Burra’s Early Days
Burra’s Early Days. (By Frank Treloar.) A stranger visiting the Burra on a sale day and seeing the many evidences around of thrift and prosperity has little thought of the present town and district’s early history or the many struggles and trying times it has passed through to bring it up to its present state of prosperity, which to-day has every appearance of permanency besides placing it on the list of safe districts of the State. Burra’s early days go back to the discovery of the Mine in 1845 just 18 years after the proclamation of the Colony was read at Glenelg, but even after the discovery a considerable time elapsed before the required purchase money for the land could be raised to pay the Treasury for the freehold, on account of so little money being available in the Colony and only hard cash was acceptable at the Treasury. At that time it is said there was only £25,000 in the hands of the Banks. When arrangements were finalised a land grant was issued to Mr. William Allen and Mr. Samuel Stock jun. under seal from George Gray Esq., then Governor of South Australia. Having secured their title to the property and forming what afterwards became known as the South Australian Mining Association locally spoken of as ‘Sammy’, the great task of development had to be faced with very little mining requisites in the Colony, also the fact of being 100 miles inland and with only bullock drays as a means of transit. With all these drawbacks the management mastered first one trouble after another and people became attracted to Burra as a place likely to grow into a big centre capable of giving employment to large numbers. Those making the journey had to do so in a bullock dray, the only means of transport available at that time, the journey taking fully eight to ten days. On arrival they made homes temporarily in the banks of the creek (which runs through almost the centre of the town), until time and surroundings allowed of their building homes within the limits of their means. Money being scarce with everybody progress was slow but through all the many troubles neither the management of the Mine or those early residents lost hope but battled on. The first copper ore from the Mine was sent to Port Adelaide by bullock drays, loose, there being no ore bags in the Colony available to bag it properly. This consignment was followed by others which eventually found its way to England by the sailing ships, where on arrival on account of its richness, great excitement was cause amongst the mining world of the Homeland. This led up to the Burra Mine becoming more generally known particularly when the handsome returns filtered back, making more development. Up to this stage of the operations only work of a primitive nature was done owing to want of capital and the ore sent by bullock drays to Port Adelaide. Later, all this was replaced by a more vigorous development backed by capital. In July of 1848, a Mr. Gregory Seal Walters arrived from England as the representative of a Company named the Patent Copper Co., which had been formed specially to take over on an assay basis, all copper ore raised out of the mine by the S.A. Mining Association, to either send home in bulk or smelt it as they considered best. This arrangement gave the mine money returns quickly and so hastened up development. Mr. Walters was a man of energy and blessed with clear business qualifications which did much to give confidence and help to the first and greatest mine the State has ever had. Mr. Walters’ first task was to establish offices in Adelaide and it was on the 13th September, 1848, that he paid his first visit to the Burra Mine when he stayed for a fortnight arranging the Patent Copper Company’s business for the better working of both Companies. This was in effect that arrangements were entered into for assaying all copper ore taken from the mine and on an arranged basis of that assay, that the ore should pass into the possession of the Patent Copper Co. to deal with as they considered best and the Mining Association paid in cash so as to place them in funds to carry on a more rigorous development. In the following November, Mr. Walters again visited Burra and afterwards went across to the Gulf to a place now known as Port Wakefield, looking