Buggy accident
BUGGY ACCIDENT.—Mr. Thompson Priest, J.P., proprietor of the Mintaro Slate Quarry, was thrown out of his trap on Thursday evening, between Clare and Sevenhills. He was severely injured, and is now lying at the Sevenhills Hotel in a very precarious state.
Patent letters
In: SECOND EDITION GENERAL NEWS. … Letters patent have been issued by the Commissioner of Patents as under:—W. Alex. E. West-Erskine, for an apparatus for cooling rooms; Wm. Henry Hill, of Gawler, for a grubbing-machine; David Hutton, of Mintaro, for an invention for washing clothes, wool, and other articles ; David Wald, of Lefevre’s Peninsula, for ” Wald’s patent revolving washing-machine.” •…
Council of Education
COUNCIL OF EDUCATION. Adelaide, Monday, May 6. … Wakefield Springs. — Inspector Witham, in regard to building a new school in this locality, reported that he had visited the district and found that most of the people were Roman Catholics. Since the application was sent to the Council the Sisters of St. Joseph had opened a school near the Mintaro Station, at which 75 of the children in the list furnished to the Council were attending. These he thought would not be likely to attend any public school. Seven children had left the district, and nine attended either the Manoora or the Waterloo School. In the face of those facts he did not think it advisable to recommend the erection of a school at present. Received…
New Mintaro Institute
New Institute at Mintaro. There were great rejoicings at Mintaro on Monday, February 4, when the foundation-stone of a substantial new Institute was laid in that township by the Attorney-General (Hon. C. Mann). The building was commenced a few weeks previously by Messrs. Whitehead, of Auburn, and Jolly, of Mintaro, the contractors, and such progress had been made that the visitors found about eight feet of the walls already built up. Its situation is excellent, seeming to have been chosen for the twofold advantage of convenience and ornament. It is quite in the heart of the town, being flanked on the right by the District Council Chamber—a stone building of a very neat appearance—and just sufficiently prominent on a slight elevation as to arrest attention from any point of view in the town. When completed it will be 58 x 24 feet, and 21 feet high, wall measurement; and will consist of a porch with folding doors leading into the principal room, 36 x 21, behind which will be two rooms, designed for the reading-room and library, each 10 x 10. The stone used is a rough sandstone which has been obtained from Kelsh’s quarry, and the rubble-stone is from Bowman’s block. It is estimated that the cost will be close upon £800.
Opening Public Schools
Opening of Public Schools. School at the Burra. High holiday was observed in the Burra, on Friday, January 25, to celebrate the opening of the magnificient (sic) new school buildings which have just been erected there. The building is one of the largest which has yet been erected by the Government for school purposes, and certainly it is not surpassed in appearance by any other school in the colony. An idea of its superior character may be gathered from the fact that it has cost nearly £7,000 and is constructed to accommodate no fewer than 800 children. It is situate on a commanding eminence on the east side of the Burra creek, and is almost opposite to the Institute. The style of architecture is similar to that which obtains in the new public schools elsewhere in the colony, principally Gothic. The frontage is about 200 feet, with an average depth of 80 feet and height of 25 feet. There is a bell turret in the centre about 60 feet high, on either side of which is a gablet about 20 feet wide, and at each end there is a wing extending 27 feet. The entrance is approached by a flight of 13 steps constructed of the best Mintaro flagging. The interior of the building is divided into tw (sic) rooms each 60 x 22 feet; four rooms 43×2 feet; six classrooms 18 x 20 feet, with seats ranged tier upon tier, desks, and all the furniture which the best ingenuity could devise; the teachers’ room, 18 x 20 feet; three lavatories, and other conveniences. The ventilation which is on Tobin’s method, is most complete, and cost alone nearly £300. The lobbies, lavatories, and passages are all paved with Mintaro flagging, and the building itself is constructed of fine bluestone from the Burra Mines quarry. In consequence of the irregularities of the ground the cost of the masonry was very high, being £500 more than that of the Norwood schools. The contractors who have so quickly performed this work are Messrs. Sara and Dunstan. The building was formally opened by the Minister, and a banquet afterwards took place.
