Obituary Sydney Davis
Obituary Mr Sydney Dayn Davis, well known North East identity, passed away suddenly after a short illness at Terowie Hospital, on 13th January, 1948. Although Mr Davis had not enjoyed good health for a number of years, the news of his death came as a great shock to his family and large circle of friends. The late Sydney Dayn Davis, was born at Mintaro 59 years ago and was a son of the late Sydney Dayn Davis, formerly of Mintaro, and later Wadnaminga Gold Fields and Mannahill. He was educated at Lefevre School after leaving school he entered into business with his father at Mannahill where he remained for a number of years In 1937 he acquired the lease of the Imperial Hotel at Terowie where he remained for six and a half years. Owing to ill health he returned to Mannahill where he carried on business as general store keeper and postmaster until the time of his death. During his lifetime he was keenly inteersted (sic) in all social activities. He was also a member of the Masonic Lodge at Terowie and Jamestown and a member of the Manchester Unity. He is survived by a widow and four children. Mona, Mrs R. Stegall, Terowie; Clare, Mrs H. W. Macdonald, D’Lorah Downs Station; Gordon, Mannahill and Kathleen, Mrs L. Bailey, of Whydown Station Yunta. The funeral took place at the Terowie Cemetery on Wednesday, 14th January. Rev. Phillip, of Jamestown officiated at the graveside. The Bearers were Messrs L. Maloney, A. J. Hahoney, B. J. Cockshell, F Hawker, G. Bundey and M. Flint.
Mintaro Name
Out of the Mail Bag … Spanish REFERENCE to towns with French names in the South East (‘Mail’ 8/9/45) reminds a contributor that South Australia has one town with a Spanish name. The little northern town has not been particularly proud of this distinction during recent years. But when copper mining was booming at the Burra, the nearest port for shipping the ore was Port Wakefield, and Spaniards with mule teams did the carting. There was a stopping place approximately half-way between Burra and Wakefield, and the Spaniards referred to it as Mintaro, in their language meaning resting place. By the way, it is just a century since copper was discovered at Burra.
Letter from Corporal Mitchell
All Christian Natives on Dream Tropical Island [By Cpl. Eric Mitchell, of Mintaro.] The above writer has sent the following letter to his people, Mr. and Mrs. A. W. Mitchell, of Mintaro, which we have pleasure in publishing: — Dear Mum, Dad and Mavis—Hullo folk, ’tis Sunday evening way out on the briny, I have been at anchor several hours, right beside a dream island which is only very small, but is one of those tropical islands you read about and seldom see. I wrote to you only last night, and posted it this morning just be fore we left T.I. Had a fair trip to-day, the waves were coming side on to the boat, which made it roll considerably—of course I had a few bad hours, for I don’t think those crays we had last night and again to-day agreed too well with the rolling ship. ALL CHRISTIANS. After finishing tea we rowed across to the native island which is mainly of sand and covered in tall green coconut palms. A tribe of natives live in this heaven, they are all Christians and very civilised, talking quite good English. Gee, they have a model village, all the houses made from entwined palm leaves. Big, medium and teeny weeny natives came down to the beach and met us, all very shy but well mannered and clean. The little kiddies were fine. They have a school of their own, while also in the village is a little church and a well kept cemetery. BURIAL PLACE OF MISSIONARY’S WIFE. One of the missionaries’ wives being buried there, but the whites have left since the war. We were given a few cocoanuts, each little house has their own number of trees, and to-night two natives came across to our boat bartering beads, pearl shell, etc., for tobacco. Well so much for to-night, another big day to-morrow, but still several day’s off port and posting this, so will add to it later. Goodnight. Monday evening.—Another day drawing to a close, and once again we are anchored to an island very similar to the one last night, but the natives are more friendly. A peculiar thing but perhaps not so strange after all these days, you see very few native women, they mostly keep in doors. The young lads aged from about 4 to 16 showed us round, they are ‘boska’ kiddies. After walking and talking with one boy for a while, Tommy, that’s his name, said to me ‘You my friend, I your friend’ and took me by the arm. I got the surprise of my life; you only have to start singing and they all join in. “PISTOL PACKIN’ MAMA” AND “THANKS MR. ROOSEVELT.” I was singing something and a little tacker starts on ‘Pistol Packin’ Mama.’ Just before we left to return to the boat we had them sing to us; it was great, although raining, we stopped and listened for half an hour, getting wet through. You should hear them sing ‘Thanks Mr. Roosevelt’; with their twang it was extra. Some songs of Australia I had never heard; they were patriotic. Erryl Carrol, our swing fan of the boat, conducted them and finished up teaching them the Cow Cow Boogey. It is raining quite heavily to-night, and we are not leaving until late in the morning, if then. I could stop here for weeks. JUNGLE JUICE. Before I forget, they have tin cans tied to the top of coconut trees catching ‘jungle juice.’ Tommy said to me, pointing to a four year old, ‘He’s Piano Sailor, his dad drunk everynight.’ Little Piano said ‘Only sometimes (quite indignantly)—You like jungle juice?’ I told him I had never tried it. They go to church twice a day, morning and night. I must not forget another song they sang ‘She’ll be smokin’ cigarette bumpers when she comes.’ Laugh, but how can you help liking the little beauts. So much for to-night. Cheerio ! Tuesday night—Just sevenish and work again finished. Again we are anchored by a very small island. All sand, no vegetation, about ½ x ¼ mile in size. Went across to it before tea and landed despite quite a swell, and a rocky beach. Thought we would find some turtle eggs, but somebody had beaten us. MILLIONS OF SEA BIRDS. We did see a sight though. This small blob of land is the home of millions and millions of sea birds. They just make the sky black when on the wing. They have laid their eggs on the high ground. You find eggs the size of fowls all over the island. We could have gathered hundreds of dozens, but only brought a few dozen back for eating. Had a glorious swim and also collected some colored coral and shells, which I may send home to litter the place. Friday, April 7th.—Well we are once again about to pull into above address, so must finish this off and post it. I never wrote the last few evenings for good reason, we made a dash for this coast across open sea, and was I bad. The last few days took the glamor off the trip for me, but I will have to take the good and the bad together. Well must draw this to a close, so Cheerio for now folk. I hope to collect some mail here from you, and more in the next few weeks. Hoping you are all well. Love to you all. Eric.
Mintaro Service
MINTARO A service at Mintaro was held at 10.30 a.m. on Wednesday in St. Peter’s Anglican Church, when the Rev. J. A. N. James, of Auburn, preached on many phases of the war from 1939 to 1945, and he drew word pictures in a scholarly address of the tides of conflict and the brighter hopes of a re-constituted and more peaceful world. Councillor P. C. Jacka represented the Clare District Council at the service. The Catholic service at St. Mary’s, Mintaro, was held on Thursday morning, when the Rev. G. Collopy, S.J., was the celebrant.
Institute Opening Address
Mintaro Institute. ADDRESS BY MR J. T. MORTLOCK AT OPENING CEREMONY. A report of the opening ceremony of the permanent alterations and additions to the Mintaro Institute, declared open by Mr. J. T. Mortlock, appeared in our last edition. A very fine address was given by him on this big occasion. Mr. Mortlock said:— ‘Ladies and Gentlemen—The duty with which you have entrusted me this night is indeed a most pleasant one and one in which I am very happy to be joined with you all. In these times we often hear Sir Walter Scott’s lines quoted:— ‘Breathes there the man with soul so dead Who never to himself hath said This is my own, my native land.’ Patriotism has several different forms and perhaps the most sincere should be that of a citizen to his native town. The village school where he first learns his three R’s. The little church at whose altar he first lisps his childish prayers. The playground where he plays his first games. A hall like this where he first takes part in organised amusements, views his first picture play, hears his first concert and attends his first straw berry fete. All these first impressions should remain with him all his life or his soul must indeed be dead. Wheresoever he may go, in what lands afar he may wander, still some times his thoughts must hark back to the scenes of his early childhood days. To the permanent resident in any locality be it city, prosperous country town or humble village, the old public buildings with their attendant memories must be doubly dear. To me this old building has many happy memories. The first concert I ever attended was in this hall. I think it was given by the Lynch Family of Bellringers. In those days, there was a proscenium over the stage with two allegorical sepia paintings, one on each side. I think they represented music and drama or tragedy and comedy. Another recollection I have is of attending religious services once a month. The denomination to which I belonged had no place of worship in this town at that time, and so we had our services in this hall until we obtained our own Church. This, I think, was about 1906. Again, I remember joining the library and riding in on a pony to collect books from the excellent