out a shipping port. From thence onwards all the copper found its way there by bullock teams. It is said that the first two teams sent, missed the only practical crossing over the Wakefield near where the town of Balaklava stands to-day and eventually found themselves at the head of the Gulf where they unloaded and returned disgusted. This occurrene (sic) brought about the blazing of the track and establishing what after wards became known as Gulf road; even then the very bad crossings had to be seen to by the Company and later on a bridge was built at Dunn’s which remained intact until a few years ago when it was burned down. The Gulf Road passed through Mintaro, Auburn, Skilly then on to Dunn’s and into Port Wakefield. Hundreds of teams were employed carting on the Gulf Road taking the copper ore to the port and bringing back coal, etc. It was owing to this that settlements were formed at Mintaro and from Clare to Auburn. Apace with this early progress the original scheme of smelting was not lost sight of and the initial steps towards erecting smelters was being attended to. There is an incident worthy of mention just here as being part of Burra history. On 30th June, 1851, Mr. Walters went to Clare, staying through the election when Mr. Younghusband was returned a member of the Council (first elections in the Colony). He afterwards returned to Burra where
Convent of Mercy
Reception at Convent of Mercy. On Friday, October 24, an impressive ceremony took place in the chapel of the Convent of Mercy when Miss Nellie Kelly, second daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Michael Kelly, late of Mintaro, and niece of Fr. Kelly, of Port Lincoln, received the holy habit of the Order of Mercy. His Grace the Archbishop officiated, and was assisted by Right Rev. Mgr. Hurley, V.G., and Fr. Gatzemeyer. There were also present in the sanctuary Rev. Frs. Nerney. S.J., Candler, O.P., Cleary, O.C.C., McCaffrey, O.C.C, McCarthy, M.S.H., Lopez, M.S.H., Gabriel. C.P., and Daniel, C.P. The novice, who is an old scholar of the Convent of Mercy, entered the chapel attired in a very pretty bridal dress of crepe de chine with veil and wreath, and when the first part of the ceremony was ended she left the chapel to change her finery for the simple black habit of the Order. During this time the choir sang a very devotional “Ave Verum,” and as the novice with the Mother Superior and Mother Assistant returned to the chapel the “Quae est Ista” was sung. At the conclusion of the ceremony his Grace the Archbishop gave Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. The guests included Mr. and Mrs. Kelly, Misses Kelly, Masters Kelly, Mr. and Mrs. J. Kelly, Mesdames Slattery and Sexton, and a goodly number of relatives and friends of the novice, who is now known as Sister Mary Ignatius.
Mintaro News
MINTARO, April 5.—A fete in aid of Clare and District Hospital, which was given in the Mintaro Institute, on March 10, was a great success. Mr. G. Pulford introduced Dr. A. A. Smith, who explained the object of the fete and congratulated the ladies on the attractiveness of their stalls. Mr. M. L. Giles proposed the vote of thanks to Dr. A. A. Smith. The hall was artistically decorated, and the stalls keenly competed with each other. The judges tor the cake competitions were Mesdames O. Wein Smith and Deland, and Miss Smith. In the “handsome man” competition much interest was aroused. Messrs. T. Dunn and P. Stevens retired early in the evening, leaving the field to Mr. C. Pulford and Mr. F. R. Mortlock, the former winning by 265 votes. The evening was much enlivened by the selections given by Cato’s Jazz Band. Stallholders:—Work stall, Mrs. Mortlock (convener); Misses Montague, Priaulx, and Smith; produce, Miss Keane and Mrs. Hunt (conveners), Mesdames Hean and J. Tickle, and Misses Hean and Tillett; cake competition, Mesdames Woods, Mugford, and Blatchford; sweet, Mesdames Botchen, Jacka, and J. N. Tickle; afternoon tea, Mesdames Pugsley and Waby, assisted by Mesdames Smith, Adams, Scarfe, Turner, and Miss Hean; jumble, Misses G. and C. Pulford, Mugford, and Giles; cool drinks, Messrs. S. Hancock and D. Smith, C. McDougall; fairy well, Miss Pulford and Masters Don Turner and Fred Hector. The net proceeds were more than £108.
