convener of the tree-planting committee, reported that a preliminary inspection of various sites had been made, and a memorial avenue of trees along the Arthurlon road was of trees be planted along Roger terrace from the Soldiers' Memorial, eastwards. Other sites recommended were along the Yorketown and Port Victoria roads. Mr. E. F. Moloney. speaking on behalf of the Maitland Golf Club, suggested that trees might also be planted through the centre of the parklands dividing the existing golf fairways. In reply, the chairman said he thought that the matter would be the concern of the Maitland Town Council. It was decided that trees guards be procured for all trees, and Messrs. H. G. Altus and P. R. Kennedy were appointed to canvas for donations. Each tree guard, which I will be of a decorative nature made of metal, will carry an inscribed plate in memory of a pioneer of the district. The meeting appointed Messrs. P. J. Nairn and J. S. Freeman additional members of the programme committee. Because of the necessity for planting the trees within the next few months and the possible scarcity of supplies on account of the Statewide demand for them, it was decided to place an order immediately for 100 American ash trees and 100 Aleppo pines. Mr. P. R. Kennedy reported on the progress made by the sub-committce appointed to arrange a queen competition. Mr. H. Bastin. of Bastin's Service Cars, had offered one of his interstate tours to the winning queen. It was expected That five queens would take part. Misses Marion Grernslade (Urania). Bess Harris and Madge Moloney had promised to nominate. It was decided that in addition to the first prize offered by Mr. Bastin. prizes be offered to the other competitors. It was decided to Invite Sir George Ritchie and Mr. Victor H. Ryan to address a public meeting in Maitland In the near future on the State Cerentenary was also resolved to make enquiries wether the two motion picture films prepared by Captain Hurley. "This Is Paradise" and "Oasis." could ordered and screened at the same time.

YNOO STATION.

Sat 1 Aug 1936, The Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1931 - 1954)

Mr. H. G. Altus reported on the condition of the old cemetery on Ynoo station. Three white people—Mrs. Samuel Rogers and her infant daughter and Mr. James Anderson—and several natives were burled there. He recommended the building of a concrete mound on which the monuments could be placed, and a small tablet stating that the renovations had been carried out by the Centenary committee. A plan of the necessary work was submitted by Mr. Altus, and It was decided that tenders be called.

FANCY DRESS PROCESSION AT MAITLAND.

Mon 26 Oct 1936, The Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1931 - 1954)

MAITLAND. October 29. The local Centenary celebrations ended on Saturday. Then the ceremony of crooning the winning queen, the Queen of Commerce (Miss E. James) was performed by the mayoress (Miss L. Honner) in the presence of nearly 1.000 people. Just £400 was raised by the three-penny votes given to the three queens In the competition. Miss James scored 13,131 votes, Miss Bess Harris (Queen of Children), 9,393 and Miss Hazel Crabb (Queen ?I Sport). 9,323. The day opened with a "back-to-school" celebration, a hilarious proceeding which filled in a merry morning for the spectators. The class at the "school" was taken by a former head teacher, Mr. A J. Moulds.

In the afternoon a fancy dress procession, which proved to be the biggest outdoor function of the whole festival, was held. Ardrossan and Port Victoria people Joined with Maitland in producing a procession of great variety. The floats for the three queens were conspicuously beautiful. The contrast between 1836 and 1936 was shown by a broadcast seedsower seated on a power-driven drill. Ben Bowyang, Ginger Meggs and the old village blacksmith with his forge sheltered by a bit of bush, were there, and the climax was reached when a troop of red Indians swooped down and raided the "blow-fly" band. Nothing to equal the procession has even been seen In Maitland Sporting events, including foot races, sheaf tossing, cycling races, and a wheelbarrow Derby were contested on the recreation ground. At night the Centenary concert, for which preparations and rehearsals had been going on for months, drew a packed house at the institute, while hundreds more watched or took part In the street dancing at the central square.

The votlngs for the queens finished at 10.30 p.m., and after the coronation ceremony, the mayor (Mr. J. S. Honner) thanked the townspeople for the work they had done In making the celebrations a success.

Special services were held at the Congregational Church and the Methodist Church today. The Rev. A. C. Stevens (Congregational) and the Rev. S. Alvey (Methodist) took the services. At the Methodist Church a sacred concert was given In the afternoon by an augmented choir. Including visitors from Moonta. At St. Bartholomew's, Father Placid of the Passionlst Order, gave communion to nearly 200 men and boys. Subsequently the whole congregation had breakfast provided by the ladies of the parish and laid in the new pavilion at the showground. Father Morrison presided. Father Flacid delivered an address on the establishment and growth of the Church in South Australia.

RETURNED SOLDIERS' NOTES

Wed 17 Aug 1938, The Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1931 - 1954)

Vice Regal Visit To Maitland. By GARTH OWEN

Tomorrow His Excellency the Governor Sir Winston Dugam will visit Maitland, and a guard of honor formed of members of the Maitland, Port Victoria, and Ardrossan sub-branches, will assemble at 2.30 p.m.

