Country news
COUNTRY NEWS, From our own Correspondent. MINTARO, Sept. 3rd. The Very Reverend the Administrator paid this place a visit on last Thursday, and delivered a very eloquent discourse in St. Mary’s Church on the importance of religious education to Children. He also gave very wholesome advice to parents on the manner in which they should bring up their children. The good Sisters of St. Joseph have taken charge of the school here, which will be conducted by them for the future, and there is no doubt but they will give satisfaction to those parents who place children under their care. On the lst of November the Administrator will pay us another visit, to lay the foundation stone of a new schoolroom, the present one being too small, when I trust the people will come out handsomely for such a worthy object, and give with a liberal hand.—The weather is all that could be desired for the crops, which are looking well.—We have got a very welcome addition to our township lately, Mr. Robertson, of Hoyleton, having opened a saddler’s shop adjoining the Mintaro Hotel, which will be conducted for the present by Mr. E. Lane, an old favorite here and a first-class tradesman, whose work is well known in the neighborhood. Mr. Robertson is well known in the district as second to none at his trade, and a good businessman of strict integrity. I have no doubt of his doing well, for, as the saying is here, “He is just the man for Galway.”—Our enterprising townsman, Mr. C. Piper, has just purchased a very valuable pure bred draught entire horse; he is by Champion, out of a Wallace mare, and was bred at the Reedbeds. I have seen the animal; he is jet black, of great strength and power, very compact, and I say without hesitation that he is the best looking draught sire of his age (he is but three years old) that ever came to Mintaro. Mr. Piper is known to be a good judge of a horse, and those who know him are aware that he would not keep a bad one.—Papers having the most disgusting doggerel rhyme printed on them have been dropped about the township, and I am informed that the thing is countenanced by very pious men.
Victory Horse
VICTORY.—This Splendid Powerful Draught Entire is a Bright Bay with Black Points, 5 years old, stands 16½ hands, has a beautiful head well put on, with a fine crest and splendid top; and for any class of mares is considered to be one of the best in the colony. He is by the imported horse Victor, out of an imported Suffolk mare. VICTORY will leave the Farm, lately the property of Mr. Wiles, near Auburn, on the 19th of August, and will call at Long’s, Skilly Creek, stopping the night at Levi Collin’s, Hoyle’s Plains; 20th by way of Hoyleton, stopping the night at Mr. Lawson’s Farm, White Well; 21st via Blyth’s Plains, Bumburnie, calling at G. H. Carter’s, Clare, for the night; 22nd via Spring Farm and Farrell’s Flat, stopping the night at Dunn’s Farm, Walkey Creek; 23rd via Mintaro, Leasingham, and home; 24th calling at Riverton, stopping at Rhynie for the night; 25th via Woolshed Flat, home, where he will remain one day, and resume his rounds every ninth day (Sundays excepted). Terms, £2 7s. 6d., including Groomage, payable on or before the 1st January, 1873. Paddocking Free for the first month, without responsibility; after that time 2s. a week. C. H. BROWN.
Mintaro News
MINTARO, July 15. In my last I promised to furnish you with further information of the District Council election, and I will now do so. The cause of so much interest being taken in the election of Councillors this year I will explain. Of the two members that remained in of the old Council one is a resident of the township, and the residence of the other is adjacent; so that the two might fairly be considered as representatives of the ratepayers of the township, This, however, did not satisfy some unquiet and ambitious spirits. Nothing less than a Council of their own making would do for them, and for what reason is but known to themselves. They were fully aware that they could not accomplish their object by fair means, being quite an insignificant number, so they had recourse to strategy. Mr. Dowd, a farmer residing a considerable distance from here, was selected as one, to be returned along with Mr. Jolly, the townsman. The result of the voting shows what reliance can be placed in some people, and the mean and dishonorable trick that was played on Mr. Dowd. They thought Mr. Dowd would be the means of getting some votes for their man, Mr. Jolly, and I believe they were correct in their surmise; but hardly a man of them voted for Mr. Dowd, all, or nearly all, giving plumpers for Jolly, for he got 12 plumpers. I wonder why they did not divide the votes with Mr. Dowd. Now, look at the straightforward way the farmers acted. They selected three out of the number of candidates proposed, and went and voted manfully for them. There was no selling with them, for Browne, Faulkner, and Smith in the voting went 55 times together, and were returned triumphantly without having recourse to mean or dishonorable electioneering dodges. I think your correspondent “Reason” is altogether wrong respecting Mr. Kenny’s malady, but that is not to be wondered at when it was only the opinion of two quack doctors. Quack doctors must be very plentiful in the colony when “Reason” has two of them in his list of friends. I would advise him not to take their medicine whatever he may do with their friendship. As I have been studying Dr. Coffin very attentively lately, I think I am fully qualified to “poison, kill, and slay,” and express an opinion on Mr. Kenny’s malady. “When I consider all the wonderful things that have occurred during the last few years—tidal waves, earthquakes, and volcanoes bursting forth again after remaining at rest for a number of years—I come to the conclusion that Mr. Kenny’s malady is an eruption of the brain. When the flow (I do not mean lava) ceases, he will be as well as ever again. I have heard of brogue-makers being afflicted in a similar way, quitting their trade to teach theology and practice medicine. I will prescribe for the brogue-makers if they get worse; but as for Mr. Kenny, if he takes his “old woman’s” advice, he will soon recover. I remember his telling us in one of his admirable letters that when he was commencing to write, his “old woman,” told him “to stop his foolery.” A very sensible advice; and I trust Mr. Kenny will obey such a sensible woman.
