Volume 50: Issued Saturday 11th September 2010
GORDON-ROAD.
Sydney Morning Herald Saturday 3rd November 1928
In a letter to the Editor, "RET" asserts that a very grave mistake appears to have been made in regard to the widening of the Gordon-road at Roseville and Lindfield.
"Both sides of the road have been torn up simultaneously" he states "leaving in the centre, elevated above the sides, a narrow ribbon of road, barely allowing two vehicles to pass. If the wheels of a car travelling at any speed slip over the side, there is a distinct
possibility of its turning turtle"
ROAD WITH FIVE NAMES.
Sydney Morning Herald Friday 10th February 1939
A direct road which connects Ryde with northern beaches, and which is known in different sections as Lane Cove Road, Ryde Road, Gordon Road, Stoney Creek Road, and Pittwater Road, causes considerable confusion amongst travellers.
The Main Roads Department, in a letter to Ryde Council and other councils, through whose areas the road passes, suggests that one name should be applied to it and asks the councils to suggest a name.
The road, which joins Pittwater road from Manly, at Mona Vale will connect with the new Spooner Highway, from Epping to St. Leonards, at Lucknow Road, North Ryde.
Lady Gowrie at Killara.
Sydney Morning Herald Tuesday 20th June 1939
One of the most interested visitors at Killara Golf Club yesterday afternoon when Miss Babe Didrikson gave a private exhibition for country players was Lady Gowrie who was accompanied by Miss Terence Maxwell of London and Miss Alan Foott.
After the exhibition Lady Gowrie discussed a number of strokes with Miss Didrikson and was later entertained at tea by members of the Killara Associates committee of which Mrs F G Carr is president and Miss Val Morgan captain. Officials of the Ladies Golf Union including the president Miss Una Clift were also present.
WAR AND DRINK
Sydney Morning Herald Saturday 5th September 1942
Sir,-The recent increase in intemperance and social disorders of various kinds, more especially among the younger members of the community, is a challenge to the Christian churches. Members of Killara Congregational Church, at a recent meeting, pledged themselves to devote all their powers to fighting these evils.
At the same time the view was stressed that mere negative condemnation was insufficient and that positive action was urgently required.
Our members feel that the task of providing proper entertainment and recreation for all troops on leave who need it is beyond the power of the Churches or of any private organisation. It is the responsibility of the Government and the Army to prevent inroads on the morale of our soldiers in their leisure time.
We therefore resolved that the Churches can best discharge their duty in this matter by urging the Government to set up centres for recreation and entertainment such as would adequately cater for soldiers now resorting to hotels or less desirable places. The United States Army, we are informed, has gone far towards solving the problem by establishing these centres.
Our members further resolved that the present controllers of the drink traffic had shown their unfitness to exercise their responsibilities and that the industry should therefore be taken over immediately by the Federal Government.
W. H. MOFFITT.
Killara. Hon. Secretary.
THE Social Line
The Sydney Morning Herald (Column 8) Tuesday 5th February 1952
At a cocktail party a citizen remarked that he was now living on the North Shore Line, having bought a house at Chatswood.
"Sir," said the Doctor Johnson of the party "the North Shore Line has nothing to do with the railway line.
"It is a social line which begins at Killara and ends at Wahroonga.
"Lindfield is a border-line case which is being considered on its merits.
"But not Chatswood. Chatswood, sir, is not North Shore Line."
SOCIAL AND PERSONAL.
The Sydney Morning Herald Saturday 30th November 1940
Wedding To-night.
When Miss Dorothy Louise Woodyer, elder daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. S. Woodyer, of Killara, is married to Mr. Garth S. McGill at St. Martin's Church, Killara, to-night, her veil will be an heirloom of Limerick lace, which belonged to her great-aunt, the famous actress,
Anne Leaf. Her gown will be of off- white marquisette trimmed with net, and she will carry gardenias to match her head-dress.
Her sister, Miss Gwendoline Woodyer, will be the only bridesmaid and will wear a frock of pale blue marquisette made in the same style as the bride's, with a head-dress of tulle and Cecil Brunner roses and Cecil Brunner roses will form her bouquet.
Mr. James MacDonald will attend the bridegroom, who is the younger son of Mr. and Mrs. H. R. McGill, of Killara. The Rev. Leo Charlton will officiate. The bride and bridegroom will make their home at Pymble, where they have taken a house.
OBITUARY.
MRS. C. A. DEGENHARDT.
The Sydney Morning Herald Saturday 21st June 1930
The death occurred on Thursday night in a private hospital at Stanmore of Mrs C A Degenhardt, wife of the vice-chairman of the Sydney Stock Exchange, after a short Illness. Mrs Degenhardt, who was widely known and very popular, was a noted social worker, and was connected with many charities.
The funeral cortege will leave her late residence at Wattle-street, Killara this afternoon, for the Northern Suburbs Cemetery.
Friday, September 10, 2010
Ku-ring-gai Clippings Vol 49
Volume 49: Issued Friday 30th July 2010
LOCAL GOVERNMENT.
THE PREMIER AND THE ROADS BOARD.
The Sydney Morning Herald, Thursday 23rd July 1925
Mr. Lang's threat that he will cut the councils out of the Roads Board's operations altogether is one which, If he attempts to carry it into effect, will call forth the united opposition of all the councils.
If the board does the road-work itself it will become a huge
constructing authority, with a regular mass of workmen to be shifted about the country from Job to Job. Road rollers, traction engines, and rock-crushing machinery will require to be taken from place to place. An army of road surveyors and road engineers will have to travel the country locating and planning roads that are already well known to the councils' engineers.
At the present time the board works on the inexpensive method of employing the councils' trained staffs of engineers and workmen and their road-making plants to do the actual work for them.
If Mr Lang Is serious in proposing that the road Improvement of the State will have to wait until this huge organisation Is got together and placed in units all over the State, then, instead of leading to rapidity in road Improvement, it is probable that it will be some years before the board has become properly organised.
The late Government, in passing the Act, made one of its principal features the fact that the board was to work in co-operation with the councils, and was not going to be another huge department like the Railway Commissioners.
THE ADULT VOTE
The latest announcement that the Government intends to extend the adult franchise to municipalities only (and not Shires) adds another to the mass of inconsistencies surrounding the proposed change.
It can hardly be credited that the Government thinks an adult person in Willoughby Municipality is entitled to a vote, but that if he lives in Ku-ring-gai Shire he is to have no vote.
The real truth of the matter is (if the announcement be authentic) that the Government is scared to fight the massed municipalities and shires, and so it proposes to separate them into two camps and deal with them one after the other. No other reason than expediency could be given for such a division. There are municipalities more of a rural than an urban nature Just as there are shires which, though classified as such, are really large and thriving towns.
There is, of course, no logic in the whole matter. The only reason advanced for the change is the fact that a mere lodger in a town may have some small interest In its welfare. Therefore, says the Government, the man with this slight intangible interest must be given an equal vote with the man whose whole fortune may depend upon the success or failure of town management.
NORTH SHORE BRIDGE.
Should There be a Toll?
(BY A. G. NORDEN.)
The Sydney Morning Herald, Thursday 23rd April 1931
The North Shore Bridge, connecting the northern suburbs with the city of Sydney, places the coping stone on the efforts of several generations of citizens, both of the past and present, whose efforts since occupation by white men have been in the direction of a connecting link, either below the surface or above the waters of the harbour between the north and southern shores of Port Jackson.
Under the Act authorising the erection of the bridge, the cost of the same is to be borne and provided for as follows:
(a) As to two-thirds of the capital cost by the Railway Commissioners; and
(b) As to the other one-third thereof, by means of a special levy at the rate of 1/2d in the £ on the U.C.V. of land in the city of Sydney and In the municipalities of Manly, Mosman, Lane Cove, North Sydney, and Willoughby, and the shires of Ku-ring-gai, Warringah, and part of the shire of Hornsby.
This basis of contribution towards the cost arose out of a compromise amongst the political parties of the State Houses of
Parliament.
There cannot be any doubt that the bridge will prove of great convenience to the suburbs on the northern shore, but it is certainly open to question whether this advantage is of the value of their share of the cost of the resumption of the land and the fabrication and erection of the bridge.
The contract price for the length of 3770ft of bridge was £4,217,721, and it was estimated that the approaches, etc., would cost £1,275,000. We are informed that the structure will cost more than £8,000,000 on completion, which would include the fabrication of the bridge, the land resumptions, building of approaches, the
interest on the capital outlay, and other expenses Incidental thereto, and the creation of a fund, the income from which will cover the repair and upkeep of the structure in perpetuity.
Assuming that this huge sum is the completed cost of the bridge, property owners in the city of Sydney and the municipalities and shires affected will, by the time it is finished, be required to contribute approximately £2,700,000.
It may be mentioned that this Harbour Bridge rate of 1/2d in the £ will continue to be levied until the full amount of the one third of the capital cost of the bridge is paid for.
The Harbour Bridge tax was first levied In 1923, and up to the end of September, 1930, £1,122,064 had been collected. The city of Sydney and the municipalities and shires referred to will, therefore, have over 1.5 million pounds yet to pay for their share of the cost of the bridge. On present real estate values and the prospect of lower values, in view of the depression, it will probably take a further 12 to 15 years for the municipalities to fully pay their quota, a lengthy extension of the period anticipated during which those
municipalities would be burdened with this serious impost.
The question for the consideration, at the present time, of all residents within the city and the municipalities concerned in paying for the one-third share of the cost of the bridge, is whether:
(a) The bridge is likely to prove of such a value as to Justify an outlay of approximately £2,700,000.
(b) Even if it may prove of this value or n lesser or greater sum, should not the users of the bridge contribute some portion of the
share of the cost.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT.
THE PREMIER AND THE ROADS BOARD.
The Sydney Morning Herald, Thursday 23rd July 1925
Mr. Lang's threat that he will cut the councils out of the Roads Board's operations altogether is one which, If he attempts to carry it into effect, will call forth the united opposition of all the councils.
If the board does the road-work itself it will become a huge
constructing authority, with a regular mass of workmen to be shifted about the country from Job to Job. Road rollers, traction engines, and rock-crushing machinery will require to be taken from place to place. An army of road surveyors and road engineers will have to travel the country locating and planning roads that are already well known to the councils' engineers.
