Mintaro Weather
MINTARO, September 21.— The weather during the past three or four days has been remarkably cold, with driving showers of rain and hail. On Sunday morning there was a fall of snow for a quarter of an hour, but the snow melted away as soon as it touched the ground. The country at present bears a sloppy appearance and could well do with a little sunshine. The rainfall for this month is already a record one.
Torr Story
Mrs. Richard Dale left by the Ormuz last week. Prior to going, she told a representative of THE CRITIC the following interesting story:—”I came out to Australia,” she said, “six months ago to see my aged mother and my brothers and sisters, and, as neither they nor I are any longer young, it is more than probable we shall never meet again. Nearly all the Torrs live to ripe old age. My mother is now 95 years old. Her sight has greatly failed of late, but otherwise she is hearty and well. My eldest sister is over 70, and, with the exception of my father, who died a few years ago, all of the family to which I belong are still living. Torr blood pulsates through the veins of more than one hundred souls in South Australia. My late father was engaged in mining when the Burra Burra mine was in full swing; three girls and four boys made up our happy family then. My eldest sister is now the widow of the late Mr. James Brown, of “Montrose,” Mintaro, which property adjoins Sir Samuel Way’s Kadlunga estate. When I first knew it it was used as a depot for the mule teams, which were imported from either Spain or South America, I forget which, to pack copper—and afterwards to cart it in wagons—from the Burra to Port Wakefield. My uncle, “Old King Torr”—he always went by that name—lived for many years in Mintaro, and my nephew, Professor Jethro Brown, of the Adelaide University, was born there. Another of my nephews now lives at Montrose, and he aspires to becoming a breeder of prize sheep. My sister had a large family, and they promise to do likewise. My husband was one of the earliest bush missionaries north of the Burra; that is over 40 years ago, and it was about that time I met my fate. We went to live at Crystal Brook Station, which was then owned by the Bowman Brothers. They (the Bowmans) made lots of money in those days, and the cheque they paid for Poltalloch, a station in the South-East, was the largest ever drawn in South Australia up to that time, and was as much talked of then as the cheque recently drawn by the Price Government in payment for the Adelaide trams. Until six months ago I had not seen many of my relatives for 28 long years.”
Mintaro News
MINTARO, July 28.—The Mintaro Literary and Debating Society held a meeting in the institute hall last evening. The President (Mr. M. A. Kelly) presided over a large gathering. The programme was ‘An evening with Dickens.’ An overture was played by Mrs. M. Kelly. A biographical sketch of ‘Dickens’ was given by Mr. Kelly, and readings from ‘Domby & Son’ by Mr. W. J. Martin, from ‘The Old Curiosity Shop’ by Mr. W. E. Martin, and from ‘Pickwick Papers’ by Messrs. Paul, Hunter, and March. A duet was contributed by Misses Tickle and Jamieson.
Spanish Origin of Mintaro
NOMENCLATURE OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA. NAMES AND THEIR ORIGIN. XVIII.—AN ALPHABETICAL REVIEW. … —Of Spanish Origin.— Mintaro is situated on land which was bought originally by Messrs. Joseph and Henry Gilbert and was laid out in 1854. The local correspondent of the Register wrote: “The word Mintaro pronounced (Min-tar-o) is of Spanish origin, and its meaning is ‘camping place’ or ‘resting place.’ The township is situated on the old coach road from the Burra to Port Wakefield, and in the very early days a large quantity of ore was carried through here. The Burra Mining Company imported a lot of Spanish muledrivers, with their mule teams, to cart ore. They landed at Port Adelaide with the animals in a very sorry condition, and on their way to the Burra they were so struck with the fertility of the land about where the township of Mintaro now is that they camped here for some weeks and rested, there having been plenty of good running water in the creeks around the village. After thoroughly resting their mules and putting a bit of condition on them they finished their journey; but ever afterwards they had a soft spot in their hearts for this place, and always made it a resting or camping place when on the way to Port Wakefield with ore. As many as 50 to 75 stayed over night with their mules, making the evening hideous with fighting and drinking”…
Mintaro Weather
Cold and Wet.— The weather during the past week has been cold and wet. Rain set in on Saturday evening, and continued throughout Sunday and portion of Monday. The weather was extremely cold at the same time. The total rainfall recorded was 2.21 inches. At about 1 o’clock a.m,, on Monday we are informed, there was a fall of snow, and also between 8 and 9 a.m. several snowflakes were observed. In other parts of the state heavy falls of snow were experienced. On Wednesday and Thursday mornings severe frosts occurred.