selection then available. Also I have recollections of strawberry fetes, concerts, bazaars and many other entertainments held in the village of Mintaro. Most of you present no doubt have similar memories. As you all know, in our Centenary Year 1936 a determined effort was made by the Mintaro Progress Association under the able chairmanship of Mr. P. C. Jacka to collect funds to enable the building of a new hall, as it had been felt for some years that this building was not suitable nor large enough to cater for the town’s requirements. A sum of money amounting in all to about £300 was collected, with much more promised, but the price of wheat, our principal local product, fell to a really low level, and then this terrible war burst upon us. Since the Centenary Mr. Tom Jacka had placed the Devonshire Hall at the disposal of the Institute, and we owe him a debt of gratitude for this kindly act. However, some time ago owing to trouble with the floor of the Devonshire, it was found that dancing at any rate was impossible, and the respective committees of the Mintaro Institute and the Progress Assoc. were approached to see what could be done to rectify the situation. You see to-night the good work that has been done. At the time of the Centenary Celebrations, Mr. M. L. Giles, the chairman of the Institute, suggested that something similar to the present layout would be sufficient for our needs, but most of us had more ambitious ideas, and several tentative plans were drawn up for new Institute buildings. We were not able to realise these ambitions and we have now fallen back on Mr. Giles’ original suggestions. The money collected at the Centenary was spent on additions and alterations to the existing buildings and I think you will agree with me that we have had good value for our expenditure. The old floor has been taken up and a new floor laid down which in the opinion of local terpsichoreans is eminently suitable for dancing. The stage has been done away with, thus greatly enlarging the space available. Provision, however, has been made for a temporary stage to be erected whenever it may be required. The old Council chamber has been acquired from the Clare District Council and has been renovated and a wooden floor has been laid down over the existing slate floor and suitable supper conveniences provided. The Council chamber will in future be known as the Assembly room and will be available for suppers, also as a room for lodge meetings, sewing circles and similar activities. Our honor rolls, portraits of our pioneers and similar treasures are all housed in the Assembly room, and I should like to point out that we are almost unique amongst South Australian Institutes is possessing a South African War Memorial in addition to one of the Great War 1914—1918. I think too, that the collection of portraits of our pioneers and local celebrities is noteworthy amongst country halls. The space is between this hall and the assembly room has been fitted out as a lounge and I am sure will be found most useful. Also a projector box has been constructed to enable us to enjoy moving pictures, a plea sure that has been so long denied to us. We are hoping that arrangements will be made in the near future to have a regular screening of the latest releases. Well ! ladies and gentlemen, you have at last a hall that if not imposing or ornate should fill the requirements for many years
Mintaro Institute
MINTARO INSTITUTE PERMANENT ALTERATIONS AND ADDITIONS. These were declared open to public use on Saturday night, 18th July, when Mr. M. L. Giles, President of the Mintaro Institute presided. After the singing of the National Anthem, the chairman gave a short account of the movement which resulted in the alterations, additions and renovations to the Mintaro Institute Hall. He publicly thanked the District Council of Clare and the Councillors for making available to them the old district council chamber; all subscribers to the special fund; workers — men and women; the Building Committee; and the builder, Mr. F. J. Forsaith, and to Mr. J. T. Mortlock for his consent in allowing funds in the Mintaro Institute New Building account to be used for the alterations and additions to enable the buildings and funds to be used to make a working proposition of them all. Mr. J. T. Mortlock, in declaring open the building spoke at some length. We think this a very fine address and desire to hold it over until our next issue, when we will be able to devote full space to its publication. The historical details given should be of great interest to our Mintaro and district readers. A vote of thanks to Mr. Mortlock was moved by Mr. A. J. Melrose, M.L.C., and was seconded by Mr. P. C. Jacka, President of the Mintaro Progress Committee. Miss Thelma Sandow rendered a solo which was highly appreciated. A dance and supper followed, being thoroughly enjoyed by all. Much credit was given to the ladies who assisted.