At the present time the board works on the inexpensive method of employing the councils' trained staffs of engineers and workmen and their road-making plants to do the actual work for them.
If Mr Lang Is serious in proposing that the road Improvement of the State will have to wait until this huge organisation Is got together and placed in units all over the State, then, instead of leading to rapidity in road Improvement, it is probable that it will be some years before the board has become properly organised.
The late Government, in passing the Act, made one of its principal features the fact that the board was to work in co-operation with the councils, and was not going to be another huge department like the Railway Commissioners.
THE ADULT VOTE
The latest announcement that the Government intends to extend the adult franchise to municipalities only (and not Shires) adds another to the mass of inconsistencies surrounding the proposed change.
It can hardly be credited that the Government thinks an adult person in Willoughby Municipality is entitled to a vote, but that if he lives in Ku-ring-gai Shire he is to have no vote.
The real truth of the matter is (if the announcement be authentic) that the Government is scared to fight the massed municipalities and shires, and so it proposes to separate them into two camps and deal with them one after the other. No other reason than expediency could be given for such a division. There are municipalities more of a rural than an urban nature Just as there are shires which, though classified as such, are really large and thriving towns.
There is, of course, no logic in the whole matter. The only reason advanced for the change is the fact that a mere lodger in a town may have some small interest In its welfare. Therefore, says the Government, the man with this slight intangible interest must be given an equal vote with the man whose whole fortune may depend upon the success or failure of town management.
NORTH SHORE BRIDGE.
Should There be a Toll?
(BY A. G. NORDEN.)
The Sydney Morning Herald, Thursday 23rd April 1931
The North Shore Bridge, connecting the northern suburbs with the city of Sydney, places the coping stone on the efforts of several generations of citizens, both of the past and present, whose efforts since occupation by white men have been in the direction of a connecting link, either below the surface or above the waters of the harbour between the north and southern shores of Port Jackson.
Under the Act authorising the erection of the bridge, the cost of the same is to be borne and provided for as follows:
(a) As to two-thirds of the capital cost by the Railway Commissioners; and
(b) As to the other one-third thereof, by means of a special levy at the rate of 1/2d in the £ on the U.C.V. of land in the city of Sydney and In the municipalities of Manly, Mosman, Lane Cove, North Sydney, and Willoughby, and the shires of Ku-ring-gai, Warringah, and part of the shire of Hornsby.
This basis of contribution towards the cost arose out of a compromise amongst the political parties of the State Houses of
Parliament.
There cannot be any doubt that the bridge will prove of great convenience to the suburbs on the northern shore, but it is certainly open to question whether this advantage is of the value of their share of the cost of the resumption of the land and the fabrication and erection of the bridge.
The contract price for the length of 3770ft of bridge was £4,217,721, and it was estimated that the approaches, etc., would cost £1,275,000. We are informed that the structure will cost more than £8,000,000 on completion, which would include the fabrication of the bridge, the land resumptions, building of approaches, the
interest on the capital outlay, and other expenses Incidental thereto, and the creation of a fund, the income from which will cover the repair and upkeep of the structure in perpetuity.
Assuming that this huge sum is the completed cost of the bridge, property owners in the city of Sydney and the municipalities and shires affected will, by the time it is finished, be required to contribute approximately £2,700,000.
It may be mentioned that this Harbour Bridge rate of 1/2d in the £ will continue to be levied until the full amount of the one third of the capital cost of the bridge is paid for.
The Harbour Bridge tax was first levied In 1923, and up to the end of September, 1930, £1,122,064 had been collected. The city of Sydney and the municipalities and shires referred to will, therefore, have over 1.5 million pounds yet to pay for their share of the cost of the bridge. On present real estate values and the prospect of lower values, in view of the depression, it will probably take a further 12 to 15 years for the municipalities to fully pay their quota, a lengthy extension of the period anticipated during which those
municipalities would be burdened with this serious impost.
The question for the consideration, at the present time, of all residents within the city and the municipalities concerned in paying for the one-third share of the cost of the bridge, is whether:
(a) The bridge is likely to prove of such a value as to Justify an outlay of approximately £2,700,000.
(b) Even if it may prove of this value or n lesser or greater sum, should not the users of the bridge contribute some portion of the
share of the cost.
Ku-ring-gai Clippings Vol 48
Volume 48: Issued Friday 23rd July 2010
A Phenomenal Fall of Hail
The Sydney Morning Herald Wednesday 18th November 1896
In the metropolis yesterday the weather was oppressive. About 5 pm a change came, and the rain fell copiously, 12 points being recorded in the shower. The lightning flashes were very severe, especially over Pennant Hills. The Hon. Mr. Garrard, Minister for Instruction, informed Mr. Russell that while going through Turramurra and Pymble, the country looked as white as though a heavy snowstorm had taken place. In places the hailstones were 2 ft deep. The wind changed in Sydney to south and blew at a force of from 20 to 25 miles an hour.
In connection with the lightning storm, a correspondent sends from Chatswood – “The lightning was very strong here and one of the flashes struck a tree, bursting it into fragments, some of which were picked up 60ft away”.
Progress of the Suburbs
The Sydney Morning Herald Saturday 28thJune 1913
- an extract from this article
The late Robert Pymble was the pioneer orchardist. His orchard was at the side of the Pymble railway station, and here it was learnt for the first time that the district was well adapted for citrus fruits, as well as for the ordinary summer fruits-peaches, apricots, pears, apples, nectarines, etc.
Mr. Pymble imported the first orange seed into the district. It was not long before other orchards sprang into existence, and they were magnificent. Some of the heavy timber remained around them, and protected the orange trees from decimating blasts.
There were no diseases, no blights, no other troubles. Everything in the orchard was lovely, and the branches of the different trees touched each other, although they were planted 22ft apart. Some of the fruit trees grew to a height of from 20ft to 30ft, land were laden with delicious fruit.
CIose by Pymble's orchard was the famous one of the late Hon. Richard Hill. This was one of the show-places of" Sydney, to which Governors and distinguished visitors were driven as a thing not to be missed. Delightful social functions took place under the shade of the old apple trees. Mr. Hill's orchard ran from Pymble to the site of Mr. Carson's residence.
This magnificent orchard was sold by Mr. Hill to Mr. M'Keown for £7500, which gives some idea of the value of a good orchard around Sydney 40 years ago. But not long after, a hail storm, the worst which ever visited Sydney, destroyed that orchard; in a few minutes stripped the heavy fruit-Iaden trees as bare as they are in the dead of winter. On another occasion, in the early days, the residents had a heavy fall of snow, and for the first and only time local people indulged In snowballing near Sydney.
Sydney deluge damages roofs
The Sydney Morning Herald Saturday 28thJune 1913
Phones ran hot today when thousands of Sydney home owners sought repairs to roofs damaged by torrential rains last night
.
Roofing contracts have labour and material for only a fraction of the work, and say they will be kept busy for many weeks ahead.
Heaviest rain fell on the fashionable North Shore suburbs of Wahroonga and Turramurra, where the deluge was four to five inches.
1950 RAIN TOPPED 86 INCHES
The Sydney Morning Herald Monday 1st January 1951
Sydney had 86.33 inches of rain in 1950, breaking the previous
record of 82.76 inches in 1860.
Each year's rainfall is computed at 9 a.m. on December 31.'' Any rain falling later is credited, to the next year.
The Turramurra weather station reported last night a record rainfall of 100.23 inches for 1950.
The previous highest total at Turramurra was 86.05 inches in 1949.
SYDNEY RAINFALL. 1936.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD.
The Sydney Morning Herald Wednesday 20th January 1937
Sir,-In the "Herald's" columns earlier this month prominence was given to the fact that Sydney's rainfall for 1936 was 3036 points and comment was made that this fell short by 17 inches of Sydney's average yearly rainfall. I have for many years kept as a matter of interest a record of the rainfall at Wahroonga, and on adding the total for 1936 there found that it came to 4337. Being struck by the difference of 13 Inches between Sydney and Wahroonga on these records, I checked over from your files the readings recorded for the 12 months for Sydney and Turramurra respectively (as your files did not record the Wahroonga rainfall), and found that for the 12 months the Turramurra total was 4130, and the monthly falls between Wahroonga and Turramurra were fairly similar, but between Sydney and both those suburbs differed considerably.
It has struck me as a matter of Interest that, whilst Sydney's figures indicate a most unusually dry 12 months, the figures of Wahroonga and Turramurra are only four inches and six inches respectively less than the average yearly rainfall. It seems a matter of some interest that the Observatory recordings do not indicate the rainfall received by other parts of the metropolitan area, including suburbs so close to the city as those mentioned.
I am, etc,
TWN
COUNCIL'S NEGLIGENCE
Damages Awarded For Flood
SYDNEY, Tuesday.
The Canberra Times Wednesday 14th July 1937
Expressing the opinion that the Council had acted negligently in
replacing a culvert with a pipe which was too small to take storm water, Mr. Stevenson, P.M., at the Hornsby Small Debts Court to-day, in a reserved decision, gave a verdict for damages totalling £61/14/ with £16/17/ costs in favour of nine plaintiffs against the Kuring-gai Council.
The plaintiffs comprised a father, his two sons and five daughters, and a boarder, were the occupants of a house in Eastern Road, Turramurra, which was flooded with water during the heavy rain on March 7, 1936.
THE FRUIT PESTS BILL.
The Sydney Morning Herald Thursday 10th November 1904
A deputation of fruit growers from the St. Ives and Gordon districts waited yesterday upon the Attorney-General, as member for the district, to ask that he would use his influence against the passing of tho proposed Fruit Pests Bill. Members of the deputation pointed out that they kept their orchards clean and free from pests, and produced the best results, and to impose tho heavy penalties provided In the bill would take the heart out of them. They hoped, therefore, Mr. Wade would do his best to oppose the passage
of the measure.
Tho Attorney-General said as tho bill was introduced by a private member and as they had approached him as member for the district he was free to tell them his views of the bill. Ho did not believe in legislation which would interfere with any individual in the conduct of his business unless strong reasons could be shown for it in the interests of the general public, or unless gross neglect could be shown on the part of the individual.
