Volume 35: Issued Thursday 22nd April 2010
PIONEER FAMILY.
Death of Descendant of Early Colonists.
The Sydney Morning Herald, Wednesday 4th July 1934
The death occurred at Pymble on Sunday of Mrs. T. H. Wright-Jackson, who was a granddaughter of one of the first children born in the new colony of New South Wales Mrs. Wright-Jackson, before her marriage, was Miss Teale, a well-known headmistress
of State schools.
Mrs. Wright-Jackson was a great-grand- daughter of John and Susannah Kable, who arrived as free settlers with Governor Phillip in 1788, and who were married in the open air at Sydney Cove soon after landing. Their daughter, Diana (one of the first children born in the new colony and to whom the Governor made an extensive land grant on that account), was married to John Teale, the first miller at Windsor. The old mill was convict-built, and was worked by 48 horses in shifts of 16 and with the aid of 50 convicts.
Mrs. Wright-Jackson's father, Henry (a younger son of John Teale), was in charge of the party which went overland with the first mob of cattle from New England to Adelaide, and he was also present at the Eureka stockade riot.
On her mother's side, Mrs. Wright-Jackson's great-grandmother was one of the earliest Hawkesbury settlers, and portion of the old home in which she was born still stands on land which was granted as a refuge for settlers on the lowlands in times of flood, which, in those early days, devastated many miles of farming lands on the Hawkesbury.
Mrs. Wright-Jackson was headmistress at Orange and Bathurst, and retired from a similar position at Blackfriars on her marriage in 1886. She was esteemed in the Pymble district for her philanthropic and church work. She is survived by her husband and two daughters.
MUNICIPAL COUNCIL NOTICES
The Sydney Morning Herald Thursday 9th January 1913
THE COUNCIL OF KU RING GAI SHIRE.
NOTICE REQUIRING THE REMOVAL ON AN ENCROACHMENT OR OBSTRUCTION FROM PART OF NANCARROW OR KILLEATON ROAD,
ST.IVES.
To R. E. NANCARROW, of 363 Crown street. Surry Hills, the Owner of portion 406, Parish of Gordon, County of Cumberland.
Take notice that parts of Nancarrow or Killeaton Road, St Ives, being the boundary road, 100 links, and slightly variable in width, separating portion 89 from portion 90, end of road portion 406, and part of portion 446, Parish of Conlon, County of Cumberland, east and west of the main Pittwater road, have been re-marked, and the Council of Ku-ring-gal Shire requires under the provisions of Section 82 of the Local Government Act, No 56, of 1906 as amended and added to by Section 12 of the Amending Act, No 28, of 1908, that the encroachment or obstruction, being a fence, on the said Nancarrow or Killeaton Road along the northern boundary of your portion 406 from Pittwater-road easterly to a boundary road, known as Yarrabung-road, he removed within sixty days from the date of this notice.
If such encroachment or obstruction is not effectually removed within the said specified time the Council will cause it to be removed at your expense.
By order of the Council
J. A. GILROY,
Shire Clerk.
Council-chambers,
Gordon, 8th January, 1913
KU-RING-GAI MUNICIPAL COUNCIL
Sydney Morning Herald Thursday 8th November 1951
NOXIOUS PLANTS
NOTICE OF ENTRY TO OWNER
AHD/OR OOCUPIER
ORDNANCE 50
To The Trustee Estate late A E Kibble of Unknown Address
Description or situation of land to which notice relates -
Lot 7. Deposited Plan No 8896,
Catalpa Crescent TURRAMURRA
Notice la hereby given In accordance with Section 474(1) of the Local Government Act 1919, as amended by subsequent Acts, that as the Council Is satisfied that you are not reasonably and effectively complying with the requirements of a notice under Section 473 of the Act published In "Sydney Morning Herald on 14th September 1951 in relation to the eradication of noxious plants from the land described above, the Council by its servants or agents proposes to enter upon such land for the purpose of taking adopting, or doing the prescribed means, measures, methods or acts for or with respect to the eradication of such noxious plants.
The Act provides that any costs and expenses reasonably incurred by the Council in the exercise of its powers under Section 474(1) of the Act shall, on demand, be repaid to the Council by the person to whom this notice Is given and may be recovered from such person by the Council as a debt.
N. L. GRIFFITHS
Town Clerk
6th November 1951
Ku-ring-gai Council's Office
Pacific Highway GORDON
MUNICIPAL AND SHIRE NOTICES.
MUNICIPALITY OF KU-RING-GAI.
ALTERATION OF NAMES OF ROADS.
Thursday 27th August 1936
IT IS HEREBY NOTIFIED that the Council of the Municipality of Ku-ring-gai proposes to apply for the approval of the Minister for Works and Local Government to the Alteration of the Names of the following Roads:
Wahroonga Ward: Adam-street, connecting Duff street to Holmes-street. New name, Allen-avenue.
Wahroonga Ward: Allen-avenue, connecting Holmes-street, to Flnlay-road. New name, Denman-street.
Wahroonga Word; Bruce-avenue, off Douglas-street
(Fox Volley-road). New name, Campbell-st.
Wahroonga Ward: Cooranga-strect, between Bobbin Head and Bannockburn roads. New name, Canberra-avenue.
Wahroonga Ward: Park-parade, off The Chase road, near Katlna-street. New name, Colia street.
Wahroonga Ward: Park-street, in extension of Wahroonga-avenue to Boundary-street. New name. Wahroonga-avenue.
Gordon Ward: Bridge-road, across Elgin-street to Glenview-street, East Gordon. New name, Baldwin-street.
Gordon Ward: Golf Links-road, Pittwater-road, to Pentecost Highway. New name, Fairway avenue.
Gordon Ward: Woodland-avenue, Pittwater-road to Kulgoa-road. New name, Anderson-avenue.
Killara Ward: Davidson-parade, near Middle Harbour.
New name. Musgrave-avenue.
Killara Ward: Links-avenue, off Fidden's Wharf road.
New name. Ellsmore-avenue,
Killara Ward: Northcote-road, Slade-avenue to Nelson-road.
New name, Slade-avenue.
Killara Ward: Ridge-road, off Crown Subdivision.
New name, Robinson-street.
Killara Ward: Thomas-street, Werona-avenue to Arthur-street.
New name, Forsyth-street.
Roseville Ward: Davidson-street, near Middle Harbour.
New name. Allard-avenue.
Objections to the proposed names may be lodged with the Council by any Elector of the area within one month after publication of this notice. Such objections will not be in order unless they give
reasons.
Authorised by resolution of the Council on the twenty-first day of July, 1936
A.H. HIRST, Town Clerk.
Council Chambers. Gordon.
18th August 1936
MOTORING NEWS
Thursday 14th February 1929
AUSTRALIAN MORRIS - THE 14 hp Cowley tested ON PYMBLE HILL
From a standing start the car quickly got into top gear, and ascended the easy grades of Burns Bay-road and along the Gordon
road to Pymble, where the next test hill was found.
Pymble Hill is historic as having been the testing place where the ability of the first car imported into Sydney was demonstrated, and it is still a good one, although not nearly as severe as it was for the cars of a quarter of a century ago.
Today it is more a test of the picking-up power of the engine, as there is an S-bend over a railway bridge at the beginning of the steepest part. The car was climbing very strongly in top gear until blocked by other traffic, and a change to second gear had hastily to be made.
For the rest of the afternoon there was little incident, the car proving, itself tractable and powerful enough to negotiate
everything in top gear until on the return journey another essay was made at the climb up the steepest hill In Baulkham Hills. This
unfortunately was spoiled when going very well by exhaustion of petrol.
A photograph of a 1929 Morris Cowley can be seen here
http://www.motorbase.com/profiles/picture/index.ehtml?i=688177056%3Bs=Morris%20Cowley%3Bp=0
PYMBLE HILL
The Sydney Morning Herald Saturday 6th January 1912
ON THE BEAUTIFUL RIDGE NORTH OF THE RAILWAY STATION, commanding MOST EXTENSIVE VIEWS of tho CITY and INTERVENING COUNTRY.
5 ACRES, 1 ROOD, 14 PERCHES.
A SPLENDID SITE, having a large frontage to the north side of the TELEGRAPH-ROAD, and to a Road on the eastern end, and between Station- street and the Stony Creek-road, situated opposite Dunneverick, the residence of E. W. Kingston, Esq., and in the neighbourhood of other highly improved properties.
TORRENS TITLE.
Messrs. ALLEN, ALLEN, and HEMSLEY, Martin-place,
Solicitors to the Owners.
RICHARDSON and WRENCH, Ltd., will sell by auction, at the Rooms, 96 Pitt-street, on FRIDAY, 19th January at 11.30 am.
The above RESIDENTIAL SITE at PYMBLE, the attractive suburb on the North Shore Line. Plan on view at the Rooms._(6044)
Skeleton Of Man Found In Burnt Bush
The Sydney Morning Herald Monday 10th March 1952
The skeleton of Frederick Bromley, about 50, was found yesterday, a year after the man was reported missing.
Mr. Albert Hamley, of Eucalyptus Street, St. Ives was walking through the bush near his home when he found the skeleton in burnt-out scrub.
Bromley's son, Colin Bromley, of Gilroy Avenue, Turramurra, identified the skeleton from the teeth and parts of the trousers.
The dead man's home was a shack in bush near St. Ives.
Police said they were satisfied that Bromley's death was from natural causes.
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Ku-ring-gai Clippings Vol 34
Volume 34: Issued Wednesday 14th April 2010
SYDNEY TELEPHONE NUMBERS
In the early 1900’s Sydney telephone numbers were a sequence of three or four numbers, sometimes accompanied by letters and exchange identifiers, as with these 1915 examples;
P Kirby and Sons, Funeral Directors
7 Elizabeth St. City
Telephone City 6975 or 2077
Ernest A. Wood, Funeral Director
623 Darling St. Rozelle
Telephone W 1573
Spring and Cooper, Real Estate Agents
Belmore Road Randwick
Telephone 455
Jas. Chambers, Architect
Anderson’s Buildings
Parkes Street Ryde
Telephone 39 Ryde
Later, up until the late 1950’s, telephone numbers across Sydney were prefixed by two letters, followed by a number sequence.
The Ku-ring-gai area was prefixed with the letter “J”, and other areas had their own letters. Some examples of 1950’s telephone numbers are given here:
Enfield: UJ5096
Bondi: FM3758
Clovelly: FX4019
Mosman: XM2211
Newport: XW9042
Pymble: JJ1165
Northbridge: XL1635
Sutherland: LB2537
Rose Bay: FU5698
Double Bay: FM4634
Turramurra: JX2201
Chatswood: JA1444
Crows Nest: LA2777
Wahroonga: JW1725
St. Ives: JJ2631
Lindfield JM4778
Gordon: JX3052
Killara: JX3558
TELEPHONE SERVICE.
TO THE EDITOR OP THE HERALD.
The Sydney Morning Herald, Saturday 1st July 1939
Sir-Complaints are being made about over-charges, but I am suffering from the impossibility of getting calls through at particular hours of the day. I have a telephone at my home at Roseville, but under no circumstances can we call up a "JA" or a "JX" number between the hours of 9 a.m. and 11 a.m.
The moment one dials "J" the engaged signal comes on. "J00" Is equally inaccessible, and I found the only way of getting these "J" numbers was to ring "B00," and I was almost immediately connected with the subscriber required.
The explanation given, is that there are not enough lines, but numbers of other subscribers in that network have very little complaint about this aspect of non-service. Seeing the big charge made for telephones, one certainly expects better attention than this, and, as the matter has continued In spite of frequent verbal and written protests, I think it only right that the public should know how they may avoid being blocked, by ringing "B00," If they want a doctor or the police.
Yours faithfully,
Sydney, June 20.
H. E. MCINTOSH.
NEW TELEPHONE DIRECTORY
The Sydney Morning Herald, Saturday 1st December 1951
The new metropolitan telephone directory comes into force after 11 o'clock, tonight.
The Director of Posts and Telegraphs, Mr. S. F. Kellock, said yesterday that the new directory had been delivered to most telephone subscribers. Those still without them would receive copies within a few days.
New exchanges listed in the directory were at Willoughby, Silverwater, Narrabeen and Peakhurst, and the directory contained adjustments to some existing exchanges, he said.
An important change was the alteration of the J00 complaint number to JA00. This affected subscribers with the phone prefixes JA, JB, JF, JJ, JM, JU, JW and JX.
