THE GOVERNOR'S VISIT TO YORKE'S PENINSULA.

Sat 9 Jul 1870, Adelaide Observer (SA : 1843 - 1904) Trove

The people of Yorke's Peninsula have waited long and patiently for an opportunity of proving to the head of the Executive the vast extent of their natural wealth, and their extreme indigence in the matter of public works. A set of unfavourable circumstances have hitherto prevented His Excellency from paying to the district the well-deserved compliment of a personal visit. He has travelled North, East, and South, even penetrating to the remote parts of the South-East; but the centre par excellence of mining industry, with its teeming thousands of inhabitants all collected within the short space of a decade, has been left uninspected. Were there nothing else to extenuate the omission, fair excuse might be found in the nature of the approach to it by land. Those who are at a loss to know how the country looked in primitive times cannot do better than undertake the journey between Adelaide and Kadina by coach. They will find the ride instructive in more ways than one. It will go far to promote in them the sublime virtues of self-control and resignation. If they feel inclined at the outset to be factious and impatient, they will in spite of themselves become converts to quite a different philosophy before the day's done. With a bruised and broken spirit and with aching bones they will part company with the conveyance, and its complacent, impassive driver. Should tlieir courage and inclination to balance advantages against discomforts sustain them for three-fourths of the way, they must inevitably succumb after getting enclosed by the Hummocks. A half a mile's walk to give the horses breath in ascending a succession of steep inclines, the gradients of which have not yet been registered, is the preparatory lesson in this final course. Mile after mile of road, which out corduroys comuroy, besides having an omnipresent coating of soft clay or slush, effectually completes the dispiriting process. After being shifted about involuntarily from pillar to post, until the operation has become monotonous as well as disagreeable, you fall naturally into the state of melancholy-cheerfulness which a convalescent from mat de mcr affects. Fully an hour before disembarking in Kadina, the most economically-disposed passenger is ready to vote on the spot for a reasonable sum to be raised, by loan or otherwise, to improve the road, and make it worthy the name of a highway for traffic. The necessity for amendment is constantly growing more and more apparent. Green's Plains are gradually being occupied for agricultural purposes, and are likely to prove infinitely better adapted for these thau for mail routes. There are thousands of acres of good arable land here and elsewhere along the line which are yet destined to blush with the fresh verdure of cereal crops. In many places farmers are struggling manfully to supplant mallee and scrub with corn-fields, and for this season, at least, the result appears to have been highly satisfactory.

But this is a divergence. Whatever the facts may be, the Governor has not been deterred from carrying out his long-delayed visit. The tidings that at length all obstacles in the way of his coming have been removed have caused the loyalty of the residents to glow with fresh ardour. This time at least there is to be no mistake and no misunderstandings. The appearance of His Excellency is not to be identified with any special mine or special event. The whole Peninsula is to welcome and entertain him and his distinguished lady. Every township is to contribute something to his triumphal progress. There are to be addresses at the anaing; an inspection of that wonderful hive of industry, the Smelting Works; atrip to Moonta, and an examination of its richest mineral deposits; a grand banquet in the Institute; weather and game permitting, a kangaroo hunt in the scrub; and a long catalogue of etceteras, to whicli no definite place has yet been assigned, but which will fill important places in the general arrangements. The Peninsular trinity- "Wallaroo, Moonta, and Kadina will strive to eclipse each other in their demonstrations, and it will go hard if together they not produce a result worthy of the occasion. His Excellency will have the benefit of the chaperonage of Mr. L K. Hughes an M.P. new from his constituents and with the first flush of his great victory among the miners fresh upon him He knows, or ought to know, what the inhabitants require. He has entered at large into their destitute condition in regard to roads; hehas plumbed their utmost desires in relation to public buildings and general improvements; be has ascertained their strong desire for a tramway connection with agricultural localities to toe northward; he h&B madft himself acquainted with their sanitary requirements, and been inducted into the mysteries of mineral tenant right in all its gradations of tenancy at will, occupation licences, and freeholds. Upon all of these points the people he represents labour under disadvantages. They have had no suitable recognition of the important position they occupy. Their abundant contributions to the revenue in the shape of payments for land, payments to taxation account, payments for licences, and so on have not called forth that substantial response which is the most eloquent expression of gratitude. They are overlooked, not in a comparative, but in a thorough and complete sense.