He knew that they did their best to keep their orchards clean and free from pests, and it would be inflicting hardships upon them to pass the measure into law. The details of the bill were In some instances so very drastic as to merit condemnation. One of its provisions was that if fruit fly was found in a case of fruit when opened for sale the orchardist would be liable to a penalty of £5.
Everybody connected with fruit knows that a case might be packed in the morning showing no signs of disease or fly, and within 24 hours it would have developed. Another clause treated orchardists as criminals, because it cast upon them the onus of disproving their guilt. For those reasons he was prepared to do all that he could to prevent the passage of the bill.
A Phenomenal Fall of Hail
The Sydney Morning Herald Wednesday 18th November 1896
In the metropolis yesterday the weather was oppressive. About 5 pm a change came, and the rain fell copiously, 12 points being recorded in the shower. The lightning flashes were very severe, especially over Pennant Hills. The Hon. Mr. Garrard, Minister for Instruction, informed Mr. Russell that while going through Turramurra and Pymble, the country looked as white as though a heavy snowstorm had taken place. In places the hailstones were 2 ft deep. The wind changed in Sydney to south and blew at a force of from 20 to 25 miles an hour.
In connection with the lightning storm, a correspondent sends from Chatswood – “The lightning was very strong here and one of the flashes struck a tree, bursting it into fragments, some of which were picked up 60ft away”.
Progress of the Suburbs
The Sydney Morning Herald Saturday 28thJune 1913
- an extract from this article
The late Robert Pymble was the pioneer orchardist. His orchard was at the side of the Pymble railway station, and here it was learnt for the first time that the district was well adapted for citrus fruits, as well as for the ordinary summer fruits-peaches, apricots, pears, apples, nectarines, etc.
Mr. Pymble imported the first orange seed into the district. It was not long before other orchards sprang into existence, and they were magnificent. Some of the heavy timber remained around them, and protected the orange trees from decimating blasts.
There were no diseases, no blights, no other troubles. Everything in the orchard was lovely, and the branches of the different trees touched each other, although they were planted 22ft apart. Some of the fruit trees grew to a height of from 20ft to 30ft, land were laden with delicious fruit.
CIose by Pymble's orchard was the famous one of the late Hon. Richard Hill. This was one of the show-places of" Sydney, to which Governors and distinguished visitors were driven as a thing not to be missed. Delightful social functions took place under the shade of the old apple trees. Mr. Hill's orchard ran from Pymble to the site of Mr. Carson's residence.
This magnificent orchard was sold by Mr. Hill to Mr. M'Keown for £7500, which gives some idea of the value of a good orchard around Sydney 40 years ago. But not long after, a hail storm, the worst which ever visited Sydney, destroyed that orchard; in a few minutes stripped the heavy fruit-Iaden trees as bare as they are in the dead of winter. On another occasion, in the early days, the residents had a heavy fall of snow, and for the first and only time local people indulged In snowballing near Sydney.
Sydney deluge damages roofs
The Sydney Morning Herald Saturday 28thJune 1913
Phones ran hot today when thousands of Sydney home owners sought repairs to roofs damaged by torrential rains last night
.
Roofing contracts have labour and material for only a fraction of the work, and say they will be kept busy for many weeks ahead.
Heaviest rain fell on the fashionable North Shore suburbs of Wahroonga and Turramurra, where the deluge was four to five inches.
1950 RAIN TOPPED 86 INCHES
The Sydney Morning Herald Monday 1st January 1951
Sydney had 86.33 inches of rain in 1950, breaking the previous
record of 82.76 inches in 1860.
Each year's rainfall is computed at 9 a.m. on December 31.'' Any rain falling later is credited, to the next year.
The Turramurra weather station reported last night a record rainfall of 100.23 inches for 1950.
The previous highest total at Turramurra was 86.05 inches in 1949.
SYDNEY RAINFALL. 1936.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD.
The Sydney Morning Herald Wednesday 20th January 1937
Sir,-In the "Herald's" columns earlier this month prominence was given to the fact that Sydney's rainfall for 1936 was 3036 points and comment was made that this fell short by 17 inches of Sydney's average yearly rainfall. I have for many years kept as a matter of interest a record of the rainfall at Wahroonga, and on adding the total for 1936 there found that it came to 4337. Being struck by the difference of 13 Inches between Sydney and Wahroonga on these records, I checked over from your files the readings recorded for the 12 months for Sydney and Turramurra respectively (as your files did not record the Wahroonga rainfall), and found that for the 12 months the Turramurra total was 4130, and the monthly falls between Wahroonga and Turramurra were fairly similar, but between Sydney and both those suburbs differed considerably.
It has struck me as a matter of Interest that, whilst Sydney's figures indicate a most unusually dry 12 months, the figures of Wahroonga and Turramurra are only four inches and six inches respectively less than the average yearly rainfall. It seems a matter of some interest that the Observatory recordings do not indicate the rainfall received by other parts of the metropolitan area, including suburbs so close to the city as those mentioned.
I am, etc,
TWN
COUNCIL'S NEGLIGENCE
Damages Awarded For Flood
SYDNEY, Tuesday.
The Canberra Times Wednesday 14th July 1937
Expressing the opinion that the Council had acted negligently in
replacing a culvert with a pipe which was too small to take storm water, Mr. Stevenson, P.M., at the Hornsby Small Debts Court to-day, in a reserved decision, gave a verdict for damages totalling £61/14/ with £16/17/ costs in favour of nine plaintiffs against the Kuring-gai Council.
The plaintiffs comprised a father, his two sons and five daughters, and a boarder, were the occupants of a house in Eastern Road, Turramurra, which was flooded with water during the heavy rain on March 7, 1936.
THE FRUIT PESTS BILL.
The Sydney Morning Herald Thursday 10th November 1904
A deputation of fruit growers from the St. Ives and Gordon districts waited yesterday upon the Attorney-General, as member for the district, to ask that he would use his influence against the passing of tho proposed Fruit Pests Bill. Members of the deputation pointed out that they kept their orchards clean and free from pests, and produced the best results, and to impose tho heavy penalties provided In the bill would take the heart out of them. They hoped, therefore, Mr. Wade would do his best to oppose the passage
of the measure.
Tho Attorney-General said as tho bill was introduced by a private member and as they had approached him as member for the district he was free to tell them his views of the bill. Ho did not believe in legislation which would interfere with any individual in the conduct of his business unless strong reasons could be shown for it in the interests of the general public, or unless gross neglect could be shown on the part of the individual.
He knew that they did their best to keep their orchards clean and free from pests, and it would be inflicting hardships upon them to pass the measure into law. The details of the bill were In some instances so very drastic as to merit condemnation. One of its provisions was that if fruit fly was found in a case of fruit when opened for sale the orchardist would be liable to a penalty of £5.
Everybody connected with fruit knows that a case might be packed in the morning showing no signs of disease or fly, and within 24 hours it would have developed. Another clause treated orchardists as criminals, because it cast upon them the onus of disproving their guilt. For those reasons he was prepared to do all that he could to prevent the passage of the bill.
Ku-ring-gai Clippings Vol 47
Volume 47: Issued Friday 16th July 2010
STORM IN SUBURBS. WORKMAN KILLED.
Property Damaged.
Sydney Morning Herald Wednesday 24th November 1926
One workman was killed and his companion seriously injured when a flash of lightning struck them at Killara yesterday afternoon, during a storm which swept over tho metropolitan area, causing damage to property, particularly In the northern suburbs.
The men were:
KILLED.
John Mercer Baxter, aged 39 years, of 102 Alfred-street, North Sydney.
INJURED.
Jack Seeny, aged 39 years, of the same address.
The two men were working as labourers on a large bungalow being erected in Springdale road, Killara, by Mr. C. A. Millyard of Milner- crescent, Wollstonecraft, and only that morning they had been engaged to commence work.
When the sky became overcast, and it seemed that a storm was brewing, Mr. Mlllyard. with his workmen, sheltered In a nearby shed. Little rain fell, however, and they returned to work.
Mr. Millyard was with his foreman, C. Brown, of Granville, and Baxter and Seeny, although only a few yards away, were obscured by a corner of the foundations, which were about 8 feet high.
"Suddenly there was a tremendous explosion," said Mr. Mlllyard, in relating his experiences, "and we were amazed and shaken. We were nearly knocked off our feet, which were tingling strangely as if the ground was charged with electricity. We both saw a puff of smoke rise from the place where we believed Baxter and Seeny to be working, and sensing that they had been hurt, we ran round the corner of the foundation together.
"Baxter was lying on one side of the foundation and Seeny on the other. The former was lying very still and inert. There was a red mark, like a bruise or a burn, on the side of his face, and his hair had been singed. His trousers were hanging in shreds, and the heels of his boots had been torn off.
"Seeny was prostrate, and was groaning as if in pain. He was unconscious, though as we touched him he moaned, 'Lift me up,' and later again lapsed into unconsciousness."
Medical aid was summoned, but Baxter was found to be dead. It was ascertained last night that Seeny had regained consciousness.
FIRE AT PYMBLE.
NEWSAGENT'S SHOP.
Sydney Morning Herald Friday 15th October 1926
An outbreak of fire, which occurred In the chop of Henry John Drosten, confectioner and newsagent, in Lane Cove-road, Pymble, yesterday morning, caused severe damage to the contents.
On discovering the fire the occupants made vain attempts to extinguish it, but were driven out of the shop by the heat. The building was of two storeys, but the Gordon fire brigade confined the outbreak to the ground floor.
The premises, which were insured, were owned by Mr. Roy Mitchell, also of Lane Cove-road, Pymble.
TOLL OF THE STORM.
Eight Lives Lost.
ENORMOUS DAMAGE TO PROPERTY.
COASTAL SHIPPING CEASES.
Sydney Morning Herald Wednesday 20th April 1927
Tragic accidents occurred during the storm that swept over
Sydney on Monday night. Eight lives were lost, and enormous damage to property was done.
Great areas were submerged yesterday morning.
Mountainous seas were running off the coast, and interstate
shipping was abandoned.
At Pymble and Enfield a large number of buildings were severely
damaged.
Residents of Manly were in a serious plight. Owing to the heavy seas running through the Heads the ferry service ceased, and the tram service failed. Buses were the only means of transport.