The next League broadcast over 'The Advertiser'' network -5AD. 5PI. and 5MU) will take place at 9.45 p.m. today.

On account of the urgent need for a reprint of the Constitution of this State branch, the State board has been engaged for some time in preparing a comprehensive revision of same. This revision includes the compilation of a model set of rules, which may where required, be adopted by sub-branches.

The fifth biennial conference of the Australian Blinded Soldiers' Association will be held at Brisbane on September 5. The South Australian delegates who will leave Adelaide on September 1 are: — Messrs. A. G. Marshall, E. C. Matheson and T. P. Drummond.

League membership has now passed the 10,000 mark, and shows an increase of 500 on the figures at this date last year.

The programme for the 1938-39 electric light cricket season was drawn up on Thursday, and the matches will begin during the first week in October. In addition to the main association arrangements are in hand to form a Sailors' and Soldiers' Association. The British Imperial women's team is desirous of arranging social matches for the coming season, and Mrs. Nolan, the secretary, would like to hear from other women's teams desirous of playing matches. Her address is 128 Young street. Parkside.

Contributions intended for inclusion in this column most reach Garth Owen by midday on Tuesday. In Hospital

The following ex-service men were reported to be in hospital on August 15: — Adelaide Hospital.— Verco Ward— Fraser. D. D. (Prospect sub-branch), Sandrey 3. W. -2nd Pioneers). Glenelg sub-branch). Whitelaw. A. J. aoth Battalioni . Sullivan. G. H. (Semaphore subbranch). Lansley. F. C. Wauchope. R. 3rd Light Horse). Hocking. W. (27th Battalion). Flinders Ward — Thomas. Albert Ward— Davies. A. (Camel Corps. Woollonsons:. N.S.W.). Victoria v.-ard —Graves. S. (Prospect sub-branch). Bassett. E. E. (9th Light Horse). Memorial Hospital— Clutterham. P. A. (3rd Light Horse. Snowtown subbranch ) Grists. H. (43rd Battalion. Wooriville sub-branch). I Calvary Hospital. North Adelaide — Solomon S J. (10th Battalion. Partially Blinded S.B.). St. Margaret's Hospital. Port Adelaide — Cameron. A. V. (8th Battalion).

WATER AT MAITLAND

Thu 24 Feb 1944, Chronicle (Adelaide, SA : 1895 - 1954)

Out Among The People - By 'Vox'

NOTHING is more satisfying than to get out among pleasantly disposed country folk, and feel the benign and broadening influence of goodwill. That was an experience I had this week-end on a visit to Maitland, where a large crowd of men came from near and far to attend Coles Bros. Ltd.'s periodical stock market. Moving among them, I detected concern, mainly about shortage of water.

When I spoke to the Mayor of Maitland (Mr. Joe Honner), he told me the water position is extremely serious, particularly round Maitland and the western areas, where many wells are giving out. He thought the only remedy would be to connect Yorke Peninsula with the Murray-Whyalla pipeline, but they had been told that it was not large enough to supply the district. 'The position cannot go on as It is,' Mr. Honner said. 'The peninsula has more sheep and cattle than ever, and there is no limit to its carrying capacity ?with a water scheme. Maitland reservoir will not last more than a week, and then we shall have to resort to brackish wells.' Campbell McKnight declared that if they have another six weeks of rainless, hot weather stock will die of thirst. Mr. J. B. Moody (Kilkerran) said they were back to conditions of 50-60 years ago, carting water. He was not so badly off, because he had good wells on the beach. Joe Kneebone said that the water position is very bad at Port Victoria. Some farmers have been carting water from as far away as Curramulka. Mr. Laurence Clasohm told me that most Arthurton people were carting water up to midnight from the Agery standpipe, seven miles from the Beetaloo main. PROGRESSIVE FARMERS I HAD an interesting chat with 1 Campbell McKnight. whom the late Mark Ridgway transferred from Jamestown to Maitland 10 years ago as local manager of H. V. McKay Massey Harris Pty.. Ltd. He reckons that the YP farmer is one of the most progressive in the world and that, particularly round Maitland and Arthurton are the finest collection of farm homesteads in Australia. Within 20 miles of Maitland are more than 200 autoheaders, probably as many as there are in the rest of the State. Mr. McKnight has been succeeded by Tom Fleming as president of Maitland sub-branch of the RSL (35 members) . He is the AMP representative on the Peninsula, and with two sons at the war finds his hands full of work. He told me that Port Victoria is teeming with fish. Fred Bromley, Charlie Goldfinch, and W Goldsworthy were there for a fortnight with Geo. Simms, and on one patch in half an hour hooked 28 snapper, each from 10 lb. to 22 lb. weight. They also caught 18 dozen whiting one day. That reminds me. The other morning, to give Kangaroo Island a trial, five Maitland men left to catch the boat for Kingscote— Tom Bourn, Paul Honner, Keith King, Cliff Bell, and Bev. Gregory. They are very keen to see Flinders Chase, too.