COLUMN 8
Sydney Morning Herald Friday 8th February 1952
CAN you remember the dear dead days of 1921 when Sir Joseph Cook was P.M.G.?
Well, Mr. L. F. Wyatt, President of St. Ives Progress Association, tells me that as far back as that they were agitating for a bigger and better postal service.
But they haven't got very far - one public phone for the whole area and few and far between private ones.
ADVERTISING
Sydney Morning Herald Sunday 27th August 1950
GAMBLES
THE NORTH SHORE NURSERY
2 Pittwater Road, Pymble
(Just off Pacific Highway)
JXI0I2 (9-5). MAIL ORDER SPECIALISTS. JXI0I2 (9-5)
CAMELLIAS
AZALEAS
MAGNOLIAS
Gamble's specialise in growing Shrubs and Trees of Quality.
Included in our stock of more than 200,000 plants are:
CAMELLIAS
More than 150 varieties in small, medium and advanced stages. Prices range from 3/- each in pots and from 15/ for advanced plants. We have every worthwhile Camellia.
AZALEAS
Thousands of-lovely healthy plants in all the best varieties. Prices vary according to the size of the plant and variety, but range from 3/- each in pots.
MAGNOLIAS
Imported from Holland last year these plants are well acclimatised and now ready to plant out. Our range includes six of the best varieties. Advanced plants only 25/- each.
OPEN ALL DAY EVERY DAY
Visit, 'phone or write
CAMELLIA GROVE NURSERY
Pittwater Road, St. Ives
Just past St. Ives Village.
Bus from Pymble, stops at Gate.
CAMELLIAS and AZALEAS
SEE OUR LOVELY DISPLAY OF CUT BLOOMS AND SPECIMEN TREES OF CHOICEST VARIETIES NOW IN FLOWER.
Catalogues on Application.
Tele. JX3238
ADVERTISING
Sydney Morning Herald Sunday 7th June 1953
KILLARA NURSERY
(Late Anderson's Seeds Ltd.)
645 PACIFIC HIGHWA, KILLARA.
Phone JX3558
FRUITING OLIVES
Advanced 3-year-old Trees in following varieties:
LUCCA, MISSION, NEVADILLO and LARGE FRUITED.
22'6 each
Freight and Packing Extra.
Write, Phone or Call
GARBAGE DESTRUCTION.
Kuring-gai Incinerator.
Sydney Morning Herald Saturday 14th June 1930
A municipal incinerator, erected by Kuring gai Council, will be opened at Gordon this afternoon, and in both method of refuse
destruction and type of building the suburb will have something that is new and distinctive.
Objections raised in the past against the erection of destructors in residential areas have been because they were large, ugly buildings, with tall chimneys belching forth smoke and smell. The building at Gordon, however, is church-like in appearance, and as there is neither smoke nor smell there is no need for a chimney. It’s place is taken by a tower.
The plant requires no boiler, but uses pre-heated, forced air, and pre-heated crude oil fuel, the oil acting as an auxiliary fuel both for starting the fire and assisting the combustion of heavy or damp garbage, the gas and smoke are returned and burned in a furnace chamber before discharge as a thin film of vapour.
The cost of burning by this method is about 1/3d a cubic yard, which is about two thirds of the cost of burying garbage in tips.
SYDNEY TELEPHONE NUMBERS
In the early 1900’s Sydney telephone numbers were a sequence of three or four numbers, sometimes accompanied by letters and exchange identifiers, as with these 1915 examples;
P Kirby and Sons, Funeral Directors
7 Elizabeth St. City
Telephone City 6975 or 2077
Ernest A. Wood, Funeral Director
623 Darling St. Rozelle
Telephone W 1573
Spring and Cooper, Real Estate Agents
Belmore Road Randwick
Telephone 455
Jas. Chambers, Architect
Anderson’s Buildings
Parkes Street Ryde
Telephone 39 Ryde
Later, up until the late 1950’s, telephone numbers across Sydney were prefixed by two letters, followed by a number sequence.
The Ku-ring-gai area was prefixed with the letter “J”, and other areas had their own letters. Some examples of 1950’s telephone numbers are given here:
Enfield: UJ5096
Bondi: FM3758
Clovelly: FX4019
Mosman: XM2211
Newport: XW9042
Pymble: JJ1165
Northbridge: XL1635
Sutherland: LB2537
Rose Bay: FU5698
Double Bay: FM4634
Turramurra: JX2201
Chatswood: JA1444
Crows Nest: LA2777
Wahroonga: JW1725
St. Ives: JJ2631
Lindfield JM4778
Gordon: JX3052
Killara: JX3558
TELEPHONE SERVICE.
TO THE EDITOR OP THE HERALD.
The Sydney Morning Herald, Saturday 1st July 1939
Sir-Complaints are being made about over-charges, but I am suffering from the impossibility of getting calls through at particular hours of the day. I have a telephone at my home at Roseville, but under no circumstances can we call up a "JA" or a "JX" number between the hours of 9 a.m. and 11 a.m.
The moment one dials "J" the engaged signal comes on. "J00" Is equally inaccessible, and I found the only way of getting these "J" numbers was to ring "B00," and I was almost immediately connected with the subscriber required.
The explanation given, is that there are not enough lines, but numbers of other subscribers in that network have very little complaint about this aspect of non-service. Seeing the big charge made for telephones, one certainly expects better attention than this, and, as the matter has continued In spite of frequent verbal and written protests, I think it only right that the public should know how they may avoid being blocked, by ringing "B00," If they want a doctor or the police.
Yours faithfully,
Sydney, June 20.
H. E. MCINTOSH.
NEW TELEPHONE DIRECTORY
The Sydney Morning Herald, Saturday 1st December 1951
The new metropolitan telephone directory comes into force after 11 o'clock, tonight.
The Director of Posts and Telegraphs, Mr. S. F. Kellock, said yesterday that the new directory had been delivered to most telephone subscribers. Those still without them would receive copies within a few days.
New exchanges listed in the directory were at Willoughby, Silverwater, Narrabeen and Peakhurst, and the directory contained adjustments to some existing exchanges, he said.
An important change was the alteration of the J00 complaint number to JA00. This affected subscribers with the phone prefixes JA, JB, JF, JJ, JM, JU, JW and JX.
COLUMN 8
Sydney Morning Herald Friday 8th February 1952
CAN you remember the dear dead days of 1921 when Sir Joseph Cook was P.M.G.?
Well, Mr. L. F. Wyatt, President of St. Ives Progress Association, tells me that as far back as that they were agitating for a bigger and better postal service.
But they haven't got very far - one public phone for the whole area and few and far between private ones.
ADVERTISING
Sydney Morning Herald Sunday 27th August 1950
GAMBLES
THE NORTH SHORE NURSERY
2 Pittwater Road, Pymble
(Just off Pacific Highway)
JXI0I2 (9-5). MAIL ORDER SPECIALISTS. JXI0I2 (9-5)
CAMELLIAS
AZALEAS
MAGNOLIAS
Gamble's specialise in growing Shrubs and Trees of Quality.
Included in our stock of more than 200,000 plants are:
CAMELLIAS
More than 150 varieties in small, medium and advanced stages. Prices range from 3/- each in pots and from 15/ for advanced plants. We have every worthwhile Camellia.
AZALEAS
Thousands of-lovely healthy plants in all the best varieties. Prices vary according to the size of the plant and variety, but range from 3/- each in pots.
MAGNOLIAS
Imported from Holland last year these plants are well acclimatised and now ready to plant out. Our range includes six of the best varieties. Advanced plants only 25/- each.
OPEN ALL DAY EVERY DAY
Visit, 'phone or write
CAMELLIA GROVE NURSERY
Pittwater Road, St. Ives
Just past St. Ives Village.
Bus from Pymble, stops at Gate.
CAMELLIAS and AZALEAS
SEE OUR LOVELY DISPLAY OF CUT BLOOMS AND SPECIMEN TREES OF CHOICEST VARIETIES NOW IN FLOWER.
Catalogues on Application.
Tele. JX3238
ADVERTISING
Sydney Morning Herald Sunday 7th June 1953
KILLARA NURSERY
(Late Anderson's Seeds Ltd.)
645 PACIFIC HIGHWA, KILLARA.
Phone JX3558
FRUITING OLIVES
Advanced 3-year-old Trees in following varieties:
LUCCA, MISSION, NEVADILLO and LARGE FRUITED.
22'6 each
Freight and Packing Extra.
Write, Phone or Call
GARBAGE DESTRUCTION.
Kuring-gai Incinerator.
Sydney Morning Herald Saturday 14th June 1930
A municipal incinerator, erected by Kuring gai Council, will be opened at Gordon this afternoon, and in both method of refuse
destruction and type of building the suburb will have something that is new and distinctive.
Objections raised in the past against the erection of destructors in residential areas have been because they were large, ugly buildings, with tall chimneys belching forth smoke and smell. The building at Gordon, however, is church-like in appearance, and as there is neither smoke nor smell there is no need for a chimney. It’s place is taken by a tower.
The plant requires no boiler, but uses pre-heated, forced air, and pre-heated crude oil fuel, the oil acting as an auxiliary fuel both for starting the fire and assisting the combustion of heavy or damp garbage, the gas and smoke are returned and burned in a furnace chamber before discharge as a thin film of vapour.
The cost of burning by this method is about 1/3d a cubic yard, which is about two thirds of the cost of burying garbage in tips.
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Ku-ring-gai Clippings Vol 33
NORTH SHORE RESIDENTS PREPARE
The Sydney Morning Herald, Tuesday 27th January 1942
North Shore residents are forming guerilla squads to patrol the bush, and are preparing to deal with a possible invasion.
These residents believe that the gullies on the North Shore and the bush in many outer suburbs could provide cover for paratroops. They want to establish a chain of civilian squads round Sydney.
Meetings have been held at Pymble, Gordon, Killara, Lindfield, and Roseville. Tomorrow night there will be a meeting at the Masonic Hall, Hornsby.
Residents of St. Ives and North Sydney will hold meetings on Friday night. Telephone calls have been received from Bondi and other suburbs asking for information.
The organiser is Mr. A. Arthur Smith, of Turramurra. He is co- operating with Mr. W. A. Wood, of Lynwood Avenue, Killara.
Mr. Smith had l8 months' experience of guerilla warfare against the Senussi in Libya. He has instructed other men who are now prepared to train new volunteers.
AID FOR SOLDIERS
Mt. Smith thinks that, instead of playing, cricket and "fooling about" on Saturday afternoons and evenings, civilians could be learning how to deal with an invader and how to hold up paratroops until the military arrive.
"We have given a lead” he said. "It is up to those interested to organise a body which will be a valuable aid to the military. What the people of Moscow and other Russian cities did we can do.”
"We don't want to hamper the authorities. We want to help them.
"We want every suburb to join in this movement. There are thousands of civilians who want to do something to prepare. They have no leadership. We are trying to give it to them.
COMMUNITY SERVICE.
HOW IT OPERATES IN KURING GAI SHIRE.
(BY R. E. T. FRIEND.)
The Sydney Morning Herald Saturday 19th September 1925
The old adage "The Lord helps those who help themselves" is out of date in Kuring-gai Shire, It being more correct to say "The council helps those who help themselves."
For many years past the residents of the North Shore line from Roseville to Wahroonga, in common with the residents of all other suburbs around Sydney, have complained, loudly and bitterly of the alleged neglect on the part of the council of their streets and footways. In common with most other councils that of Kuring-gai has until recently followed the time-honoured practice of "approving" works for which no funds were available nor likely to be for many years. But the old order changeth.
The enlightened residents of the Upper North Shore line are beginning to realise the obvious. It has dawned upon them that money will go so for and no further; otherwise, that the rates they pay for will only provide a certain amount of work, and that if they desire more work there are only two alternatives- increased rates (perish the thought) or a little bit of self help. Tho latter being considered tho more acceptable, the Roseville to Hornsby Progress Federation (representing all civic bodies In the district) decided to organise a "Community Working Week."
One of the chief factors in bringing this decision about was the abnormal growth of paspalum throughout the shire. This pest had taken charge to such an extent that the council's maintenance staff was employed for a great part of Its time in vainly endeavouring to keep it within bounds, which time the roads were suffering from lack of attention.
