District Council Clare
District Council of Clare Friday, 5th May. … Culverts near the pound at Mintaro and at Pulford’s corner were cleaned out and repaired…
Mintaro Slate Company
In: HOME EDITION Mintaro Slate Company Mintaro Slate and Flagstone Company, Limited, reports that consequent upon the change over from steam to electric power, portion of the old plant of the company had had to be scrapped and written off during the past year. As a result operations for the period ended December 31, 1929, showed a loss of £227, which compares with a net profit of £277 for the preceding 12 months, £1,187 for 1927, and £3,094 for 1926. The credit balance at profit and loss account at January 1, 1929, was £3,583. Two dividends amounting to 1/3 a share were paid during the past year, and absorbed £1,875. A credit balance of £1,482 will be carried forward. In their report the directors say that the plant of the company had been maintained in excellent order and had shown a great saving since being converted to electricity The continued trade depression had restricted business offering throughout the year. The company has a paid-up capital of £30,000 in £1 shares. Its reserve account figures at £8,606, sundry creditors £122, and provision for taxation £54. Assets aggregate £40,265, including quarries, freehold property, buildings and lease, £19,541; plant, machinery, and horses, £5,096; stock of slate and stores £12,665; sundry debtors £2,393, and cash £580.
Mintaro News
MINTARO A well-attended social was held In the Methodist Sunday-school, when a fine concert programme was provided. Musical items were rendered by Mrs. Parr, Misses L. Pulford, G. Tickle, B. Parr, and M. Goers, and recitations by Messrs. G. Preford and L. Blatchford. Supper was served. — Members of the Manoora A grade tennis club played against the local club, and won by 14 sets to 4. A tennis match was also played between Mintaro and Seven Hills clubs, and resulted in a win by a narrow margin for Mintaro.— Mrs. C. Garrard, of Mintaro, and her daughter Mrs. McGee, and niece, Miss Williams, left on Thursday for Sydney and the Blue Mountains.
Golden Weddings
GOLDEN WEDDINGS RIVETT—NOBLE.—On the 7th January, 1880, at Pirie-street Methodist Church, by Rev. Copathwaite, William, youngest son of late Willam Rivett, late Mintaro Gap, to Harriet, third daughter of late Amos Noble, of Reedbeds. Present address, Seaton Park.
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.