MINTARO CHILDRENS SPORTS
MINTARO, September 3.-The annual children’s sports were held on the Mintaro Oval on Monday, when a large programme of athletic events, for all children under 16 years old, was successfully carried out under the management of a committee, consisting of the following:— Messrs. A. March, F. Marston, J. Ryan. S. Torr, J. C. Hunt, J. Denton, and G. D. Paul. Mr. M. L. Giles acted as secretary. A large crowd of juveniles attended, over 120 being treated to tea, which was provided for them. Every child under the age of 16, who was not a prizewinner, received 6d. During the day a tennis, match was played between a visiting team from Prospect and the local team, and after an exciting struggle, resulted in a win for the home team. A concert, in aid of the Institute funds, was held in the evening. There was a crowded attendance. The following assisted with the programme:— Overtures, Misses Talbot and Beer, and Mrs. J. Denton; songs, Miss. Butler and Mr. F. Field; glees, Misses E. Hunt, Tralaggan, Williams, S. Nelson, P. Jacobs, H. Hunt, Q. Giles, and S. Giles. Mr. J. W. Manyard contributed a step dance, and Mr. H. N. Thomas gave three recitations. Miss Sylvia Nelson also gave a splendid exhibition of club swinging. The concert was followed by a dance.
SOUTH AUSTRALIA’S FLAGSTONE INDUSTRY
SOUTH AUSTRALIA’S FLAGSTONE INDUSTRY. FIFTY YEARS’ WORK. A PROSPEROUS COMPANY. While the mining records in South Australia cover many pages of history, and at present the copper mining industry is attracting considerable attention, there is a valuable mineral deposit at Mintaro, situated 85 miles north of Adelaide, that has been steadily developed and worked with considerable advantage to the State and profit to that locality in particular for a period of half a century. Although in production the figures do not approach the magnitude attaching to the various metals, the industry is quite deserving a place in history as giving evidence of one of the many good things that South Australia possesses. For a little more than 50 years Mintaro flagstone has enjoyed the reputation of being absolutely the best in Australia, and recent developments prove that if it were put to the test the chances are that it would secure a place second to none in competition with the world. There are two or three stories of the original discovery of this valuable deposit, but that which is given the greatest credence and accepted by the oldest settlers is that, like nearly all important discoveries, it was made quite accidentally. —The Discovery.— Some time in the early fifties, when the old Burra Burra Copper Mine was yielding large and payable quantities of copper ore, large numbers of mule teams were employed in carting, the ore to Port Adelaide, and the township of Mintaro became a recognised and favourite halting place and a distributing centre on a small scale in the matter of supplies. Added to farming pursuits, a settling population gradually increased, and the need of a building for religions purposes led to the erection of a Roman Catholic church, the contractor for which was the late Mr. Thompson Priest. In looking around he selected stone suitable for the purpose from one of the late Mr. William Brady’s paddocks. Little stone had been removed when Mr. Priest came upon a fine deposit of blue slate. Following this discovery a quarry was opened up, from which was obtained flagstone that gave existence to an industry that has since produced scores of thousands of tons of stone of a quality that has ever since defied successful competition throughout the southern hemisphere. The late Mr. Thompson Priest exhibited the Mintaro product at the International Exhibition in London in 1802, and secured the signature of Lord Granville (Chairman of Her Majesty’s Commission) to an award by the international jury for class 1. Exhibiting at the South Australian Agricultural and Horticultural Society’s show in Adelaide in 1867 he was the recipient of a silver medal, suitably inscribed (designed and manufactured by J. M. Wendt, of Rundle street), for Mintaro flagging, presented by H.R.H. the Duke of Edinburgh. Again at the International Exhibition held in Sydney in 1879, and at Melbourne in 1880-1, Mr. Priest secured for Mintaro flagstone the first degree of merit and bronze medals. —The Old Quarry.