This and That
Art, History, Crafts, Earth Sciences, Gardening,
Writing, Australian flora and fauna,
severe weather, Australiana, myths and legends
Art World
Lorn Gallery
Best of The Best
exhibition of local artists.
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Note: The Gallery is closed between 9th
October and 20th October
Best of the Best will
recommence in the new year.
Reminder
November Exhiibtion at Lorn
Gallery
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A PLACE TO CALL HOME
It’s
definitely not too soon to start your work on “A Place To Call Home”. We want
heaps of entries this year to rival or better previous efforts, so get
cracking. This community access exhibition is always a fantastic event with
which to end the year and your involvement and enthusiasm are paramount to
its success. Entry forms are available at the Gallery, and work is due in no
later than November 6th. My entry is formulating steadily in my head, and
Bill’s is still in its embryonic stage, where it could well stay! I’m really
looking forward to seeing what everyone comes up with – the mind boggles!!
Please don’t hesitate to contact me with your queries or ideas regarding the
theme if you are in any doubt!
As of the 20th October you can start bringing in your entries
for “A Place To Call Home” if you have them ready.
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Lorn Gallery
17 Belmore Rd. Lorn NSW 2320
Ph: 02 4933 2533 Fax: 02 4995 9281
email: dowling@bravo.net.au
Director: Kathy Dowling
Gallery Hours Thursday to Sunday 10.00 am to 4.00 pm
Parking available down behind the shops, turn right at
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Maitland Region Society of Artists
Contact:
Kay
(02) 4934 1323
Christine (02) 4934 2573
If you live in the area and have an interest in art, the Social
Art Mornings held each Monday (excepting Public Holidays) at the Rutherford
Community Centre, are worth a visit. In
the short time I have been attending, I have found it to be a very friendly,
helpful group.
MRSA August Art Exhibition
Make sure you look at this site as it has a good selection of
paintings exhibited in our Annual Art Exhibition
Here are some more from the exhibition:
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Useful Art Websites
Artists Network – this seems to be a comprehensive
website catering to all ages and all aspects of art.
What art supplies do you need to start painting?
Wilson Bickford art videos from UTube – an oils painter,
he was recommended by another artist and
is well worth looking at.
Art Spectrum – an Australian firm, I have used their
watercolours, soft pastels, Colourfix primer and Colourfix paper and found them
excellent value.
Local Art
Groups
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Artists Beware!
I repeat this story found in 20 – 26 September
edition of the International Express
under the title of ‘Worst of Killjoy Britain’ by Anna Pukas and Julie
Carpenter, there are quite a few more stories of an astonishing nature in
this article:
Evil Easels
Artist Ken Howard has been a respected professional
painter for decades but little did he know his easel had become a dangerous
hazard. Earlier this year the artist
was outside the Royal Exchange in London working on a painting of the
building for an exhibition for the Royal Academy when an officer told him to
move on. ‘Health and safety’ the
policeman explained. ‘Someone could
trip over your easel.’
‘I was flabbergasted’, Howard related. ‘I’m a Royal Academician and I’ve been
painting on the streets of London for 65 years and nobody has ever tripped
over my easel. I told him that and he
replied, ‘There’s always a first time, sir.’
JJ
We will have to be sure our easels mind their manners, won’t we? I must say I’ve never heard of one either
historically or in recent times being unmannerly!
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What’s
on in Maitland
Where to access local Events
Maitland
Visitor Information Centre
Maitland
Mercury (Local Notices link)
Hunter
Imag
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Maitland
Region Art Gallery is an excellent facility to visit and gain
inspiration and maybe meet some of the artists whose work is being
exhibited. Art classes are also
available for adults. Don’t forget the excellent childrens’ programmes available
at the gallery.
Current Exhibitions
Sean Roche:
Hours and Minutes .In the Art Factory – 23 July to 12 November
Tillegra Dam Riparian Rites: Hunter Valley Artists – 26 August to 26
October
Pat Corrigan:
Collector – 16 September to 6 November
See the website for more information. Also look at childrens’ programmes on offer
and adult workshops.
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Maitland City Library
October Activities
Mental Health Month
Matthew
Jonhstone shares his journey with ‘the black dog’ – Black Dog Institute and
mental health, see website for more details
Maitland Living Library
Borrow
a Living Book
Baby
Book Club
School Holiday Fun:
Different
interesting activities at each branch, see website for more details
East Maitland Branch
The Geological Survey of NSW will display fossils found
in the Hunter Valley region to celebrate Earth Science Week's 2011 theme of
Our Ever Changing Earth.
On display at East Maitland Library during October.
Be sure to look at the noticeboard and brochures as you
library, these have notice on interesting cultural activities and
events. Maitland has a rich cultural
heritage.
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My Virtual Gallery
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In The Garden
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Spring is here.
That’s what we are hearing in the media and what is accepted, nowadays,
however it isn’t really here until the Spring Equinox which falls between 19th
and 23 of September each year. What a
difference a fortnight makes! All
deciduous trees are clothed in their best green, even the Canadian walnut.
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It seems our little male blackbird has found a mate,
thank goodness I didn’t wait any longer to record his long and intricate
song. I did miss out on his imitation of
yellow-tailed black cockatoos, he performed that one the following
morning. He’s back to his quiet little
‘tic tic’ sounds again. Next thing he
will be screaming his ‘tic tic’ like a fire engine up one side of the house and
down the other announcing to the world his chicks have his protection in this
area.
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Various parrot species are returning for the spring, I
think the king parrots may have young, also the rosellas. Interestingly, the king parrots remained during the winter, last year they moved
elsewhere until spring. Our pair of
galahs and the rainbow lorikeets are also calling in. I’ve only heard our visiting cockatoo a few
times so far, it has been in captivity at some time as it says ‘hello’, does
have a mate and seems quite happy being free.
Our white cockatoo must have heard me typing, he arrived this morning
for a friendly visit, although all our other parrot species visited this
morning maybe there is significant rain due.
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During our deceptively warm days in September, two of our
largest bluetongue lizards emerged for a day or two, they soon reverted to
winter quarters when the chill returned. The Peron’s tree frog is now making
itself known intermittently as are the big green tree frogs.