Auction Mart
On THURSDAY, July 25, at 12 o’clock. EXCHANGE AUCTION MART. TO CLOSE ACCOUNTS IN AN ASSIGNED ESTATE. W. G. Luxmoore will sell by auction, as above— Part of TOWN ACRE 1003, 24 feet frontage to Sussex-street, by a depth of 95 feet. Part of Lot 7 of SECTION 909, SEMAPHORE, fronting Main Road. ALLOTMENTS 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, TOWNSHIP of ENNIS. SECTION 1142, Hundred of PORT ADELAIDE, 13 Acres.
Musical Entertainment Mintaro
MUSICAL ENTERTAINMENT AT MINTARO. On Thursday evening, June 20, an entertainment was given in Mr. Freeman’s large room, at the Devonshire Hotel, Mintaro, in aid of a local charitable purpose. The affair had been taken in hand by the right sort of people as promoters in the first instance, and having secured the services of some well-known amateurs, they of course gave the thing every publicity. Their efforts were well rewarded, a crowded house crowning their efforts. The first part of the entertainment was taken up by part songs, duets, solos, pianoforte solo, and a character song. Other character songs, and an hour or so devoted to negro ministrelsy, concluded the entertainment. The first part was opened by Messrs. Dyer, Vogt, and Kreuger singing the well-known glee “See our oars.” Their execution was very good indeed, each of whom were perfectly conversant with their parts, thus being able to bring out the finer music of the piece. Mr. Dyer, a tenor singer of some repute in Adelaide, followed with “There is a flower that bloometh,” which received a hearty encore, for which he substituted the song “Let me like a soldier fall.” Mr. Dyers voice is far beyond the run of amateur tenors, but we failed to find in it that sweetness we had been led to expect; the high notes seemed particularly harsh. The room, however, is not at all a good one for sound. Mrs. Sobels and Dr. Vogt next appeared in “Juanita,” to the entire satisfaction of the audience. The lady’s voice was particularly rich and full, and her style of singing surpassed that of many a so called artiste. “No one to love,” by Miss Kate Tobin, came next, which was pretty well received, Miss Madigan following with the once popular “Battle march of Delhi,” on the piano. For so young a player, she certainly excels at the instrument. The lively and martial airs in the piece also suited the audience. The greatest treat of the evening was Mrs. Sobel’s song “Yes, in my dreams,” for which that lady received a unanimous encore. The “ABC” duet, by Miss Cooney and Mr. Kreuger, was the next on the programme, the music of which is rather difficult, and the piece is hardly a taking one with the audience. Their voices hardly blended so nicely aa might have been wished, but the singing of the music was very correct. “Then you’ll remember me” was the next song, by Mr. Dyer, and his style of singing it was first class, giving us the impression stronger still that the room was totally unsuited for his voice. Mr. Heywood followed by singing “Bother the men” in character. His get-up was all that could be desired, and his sinking and acting was very good. The audience enjoyed the song very much, which brought the first part of the entertainment to a close. In the interval Mr. Page sang a song, the words of which were composed by himself for the occasion, set to the tune of “Forty years ago.” His make-up was inimitable, and his singing very good indeed. In reply to his encore, he appeared in a change of dress. The Clare Christy Minstrels followed with their usual first part of an evening’s entertainment, consisting of opening chorus by the whole company, songs and jokes. The efforts of the darkies seemed to give general satisfaction to all, some of the jokes being very well received indeed. The list of songs was as follows:-“We meet again,” Mr. Waters; “I’ll throw myself away,” (tambourine), Mr. Wickens; “Beautiful Nell,” Mr. Walton; “Do you really think she did ?” (bones) Mr. Stacey; “Write me a letter from home,” Mr. Hosier; “Fanny Frail,” Mr. Wickens; “Little Bennie,” Mr. Kent; and the chorus the “Racoon hunt.” The darkies received a unanimous re-call at the end of their programme, to which they responded, substituting “Marching through Georgia” for their last song. We forgot to mention that during the interval a gentleman danced the Highland fling in costume, and his dancing was much admired. Mr. Page concluded the entertainment by singing “The girl with the blue dress on,” in his usual first-class style. The national anthem being sung, the meeting adjourned for dancing. ‘Mintaro is undoubtedly the place to enjoy a good dance, many of the residents there excelling in that accomplishment. At Piper’s Hotel a large party enjoyed themselves till a late hour, and at Freeman’s there was a similar gathering, but not so large.