During Community Working Week, which commenced on September 5, the primary Idea was that each resident would clean up the footway in front of his residence, between the footpath proper and the kerb, and cover this area in lawn. The planting of suitable trees or palms was also part of the scheme, the necessary plants to be secured from the Botanic Gardens through the council. In many places whore footpaths were not constructed arrangements were made for tho supply of sodwalls gravel by the council, the work of preparing the surface and spreading the gravel to be done by the residents. Where residents were unable or unwilling to take an active part in the work they, were invited to do so by proxy- otherwise, by supplying labour at their expense.
Loud and long were the giggles of the sophisticated when these proposals were made known. "Pay rates and do the work themselves? What do you take the people tor?" were typical of the comments of many people not then sufficiently educated to realise the value of such a movement in a community. One gentleman who should have known better (or should he?), being a member of the council, went so far as to roundly condemn the whole thing through the columns of a local paper (since significantly defunct) and endeavoured to ridicule as a harmless nitwit the originator of the idea.
The pessimists and scoffers are no longer heard, for they have been routed ignominiously. Requisitions for plants and gravel rolled in by every mail to the tune of over 1200 trees and palms, and many hundreds of tons of sodwalls, and on Saturday, September 5, striking evidence was available that the scheme had caught on. In every suburb concerned the people were hard at it-some individually, some In well-organised parties.
Paspalum and other weeds received rude handling, holes were prepared for trees, and many chains of fine gravel footpaths laid. Working men, professional men, merchants, civil servants, men in all walks of life, donned their gardening togs, and with mattocks, spades, forks, picks, and wheelbarrows tackled the job with gusto.
In some streets the ladies did their bit by taking around trays of refreshments for the willing workers. The council's engineer and the superintendent of maintenance paid a flying visit to many parts, instructing and encouraging.
Were this community working week a spasmodic, or even an annual event, it is doubtful whether the gains would be sufficient to make It worth while. It is not, however, the intention of those who took part to pat themselves on the back, and let it go at that. This particular working week is only considered as a sort of official commencement of continuous and permanent civic service. The lawns now planted will be kept in order; the trees looked after and pruned as necessary.
Those who did not take part will be encouraged, by word or mouth, by publicity of the advantages, and by force of example, to do so. It will be the endeavour of the federation to foster and stimulate that spirit of practical, civic pride which means so much to any community. By this means it is hoped that not only will the streets of Ku-ring-gai Shire be the most beautiful and best-kept of any in the metropolitan area, but that the council, by being relieved of the very heavy and unproductive expenditure involved annually in cleaning the footways of weeds, etc., will be able to devote more attention to roads and other important works. Once a lawn is established in front of a residence the labour and time involved in keeping it in order are trifling. The lawn mower for 20 minutes once a fortnight will do the trick, and surely no reasonable man will cavil at this.
Community service will bring about a realisation that if one is to be a worthy citizen of the blue-ribbon shire of the State it will be necessary to think not in terms of a 50 x 150 allotment, but in the broader terms of tho community as a whole. Parochial sentiment has no place in Ku-ring-gai or any other shire or municipality - or State or Commonwealth, for that matter.
KURING-GAI COUNCIL CHAMBERS.
The Sydney Morning Herald Wednesday 21st November 1928
Commanding the most elevated position on the Lane Cove-road at Gordon, the new council chambers for Kuring-gai have already become a prominent landmark upon this important northern artery.
Their erection coincides with the conversion of the shire into a municipality. The simple, yet dignified lines of architecture and the bright colourful scheme that have been adopted, have not failed to attract attention. Symmetrically planned, with projecting wings to the road, the general form is that of three sides of a square, with a turfed court in the centre. On the inner side of this court is an open vaulted loggia approached across the court by a sawn flagged pathway.
On the central axis, under the loggia is the main entrance to the building, while to the left is a public entrance to the council chamber, which occupies the whole of the left wing. In the right wing is the genera] office, a large, unobstructed room, which has direct access with a smaller open space on the immediate right of the entrance vestibule, where the public are attended to. An Inquiry cabinet stands in the centre of the vestibule, a position which commands the general office and the internal passage which
crosses the whole width of the building from the staff's entrance on the north side to the council chamber.
Off this passage are the draughting rooms, the offices of the various outside officers, and an isolated suite occupied by the town clerk, his deputy, and secretary. Owing to the fall of the site It has been possible to make the back half of the building two stories in height, and under the rooms Just mentioned are a public hall to seat about 120 people, staff rooms, and a large fireproofed compartment for the safe storage of records. The whole of these rooms are accessible from the outside, and may be completely segregated from those above.
Special care has been bestowed upon the decoration of the council chamber, a room 30ft wide by 36ft long. The walls have a cedar dado-panelling up to the window level, and panelled cedar trimmings to the windows. Tho ceiling is in fibrous plaster, coved and enriched, and the cedar furniture throughout this room has been especially designed to be in keeping with the architecture. The entrance vestibule is panelled out In Keen's cement, with an enriched cornice, over which is a vaulted ceiling sparingly picked out in colour.
The floors are of tallowwood, those to the main rooms are wax polished, and the joinery work generally is in cedar flat varnished. The walls are cement, rendered both inside and out with the surface left by the wooden float, and have been coloured In light shades to set off the bright green tone of the window shutters. The roofs are covered with Spanish tiles. The style of architecture followed has been that of the late Georges, the detail and furniture resembling Sir John Soane's work at the Bank of England.
These new council chambers were erected by Messrs. Mackenzie Adams, Ltd., contractors, of Pymble, under the supervision of the architects, Messrs. Neave and Berry, of Sydney.
The Sydney Morning Herald, Tuesday 27th January 1942
North Shore residents are forming guerilla squads to patrol the bush, and are preparing to deal with a possible invasion.
These residents believe that the gullies on the North Shore and the bush in many outer suburbs could provide cover for paratroops. They want to establish a chain of civilian squads round Sydney.
Meetings have been held at Pymble, Gordon, Killara, Lindfield, and Roseville. Tomorrow night there will be a meeting at the Masonic Hall, Hornsby.
Residents of St. Ives and North Sydney will hold meetings on Friday night. Telephone calls have been received from Bondi and other suburbs asking for information.
The organiser is Mr. A. Arthur Smith, of Turramurra. He is co- operating with Mr. W. A. Wood, of Lynwood Avenue, Killara.
Mr. Smith had l8 months' experience of guerilla warfare against the Senussi in Libya. He has instructed other men who are now prepared to train new volunteers.
AID FOR SOLDIERS
Mt. Smith thinks that, instead of playing, cricket and "fooling about" on Saturday afternoons and evenings, civilians could be learning how to deal with an invader and how to hold up paratroops until the military arrive.
"We have given a lead” he said. "It is up to those interested to organise a body which will be a valuable aid to the military. What the people of Moscow and other Russian cities did we can do.”
"We don't want to hamper the authorities. We want to help them.
"We want every suburb to join in this movement. There are thousands of civilians who want to do something to prepare. They have no leadership. We are trying to give it to them.
COMMUNITY SERVICE.
HOW IT OPERATES IN KURING GAI SHIRE.
(BY R. E. T. FRIEND.)
The Sydney Morning Herald Saturday 19th September 1925
The old adage "The Lord helps those who help themselves" is out of date in Kuring-gai Shire, It being more correct to say "The council helps those who help themselves."
For many years past the residents of the North Shore line from Roseville to Wahroonga, in common with the residents of all other suburbs around Sydney, have complained, loudly and bitterly of the alleged neglect on the part of the council of their streets and footways. In common with most other councils that of Kuring-gai has until recently followed the time-honoured practice of "approving" works for which no funds were available nor likely to be for many years. But the old order changeth.
The enlightened residents of the Upper North Shore line are beginning to realise the obvious. It has dawned upon them that money will go so for and no further; otherwise, that the rates they pay for will only provide a certain amount of work, and that if they desire more work there are only two alternatives- increased rates (perish the thought) or a little bit of self help. Tho latter being considered tho more acceptable, the Roseville to Hornsby Progress Federation (representing all civic bodies In the district) decided to organise a "Community Working Week."
One of the chief factors in bringing this decision about was the abnormal growth of paspalum throughout the shire. This pest had taken charge to such an extent that the council's maintenance staff was employed for a great part of Its time in vainly endeavouring to keep it within bounds, which time the roads were suffering from lack of attention.
During Community Working Week, which commenced on September 5, the primary Idea was that each resident would clean up the footway in front of his residence, between the footpath proper and the kerb, and cover this area in lawn. The planting of suitable trees or palms was also part of the scheme, the necessary plants to be secured from the Botanic Gardens through the council. In many places whore footpaths were not constructed arrangements were made for tho supply of sodwalls gravel by the council, the work of preparing the surface and spreading the gravel to be done by the residents. Where residents were unable or unwilling to take an active part in the work they, were invited to do so by proxy- otherwise, by supplying labour at their expense.
Loud and long were the giggles of the sophisticated when these proposals were made known. "Pay rates and do the work themselves? What do you take the people tor?" were typical of the comments of many people not then sufficiently educated to realise the value of such a movement in a community. One gentleman who should have known better (or should he?), being a member of the council, went so far as to roundly condemn the whole thing through the columns of a local paper (since significantly defunct) and endeavoured to ridicule as a harmless nitwit the originator of the idea.
The pessimists and scoffers are no longer heard, for they have been routed ignominiously. Requisitions for plants and gravel rolled in by every mail to the tune of over 1200 trees and palms, and many hundreds of tons of sodwalls, and on Saturday, September 5, striking evidence was available that the scheme had caught on. In every suburb concerned the people were hard at it-some individually, some In well-organised parties.
Paspalum and other weeds received rude handling, holes were prepared for trees, and many chains of fine gravel footpaths laid. Working men, professional men, merchants, civil servants, men in all walks of life, donned their gardening togs, and with mattocks, spades, forks, picks, and wheelbarrows tackled the job with gusto.
In some streets the ladies did their bit by taking around trays of refreshments for the willing workers. The council's engineer and the superintendent of maintenance paid a flying visit to many parts, instructing and encouraging.
Were this community working week a spasmodic, or even an annual event, it is doubtful whether the gains would be sufficient to make It worth while. It is not, however, the intention of those who took part to pat themselves on the back, and let it go at that. This particular working week is only considered as a sort of official commencement of continuous and permanent civic service. The lawns now planted will be kept in order; the trees looked after and pruned as necessary.
Those who did not take part will be encouraged, by word or mouth, by publicity of the advantages, and by force of example, to do so. It will be the endeavour of the federation to foster and stimulate that spirit of practical, civic pride which means so much to any community. By this means it is hoped that not only will the streets of Ku-ring-gai Shire be the most beautiful and best-kept of any in the metropolitan area, but that the council, by being relieved of the very heavy and unproductive expenditure involved annually in cleaning the footways of weeds, etc., will be able to devote more attention to roads and other important works. Once a lawn is established in front of a residence the labour and time involved in keeping it in order are trifling. The lawn mower for 20 minutes once a fortnight will do the trick, and surely no reasonable man will cavil at this.
Community service will bring about a realisation that if one is to be a worthy citizen of the blue-ribbon shire of the State it will be necessary to think not in terms of a 50 x 150 allotment, but in the broader terms of tho community as a whole. Parochial sentiment has no place in Ku-ring-gai or any other shire or municipality - or State or Commonwealth, for that matter.
KURING-GAI COUNCIL CHAMBERS.
The Sydney Morning Herald Wednesday 21st November 1928
Commanding the most elevated position on the Lane Cove-road at Gordon, the new council chambers for Kuring-gai have already become a prominent landmark upon this important northern artery.
Their erection coincides with the conversion of the shire into a municipality. The simple, yet dignified lines of architecture and the bright colourful scheme that have been adopted, have not failed to attract attention. Symmetrically planned, with projecting wings to the road, the general form is that of three sides of a square, with a turfed court in the centre. On the inner side of this court is an open vaulted loggia approached across the court by a sawn flagged pathway.
On the central axis, under the loggia is the main entrance to the building, while to the left is a public entrance to the council chamber, which occupies the whole of the left wing. In the right wing is the genera] office, a large, unobstructed room, which has direct access with a smaller open space on the immediate right of the entrance vestibule, where the public are attended to. An Inquiry cabinet stands in the centre of the vestibule, a position which commands the general office and the internal passage which
crosses the whole width of the building from the staff's entrance on the north side to the council chamber.