Obituary of John Lloyde
OBITUARY MR. JOHN LLOYDE During his brief residence in Pinnaroo the late Mr. John Lloyde became well known to local people. In the course of his daily walks in the town he often made conversation with residents and would discuss everyday happenings. His friendly manner and experience and knowledge of events in the State’s early history were always interesting to the listener. Incidents which occurred during his life were often related by the deceased, and his comparisons with present-day methods of living and working conditions proved most enlightening. Regret was generally expressed at his sudden passing in Pinnaroo on April 21 at the age of 81 years. The late Mr. Lloyde was born at Hill River on June 13, 1860. He commenced his schooling under the tutorship of Mrs. Morgan before the days of free education, and later when the latter system was introduced, he attended Mintaro public school in charge of Mr. James Fry. Leaving school at an early age the deceased commenced learning the saddlery trade but his ambitions were in the direction of farming. He left the saddlery trade and worked for Mrs. C. Holder at Gum Creek where he spent several years. The deceased afterwards worked for Mr. G. Lee, at Farrell’s Flat, carting chaff for his employer to Burra. He was still a young man when he accepted work on the property of Messrs Tickle and Treligan (sic), driving teams and ploughing with a single-furrow plough. The late Mr. Lloyde worked in the smelters in Adelaide for a time and also at Broken Hill. He left Broken Hill due to ill-health and returned to Mintaro where he assisted his father in contract road work. In 1890 he married Sarah Helena Pearce, daughter of Mr. James Pearce, of Yatina. With his team he carted flour from the Mintaro flour mill to Auburn and afterwards secured a contract for carting flagstone from Mintaro quarry to the railway station. He spent several years in this occupation, at the same time sharefarming on Martindale property, being fully and actively occupied. He purchased a house and eight acres of land for £60, The deceased began farming operations on his own account at Yongala Vale. When the Yongala Estate was surveyed he applied for a block of land and was fortunate enough to secure same. The late Mr. Lloyde made Yongala Vale his home for 39 years, tilling the land until ill-health forced him to retire. He then joined members of his family at Pinnaroo in September. 1941 where he resided until his death. The deceased was a keen follower of his church. He was a member of the Wesleyan Chapel and attended the Wesleyan School in his younger days. After transferring to Yongala he attended services held in the old station woolshed cottage until the Canowie Belt Baptist Church was built. He was elected one of the first trustees of the Baptist Church of which he remained a member until leaving for Pinnaroo. At Pinnaroo he joined the Methodist congregation and was a regular attendant at services . Accompanied by his wife, the deceased attended the Anzac Service held in the Pinnaroo Institute just recently and joined in the singing with heart and voice. In 1940 the late Mr. Lloyde and Mrs. Lloyde celebrated their Golden Wedding in the Pinnaroo Methodist Church. The deceased is survived by his wife, four daughters, Mrs, R. E. Schiller, Mrs. F. N. Hunt, Mrs. C. Davies, Miss W. Lloyde, and five sons, Messrs G., B. J., C. H., W. A., and C. J. Lloyde.
Clare’s Decentralised Electricity System
Clare’s Decentralised Electricity System CLARE, December 12. The Mid-Northern areas, comprising Clare, Watervale, Auburn, Saddleworth, Riverton, Eudunda, and Mintaro, are not at present perturbed about the coal strike on account of a decentralised electricity system, operating independently of the main supply company. All works, services, lighting in homes, business, and on farms, continue as usual. The only present slight difficulty being experienced is a reduced rail service affecting mail and unessential goods. This may lead to some discomfort over the Christmas period, but will be of a minor nature compared with the city people’s worries.
District Council of Clare
District Council of Clare Meeting held Thursday, Nov. 2. … Mintaro Cemetery — Account C. G. Pulford for curator’s fees £10 to be paid…
Land Sale
LAND SALE. AT THE SALEYARDS, AUBURN On TUESDAY, October 3 (Immediately after Sheep Sale). ELDER, SMITH & CO., LIMITED have been instructed by the Mortgagee to offer by public auction as above— Part Allotment of Part Section 318, Town of Mintaro North, Hundred of Clare, County of Stanley, containing 2 roods, on which is erected stone house of 6 rooms and motor shed. Watered by well and mill. TERMS — Cash, unless otherwise arranged. CONDITIONS AT SALE.