The storm centre is now between Newcastle and Lord Howe Island, moving east. Further rain and southerly winds today are predicted.
BIG ELECTRIC STORM
Sydney Morning Herald Thursday 4th November 1943
Tramway Shelter Struck
The tramway waiting shed at Central Square was struck by lightning during a brief but severe electrical storm over the city and suburbs last night.
Houses at Pymble, Bondi and Marrickville were struck and the motor of a tram near Mosman wharf was burned out.
Lightning struck electric cables in the city and suburbs causing power failures for brief periods.
Several persons were sheltering in the shed in Central Square when it was struck. Some of them were enveloped in a blue glow but no one was injured although some suffered from shock.
The roof of the shed caught fire but the fire brigade extinguished the flames.
HOMES STRUCK
After having struck the top of a big gum tree in Bungalow Avenue Pymble, one vivid flash of lightning struck the tiled roof of the home of Mr K C Hardy in Merrivale Road 100 yards away. Several tiles were shattered.
Mrs Hardy said that she was having tea with her son Richard aged 7 when the roof was struck. There was an explosion which shook the house. The electric light faded out and then came on again. She and her son ran outside but found that apart from tiles no damage had been caused.
The top of the gum tree was completely shattered and pieces of timber and bark were hurled hundreds of yards.
STORM IN SUBURBS. WORKMAN KILLED.
Property Damaged.
Sydney Morning Herald Wednesday 24th November 1926
One workman was killed and his companion seriously injured when a flash of lightning struck them at Killara yesterday afternoon, during a storm which swept over tho metropolitan area, causing damage to property, particularly In the northern suburbs.
The men were:
KILLED.
John Mercer Baxter, aged 39 years, of 102 Alfred-street, North Sydney.
INJURED.
Jack Seeny, aged 39 years, of the same address.
The two men were working as labourers on a large bungalow being erected in Springdale road, Killara, by Mr. C. A. Millyard of Milner- crescent, Wollstonecraft, and only that morning they had been engaged to commence work.
When the sky became overcast, and it seemed that a storm was brewing, Mr. Mlllyard. with his workmen, sheltered In a nearby shed. Little rain fell, however, and they returned to work.
Mr. Millyard was with his foreman, C. Brown, of Granville, and Baxter and Seeny, although only a few yards away, were obscured by a corner of the foundations, which were about 8 feet high.
"Suddenly there was a tremendous explosion," said Mr. Mlllyard, in relating his experiences, "and we were amazed and shaken. We were nearly knocked off our feet, which were tingling strangely as if the ground was charged with electricity. We both saw a puff of smoke rise from the place where we believed Baxter and Seeny to be working, and sensing that they had been hurt, we ran round the corner of the foundation together.
"Baxter was lying on one side of the foundation and Seeny on the other. The former was lying very still and inert. There was a red mark, like a bruise or a burn, on the side of his face, and his hair had been singed. His trousers were hanging in shreds, and the heels of his boots had been torn off.
"Seeny was prostrate, and was groaning as if in pain. He was unconscious, though as we touched him he moaned, 'Lift me up,' and later again lapsed into unconsciousness."
Medical aid was summoned, but Baxter was found to be dead. It was ascertained last night that Seeny had regained consciousness.
FIRE AT PYMBLE.
NEWSAGENT'S SHOP.
Sydney Morning Herald Friday 15th October 1926
An outbreak of fire, which occurred In the chop of Henry John Drosten, confectioner and newsagent, in Lane Cove-road, Pymble, yesterday morning, caused severe damage to the contents.
On discovering the fire the occupants made vain attempts to extinguish it, but were driven out of the shop by the heat. The building was of two storeys, but the Gordon fire brigade confined the outbreak to the ground floor.
The premises, which were insured, were owned by Mr. Roy Mitchell, also of Lane Cove-road, Pymble.
TOLL OF THE STORM.
Eight Lives Lost.
ENORMOUS DAMAGE TO PROPERTY.
COASTAL SHIPPING CEASES.
Sydney Morning Herald Wednesday 20th April 1927
Tragic accidents occurred during the storm that swept over
Sydney on Monday night. Eight lives were lost, and enormous damage to property was done.
Great areas were submerged yesterday morning.
Mountainous seas were running off the coast, and interstate
shipping was abandoned.
At Pymble and Enfield a large number of buildings were severely
damaged.
Residents of Manly were in a serious plight. Owing to the heavy seas running through the Heads the ferry service ceased, and the tram service failed. Buses were the only means of transport.
The storm centre is now between Newcastle and Lord Howe Island, moving east. Further rain and southerly winds today are predicted.
BIG ELECTRIC STORM
Sydney Morning Herald Thursday 4th November 1943
Tramway Shelter Struck
The tramway waiting shed at Central Square was struck by lightning during a brief but severe electrical storm over the city and suburbs last night.
Houses at Pymble, Bondi and Marrickville were struck and the motor of a tram near Mosman wharf was burned out.
Lightning struck electric cables in the city and suburbs causing power failures for brief periods.
Several persons were sheltering in the shed in Central Square when it was struck. Some of them were enveloped in a blue glow but no one was injured although some suffered from shock.
The roof of the shed caught fire but the fire brigade extinguished the flames.
HOMES STRUCK
After having struck the top of a big gum tree in Bungalow Avenue Pymble, one vivid flash of lightning struck the tiled roof of the home of Mr K C Hardy in Merrivale Road 100 yards away. Several tiles were shattered.
Mrs Hardy said that she was having tea with her son Richard aged 7 when the roof was struck. There was an explosion which shook the house. The electric light faded out and then came on again. She and her son ran outside but found that apart from tiles no damage had been caused.
The top of the gum tree was completely shattered and pieces of timber and bark were hurled hundreds of yards.
Ku-ring-gai Clippings Vol 46
Volume 46: Issued Friday 9th July 2010
KILLED IN LORRY ACCIDENT
Sydney Morning Herald Tuesday 24th February 1942
Gilvanni Teseriero, 35, of Ayers Street, St. Ives, received a fracture of the skull, from which he died in the Hornsbv Hospital last night, when the lorry he was driving overturned in Pittwater Road, Pymble, yesterday.
Rosirio Gaticino, 44, and Margaret Teseriero, 14, passengers in the lorry, received injuries. They were taken by Central Distric Ambulance to Hornsby Hospital.
BRIDGE WANTED AT GORDON.
Sydney Morning Herald Friday 3rd August 1906
A deputation from Gordon and St. Ives requested the Minister for Works to construct a bridge over a deep ravine, so as to connect the two municipalities in a more satisfactory manner. The work could be carried out within a quarter of a mile of Gordon station, and would have the effect of opening up hundreds of acres of fine Crown lands for cultivation.
Mr. Lee said there seemed to be no justification for the expenditure of such a large sum as £1768, which would be the amount required for the erection of the bridge and the formation of roads. That was exclusive of land resumptions, but, as one of tho speakers had stated that the owners of property would give sufficient for the purpose, that objection had been disposed of. There were, however, several matters to be determined, and he would advise them later as to his decision.
DEATH FROM TETANUS
Sydney Morning Herald Tuesday 12th September 1933
John Walker, 52, died from tetanus In the Mater Misericordiae Hospital, North Sydney, yesterday. He had been living In a camp In the bush near Glenview and Bridge streets Gordon, and when he became ill some days ago was removed to hospital by the police.
Sergeant Durham, of North Sydney, has been endeavouring to trace the man's relatives.
PYMBLE BRIDGE.
Sydney Morning Herald Thursday 6th February 1936
The Kuring-gai Council had before it at its last meeting a report from its engineer (Mr. Price) which stated that, in view of the frequency of accidents on the overhead bridge at Pymble, the bridge should be widened.
Council decided to ask the Department of Main Roads to make provision for this work on its next year's estimates.
PERSONAL NOTES.
Brisbane Courier Saturday 3rd March 1917
Private Clive Whitpaine, who enlisted with A Company, 25th Battalion, has been missing since July 29. His sister (Miss A. Whitpaine, Pittwater-road, St. Ives, via Pymble, N.S.W.) would be glad if any returned soldier having information regarding Private Whitpaine, or persons receiving letters from soldiers taken prisoner on that date, would communicate with her.
TWO HIT-RUN REPORTS.
Sydney Morning Herald Monday 5th October 1936
Police are inquiring into two cases where men were critically Injured, allegedly by motor drivers who drove on after the accidents.
Maurice Scott, 27, of Pittwater-road, St. Ives, was found lying near a crossroad leading into Telegraph-road, St. Ives, at 6.30 on Saturday night.
His smashed push bicycle was on the road 100 yards away. Scott had the calf of one of his legs almost torn off, and he was bleeding profusely. Near him was the blood-stained rim of a motor car head lamp, which indicated that the car that struck him was a modern streamline car.
Central District Ambulance took Scott to the Hornsby Hospital, and though he was operated on immediately, his condition last night was still serious. Police have ascertained that not long before he was found on the road, a car passed the spot travelling at a fast speed towards Sydney.
Funerals
Sydney Morning Herald Thursday 30th August 1928
Thorpe – The Relatives and Friends of Mr. William Thorpe, Miss Ruth Thorpe and Mr. Donald Thorpe are kindly invited to attend the funeral of their late beloved Mother, Christina, to leave her late residence Nardo, Pittwater Road St. Ives, THIS THURSDAY at 1.30 pm for Presbyterian Cemetery, Gore Hill, Motor Funeral.
WOOD COFFILL LIMITED
Motor Funeral Directors
Deaths
Sydney Morning Herald Monday 14th July 1913
Gaukrodger – July 13th 1913 at his late residence, Parkhill, Pittwater-road St. Ives, James, beloved husband of Rosina Mildred Gaukrodger, aged 42 years.
FIRE AT KILLARA.
Two People Injured.
Sydney Morning Herald Monday 16th November 1931
In removing a motor truck from a burning garage at the rear of William Hogg's grocery store, Lane Cove-road, Killara, late last night, John Hogg, 32, son of the proprietor, and Mrs. Mary Patterson, a daughter, received bums, about the hands and arms.
They succeeded in saving the truck, but a motor car In the garage was almost destroyed. The injured people were treated by a local doctor.
Firemen from Gordon and Chatswood subdued the outbreak.