Off this passage are the draughting rooms, the offices of the various outside officers, and an isolated suite occupied by the town clerk, his deputy, and secretary. Owing to the fall of the site It has been possible to make the back half of the building two stories in height, and under the rooms Just mentioned are a public hall to seat about 120 people, staff rooms, and a large fireproofed compartment for the safe storage of records. The whole of these rooms are accessible from the outside, and may be completely segregated from those above.
Special care has been bestowed upon the decoration of the council chamber, a room 30ft wide by 36ft long. The walls have a cedar dado-panelling up to the window level, and panelled cedar trimmings to the windows. Tho ceiling is in fibrous plaster, coved and enriched, and the cedar furniture throughout this room has been especially designed to be in keeping with the architecture. The entrance vestibule is panelled out In Keen's cement, with an enriched cornice, over which is a vaulted ceiling sparingly picked out in colour.
The floors are of tallowwood, those to the main rooms are wax polished, and the joinery work generally is in cedar flat varnished. The walls are cement, rendered both inside and out with the surface left by the wooden float, and have been coloured In light shades to set off the bright green tone of the window shutters. The roofs are covered with Spanish tiles. The style of architecture followed has been that of the late Georges, the detail and furniture resembling Sir John Soane's work at the Bank of England.
These new council chambers were erected by Messrs. Mackenzie Adams, Ltd., contractors, of Pymble, under the supervision of the architects, Messrs. Neave and Berry, of Sydney.
Ku-ring-gai Clippings Vol 32
There's A Get-together Spirit In This Suburb
The Sydney Morning Herald Friday 20th October 1950
RESIDENTS of the Sydney suburb of St. Ives have decided to build a modern community centre as a War Memorial.
This will embrace:
* Tennis courts.
* A library.
* Sports oval and village green.
* A bowling green.
* A hall and club-rooms.
* A kindergarten and a day nursery.
* A baby health centre.
* A children's playground and memorial gardens.
The community centre idea was originated by a St. Ives resident and veteran of World War I, the late Mr. James Maunder. He decided that social, cultural, and sporting amenities, which could be enjoyed by present and future generations, were a more fitting tribute to the dead of both world wars than a monument or statue.
[Comments: It is believed that this is the same J. Maunder who was connected with the St. Ives Cricket Club and whose photograph can be seen at
http://passingparade-2009.blogspot.com/2009/06/death-of-dr-claude-tozer.html
J. Maunder is the man on the right in a suit. From this article he appears to be the man behind the idea of the St. Ives Village Green and Community Centre]
The Ku-ring-gai Municipal Council responded whole-heartedly to the plan. It donated a site of 20 acres and agreed to construct buildings and develop the land.
A community spirit was to be encouraged by leaving the provision of equipment, staffing and supervision in the hands of the residents.
A member of the Community Centre Committee said: "The point is to recapture the co-operative and colourful spirit embodied in old English village life. Unfortunately this has largely been lost in the impersonal competition of the twentieth century.
"This is an experiment. It will succeed only if the people of St. Ives put their backs into it all the way.
So far the signs are encouraging. The children's playground has already been established. Two tennis courts have been made and a village green has been graded and planted. A vigorous committee consisting of a company director, a wool buyer, a local shopkeeper, a tobacconist, an orchardist, an advertising man, a stock and station agent, and a retired bus owner have worked out plans for an old-style fair based on the traditions of the village of St. Ives in Cornwall.
It will take place on Saturday to raise funds for equipping and staffing the centre.
AGRICULTURAL SHOWS
The Sydney Morning Herald Tuesday 18th January 1921
ST. IVES. - The first exhibition of the St. Ives A. and H. Association was opened on Saturday by Mr. W. F. Fitzsimons, president of the Ku-ring-gai Shire Council. About 8500 people were present, and between, 700 and 800 entries were received.
For the patron's cup, for the best collection of fruit grown in Ku-ring-gai Shire, F. Chilton was first, and M. H. Reynallt second. Other awards were: - Best collection of summer fruit. N. E. Harrison; best collection of citrus fruit, W.G. Russell: best display of fruit (fresh, dried, and preserved), A. Coupland; best collection of vegetables, H. Britten. The poultry, domestic, and fine arts sections were well filled. A lengthy list of ring events occupied the afternoon.
Additional comments – this was the first St. Ives Show and was opened at Hassall Park on Saturday 15th January 1921.
STOLEN CASH-BOX.
RECOVERED AT KURING GAI CHASE.
The Sydney Morning Herald Wednesday 26th March 1930
A cash-box, which was stolen during the Christmas holidays from the safe in the office at the Kuring-gai Shire Council Chambers, Lane Cove-road, Pymble, was yesterday recovered in the grounds of the Kuring-gai Chase.
It contained only a crossed cheque for £1 and one penny, whereas notes, silver, and copper to the amount of £150, and the cheque, were in the box when it was stolen.
John Drew, a returned soldier, of Turramurra, was walking through a section of Ku- ring-gai Chase known as Lovers' Retreat, when he found the cash-box. It had apparently been buried In some sand by the thieves after they had prised it open and taken the contents. Evidently the box had been washed up by the recent heavy rain.
KU-RING-GAI SHIRE'S NEW BUILDING.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD.
The Sydney Morning Herald Saturday 26th June 1909
Sir, -The letter dated the 21st inst., over tho signature of Councillor W. T. Wait, president of Ku-ring-gai Shire, which appeared in your columns of the 22nd, idem has been carefully read by me, but I am surprised that he has not treated the question in a business like manner, as he seems to be all at sea, and does no appear to be au fait with tho subject under review.
Mr. Wait intimates that certain misleading statements have been published relative to the Ku-ring gai Shire, to the effect that it was the intention of the council to build a Town Hall. He then proceeds to show how misleading these statements are by stating that the council decided to purchase a piece of land, the intention of the council being to build offices necessary for the present requirements, leaving space sufficient at the back for extension and the erection of a shire hall at some remote date.
The misleading statement that President Wait complains about is as to the time when the Shire Hall is to be erected, but all the ratepayers know that it could not be immediately built, as the council has not yet acquired tho power to erect a shire hall, and is not in a position to borrow the money at present.
And this outlay of £1400 (at the least) is to be incurred because sometimes when the Parish Hall is engaged five people have to temporarily occupy a small room. And who are these people? There is the shire clerk and his assistant, and the engineer. Both the clerk and the engineer have a considerable amount of outdoor work to do, and as the trustees of the hall have discontinued letting it for other than their own church purposes during the daytime, it does not seem as though any great inconvenience is likely to occur in this direction in the future.
Mr. Wait's figures, contained in his letter published by you on Tuesday, are inaccurate, which he admitted at the indignation meeting, held on Wednesday night last, at Gordon. The exact financial position, if the new shire building be erected, is: -Five per cent on land value, £600, £30; 5 per cent, on building value, £800, £40; total Interest, £70. Interest on land, £30, and rent at present paid, viz , £32; total of £62, leaving a Dr. balance of £8, to which it will be necessary to add the following charges; Lighting and office-cleaning, say, £26 per annum; depreciation, repairs, etc., to building, 2½ per cent, on £800, £20 per annum; Insurance on building and contents, £2 Is per annum; caretaker, say. £26 per an- num; making a total cost of £82, or, say, £1 11s 6d per week, more than it is costing the shire at the present time for office rent, in addition to the cost of building, £800.
If the council remains in the occupancy of the Parish Hall, Gordon, the position is: Rent, £32 per annum; loss of interest in £600, £30; total, £62. Two machine-made rooms for the use of engineer and clerk, to be made to intercommunicate with general office and to be the property of the shire, for use later on in connection with outdoor offices of future building, say, £50 at 5 per cent. interest, £2 10s; total, £64 10s per annum; or, say, £1 5s per week. (These rooms to be added, if necessary, to obtain additional accommodation.)
Tile charges to the new building are based as low as possible, and the position is as follows;
New building cost £800. Loss of £8 referred to above, and upkeep £82 per annum more than we are paying for office accommodation now, and the loss of the use of the £800 for very necessary road works in the shire. All this expenditure is to be incurred to save the present rental of £32 per year (a loss of £122 per annum, made up as follows: £40 Interest on building outlay, and £32 for upkeep), and a little inconvenience to some of the officers of tho council; while many necessary repairs and improvements in the shire have to stand over. Where does the good business that President Wait refers to come in here?
It is a pity that President Wait, when letting us know the cost of the Willoughby Town Hall, did not tell us how many years this municipality was incorporated before it was decided to build a Town Hall; also what their administration expenses and revenue are. Their town clerk (Mr. A. A. C. Bastian) informs me that their general rates revenue is about £11,000 (as against this shire's £6000), and their administration expenses are only 10 per cent, of their total income (as against a cost of 20 per cent, to the rate- payers of Ku-ring-gai Shire for similar expenses); and it was quite 40 years after their municipality was incorporated before they decided to build a Town Hall.
A. H. H. ALDWORTH.
June 25th
SPORTS FACILITIES IN RESERVES
The Sydney Morning Herald Thursday 11th March 1948
Sir,- West Roseville Park is one of 130 reserves in Ku-ring gai. Its area is four acres out of a total of about 2,800 acres (15 per cent, of the municipality), dedicated for recreation purposes. It is one of hundreds of lovely spots in the area.
There are not a dozen playing fields. For many years, Council has been bombarded by sports organisations for the provision of additional playing areas. Up to now there is not a single area west of the Pacific Highway available for organised sport, and as a result of a decision in August last, five areas are being prepared as playing fields, one being West Roseville, and another Vernon Street (Kissing Point Road, Turramurra).
"Waratah" is not fair in his comment on Council's action in Lindfield Park. It is not "ruining a district heritage" of 120 acres. The part being laid out for tennis courts is less than half an acre, on which there was only one decent tree. The work is being done on the strong representations of local organisations.
The question is, shall Ku-ring-gai Council leave its reserves in their natural state forever, or shall it make reasonable and well considered provision for some organised sport?
W. CRESWELL-O'REILLY, Alderman, Ku-ring-gai Council.
LETTERS
TREE PRESERVATION.
TO THE EDITOR OP THE HERALD.
The Sydney Morning Herald Wednesday 25th March 1931
Sir,- All the members of the Ku-ring-gai Council and Its officers are delighted with the stand that the people are taking with regard to the destruction of trees. Hitherto it has been the habit of persons in that and other municipalities to destroy every piece of growing timber that could be seen, fired no doubt by the absurd story about George Washington.
For a long time now we have been engaged in a fight for the prevention of this spoliation of our natural beauties, and an attempt to prevent the various suburbs from being made into London suburbs-without a tree in them.
We have been able to obtain a great many creeks full of good timber and saplings, which are vested in the council and looked after by them, and in one case, at the Killara Oval, when we were making improvements there it cost us nearly £50 more to avoid cutting down a most beautiful red-gum which was a joy to everybody.
In spite of our efforts, however, there are people who go out of their way to destroy trees because they are on a footpath, or perhaps in some street.
We have everywhere encouraged the planting of trees and the preservation of them, and we are delighted to know that many of the ratepayers agree with us in this, and that the Rangers' League is also assisting in every way possible.
I am, etc.,
H. E. MCINTOSH.
Chairman Parks and Health Committee,
Municipality of Ku-ring-gai.
March 23.
The Sydney Morning Herald Friday 20th October 1950
RESIDENTS of the Sydney suburb of St. Ives have decided to build a modern community centre as a War Memorial.
This will embrace:
* Tennis courts.
* A library.
* Sports oval and village green.
* A bowling green.
* A hall and club-rooms.
* A kindergarten and a day nursery.
* A baby health centre.
* A children's playground and memorial gardens.
The community centre idea was originated by a St. Ives resident and veteran of World War I, the late Mr. James Maunder. He decided that social, cultural, and sporting amenities, which could be enjoyed by present and future generations, were a more fitting tribute to the dead of both world wars than a monument or statue.
[Comments: It is believed that this is the same J. Maunder who was connected with the St. Ives Cricket Club and whose photograph can be seen at
http://passingparade-2009.blogspot.com/2009/06/death-of-dr-claude-tozer.html
J. Maunder is the man on the right in a suit. From this article he appears to be the man behind the idea of the St. Ives Village Green and Community Centre]
The Ku-ring-gai Municipal Council responded whole-heartedly to the plan. It donated a site of 20 acres and agreed to construct buildings and develop the land.
A community spirit was to be encouraged by leaving the provision of equipment, staffing and supervision in the hands of the residents.