Y.P. WAR AGRICULTURAL COMMITTEE.

Fri 30 Oct 1942, The Kadina and Wallaroo Times (SA : 1888 - 1954)

Meeting at Maitland.

War Agricultural Committes are being formed throughout Australia with the objects of assisting farmers to overcome their, difficulties, and to encourage the production of essential foodstuffs that may be required. Similar committees have operated in England since the outbreak of war with great success, and it is hoped tihat the Australian equivalent will be equally successful. Fifteen of these Committees are to be formed in South Australia, and the Yorke Peninsula committee is to cover the whole of Yorke Peninsula as far north, and including the hundreds of Tickera and Wiltunga.

The first meeting of the Yorke Peninsula Committee was held in Maitland on Monday, October 26th, when the principles of the scheme were explained by Mr R. C. Scott, Chief Agricultural Adviser of the Department of Agriculture. The members of this committee are:---

Mr P. C. Angove, Department of Agriculture, Chairman and Executive Officer; Mr T. Rodda, Thrington, agriculturalist; Mr A. R. Vanderpeer, Ardrossan, agriculturalist; Mr K: Giles, Yorketown, agriculturalist; Mr M. Batt, Kadina, business man; Mr E. W. LeCornu, Minlatcn, manpower officer; Mr R. E. Morpeth, manpower : officer. Wallaroo, with Mr P. Nairne, Maitland, as secretary.

The primary objects of this committee are to make a detailed surveyof the rural manpower available, and to foster the co-operative pooling of such labor, which is to be used-to the best advantage possible.

It is stressed though, that labor for rural work is very short indeed, and volunteers to help with the oncoming harvest are urgently required. Anyone at all, who can spare even a few hours, is urgently requested to get in touch with any of the above committeemen, and they may rest assured that their efforts will be helping the National War effort.

The committee proposes to investigate special cases of hardship, and priorities will be recommended for repairs to agricultural machinery. Where possible, arrangements will be made to foster the pooling of agricultural machinery.

The committee feels that in order to perform its functions of assisting the farmer to the greatest possible extent, it is essential that the farmer have some voice in the committee. Consequently, it is proposed to set up subsidiary committees at Kadina Maitland, Minlaton and Yorketown. Farmers themselves, and others interested, will form the personnel of these subsidiary committees, and they will be drawn from surrounding localities, of which they will have a more intimate knowledge than the members of the main committee.

They will investigate special local problems and will make recommendations to tthe main committee at Maitland. It is felt that the co-operation and assistance of farmers themselves is essential to the success of this committee, and it is again stressed that the prime object is the assistance of the farmers.

JUBILEE WEEK ON YP.

Fri 27 Apr 1951, The Pioneer (Yorketown, SA : 1898 - 1954)

Jubilee Year Is to commemorate the Federation of the States of Australia Into the Commonwealth of Australia. The Duke of Yorke opened the first Federal Parliament at Melbourne on May 9th, 1901, hence the Public Holiday on Wednesday, May 9th, 1951.

Jubilee week is officially recognised as May 7th to May 11th. Most of the larger towns on the Peninsula are making some special effort to commemorate the occasion, and following are details of plans of some of those towns.

Maitland Tomorrow (Saturday, April 28)

— Election Day — the Maitland Jubilee Committee is holding its big Sports Day, which will be opened by the Hon. C. S. Hincks. There will be a procession of decorated floats, headed by the Maitland Brass Band In its new uniforms. On the oval there are to be a great many attractions hockey and basketball matches, running, bike races, and a host of other things. The decorated floats will be judged by Mesdamcs T. Playford and C. S. Hincks. The floats, of which it is expected there will be a dozen, promise to be very attractive and varied. The Maitland Agricultural Bureau plan to enter four motor trucks. The Youth of Maitland will stage theirs in two sections representing youth at work and play. One section will comprise three men in uniform, representing the three branches of the armed services. There will several youths bagsewing. representing industry, and a bevy of girls in evening dress, for beauty. The float will be pulled by a team of lads in bathers, representing a lifesaving crew and health. There will be several humorous floats, but they are not giving their secrets away yet. There will also be a procession of old and new cars, from a 1914 Ford to a latest model, old and new Austins, and a number of others. The Marshal of the procession will trundle round on a penny farthing bicycle. And there will also be some mystery events. Every section of the community seems to entering into the spirit of the carnival, and to be taking a share in its workings. Proceeds will be for Town Hall Improvements Funds.

PIONEER'S HOME MAITLAND.

Wed 24 Sep 1952, News (Adelaide, SA : 1923 - 1954)

PIONEER'S HOME MAITLAND'S first white settler, Samuel Rogers, built that crumbling old home stead (it's called Ynoo). Looking at the disused building is Mr. R. F. Honner.

ITS PROSPERITY IS EVERYWHERE

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