New Institute Mintaro
NEW INSTITUTE AT MINTARO. There were great rejoicings at Mintaro on Monday, February 4, when the foundation-stone of a substantial new Institute was laid in that township. Viewed in its ordinary everyday aspect, Mintaro and its neighbourhood look sufficiently pretty to call forth the visitor’s admiration, but when seen as It was upon this occasion with all the colouring and gaiety which moving groups of smartly-dressed holiday-makers and laughter-ringing sounds can impart to the eye and ear, it could not fail to impress the spectator as a most charming scene. The weather was in every sense propitious, being of that moderately low temperature which, after an experience of some days at 116° in the shade as it was at Mintaro recently, produces a highly exhilarating effect. After 12 o’clock noon the day was observed as a strict holiday, and no observer of subsequent events could gainsay the statement that every one, young and old, then gave themselves up to festivity and pleasure. THE NEW INSTITUTE. The building of which the foundation-stone was to be laid had been commenced a few weeks previously by Messrs. Whitehead, of Auburn, and Jolly, of Mintaro, the contractors, and such progress had been made that the visitors found about eight feet of the walls already built up. Its situation is excellent, seeming to have been chosen for the twofold advantage of convenience and ornament. It is quite in the heart of the town, being flanked on the right by the District Council Chamber—a stone building of a very neat appearance—and just sufficiently prominent on a slight elevation as to arrest attention from any point of view in the town. When completed it will be 58 x 24 feet, and 21 feet high, wall measurement; and will consist of a porch with folding doors leading into the principal room, 36 x 21, behind which will be two rooms, designed for the reading-room and library, each 10 x 10. The stone used is a rough sandstone which has been obtained from Kelsh’s quarry, and the rubble-stone is from Bowman’s block. It is estimated that the cost will be close upon £800. In accordance with a promise given to a deputation the week before, the Hon. C. Mann, Q.C. (Attorney-General), visited the town for the purpose of laying the foundation-stone. He was accompanied by Mr. W. Townsend, M.P., who had likewise promised to take a part in the proceedings. On their arrival at the railway station they were welcomed, by Mr. Thompson Priest, J.P., the Chairman of the Building Committee, and Mr. George Faulkner, as representative of the District Council. A private luncheon was provided for the party and a few local gentlemen at the Devonshire Arms, and after partaking of this refreshment they were conveyed in buggies to the Mintaro Slate Quarry, which they inspected under the ciceroneship of the lessee, Mr. Priest. INSPECTION OF MINTARO QUARRY. The fine quality of the stone which is obtained from this quarry is well known in most parts of the province. It is almost the only stone that is used for flagging and paving the halls and lavatories of large public buildings nowadays, as well as for a variety of other purposes for which it is specially adapted. The quarry itself has been worked more or less for a period extending over 21 years, but at no time has it opened up so splendidly as at present. Excavations have been made to a depth of nearly 60 feet, and now it presents an immense slope of valuable laminiferous stone many feet in depth. A peculiarity of this stone is that almost all of it has a very smooth surface, and requires comparatively little polishing after it is quarried out or split up into layers. Many blocks possessing this feature are removed which measure over 100 superficial feet, but there have been as large blocks as 33½ x 29½ feet taken from Mintaro. The superior nature of this stone is becoming widely known, and it is now being shipped to all the metropolitan centres in the colonies. Twenty-nine men are constantly employed at the quarry, and in a broad sense it may be described as the mainstay of the town. The appliances in use and the numerical strength of the manual labour employed might not be such as to lead to an extensive or rapid development of the quarry at present, but there can be no doubt that a time will come when it will be a scene of great industry, and be the direct means of raising the town of Mintaro into the rank and importance of a large populous centre. LAYING THE STONE. Shortly after 3 o’clock a procession consisting of Oddfellows and Foresters was formed in front of the Devonshire Arms, whence it proceeded to the Institute followed by the Hon. the Attorney-General, Mr. Townsend, M.P., Mr. Priest, J.P., the members of the District Council, and numerous other gentlemen. A large number of the residents, including many ladies, were assembled at the building, and the liveliest interest was