State Library of South Australia - B 2009

Tiparra Lighthouse, which was situated approximately 5 miles west of Moonta, out to sea. Built in 1877, it was dismantled in 1996, due to deterioration. Since 2001 it has been restored and rebuilt and stands in Investigator Park, on the seafront at Wallaroo

Trip to the Tiparra Lighthouse.

Friday 19 January 1900, Yorke's Peninsula Advertiser (SA : 1878 - 1922) Trove

By invitation of the Mayor of Moonta, Mr T. H. Cock, J. P., the Councillors and officers, with representatives of the local press and several leading gentlemen of the town, and accompanied by Mr Frankson (head-keeper of the lighthouse), in all about 20, on Wednesday visited the justly celebrated Tiparra lighthouse, one of the finest in the world. Mr Joseph Simms's cutter, " Brothers," having been chartered and thoroughly provisioned, a start was made from the Moonta jetty at 8 a.m. sharp with a fair wind. It was cool and cloudy And "Old Sol" was not seen for the day. The wind, which was very strong early in the morning, shortly after the start fell to a dead calm which continued with only sundry puffs till the lighthouse was reached at 12.10 — the voyage taking four hours and ten minutes. There were only three "casualties"—two councillors and an officer—one of these declaring he only went forward to "spit a bit." Several others had to remain quiet during the monotonous rocking in the calms. They didn't feel up to singing Rocked in the cradle of the deep," in fact some of them dared not smoke: How they envied those who were doing justice to the refreshments and tobacco. After a pleasant and instructive two hours on the lighthouse, where the keepers, Messrs Gardner and Bastian, were most attentive and showed the visitors around and through, and up and down, and were evidently proud of their grand structure and the superbly clean, fresh, and thorough state in which by means of paint and plenty of elbow grease they maintain it and its lamp and lantern. Though erected some 23 years ago the naked brass work of the great driving clock, etc., is in appearance as new as if only placed there the day before the visit; After a thoroughly acceptable cup of tea, kindly provided by Mrs Bastian, the boat was again boarded and, after a short stay, the anchor was again weighed at 2.25 p.m. for "Home, sweet home," and with a fair wind, which later on gloriously freshened, the jetty was reached within the two hours, the return being very much more enjoyable than the weary crawl out. On dropping anchor a hearty vote of thanks, with three cheers and "For he's a jolly good fellow," was tendered the Mayor by the guests, and responded to. The Town Clerk made several "snap shots" during the day, but the light being so dull developments must be awaited before we shall know if they are worthy records of the very enjoyable Mayor's trip to the Tiparra Lighthouse. The Mayor received apologies from five other gentlemen who were unable to get away for the trip.

TRADESPEOPLE, hotelkeepers, and the public generally are warned against being victimised by a person at present travelling South Australia, who has a syste matic way of passing valueless cheques. He is a well dressed person, and his usual mode of procedure is to drive up to a place in a buggy, make purchases, and then ask for a blank cheque, which he fills out. He then leaves with the goods and the change. The cheque is of course valueless.

Steamer on the Tiparra Reef.

Friday 8 September 1899, Yorke's Peninsula Advertiser (SA : 1878 - 1922) Trove

On Friday morning last the news was spread that a large vessel was on the Tiparra reef just below the lighthouse. It proved to be the Rippingham Grange, a fine new steam vessel 435 feet long and 54 feet beam and capable of carrying 10,000 tons, bound from Port Pirie to Victorian ports, which had missed the channel and grounded while approaching Moonta Bay to land the pilot. During Saturday, Sunday, and Monday she was lightened by discharging sulphide concentrates into the S. S. Jessie Darling and the tug Nelcebee and by throwing a large quantity into the sea. At about 4 p.m, on Monday she was got off and proceeded to Wallaroo having suffered no serious damage. An enquiry will be held at Wallaroo, after which the vessel will proceed to Melbourne where she wil be overhauled. In the meantime she will reload the concentrates landed at Wallaroo. Some 1,000 tons of slimer, and 300 tons of concentrates are said to have been thrown overboard. On the Sunday numbers were taken off to the steamer from Moonta Bay.

Wednesday 23 November 1949, News (Adelaide, SA : 1923 - 1954) Trove

Moonta. While fishing on the snapper ground at Tiparra Lighthouse, 12 miles from Moonta Bay, Messrs. Ben and Barry Simms lost seven snapper when a shark snapped them off lines. The shark was caught, pulled to the surface, killed with a rifle, and landed on the cutter. It was 8 ft. 6 in. long, weight 600 lb., and contained 58 lb. of liver.

TIPPARA.

