THE MINTARO TROUBLE. QUARRYMEN AFFECTED
THE MINTARO TROUBLE. QUARRYMEN AFFECTED. No settlement has yet been effected in connection with the trouble that occurred with the relaying gang on the railway line at Mintaro on Tuesday, when about 100 men ceased work as a protest to one of the employes declining to take a ticket in the United Laborers Union. Mr. J. Murphy (secretary of the U.L.U.) returned to Adelaide by the Melbourne express on Wednesday morning, and, having made enquiries into the matter, he made the following statement:— “I was surprised to learn, on my arrival in Adelaide, that a lockout had occurred at Mintaro. Apparently the man who has caused all the trouble is backed up by some of the officials of the Government, who have notified the men engaged at the Burra quarries, where the ballast for the line is being procured, that they would be required to go down on the line and take the places of the men who ceased work. These men refused point-blank to have anything to do with the work on the line, and they have been told that if they do not accede to the request the quarries will be closed down. Apparently the officials are joining the ‘red-raggers’ in an endeavor (sic) to bring about a big strike. If this attitude is persisted in it will have serious and far-reaching effects, for such actions will not be tolerated by members of the U.L.U.”
UNION TROUBLE AT MINTARO
UNION TROUBLE AT MINTARO PLATE-LAYERS CEASE WORK. Adelaide, Tuesday. The Hon. J. Verran asked the Commissioner of Public Works, Sir Richard Butler, in the House of Assembly to day, if he intended to keep 110 men idle at Mintaro through the obstinacy of one individual. Also whether it was wise to give all these men their walking tickets until that one man came into possession of all his faculties. The trouble referred to by Mr Verran occurred through a non-unionist being employed in relaying work at Mintaro, and who, it was stated, had been informed by the men that he would either have to join the union or leave the job. Sir Richard said he had advised the Railways Commissioner, if that was the attitude adopted by the men they had better be paid off. With the exception of three or four men this had been done. The Government would not allow the men to d[i]ctate to them as to who should be employed by the Government. Neither had the Government made any enquiries as to whether the men were unionists or non-unionists. If they did fairly good work the Government would keep them on, but they would not submit to d[i]ctation of that character.
ORIGIN OF THE NAME MINTARO
MISCELANEOUS. … ‘Martindale.’—Cockburn’s ‘Nomenclature of South Australia’ states that the word ‘Mintaro’ is of Spanish origin, and means ‘camping-place’ or ‘resting-place.’ The version given is that in the early days the Burra Mining Company imported some Spanish muledrivers with their teams to cart ore. On their way to the Burra they were so struck with the fertility of the land on which Mintaro is now situated that they encamped there for some weeks, and subsequently made it a resting-place on their way to Port Wakefield with ore.
MINTARO REPORT MARCH 11 1913
MINTARO, March 11. Changeable weather has been experienced at Mintaro during the past two weeks. First a hot spell, nine days over the 90° mark, five of which were over the 100°, the hottest day being 104 in the shade, followed on Monday 10th with a thunder storm—registering 121 points and 150 at Mintaro Railway Station, making the River Wakefield uncrossable until Tuesday afternoon. Another storm passed over the Railway Station, registering an inch in an hour, which again brought down the flood waters. The local telegraph messenger (Mr. O. Grym) crossed about half past five, but on his return could not get back, and in trying to do so got washed over the ford with his horse and dray. He was discovered by Master Jack Mortlock, who waded out to him, and kept him company until further help arrived. The news of the mishap was brought into the town by Mr. T. Brown, and about 20 willing hands were soon on the scene, and Mr. Grym was rescued. The horse and dray were recovered later. The rain was needed by most people, as the majority of tanks and dams were empty. Mr. T. J. Horgan had a stack of about 1,500 tone of hay near the Mintaro railway which was surrounded by a foot of water. Wheat carting here is finished, and about 28,000 bags have been delivered at the railway station, being 2,000 bugs less than last year’s total. The average yield for this district was about 20 bushels. A cricket match, married v. single, was played on the Mintaro oval on Saturday last, and resulted in a win for the single men by 11 runs. Scores—Single, 75; married, 64. Mr. S. Torr, one of Mintaro’s leading cricketers, and his family are at present having a two months’ holiday at Henley Beach. He will be greatly missed from next Saturday’s match with Clare at Clare. The following players have been picked to represent Mintaro:—Captain T. Richardson, A. Richardson, H. Richardson, Joe. Ryan, R. Rowe, A. Sibly, G. Paul, G. K. Haslam, N. Garrard, J. Jacobs, G. Smith. Emergencies — J. Paul, D. McDonnell. Traps will leave Mintaro at 12.30 p.m. sharp. The Mintaro Quarry Company pulled its first stone with one of the new cranes to-day. It has an 85-foot jib, and a hauling power of seven tons. The new sawing plant has been erected, and is ready for use. The third new crane arrived at the station to-day. It has a jib 50 feet in length with legs 40 feet long, and work will be brisk after the Easter holidays. Mr. W. Laycock has purchased a larger crane for his quarry, and will be employing more hands later on. Inspector McBride visited the Mintaro school on March 10. A dust storm passed over Mintaro to-day.