manifested by every one. The first act was to present the Attorney-General with a silver trowel, beautifully chased, and bearing the inscription—”Presented to the Hon. C. Mann, Attorney-General, on the occasion of his laying the foundation-stone of Mintaro Institute, February 4, A.D. 1878.” Mr. Mann then laid the stone amidst cheers, after which Mr. Priest called for an expression of thanks to Mr. Mann for his presence there that day. Three hearty cheers having been given, Mr. Mann said he need scarcely express his pleasure at being privileged to lay the foundation-stone of that building. He was particularly gratified with their kind reception of him, although he confessed the thanks were rather due to themselves for inviting him to be present. They could hardly overrate the importance of such an event as this. The Parliament now expiring had, fortunately, made ample provision for the educational requirements of the country, and large sums of money had been expended in the
Mintaro Institute Ceremony
MINTARO INSTITUTE. Monday, February 4, was a red-letter day in the history of Mintaro. The township assumed a holiday appearance, and visitors from other townships and neighborhood arrived to witness the ceremony of laying the foundation-stone of the Institute. About 3 o’clock in the afternoon the Oddfellows and Foresters, in regalia, started from the Mintaro Hotel in procession to the north-eastern corner of the Institute, when the proceedings commenced by Mr. Thompson Priest, J.P., presenting the Hon. Charles Mann, M.P., with a handsome silver trowel, on which was engraven:— ‘Presented to the Honorable Charles Mann, Attorney-General, on account of laying the foundation-stone of the Mintaro Institute, February 4, 1878.’ Mr. Priest thanked Messrs. Mann and Townsend, on behalf of the trustees and others for their kindness in being present on that special occasion. Two daily papers were enclosed in the stone, also a document referring to the building and containing the names of the trustees and the present District Councillors, clerk, &c. The Hon. Charles Mann having pronounced that the stone was well and truly laid said he could hardly express the feeling of pleasure it afforded him in being present to assist in such a cause. He was also grateful for their kind feelings towards himself. It gave him great pleasure to have the honor of laying the foundation-stone of that building — a building erected for the benefit of mankind, the value of which could not be overrated as to its influence for good. The last Parliament had made provision for schools and the education of children. They had also encouraged the erection of Institutes, which tended to a further improvement, as affording mental recreation to all. He thanked the Committee and those connected with the Institute, and hoped to be present at the opening. (Cheers.) Mr. Townsend, M.P., said he did not think of a vote of thanks ; he was only too anxious to aid any good cause. (Cheers.) It was his first visit to Mintaro. He believed in the erection of Institutes, and also in the blessings of culture. Parliament had voted sums for educational purposes, but not sufficient for as noble a cause. In the erection of Institutes every pound was supplemented by the Government, and his earnest wish was that the Mintaro Institute might prove a blessing to the present and also coming generations. (Cheers.) Mr. Mann proposed a vote of thanks to the Institute Committee, coupled with the name of Mr. Thompson Priest. Mr. Priest returned thanks for the Committee, who would, he was certain, spare no time or trouble in their endeavor to carry out the work in an efficient manner. About 20 guineas was contributed and placed on the stone. The following is a description of the building:— Length, 65 feet; height, 24 feet; width, 24 feet. A plinth surrounds the building. Front entrance by porch, with large folding doors; there are also two entrances at the back. The large room is 21 ft x 35 ft.; two read ing rooms, each 10 ft. x 10 ft. clear; eight windows, and proper ventilation. All quoins are from the Manoora quarry, and the other stone is from Mr. Bowman’s block. The contractors are Messsr. Whitehead and Jolly, and the cost will be about £800. The dinner took place in the new District Council office in the evening, and was catered for by Mr. Anthony, of the Devonshire Hotel, to whom great credit is due for the splendid manner in which it was got up. About 30 persons sat down. Mr. T. Priest occupied the chair, and Mr. George Faulkner the vice-chair. The usual loyal toasts having been disposed of, The Chairman proposed ‘The Governor of South Australia.’ He believed him to be the right man for the colony, and although he was about to visit England he would look to their interests. His Excellency had taken great interest in railway extension, knowing that that combined with liberal land laws would make South Australia a thriving colony. (Cheers.) At this stage of the proceedings a telegram was received from Mr. Hosier, of Clare, apologising for his absence. Mr. P. Dowd, J.P., proposed ‘The Ministry,’ He believed that they were men of honest intentions. He believed, also, that Mr. Colton fancied he was ruler of the colony when in office, for when respectable deputations waited on him he flung their wishes to the winds. He sincerely hoped that at the next election the present members would be returned. (Cheers.) Mr. Mann responded. He thanked Mr. Dowd and all present for their kind expressions, but he did not suppose they would desire politics that evening. He would say, however, that his colleague Sir G. S. Kingston, and also the present Ministry, were desirous of carrying out all measures for the benefit of the colony at large. Their motto was Progress — viz., railway extension and reproductive works. He referred to the Victorian crisis, but believed such would never happen here. For his part he would not allow the Council to control the House of Assembly, and, further, South Australians were a law-abiding people, as on that their prosperity was grounded. He expressed the hope of again representing the District of Stanley. (Cheers.) Mr. G. Faulkner proposed ‘The Parliament of South Australia.’ He believed that it would compare favorably with the New South Wales or Victorian Parliaments, for the members knew how to conduct themselves. Mr. Townsend said that when requested by Messrs. Priest and Giles to attend at the ceremony, it was simply to lecture, but he had great pleasure in responding to the toast. He believed the Parliament would work for the benefit of the colony. He had been in Parliament about 20 years, and he had had differences with other members, but was always on speaking terms with them. He hoped that those who made the laws would make them well. (Prolonged Cheering.) Other toasts were given and responded to, especially one to the senior representative of the district, Sir G.
Mintaro Institute
MINTARO INSTITUTE. The FOUNDATION-STONE of the Mintaro Institute will be LAID by the Hon CHARLES MANN, M.P., Attorney-General, on MONDAY, February 4th, at 3 o’clock in the afternoon. The contributions on the stone will be thankfully accepted. At five o’clock a dinner will be provided in the New Council Chamber, Thompson Priest, Esq., J.P., in the Chair. In the EVENING, at the ASSEMBLY ROOMS of the Devonshire Hotel, W. TOWNSEND, Esq., M.P., will deliver his very popular LECTURE on ‘The Lights and Shadows of London Life,’ at the conclusion of which the Mintaro Dramatic Club will perform the Laughable Farce called ‘The Terrible Tinker.’ Admission— Front Seats, 2s. ; back do., 1s. Doors open at 7.30 ; commence at 8 o’clock sharp.
Mintaro Store
NOTICE. MINTARO STORE. H. D. JOLLY Begs respectfully to intimate to the inhabitants of Mintaro and neighborhood, and the public generally, that having PURCHASED the STOCK-IN-TRADE of Mr. William Butler, Storekeeper, Mintaro, he will OPEN on the 22nd FEBRUARY NEXT with a well-assorted stock of DRAPERY, GROCERY, &c., and hopes by civility and strict attention to business, combined with reasonable prices, to merit a fair share of the public support. January 14, 1878. ADVERTISEMENT. To those gentlemen who have been seeking advice, I suppose residents of Mintaro, with respect to taking action against the Treasurer of the Mintaro Christy Minstrels for not paying the net proceeds of an entertainment given by the Christies in aid of the Mintaro Institute.—I beg to inform those whom it may concern that all moneys in connection with that entertainment were handed over to the proper person to receive the same on the 11th of October. I should not have troubled about this, but it is not a week since that it was publicly talked about, so that I am in duty bound to clear myself and the Committee from any further scandal. WM. SATTERLEY, Treasurer. Mintaro, January 12. … WANTED, 100 TONS of FIREWOOD, delivered at the MINTARO MILL, MINTARO. Must be sound and not exceeding six feet in length. Early application necessary. W. H. SATTERLY. December 8, 1877.
Methodist church anniversary
MINTARO. December 26. The Primitive Methodist held their church anniversary on Sunday last and Christmas Day. The Rev. W. Jenkin, of Kooringa, officiated on Sunday with great acceptance. On Christmas Day a large number assembled at tea, and again at the meeting which followed. Mr. J. Miller was called to the chair. The Revs. J. H. Martin and J. H. Williams delivered addresses. Mr. Williams, after referring to the report—which revealed a satisfactory state or things generally—declared himself an enemy to church debts. He appealed to the friends for an immediate reduction at Mintaro, and so liberally was the appeal responded to that the trustees will be in a position to reduce the debt by £30 very shortly.