Wednesday 10 October 1883, Wallaroo Times (Port Wallaroo, SA : 1882 - 1888) Trove

8th Oct. 1883. The crops are looking well in this hundred, although the late sown is rather short. The farmers are in high spirits at the coming harvest prospects. The grass, too, in some places is quite a foot high. Stock is in good condition and there seems to be a large quantity of water conserved.

TIPPARA.

Saturday 9 February 1884, Wallaroo Times (Port Wallaroo, SA : 1882 - 1888) Trove

Just a few more lines from here to let you know that we are still existing. The reaper has almost ceased its dull roar in this district, and I hope they will be droning through equally as good crops next year. On one farm I noticed seven machines, six of which were working at the time. The sight was a grand one. The crops were laid about very much and a large quantity bag been lost.

SETTLERS MEETING AT TIPARRA.

Tuesday 5 August 1884, Yorke's Peninsula Advertiser (SA : 1878 - 1922) Trove

On Saturday, July 29, a large and influential meeting of the settlers in the Hundreds of Kilkerran and Tiparra was held at the residence of Mr Joseph Boulton, Hundred of Tiparra, to consider what steps should be taken to induce the Government to lengthen the Balgowan Jetty. The Chairman (Mr. J. Boulton), in opening the meeting, stated that at present nothing could be shipped at Balgowan, owing to there being a reef with shallow water on it about 100 feet outside of the end of the Jetty shutting off all approach of the jetty from seaward. This caused a great loss of time and expense to the farmers, as they have to cart their wheat a distance of 20 miles to Port Victoria, or else 22 miles to Moonta, the road to the latter being uphill. Mr J Maloney, Weetulta proposed—"That the Government be petitioned to lengthen the jetty 200 feet, to allow of vessels coming to the end of the jetty." Seconded by Mr John Wakefield, Weetulta. Mr Solomon Moody, J.P., Kilkerran, in supporting the proposition, stated that the jetty, if lengthened, would serve two-thirds of the Hundred of Kilkerran and all the farmers in the south-west of Tipara. Although he lived within two miles of Balgowan, he had to cart thirteen miles to Port Victoria the difference in costs being about 1s. 6d. per acre, and the settlers in Tiparra would have to give 1d bushel to get 3 bushels carted. Mr John Jones, sen, Kilkerran, stated that 8,000 bags of wheat were this year carted past Balgowan to a shipping place, and next year it would probably be doubled. Mr Moody stated that the farmers last year in Kilkerran alone offered to deliver 10,000 bags of wheat at one penny per bushel lower than the Port Victoria price; but no buyer would take delivery at Balgowan owing to the impossibility of shipping there. It was also proposed that the members of the district be written to, requesting them to support the memorial, and also to ask for a return of the money received from land sold in the Hundred of Kilkerran. Both propositions were carried unanimously. It was then resolved that the Surveyor-General be written to regarding the clearing of two miles of road in the Hundred of Tiparra, and that he be requested to call for tenders, at once for the construction of the dam in the south-west end of the Hundred of Tiparra. This finished business of the meeting.

TIPARRA.

Saturday 2 May 1885, South Australian Weekly Chronicle (Adelaide, SA : 1881 - 1889) Trove

April.20. Mr. Walsh, teacher, late of Wilmington, who was appointed some time ago to take charge of the new Government school here, opened on Monday. He has since sent in his resignation. — The weather continues fine, but there was a change for rain yesterday. — Farmers are very busy seeding. There will be a larger area under crop this season than last.

TIPARRA WATER SUPPLY.

Saturday 14 January 1893, Kadina and Wallaroo Times (SA : 1888 - 1954) Trove

The Commissioner of Public Works returned to-day from Yorke's Peninsula, where he enquired into the needs of the district as regards water. South of Moonta he found that the settlers were badly off for water, which had to be carted some ten or twelve miles in the summer months. The Commissioner will consider the question of extending the Beetaloo water system in the district.

The Tiparra School.

Friday 4 January 1907, Yorke's Peninsula Advertiser (SA : 1878 - 1922) Trove

A very enjoyable afternoon was spent at the Tiparra' provisional school on Thursday, December 20th, when Mrs A. W. Wearing presented the children with a Xmas tree. Some twenty children assembled, each being the recipient of a toy and a bag of lollies. The parents provided refreshments, in which the children took an active interest. The Rev J. R. Ferguson, who was present, addressed the scholars, and gave them some encouraging remarks. During the afternoon several of tha scholars recited in a manner that reflected greatly to the credit of their tutor, Miss Starrs.

CLINTON AND TIPARRA WATER SUPPLY.