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From
My Timeline
73,500BP Indonesia
73,500 Before Present (BP)
Indonesia
Toba
The largest eruption in the last few hundred thousand years took place
on the island of Sumatra in Indonesia. The eruption produced a widespread dust
cloud and a dense sulphuric acid aerosol cloud which persisted for up to eight
years. It triggered abrupt climate cooling similar to that predicted for a
nuclear winter and a catastrophic decrease in the human population. Near-instantaneous
temperature decreases to near or below freezing in the tropics was followed by
an extended global cooling of 3°C to 5°C or more. These extreme climatic
changes coincide with a time when the early human population suffered an
extreme decline with some estimates suggesting survival of only several
thousand individuals worldwide.
200AD New Zealand
The Taupō eruption
The serene
waters of Lake Taupō in the central North Island mask a violent past – beneath
the lake lies an enormous volcano. About 200 AD it unleashed the world’s most
powerful eruption in 5,000 years.
During the
main eruption, the volcano sent up a plume of dust and gases 50 kilometres into
the stratosphere. Vast clouds of gases and 30 cubic kilometres of glowing-hot
pumice and ash were blasted into the sky. The towering column collapsed
suddenly, and hot ground-hugging pyroclastic flows raced away from the vents at
600–900 kilometres per hour. These incandescent clouds incinerated everything
in an area of 20,000 square kilometres. These would have caused spectacular
sunsets and several years of cooler temperatures worldwide.
No people
lived in New Zealand at the time of the Taupō eruption – Polynesian seafarers
did not settle the country for another 1,000 years.
1927 Australia – Victoria and Tasmania
Snow
The Argus
(Melbourne, Vic. : 1848-1954), Monday 26 September 1927, page 15, 16
National
Library of Australia http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article3881476
Snow in Hobart
Hobart,
Sunday – Rain squalls Hobart on Sunday brought with them snowflakes and about
midday the falls were particularly heavy.
All surrounding hills were well covered with snow The cold weather
offers a curious comparison, for on September 23 1926 the temperature was 81.7
degrees , the highest on record for September.
Despite unfavourable conditions football matches were played but the
riflemen abandoned their shoot at long ranges.
(part of a
much larger article and district report, better read on PDF as article copies
atrociously to word, apparently a spell of very cold September weather in
Victoria)
1932 Australia – Queensland
Significant
Tornadoes
September 22, 1932 - A strong tornado tore through Gympie (approximately 150km's north of Brisbane) causing extensive damage.
http://www.bsch.au.com/severewx/index.shtml
September 22, 1932 - A strong tornado tore through Gympie (approximately 150km's north of Brisbane) causing extensive damage.
http://www.bsch.au.com/severewx/index.shtml
*1933 Australia – NSW
Dairying Outlook
Rain
Lacking
Severe Winter Weather
The Sydney
Morning Herald (NSW : 1842-1954), Saturday 2 September 1933, page 11
National
Library of Australia http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article17003765
DAIRYING
OUTLOOK.
Effects of
Severe Wintry Weather.
Dairy
instructors' reports indicate that, although rain has been received in some
dairying districts, more is urgently needed in others. In general the severe wintry conditions
experienced were not conducive either to ample pasture growth with the
associated good condition of the stock or to high production.
An inch of
rain during August in the Tweed - Bangalow district brought the total for the
year up to 60.89 inches-eight inches below the average. There is a noticeable
falling off in the condition of dairy cattle, and in some instances, where
winter feed supplies have been exhausted, they are in poor order. Production has shown a slight increase, due
chiefly to newly calved cows. Cream quality has suffered a falling-off, and
steady, soaking rain is needed to improve spring prospects.
Practically
no rain fell in the Richmond River area during the month, and heavy frosts and
cold westerly winds affected seasonal conditions unfavourably. Stock are in
fair fettle, but cream supplies have reached the lowest production mark.
Improved pastures, and particularly rye grass, have not shown to such advantage
as in previous years, but are still an improvement over the natural pastures
and paspalum. Most saccaline crops are exhausted, and farmers are drawing on
their cane supplies for fodder. Although
good showers were received In the Clarence to Bellinger district more rain is
needed to ensure a good spring. Some very cold days and nights were experienced
in the latter part of the month. Pastures are green, but short, and clovers are
not coming away as well as expected. Crops look well, and stock are in very
fair to good condition.
Supplies
are at a very low level, but the quality, generally speaking, is satisfactory.
On the whole prospects look bright for an early spring. Unfavourable weather for dairying was
experienced in the middle rivers area during August. The month was practically
rainless, and there were many frosts and days of bitterly cold winds. Dairy
stock are in fair to very poor condition. Many cows are coming in to the bails
in very low condition, and cannot be expected to produce at anything like their
full capacity for many months. Most
winter fodder crops have been fed off, and there is little green fodder
available. Some lucerne areas on the
flats made good growth during winter, and are being cut for feed. Exceptionally cold weather, with a succession
of severe frosts, greatly retarded pasture growth along the Hunter Valley.
Several Inches of rain is required immediately, reduction is about stationary,
but stock are in fairy good condition.
The
Illawarra and Southern Tablelands district experienced typical wintry
conditions early In the month, but spring-like weather made an appearance
later. Good rain is needed for the tablelands crops and pastures, but the coast
looks well in these respects. Production is Increasing in the south-western
area, but is not expected to improve appreciably on the coast till well into
the present month. Westerly winds early
in August had a drying effect on pasture lands on the Far South Coast.
Subsequent good surface rains, together with an adequate subsoil reserve will,
however, assure the best of spring growth, and render cultivation areas easy to
plough. Production is rising in all sections, the stock being in excellent
condition.
Beneficial
rains were received over most of the New England and Northern Tablelands, but
there were also some severe frosts and snowfalls in the highlands. Excellent
pasture is now in evidence, and crops are showing good growth. Stock are in
fair to good order, but it is thought, in some instances, that more care should
be given to adequate feeding. Cream
supplies to New England factories are still at a low ebb, but all other
factories' supplies are increasing.
1946
Great Britain
Heavy
Rain
The Canberra
Times (ACT : 1926-1954), Tuesday 10 September 1946, page 1
National
Library of Australia http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article2694971
HEAVY RAINS
AS PRAYERS OFFERED FOR SAVING OF CROPS
LONDON,
Monday.
