Annual Values Assessment
OPEN COLUMN LETTERS. ANNUAL VALUES ASSESSMENTS VERSUS LAND VALUES ASSESSMENTS. (To the Editor.) Sir—As suggested in your leading article of 14th. inst. the ratepayers of the District Council of Clare will be wise to approach with a great deal of caution the question upon which they will be asked to record their votes next Saturday, namely the alteration of the system of rating from its present accustomed form to the little-understood system of rating or unimproved land values. I say ‘little-unuderstood’ (sic) deliberately because I doubt whether even we councillors fully under stand it and its possible effects. Under our present system, which is based on 5% of the capital value of properties, we all pay for the maintenance of the District—its roads, health services, the hospital, etc.—according to our relative investment in it, so that the more valuable a property becomes, the more it contributes to the District up keep, which surely accords with the accepted principle that the burden of taxation should fall upon those most capable of bearing it. The alternative, known as the Land Values system, is based upon the unimproved value of the land only, so that, other things being equal, the vacant township block pays the same rate as that upon which a hotel or a house of any kind is built, and impoverished land the same per acre as that which has been raised to a high degree of productivity. The relative merits of the two systems were very thoroughly investigated in 1949 by a highly competent impartial committee comprised of leading departmental, city and country authorities. That committees conclusions include these expressions— ‘In many parts of S.A. the Land Values system cannot operate equitably.’ ‘Many Councils rating under Land Values cannot raise sufficient revenue to meet their purposes!’ ‘The Annual Values system is a more flexible and equitable system for raising rate revenue than is the Land Values System.’ The only justification for the Land Values system of rating is to prevent city lands being held in idleness for speculative purposes. As the district of Clare is one of the most fully developed in the State, this necessity certainly does not arise. It should be clearly understood, too, that the tentative assessments that have been prepared must not be taken as the final answer to the amount of rates that each will have to pay. I am no new-comer to this district, nor am I unfamiliar with its problems of development and of Local Government, and my advice to the ratepayers is to stick to the devil they know rather than vote for the devil they don’t know. Those who agree with me, or are even indifferent, must realise that unless they do vote against the proposal on Saturday, it will be carried in spite of them. I am, Sir &., ALEX. J. MELROSE. Mintaro, April 19, 1954.
Real Property Act
Real Property Act, 1886-1945. Title by Possession Under Part V11A. NOTICE is hereby given that an Application under Part VIIA. of the above Act has been made to me by ELIZABETH McQUILLAN of Mintaro Widow for the issue to her and in her name of a Certificate of Title for the ALLOTMENT 14 of Section 318 Hundred of Clare laid out as MINTARO NORTH at present comprised in Certificate of Title Register Book Volume 122 Folio 4 and of which the registered proprietor is Owen Sodan of Mintaro Laborer. Unless a caveat is lodged with me at the Lands Titles Office, Victoria Square, Adelaide, by some person claiming an estate or interest in the said land such Application may be granted at the expiration of two months from the date hereof. DATED at the Lands Titles Office, Victoria Square, Adelaide this 7th day of April, 1954 G. A. JESSUP, Registrar-General.
George Jenner
GEORGE JENNER MR. George Jenner, of Kapunda, who died in his 86th year on December 10, 1953, was born at Currency Creek on December 30, 1867. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Joshua Jenner, very early pioneers who came from Kent, England. When the Clare district was opened up, the family moved to Penwortham. George Jenner became a Catholic several years before his marriage to Miss Mary McCann at St. Aloysius’ College in 1899, and then made his home at Mintaro, where he was employed at Kadlunga Station for about 19 years. After spending four years at Dubbo, in N.S.W., he returned to S.A. and took up farming in the Kapunda district. On his retirement he went to live in Kapunda. He leaves a widow, a daughter (Kathleen, of Adelaide), and a son (Jack, of Spalding). May he rest in peace.
Mintaro Sale
MINTARO Elder Smith & Co. About 100 buyers attended the clearing sale on Monday on the property of Mr. H. E. Frick, of Mintaro, who is leaving the district. The sale was conducted by Elder, Smith & Co. Limited, and there was a good market for the 22 milch cows offered The cows were described as all good milking types and the top price was £45 for a fine cow purchased by Mr. Giles, of Mintaro. Driver Bros., of Watervale, bought six of the cows. The pigs offered were of good quality, with the top price being £75 for a Large White Yorkshire cross breeding sow with a litter at foot.
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[image – H. E. Frick Clearing SALE advertisement.]