A member of the Community Centre Committee said: "The point is to recapture the co-operative and colourful spirit embodied in old English village life. Unfortunately this has largely been lost in the impersonal competition of the twentieth century.
"This is an experiment. It will succeed only if the people of St. Ives put their backs into it all the way.
So far the signs are encouraging. The children's playground has already been established. Two tennis courts have been made and a village green has been graded and planted. A vigorous committee consisting of a company director, a wool buyer, a local shopkeeper, a tobacconist, an orchardist, an advertising man, a stock and station agent, and a retired bus owner have worked out plans for an old-style fair based on the traditions of the village of St. Ives in Cornwall.
It will take place on Saturday to raise funds for equipping and staffing the centre.
AGRICULTURAL SHOWS
The Sydney Morning Herald Tuesday 18th January 1921
ST. IVES. - The first exhibition of the St. Ives A. and H. Association was opened on Saturday by Mr. W. F. Fitzsimons, president of the Ku-ring-gai Shire Council. About 8500 people were present, and between, 700 and 800 entries were received.
For the patron's cup, for the best collection of fruit grown in Ku-ring-gai Shire, F. Chilton was first, and M. H. Reynallt second. Other awards were: - Best collection of summer fruit. N. E. Harrison; best collection of citrus fruit, W.G. Russell: best display of fruit (fresh, dried, and preserved), A. Coupland; best collection of vegetables, H. Britten. The poultry, domestic, and fine arts sections were well filled. A lengthy list of ring events occupied the afternoon.
Additional comments – this was the first St. Ives Show and was opened at Hassall Park on Saturday 15th January 1921.
STOLEN CASH-BOX.
RECOVERED AT KURING GAI CHASE.
The Sydney Morning Herald Wednesday 26th March 1930
A cash-box, which was stolen during the Christmas holidays from the safe in the office at the Kuring-gai Shire Council Chambers, Lane Cove-road, Pymble, was yesterday recovered in the grounds of the Kuring-gai Chase.
It contained only a crossed cheque for £1 and one penny, whereas notes, silver, and copper to the amount of £150, and the cheque, were in the box when it was stolen.
John Drew, a returned soldier, of Turramurra, was walking through a section of Ku- ring-gai Chase known as Lovers' Retreat, when he found the cash-box. It had apparently been buried In some sand by the thieves after they had prised it open and taken the contents. Evidently the box had been washed up by the recent heavy rain.
KU-RING-GAI SHIRE'S NEW BUILDING.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD.
The Sydney Morning Herald Saturday 26th June 1909
Sir, -The letter dated the 21st inst., over tho signature of Councillor W. T. Wait, president of Ku-ring-gai Shire, which appeared in your columns of the 22nd, idem has been carefully read by me, but I am surprised that he has not treated the question in a business like manner, as he seems to be all at sea, and does no appear to be au fait with tho subject under review.
Mr. Wait intimates that certain misleading statements have been published relative to the Ku-ring gai Shire, to the effect that it was the intention of the council to build a Town Hall. He then proceeds to show how misleading these statements are by stating that the council decided to purchase a piece of land, the intention of the council being to build offices necessary for the present requirements, leaving space sufficient at the back for extension and the erection of a shire hall at some remote date.
The misleading statement that President Wait complains about is as to the time when the Shire Hall is to be erected, but all the ratepayers know that it could not be immediately built, as the council has not yet acquired tho power to erect a shire hall, and is not in a position to borrow the money at present.
And this outlay of £1400 (at the least) is to be incurred because sometimes when the Parish Hall is engaged five people have to temporarily occupy a small room. And who are these people? There is the shire clerk and his assistant, and the engineer. Both the clerk and the engineer have a considerable amount of outdoor work to do, and as the trustees of the hall have discontinued letting it for other than their own church purposes during the daytime, it does not seem as though any great inconvenience is likely to occur in this direction in the future.
Mr. Wait's figures, contained in his letter published by you on Tuesday, are inaccurate, which he admitted at the indignation meeting, held on Wednesday night last, at Gordon. The exact financial position, if the new shire building be erected, is: -Five per cent on land value, £600, £30; 5 per cent, on building value, £800, £40; total Interest, £70. Interest on land, £30, and rent at present paid, viz , £32; total of £62, leaving a Dr. balance of £8, to which it will be necessary to add the following charges; Lighting and office-cleaning, say, £26 per annum; depreciation, repairs, etc., to building, 2½ per cent, on £800, £20 per annum; Insurance on building and contents, £2 Is per annum; caretaker, say. £26 per an- num; making a total cost of £82, or, say, £1 11s 6d per week, more than it is costing the shire at the present time for office rent, in addition to the cost of building, £800.
If the council remains in the occupancy of the Parish Hall, Gordon, the position is: Rent, £32 per annum; loss of interest in £600, £30; total, £62. Two machine-made rooms for the use of engineer and clerk, to be made to intercommunicate with general office and to be the property of the shire, for use later on in connection with outdoor offices of future building, say, £50 at 5 per cent. interest, £2 10s; total, £64 10s per annum; or, say, £1 5s per week. (These rooms to be added, if necessary, to obtain additional accommodation.)
Tile charges to the new building are based as low as possible, and the position is as follows;
New building cost £800. Loss of £8 referred to above, and upkeep £82 per annum more than we are paying for office accommodation now, and the loss of the use of the £800 for very necessary road works in the shire. All this expenditure is to be incurred to save the present rental of £32 per year (a loss of £122 per annum, made up as follows: £40 Interest on building outlay, and £32 for upkeep), and a little inconvenience to some of the officers of tho council; while many necessary repairs and improvements in the shire have to stand over. Where does the good business that President Wait refers to come in here?
It is a pity that President Wait, when letting us know the cost of the Willoughby Town Hall, did not tell us how many years this municipality was incorporated before it was decided to build a Town Hall; also what their administration expenses and revenue are. Their town clerk (Mr. A. A. C. Bastian) informs me that their general rates revenue is about £11,000 (as against this shire's £6000), and their administration expenses are only 10 per cent, of their total income (as against a cost of 20 per cent, to the rate- payers of Ku-ring-gai Shire for similar expenses); and it was quite 40 years after their municipality was incorporated before they decided to build a Town Hall.
A. H. H. ALDWORTH.
June 25th
SPORTS FACILITIES IN RESERVES
The Sydney Morning Herald Thursday 11th March 1948
Sir,- West Roseville Park is one of 130 reserves in Ku-ring gai. Its area is four acres out of a total of about 2,800 acres (15 per cent, of the municipality), dedicated for recreation purposes. It is one of hundreds of lovely spots in the area.
There are not a dozen playing fields. For many years, Council has been bombarded by sports organisations for the provision of additional playing areas. Up to now there is not a single area west of the Pacific Highway available for organised sport, and as a result of a decision in August last, five areas are being prepared as playing fields, one being West Roseville, and another Vernon Street (Kissing Point Road, Turramurra).
"Waratah" is not fair in his comment on Council's action in Lindfield Park. It is not "ruining a district heritage" of 120 acres. The part being laid out for tennis courts is less than half an acre, on which there was only one decent tree. The work is being done on the strong representations of local organisations.
The question is, shall Ku-ring-gai Council leave its reserves in their natural state forever, or shall it make reasonable and well considered provision for some organised sport?
W. CRESWELL-O'REILLY, Alderman, Ku-ring-gai Council.
LETTERS
TREE PRESERVATION.
TO THE EDITOR OP THE HERALD.
The Sydney Morning Herald Wednesday 25th March 1931
Sir,- All the members of the Ku-ring-gai Council and Its officers are delighted with the stand that the people are taking with regard to the destruction of trees. Hitherto it has been the habit of persons in that and other municipalities to destroy every piece of growing timber that could be seen, fired no doubt by the absurd story about George Washington.
For a long time now we have been engaged in a fight for the prevention of this spoliation of our natural beauties, and an attempt to prevent the various suburbs from being made into London suburbs-without a tree in them.
We have been able to obtain a great many creeks full of good timber and saplings, which are vested in the council and looked after by them, and in one case, at the Killara Oval, when we were making improvements there it cost us nearly £50 more to avoid cutting down a most beautiful red-gum which was a joy to everybody.
In spite of our efforts, however, there are people who go out of their way to destroy trees because they are on a footpath, or perhaps in some street.
We have everywhere encouraged the planting of trees and the preservation of them, and we are delighted to know that many of the ratepayers agree with us in this, and that the Rangers' League is also assisting in every way possible.
I am, etc.,
H. E. MCINTOSH.
Chairman Parks and Health Committee,
Municipality of Ku-ring-gai.
March 23.
Ku-ring-gai Clippings Vol 31
Ku-ring-Gai Council In The Lead
Children benefit from colour planning
The Sydney Morning Herald, Friday 6 November 1953
In recent years, psychologists have proven that planned colour environment has a beneficial effect on children and the Ku-ring-gai Municipal Council is to be congratulated on introducing colour planning to their nursery school at Gordon.
Australia was first made aware of the benefits of colour planning by the findings of extensive research projects conducted overseas. Psychologists discovered that whilst all children are susceptible to colour, it has its greatest impact on children of kindergarten age.
The Ku-ring-gai Council called in skilled colour consultants from Taubman’s Colour Service, to supervise the colour planning of their nursery school. Taking Pottery Blue, Shadow Grey and Primrose as the basic colours, they developed a colour scheme which, when executed by the contractor Mr. E. Mullins, of Pymble, created ideal surroundings for the children of the district.
Colour Returns To Stations
By “WARATAH"
The Sydney Morning Herald, Friday 14 March 1947
RAILWAY station gardens along the North Shore line are being restored from drab war-time garb to places of green lawn and colour masses.
The work is being carried out by Ku ring gai Council gardeners.
Already there are beds of bright flowers and rejuvenated roses.
Masses of pink petunias, late dahlias and zinnias with phlox and portulacca as borders to roses and flowering shrubs, are a relief in the monotony of daily travel. Interest centres in floral progress
day by day.
ELECTRIC LIGHT EXTENSION.
The Sydney Morning Herald, Friday 15 December 1916
The extension of the electric lighting system along the Milson's Point line continues to make substantial progress.
The Ku-ring-gai Council bas been informed by the General Manager of the City Council's Electric Light Department that if the weather conditions were favourable a start would be made early next week with the work of laying the extension mains adjacent to the Gordon Railway station.
The council has been assured that unless unexpected difficulties are encountered the supply of electricity should be available in restricted areas at four centres near the railway stations Roseville, Lindfield, Killara, and Gordon by the end of March or the beginning of April next.
A THREATENED AVENUE
The Sydney Morning Herald, Tuesday 11 August 1942
Sir, - Wahroonga possesses a unique avenue of tall trees which for many years have been a joy to behold. It consists of some 36 camphor laurels and tristanias planted alternately on either side of the avenue, and forming an overarching canopy of foliage above the road. In total effect it is most impressive. I know of no avenue near Sydney that can match it.
It is pleasing to note that the Ku- ring-gai Municipal Council, which had authorised the lopping of the trees, has suspended operations in order to consider the representations of a deputation of Wahroonga residents.
It is hoped that the council will respect the earnest wishes of all tree-lovers that the impressiveness of this avenue shall not be diminished.
E. G. WATERHOUSE. Sydney University.
Water Board Rates
The Sydney Morning Herald, Saturday 2 May 1953
Sir, - Surely nobody knows better than the Water Board president, Dr. T. H. Upton ("Herald," May 1) that a large portion of the total of his municipal rates paid to Ku- ring-gai Council are compulsory levies or dues collected by council on behalf of statutory authorities.
Compulsory payments by my council to the Cumberland County Council, Main Roads Board, County Council, and Board of Fire Commissioners skyrocketed from £36,655 in 1949 to £67,717 in 1953.
In considering rates for 1953, my council decided that the quantum of rates payable in 1952 had reached the limit ratepayers should be called upon to pay, and consequently we slashed our officers' estimates and, in view of the new valuations, reduced the rate in the pound to provide only the same total income received by council in 1952.
How will householders feel when they receive the Water Board's assessments in a few months' time, calling upon them to pay increases of from £8 to £22?
ERIC SOLOMON.
Alderman. Gordon.
GELIGNITE STOLEN.
Suspected Criminal Purposes
The Sydney Morning Herald, Saturday 18 October 1930
An intensive search is being made by the police for the men who stole a large quantity of gelignite from a shed In Lindfield Park yesterday morning. It is believed to be highly probable that the theft was committed by men anxious to secure explosives for criminal purposes.