MRS. JOHN COOK.
Sydney Morning Herald Monday 16th November 1931
Mrs. John Cook, whose funeral took place on Friday at St. John's cemetery, Gordon, had resided at Grassmere Cottage, Lane Cove road, Killara, for 60 years.
She was born on the Lane Cove in 1850, and was married during 1870. Mrs. Cook, in her younger days, before the Watson line of omnibuses began running, frequently had to walk to North Sydney for supplies. Later In life she opened the first store In the Lindfield-Killara district, which was then known as Gordon.
Mrs. Cook often spoke of the days when the postal address was St. Leonards, and when neighbours were few and far between. She took a deep interest in gardening, and was one of the first to plant camellia trees in the higher Lane Cove. For many years every visitor coming to her house on her birthday was handed a white or pink flower to wear in her honour.
The chief mourners were- Mr. and Mrs. Chappell, Miss Cook, Miss Maude Cook, Mr. and Mrs. Holmes, Mr. and Mrs. Webster, and Mr. and Mrs. Riddell. The Rev. L. J. Macdonald officiated at St. Albans, Lindfield, and also at the graveside.
MR. JOSEPH BICKELL.
Sydney Morning Herald Monday 7th July 1930
Mr Joseph Bickell who died at his home In Lane Cove road Killara on Thursday was burled at St Johns cemetery on Saturday afternoon.
Mr Bickell was one of Lane Cove’s most expert workers in stone. In all he cut stone for 1000 foundations.
Mr Bickell resided at Killara for 60 years. His father went to Lane Cove in the late sixties and took up a holding on the main road north of where Treatts-road begins. His land ran eastward to Nelson-road and adjoined Mr W Johnston’s home and orchard at the northern boundary line. The old camellia trees which are conspicuous today on Bickell corner were carried Into the wilds by Mr Bickell’s father who purchased them from Messrs Robert and William Henderson, whose nursery in those days was located in Henderson-road Alexandria.
As a lad of 10 Mr Bickell many a time carried bunches of carnations to town for his father, walking both ways. The most popular route to town at that time was by pulling-boat from Fiddens wharf, a little below Redbank, on the Lane Cove River. Mr Bickell saw the face of the countryside change from giant blackbutt, stringybark and turpentines to orange, strawberry and peach orchards and after that to two-story villas and modern bungalows.
Tile chief mourners were –William, Charles and David Blckell (sons) Joseph, Albert and Richard Lipscombe and William J Bicknell nephews).
Among others present were - Messrs P Cook, A Peck, W Lane, V Kendall, S Pearce, J J Chappell, J Mullane, L Gospel, F Oatliff, W Wheeler, T Elford, W Wilks, T Waterhouse, J Cook, W Hammond, G Hammond, K Wilks, P Cook, E Linigan, E Greenwood, J Baker, S Porter, R Blanchard, G Hanson, F Sadler, R Humphreys, W Malcolm, A H Sadler, M West, N E Sadler, A Archlbold, D Archlbold, J Egan R Maslin, H Waterhouse, G Shoran, E Scully, W McKay, T Reynolds, E Jones, E Dessaix, T R Scully, E Tayford-Jones, J McMahon, D Coleman, J Coleman, H Catliff, J G Lockley and G Shewing.
The Rev L J McDonald officiated at the graveside.
KILLED IN LORRY ACCIDENT
Sydney Morning Herald Tuesday 24th February 1942
Gilvanni Teseriero, 35, of Ayers Street, St. Ives, received a fracture of the skull, from which he died in the Hornsbv Hospital last night, when the lorry he was driving overturned in Pittwater Road, Pymble, yesterday.
Rosirio Gaticino, 44, and Margaret Teseriero, 14, passengers in the lorry, received injuries. They were taken by Central Distric Ambulance to Hornsby Hospital.
BRIDGE WANTED AT GORDON.
Sydney Morning Herald Friday 3rd August 1906
A deputation from Gordon and St. Ives requested the Minister for Works to construct a bridge over a deep ravine, so as to connect the two municipalities in a more satisfactory manner. The work could be carried out within a quarter of a mile of Gordon station, and would have the effect of opening up hundreds of acres of fine Crown lands for cultivation.
Mr. Lee said there seemed to be no justification for the expenditure of such a large sum as £1768, which would be the amount required for the erection of the bridge and the formation of roads. That was exclusive of land resumptions, but, as one of tho speakers had stated that the owners of property would give sufficient for the purpose, that objection had been disposed of. There were, however, several matters to be determined, and he would advise them later as to his decision.
DEATH FROM TETANUS
Sydney Morning Herald Tuesday 12th September 1933
John Walker, 52, died from tetanus In the Mater Misericordiae Hospital, North Sydney, yesterday. He had been living In a camp In the bush near Glenview and Bridge streets Gordon, and when he became ill some days ago was removed to hospital by the police.
Sergeant Durham, of North Sydney, has been endeavouring to trace the man's relatives.
PYMBLE BRIDGE.
Sydney Morning Herald Thursday 6th February 1936
The Kuring-gai Council had before it at its last meeting a report from its engineer (Mr. Price) which stated that, in view of the frequency of accidents on the overhead bridge at Pymble, the bridge should be widened.
Council decided to ask the Department of Main Roads to make provision for this work on its next year's estimates.
PERSONAL NOTES.
Brisbane Courier Saturday 3rd March 1917
Private Clive Whitpaine, who enlisted with A Company, 25th Battalion, has been missing since July 29. His sister (Miss A. Whitpaine, Pittwater-road, St. Ives, via Pymble, N.S.W.) would be glad if any returned soldier having information regarding Private Whitpaine, or persons receiving letters from soldiers taken prisoner on that date, would communicate with her.
TWO HIT-RUN REPORTS.
Sydney Morning Herald Monday 5th October 1936
Police are inquiring into two cases where men were critically Injured, allegedly by motor drivers who drove on after the accidents.
Maurice Scott, 27, of Pittwater-road, St. Ives, was found lying near a crossroad leading into Telegraph-road, St. Ives, at 6.30 on Saturday night.
His smashed push bicycle was on the road 100 yards away. Scott had the calf of one of his legs almost torn off, and he was bleeding profusely. Near him was the blood-stained rim of a motor car head lamp, which indicated that the car that struck him was a modern streamline car.
Central District Ambulance took Scott to the Hornsby Hospital, and though he was operated on immediately, his condition last night was still serious. Police have ascertained that not long before he was found on the road, a car passed the spot travelling at a fast speed towards Sydney.
Funerals
Sydney Morning Herald Thursday 30th August 1928
Thorpe – The Relatives and Friends of Mr. William Thorpe, Miss Ruth Thorpe and Mr. Donald Thorpe are kindly invited to attend the funeral of their late beloved Mother, Christina, to leave her late residence Nardo, Pittwater Road St. Ives, THIS THURSDAY at 1.30 pm for Presbyterian Cemetery, Gore Hill, Motor Funeral.
WOOD COFFILL LIMITED
Motor Funeral Directors
Deaths
Sydney Morning Herald Monday 14th July 1913
Gaukrodger – July 13th 1913 at his late residence, Parkhill, Pittwater-road St. Ives, James, beloved husband of Rosina Mildred Gaukrodger, aged 42 years.
FIRE AT KILLARA.
Two People Injured.
Sydney Morning Herald Monday 16th November 1931
In removing a motor truck from a burning garage at the rear of William Hogg's grocery store, Lane Cove-road, Killara, late last night, John Hogg, 32, son of the proprietor, and Mrs. Mary Patterson, a daughter, received bums, about the hands and arms.
They succeeded in saving the truck, but a motor car In the garage was almost destroyed. The injured people were treated by a local doctor.
Firemen from Gordon and Chatswood subdued the outbreak.
MRS. JOHN COOK.
Sydney Morning Herald Monday 16th November 1931
Mrs. John Cook, whose funeral took place on Friday at St. John's cemetery, Gordon, had resided at Grassmere Cottage, Lane Cove road, Killara, for 60 years.
She was born on the Lane Cove in 1850, and was married during 1870. Mrs. Cook, in her younger days, before the Watson line of omnibuses began running, frequently had to walk to North Sydney for supplies. Later In life she opened the first store In the Lindfield-Killara district, which was then known as Gordon.
Mrs. Cook often spoke of the days when the postal address was St. Leonards, and when neighbours were few and far between. She took a deep interest in gardening, and was one of the first to plant camellia trees in the higher Lane Cove. For many years every visitor coming to her house on her birthday was handed a white or pink flower to wear in her honour.
The chief mourners were- Mr. and Mrs. Chappell, Miss Cook, Miss Maude Cook, Mr. and Mrs. Holmes, Mr. and Mrs. Webster, and Mr. and Mrs. Riddell. The Rev. L. J. Macdonald officiated at St. Albans, Lindfield, and also at the graveside.
MR. JOSEPH BICKELL.
Sydney Morning Herald Monday 7th July 1930
Mr Joseph Bickell who died at his home In Lane Cove road Killara on Thursday was burled at St Johns cemetery on Saturday afternoon.
Mr Bickell was one of Lane Cove’s most expert workers in stone. In all he cut stone for 1000 foundations.
Mr Bickell resided at Killara for 60 years. His father went to Lane Cove in the late sixties and took up a holding on the main road north of where Treatts-road begins. His land ran eastward to Nelson-road and adjoined Mr W Johnston’s home and orchard at the northern boundary line. The old camellia trees which are conspicuous today on Bickell corner were carried Into the wilds by Mr Bickell’s father who purchased them from Messrs Robert and William Henderson, whose nursery in those days was located in Henderson-road Alexandria.
As a lad of 10 Mr Bickell many a time carried bunches of carnations to town for his father, walking both ways. The most popular route to town at that time was by pulling-boat from Fiddens wharf, a little below Redbank, on the Lane Cove River. Mr Bickell saw the face of the countryside change from giant blackbutt, stringybark and turpentines to orange, strawberry and peach orchards and after that to two-story villas and modern bungalows.
Tile chief mourners were –William, Charles and David Blckell (sons) Joseph, Albert and Richard Lipscombe and William J Bicknell nephews).