While
prayers for better weather to save the harvest were being offered in churches
throughout the country yesterday torrential rain fell destroying the last hopes
of saving many thousands of acres of crops and leaving a trail of severe
flooding and storm damage across the whole of Southern England. It is estimated that at least a quarter and
possibly a third of the wheat crop will be useless for human food.
As a climax
to a week's almost incessant rain, a deluge flooded many fields and only the
tops of crops can be seen above the water.
Floods cut railways and inundated main roads and houses, some by much as
five feet. At least three days sunshine
will be needed before farmers are able to salvage something from the ruins.
1946 Australia - NSW
Coasta
Heat
Inland Dust Storms
Melting Snow
The Sydney
Morning Herald (NSW : 1842-1954), Friday 13 September 1946, page 1
National
Library of Australia http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article17994423
Cool Change
Relief Likely To-day
The Weather
Bureau expects a cool change with fresh westerly winds to-day. Sydney's maximum temperature, 89 degrees at 2.45 p.m.
yesterday, was the highest September reading since 1931. Gusty, dust-laden winds, veering from
south-westerly to westerly, blew, at times, at 20 miles an hour.
Country
temperatures were not exceptionally high.
At, Broken Hill the temperature was only 69 degrees at midday. Highest readings in the State were 93 degrees
at Wollongong and 91 at Walgett.
The Metropolitan
water consumption reached a September record of 179 million gallons on
Wednesday. This is equal to an average
midsummer consumption, and is well above the September average of 144 million
gallons. It was expected that yesterday's consumption would equal or exceed
Wednesday's.
Thousands
of people thronged Sydney's1 beaches.
Manly had its largest crowd this season, and between 2,000 and 3,000
were in the surf.
Inland Dust
Duststorms
choked people inland. Fairbairn Airfield
at Canberra was closed for two hours yesterday morning
because of dust raised by the westerly winds.
The low hills surrounding Fairbairn Airfield make it necessary for
planes to have a clear ceiling of 2,000ft for safe take-off or landing. Wellington experienced dust conditions
similar to those in 1944. A severe
duststorm enveloped drought-stricken Nyngan, where the temperature rose to 90
degrees. Clouds of choking dust swept
the Bathurst district during the worst September weather for many years. The sky was darkened by dust for most of the
day.
Snow is
melting rapidly on the highlands around Kiandra, with high temperatures and
hot, dry winds.
Water from
thawing snow is flowing into Eucumbene River, which empties itself into the
Snowy and eventually the Murray River.
The thaw has also begun in the snow country south of Calbiego Mountains,
and it is expected the Murrumbidgee and Tumut rivers will be affected.
Tumut
police reported no change in the river height at 8 p.m. last night. For the first time since July the road was
open to Kosciusko, and supplies were delivered to the door yesterday.
1946 Australia – NSW
Auorora Australis
The Sydney
Morning Herald (NSW : 1842-1954), Monday 23 September 1946, page 1
National
Library of Australia http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article17995757
When a
faint red glow was seen on the southern horizon early last night, many Sydney residents
telephoned fire headquarters to report a distant fire. Others rang the police, the Weather Bureau,
and newspaper offices seeking information about the glow.
The glow,
visible from the tops of buildings in the city, was described last night by a spokesman
for the Meteorological Bureau, at Rose Bay, as an Aurora Australis, a
phenomenon seen in the southern hemisphere several times a year. The Meteorological Bureau received a report
late last night from Ceduna, on the eastern end of the Great Australian Bight,
which stated that the aurora was visible there.
The
spokesman said that among inquiries was one from a man who frantically reported
an "illuminated cloud" passing over Rockdale. Residents in the
southern suburbs described the aurora as a hazy red bar of light, easily
mistaken for the reflection of a big fire. The glow was less obvious in the
city and northern suburbs because of the city lights.
Last
night's display, which became fainter about midnight, was far less spectacular
than the last appearance of the "southern lights" on March 29. At Albury, the display was a vivid red
streaked with blue, and spread over the entire southern sky. At Coolamon, in the Riverina, the aurora was
seen as a pink phosphorescence streaked with white streamers.
The
Meteorological Bureau spokesman said that the phenomenon was caused by sunspot
activity which in the last few days had been unusually strong. The sunspot activity caused electrical
disturbances in the upper atmosphere, particularly the ionosphere. Besides
creating the aurora, this activity interfered with radio communication.
1946 Australia – NSW North West
Cold
Rain
Sheep Losses
The Sydney
Morning Herald (NSW : 1842-1954), Monday 23 September 1946, page 4
National
Library of Australia http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article17995843
HEAVY TOLL
OF SHEEP
Losses In
N.W.
Farmers in
the north-west of the State report heavy sheep and lamb losses since last
week's rains, the first in the district for several months. The soaking rains which fell in the Moree and
Narrabri districts and the subsequent cold weather have killed thousands of
freshly-shorn sheep and weak sheep in full wool. It is expected that 90 per cent, of lambs in
the district have been lost. Not until all stock losses from the rain are
counted will it be possible to compute the full cost of the drought to the
North.-West.
Farmers
cannot at present get round their properties because of the thick mud. One station property has lost 3,000 sheep,
and another £2,000 worth of stud rams. A
small owner who sheared 1,500 sheep, last Monday lost 900 of them when the
rains came on Tuesday. Mr. A. Boland, of
Strathmore Station, near Moree, had 2,000 sheep before the drought. So far he
has lost 1,200, some by starvation, others from the rain. Mr. Boland has had four inches of rain on his
property and has not had such a disastrous season in the 42 years he has lived
in the district.
The
president of the Moree Pastures Protection Board, Mr. G. E. Kirkby, quoted the
case of an owner who managed to save only about 350 of 3,600 freshly-shorn sheep,
and another who lost all his shorn sheep, and many still in wool. Another grazier, he said, now had only 1,100
sheep left from a flock of 2,500.
The
secretary of the Narrabri Pastures Protection Board, Mr. P. Hulbert, said
yesterday that the fine
weather
would push up crops and feed, but what was now needed was a thunderstorm to
fill waterholes, particularly the huge Galatherie tank, on the Moree stock
route.
