OPENING OF RAILWAY TO THE BURRA
OPENING OF NORTHERN EXTENSION RAILWAY TO THE BURRA. On Monday, August 29, the inhabitants of Kooringa held high festival in honour of the opening of the Northern Extension railroad. The possibility of establishing such a communication between their township and Adelaide has been under consideration for a quarter of a century. A railway to the Burra Burra was one of the dreams of early colonists; but year after year passed, and its realization seemed to become more and more remote. The mines prospered exceedingly, and sent out into the world’s markets thousands of tons of copper; the neighbouring village grew until from hundreds its population extended to thousands; but still no practical movement was made towards connecting this great centre of mineral and pastoral wealth with the seaboard by the agency of steam. Not only so, but the provision for the roads was of the scantiest description. Hundreds of teamsters made regular pilgrimages to the ore heaps of the Burra, and came back with well laden drays to feed the shipping at Port Adelaide; but Macadam was not propitious to them. A rough bush track gave them their general direction, and if dissatisfied with this they were forced to navigate the adjacent country in search of a better. Whatever road engineering was requisite they had to perform, for the supply of public money was limited, and the demands of districts near Adelaide had to be first met. Even to this day, although by slow degrees improvements have taken place, the traveller by coach has mournful experience of the fact that portions of the Burra-road have benefitted but little from the Land, or any other, Fund. Its reputation depends more on its historical features than upon any macadamical excellence of which it can boast. It was not until the decline of the Burra Mines that serious attention was given in Parliament to the question of carrying the railway system further northwards. The Treasury was then in a thriving condition, and new channels for the outflow of State enterprise were being diligently sought. The determination to extend the iron roads of the province was come to at the time when the public building policy, since so much abused, was at the height of its popularity, and the broad principle was affirmed that their extension could most advantageously be secured upon borrowed capital. On the hint thrown out by the Legislature that it was open to receive applications for new railways, many districts spoke. The people on the plains eagerly urged their claims, and people in the hills commenced elaborate calculations as to the gradients that a locomotive could safely overcome, and the amount of traffic that they might reasonably promise. The northern townships were agitated by public meetings, and prayed with edifying fervency to have their condition and capabilities regarded. The petitions from Kooringa and intermediate localities at once recommended themselves to an Assembly in the humour to receive favourable impressions. The line would have to pass through the centre of almost unlimited tracts of rich agricultural land; it would attract towards its terminus the traffic of hundreds of square miles of pastoral country; and it would monopolize the immense carrying trade of a mine that promised under systematic [page 4] management to regain much of the celebrity which in former years it had so strongly maintained. In 1867 the Bill authorizing the construction of the line was passed, and on the 29th August, 1870, the opening ceremony, of which we have given ample details in other columns, took place. The completion of this work consummates the policy of railway extension adopted some five years ago; for the authority to lay down the Narracoorte and Mount Gambier Railway, which still lies dormant in the Act of 1867, is not likely to be exercised. In computing the results of that policy prominence must be given to the fact that our national debt has been increased by about £600,000, entailing upon us an additional yearly liability in the way of interest of something like £35,000. With a diminished revenue from land, this is a matter worth consideration, particularly as experience fails to justify the expectation of large profit from the new undertakings. The total length of line has, by this expenditure of half a million added to a small contribution out of the public revenue, been increased from 70 to close upon 200 miles (more correctly 193 miles). One hundred and twenty miles are under the direct management of the Commissioner of Public Works, the rest being at present leased to two contractors. South Australia can now boast of having a line 100 miles in length without a break, and of having constructed the greater part of it at a cheaper rate than any locomotive line has been carried out for in the Australian Colonies. The whole of the railway from Roseworthy to Redruth, embracing 70 miles, has not exceeded in the average £5,000 a mile. The extension proper, from Tarlee northward, has cost rather less than £4,950. The Burra people anticipate that the inauguration of the railway will be for them the commencement of a new era, and the circumstances warrant such an anticipation.There are resources which the line will be peculiarly fitted to develop—enterprises which it cannot fail to advance. The three staple interests—agriculture, mining, and sheepfarming—will each receive benefit, and will be all engaged to promote the success of the line. The farmer will be saved some pence a cental on his wheat and other produce; the sheepowner will be offered facilities for the transport of his wool and live stock, of which he in the first instance and the public in the second will reap the advantage; whilst mining proprietors will receive precisely the kind of encouragement they require in these times of large expenditure and narrow profits. Other mines besides the Burra Burra may be induced to resume operations when the means of conveying the ore to port are brought so temptingly near to them. At all events
Mintaro, September 1870
MINTARO, September 7. The anniversary services of the Wesleyan Sabbath-School were conducted by the Rev. C. H. Goldsmith. On Monday over 100 children and their teachers marched with banners flying. After tea the Superintendent, Mr. E. Tralaggan, the Rev. C. H. Goldsmith, and Messrs. Jolley, Whitford, Murdoch, and Fry spoke at the public meeting. Yesterday the township was visited with a great flood, an immense quantity of rain falling in a few minutes during a thunderstorm. Several families were threatened with being washed out, and made preparations accordingly, but no serious damage resulted.
Stanley, September 1870
STANLEY, Saturday, September 3. Present-All. Tenders received-Contract No. 1, Mr. Lindo, 11s 9½d per chain accepted ; No. 2, Mr, Hunt, £23, to be readvertised being too high; No 3, Dennis Hiskey, £17 19s 6d, accepted. Mr. G. McLeish, made application to have his name struck off the black list. Granted. Mr. Lindo allowed to take a few loads of sand from the reserves. Memorial received from 56 ratepayers, praying the Council to confirm the appointment of overseer of works. Roads near Niemity’s and between sections 288 and 272 to be inspected. Mr. S. Robinson granted a slaughtering licence. Payments, £52 17s. Works ordered—Repairs, Wakefield Street, Mintaro; Ford between sections 2001 and 2012, and sections 155 and 157, Farrels Flat, and repairs Walkey Creek.
