KADLUNGA ESTATE
Personal. Mr. F. H. Weston, manager of the Chief Justice’s Kadlunga estate, near Mintaro, has been seriously ill for some months, but is now reported to be favorably (sic) progressing towards recovery.
MINTARO SLATE QUARRIES
MINTARO. ITS SLATE QUARRIES — AN OLD DISTRICT COUNCIL CLERK. Mintaro is famous for its slate quarries, which contain an unlimited quantity of the best slate in the world. That, this is so is an undisputable fact, for the quality is even, the stone has a natural face, unlike the products of Welsh and English slate quarries, and can be raised in blocks 18 ft by 12 ft. Originally a Melbourne company worked a slate quarry, but liquidated after conducting business for some years. A local company was then formed, principally through the support of the late Mr James Torr, and the energy of the secretary (Mr W E Giles), who has retained his position up to the present time. The idea was mooted for the benefit of the men in the town who lacked employment owing to the shutting down of the first quarry. Work was started on Chief Justice Way’s Kadlunga Estate, and at a depth of 30 feet high-class slate was discovered. At the present time, where corn once waved luxuriantly, is the plant of the present company, which is under the management of Mr J A Jacobs, is turning out excellent samples of flagstone for Adelaide streets and private places in South Australia. The largest trade, however, is done with the Victorians, who appreciate the stone for its even-wearing qualities. A large stock of slates are kept raised, so that they may dry sufficiently to be ready for conversion into finished blocks for customers. It is interesting to note that the obliging manager has had great experience with slate, as previous to coming here, four years ago, he worked for 27 years in the Willunga quarries. Mintaro township is situated in undulating country at the foot of the hills, which belong to the Kadlunga Estate. It is an old established township, and was at one time much frequented. This was in the early days of the Burra, when journeys were made by bullocks and other teams through to Port Wakefield. Mintaro was the first camping place en route, and presented quite an animated appearance. The progress of the country has robbed it of the passing trade, and to-day it is a quiet and yet prosperous little township, gaining celebrity for its slate quarries and its proximity to the famous Martindale Estate and the Kaldunga Station. Mr W E Giles, who is the clerk of the district council, came here about 48 years ago. He landed in South Australia in ’56 from the ship Albuera, and almost immediately came up to Minlaro. Soon after his arrival, the route for teams was changed, and instead of proceeding to Port Wakefield, they went on to Kapunda. Mr Giles started a store, and after running it for a few years, went in for general agency business and for auctioneering. In 1866 he was appointed clerk of the district council, which position he still holds, so that at the present time he is probably the oldest council clerk in the state. The members of the district council are—Messrs J J Kelly (chairman), A P Brown, J Nykel, P Smith and S Torr. The area of the hundred is about 64 square miles. The institute, which is well patronised, contains about 1,600 volumes, which number is being added to each year. A memorial tablet in the wall bears the following inscription :— “In memory of three volunteers from this district, who fought and fell in the South African war, ’99-02 Corporal Sid Landsdell, I.B.C, Bethel, May 22, 1901 ; Trooper Oliver E Fry, 6th W.A.; Trooper A A Vickery, I.B.C., Kroonstad, March 18, 1902.” The officers of the institute are— President, J A Jacobs ; vice-president, J C Hunt; general committee, J L Byan, T H Weston, A E Pricaul, F H Marston, Trewren, A March, and J Tickell; secretary, W N Rowe. Mr W E Giles has been long associated with the institution, but last year he retired from active service in connection with it. Mr Rowe, sen, is one of the oldest residents in Mintaro. He left the shores of England in the John Banks in February. 1855, and landed in this state in May of that year. He opened a blacksmith shop soon after his arrival in Mintaro in 56, and with perseverance established a good trade. After all these years of labor he has handed over the management to his son, although he still takes a keen interest in the work. The son, Mr W N Rowe, takes a great interest in the welfare of the township and the promotion of sports which serve to provide recreation for body and mind. A tennis club is in active existence, and matches with rival teams are frequent. Mintaro at one time boasted a flour mill, but this has been relinquished by the miller and is used as a chaff mill for local trade. There are two churches, the Methodist (Rev H Trewren) and the Roman Catholic (worked from Seven Hills). The Rev Sewell, of Auburn, conducts services in the Institute for Anglicans periodically. The wants of consumers are supplied by two stores, Montgomery’s and Wiltshire and Seabury’s. The latter passed into the hands of the present owners at the new year, and under the management of Mr G J Pulford supplies customers with all needs. For travellers accommodation is provided at the Mintaro Hotel and the Temperance Hotel. The latter place is kept by Mr C Grym.