Among others present were - Messrs P Cook, A Peck, W Lane, V Kendall, S Pearce, J J Chappell, J Mullane, L Gospel, F Oatliff, W Wheeler, T Elford, W Wilks, T Waterhouse, J Cook, W Hammond, G Hammond, K Wilks, P Cook, E Linigan, E Greenwood, J Baker, S Porter, R Blanchard, G Hanson, F Sadler, R Humphreys, W Malcolm, A H Sadler, M West, N E Sadler, A Archlbold, D Archlbold, J Egan R Maslin, H Waterhouse, G Shoran, E Scully, W McKay, T Reynolds, E Jones, E Dessaix, T R Scully, E Tayford-Jones, J McMahon, D Coleman, J Coleman, H Catliff, J G Lockley and G Shewing.
The Rev L J McDonald officiated at the graveside.
Friday, September 3, 2010
Ku-ring-gai Clippings Vol 45
Volume 45:
GORDON PUBL1C SCHOOL.
The Sydney Morning Herald Friday 14th December 1894
The annual distribution of prizes took place at the Gordon Public school yesterday in tho presence of a large gathering of friends and relatives of the pupils. Mr. P. F. Richardson, J.P., chairman of the local school board, presided. The prizes were distributed by Mr. J. F. Cullen, who afterwards delivered a short address, in which he complimented Mr. H. L. Fry and his assistant teachers on the greatly improved status of the school. The chairman and the Rev. Raymond King, M. A., also delivered speeches.
Man Jammed Against Rail Platform
The Sunday Herald Sunday 5th November 1950
Norman Whitfield, 54, of Gilroy Road, Turramurra, was critically injured late last night when he fell while trying to board a moving train at Killara station.
Whitfield slipped and fell between the carriage and the platform.
The guard, who saw him fall, applied the emergency brake immediately.
Whitfield, however, was jammed and the train rolled him along the side of the platform for several yards.
Central District Ambulance took him to the Royal North Shore Hospital.
COLONEL NORMAN WHITFIELD
The Sydney Morning Herald Monday 6th November 1950
Colonel Norman Harold Whitfield, of Gilroy Road, Turramurra, died in the Royal North Shore Hospital yesterday, aged 54.
Colonel Whitfield was critically injured on Saturday night when he fell between a moving train and the platform at Killara station.
During the first World War he received his commission in the field at the age of 19 and later won the M.C. and Bar.
Early in the second World War he served in Malaya, and in 1941 he became Director-General of Recruiting.
In 1942 Colonel Whitfield became senior liaison officer of the American and Australian forces.
He unsuccessfully contested the Watson electorate as a U.A.P. candidate against Mr. Max Falstein in the 1943 elections.
He was a foundation member of the Lakes Golf Club and for three years was club captain. He was the immediate past president of the club.
Further notes: Norman Harold Whitfield was a distinguished soldier and citizen. For more about him see
http://ninglun.wordpress.com/2007/04/27/late-anzac-day-thoughts/
IMPUDENT THEFT.
THIEVES ENTER POUCE STATION.
The Brisbane Courier Thursday 6th January 1927
The depredations of thieves at North Sydney culminated in the impudent and audacious entry of a police station at Killara on Tuesday night. The thieves entered tho police station by a back door, and stole a pair of trousers belonging to a constable. Robberies have been reported from widely separated localities in North Sydney, and goods valued at over £200 have been stolen. The robberies were mostly household crimes, entry being effected by forcing doors or windows, or breaking the front door leadlights sufficiently to allow of the door being unlatched from the outside.
HELD BY WIRE.
Car Suspended over Cutting.
OCCUPANTS ESCAPE.
The Sydney Morning Herald Friday 1st March 1935
Three men escaped with slight Injuries last night when a motor car plunged through a fence at an overhead bridge near Pymble railway station and hung suspended over a cutting by a wire, which had caught round the windscreen.
Nick Hadzi, of Crown-street, Darlinghurst, who Jumped from the moving car when he saw it heading for the fence, had his left thigh injured, Jerry Coras, of Brougham-street, Darlinghurst, suffered abrasions to his chest, while the driver and owner of the car, Leo Lynch, of Campbell-street, city, was not injured, although a post crashed through the wind- screen and struck the steering wheel.
The bridge has been the scene of several accidents. Pacific Highway, a wide road descending a hill from Hornsby, becomes narrower as it turns to pass over the bridge. On one occasion a fire engine crashed through the fence, and other vehicles have also struck it.
Constable Evans, of the Chatswood police, was informed that Lynch was driving down the hill. When he was about to take the turn, he applied the brakes, and the car skidded. It headed for the fence.
Hadzi leapt to the road and fell heavily. The car shattered four panels of the fence. A post crashed through the windscreen and struck the steeling wheel, but Lynch's fingers were not caught.
About half the car was over the edge of the drop, when a wire, which had become caught between the windscreen and the bonnet, took the strain and held the car.
Column 8
The Sydney Morning Herald Wednesday 21st March 1951
At Pymble Station free parking space is provided by the Kuring-gai Council. At the nearby stations of Gordon and Turramurra the railways charge 1/.
Pymble's parking space is always crowded, but it's rare to see a car in the Turramurra area and there are generally no more than a couple at Gordon. Pymble motorists are now growling about people further up the line coming down to pinch their free space.
Ku-ring-gai Clippings Vol 44
Volume 44:
PERSONAL
The Sydney Morning Herald Wednesday 24th September 1924
Mr. H. L. Fry, headmaster of the Gordon Public School, who retired on Monday, was last evening entertained at the Gordon Picture Theatre by the residents of the district and the pupils of the school. Mr, Fry was presented with a wallet of notes, and Mrs. Fry was presented with a piece of silver-plate.
BY ORDER OF THE MORTGAGEE
The Sydney Morning Herald Saturday 27th October 1928
OF ESPECIAL INTERERST TO INVESTORS, SPECULATORS and
COMPANY PROMOTORS
- - GORDON -
“THE GORDON PICTURE THEATRE”
JOHN STREET (EAST SIDE)
A few yards South of McIntosh- street
Right at Gordon Station
THE BUILDING is substantially constructed of brick and reinforced concrete (cemented front) on reinforced concrete foundations having Malthoid and iron roof, and comprising – GROUND FLOOR: Awning in front vestibule entrance, (floor paved with terrazzo), two (2) shops, managers office, and auditorium with orchestra well, stage, two (2) dressing rooms, and two (2) lavatories. FIRST FLOOR: Dress circle with reinforced concrete staircases, (covered with terrazzo), biograph room, re-winding room, and storeroom. FOYER FLOOR: Reinforced concrete staircases (covered with terrazzo) leading to the GROUND FLOOR. The Theatre is modern, and has seating accommodation for 1500 persons.
TORRENS TITLE
THE LAND has a frontage of about 98 ft to the East Side of John –street, a few yards South of McIntosh –street, by a depth of about 320 ft on the north side and 301ft on the south side.
Further details can be obtained on application.
Coming Events
The Sydney Morning Herald Wednesday 12th February 1936
As a gesture of goodwill to Miss Joan Hammond from residents of the North Shore line, it is proposed to hold a concert at the King's Theatre, Gordon, placed at the disposal of the committee by the management, to augment the fund for sending Miss Hammond abroad to continue her studies in singing.
Mr. Norman Cowper will preside at the preliminary meeting to arrange the concert at the Masonic Hall, Turramurra, on February 19, at 8 p.m.
The following information was provided by a family friend, Mrs. Corinne Cowper:
“Mr Norman Cowper later became Sir Norman Cowper. He was a partner in Allen, Allen & Hemsley (now Allen, Arthur, Robinson) and was responsible for growing the practice after WWII. Sir Norman passed away in 1987. See
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norman_Lethbridge_Cowper and http://www.aar.com.au/about/his.htm.
His younger daughter, Janet Hay, was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia for her work for The National Trust in the latest Queens’ Birthday honours.”
Coming Events
The Sydney Morning Herald Tuesday 18th February 1936
Arrangements for an entertainment to be held at the King's Theatre, Gordon, on March 19, for the fund established by Miss Leo Wray, at the wish of Lady Gowrie, to send abroad Miss Joan Hammond, will be made at a meeting at the Masonic Hall, Turramurra, at 8 p.m.
tomorrow.
Mr. Norman Cowper will preside at this meeting, which has been convened by Mrs. J. B. Stevenson, Mrs. Robert Dixson. Mrs. A. H. O'Connor, and Miss Heather McCulloch.
Miss Hammond is considered by many critics to have exceptional musical ability and a great operatic career ahead of her.
SUCCESSFUL CONCERT
For Miss Hammond.
The Sydney Morning Herald Friday 20th March 1936
So many cars and people were arriving at the concert for Miss Joan Hood-Hammond held at the King’s Theatre Gordon last night that many policemen were kept busy parking cars and clearing the entrance for the eleven hundred people who came to hear Miss Hammond sing before she leaves for Vienna, by The Dagfred on April 4 to further her studies abroad.
A colourful note was provided in the hall by the flower sellers with their fragrant posies sold to augment the Joan Hammond fund and the coronets of fresh blooms which the sellers wore in their hair. Sweets were also sold in the interval
Among the early arrivals were Miss Hammond’s parents Mr and Mrs Hood-Hammond the latter wearing a moulded gown of lime green cloque which she covered with a Chinese embroidered coat. They were accompanied by their sons, Messrs Len and Tony Hood-Hammond. Miss Hammond wore a beige lace frock with short cape sleeves and long gloves to match. She was accompanied at the piano by Miss Lute Drummond who wore a frock of embossed silver lame.
Among those in the audience were General and Mrs A T Anderson the latter in a black gown covered with a rust velvet coat; Mr and Mrs Robert Dixson, she in a black georgette lace gown; Sir Hugh and Lady Poynter, Lady Poynter wearing black blistered crepe trimmed with silver fox; Miss Arthur O’Connor also In black; Rear Admiral J B Stevenson and Mrs Stevenson in black lace; Mrs Hubert Fairfax; Mr and Mrs T S McKay; Miss Heather McCulloch; Miss Leo Wray; Sir John and Lady Butters; Mr and Mrs John Adamson; Mr and Mrs George Dale; Dr and Mrs Percy Ash; Mrs G Waterhouse; Miss Marjorie Hambridge; Mrs A K Harvey; Mr and Mrs Lefebvre; Miss Nellie Lefebvre; Mr and Mrs David Maughan; Mr Justice Boyce and his daughter; Mrs Alan Smith; Mrs M McNeil; Mr and Mrs T M Haslett Major and Mrs Forbes; Mr and Mrs Eric Campbell; Mrs J D Hemphill; Misses, E H Fraser, M Partridge and M Forrest.