Saturday 14 December 1907, Kadina and Wallaroo Times (SA : 1888 - 1954) Trove

In the House of Assembly on Tuesday the Commissioner of Public Works stated in reply to Mr Peter Allan that a comprehensive schemes for the reticulation of the Hundreds of Clinton and Tiparra, in connection with the Beetaloo Water Works, is being carefully designed, and an item of £10,000 as the first instalment of the provision for the work has been placed on the Loans Estimates. So it appears that at last, after years of agitation, the farmers of those hundreds are to be provided with a water supply. Each year the water question with has been becoming more serious, on account of the largely improved stock carrying capacity of the land through the use of fertilisers; and good seasons. But while this has been in progress there has been no corresponding increase in the water supply, although a large amount has been expended by the farmers, in the construction of dams and tanks. The past few seasons have been very favorable to the crops and feed, but the rains which fell were of little use so far as water conservation is concerned, and during the summer months stock owners have had to face the serious problem of either sacrificing their stock, or incurring other losses in water carting.

It was contended, whenever a request was made for the extension in this direction, that the obstacles in the way were unsurmountable. It was urged that there was not sufficient water at Beetaloo, and since the completion of the Bundaleer it was the cost and levels that had to be considered. On several occasions the Goverament called for a report on this work, but in each case it was unfavorable, the officers making the report looking for direct interest from the work instead of fairly looking around the question. A feasible scheme was introduced by Mr Vardon, roughly estimated to cost £23,000, but this was set aside. However, these troubles have been overcome, and a step forward has been made. The members for the district, backed up by the farmers, have been persistent in their efforts to secure the extension, and their action was justified by the importance of the district. Clinton and Tiparra were included in the first Beetaloo water district, and were surveyed for the mains, but for some reason the scheme was cartailed, and now after many years they are to be again included. There is not the slightest doubt that the venture will be a financial success, for although the Beetaloo scheme does not pay direct interest on the capital outlay, it pays indirectly almost beyond calculation.

AN INJURED FOOT.

Tuesday 14 March 1916, Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1889 - 1931) Trove

Maitland, March 11. On Thursday Mr. W. Wakefield, of Tiparra, was at the Government Dam, near Mr. A. Wearings farm. He and his brother were carting water, and he was standing near the trough when it gave way, and the end fell on his foot, causing a bolt to pass right through the foot, which had to be forcibly dragged from the bolt, a process that took some time. The sufferer was conveyed to the Maitland Hospital, where he now lies.

MAITLAND RESIDENTS DEATH.

Friday 31 March 1916, Yorke's Peninsula Advertiser (SA : 1878 - 1922) Trove

There was deep regret in this district when it became known that Mr James Wakefield, of Tiparra, Yorke's Peninsula, had been found on Monday afternoon hanging by the neck from the beam of a chaffshed on his farm. The deceased, who was 61 years of age, appears to have been mentally afflicted for some time. It is believed that the trouble had been accentuated by the departure of one son to the military forces and an accident sustained by his other son. The deceased stood upon a box and, having placed a noose about his neck by means of a slipknot, kicked away the box from under him. There were no papers upon the body. Mr Wakefield was last seen alive at about 3 p.m. by his wife and daughter. His body was discovered by his son, Alexander Stanley Wakefield, aged 19, and the latter imndiately informed the family of what had happened, and telephoned to the police at Maitland. The deceased had been in somewhat indifferent health for about nine months. M.C. Ockendon, with Mr W. J. Noble (Coroner) proceeded to the farm on Monday evening and made at investigation. A decision was reacted that the deceased had committed suicide while mentally afflicted.

WEDDING.

Friday 30 April 1920, Yorke's Peninsula Advertiser (SA : 1878 - 1922) Trove

A wedding that created much interest in the Killerran district was celebrated at the Tiparra West Congregational Church on Wednesday, April 14. The contracting parties were Mr Oliver Jones (late A.I.F.), on of Mrs and the late Mr John Jones, and Miss G. V. Wakefield, daughter of Mrs and the late Mr James Wakefield. The Rev C. E. Tapp was the officiating Clergyman. Friends of Miss Wakefield had decorated the church nicely. The bride, who was given away bv her brother, Mr T. G. Wakefield, wore a pretty dress of white crepe de chene with silk fringe and pearl trimmings she had the usual veil and orange blossom, and carried a beautiful bouquet. She also had a 43rd Battalion brooch the gift of her soldier brother, Mr R. B. Wakefield. The bridemaids, Misses Ruby Allen and Charlotte Jones, were dressed in white silk. The bridegroom was attended by Mr Fred Jones as best man and Mr Alec Wakefield as groomsman. Mrs E. Green presided at the organ. A reception was held afterwards at the home of the bride's mother.