Mintaro News
MINTARO [From our own Correspondent] Mintaro, Tues., July 31/51. The monthly Institute meeting was held on Monday, July 23rd., and it was agreed to continue to hold the fortnightly card evenings, as they have proved to be popular and a success financially. A working bee was held last Friday night five stalwarts attending to affix the Dunlopillo seats to more of the chairs. It was very pleasing indeed to see men of the District Council of Clare busily engaged in cleaning up the cemetery; this work has been long overdue. The monthly CWA meeting will be held tomorrow after noon and further details will be available next week. The History book is now in the hands of the typistes, and my thanks go to all who assisted me with data of any kind for same. The ‘double blues’ have won their last two football matches — Keep those sox up Blues ! Good luck ! Personal — Spent a most enjoyable day Sunday week with Messrs. S. C. Jacka and C. Scarfe, recalling old times. Only wish my pen could record all they recounted. Mr. Scarfe especially made the long trip from Wirrabara to assist me in this work, and I do sincerely thank him and hope he received as much enjoymnet from the occasion as I did. Heartiest congratulations and best wishes to another young couple — Miss Lois Grace and Mr. Keith Hobbs (of Wirrabara) whose engagement was announced recently. Recent holiday-makers at Broken Hill were Miss I. Puckridge and Mr. D. Willis.
Mintaro News
MINTARO [From our own Correspondent] Mintaro, Tues, July 3/51. Birthday Party—To celebrate Mr. P. Dunn’s birthday as a prelude to the Movie Ball in Clare last Wednesday, Mr. and Mrs. Dunn were host and hostess, and a very cheery 6 p.m. party at their home. A delicious buffet dinner was served and thoroughly enjoyed by all. Those present were:—Mrs L. and Miss D. Woods, Mr. ‘and Mrs. R. Hogarth, Mr. and Mrs. E. Jacka, Mr. and Mrs. B. Kluska, Mr. and Mrs. F. McNamara, Mr. and Mrs. E. Mitchell, Mr. and Mrs. R. Pulford Mr. and Mrs. M. Ridgway, Misses I. Puckridge and M. Jenner, and Messrs. V. Jenner, D. Willis and A. Gertau. After some rollicking: community singing to music provided by Mr. D. Willis at the piano, the party left per cars for the Clare Ball, and it was a fitting climax to a very happy evening. Mr. Ron Sullivan of 5AD gave Mr. Dunn a Cheerio Birthday Call over the ‘mike’ for his 21st or something—Congratulations! This and That—See Mr. and Mrs. Alf. Mitchell revisiting Mintaro in their new ‘Holden’. It is very pleasing indeed to see this highly respectd (sic) couple back even for a short visit. A good muster of men attended at Torr Park last Saturday morning to plant the trees along the front fence. Coming home from Saddleworth last Saturday, after defeating the Blue and Golds, the Mintaro supporters in Lawrence’s bus were unfortunately delayed on the road near Leasingham for about an hour. I believe this is the first time that this pleasant mode of transport has ‘broken down’ while conveying the Mintaro folk to and from the various football fixtures. Mr. Rex Midwinter spent last week-end at his home in Mintaro. He is full of plans for this new home at Broken Hill, where he is working. Best of luck, Rex ! Work has been begun on the ‘History of Mintaro’ book and while thanking all who have already contributed, I feel there are some families about which very little has been gleaned from sources available. Would any Mintaroite who knows of any humorous incident of the past, or outstanding or everyday occurrences in the lives of the people please let me have full details very very soon. Can anyone supply information about the old mounting stone in the Main Street? or when the Police Station was first opened? Any inforamtion however small will be gratefully accepted and used. Thank you!
Councillors Retire
Five Councillors Retire from Clare District Council April Meeting. … H. & L.G. Dept, forwarding plans proposed widening Mintaro/Manoora road near Mintaro pound; approved and that it be left hands Clerk and Overseer take any necessary action. …
Dredging Port Henry
Miscellaneous shipping. The Government schooner ‘Yatala’ towed the dredging barge out on Thursday afternoon, and proceeds to the head of the Gulf to deepen the bar at Port Henry, the nearest shipping place to the Burra.