MINTARO, KAPUNDA HERALD
MINTARO. While travelling through Mintaro I called at Trevence Farm, owned by Mr E Tralaggan. The soil here is limestoney and sandy loam. Winter fallow is found by Mr Tralaggan to be a most important factor in the production of good crops from the soil. Given this and artificial manures the land is almost bound to produce heavy crops. Last year was a very favorable season for this part, an average of 5 bags being obtained. This season results are fair, Smart’s Early, Pioneer, and Purple Straw being among wheats planted.
WOODS—TRALAGGAN
WOODS—TRALAGGAN.—On the 29th July, at the Methodist Church. Mintaro, by the Rev. H. Trewren, William Rowland, third surviving son of Mr. S. Woods, Port Lincoln, to Lillie, second surviving daughter of Mr. E. Tralaggan, Mintaro.
EARLY DAYS OF BURRA
THE EARLY DAYS OF BURRA. Interesting Reminiscences. Arrived at Port Wakefield on Monday, July 18, 1853, the barque Malacca from Monte Video, after a passage of 70 days, with a cargo of mules imported by the Patent Copper Company ; 180 shipped. Passengers—Mr. E. K. Horn, Mrs. Isaac Killicoat and family, and Mrs. Skews and family. S.A. Register, July 18, 1853. It is now 50 years the 18th day of July, 1903, since the first lot of mules were imported from South America to South Australia. These mules were first used in carrying the low grade surplus ore from Burra to Port Wakefield (two bags or about 2 cwt. each mule), thence shipped by the company’s ships to their works at Swansea (Wales) to be smelted. Mr. Horne as agent, proceeded in the barque Malacca to Rio Janeiro, to purchase these mules. The barque went to London for the Killicoat and Skews families; at the same time bringing back a cargo of bagged scrap iron. On reaching Rio the captain ascertained that Mr. Horn had to purchase the mules at Monte Video, so went round and got them on board, taking six weeks to accomplish the trip through rough weather. The Mexicans, who were in charge; had a good deal of trouble with them on the voyage to South Australia, as the weather was exceeding rough, and several died. Mr. Horn acted as agent for the company at Port Wakefield until the opening of railway to Kapunda, when the traffic diverted in that direction, and the mules were used in waggons in lieu of driving in mobs with their packs of ore by the Mexicans. Other importations of mules were made by this company, and a second lot of scrap iron was imported, but during the absence of the Malacca it was discovered that the ironstone at Carculta, near Black Springs, would act as a flux to smelt the Burra malachite ore, so the imports of scrap iron was used at Port Wakefield to build up wharfs for shipping. After this discovery no more iron was imported. These mules proved to be far better than horses, having had the hardest and longest stages allotted to them — between Mule Camp and Burra. The other stages to Kapunda via White Park, which was much shorter and easier, were done by horses. This means of carriage continued for many years, until the opening of the Burra railway. The same company had a variety of teams, consisting of horses, bullocks, mules and donkeys, and did a large portion of their own carting, while hundreds of others were employed in various ways. They had at the works stores, where you could buy almost anything, and a butcher’s establishment to supply the employees with meat. At this time a great many people were living in huts, dug out in the banks on each side of the Burra Creek. Some contained quite large rooms, nicely white-washed, very cool in summer and warm in winter, with fireplaces and shelves cut out of the ground. The P.C. Company had 18 reverberatory and three refinery furnaces at work. They constructed the bridges and roads between the works to Port Wakefield and Baldina, and were the lessees of the Baldina run at that time. Their employees consisted of