Northern Extension Railway
THE INAUGURATION OF THE NORTHERN EXTENSION RAILWAY. HISTORICAL AND DESCRIPTIVE SKETCH. The completion of a railway connecting a distant district with the metropolis of a colony little more than 30 years of age is an event of national importance, and it is therefore with pleasure that we betake ourselves to the duty of recording the inaugural demonstrations of a line of railway to near the township of Kooringa—the locality of the world-renowned Burra Mine. A month or two since we gave some information respecting this new work, but at that time the line was incomplete. Since then the last rail has been laid at the Redruth terminus, and an iron road upwards of 100 miles in length, stretching northwards from Adelaide, is now an accomplished fact. The history of this work may be briefly told. … The Mintaro Station is between six and seven miles from Manoora, and here there is a combined shed as at Riverton, with the addition of a master’s house. At most of the other stopping places the Stationmasters have not residences erected on the spot, owing to the contiguity of neighboring townships, which give the necessary accommodation to the officials in question. This station, however, is four miles east of the Township of Mintaro, and hence the necessity of quarters being built for the Stationmaster. …
District Stanley, Objections to assessments
DISTRICT OF STANLEY.—NOTICE. —The District Council will sit to HEAR any OBJECTIONS to the ASSESSMENT for the ensuing year, previous to gazetting the same, on Saturday, September 3 next. Copies may be seen at the Post-Office and Council Office, Mintaro. By order, W. E. GILES, Clerk. Mintaro, August 26,1870.
Mintaro roads memorial
TUESDAY, AUGUST 16. Present—Commissioners—Messrs. A. Hallett (Chairman), T. Playford, M.P., R. Smith, R. S. Kelly, J.P., G. McEwin, J.P., and H. Warren, J.P.; the Secretary (Mr. H. J. Andrews); Superintending Surveyors-Messrs. Morris, Boothby, Macaulay, Ashwin, and Hargrave. District Chairmen—Messrs. T. Wright (Clarendon), R. Patterson (Munno Para East), and J. Stone, sen. (Kondoparinga). BURRA AND PORT WAKEFIELD ROAD. Sir Geo. S. Kingston, M.P., and Mr. H. E. Bright, M.P., attended as a deputation, and presented a memorial, signed by between 40 and 50 residents in the District of Stanley. It was addressed to the Council of that district, and they had been requested to present it. The memorial called attention to the fearfully bad state of the northern and southern approaches to the Township of Mintaro, requesting the Council to use their influence with the Board to have the pieces of road undermentioned made safe and passable, they being now in a dangerous state, viz.:—That piece of road from Mintaro to Wolkee (sic) Creek, and about three miles of the road from Mintaro towards Leasingham. The deputation hoped the Board would take the matter into consideration, and comply with the request as soon as possible. They felt that the district had not had its fair share of expenditure in proportion to the length of its roads, and trusted there might be no more delay than caused by the wet weather. They hoped something additional would be given to make up for past neglect. The Board said the money appropriated for the road would be expended as soon as the weather allowed. … TENDERS ACCEPTED. … No. 2543, Kooringa and Port Wakefield road, delivering 1,000 yards hard unbroken quarry stone between Mintaro and Wockie Creek—W. McGough, £112 10s. …
Ferry auction Mintaro
On WEDNESDAY, August 25, at 1 o’clock. AT MINTARO. SETH FERRY will sell by auction, at Mr. C. Piper’s Yards, Mintaro, on the above-mentioned day— 30 Head of HORSES— Some good Draught Stock, broken and unbroken Hacks and light Harness Horses Also, Strong Spring-Cart and Harness. Terms easy, at Sale. Discount of 5 per cent, for cash. There are some excellent stamp Draught Horses, subject to bridle, that can be recommended.
Miuntaro, August 1870
MINTARO, August 10. Scarcely a day passes without rain, and a large quantity of water lies in many parts of public thoroughfares, rendering them almost impassable. Trade is exceedingly inactive and money scarce. The crops, though somewhat retarded by the cold and wet, generally appear healthy. The anniversary sermons of the Primitive Methodist Missionary Chapel were preached on Sunday by the Rev. J. Standrin. On the following evening, the meeting, Mr. Pearce, sen., presiding, was addressed by the Chairman and the Revs. Nicholls and Standrin. The proceeds, about the same as last year, were considered satisfactory under existing monetary depression. The Wesleyans held their annual meeting in aid of the Home Mission and Church Extension Funds on Tuesday evening, Mr. H. Jolly presiding. The object was advocated by the Chairman and the Revs. Goldsmith and Barns. The amount realized was considerably in advance of last year’s receipts.
Stanley Special Meeting
STANLEY, JULY 30. SPECIAL MEETING.—Present—All. Tenders received for making the assessment-—T. Smith, £20; T. Gibson, £20; S. Robinson, £28; W. E. Giles, £19 15s. (accepted). Requisition received from several ratepayers, asking Council to send a deputation to Central Road Board, to try and get road north and south of Mintaro made passable. Messrs. Priest and Jolly appointed.
Complimentary dinner Mintaro
The Rev. Father Tappeiner, S.J., late Superior of the Sevenhills College, was entertained at a complimentary dinner at Mintaro, and presented with a valuable watch, on the occasion of his leaving the colony.