*1949 Australia – NSW Maitland
Flood
The
Canberra Times (ACT : 1926-1954), Tuesday 13 September 1949, page 1
National
Library of Australia http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article2823005
FLOOD
DANGER AGAIN ACUTE AT MAITLAND
SYDNEY,
Monday.
If heavy
rains fall in the Page and Hunter rivers area. Maitland will be threatened with
its third flood in three months The Hunter River was only six feet below danger
level to-night and was still rising one inch an hour.
Torrential
rains have filled the Page River to its highest level since the 1935 floods at
the point where it joins the Hunter.
Sydney
Weather Bureau tonight forecast isolated thunder storms for the area, but
expect mainly fine to warm weather The week-end rains were responsible for the
flooding of about 20 farms at Louth Park.
Water from
the Hunter moved up Wallis Creek, past the flood gates which were washed away
during Maitland s second flooding six weeks ago, and spread over the farms.
To-night, police at Maitland would give no estimate of the damage.
1952 Australia – NSW Canberra
Storm
Hail
The
Canberra Times (ACT : 1926-1954), Wednesday 17 September 1952, page 4
National
Library of Australia http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article2864293
FREAK
STORMS HIT CANBERRA DISTRICT
Extraordinary
storms due to a pre-funnel weather system burst over the Canberra district
yesterday, causing falls of rain and hail upwards of two inches during the
day. Condamine Street, Turner, was last
night impassable due to 12 inches of water.
Lightning struck a Queenbyan house and tiles were cracked in Canberra
homes. Roads were flooded, crops
destroyed and many young .spring lambs are believed to have been killed during
the downpour.
More than
two inches of rain fell in Canberra in less than 48 hours. Hailstones as large
as walnuts accompanied some of the rain.
Canberra
vegetable growers said they feared many of the newly planted vegetable
crops had been ruined by the rain and hail.
Mr. M.
Southwell, secretary of the Rural Lessees Association, said he believed that
many spring lambs would have been killed by the hail. However, he said he had not received any
reports of damage last night.
Tiles on
the roofs of many Canberra homes were cracked by the .large hailstones and
water leaked through the ceilings of some houses. Lightning struck a house owned by Mr. Tarto
Yautakas in Charles Street, Queanbeyan.
Lightning
fused .electrical fittings and started a small fire which was extinguished by
the Queanbeyan Fire Brigade. Several
tiles were knocked from the roof, and others were cracked by the
lightning. Mr. Yautakas said that the
lightning struck the house about 4.20 pm.
He said there was a loud explosion, followed by a flash of fire which
lit up the whole house.
Water has
blocked the Hoskinstown Captain's Flat
Road:
The
Meteorological Station at Fairbairn explained last night that the rain was
caused by a pre-funnel weather system.
This system occurs when moist tropical air from Northern Australia
passes over N.S.W. and is forced upwards into the pressure areas by the cold
air on the ground.
Telegraph Lines Cut
SYDNEY,
Tuesday
All direct
telephone and telegraph services between Sydney and Melbourne were cut today
when a storm tore down lines at Culcairn, between Wagga and Albury. The Acting
Director of Posts and Telegraphs (Mr. E. Henson) said tonight that full
services should be resumed by morning. A
tree falling across the lines caused the break.
For a
period, all telephone and telegraphic traffic was halted. Then some messages were sent by an alternate route through Broken Hill and
Adelaide. By nightfall, linesmen had
restored five of the 60 lines running to Sydney and Melbourne.
*1958 – 1968 Australia
Drought
Australia's
Longest Drought 1958 to 1968
Most areas
of Australia were drought-affected for long periods between 1958-1968.
It was the longest drought in arid central Australia from 1958-67. Australia-wide, during its last two years alone (1967-1968) there was a 40% drop in the wheat harvest, a loss of 20 million sheep, and a decrease of farm income of up to $500m.
Event Start Date 01/01/1958 Event End Date 09/01/1968
Duration of Event 3896 days
Five million people were affected and a total loss of livestock was 40 million
It was the longest drought in arid central Australia from 1958-67. Australia-wide, during its last two years alone (1967-1968) there was a 40% drop in the wheat harvest, a loss of 20 million sheep, and a decrease of farm income of up to $500m.
Event Start Date 01/01/1958 Event End Date 09/01/1968
Duration of Event 3896 days
Five million people were affected and a total loss of livestock was 40 million
From the other side of the hill, look
carefully and you will see the underneath of this cloud in the link story.
Storm like 20
minutes of hell – Northern Star
Community Interests
AMCAT
Australian
Museum of Clothing and Textiles Presents………
Simply
Elegant
Visit the
museum and view fashions that gave people a feeling of luxury and
elegance. Fine fashion, from a special
hat to classic shoes, tastefully
co-ordinated
for every outfit. Simply elegant from
top to toe.
Open
Thursday, Friday, Saturday 10am – 3pm
Other times by appointment –
Bus and School groups welcome ring
Stephanie on 0403 652 550
Admission $3 Seniors $2.50
Lt. Governor’s Residence,
John Street,
East Maitland. Maitland Gaol Precinct
For further information
contact:
Nell – 49301135 or Letitia
49986416
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Maitland Gaol
Coming Events:
Regular Activities
Regular activities include:
Special Activities
Halloween Psychic Tour
BITTER & TWISTED - 5
& 6 November 2011
The Bitter & Twisted International Boutique Beer
Festival is back and ready for willing inmates. Following on from a
successful Festival held within the Maitland Gaol compound in 2010, the
Bitter & Twisted team are preparing for 2011 to be the best event yet.
From housing inmates notorious for their crimes to brews notorious for their quality, the former maximum security prison will once again swing open its heavy gates to unlock an experience not to be missed for any discerning beer drinker...and of course anyone new to top notch brew.