Mintaro news
MINTARO, June 12. The times here are very dull, but we have some hopes of their brightening up again.—The tender for the Police Station here is accepted, and the contracts under the Central Board are commencing to-morrow.—The all-absorbing topic, however, is railway extension from Forresters to the North. A public meeting is about to to be held here, which, no doubt, will be well attended, by the agriculturists in particular, and no doubt they will make out as good a claim on that head as the people of Kooringa did in reference to mining matters. Their interests are identical with ours. This district has suffered severely through the closing of the Burra, which nothing can relieve so much as extension of railway.
Meeting at Mintaro
Mintaro, May 14. The adjourned meeting on the Electoral Bill was well attended yesterday evening. T. Priest, Esq., presided, and remarked that it would be very unfair for us to be joined to the Burra district. He hoped the people would protest against such an unjust proceeding, and called on Mr. Giles to read the memorial prepared since last meeting-The memorial when read was unanimously adopted. It was resolved that Mr. Bright be requested to present it. Mr. G. Faulkner spoke for some time on the equity of our demands. He said it was the wish of all in the locality to be still connected with Clare, which was but ten miles from us, and objected being joined to the Burra, a place 20 miles off. He trusted that the Members of Parliament would fairly consider the justice of our claims, and not separate us from our old friends. When the memorial was signed by all present a discussion was initiated by Mr. P. Dowd, on the Scrub Lands Bill. He stated his views at some length, and said he was totally against it in its present form, but would heartily support it if amended a little. He said that if the Bill was passed in its present form it would be more beneficial to the capitalist than to the poor man, although it was intended for the benefit of the latter. A man, he said, could take up 4 square miles in one day and pay for it the next, then take up 3 more, and so on. He said that no selector should be allowed to complete his purchases in less than 5 years, and that the Government should make extensive forest reserves for the benefit of the public. He moved a resolution to the effect that no selector of Scrub Lands should be allowed to complete his purchase in less than 5 years; that the Government should have no mineral claims on selected lands ; and that it is desirable to make extensive forest reserves. Mr. G. Faulkner seconded the resolution, and said he considered 10s. per acre was quite enough for Scrub Lands, and £8 per annum rent per square mile. He said that the squatters did not pay £8 per annum per square mile rent, and why should selectors have to pay so high a rent. He hoped the measure would be amended and passed, as it would be a great benefit to the colony. He spoke of the dummyism on the Broughton and Gulnare Areas, and said that if Strangways Act was amended so as to put a stop to dummyism, it would be sufficient — the farmers would not require much more. Mr. P. Brady jun., supported the resolution, and said that the Government did not take any trouble -to put down dummyism, for if they did they would have prosecuted some of the dummies ere now. On the resolution being put to the meeting it was carried unanimously. A proposition in favor of that gigantic scheme—the Port Darwin Railway, was moved by Mr. Giles and carried without a dissentient. Mr. Bright will be written to requesting him to advocate the views of the meeting in Parliament—”We are determined not to be separated from Clare, and should the Parliament insist on joining us to the Burra we will kick up a “shindy” before we submit. The weather is favorable for farming operations, as sufficient rain has fallen to soften the ground for harrowing.