Further notes: Joan Hammond (later Dame Joan) attended Pymble Ladies college and excelled at both sports and music. As well as becoming a noted international opera singer she won the Women’s NSW State golf championship on three occasions. For more info see
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joan_Hammond
SCHOOL'S DIAMOND JUBILEE.
ADDRESS TO KING.
The Sydney Morning Herald Saturday 30th May 1936
At the Empire Day celebration by the Gordon Public School, in the King's Theatre, Gordon, It was announced that this coincided with the diamond Jubilee of the school.
The president of the Parents' and Citizens' Association (Mr. Brown) said it was thought fitting that the children should mark the occasion by sending an address to the King.
The address, which expressed loyalty to the throne and person of his Majesty, and prayed that he might long reign in peace and
happiness, would, Mr. Brown added, be signed, on behalf of the children of the school, by the pupils who came top of their classes in the recent examinations-11 in all. It would then be countersigned by the headmaster (Mr. Jennings).
Ku-ring-gai Clippings Vol 43
Volume 43: Issued Thursday 17th June 2010
KILLARA OPENING.
The Sydney Morning Herald Saturday 4th April 1931
The official opening of the new greens at Killara by the president of the New South Wales Bowling Association has been fixed for next Saturday. Twelve rinks will be opened for the entertainment or 96 players, including rinks from the contiguous clubs.
KILLARA CELEBRATIONS.
The Sydney Morning Herald Wednesday 29th November 1933
The Killara Club will hold a luncheon in the club house today in connection with the opening of the new club house celebrations. Following the luncheon an invitation four ball, best ball v par competition will be held.
St. Ives
The Sydney Morning Herald Saturday 17th January 1925
Although situated within 15 miles of Sydney, the St. Ives district has for five years past held an annual show, in which the varied products of the district have attracted wide interest. The little village of St. Ives is only two or three miles from Gordon and Pymble, and the quality of the fruit and vegetables grown in the district compares more than favourably with simitar products from many other districts.
The annual show, which opened yesterday at Hassell Park, St. Ives, is conducted by the Northern Suburbs A. and H. Association. The heavy rain caused the abandonment of the ring programme, but with fine weather today a large number of hunting, trotting, and other ring events will be decided.
The single farm exhibit made by Mr. R. Shinfield was a striking and admirably arranged display of the varied resources of the district. The exhibit comprises citrus and summer fruits, a wide range of vegetables, fodder crops (sheaves and grain), preserved fruit, and also a very creditable sample of cotton grown in the district.
Tho fruit displays were particularly attractive. There were four trophies for the Symington Cup for the best display of fruit grown in St. Ives, and Mr. W. Hensman (87 points) was placed first. The other exhibitors in the class were Messrs, H. Shinfield, W. G. Russell, and C. A. Martin. The prize for the best collection of summer fruit was won by Mr. H. Williams (Richmond), the other competitors being Messrs W. Hensman and H. Britton, both of St. Ives. The Norman McIntosh Cup for the best collection of fruit grown in Kuring-gai Shire, was again won by Mr. Fred Chilton, who now retains the cup.
MR. MILNE AT ST. IVES.
The Sydney Morning Herald Thursday 15th September 1938
Mi. Milne, the other endorsed U.A P. candidate, speaking at St, Ives last night, said he was strongly opposed to the suggestion that the wheat farmers should not be protected by a home consumption price for their wheat. It was very necessary that they should be encouraged. The wheat-grower could not produce his crop under about 3/- a bushel, delivered at the country siding, and it was only fair that something should be done for him when world's parity dropped to about 1/8.
"If a price is not fixed there is no doubt that many of our wheat farmers will be driven off the land," he added.
Speaking on taxation, Mr. Milne said that income tax should be levied only on the net amount, after deducting payments for wages tax and special income tax, thus avoiding a tax upon taxes. The wages tax and special income tax, too, should be reduced, with a view to an early abolition of both.
He added that he would seek to have railway fares on the North Shore line reduced, with a progressive policy of feeder bus services to enable residents to make their homes away from the railway line, where land was cheaper. Railway season ticket-holders on the North Shore line should be exempt from toll when crossing the Sydney Harbour bridge as passengers in motor cars.
MARTIN.
MR. PRATTEN AT ST. IVES.
The Sydney Morning Herald Monday 4th June 1928
Mr. F. Graham Pratten, the endorsed Nationalist candidate for Martin, addressed a meeting in the Methodist School Hall at St. Ives, on Saturday night. Councillor Dorsman presided, and Mr. Parkhill, M. P., also spoke.
The meeting was the largest political gathering held in St. Ives.
Mr. Pratten spoke of the achievements of the Bruce-Page Government during the past two years, and referred particularly to the financial situation. He said that from a financial point of view there was no alternative but to sell the Commonwealth line of steamers.
The Nationalist campaign will be officially opened tomorrow evening in the Drummoyne Masonic Hall, when Senator Sir George Pearce will support Mr. Pratten. Other speakers will be Mr R. B. Orchard and Brigadier General Lloyd.
EDUCATION FOR LEISURE.
JUBILEE OF ST. IVES SCHOOL.
Sydney Morning Herald Monday 29th May 1939
Mr H. B. Turner, M L A, who presided over the jubilee celebrations of the St Ives School on Saturday, said that more time should be given in educating children so that later they could employ their leisure to full advantage.
“We must,” he said “teach children not only how to earn a living. The educational system must concentrate more and more on developing school clubs, libraries and workshops. An additional year at school to permit the inclusion of these in the curriculum would enrich the after lives of countless thousands.”
Mrs Violet Higson, who cut the birthday cake was one of the scholars enrolled on the first day the school was opened. Mr Tailor, an inspector, who was one of the first pupil teachers at St. Ives School, recalled having to walk, to and from Pymble each day in all weather.
Mrs Reynolds, the first pupil teacher, met a number of her former scholars many of whom came from country towns to take part in the celebrations.
Mrs H. E. Turner hoisted a flag which had been sent out from St. lves Cornwall, as a jubilee gift. A flag previously in use came from the English town 30 year ago.
Messages That Made Wireless History
The Argus, Thursday 5th July 1934
The mayor of Kuring gai (Alderman Selby) presented to his council last night facsimiles of the first two direct wireless messages sent from Great Britain to Australia. The souvenirs were sent to the mayor by Mr. E. T. Fisk, managing director of Amalgamated Wireless (Australasia) Ltd., who received the messages on his wireless research station at Wahroonga in the Kuring gai municipality, on September 22, 1918.
Mr. Fisk said that the scientific research carried out at Wahroonga in 1918 led to a beam wireless service being established on April 8, 1027. The two messages were sent from the Marconi Co.'s trans-Atlantic station at Carnarvon, Wales, by Mr. Hughes, M.H.R., then Prime Minister, and Sir Joseph Cook, then Minister for the Navy.
TELEVISION.
Mr. E. T. Fisk's Address.
The Sydney Morning Herald Wednesday 8 January 1936
The chairman of directors of Amalgamated Wireless (Aust.), Ltd. (Mr. E. T. Fisk), in a broadcast address last night, said that it would be at least three years, and probably 10 years, before television reached the same stage of efficiency as broadcasting.
Mr. Fisk, who recently returned from a tour abroad, said that he had witnessed demonstrations of television In England, and the effect was like that of a talking picture. The time was coming when television would be in the homes of the people, but the time was not yet. There were many technical difficulties in the way, but advances were being made.
Another interesting experiment was that of a scientist who had established that certain disturbances on the earth carne from the Milky Way. This experiment suggested that some day it might be possible to communicate with the planets, yet that might be very doubtful because they were still unaware whether intelligent beings inhabited any of the planets with whom communication could be established.
Television
The Sydney Morning Herald Tuesday 16th January 1951
Sir,-I read with interest your somewhat contused article (Jan. 13) on the impending evils of television.
It is unlikely that television will be able to oust the cinema, because most people go to the "pictures" for an evening out, and, although the thrill of owning a television set may keep them at home for a while, sensible folk will soon give it its proper place on the house- hold agenda.
As to the "frenzy" to which some American families have been driven, it is ridiculous to judge a whole nation by the behaviour of an hysterical minority, who are obviously bringing up their children with no discipline whatever, anyway.
If the writer of the article considers that watching a play develops a conflict between eye and ear, what does he think about the theatre and cinema? In England many members of the British Broadcasting Corporation drama and repertory companies have appeared with notable success on the television screen.
I am looking forward to the advent of television in Australia, and, although I deplore the possibility of commercial programmes, I am convinced that television will bring immense pleasure into many
outback districts.
In any event, television is progress. Where did I read that slogan, "Advance Australia Fair?"
(Miss) KAY WALLACE. Neutral Bay.
Television
The Sydney Morning Herald Friday 19th January 1951
Sir,-Surely your correspondent Miss K. Wallace (16/1/'51) is herself suffering from confusion, when she states so definitely "In any event television is progress."
So far as the user is concerned, television is merely another
ingenious push-button contrivance making changes, but whether changes that may be correctly described as "progress" is a matter of opinion.
It might be said that many of the ingenious inventions of the past 30 years have resulted in increasing individual human disablement, and in the pleasures, interests, and affairs of most people being so largely controlled or supplied in such pre digested tabloid form that the capacity to originate anything either mentally or manually has deteriorated.
Television appears to be another edition of the kind of thing that does not stimulate individual development.
ANTHONY R. MIDDLEMISS. Toronto.
Television
The Sydney Morning Herald Monday 15th September 1952
Sir,-I support the suggestion of the Australian Council for the World Council of Churches for an inquiry by a responsible committee into the possible use of television in Australia.
There is one phase of the matter which seems to have escaped public attention but which is of pre-eminent importance at this stage to Australia's development.
That is, that whatever human effort and money is put into this activity will not be available for other use.