District Council Clare
District Councils. CLARE, November 5. Present— All except Cr Jas Scales, who was ill; excused. Overseer’s report read and approved. Messrs Whetstone and Mannix to be given notice to complete contract White Hut road without further delay and if Bray’s contract was not completed by Christmas to be re-let. From Mr F Angas, asking permission to lease road between sections 370 and 734, Hill River ; granted at 3s 6d per acre subject to usual conditions From Mr P Brebner asking permission to remove trees opposite Brewery ; permission given to top trees only. From A T Duke applying to buy road south side of his property, Penwortham; Council declined to sell. From Norman & Co. re road grader ; clerk to confer with the local agent, Mr I B Roberts, with a view to have a demonstration. From the Dept. of Lands and Survey re wirenetting and exchange of road ; received. Re Reynold’s bridge over new channel, Cr R O Knappstein and clerk to make final arrangements. From J R Winkler applications for rations; 3½ rations for one month granted. Tenders accepted— No 9, Fitzgerald Bros. £8 per ch., also No. 12, at £8 7s 6d same contractor; 13, L Bocian, at £1 5s per chain. Works ordered— Dry tree at bottom of Hill River station to be cut down. Repairs at creek south of Jarman’s also blocker’s road between Morrison’s and McLean’s, Cox’s ford Jenner to do repairs near Mr Ahle’s. Bocian to cut saplings Trilling’s Hill; hole in bridge Bumburnie springs, also hole in culvert near Barton’s. Board of Health— Officer of Health reported 1 case diphtheria and a few cases of measles. Receipts— District £50. Payments, district. £260 17s 7d
District Council Mintaro
District Councils. MINTARO, May 7. Present — All, except Cr Esselbach. Overseer’s report read and adopted. Correspondence — Circulars from Highway Magazine, Australian Scale Co., Minda Home, Typewriter Co ; received. Application from Mrs B O Reid to be assessed for sections 275 and 276, Hd. Stanley ; clerk to make necessary alterations in assessment book. Department Lands and Survey re rates due in McCallock’s estate, asking for assistance and get assessment in order on account of the alterations of boundaries of blocks allotted to settlers ; proposed by Cr Dunn, seconded, by Cr Horgan ‘that the clerk make the necessary alterations and adjustments in assessment book’; carried. L.G. Department (with plan) re proposed bridge over the Wakefield near Martindale Hall, estimated cost, £300, to put in a series of four 3 feet pipes, the question of financial assistance to receive consideration next year ; proposed by Cr Ball, seconed by Cr Horgan, ‘that clerk write to the department thanking them for plans, &c, and enquire what the extra cost would be to put in 4 feet pipes instead of 3 feet’; carried. Notification of despatch of machine gun (war trophy) captured by 32nd Bat., and the trophy received from Defence Department. Geo. Pearce’s offer of £1 19s for crop of olives now growing in Mintaro cemetery accepted. Tenders to be called for— 10 or 12 chains re-coating on Farrell’s Flat road; 6 or 8 chains re-coating near Merildin railway station; 6 chains re-coating on Main road to Clare ; pipe culvert and piece of metalling near Cavendale. Clerk to procure prices and approximate weights of concrete pipes from Hume Proprietory for one foot and upwards. Payments — Main road, £16 2s; district fund, £136 12s 5d.
James Cotton Torr
JAMES COTTON TORR. Methodism owes much to the hundreds of stalwart Christian men in the circuits who are practically unknown to anyone outside their own parish. Such an one was James Torr, the eldest son of John Torr, of the Burra, one of the most earnest and gifted in prayer during the great revival in the sixties of last century, when such men as James Blatchford, John Stephens, Thomas Pellew, John Pellew, and John Halse helped to found the Bible Christian Church of forty-seven members, to welcome the Revs. James Way and James Rowe. Trained in a Methodist Sunday school, the son of Godly parents, it is probable that the subject of this memoir never knew the exact date of his conversion. Like Lydia, his heart opened to receive the message of salvation. He followed farming pursuits at Mintaro, Blyth’s Plains, Redhill and Crystal Brook, and was one of the first to interest himself in building a house of God. In 1864 he married Rhoda Gullidge, of Mintaro, who, for fifty seven years was his companion, adviser, and loyal supporter in every good word and work. He was a liberal giver, for he had been well trained in that talent from boyhood. He was laid to rest on the quiet hillside of Mitcham cemetery alongside his beloved nephew, Claude Montrose Torr. The Revs. W. W. Finch and Eric Tregilgas officiated at the grave and the joyous note was dominant—joy that he had ceased to suffer and though absent from the body, he was present with the Lord. Eighty years of patient witness, Crowned with victory at last. May we triumph so, Wlien all our warfare’s past, And dying leave our latest foe Under our feet at last.
Mr J C Torr
Mr. J. C. Torr. Mr. James Cotton Torr, who died at his home, Roseneath, Mitcham, on March 24, was horn at Tavistock, Devonshire, on December 28, 1840, and came to South Australia by the Hooghly in 1855. He married Miss Rhoda Gullidge, of Mintaro, in 1864. For many years he farmed at Mintaro, Blyth’s Plains, Redhill, and Crystal Brook. In 1896 he retired and went to Mitcham to reside. He was an enthusiastic worker in the Mitcham Methodist Church. On New Year’s Day the late Mr. Torr and his three brothers, Messrs. John, Thomas, and William, met, and their united ages were then 294 years. The deceased has left a widow and three daughters—Mrs. Philip Wbeaton, of Red hill, Mr.=. A. ‘M. Gilbert, of Mitcham, and Mrs. Lien Alien, of Mitcham. Mr. Torr was a foundation member of Way College, cf which his brother, Dr. Torr, of Brighton, was formerly principal.