The gelignite which was used in road construction and for blasting purposes, was stored in a workman's shed owned by the Ku-ring-gai Shire Council on Thursday evening. In the morning it was missing. Apparently some persons had burst into the shed during the night. Only the gelignite was stolen, and all the tools were left untouched.
Two nights previously ten thousand rounds of ammunition of small calibre were missed from the miniature rifle range at Victoria Barracks. The thieves had entered the building where they were stored by tearing two sheets of galvanised iron at the back of the store.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT.
TWEEDLEDUM AND TWEEDLEDEE.
The Sydney Morning Herald, Thursday 11 October 1928
The proposal to change the Shire of Ku- ring-gai into a municipality is one that appears to be causing a good deal of contention. On the face of it there is nothing to be excited about in the change of status. When shires were first created there were quite a number of differences between the powers and functions of a shire council and a municipal council. Every change has tended to bring the two bodies more into line, and there is practically no difference between the two except in regard to their powers of borrowing and rating.
In a shire council the limit that may be borrowed is three times the annual income of the shire. Ku-rlng-gai could borrow about £300,000. As a municipality its limit of loans would be 20 per cent, of the U.C.V., or about £700,000.
In regard to rating, a shire has a limit in its general rate, but is absolutely unlimited in the amount it levies as special and local rates. As a municipality it would be able to levy a higher general rate, but would be limited as to special and local rates. Unless certain ratepayers of Ku-ring-gai imagine that the new council intends to commence an orgy of borrowing, it is hard to understand the opposition to the proposal.
SUBDIVISION SALES.
The Sydney Morning Herald, Saturday 11 October 1930
This afternoon, at 3 o'clock, Hardie and Gorman Proprietary, Limited (in conjunction with Richardson and Wrench, Limited, and Raine and Horne, Limited), will offer at auction, under Instructions from the Ku-ring-gai Council, the Pymble Recreation Estate, Pymble, comprising sixty-five home sites, having frontages to the reserve, and the site for the new cricket oval, and close to the Pymble golf links.
The title Is Torrens. The terms are easy; 5 per cent deposit, subject to a minimum of £10, balance in twenty equal quarterly instalments, with Interest at 6 percent per annum.
DIVIDED CONTROL SPOILS OUR SCENERY
The Sunday Herald, Sunday 28 December 1952
This is an extract from a lengthy article lamenting different council policies in regard to tree preservation.
SYDNEY-one of the most beautiful sites for a city in the world-from the air looks as though it is suffering from a disease which causes' galloping baldness. There is a flourishing crop of trees in some suburbs ; others are as bare as a bleached skull.
What, if anything, is being done to arrest this denudation or to bring about the "higher standard of landscape beauty" which is one of the professed aims of the Cumberland County Council?
South of the city is an arboreal wilderness, dreary wastes without an acre of shade in a square mile, to the west, some green strips alternating with arid patches. The eastern suburbs are better, but not as verdant as such an area, built up as it is, could be. Only to the north and north-west has any real success been achieved in making Sydney into a green and pleasant landscape.
There are, to be sure, some dreadfully thin patches, as far as Chatswood, and Northbridge has substituted quasi-Hollywood homes for what was once a shady peninsula. And beyond Waitara the wavy and luxuriant growth of the "silver tail" suburbs gives way to the shiny pate of the highlands between it and the Hawkesbury.
But in between, the loving care of Ku-ring-gai Council and its tree-conscious residents have made the northern rises a perfect example of civic grooming; suburbs which could not be bettered anywhere else in the world.
Kuring-gai Mayor Defends Regalia
The Sunday Herald, Tuesday 17 August 1954
Ten of the 12 aldermen of Kuring gai Council are in favour of wearing robes, the Mayor, Alderman H. T. Cornish, said last night.
The two dissentients, Aldermen J. R. S. Malloch and G. Ball, said on Sunday they were against the robes which, Alderman Ball said, would probably involve the council in total expenditure of £1,000.
Alderman Cornish said the robes would not cost anything like £1,000.
"We have received a quotation for a wig for the Town Clerk and robes for the Town Clerk and aldermen for a total outlay of £131/5/," he said.
"As the robes will last at least ten years and be worn by successive aldermen, the annual cost will be a minute portion of council revenue.
"We received a quotation of £185 for a mayoral chain.
ADDS DIGNITY
“The idea of wearing robes is to set a high standard in the conduct of meetings and official functions, such as naturalisation ceremonies.
"I think robes add dignity to civic office.
"We are not very concerned what other councils do. Ku- ring-gai is entitled to set its own traditions. Mayoral robes have been worn for many years.
"Council's decision to have robes cannot be classed as an extravagance.
"Our rates have been at the same level for the past three years."
Children benefit from colour planning
The Sydney Morning Herald, Friday 6 November 1953
In recent years, psychologists have proven that planned colour environment has a beneficial effect on children and the Ku-ring-gai Municipal Council is to be congratulated on introducing colour planning to their nursery school at Gordon.
Australia was first made aware of the benefits of colour planning by the findings of extensive research projects conducted overseas. Psychologists discovered that whilst all children are susceptible to colour, it has its greatest impact on children of kindergarten age.
The Ku-ring-gai Council called in skilled colour consultants from Taubman’s Colour Service, to supervise the colour planning of their nursery school. Taking Pottery Blue, Shadow Grey and Primrose as the basic colours, they developed a colour scheme which, when executed by the contractor Mr. E. Mullins, of Pymble, created ideal surroundings for the children of the district.
Colour Returns To Stations
By “WARATAH"
The Sydney Morning Herald, Friday 14 March 1947
RAILWAY station gardens along the North Shore line are being restored from drab war-time garb to places of green lawn and colour masses.
The work is being carried out by Ku ring gai Council gardeners.
Already there are beds of bright flowers and rejuvenated roses.
Masses of pink petunias, late dahlias and zinnias with phlox and portulacca as borders to roses and flowering shrubs, are a relief in the monotony of daily travel. Interest centres in floral progress
day by day.
ELECTRIC LIGHT EXTENSION.
The Sydney Morning Herald, Friday 15 December 1916
The extension of the electric lighting system along the Milson's Point line continues to make substantial progress.
The Ku-ring-gai Council bas been informed by the General Manager of the City Council's Electric Light Department that if the weather conditions were favourable a start would be made early next week with the work of laying the extension mains adjacent to the Gordon Railway station.
The council has been assured that unless unexpected difficulties are encountered the supply of electricity should be available in restricted areas at four centres near the railway stations Roseville, Lindfield, Killara, and Gordon by the end of March or the beginning of April next.
A THREATENED AVENUE
The Sydney Morning Herald, Tuesday 11 August 1942
Sir, - Wahroonga possesses a unique avenue of tall trees which for many years have been a joy to behold. It consists of some 36 camphor laurels and tristanias planted alternately on either side of the avenue, and forming an overarching canopy of foliage above the road. In total effect it is most impressive. I know of no avenue near Sydney that can match it.
It is pleasing to note that the Ku- ring-gai Municipal Council, which had authorised the lopping of the trees, has suspended operations in order to consider the representations of a deputation of Wahroonga residents.
It is hoped that the council will respect the earnest wishes of all tree-lovers that the impressiveness of this avenue shall not be diminished.
E. G. WATERHOUSE. Sydney University.
Water Board Rates
The Sydney Morning Herald, Saturday 2 May 1953
Sir, - Surely nobody knows better than the Water Board president, Dr. T. H. Upton ("Herald," May 1) that a large portion of the total of his municipal rates paid to Ku- ring-gai Council are compulsory levies or dues collected by council on behalf of statutory authorities.
Compulsory payments by my council to the Cumberland County Council, Main Roads Board, County Council, and Board of Fire Commissioners skyrocketed from £36,655 in 1949 to £67,717 in 1953.
In considering rates for 1953, my council decided that the quantum of rates payable in 1952 had reached the limit ratepayers should be called upon to pay, and consequently we slashed our officers' estimates and, in view of the new valuations, reduced the rate in the pound to provide only the same total income received by council in 1952.
How will householders feel when they receive the Water Board's assessments in a few months' time, calling upon them to pay increases of from £8 to £22?
ERIC SOLOMON.
Alderman. Gordon.
GELIGNITE STOLEN.
Suspected Criminal Purposes
The Sydney Morning Herald, Saturday 18 October 1930
An intensive search is being made by the police for the men who stole a large quantity of gelignite from a shed In Lindfield Park yesterday morning. It is believed to be highly probable that the theft was committed by men anxious to secure explosives for criminal purposes.
The gelignite which was used in road construction and for blasting purposes, was stored in a workman's shed owned by the Ku-ring-gai Shire Council on Thursday evening. In the morning it was missing. Apparently some persons had burst into the shed during the night. Only the gelignite was stolen, and all the tools were left untouched.
Two nights previously ten thousand rounds of ammunition of small calibre were missed from the miniature rifle range at Victoria Barracks. The thieves had entered the building where they were stored by tearing two sheets of galvanised iron at the back of the store.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT.
TWEEDLEDUM AND TWEEDLEDEE.
The Sydney Morning Herald, Thursday 11 October 1928
The proposal to change the Shire of Ku- ring-gai into a municipality is one that appears to be causing a good deal of contention. On the face of it there is nothing to be excited about in the change of status. When shires were first created there were quite a number of differences between the powers and functions of a shire council and a municipal council. Every change has tended to bring the two bodies more into line, and there is practically no difference between the two except in regard to their powers of borrowing and rating.
In a shire council the limit that may be borrowed is three times the annual income of the shire. Ku-rlng-gai could borrow about £300,000. As a municipality its limit of loans would be 20 per cent, of the U.C.V., or about £700,000.
In regard to rating, a shire has a limit in its general rate, but is absolutely unlimited in the amount it levies as special and local rates. As a municipality it would be able to levy a higher general rate, but would be limited as to special and local rates. Unless certain ratepayers of Ku-ring-gai imagine that the new council intends to commence an orgy of borrowing, it is hard to understand the opposition to the proposal.
SUBDIVISION SALES.
The Sydney Morning Herald, Saturday 11 October 1930
This afternoon, at 3 o'clock, Hardie and Gorman Proprietary, Limited (in conjunction with Richardson and Wrench, Limited, and Raine and Horne, Limited), will offer at auction, under Instructions from the Ku-ring-gai Council, the Pymble Recreation Estate, Pymble, comprising sixty-five home sites, having frontages to the reserve, and the site for the new cricket oval, and close to the Pymble golf links.
The title Is Torrens. The terms are easy; 5 per cent deposit, subject to a minimum of £10, balance in twenty equal quarterly instalments, with Interest at 6 percent per annum.
DIVIDED CONTROL SPOILS OUR SCENERY
The Sunday Herald, Sunday 28 December 1952
This is an extract from a lengthy article lamenting different council policies in regard to tree preservation.
SYDNEY-one of the most beautiful sites for a city in the world-from the air looks as though it is suffering from a disease which causes' galloping baldness. There is a flourishing crop of trees in some suburbs ; others are as bare as a bleached skull.
What, if anything, is being done to arrest this denudation or to bring about the "higher standard of landscape beauty" which is one of the professed aims of the Cumberland County Council?
South of the city is an arboreal wilderness, dreary wastes without an acre of shade in a square mile, to the west, some green strips alternating with arid patches. The eastern suburbs are better, but not as verdant as such an area, built up as it is, could be. Only to the north and north-west has any real success been achieved in making Sydney into a green and pleasant landscape.
There are, to be sure, some dreadfully thin patches, as far as Chatswood, and Northbridge has substituted quasi-Hollywood homes for what was once a shady peninsula. And beyond Waitara the wavy and luxuriant growth of the "silver tail" suburbs gives way to the shiny pate of the highlands between it and the Hawkesbury.
But in between, the loving care of Ku-ring-gai Council and its tree-conscious residents have made the northern rises a perfect example of civic grooming; suburbs which could not be bettered anywhere else in the world.
Kuring-gai Mayor Defends Regalia
The Sunday Herald, Tuesday 17 August 1954
Ten of the 12 aldermen of Kuring gai Council are in favour of wearing robes, the Mayor, Alderman H. T. Cornish, said last night.
The two dissentients, Aldermen J. R. S. Malloch and G. Ball, said on Sunday they were against the robes which, Alderman Ball said, would probably involve the council in total expenditure of £1,000.
Alderman Cornish said the robes would not cost anything like £1,000.