We are far behind in providing all the fundamental public needs -houses, hospitals, schools, water supply and conservation,
transport, sewerage, power, and so on.
Yet apparently we are considering embarking upon a new activity, much less needed than any of these, and devoted primarily to entertainment.
Surely we need the more fundamental things first and should be devoting our financial and physical resources to them rather than considering the luxury of television until at least the former are in measurable sight of being provided?.
T. H. UPTON.
Killara.
Sir,-Surely the Government is aware of the likely economic impact on Australian industry if television falls into the hungry maw of commercial interests.
The cost of any article necessarily includes its proportion of all overhead charges, including advertising.
It is not unnatural to assume that television advertised products will become more expensive.
Do we want this trend in Australia at a time of inflation?
B. W. WOODSTOCK.
Collaroy
KILLARA OPENING.
The Sydney Morning Herald Saturday 4th April 1931
The official opening of the new greens at Killara by the president of the New South Wales Bowling Association has been fixed for next Saturday. Twelve rinks will be opened for the entertainment or 96 players, including rinks from the contiguous clubs.
KILLARA CELEBRATIONS.
The Sydney Morning Herald Wednesday 29th November 1933
The Killara Club will hold a luncheon in the club house today in connection with the opening of the new club house celebrations. Following the luncheon an invitation four ball, best ball v par competition will be held.
St. Ives
The Sydney Morning Herald Saturday 17th January 1925
Although situated within 15 miles of Sydney, the St. Ives district has for five years past held an annual show, in which the varied products of the district have attracted wide interest. The little village of St. Ives is only two or three miles from Gordon and Pymble, and the quality of the fruit and vegetables grown in the district compares more than favourably with simitar products from many other districts.
The annual show, which opened yesterday at Hassell Park, St. Ives, is conducted by the Northern Suburbs A. and H. Association. The heavy rain caused the abandonment of the ring programme, but with fine weather today a large number of hunting, trotting, and other ring events will be decided.
The single farm exhibit made by Mr. R. Shinfield was a striking and admirably arranged display of the varied resources of the district. The exhibit comprises citrus and summer fruits, a wide range of vegetables, fodder crops (sheaves and grain), preserved fruit, and also a very creditable sample of cotton grown in the district.
Tho fruit displays were particularly attractive. There were four trophies for the Symington Cup for the best display of fruit grown in St. Ives, and Mr. W. Hensman (87 points) was placed first. The other exhibitors in the class were Messrs, H. Shinfield, W. G. Russell, and C. A. Martin. The prize for the best collection of summer fruit was won by Mr. H. Williams (Richmond), the other competitors being Messrs W. Hensman and H. Britton, both of St. Ives. The Norman McIntosh Cup for the best collection of fruit grown in Kuring-gai Shire, was again won by Mr. Fred Chilton, who now retains the cup.
MR. MILNE AT ST. IVES.
The Sydney Morning Herald Thursday 15th September 1938
Mi. Milne, the other endorsed U.A P. candidate, speaking at St, Ives last night, said he was strongly opposed to the suggestion that the wheat farmers should not be protected by a home consumption price for their wheat. It was very necessary that they should be encouraged. The wheat-grower could not produce his crop under about 3/- a bushel, delivered at the country siding, and it was only fair that something should be done for him when world's parity dropped to about 1/8.
"If a price is not fixed there is no doubt that many of our wheat farmers will be driven off the land," he added.
Speaking on taxation, Mr. Milne said that income tax should be levied only on the net amount, after deducting payments for wages tax and special income tax, thus avoiding a tax upon taxes. The wages tax and special income tax, too, should be reduced, with a view to an early abolition of both.
He added that he would seek to have railway fares on the North Shore line reduced, with a progressive policy of feeder bus services to enable residents to make their homes away from the railway line, where land was cheaper. Railway season ticket-holders on the North Shore line should be exempt from toll when crossing the Sydney Harbour bridge as passengers in motor cars.
MARTIN.
MR. PRATTEN AT ST. IVES.
The Sydney Morning Herald Monday 4th June 1928
Mr. F. Graham Pratten, the endorsed Nationalist candidate for Martin, addressed a meeting in the Methodist School Hall at St. Ives, on Saturday night. Councillor Dorsman presided, and Mr. Parkhill, M. P., also spoke.
The meeting was the largest political gathering held in St. Ives.
Mr. Pratten spoke of the achievements of the Bruce-Page Government during the past two years, and referred particularly to the financial situation. He said that from a financial point of view there was no alternative but to sell the Commonwealth line of steamers.
The Nationalist campaign will be officially opened tomorrow evening in the Drummoyne Masonic Hall, when Senator Sir George Pearce will support Mr. Pratten. Other speakers will be Mr R. B. Orchard and Brigadier General Lloyd.
EDUCATION FOR LEISURE.
JUBILEE OF ST. IVES SCHOOL.
Sydney Morning Herald Monday 29th May 1939
Mr H. B. Turner, M L A, who presided over the jubilee celebrations of the St Ives School on Saturday, said that more time should be given in educating children so that later they could employ their leisure to full advantage.
“We must,” he said “teach children not only how to earn a living. The educational system must concentrate more and more on developing school clubs, libraries and workshops. An additional year at school to permit the inclusion of these in the curriculum would enrich the after lives of countless thousands.”
Mrs Violet Higson, who cut the birthday cake was one of the scholars enrolled on the first day the school was opened. Mr Tailor, an inspector, who was one of the first pupil teachers at St. Ives School, recalled having to walk, to and from Pymble each day in all weather.
Mrs Reynolds, the first pupil teacher, met a number of her former scholars many of whom came from country towns to take part in the celebrations.
Mrs H. E. Turner hoisted a flag which had been sent out from St. lves Cornwall, as a jubilee gift. A flag previously in use came from the English town 30 year ago.
Messages That Made Wireless History
The Argus, Thursday 5th July 1934
The mayor of Kuring gai (Alderman Selby) presented to his council last night facsimiles of the first two direct wireless messages sent from Great Britain to Australia. The souvenirs were sent to the mayor by Mr. E. T. Fisk, managing director of Amalgamated Wireless (Australasia) Ltd., who received the messages on his wireless research station at Wahroonga in the Kuring gai municipality, on September 22, 1918.
Mr. Fisk said that the scientific research carried out at Wahroonga in 1918 led to a beam wireless service being established on April 8, 1027. The two messages were sent from the Marconi Co.'s trans-Atlantic station at Carnarvon, Wales, by Mr. Hughes, M.H.R., then Prime Minister, and Sir Joseph Cook, then Minister for the Navy.
TELEVISION.
Mr. E. T. Fisk's Address.
The Sydney Morning Herald Wednesday 8 January 1936
The chairman of directors of Amalgamated Wireless (Aust.), Ltd. (Mr. E. T. Fisk), in a broadcast address last night, said that it would be at least three years, and probably 10 years, before television reached the same stage of efficiency as broadcasting.
Mr. Fisk, who recently returned from a tour abroad, said that he had witnessed demonstrations of television In England, and the effect was like that of a talking picture. The time was coming when television would be in the homes of the people, but the time was not yet. There were many technical difficulties in the way, but advances were being made.
Another interesting experiment was that of a scientist who had established that certain disturbances on the earth carne from the Milky Way. This experiment suggested that some day it might be possible to communicate with the planets, yet that might be very doubtful because they were still unaware whether intelligent beings inhabited any of the planets with whom communication could be established.
Television
The Sydney Morning Herald Tuesday 16th January 1951
Sir,-I read with interest your somewhat contused article (Jan. 13) on the impending evils of television.
It is unlikely that television will be able to oust the cinema, because most people go to the "pictures" for an evening out, and, although the thrill of owning a television set may keep them at home for a while, sensible folk will soon give it its proper place on the house- hold agenda.
As to the "frenzy" to which some American families have been driven, it is ridiculous to judge a whole nation by the behaviour of an hysterical minority, who are obviously bringing up their children with no discipline whatever, anyway.
If the writer of the article considers that watching a play develops a conflict between eye and ear, what does he think about the theatre and cinema? In England many members of the British Broadcasting Corporation drama and repertory companies have appeared with notable success on the television screen.
I am looking forward to the advent of television in Australia, and, although I deplore the possibility of commercial programmes, I am convinced that television will bring immense pleasure into many
outback districts.
In any event, television is progress. Where did I read that slogan, "Advance Australia Fair?"
(Miss) KAY WALLACE. Neutral Bay.
Television
The Sydney Morning Herald Friday 19th January 1951
Sir,-Surely your correspondent Miss K. Wallace (16/1/'51) is herself suffering from confusion, when she states so definitely "In any event television is progress."
So far as the user is concerned, television is merely another
ingenious push-button contrivance making changes, but whether changes that may be correctly described as "progress" is a matter of opinion.
It might be said that many of the ingenious inventions of the past 30 years have resulted in increasing individual human disablement, and in the pleasures, interests, and affairs of most people being so largely controlled or supplied in such pre digested tabloid form that the capacity to originate anything either mentally or manually has deteriorated.
Television appears to be another edition of the kind of thing that does not stimulate individual development.
ANTHONY R. MIDDLEMISS. Toronto.
Television
The Sydney Morning Herald Monday 15th September 1952
Sir,-I support the suggestion of the Australian Council for the World Council of Churches for an inquiry by a responsible committee into the possible use of television in Australia.
There is one phase of the matter which seems to have escaped public attention but which is of pre-eminent importance at this stage to Australia's development.
That is, that whatever human effort and money is put into this activity will not be available for other use.
We are far behind in providing all the fundamental public needs -houses, hospitals, schools, water supply and conservation,
transport, sewerage, power, and so on.
Yet apparently we are considering embarking upon a new activity, much less needed than any of these, and devoted primarily to entertainment.
Surely we need the more fundamental things first and should be devoting our financial and physical resources to them rather than considering the luxury of television until at least the former are in measurable sight of being provided?.
T. H. UPTON.
Killara.
Sir,-Surely the Government is aware of the likely economic impact on Australian industry if television falls into the hungry maw of commercial interests.
The cost of any article necessarily includes its proportion of all overhead charges, including advertising.
It is not unnatural to assume that television advertised products will become more expensive.
Do we want this trend in Australia at a time of inflation?
B. W. WOODSTOCK.
Collaroy
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