A NEW CHURCH.

Saturday 25 August 1923, Chronicle (Adelaide, SA : 1895 - 1954) Trove

In the presence of a large gathering, the foundation-stone of the Tiparra West Contregational Church was laid by Mrs. A. W. Wearing on Friday afternoon. The building is being erected slightly to the north of the present church, which has been in use for the past 38 years, and forms one of the three churches under the care of the Rev. C. E. Tapp, of Maitland. The new building will cost £2,000. Work being done by members of the church represents £300. Prior to Friday's ceremony the sum of £978 was in hand. The buildjng will seat 150 people, and have a porch and vestry. The church is intended to serve as a memorial for deceased pastors, pioneer members, and also as a war memorial. Leadlight windows are to be built in, and these will largely take the form of memorials. The proceedings on Friday were of a most impressive character. The Rev. C. E. Tapp presided. Reports were presented by Mr. O. W. Jones and Mr. J. Tilly, secretary and treasurer respectively of the building committee; After the presentation of a silver trowel, Mrs. Wearing performed the ceremony in laying the stone and the prayer of dedication was offered by the Rev. G. H. Wright, M.A. (chairman of the Congregational Union), Greetings were deliveredby the Rev. G. H, Wright, M.A. (Congregational Union), Messr W. G. Bayly (Maitland Congregational ChurchJ, G. F. Pearce (on behalf of the Cunningham Congregational Church), Pastor Orain (Church of Christ, Modnta). and Messrs. A. B. Ferguson and R. C. Kitto. Letters were received from the Kadina Congregational Ohurch and ths Revs. T. S. Williams (Victoria), E. J. Stacy (Western Australia), and H. C. Noll; (Hamley Bridge), former ministers. Tea was served by the ladies of the church. Although no financial appeal was made, the money placed upon the stone represented £106, and the proceeds of the tea totalled another £20.

A NEW CHURCH AT TIPARRA WEST.

Saturday 26 April 1924, Chronicle (Adelaide, SA : 1895 - 1954) Trove

In June, 1883, the Rev. John Chapman, of the Congregational Church, commenced services m a house belonging to Sir. J. Tilley, in the newly-settled district of Tiparra. The congregations continued to increase until the building became too small. Early in 1885 a block of land was given by Mr. Wakefield, and others gave stone, lime, stand, and water. A substantial stone church, with cement dressings, was erected, and opened in October, 1885, by the Rev. J. Lloyd. The cost was about £170. The work at Tiparra West was carried on under the successive pastorates of the Revs. W. S. Fernie, T. S. Williams, E. J. Stacy, and H. C. Noll, who lived in Maitland. The Rev. C. E. Tapp accepted the charge in March, 1919, and during his pastorate much building activity was witnessed. The need for a new church at Tiparra West became apparent, and a building fund was initiated, which was greatly helped by gift of £500 from Mr. and Mrs. A. W. Wearing, in memory of their eldest son, who died as the result of an accident. A building committee was formed, consisting af the Rev, C. E. Tapp (chairman), Messrs. 0. W. Jones (secretary), J. Tilly (treasurer), E. J. Green, T. M. Geater, S. J. Jones, A. E. Whitelaw, H. Carmichael, S. W. Moody, and C. F. G. Heinrich (advisor).

Plans for building were prepared and a contract let, and the foundation-stone was laid by Mrs. A. W. Wearing, on August 17, 1923.

The new church is a good example of modern ecclesiastical architecture. It is a dignified structure, of limestone, with red brick facings, and is of Gothic design. In the porch is a twin leadlight window, given by the local Red Cross branch, in order to mark the war service of two of the church's members, Messrs. 0. W. Jones and R. B. Wakefield. Other windows donated by the families interested serve as memorials for Mr. and Mrs. John Jones, sen., Mr. and Mrs. Gregory, sen., Mr. John Jones, jun., Mr John Tilly, and little Miss Elma Moody. The church itself has placed a window in the building as a memorial of the work of deceased ministers— the Revs. R. G. Bayly, John Chapman, W. J. Kuhn, ond J. R. Ferguson. The communion table, a beautiful piece of work, is in memory of Alick, Bessie, and Amy, three of the children of Mr. and Mrs. A. W. Wearing. The furnishings, as well as the building, are artistic and harmonius. Plans were prepared by Mr K. Eichele, and the contractor was Mr J. R. Hogben, of Glenelg. The church, with furnishings represents a cost of £2,500, and prior to the opening only £450 remained to be paid off. Various items in the furnishing and fitting of tne church were gifts. The opening and the dedication service was held on Sunday. The Minister (Rev. C. E. Tapp) performed the ceremomy, and mentioned that the gathering marked the completion ot the fourth building scheme in the Central Y.P. Congregational district in the last five years, the others being the Memorial Porch in the Maitland Church, the new building at Cunningham, and the kindergarten room at Tiparra West. He stated that the new edifice was to be set apart for the highest service man could render God— that of worship. It would also serve a practical purpose in fitting men and women for the responsibilities of citizenship, in building up character, in training young people so that they would be able in Kipling's words, 'when grown to take their place as men and women with our race ' The work done in and the characters produced by the old church building had made possible the erection of the new.