'Deck The Cells' Maitland
Gaol Public Christmas Dinner Dance
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Maitland Repertory Theatre
An Inspector Calls by J B
Priestley
A classic psychological thriller
Directed by Frank Oakes - September 14 to October 1
Death by Chocolate - Annual
Christmas Dinner Show
A comic thriller
Directed by Steve Ryan - November 19 to December 11 Saturdays and Sundays at 6:30pm |
Maitland & District Historical
Society
Event
Hosting the Annual Conference of the Royal Australian
Historical Society
Details:
Royal Australian Historical Society
The next RAHS
Conference will be held on the weekend of 29-30 October 2011 at East Maitland
Bowling Club, Maitland, NSW.
The theme will
be: Of Droughts and Flooding Rains - Australian Disasters: Research,
Recording, Recovery
Papers on the
main conference topic, as well as papers on the Hunter Valley, heritage, and
practical matters will be presented.
The Annual
State History Conference brings together local historical societies from
across the state to share their publications and projects and learn new
skills.
The conference
is open to anyone interested in local history, heritage and Australian
history.
RAHS website: http://www.rahs.org.au/
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Maitland & District Genealogical Society
Maitland & District Genealogical Society Inc. formerly
Maitland Family History Circle Inc
We are situated at the Maitland Heritage Research
Centre
Mounted Police Barracks
Lindesay St
East Maitland 2320
We are open Wednesdays and Saturdays 9.30am to 3pm
PO Box 247
Maitland
Event
Maitland Family History Fair
Date: 9 October 2011
Venue: Maitland City
Bowling Club, Arthur St, Rutherford
Audience: Adult, Families,
Seniors, Groups
When: 9:00am - 4:00pm
Cost: $5 per person
Website: www.mdgs.org.au
A family history fair to showcase products,
publications and the services of local, state family history and historical
societies. A perfect opportunity to speak to people from your research area
and find out how they can help you. Talks will be given by Elizabeth Bolton
and Gillian Kelly from the “Lace Makers of Calais”. Gail Davis from NSW
Records will also be available to speak with you.
Note: This event
has already taken place, it was well attended and an occasion for family
History enthusiasts from other areas to congregate and enjoy the day.
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Grossmann House
In association withTthe National Trust and Friends of
Grossmann Huse:
Timbergetters, Sawmills and Sawmillers Maitland
District, 1801 to Present
Brough House, Church Street, Maitland
Sunday 16 October, 2011
10am to 3pm
Displays, Photographs and Videos (and MUCH more….)
Launch of Book: ‘Timbergetters, Wawmills and Sawmillers
by Janece McDonald and Lawrence Henderson
$20 per person ($17 National Trust Members) - Includes morning tea, lunch and
bottomless tea/coffee
Numbers are limited and Bookings essential
Tickets: Janece
– 49334450 (enquiries), Hilma – 49301311, Alan – 49336452
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Hinterland Interests
I have just spent some time in the area, whilst there, I
caught up with some of my interests and am sharing my experiences with you.
If you happen to be in the area, you might like to visit:
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Richmond River Museum and Historical Society
This museum features interesting aspects of the
Bundjalung people and their life, development of European settlement, their
industry and social life, examples of geological specimens from the area,
local wildlife specimens dating from late Victorian times and an excellent
display of local woods of the Evan Williams Collection of Timbers or
North-Eastern New South Wales where I was able to identify a tree I was
interested in. There is also an
excellent library of local and family history where you may research for a
very reasonable fee or if you are unable to visit, have research done for a
fee.
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Lismore Regional Gallery
A small gallery and well worth the visit. Artists showing are:
Julie Rrap whose
work is described as “”Performing in front of the lens, Rrap initiates a
dialogue about female archetypes and icons, often employing absurdist
hyperbole”, also Rrap herself is an icon, in these instances, not disguising
herself, instead, capturing her own image in an analytical way.
Rose McKinley’s work touched my childhood memories,
scenes of the local bushland and particularly local swing bridges. Her rendition of Terrania Creek, to me was
particularly poignant as it is an area I was familiar with as a child. She captures the mood of the bush – lush,
light sparkling off the leaves and the cool, shady forest floor and the
terrain with its cliffs and lush growth interspersed with cultivated
areas. The chosen medium is
watercolour, I was fascinated with the effects she achieves, particularly in
the painting “Wet Season Swing Bridge” also her use of watercolour of a child
in a pool where she delineates the water beneath the child and that flowing
over in a masterly, clean style.
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Richmond-Tweed Regional Library
Lismore Library
A very vibrant library, flyers advertising local
cultural organisations and they, too have a Living Library which is available
for borrowing the first Friday each month.
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Local History
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Morpeth
Bridge
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To further investigate your family and local
history:
Maitland & District Genealogical
Society Inc.
At the
Maitland Heritage Centre, Mounted Police Barracks,17 Lindesay Street, East
Maitland 2320
Postal:
PO Box 247, Maitland. 2320
Phone:
(02) 4937 5301 (AH)
Maitland Historical Society Inc.
Address:
3 Cathedral Street, Maitland
Phone:
0438 623 299
Postal:
PO Box 333, Maitland. NSW 2320
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Health
Ford, Miss Myrtle - I regret to state that Miss
Myrtle Ford, of “ Myrtle Vale” is
seriously indisposed, but under the careful attention of Dr. Findlay, of
Dungog, it is to be hoped that she will soon rally again.
Gallagher, Thomas – Accident at Morpeth – On
Saturday afternoon a young man named Thomas Gallagher, a well-known and
respected resident of Morpeth, met with an accident which is likely to
inconvenience him for some time to come if he be fortunate enough to escape any
more serious consequences. It was
Gallagher’s intention to visit West Maitland, and with that object he caught
his horse and mounted it barebacked to ride to his residence, but the animal,
which has not long been broken in, threw his rider. Feeling no ill-effects of the fall, Gallagher
made his journey, but upon his return to Morpeth took ill, his back swelled
greatly, and Dr. Bennett’s services had to be secured. We are sorry to learn that the case3 was so
serious that the medical gentleman has had to be very unremitting in his
attentions since. Maitland Mercury 23
December 1890.