Meeting at Mintaro
MEETING AT MINTARO. [From the Northern Argus.] An adjourned meeting was held on Monday evening, May 13, at the Mintaro Hotel, to adopt a memorial to the Assembly against the proposed alteration of the Electoral District of Stanley, and discuss other matters before Parliament. Mr. Thompson Priest, who was Chairman, said the alteration would not be conducive to their interests. Nearly the whole district was against being separated from Clare, whose interests were theirs. The Burra was more mining and pastoral than agricultural; their operations were simply agricultural, and they must have members who represented the farming interest. Mr. W. E. Giles read the proposed memorial. Mr. P. Down proposed that the memorial be drafted. Mr. M. Tobin seconded. Mr. G. Faulkner considered removing them from their friends of Stanley, and especially from Clare, with whom they had been so long connected in electoral and other matters, and whose interests were precisely the same, to join strangers was not at all agreeable, not only because the Burra was a mining and pastoral district. It was not to be supposed that they should ever succeed in putting in members if they did not suit the Burraites. There were a great many householders there—from 700 to 900—and the mining interest would carry the sway. The pastoral interests also were great in that quarter. When Mr. Hart was defeated elsewhere he came to the Burra and was elected. A good man was defeated at Wallaroo because he did not suit the miners’ views, or what they considered should be done solely on their behalf. He simply wanted, like others, his rights in fair and honest representation. The districts seemed to be cut to suit members, not the people. The memorial was signed by all present. Mr. P. Brady proposed— ‘That the memorial be forwarded to Mr. Bright as soon as convenient, and that he be requested to use his influence towards the accomplishment of the object therein specified.’ Seconded by Mr. G. Faulkner, and carried unanimously. Several gentlemen volunteered to travel the district for signatures. The Scrub Lands Act. Mr. P. Dowd said as far as his understanding went a person could take three square miles and get a lease for 21 years, but if he chose pay next day. By such means the capitalists could take up the country, and what chance would the working man have? He did not object to their having a lease for 21 years, but he certainly objected to their being allowed to buy out when they pleased. He thought they should not be allowed to purchase in less than five years. The Parliament might pretend to legislate for the labouring class, but their actions showed different when they allowed land to be bought up like that. It might be better termed an ‘Act for the especial benefit of absentees.’ The Government should leave forest reserves where possible. Timber was scarce in some parts, and the farmers who purchased land required materials for fencing and licences issued. He deemed it most desirable that such should be done. Mr. G. Faulkner said he knew scrub land which, if it were cleared, was very good; he did not consider it worth 10s. per acre—the expense would be very heavy in clearing fit for cultivation. If a man took land and found minerals by searching, he should be entitled to them, provided he could pay for the land. Some members were for high prices, but did not think so when Bundaleer was sold for £1 per acre—nearly, if not quite, the choice of the colony; and the Gum Creek Run of 35,000 acres might have been sold in, say 70 lots of 500 acres each to farmers, and would have brought population and given employment to hundreds, instead of one or two boundary, riders and a stray shepherd or two. Some who agreed to part with the lands then said now, ‘Oh, it’s too cheap.’ They did not say so then. He would be glad now to give £20 for a square mile of land, provided it was anything like fair quality; and he quite agreed with the previous speaker that the Government should reserve forests were practicable; to accommodate people in this matter would be a step in the right direction. He considered Strangways’ Act a most liberal one, if dummyism was done away with. The Broughton Area was, with one or two exceptions, all dummied, and out of 36 members in the House no one seemed to dare to enquire into it. Mr. P. Brady considered the Act as framed was only placing the land in the hands of capitalists. Land containing minerals should not be claimed by Government, provided the finder could pay; but by the present means the capitalist could purchase and lock in the farmer. He believed Strangways’ Act to be very liberal, if carried out in its proper spirit, but there was plenty of dummyism. He knew six on the Broughton Area. The Chairman considered Strangways’ Act exceedingly liberal. Mr. W. E. Giles saw no reason to forward any memorial, but merely pass a resolution, which he had no doubt would be forwarded to the Press. Other meetings would also be held, and the reports would be read by the different members. Port Augusta and Port Darwin Railway Scheme. The Chairman-considered the proposed railway one of the best things he had ever heard of here. It would be the means of bringing capital into the country, and population also. It would open up all the country north. The land at present was worthless, but by giving a portion away, the rest would meet with a ready sale. In every way he considered it would be to the interest of South Australia. Mr. Giles could not for a moment see how any one could oppose it. The land at present was useless. It was true the Government were running a telegraph line through, but that might be considered a ‘white elephant.’ There would be
Mintaro news
MINTARO, April 17. The continued dry weather is causing no little alarm to many farmers, although occasionally a few consider that the present drought will be the precursor of regular rains, during the growing season. In consequence of the late unusually light harvest money is scarce and business is dull. The Wesleyans, who seem under almost any circumstances to have a peculiar gift in raising cash, have just celebrated their anniversary services, which were conducted by the Rev. W. L. Binks, of Adelaide, and added £78 to the trust funds. The inhabitants seem fully alive to the claims of education, for within a few months they have erected a schoolroom and teachers residence, which, for a building possessing the qualities of neatness, convenience, and durability, is second to none connected with the Education Board. The cost was moderate— £450. Dr. Vogt, having removed, has been succeeded by Dr. Carter, of Adelaide.
Stanley meeting
STANLEY, March 27. Present—Chairman, Messrs. Bowman, Faulkner, Smith. Tender accepted — No. 42, G. McLuish (sic), £5 4s. 6d. per chain. Clerk to write to Black Springs Council, asking their assistance to make a small ford on boundary, near James Kelly’s. Clerk to ask Mr. Piper if he will allow creek to be opened into his paddock, near Old Brewery. Letter received from C. R. Board, stating that remainder of Tiver’s contract would be blinded, and that the money appropriated for Leasingham and Mintaro road would be expended there. Works ordered—Ford and cutting near Maguire’s; lengthening, cutting, and making ford near Dollard’s. Receipts, £6; payments, £86 4s.