Ku-ring-gai Clippings
Being a collection of 19th and 20th century newspaper articles with a connection to the Municipality of Ku-ring-gai.
Editor: R. N. Whitaker
email: whitsend1@optushome.com.au
Volume 13 – issued 23rd December 2009
CHURCH AT ST. IVES.
Sydney – The Sydney Morning Herald, Wednesday 8th August 1906.
A movement has been started to erect a Church of England at St. lves, on a site on the Pittwater road. Several meetings been held, and it has now been decided to proceed with the proposal. Tho estimated cost of the church is £300, towards which £50 is already in hand. At present the nearest church is at Gordon, a distance of some three miles from the chosen site. St Ives is the centre of a rich fruit bearing country.
SERGEANT HICKEY’S DEATH.
ORCHARDIST COMMITTED FOR MURDER.
EVIDENCE AT THE INQUEST
Sydney – The Mercury, Friday 16th May 1913
As the result of the inquest today, tho City Coroner committed Thomas Edwin Brown, orchardist, aged 50, for trial on a charge of having feloniously and maliciously murdered Sergeant Hickey at Pymble on May 1. Brown was present in custody.
Editors note: The shooting took place at Browns Orchard, opposite the site of present-day Canisius College.
It was shown that death had resulted from a bullet wound in the body.
Constable Ambrose Barkley stated in evidence that he accompanied Sergeant Hickey to Brown’s place to execute commitment warrants. Brown asked “Do you want to see me?” Hickey said “Yes Tom; I have those commitment warrants and I want money or I shall take you to Darlinghurst Gaol today. Brown said the warrant was illegal. Brown, on reaching the house walked though into the dining room and Hickey and the witness followed.
Brown said, as they reached the door “Go back, you can’t come in here, it’s illegal”. Witness said “You will consider yourself under arrest. I am here for a legal purpose.” Witness placed his right hand on Brown’s right shoulder and he raised his hand and threw it off. Hickey closed with Brown, and placed his hands on Brown’s shoulders.
Witness proceeded: “Brown immediately fired three shots at the sergeant with a revolver which he held in his right hand. Hickey fell. Thos Brown jun.
called out “Hey” and sprang me from the back door. I put up my right hand and stopped him. Edwin Brown jun. at the same moment sprang between me and his father. He came from behind his brother. Brown fired another shot and struck his son Edwin on the left wrist. Hickey was lying on the floor. Brown’s sister and daughter then rushed in with their arms extended and pushed Brown into a bedroom and slammed the door. I sprang outside the back door and drew my revolver. I saw Brown a little later in company with another man. I covered Brown saying “Put up your hands.” Brown said “It’s all right.” I said “You have finished the poor old sergeant, Where is the revolver?”
He said “I gave it to my son at the house. I am sorry. 1 am prepared to die. I am glad my mother is dead.”
Constable Neale said that when asked why he had shot the sergeant, Brown replied “I was assaulted and did it in self defence. I cannot get justice from tho law courts. The magistrates say “Sit down”. I am very sorry. 1 am prepared to die.
Edwin Brown said in evidence Hickey grabbed my father by the back of the neck with both hands. They struggled and Hickey threw father on the bed. Shots were fired. Hickey pointed his revolver at father.
In reply to a question, witness said he carried a revolver on the morning of the tragedy; he carried it for target practice.
GORDON.
Sydney – The Sydney Morning Herald, Friday 6th September 1907
In the Gordon electorate the only opponent of Mr. C. G. Wade, the State Attorney General, is the Labour candidate, Mr. S. E. Hutton. There is no reason to fear the defeat of the Minister. His position now is infinitely stronger than at the last general election, when he was opposed by Mr. A. M. Porter, the Labour nominee, whom he defeated by 2242 votes, polling 3115 to his opponent's 873. Mr. S. E. Hutton in 1904 contested the Lane Cove sent in opposition to Mr. David Foil, and suffered defeat by 1533 votes.