Gibb and
Beeman Ltd. - The return
visit to Maitland of J. W. Beeman, of Gibb and Beeman, Lrs., Consulting
Opticians of 6 Hunter-street Sydney, late sight-testing expert and manager for
H. A. Barraclough, Ltd., will be made on Friday 22 January. Mr. Beeman,
who is so well-known to our readers as sight-testing expert, and who has been
visiting this town for many years, and will continue to do so regularly every
month, may be consulted at the Grand Central Hotel, from 9 to 4.30, on all
cases if defective eyesight needing correctly adapted and perfectly fitted
glasses. All sufferers from any eye troubles should consult this
well-known and reliable expert. Maitland Mercury 23 December 1908
Gleeson, James – Narrow Escape from Drowning – A
narrow escape from drowning in the Hunter River occurred on Tuesday afternoon
last. It appears two of Mr. Jas.
Gleeson’s little children were playing on the old Phoenix Park boat wharf, when
one by some means pushed his younger brother, aged five into the water. The little chap’s cries of “Daddy! Daddy!”
attracted the attention of a young man named Ernest Findlay, of Redfern,
Sydney, who was walking along the Morpeth Road, some 300 yards off. As soon as
Findlay divined the state of things he with highly commendable pluck scrambled
down the quarry and made for the water’s edge, undressing himself as he
ran. By the time he reached the water he
had divested himself of his coat, vest, shirt and one boot, and as there was
not time to take off the remaining one he sprang into the water as he was and
swam across the river to the child’s rescue.
To him the honour of bringing out the child was denied, as after he had swam
some distance a little boy named Harry Wright, living close by, effected its
rescue. Mr. Findlay, however, proceeded
on his course, and on reaching the child found it black in the face and
unconscious, but being well versed in ambulance work, he was not long in
restoring it to consciousness. As a
result of his cold bath he has contracted a severe cold, but we hope will not
suffer much inconvenience therefrom. His
plucky action cannot be too highly spoken of and we would much like to see both
he and Master Wright suitably rewarded by the Royal Humane Society. Mr. Findlay is already the holder of six of
the society’s medals. The Morpeth and
East Maitland Want 19 May 1899.
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Maitland Post
Office
Government
Government – The additional estimates of the
Government, passed last week, provide for a grant of 2000 pounds to the
Maitland Hospital, to meet an expenditure of a similar amount from its funds on
various improvements; 150 pounds to the
Maitland Benevolent Asylum, and 50 pounds to the Pierce Memorial Nurses’
Home. The loan Estimates contain a sum
of 8000 pounds for the erection of a courthouse in West Maitland and ten
thousand pounds for the erection of a Boys’ High School in East Maitland. There is also an appropriation for the
erection of a Land Office in East Maitland.
Maitland Mercury 23 December 1890
National Debt – The public debt of Victoria is 22
million pounds; of New South Wales 15 million pounds; that of Queensland 12
million pounds; that of South Australia
10 million pounds; that of Western
Australia 3 hundred thousand pounds, that of New Zealand 28 and a half million
pounds; that of Tasmania 2 million
pounds. None of these national debts can
be compared with those of European countries, for the simple reason that
amongst us the money has been thrown away in wars and rumours of wars, whereas
in the Colonies it has been invested in education and public works, which are
daily increasing in value. The Boy’s Own
Paper, 1882
Greenhills
Shopping Centre, this extension was just opened
Property
Featherstone, A.
– Fire at Aberdeen – Thursday – A five-roomed weatherboard cottage owned and
occupied by A. Featherstone was completely destroyed by fire on Wednesday
afternoon. The source of the fire is a
mystery. It is thought the great heat of
the weather was responsible. Very little
furniture was saved and the occupants escaped with only what they stood
in. The house was partly insured. Maitland Mercury 23 February 1919.
Fire at
West Maitland - Another distastrous
fire occurred on Sunday last at the store of Mr. John FITCH, which was
destroyed together with the shop of Dr. MORRIS, late D MACKATTEE, and two other
shops. From: Western Post, 26 January 1861
Fire Brigade–
A Grass Fire – Early yesterday afternoon an outbreak of fire occurred in a
grass paddock in Victoria- street, East Maitland. The brigade answered the call, and under
Capt. Porter the flames were soon extinguished, a little burnt fencing being
the only damage. Although a residence was at one time threatened. The extreme heat and the wind aided the
outbreak. Maitland Mercury 22 January
1919.
Floodland, Edward Flood had
414 acres between Beresfield Railway Station & Thornton across which Great
Northern Railway runs.,
Local Studies Research File.
Flour Mills
Mitchell’s Mill
- Steam flour mill at Dunmore Bridge. It was called Mitchell's Mill and
was the first in the district worked by steam. It had been erected by
Robert Muir.
There were two flour mills owned by William Conner at
Paterson. (steam?)
Edward Gostwyke Cory began a flour mill 1833 at Paterson
(water).
W & A Lang advertised in the Sydney Gazette, 9.1.1828
their intention to open a flour mill on Paterson River.
All the above came from Hunters River by Cecily Mitchell
Forest Lodge - East Maitland – The Residence of John
Kingsmill, Esq., With The Garden
Attached Thereto, Fronting Law-street, Dodds & Co. have received
instructions from John Kingsmill, Esq., to sell by auction at Willliamson’s
Hotel, East Maitland, on Saturday, 24th September at 12
O’clock. The Residence of John Kingsmill,
Esq., East Maitland, known as Forest Lodge, with all the extensive
Outbuildings, including eh Garden, attached.
This splendid property is so well known that it is quite unnecessary for
the auctioneers to enter into particulars.
Intending purchasers are respectfully invited to look carefully over the
above, as they feel confident it will please them. It is very suitable for a respectable family,
or would answer admirably for a select academy, owing to its being retired and
the situation pleasant and elevated. A
large tank on the premises, with abundant fresh water. Remember! – A Positive Sale. Terms Liberal. The Maitland Ensign Wednesday 21 September
1864.
Guygalling
– Mr. Dodds – Auctioneer – Tuesday 12th day of April - Twelve hundredweight
of tobacco stems. Articles mentions will
be sold at Trevallyn so that intending purchasers had better examine them prior
to the sale. All parties on the Hunter, Paterson and Williams Rivers, and new
comers, would do well not to lose sight of this important bona fide sale. Every requisite for carrying on farming
operations on an extensive scale will be found, and of the next description,
and complete in all respects. It would
be impossible, within the limits of an advertisement, to enumerate the whole of
the articles intended to be submitted for sale,
Refreshments will be provided.