Over 300 people entered the building and crowded the church, vestry, and porch and a large number were unable to gain admission. Eighty motor cars, besides horse vehicles, were drawn up outside the building.

The ceremony of unveiling the windows was performed by Mesdamea J. Jones, jun., and Wakefield, sen., and T. M. Geater, Misses Jones and C. Jones, and Messrs W. R. Bayly and E. A. Gregory and Mrs Mark Mumphris (daughter of the late the Rev. John Chapman), and Mr Huntley Moody. The chairman and members of the Clinton District Council were present, and were welcomed by the pastor. An eloquent sermon was preached bv the Rev. David Morgan, of the College Park Congregational Church. The music was led by a combined choir from the Clayton (Norwood), Maitland, and Tipaira West Congregational Churches, with Mr. R. S. Tilly at the organ, and under the baton of Mr A.L. Foord. Mr. W. R. Bayly delivered the children's address, and Miss M. Cleworth (Clayton choir) rendered with expression, 'I know my Redeemer liveth' (Handel).

CONGREGATIONAL.

Friday 12 February 1926, News (Adelaide, SA : 1923 - 1954) Trove

A beautiful memorial window in honor of the late Mrs. Wearing senr., was unveiled by Miss Wearing, in the Tiparra West church, despite the heat the building was full. The dedicatory prayer was delivered by the Rev. E. J. Stacy (secretaryn of the union), who is also a former pastor of the church.

OBITUARY.

Wednesday 29 September 1926, Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1889 - 1931) Trove

While conducting an anniversary service at the Tiparra West Congregational Church on Monday night on behalf of the Rev. R.D. Lindup, the Rev. E.W. Sanders pastor of the Wallaroo Lloyd Memorial Church, had a seizure. .....

AN ALL-POWER FARMER.

Friday 9 August 1935, Laura Standard and Crystal Brook Courier (SA : 1917 - 1948) Trove

The tractor demonstration arranged by the International Harvester Co., and held recently on the farm of Mr. O. D. Jericho, of Tiparra, Y.P. was one of the biggest gatherings for such an occasion seen for a long time. Mr. Jericho is a progressive farmer, and has good land in a sure rainfall district. The fact that he has one of the most modern power units — a McCormack Deering T to Diesel Crude Oil tractor — was responsible for the International Co., arranging the trial on his farm. Mr. Jericho has been power farming for 10 years, and is in the unique position of not having a horse, light or draught, on the farm. He relies on motor cars, motor lorries, and tractors for means of mechanical traction. Until this year he has worked the farm with a Case tractor. Barley is mostly grown on the farm, sown on grass land, stubble, and occasionally a small area on fallow, therefore only a limited acreage of fallowing is done for wheat, consequently most of the cultivating has to be done between the first rain and seeding time, which only a tractor can adequately do. About 800 acres are sown. The 40 h.p. crawler is a big advance on the smaller wheel tractor for the purpose, and Mr. Jericho is well satisfied with his latest purchase, after completing seeding with it. It drew a 32 hoe and a 28 hoe combine, and the seeding -of 100 acres a day was not a big job. One day from eight till six, 120 acres were covered by the two men, who carted out their own super and seed. The combines were not filled while travelling, as is done by some farmers, but stops were made for filling. Harrows were dragged behind the combines, the big load indicating the power of the tractor. The two combines took a sweep of 36 feet, and harrows had to be borrowed from a neighbour to cover the width. The speed was never below third gear (about 22 miles) out of four gears on the tractor. At the demonstration last week the tractor pulled two 16-furrow twin East Bros, ploughs, one being borrowed from a neighbour, Mr. J. Westbrook. The tractor, which arrived late for the seeding, has worked over 1,600 acres at a cost of £,16 for fuel, including the petrol for starting. Fallowing costs about 2Jd. an acre, and combining l-Jd. an acre. These tractors have only been in Australia about two months. Another has been sold to J. Turner & Sons, Snowtown. Mr. Jericho worked a 20 horse team during the war — probably a record for Australia for a general farm team.