MINTARO TREE PLANTING
MINTARO. Tree-planting. September 16.— Tree-planting has been carried out on the Mortlock recreation park lately by Mr. S. Torr and Mr. F. H. Marston, 350 trees being planted, comprising 100 white cedars, 100 pines, and 150 mixed gums. They were put in just in time to catch our September rains. Six hundred, trees were planted there last season, but owing to the season being dry most of them died. A meeting of the committee of the children’s annual Eight Hours sports was held in the institute on Saturday last, when Mr. C. Pulford submitted a satisfactory balance sheet. He was again re-elected secretary and collector, Mr. S. Torr resigning his position.
OBITUARY, ANN MONTROSE TORR
OBITUARY. Mrs. Ann Montrose Torr. Mrs. Ann Montrose Torr, one of the oldest and most highly esteemed residents of the State, died at the age of 98 years on Saturday at the residence of her son in-law, Mr. M. M. Maughan, Parkside. The deceased lady was born in Devonshire, England, in April, 1814, in the reign of George III, and thus lived under six British Sovereigns. In 1855 the deceased accompanied her husband, the late Mr. John Torr, to South Australia in the ship Hooghly, and Mr. Torr, who was a miner, at once proceeded to the Burra, and there the family resided until Mr. Torr’s death in 1884. Mrs. Torr and her family afterwards lived at Mintaro, but later came to Adelaide, where she resided until her death. While her health permitted, the deceased took a prominent and keen interest in the affairs of the Methodist Church. She was widely known and highly esteemed all over the State. The children who survive are—Messrs. James Torr, Mitcham; John Torr, Adelaide; Thomas Torr, Unley Park; and Dr. Torr, Glenelg. Mesdames F. Brown, Fullarton road; M. M. Maughan, Parkside; and R. Dale, Penzance, England. Mrs. Torr’s descendants number more than 100.
School Wasted at Mintaro Railway
A SCHOOL WASTED. MINTARO RAILWAY, November 11.—With reference to the need for a school a building is available which, with slight alteration would answer the purpose. It is one of the railway cottages which is not used by the department, and it could be rented. Failing this a school should be built, as there is every prospect of it being needed for many years. Is has been suggested that the Government might with advantage adopt the Western Australian system of tent schools, which consist of a tent erected under a separate roof of galvanized iron. When the need for them has ceased these schools are taken away and, re-erected at small cost to the department. Suitable living accommodation for the teacher and means of access to and from the school have been arranged for by residents. A married teacher is not required. For the last two years six children have been driven 7½ miles to Mintaro and back daily—75 miles per week, wet or fine. This has proved too heavy a strain from parents and scholars, and something should be done for them. Some children have been taught by their parents. Others have been compelled to leave the district owing to lack of a school, while still more are growing up without education.
Mintaro News
MINTARO, October 7.-The teachers and scholars of the Methodist Sunday School presented Mr. C. J. H. Wright with a silver-mounted baton as a token of their appreciation of his services as choirmaster at their anniversary services. The Superintendent of the Sunday school (Mr. J. M. Sandow), in moving a vote of thanks to Mr. Wright, bore testimony to the great improvement in the choral and part work, and stated that the takings on the anniversary Sunday constituted a record for 57 years.
Stanley News
STANLEY, May 6. Present—Councillors Kelly (chairman), Torr, Thomas, and Brown. Tenders accepted—No. 329, L. Shepherd, £2 12s 6d per chain ; 330, N. Garrard, £2 17s 6d per chain ; 331, N. Garrard, £2 15s per chain; 332, G. Garrard, £2 7s 6d per chain ; 333, G. Garrard, £7 lump sum. A subscrip- (sic) of £1 to be sent to the Burra Hospital. E. F. Edwards granted permission to place a fence across roads adjoining school, and plant trees along the roadside. Councillors Kelly and Torr appointed to wait on the Commissioner with the object of securing a special grant for main road. Resolved that Mintaro ward pay the cost of burning the light in front of the Institute. Nominations to be received on Monday, June 19, for the election of three councillors in place of Councillors Brown, Smith, and Thomas, and for one auditor in place of H. C. Uren, all of whom retire by rotation. Mr. A. Hay was appointed returning-officer. The clerk to get a new gate placed at the pound. Payments, main road, £43; district fund, £104 7s 9d; receipts, £38 6s 8d.
Mintaro News
THE COUNTRY. MINTARO, April 10.—Mr. C. W. Beer has left for his new position as station-master at Tailem Bend and W. R. Mart[l]itch, from the relieving staff is at present in charge of the Mintaro station.—The flagstone quarries are working at high pressure, and another 20 tons were sent to the neighboring States during the week. Altogether about 65 tons were dispatched, most of which was consigned to the city.