Terms, liberal, made known at the sale.
Maitland, March 25. Hunter River
Gazette March 1842.
Natural Disasters
Flood Relief Committee – Notice is hereby Given
that a Public Meeting of the inhabitants and other interested in the above
movement will take place in the School of Arts, on Thursday Next, the 22nd
instant, when the Final Report of the Committee will be submitted for
approval. The Chair will be taken at 3
o’clock p.m. James Thackeray, Hon.
Sec. The Maitland Ensign, Wednesday 21
September 1864.
Flood -Louth
Park – The effects of the
late fresh in Louth Park – The back-water that covered nearly the whole of
Louth Park and Dagworth is fast disappearing.
Louth Park is now nearly free, though the lowest parts of Dagworth are
still submerged – Louth Park presents a very dismal sight, the whole of the
land extending almost from the creek bank to the homestead presenting a picture
of drying mud and decaying vegetation, where previous to the flood were fine
fields of barley and other crops. A
great many of the fences have also been levelled, in some places the posts
being split. This latter disaster was
caused by the wind dashing the water against the fences. Maitland Mercury 24 August 1876
1893 Flood
Houses washed away in the 1893 flood from Maitland Rates
Fidon Patrick
Fidon Patrick
House (washed away)
Hunter Terrace
Lord Mary Ann Lord Mary Ann House (washed away) Hunter
Terrace
Maslin Mrs
York G House (washed away) Hunter
Terrace
Morris Isaac
Morris Isaac
House (washed away)
Victoria St Nth
Pender Est
Scanmell Emily House (washed away) Hunter
Terrace
Watt Neil
Gardiner Mrs House washed away Cohen
St
Maitland Mall
Business
Fenwick Bros, Messrs – For the third year in
succession, Messrs. Fenwick Bros. Secured championship at Sydney show for
Hereford cow with Myall Carnation, whichstood right out on her own. A brother
to the champion cow, Myall Sensation, was champion bull. He had a meteoric rise from third inhis class
(under 18 months) last year. Both are
splendid types of the breed. Messrs. A.
G. Reynolds , D. F. Reynolds and P. Reynolds shared most of the class
awards. Mr. H. H. Capper and Dr. J. B.
Meredith were amongst the Jersey winners.
Maitland Mercury 16 April 1927
Filmer,
Mr. – Corn
Bread – Mr. Filmer has sent us a loaf, made of half maizemeal and half
flour. The maizemeal used was the white
meal made by Mr. J. Mitchell, of Dunmore, and so well dressed as to be in fact
maize flour. The loaf was very good, but
it had the peculiarity of being rather damp or heavy in texture, perhaps from
the large proportion of maize flour used.
We should rejoice to see maize flour or meal generally used for bread in
this colony, as Mr. Mort recommends, and as is habitually done in parts of the
United States. But we should recommend
parties trying it not to commence with too large a proportion, till their
families had become accustomed to and liked the maize flavour in the
bread. About one-sixth maize flour and
five-sixths wheat flour, is generally thought pleasantest at first, housewives
tell us. Maitland mercury 18 November
1865
Finedon, F. – Wanted Known – Cauliflower, lettuce
and Beetroot Plants, 1 shilling and sixpence per 100, 12 shillings per
1000; postage extra. Asters, mixed colours, 6 pence per dozen. Wreaths and Crosses a specialty. Victoria Nursery, West Maitland. ‘Phone 229.
Maitland Mercury 23 January 1919.
Foster, J. – Walthalls Cut Tobacco – On sale at
the Stores of J. Foster, High-street, West Maitland – Walthall’s cut tobacco,
in ¼ pound packages. Also, English
Preserves and Bottled Fruits. Maitland
Mercury 4 November 1843.
Furniture Making – A Melbourne
furniture-making firm is bringing into use for hall tables and similar purposes
slabs of Castlemaine slate, enamelled.
The effect is said to resemble that of dark marble, and the cost is but
little greater than that of wood. The
Maitland Mercury Thursday 8 April 1869.
Gas Works – Maitland – Tenders called for
excavation and brickwork of above works.
Maitland Mercury 15 February 1859.
Gas Lights – lit for first time on night of 20 May
1878. Harry Boyle’s Index.
Originally the
Technical College, now the Art Gallery,
Photo taken before
the new extension was built.
Cultural
Fitzgerald’s Cyclorama and Cenematographe Show of
the Boer War and South Africa, opened here on Saturday night last, but owing to
some mishap in the Cinematographe apparatus it was posponed until this evening,
when they were patronised by a very fair house.
April 24th. . Clarence
Town Notes, MEMN (Maitland Ensign?), 4 May 1900.
Gibb’s Temperance Hotel, High-street, West
Maitland. The Proprietor takes this
opportunity of informing his friends and the public in general that the Above
Establishment is Now Open. In calling
attention to the opening of the house, as the Commercail Temperance Hotel, he
begs to inform all that this establishment will be found thoroughly renovated
and in a state of comfort and convenience uniting all the snugness of a private
home with the freedom from restraint of a licenced hotel, without necessitating
contact with the drinking customs of the latter. The bed-rooms are well ventilated; a d a
well-supplied reading-room provided for the guests. The cuisine is of unexceptional quality; and
in fact no expense has been spared to warrant this establishment being
called The Model Commercial Temperance
Hotel. Private apartments for families.
Parties arriving by train or otherelse can be accommodated with Meals or Tea
and Coffee at any hour. Breakfast at
eight a.m. Dinner at One p.m. each day.
Starkey’s superior Cordials, Lemonade, Tonic, Sarsaparilla and Soda Water
always on hand. Good Stabling. Hunter River General Advertiser 3 September
1867
School of Arts – Glenoak – The School of arts is
being pushed on rapidly, and I understand will be finished in about a week’s
time. The building has a very imposing
appearance. The Morpeth and East
Maitland Want 16 June 1899.