Conference Notes
CONFERENCE NOTES. (Continued from page 759). succession of doubters in thinking a man under forty too young for the task of superintendency. Those of us who knew him assured them that in wisdom he was older than his years, that youth was not a bug-bear, and that he possessed a heart perennially young. We pleaded and they were persuaded; result—he captured all classes at the Hill and left it infinitely better than he found it. In 1911 the writer was asked, whilst visiting England and America, to look out an ideal man for organising secretary of the Sunday-school Department. The task was difficult and on his return he reported that we had the man here in our midst. He recommended W. J. Mortimer, to whom the recommendation came as a great surprise. Wise man that he was, he said he would like to pray over it and have a talk with his wife about it. The next day it was clear to him that it was a call to “Follow the Gleam” and all his specialising was devoted that year to the work of preparation for the church’s greatest task. And it came about that in 1913, he took up the work to which his gifts and his graces so well qualified him. His success is established. Of all the organising secretaries in the Commonwealth he stands first and his knowledge of his work, his devotion to the young, his breezy optimism, his sanity, and his enthusiasm should result in stimulating the Sunday schools to do great things this year. Let his presidential year be opened with the record of a thousand increase in scholars, every school an observer of Decision Day and the members of the church doubled. In all his work he has been greatly helped by his devoted wife. Well done, Mintaro!
The President Elect
THE PRESIDENT-ELECT. BY A LAYMAN. Mintaro is only a little country village but it has given this State some foremost men in ministerial and professional life. Think of the names—the Frys, the Jollys, the Lathleans, the Mortimers, the Browns. They counted for something in the last century and their succeeding generation is a force in the community to-day. The first Rhodes Scholar—Norman Jolly, Professor Jethro Brown, Dr. E. Brown, R. H. Lathlean, Rev. A. S. J. Fry, Rev. W. J. Mortimer, and many others—all making good. Buckle in his “History of Civilization” credits geographical boundaries and climatic conditions with the production of different types of brain power. Mintaro’s seclusion—being a little way off the map of railways—may have had something to do with, the types it produced, but it is our belief that the character of the men of Mintaro of 1850 or thereabout, had more to do with the materializing of the intellectual qualities of the men named. It was a pretty story that Mr. Mortimer told the Conference of his being influenced early in life by the Rev. A. Stubbs and if ever a man engraved on his escutcheon the words, “Pass it on,” Mr. Mortimer has done so and made it the motto of his life. The writer came to know him when he used to wield the willow effectively and the early friendship has been deepened with the advancing years. In Millicent he had a Bible class of about 100 members, meeting regularly each week. It stands as a record for a country town. In the Aldgate circuit he gave Methodism a fillip which should have made it a constant joy to visitors to the hills. His work at Malvern was unique. Organisation was one of his keynotes of the lift he gave to Sunday school and church, marking an important stage in progress. If it were whispered in his ear that Mr.———— ought to be in the church, but for some reason was out of it, then Mr. Mortimer adroitly approached the individual, diagnosed his case, prescribed the essentials for restoration and in a few weeks there was added to the church another brother, another worker. Young fellows of the adolescent stage and over went to him with their problems and in his study many a lad was helped over stiles and placed on the right track. Decision Day with Mr. Mortimer was all-important; it was not a mere effervescence, it was planned and prepared for; the seal was set upon it and it was the beginning of a new life for many young people. What applies to Malvern applies to any and every circuit in which Mr. Mortimer has laboured. Broken Hill needed a man, but the representatives were in a long (Continued on page 762).
Merildin
“DIN” NOT “DEN.” A correspondent writes:—” ‘Merildin’— the name of the railway station formerly known as Mintaro—is often misspelt. I should like business people to note the terminal syllable. Several business firms must have the name improperly recorded in their books. I may add that it is usual to place the accent on the second syllable.