Sidelights on Sevenhill
SIDELIGHTS ON SEVENHILL An Old Parishioner Remembers THE “solid” History of the Austrian Jesuits and Sevenhill has been covered by the Diocesan, Archivist and others. We propose, under the heading of “SIDELIGHTS ON SEVENHILL,” to publish during the next few weeks informal, even haphazard, details of a more intimate and personal nature concerning the “old days” in Sevenhill parish. In this issue, we publish the first part of a memoir written by an old parishioner born at Mintaro 81 years ago. My own recollection of the great work of the early Austrian Jesuits, he writes, does not go back further than 1872, 20 years after the starting at Sevenhill. However, having lived forty years in their parishes of Mintaro and Farrel Flat, and board ing at the College in 1882 and 1884, brought me in close contact with all the Fathers excepting the first two, Frs. Kranewitter and Tappeiner, and the last-comer, Fr. Peifer. MY contribution is simply a history of my own parishes and will be very little use to you, I fear. It seems such a weak and feeble effort in an attempt to describe the wonderful and holy esteem in which they were held by all their parishioners; I am hope fully looking to my confreres to supply those essentials. Fr. Tappeiner was the first Parish Priest of Mintaro. He was responsible for the early erection, in 1854, of that little “church upon the hill,” which still stands, apparently as solid as the day it was opened. The land was presented by Mr. Peter Brady, a great friend of the Fathers. (Mr. Brady’s great-grandson, Rev. Dr. Giles, is now Secretary to the Apostolic Delegate in Sydney). The church in Mintaro was the first in Australia, probably the first in the world, to be dedicated to the “Immaculate Conception.” My parents married and settled in the Mintaro district in 1864. Fr. Tappeiner was still their Parish Priest. I was baptised by him; but before memory begun he left for Norwood, to the then newly established mission. He remained there till his death in 1882. His body was brought to Sevenhill. It was the largest funeral up to that time. In the Mintaro parish he was loved intensely. Some of my earliest recollections, hearing parents, friends and parishioners mentioning the name of Fr. Tappeiner with a kind of sacred reverence. I learnt afterwards that the same love and affection for his name existed throughout the parish, and that his removal to Norwood had been looked upon as a calamity. Even Protestants had the greatest esteem, and he was publicly farewelled in the district hall. It was during Fr. Tappeiner’s term in Mintaro that the Sisters of St. Joseph were founded in South Australia. Two of the first to join Mother Mary McKillop were Bridget and Annie Howley (Sister Calasanctius and Sister Andrea). They left Mintaro in 1868, and were followed shortly by Rose Dowd (Sister Acquin). All three were parishioners of Fr. Tappeiner. Sister Andrea died in the year 1932, but the others are still doing good work. It would have been in the late sixties when Fr. Tappeiner left Mintaro. He was succeeded by Frs. Strele and Krusel, and each in his turn was equally revered as was Fr. Tappeiner. At that period Mintaro and district contained a strong Irish element fresh from the “old land,” which is ever noted for the wonderful love of the Soggarth Aroon, but even in that country it would have been impossible to equal the bonds of affection which existed between the Irish settlers and the Austrian Jesuits. Fr. Hayes followed, and with him, in 1872, begin my personal remembrances of those saintly men. Fr. Nieban was there in 1873. He used ride on horseback, as all the others had done, from Sevenhill to Mintaro for Sunday Mass. Benediction in the evening and a Monday morning Mass for the Sisters who had recently been established in Mintaro. Fr. Nieban was transferred to Georgetown. Fr. Reschaeur then took charge of Mintaro parish. Masses were said as usual on Sunday and Monday mornings, but as the Sisters had opened another school at Mintaro Railway, a school erected by Fr. Strele and Bro. Eberhard, four or five miles away, Mass was sometimes celebrated there also. It was necessary, therefore, for the Priest to stay a night or two at Mintaro vestry or at Mr. Peter Brady’s house, where there was always a hearty welcome. When Fr. Reschaeur took charge, he built, with his own hands, a little room attached to the vestry. He also put on the roof. The room still stands as a monument to his industry and skill. He also erected a gallery for the choir. He left Mintaro about 1875 for a northern mission. Fr. Herbery succeeded and made a long stay. He was loved by all, especially the children, who watched for his coming over the hill. Some of them would run off to meet him, “bail him up” until he disbursed apples or other fruit which he usually carried in front of him on his horse, During his term at Mintaro, a rumor of his returning to Europe caused consternation. He announced on the Sunday that it was so. I look back on that event as one of the saddest incidents of my childhood. I still have a picture given as a farewell memento, when he came to say good-bye. The parish was grief-stricken. What happened I know not. The transfer was cancelled and Fr. Herbert remained in Mintaro for many years afterwards. He was a hard worker in every way. Finding a stable necessary for his horse, he helped to quarry the hard stone which was required. In the early eighties he left Sevenhill for another mission. Fr. Karlinger, patient, kind and of a most lovable disposition, came next. He had been some years in Georgetown previous to this. During his time at Mintaro, the adjoining parish of Farrell Flat, which was previously attended from Burra, was attached