Gorrick, J. A. – Presentation to Mr. J. A. Gorrick – A
Newcastle correspondent writes as follows:
The many Maitland and other friends of Mr. J. A. Gorrick will be pleased
to learn that on Saturday night he was the honoured recipient of an address (
exact copy herewith), beautifully illuminated on parchment, and enclosed in a
splendid gilt frame. The presentation
took place at Sidney’s Centennial Hotel, at eight o’clock, when there was
present the whole of the Central Committee, and a number of citizen
friends. Miss Martin was also present,
and received a cheque from the Committee’s treasurer for the balance of money
subscribed by the public. Mr. Gorrick
replied to the presentation in a speech of about twenty minutes, reviewing the
case from its inception, and returning his heartfelt thanks for the honour done
him, which it need scarcely be said, was
received with tumultuous applause. The health of Mr. and Mrs. Gorrick and the
children was proposed, and suitable responded to. Then followed some sterling speeches by
members of the committee, amongst whom were six aldermen, one of the toasts being
the health of Miss Martin, chivalrously and eloquently responded to by several
bachelor knights all “eager for the fray.”
After this, cigars and good cheer were the “order of the night” some
good songs and recitations were rendered, then ”Auld Lang Syne” and a hearty
shake hands followed by one grand cheer, terminated the proceedings.
[ Your readers
will remember that the Martin V Arnott case, lasted the phenomenal time of 6
days.]
To Joseph Albert
Gorrick, Esq., Solicitor, Newcastle.
Dear Sir, As the Central Public Committee organised for the purpose of
carrying out measures to enable Rose Martin to prosecute further legal
proceedings in the case Martin V Arnott after the termination of the first
trial, we beg to congratulate you upon your well-directed efforts by which your
client , Miss Martin, obtained substantial compensation, and rendered a new
trial unnecessary. And we take this
opportunity to express the high appreciation in which your great ability,
untiring exertions, and disinterested services displayed throughout the case, are
held by the people of Newcastle and surrounding districts. We may fittingly conclude by thanking you for
the courtesy extended to us on all occasions, and assuring you of the respect
and esteem in which you are universally held in the community. Committee:
David Ingles, Benjamin Finney, Robert Lloyd, William Lewis, John Keith,
James Penno, William R. Winspear, Edwrd Buston, John Lloyd, James Wilson, John
Downie, Barton Scott, Morris Light (Treasurer), William Humphreys,
Secretary. Newcastle, December 18ty 1890. Maitland Mercury 23 December 1890. Maitland Mercury 23 December 1890.
Dimmock’s Building
– local printers
Maitland Identities
The Maitland Daily Mercury:
Saturday 3 January 1925
Memoirs of the Past - (1875) New Industry
- Mr. W. N. Gillies, Queensland's Minister of Agriculture is, we
understand and old Patersonian. The following that appeared in the
"Mercury"of 9.1.1875 from the Paterson correspondent may refer to a
relative of his. Every new industry that will replace the imported
article, however insignificant, is worthy of a special notice, and we are glad
to find amongst our own little community some who devote their thoughts to
objects which are calculated to advance the interest of the colony , by
manufacturing here what hitherto has had to be imported. Mr. Dugald
Gillies of the Upper Paterson has just had Imported all the necessary
machinery for the manufacture of axe handles, pick handles, buggy spokes, and
such like American notions, as they are called and of which large quantities
are annually imported - from America. We were shown a day or two
ago several of the axe handles which Mr. Gillies has turned
out. In form and appearance they resemble the American in every way, with
the exception that they were not worked up quite so smoothly and neatly as the
American; but no doubt with a little more experience, and after the
machinery has got into a little more working order, this fault will be
overcome. The greatest obstacle which Mr. Gillies has had to
encounter is from the scarcity of suitable timber. Those shown to us were
from the brush water gum, but which are found to warp and twist about
considerably when drying. But no doubt, Mr. Gillies' ingenuity
will invent some process which will prevent this, and then he will obtain an
abundance of timber suitable to the purposes required; for in the
neighbourhood where Mr. Gillies resides an abundance of brush watergum
everywhere exists, and no doubt other mountain timber will yet be found
suitable to the purpose required. We wish Mr. Gillies every
success in his undertaking.
Sport
I haven’t found anything for sport, perhaps this could be
classed as:
Gleeson, Mr. – Horse and Cart in River at
Woodville Punt – A somewhat sensational episode took place out this way a few
days ago. It appears the Chinese
gardener at Leeholme had crossed the punt and partly negotiated the steep
approach on the Dunmore side when horse and cart suddenly came back towards the
river with a run, but instead of getting on to the flap of the punt both went
into deep water at its side.
Fortunately, it was the time of changing shifts, consequently both
puntmen were on board. Mr. Gleeson
seized the horse by its head and Mr. Crittenden released it by cutting the
harness. A rope having been securely
fastened to the cart, it was in due course dragged ashore none the worse for
its immersion. We understand a few
panels of fencing are required at this spot to prevent a repetition of this
kind of accident. The Morpeth and East
Maitland Want 19 May 1899.
St. Paul’s Church
of England (Anglican Church) located at the eastern end of Maitland Park
Religious
Farrell, Miss Millie – Kitchen Tea – Miss Millie
Farrell, who is shortly to enter the bonds of matrimony, was on Tuesday evening
tendered a kitchen tea by a number of friends.
The tea was in the nature of a surprise, planned by a committee of young
ladies. On arrival at Mr. Farrell’s
residence the visitors set themselves out for enjoyment. Games, dancing, cards, and harmony were
indulged in the evening was thoroughly enjoyed by the company of about
fifty. During an interval in the
proceedings, Mr. W. Lancaster on behalf of the friends assembled conveyed to
Miss Farrell their best wishes for happiness n her new sphere, and asked
acceptance of the many articles donated by them. Mr. D. Farrell, on behalf of his daughter
returned thanks for the food wishes expressed and the accompanying presents,
and said it was a pleasure to receive the company in his home. Maitland Mercury, November 1923
Garton, Annie
Louise – Memorium – In
loving memory of our dear daughter Annie Louise, who died Nov. 3, 1924. Two years have passed since tht sad day, When
our dear daughter passed way; God took
her home – ‘twas His will, Forget you Annie, we never will. Inserted by loving parents, C and M. Knipe
and Eric, Nephew. Maitland Mercury 5
November 1926.
Would you
like to see machinery from the past? You
might like to visit:
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