On the present occasion It is considered that Mr. Hutton will put up a better fight than Mr. Porter did, as he is locally better known, and, besides, is an alderman of the Willoughby Council, and has a moderate personal following. Mr. Hutton has received great help from the leader of the Labour party and other prominent members of the party, and no doubt will receive fair support in Willoughby, but beyond that his most sanguine well-wishers can hardly anticipate a heavy poll In his favour. Without doubt the Liberal majority will be a solid one, and there is no fear of the seat falling into the hands of the Opposition. Both candidates have vigorously canvassed the doctorate, and held numerous meetings.
GORDON PUBLIC SCHOOL.
Sydney – The Sydney Morning Herald, Friday 14th August 1908
On Wednesday a deputation representing tho Gordon Parents' Association waited on the Minister for Public Instruction, and asked that the Gordon Public School should be converted into a Superior school, on the ground that at the present time it was virtually doing tho work of such an Institution. Mr. Hogue, in reply, slated that as there was not a sufficient number of scholars in the classes above the fifth in the school, it was not in his power to grant the request.
Editor’s comment: A view of the school, circa 1900, can be seen here:
http://acms.sl.nsw.gov.au/item/itemLarge.aspx?itemID=11217
GORDON ORCHESTRAL SOCIETY.
Sydney – The Sydney Morning Herald, Saturday 3rd December 1904
This evening the Gordon Orchestral Society, under Mr. H. H. Rice, will give the third concert of their season at the Pymble Hall, when the programme will include the overtures to 'Le Nozze di Figaro" and "Stradella." The soloists will be Miss Bruce (soprano), Miss Dora Hill (pianist), and Mr W. H. R. Woods
(basso).
SCHOOL CONCERT AT GORDON.
Sydney – The Sydney Morning Herald, Monday 19th November 1894
A concert in aid of the prize fund of the Gordon Public School took place on Saturday evening in the Wesleyan School Hall, Gordon. Mr. J. F. Cullen, M.L.A., presided. At the interval the head master announced that the pupil teacher (Miss Bromly) and a number of the senior scholars had prepared a surprise for Mr. Cullen, in recognition of his interest in tho school.
Miss Nellie Smyth then read an address, which was presented to Mr. Cullen by Miss Elsie Fry, together with a beautifully worked silk handkerchief sachet.
Mr. Cullen acknowledged the present. Tho programme was excellently carried out, and several of the performers secured encores. The children sang songs under tho direction of their teacher (Mr. H. L. Fry). Those who contributed to the programme wore Miss Kate Smith, Mr. A. A. Smith, Miss Amy Simpson, Mr. J. Reid, Mr. F. Lewis, and Miss L. Greville.
GORDON RAILWAY STATION.
Sydney – The Sydney Morning Herald, Friday 10th September 1909
The Chief Commissioner for Railways has approved the erection of an overhead bridge at Gordon. A deputation asked for a subway, but the railway officials consider that a subway would give no better facilities, and would cost £4000, as against £1800 for the bridge. A request of the deputation to have the bridge approached by ramps instead of steps was granted.
Editor’s comments: This would seem to explain the preference for overhead bridges on stations along the North Shore line. Also a possible explanation for the ramps at Gordon Station compared to the stairs at other stations such as Pymble and Killara.
A view of the station, taken before the bridge can be seen here:
http://acms.sl.nsw.gov.au/item/itemLarge.aspx?itemID=170081
A view of the station, taken from the bridge in 1924 can be seen here
http://acms.sl.nsw.gov.au/item/itemLarge.aspx?itemID=184458
GORDON DISTRICT CLUB.
Sydney – The Sydney Morning Herald, Monday 22nd July 1912
The seventh annual report of the Gordon District Club reveals a disappointing 1911-12 season. The first grade team did not win a match outright, and only won three on the first innings, finishing the season at the bottom of the list. Trumper, Macartnev, Iredale and Johnston were frequently absent, which proved a severe handicap. Macartney secured the batting average with 44, and the bowling average with 18.55. Financially the dub's position is not satisfactory, the year’s operations showing a debit balance.
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