"We have received a quotation for a wig for the Town Clerk and robes for the Town Clerk and aldermen for a total outlay of £131/5/," he said.
"As the robes will last at least ten years and be worn by successive aldermen, the annual cost will be a minute portion of council revenue.
"We received a quotation of £185 for a mayoral chain.
ADDS DIGNITY
“The idea of wearing robes is to set a high standard in the conduct of meetings and official functions, such as naturalisation ceremonies.
"I think robes add dignity to civic office.
"We are not very concerned what other councils do. Ku- ring-gai is entitled to set its own traditions. Mayoral robes have been worn for many years.
"Council's decision to have robes cannot be classed as an extravagance.
"Our rates have been at the same level for the past three years."
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Ku-ring-gai Clippings Vol 30
WAHROONGA.
The Sydney Morning Herald Saturday 11th July 1903
At the monthly meeting of the Wahroonga Progress Committee on Tuesday it was agreed to invite tenders for tree guards and planting portions of Lane Cove-road, Burns-road, and CleveIand-street. It was determined to obtain an estimate of the cost of metalling Warwillia-avenue and to erect additional lamps.
WAHROONGA.
The Sydney Morning Herald Wednesday 8th August 1906
It is the intention of the residents of Wahroonga, Warrawee, and Turramurra to form a recreation ground close to the Warrawee station, on the Milson’s Point railway line. A sum, estimated at £2500 is being spent on the ground, which will include a bowling green, four tennis courts, a quoits ground, and provision for other sports. The work, will, it is expected, be completed some time during next month.
The Wahroonga Progress Association has recently been carrying on negotiations for the improvement of the local railway station. The Railway Commissioners propose to build an overhead bridge at the southern end of the station, so as to enable them to close the existing level crossing. There is some difference of opinion amongst residents with regard to the proposal, a section preferring a subway near the present entrance. To settle the vexed question, a public meeting of residents will shortly be held.
WAHROONGA WAR MEMORIAL.
The Sydney Morning Herald Tuesday 17th February 1925
The Prime Minister (Mr. Bruce) has consented to unveil the Wahroonga War Memorial, recently erected in Wahroonga Park, adjacent to the railway station, on Saturday, 28th inst., at 3 o'clock.
It Is expected that there will be a large attendance, including returned soldiers, girl guides, boy scouts, Federal and State representatives in Parliament, shire councils, and other public bodies, besides representatives of the Churches of the district, schools, musical societies, etc.
WAHROONGA RESERVOIR.
£70,000 UNDERTAKING.
The Sydney Morning Herald Tuesday 17th February 1925
The construction of the reservoir at Wahroonga, which will amplify the water supply to North Shore line suburbs, is nearing completion.
The reservoir has a depth of 30ft and a capacity of 10,000,000 gallons. The estimated cost is £70,000, and another £3000 was spent on the alteration of mains.
Officials of the Water and Sewerage Board expect that the reservoir will be brought into operation about October next, upon the completion of the Ryde-Wahroonga rising main.
ST. SWITHIN'S, WAHROONGA.
The Sydney Morning Herald Tuesday 14th September 1937
The parish council of St. Swithin's, Wahroonga, has appointed Mr. N. W. McPherson architect, to prepare plans and supervise the erection of the new church to be erected at the corner of Telegraph Road and Merrivale Road, Pymble. The building will be of stone, with a slate roof. It will occupy the highest point in the suburb. Sketch designs of the new building have been approved.
POST-OFFICE IMPROVEMENTS.
The Sydney Morning Herald Tuesday 12th September 1922
Mr. H. E. Pratten, M.P., writes, stating that, owing to a special effort which is being made by the Federal Ministry to bring all telegraph, and telephone services up to date, the following works in his electorate have been provided for in the loan estimates passed by Parliament last week:
Beecroft, new post office, towards cost £100;
Epping, additions to telephone exchange, towards cost £500; Gordon post-office, £1500;
Gordon automatic telephone exchange, towards cost £2000;
Killara Post-office, towards cost £1000;
Lindfield Post-office, towards cost £1000;
North Sydney, additions and alteration!, to telephone ex- change, towards cost £500;
Roseville Post office, towards cost £1000;
Ryde, additions to post-office, £660;
Parramatta, renovations to post-office, about £500.
GORDON'S NEW POST-OFFICE.
The Sydney Morning Herald Monday 9th October 1922
The Attorney-General, Mr. Bavin, opened a new post-office at Gordon on Saturday morning. Nothing was more indicative of the commercial and residential progress of a district, said the Minister, than the postal facilities provided, and the new building afforded evidence of the growth of Gordon.
ROSEVILLE POST-OFFICE.
The Sydney Morning Herald Wednesday 23rd March 1921
A proposal to move the Roseville post-office, at present in Hill -street, to Lane Cove-road, is meeting with the opposition of business people, residents, and the local progress association.
It is claimed that the present post-office, by being on the eastern side of the railway, suits the convenience of fully 90 per cent of the residents, and the extension of the Roseville postal area, the soldiers' settlement at East Roseville, and the opening up of the nearest road to French's Forest make the claim the stronger.
DELIVERY OF LETTERS.
The Sydney Morning Herald Tuesday 11th March 1924
A correspondent, writing to the "Herald" over the signature "Progress," protests against residents of St. Ives having to call for letters at the local post office. She adds: "As a woman, and a newcomer to the district, it seems outrageous in a closely-settled district such as this, not to have a letter delivery at least once a day, either from Pymble or the local office. The little office could also be made a branch of the Commonwealth Savings Bank."
THE BIG TREES.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD.
The Sydney Morning Herald Thursday 16th November 1922
Sir, - You had the courtesy to print an inquiry from me in your paper of the 30th ult., and, owing to the kindness of various friends, especially Miss Mein, Mr. James Burt, and Mr. F. A. Mashman, I am able to clear up entirely the matter of the big tree "about six miles from Milson's Point ferry."
It was a red gum (Eucalyptus tereticornis), and stood on the property of Captain Mein, Hillcrest Estate, situated on the western side of Ferncourt-avenue, about five chains from Boundary-street, Roseville. The Chinaman's garden referred to was leased from Mrs. Mein. The tree was known as "The Champagne Bottle" throughout the district, and could be seen from a great distance. This is not an inappropriate name to apply to the headless tree as shown in my photographs, and refers to the shape of the trunk, which had, a peculiar taper.
At one time six men and two boys, with out- stretched arms and hands clasped, could encompass it. Mr. Burt tells me that at one time it was about 60ft in girth, but a bush fire burnt off a bulging portion, leaving the girth, in the year 1880, only 39ft. The figure 60ft was furnished by a son of the original grantee. I have, in a previous letter, given you the height and girth, as taken by Dr. Wright in 1888. The late Mr. Clarendon Stuart, surveyor, in May, 1897, gave the height at 62ft Bin, and girth 89ft. Mr. Stuart at the time made a sketch, in oils, of the tree, which was taken from precisely the same point as the photographs in my possession, but in taking note of all the heights given I would point out that the head of the tree-had long since disappeared, and that the measurements of the girth are alone of value.
The top of the tree had probably been removed by lightning, and the height of the tree must have been considerably over 100ft. Soon after 1897 white ants played havoc with the tree, and some person set fire to it. It was readily burnt down, and most people know that this particular tree is one of the best firewoods we have got.
Since the above was written, Mr. Jack Coleman obligingly tells me that the above tree, which is between Boundary-street, Roseville, and William-street, Chatswood, had a trunk 4ft from the ground measuring 42ft in circumference, and that the remains of it are in existence, and can be seen any day.
May I take the opportunity of asking any of your readers if they know of a standing red gum in the Sydney district of a bigger girth than that which has been attributed to the tree under discussion? Some apparent discrepancies in figures are owing to the fact that measurements are taken at varying heights from the ground.
I am, etc.,
Botanic Gardens, J. H. MAIDEN.
November 3.
The Sydney Morning Herald Saturday 11th July 1903
At the monthly meeting of the Wahroonga Progress Committee on Tuesday it was agreed to invite tenders for tree guards and planting portions of Lane Cove-road, Burns-road, and CleveIand-street. It was determined to obtain an estimate of the cost of metalling Warwillia-avenue and to erect additional lamps.
WAHROONGA.
The Sydney Morning Herald Wednesday 8th August 1906
It is the intention of the residents of Wahroonga, Warrawee, and Turramurra to form a recreation ground close to the Warrawee station, on the Milson’s Point railway line. A sum, estimated at £2500 is being spent on the ground, which will include a bowling green, four tennis courts, a quoits ground, and provision for other sports. The work, will, it is expected, be completed some time during next month.
The Wahroonga Progress Association has recently been carrying on negotiations for the improvement of the local railway station. The Railway Commissioners propose to build an overhead bridge at the southern end of the station, so as to enable them to close the existing level crossing. There is some difference of opinion amongst residents with regard to the proposal, a section preferring a subway near the present entrance. To settle the vexed question, a public meeting of residents will shortly be held.
WAHROONGA WAR MEMORIAL.
The Sydney Morning Herald Tuesday 17th February 1925
The Prime Minister (Mr. Bruce) has consented to unveil the Wahroonga War Memorial, recently erected in Wahroonga Park, adjacent to the railway station, on Saturday, 28th inst., at 3 o'clock.
It Is expected that there will be a large attendance, including returned soldiers, girl guides, boy scouts, Federal and State representatives in Parliament, shire councils, and other public bodies, besides representatives of the Churches of the district, schools, musical societies, etc.
WAHROONGA RESERVOIR.
£70,000 UNDERTAKING.
The Sydney Morning Herald Tuesday 17th February 1925
The construction of the reservoir at Wahroonga, which will amplify the water supply to North Shore line suburbs, is nearing completion.
The reservoir has a depth of 30ft and a capacity of 10,000,000 gallons. The estimated cost is £70,000, and another £3000 was spent on the alteration of mains.
Officials of the Water and Sewerage Board expect that the reservoir will be brought into operation about October next, upon the completion of the Ryde-Wahroonga rising main.
ST. SWITHIN'S, WAHROONGA.
The Sydney Morning Herald Tuesday 14th September 1937
The parish council of St. Swithin's, Wahroonga, has appointed Mr. N. W. McPherson architect, to prepare plans and supervise the erection of the new church to be erected at the corner of Telegraph Road and Merrivale Road, Pymble. The building will be of stone, with a slate roof. It will occupy the highest point in the suburb. Sketch designs of the new building have been approved.
POST-OFFICE IMPROVEMENTS.
The Sydney Morning Herald Tuesday 12th September 1922
Mr. H. E. Pratten, M.P., writes, stating that, owing to a special effort which is being made by the Federal Ministry to bring all telegraph, and telephone services up to date, the following works in his electorate have been provided for in the loan estimates passed by Parliament last week:
Beecroft, new post office, towards cost £100;
Epping, additions to telephone exchange, towards cost £500; Gordon post-office, £1500;
Gordon automatic telephone exchange, towards cost £2000;
Killara Post-office, towards cost £1000;
Lindfield Post-office, towards cost £1000;
North Sydney, additions and alteration!, to telephone ex- change, towards cost £500;
Roseville Post office, towards cost £1000;
Ryde, additions to post-office, £660;
Parramatta, renovations to post-office, about £500.
GORDON'S NEW POST-OFFICE.
The Sydney Morning Herald Monday 9th October 1922
The Attorney-General, Mr. Bavin, opened a new post-office at Gordon on Saturday morning. Nothing was more indicative of the commercial and residential progress of a district, said the Minister, than the postal facilities provided, and the new building afforded evidence of the growth of Gordon.
ROSEVILLE POST-OFFICE.
The Sydney Morning Herald Wednesday 23rd March 1921
A proposal to move the Roseville post-office, at present in Hill -street, to Lane Cove-road, is meeting with the opposition of business people, residents, and the local progress association.
It is claimed that the present post-office, by being on the eastern side of the railway, suits the convenience of fully 90 per cent of the residents, and the extension of the Roseville postal area, the soldiers' settlement at East Roseville, and the opening up of the nearest road to French's Forest make the claim the stronger.
DELIVERY OF LETTERS.
The Sydney Morning Herald Tuesday 11th March 1924
A correspondent, writing to the "Herald" over the signature "Progress," protests against residents of St. Ives having to call for letters at the local post office. She adds: "As a woman, and a newcomer to the district, it seems outrageous in a closely-settled district such as this, not to have a letter delivery at least once a day, either from Pymble or the local office. The little office could also be made a branch of the Commonwealth Savings Bank."