managers, agents, clerks, weighmasters, chargemakers, smelters, grooms, teamsters, storemen, carpenters, smiths, wheelwrights, bricklayers, butchers, stockmen, and others. Readers can imagine what a busy place it must have been in July, 1853. The writer, though young, has a vivid recollection of it. This company had land at various places between Port Wakefield and Burra, one of their properties being what was then known as the farm, now the property of Chief Justice Way (Kadlunga). Here a large quantity of hay and other cereals were grown, and carted to the copper works, and used in feeding the company’s stock; besides the above properties the Mule Camp and White Park belonged to them. It can be imagined the many details required to give anything like a condensed idea of the enormous employment of labour and other items in connection with the P.C. Company’s investments. There was no restriction on the working of their business, as the construction of premises, etc., will give one the idea now by looking at the beautiful arches of freestone still standing, chimney stacks, etc. The above company are still carrying on the smelting at Newcastle, N.S.W., and have wharfs, etc., at Port Adelaide and Port Augusta, besides one of the best copper mines—the Clara St. Dora—near one our great northern railway-stations ; they have been working this mine for several years continuously with satisfactory results, smelting the ore at Newcastle.
Vickery
VICKERY.— On the 12th March, at his residence, near Mintaro, Samuel Vickery, in his 61st year.
The Late William Hunt
MINTARO. July 29.— Mr. William Hunt died at his residence on Friday at the age of 91 years. The funeral took place on Sunday, and was largely attended, the burial service, being conducted by the Rev. W. A. Millikan. The deceased was a native of Bruton, Somerset, England. He arrived in South Australia 49 years ago, and had been living in Mintaro for the last 48 years. He retired from active business as a builder 12 years ago. Mrs. Hunt (to whom he was married 60 years ago) still survives, and also five sons and one daughter. He was a member of the Primitive Church until the church of that denomination having to close owing to the adherents becoming scattered, he associated himself with the Methodist body.
Mintaro News
MINTARO. July 14.— Mr. March, the newly appointed schoolmaster, has arrived, and taken up his duties as head-teacher, Mr James Fry having resigned. Mr Fry conducted the school here for the past 32 years. Local trades-people are experiencing the disadvantage caused by the new freight rates put on merchandise by the Railway Department, which came into force on July 1. The increase in the cost of sending produce and poultry to the Adelaide markets is very much against the small producers.
STANLEY
STANLEY, April 5.—Present—All. Tenders accepted—No. 155. M. Daly, 4/2 per yard; 156, J. Polomka, 8/3 per chain; 157. M. Daly, £4 10/ per chain. Two guineas granted to Children’s Hospital. Letter from Mr. McLeish re dayman to put out maintenance; too soon to make arrangements. Council to meet on May 5. Works ordered— Ruts near Sexton’s to be filled, 100 yards maintenance near the school, Mintaro railway. Receipts, £44 5/3. Payments—Main road fund, £39 13/8; general fund, £24 6/6.
The Late Trooper Vickery
THE LATE TROOPER VICKERY. Our Mintaro correspondent writes:— “The cable message in ‘The Advertiser’ of Saturday, containing the news of the death of Trooper A. A. Vickery, in South Africa, of the Fifth Contingent, has caused widespread regret among the residents of this district. He was the youngest son of Mr. S. Vickery, who has held a position in the Railway department here for very many years. Trooper Vickery was of good physique, a splendid horseman, a good marksman, and in every sense the true stamp of a soldier, and his manly character and sunny disposition won the respect of his comrades in arms, this makes the second soldier from Mintaro whose untimely end has occurred in South Africa within the last three months.”