— What is known as the old quarry was successfully worked for about 28 years. During this tune an average of over 20 men were continuously employed. The late Mr. Fred Hector was the oldest hand, and it was generally admitted that he had few equals as a skilled stonecutter. On the death of Mr. Thompson Priest the quarry proprietorship came into the possession of his son, the late Mr. Edmund Priest, who, after a short term of ownership, was made a good offer and disposed of the leases to a Victorian Company. The managing director was Mr. H. Gaukooger, of Melbourne, and the late Mr. E. G. Priest received the appointment of local works manager. The new proprietors, however, did not remain in ownership for a long period; and, ostensibly through lack of demand for the stone, operations at the works were suspended. —The Process of Development.— Shortly afterwards heavy rains fell, which completely flooded and filled to overflowing the quarry, which had been worked to a depth of about 170 ft., and an industry which had proved a mainstay of the township of Mintaro and source of profit to the prorietors for upwards of 30 years was threatened with an indefinite period of idleness. Realizing the true position, an enterprising local committee, among whom were Messrs, F. H. Weston, H. D. Jolly, George McLeish, W. E. Giles, S. Torr, A. P. Brown, and others, set to work to secure the lease of sections held by the Right Hon. Sir Samuel Way, only separated, from the old workings by a few chains further north. A shaft was at once put down, and the existence and quality of stone were proved. Meetings were held, a locally formed company was the outcome, 2,750 shares paid up to 6/ were issued on payment of 6/ per share. All shares ranked alike, and with a capital of less than £1,000 operations were begun in 1895, with Mr. James Cummins as work ing manager. There was a good demand for flagging right from the start, chiefly on account of the reputation enjoyed by the old company, and this kept the new company in funds for further opening up, developing, and equipping the property in the earlier stages of its existence. Dividends amounting to 1/6 per share were returned to shareholders as the profits of the first five years. A change in the working management was considered advisable in 1900, when in some quarters it was feared that the quality of stone was deteriorating. Mr. Ivern A. Jacobs, of Willunga, was approached, and after making a careful and thorough examination, he was able to give a highly encouraging report regarding future prospects, which led to his accepting the appointment of works manager. Within 18 months of his assuming control further dividends amounting to 1/6 per share were dispersed, and for the past five years dividends amounting to 6/ a share per annum, or equal to 100 per cent, on original share issue, have been regularly paid. To-day the Mintaro Flagstone
STANLEY FARMERS AND PRODUCERS POLITICAL UNION
MINTARO, May 28.—At a meeting held last evening it was agreed to form a branch of the Stanley Farmers’ and Producers’ Political Union. Mr. A. P. Brown was elected chairman. Mr. Faulkener vice-chairman, and Mr. M. A. Kelly secretary and treasurer. The district secretary (Mr. W. Hancock) explained the objects of the union.
MINTARO LITERARY AND DEBATING SOCIETY
MINTARO. April 23.—The fortnightly meeting of the Mintaro Literary and Debating Society was held in the institute hall on Monday evening. There was a large and interested gathering of members. Mr. A March presided. The programme was an ‘Australian evening,’ and the following members took part:— Miss Low, Miss Williams (who gave an essay on “Australia”), Miss Kotz, Mr. M. A. Kelly, Mr. T. Kelly, Mr. S. Worthley (who gave a biographical sketch of Harry Morant), and Mr. J. Guntre (whose contribution was a reading on Australian poets).
Stanley, December 1906
DISTRICT COUNCILS. STANLEY. Saturday, December 1.—Present—Crs. J. Nykiel (in the chair), P. Smith, M. A. Kelly, and J. N. Tickle. Clerk reported that the subsidy, amounting to £66 16/2, and £1 2/9 on account of hawkers’ licenses, had been paid into the bank, also that George Scarfe and his surety, W. T. Mortlock, had signed the recognisance required by the Impounding Act, and that Mr. Scarfe had been gazetted poundkeeper. Mr. Scarfe licensed to act as auctioneer for the sale of cattle impounded in the Mintaro pound. Received from the Crown Lands Office letter re suggested alterations in the Width of Tires Act. Clerk to reply stating that the council is of opinion that the present act is sufficient if its provisions are enforced. Circular from British and Foreign Bank Society received. Hours for burning stubble fixed ; to be gazetted. Applications to be invited from persons willing to act as ranger. Receipts—£87 12/. Payments—District fund, £16 6/2.