THE BIG TREES.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD.
The Sydney Morning Herald Thursday 16th November 1922
Sir, - You had the courtesy to print an inquiry from me in your paper of the 30th ult., and, owing to the kindness of various friends, especially Miss Mein, Mr. James Burt, and Mr. F. A. Mashman, I am able to clear up entirely the matter of the big tree "about six miles from Milson's Point ferry."
It was a red gum (Eucalyptus tereticornis), and stood on the property of Captain Mein, Hillcrest Estate, situated on the western side of Ferncourt-avenue, about five chains from Boundary-street, Roseville. The Chinaman's garden referred to was leased from Mrs. Mein. The tree was known as "The Champagne Bottle" throughout the district, and could be seen from a great distance. This is not an inappropriate name to apply to the headless tree as shown in my photographs, and refers to the shape of the trunk, which had, a peculiar taper.
At one time six men and two boys, with out- stretched arms and hands clasped, could encompass it. Mr. Burt tells me that at one time it was about 60ft in girth, but a bush fire burnt off a bulging portion, leaving the girth, in the year 1880, only 39ft. The figure 60ft was furnished by a son of the original grantee. I have, in a previous letter, given you the height and girth, as taken by Dr. Wright in 1888. The late Mr. Clarendon Stuart, surveyor, in May, 1897, gave the height at 62ft Bin, and girth 89ft. Mr. Stuart at the time made a sketch, in oils, of the tree, which was taken from precisely the same point as the photographs in my possession, but in taking note of all the heights given I would point out that the head of the tree-had long since disappeared, and that the measurements of the girth are alone of value.
The top of the tree had probably been removed by lightning, and the height of the tree must have been considerably over 100ft. Soon after 1897 white ants played havoc with the tree, and some person set fire to it. It was readily burnt down, and most people know that this particular tree is one of the best firewoods we have got.
Since the above was written, Mr. Jack Coleman obligingly tells me that the above tree, which is between Boundary-street, Roseville, and William-street, Chatswood, had a trunk 4ft from the ground measuring 42ft in circumference, and that the remains of it are in existence, and can be seen any day.
May I take the opportunity of asking any of your readers if they know of a standing red gum in the Sydney district of a bigger girth than that which has been attributed to the tree under discussion? Some apparent discrepancies in figures are owing to the fact that measurements are taken at varying heights from the ground.
I am, etc.,
Botanic Gardens, J. H. MAIDEN.
November 3.
Ku-ring-gai Clippings Vol 29
LAST OF THE PINES,
WIDENING LANE COVE-ROAD.
The Sydney Morning Herald Wednesday 18th December 1929
The last of the "Stoneholme" pines, which for 40 odd years has occupied a prominent position on the Lane Cove-road at Lindfield within a few yards of the railway station, will be chopped down to-day or to-morrow to make way for another 18-foot addition to the main Kuring-gai highway. And with this fine tree will pass the pittosporums, the privets, and the other green things which have served their purpose, and are now being removed because the Main Roads Board and the municipality of Kuring-gai have decided that the roadway is too narrow, and that Coleman's Corner, a few yards away, should be straightened out as early as possible for safety sake. Piece by piece this work is being done, the section now in hand being one of the most important within the village of Lindfield.
Stoneholme has been made famous by its present owner, Dr. Harriet Biffen, who purchased the property 28 years ago and began as a medical practitioner when Lindfield was in its infancy. Everyone within miles of the now busy centre knew the doctor personally or by sight, and knew of her good work as well. Her pine trees were a feature of the skyline.
Stoneholme was built about 48 years ago by Mr. James Montgomery, who for a long time had only two neighbours, Mr. Coleman and Mr. Fisher. Mr. Coleman is still in his old home lot; Mr. Fisher, who was located on the northern boundary near Treatt's-road, Killara, left the village before the latter-day developments began with the opening of the railway through to Mllson's Point.
Mr. Montgomery, like so many of the older residents in the outer suburbs, was a lover of trees. He ran a line of Monterey pines inside his alignment, and kept them on the landscape among the ironbarks, the blood woods, the peppermints, and the turpentines.
In the valleys and on the eastern slopes behind him the early timber-getters felled big forest trees, and shipped the hardwood to the city by ballast boat or steamer from Fiddens' Wharf on the upper reaches of the Lane Cove.
Mr. Montgomery's Stoneholme and Mr. Coleman's property were part of the original Archbold holding, which began at Boundary street, Willoughby-now Roseville-and ran along the Lane Cove-road to Tryon-road, Lindfield, on the corner of which the first Methodist church was built during 1896. The western boundary was Archbold-road, at one time thought to be well out in the wilds of Lindfield.
"I am sorry to part with my last pine tree," Dr. Biffin told a "Herald" representative yesterday. It is one of the links with the past. Many an old resident of Lindfield will miss it."
PACIFIC HIGHWAY SUGGESTED
The Sydney Morning Herald Tuesday 28th April 1931
The Main Roads Board has suggested to various northern municipal and shire councils that the name of the road from Sydney to Brisbane shall be known as the Pacific Highway.
The Hornsby Council does not approve the suggestion and has informed the board that it would prefer the name "Northern Highway."
SPEED LIMIT.
LAW CAME INTO FORCE YESTERDAY.
Rush to Erect Road Signs.
Sydney Morning Herald Friday 24th December 1937
The new Motor Traffic Bill received the Governor's assent and became law yesterday. Signs are being hastily erected on all main roads entering the city, in an attempt to indicate clearly, before the holidays begin, the "built up area" in which speed must not exceed 30 miles an hour.
The Minister for Transport (Mr. Bruxner) said yesterday that the new law should do much to reduce the number of road accidents.
POINTS SELECTED.
The points at which road signs are to be erected as an indication that drivers are entering the metropolitan built-up area, and must not exceed a speed of 30 miles an hour, are as follows:
Babbage Road, Willoughby, near Roseville Bridge;
Milwood Road, Chatswood, on the Ryde side of Fuller's Bridge;
May Road, Warringah, near Pittwater Road;
Beacon Hill Road, about half a mile from Pittwater Road.
Allambie Road, Warringah, near Condamine Street;
French's Forest Road, near Dalwood Homes;
South Creek Road, Warringah, near Inman Road;
Deep Creek Road, Warringah, about half a mile from Pittwater Road; Cobado Road, Warringah, near Alleyne Avenue;
Powder Works Road, Warringah, near Taiyul Road;
Vineyard Street, Warringah, near Macpherson Street;
Gordon Road, Warringah, near Pittwater Road.
Pittwater Road, St. Ives, near Richmond Avenue;
Peat's Ferry Road, near Mt. Colah railway station;
Galston Road, Hornsby, near Ethel Street;
Ryde Road, Pymble, near Beaumont Road.
Lucknow Road, Ryde, near Wicks Road;
Lane Cove Road, Ryde, near Victoria Road;
Wicks Road, Ryde, between Cox Road and Lucknow Street;
Great Western Highway, Prospect near Church Lane:
Prince's Highway, Sutherland, at entrance to Lady Rawson Avenue.
Old Illawarra Road, Sutherland, near Price's Avenue.
Forest Road, Hurstville, near the Lugarno ferry gates;
Ashford Avenue, Milperra;
Newbridge Road, Liverpool, near Epsom Road;
Illawarra Road, Liverpool, near Walder Road, Hammondville;
Hume Highway, Liverpool, near Main Southern Road;
Main Southern Road, Liverpool, near Hume Highway.
Glenfield Road, Liverpool, near Main Southern Road;
Windsor Road, Baulkham Hills, near Seven Hills Road;
Showground Road, Baulkham Hills, near Windsor Road;
New Line Road, Hornsby Shire, near Castle Hill Road;
Old Northern Road, Baulkham Hills, near junction with Old Castle Hill Road.
THE PARRAMATTA ROAD.
Officers of the Transport Department explained yesterday, for the benefit of motorists who will be travelling from the city to the Blue Mountains, that they will be required to keep to the 30 miles an hour speed limit along the Parramatta Road until they reach the point where road lighting ceases near Church Lane, Prospect.
Some miles further on they will again have to conform to the 30 miles limit upon reaching another lighted area at Ropes Creek Bridge near Clayton post office until the further boundary of that area is reached. The next lighted area starts near Kingswood and finishes near Walker Crescent, Emu Plains.
DEFINITE LIMIT
In built up areas the limitation of 30 m p h is definite. Driving at a speed in excess of that limit will be an offence. A built-up area is defined as one in which there is a system of street lighting so that for all practical purposes the term “built up area” will include all populated areas throughout the State.
There is provision in the Act giving the Minister power to apply the 30 m p h restriction to roads which do not have provision for street lighting and to remove the restriction for a road where there is provision for street lighting.
Outside built-up areas and on derestricted roads there is prima facie limitation of 50 m p h. This means that in places where the 30 m p h limit is not in force it will be on offence to drive at more than
MINISTERS WARNING
Mr. Bruxner said yesterday the fixing of speed limits is not to be regarded as an invitation to drivers to travel at the prescribed speeds in all circumstances. In future, as in the past, it will be an offence to drive a motor vehicle at any speed which is dangerous to the public even if that speed is less than the limit.
The bill imposes an obligation on drivers to report accidents in which they are concerned to a police officer except where the accident involves only damage to property not in excess of £5.
Mr Bruxner said that the Road Safety Council had under consideration several amendments to the regulations including one to require drivers to stop or slow down before entering a main thoroughfare from a side street.
FIRE AT WARRAWEE.
Sydney Morning Herald Thursday 12th October 1911
A destructive fire occurred at Warrawee in the early hours of Wednesday morning when the residence of William Thow, ex chief mechanical engineer of railways was destroyed.
The outbreak started in weatherboard rooms at the rear of the house and quickly spread to the whole of the premises. Nothing but the four walls was left standing. Constable Tomb from Turramurra
Warrawee is totally unprovided with any means of combating an outbreak of fire, the nearest station being at Chatswood, six miles away. The building, which is the property of Dr. Sly, is valued at about £2000 and the contents at about £1200.
DANCE AT WARRAWEE.
Sydney Morning Herald Saturday 8th February 1930
Mr. and Mrs. George Gillespie entertained at a dance on Thursday night in their residence, Roseburn, Warrawee, to celebrate the engagement of their daughter Edith to Dr. Norman Keirle. The verandah, where dancing took place, was decorated with palms and ferns and was hung with lanterns and balloons.
Mrs. Gillespie received her guests in a gown of black chiffon and lace. Her daughter was in eau-de-nil chiffon. Among those present were Mr. and Mrs. A. T. Keirle, Mr. and Mrs. Reg. Keirle, Dr. and Mrs. Holcombe, the Misses Betty and Cecily Nosworthy, Elaine Pope, Joyce Piper, Margaret, Frances, and Nancy Gillespie, Mary Stobo, Margaret Grant, Dr. J. S. Stephens, Dr. L. Wilson, Messrs. A. N. Harding, John Cadwallader, Gordon Turnbull, Garrick Wilson, A. and H. Keirle, Harry Murdoch, and Brian Alcorn.
THE KNOX GRAMMAR SCHOOL AT WARRAWEE.
THE FORMER RESIDENCE OF SIR CHARLES MACKELLAR.
Sydney Morning Herald Friday 21st September 1923
The trustees of the Presbyterian Church of New South Wales have purchased this property, to be used as a boys' college, and the opening ceremony will be performed in February next. The area of the grounds is 13 acres.
HOLIDAY TEAMS.
Sydney Morning Herald Monday 17th December 1928
Gladesville District-Martin Shield against Hornsby, at Hassall Park St Ives on Boxing Day- B. Murray (captain), T. Graham, H. Gay,
S. Williams, J. Rogers, H. Pardy, J. Warrilow, J. Kavanagh,
J. Chapman, R. Hill, E. Hawkins with R. Chamberlain F. Woods or
A. Stoequeler as twelfth man.
FUNERALS.
Sydney Morning Herald Saturday 7th July 1900
Balsom – The Friends of Mr. W. H. Smith are kindly invited to the funeral of his dearly beloved MOTHER, the late Mrs. Louis Balsom, to move from her son’s residence, Pittwater-road St. Ives, THIS SATURDAY at 12 o’clock, for R.C. cemetery, Coopers Flat, Chatswood.
Telephone 726 WOOD and COMPANY
Undertakers and Embalmers
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