This, then, is the district winch His Excellency is about to explore a district displaying on every hand the results of private enterprise, but lamentably deficient in evidences of the parental care of the State. It has laid itself out to make the visit of the viceregal party thoroughly enjoyable, and if something of selfishness mingles with its motives the offence is paraonable. It has tried many ways of attracting attention. It has held meetings ad libitum; it has published statistics explanatory of its neglected state without stint; it sent members to Parliament primed to the muzzle with pledges and promises; it has invited members of the Legislature in galore to visit it, and has feasted and feted them on a liberal scale, and it now seeks to enlist on its behalf the powerful influence of viceroyalty. When the Governor has fulfilled the programme arranged for him, and obtained an insight into the vast resources and the just claims of the Peninsula, there is little fear of his advocacy being withheld. The residents, in requesting the good offices of the powers that be on their behalf, have substantial indications of self-help to point to; and although local effort has by no means exhausted itself, every one must acknowledge that this flourishing young settlement between the gulfs has not, to use a trite phrase, had its fair share of the public money.

Port Wallaroo, July 7.

His Excellency the Governor and Lady Edith are actually upon the Peninsula, and have received the congratulations of between two and three thousand of its inhabitants. It would not be correct to say that the residents of Port Wallaroo have displayed any extravagant loyalty in their welcome. They have, in truth, remained wonderfully cool and collected, charging their lack of enthusiasm to the people of Moonta Port unnaturally, there is a good deal of rivalrya perfectly healthy and good-natured rivalry, of course-between the three townships. Port Wallaroo, and, with her, Kadina, is rather at a loss in what light to view Moonta, which has risen with such rapid strides from a tiny village to a town with 10,000 inhabitants, and has not as yet begun to show signs of maturity. Moonta, on I the other hand, is disposed rather to disparage her older sisters, who have not kept pace with her own rapid growth. Either from jealousy or some other cause, a slight misunderstanding has arisen, which has prevented cheerful co-operation, and may in some slight measure militate against the success of the Peninsular demonstrations. ; The invitation to His Excellency emanated, it appears, from Moonta, and she took upon herself to arrange the greater part of the programme. Having done so, and secured the approval of her guest, he sought the acquiescence and aid of Wallaroo and Kadina. These were not cordially rendered; but, on the contrary, sometiling like a spirit of antagonism crept in. If Moonta chose to act by herself in the first instance, the other townships thought fit to act by themselves, and hence it was that the reception of His Excellency on landing was rather a sectional than a general affair.

Hence it was that the greeting accorded was not so exuberantly hearty as might have ; been looked for under the circumstances. But, spite of its lack of demonstrations, the welcome was a sincere and cordial one. There were no elaborate evidences of gaiety in the town itself a dozen flags floating bravely over as many of the more pretentious buildings; lines of streamers adorning the rigging of the two vessels in harbour the verulam and the River Ganges holiday costume assumed by all and sundry who desired to catch a glimpse of the Governor, and closed shops during the most interesting part of the proceedings, formed the tribute of the Wallaroo public to the greatness and specialty of the occasion; but even a stranger could see that beneath all their calmness there was an I under-current of eager interest, which betrayed itself in many a look seaward and many a speculation as to the time when I the Royal Shepherd would make its appearance. The information telegraphed through from Adelaide tended only to render the uncertainty on this point yet more dense. Some sanguine souls were on the look-out at 11 o'clock, and every hour from that up till 4 had its own list of supporters. The general muster commenced shortly after 12 o'clock, when Kadina made its appearance on the scene. Its enthusiasm partly made amends, if it did not absolutely put to shame the philosophical tranquillity of the Wallarooites. Although six or seven miles distant from the place of debarkation, it sent down its representatives in hundreds. Old men and maidens, young men and matrons, with children of every sex, hurried to the common rendezvous. The ordinary railway carriages were unequal to the occasion, and open vans were called into requisition by the half dozen. Into these the people packed themselves, retaining throughout a most genial flow of spirits. Still further to celebrate the event the Friendly Societies yielded up its members by the score as a sacrifice to the picturesque, and an acknowledgment of viceregal merit. The insigniaed procession formed after leaving the trucks, and with the band indulging in the most sprightly music to lead the way, proceeded to Hazelgrove's, and formed themselves into a complete semicircle before the door of the hotel - Oddfellows-cum-Foresters partaking of a little mild refreshment, and then advanced upon the jetty four abreast, with the gorgeous banners of the several Orders held high above them to the wonder and great admiration of the uninitiated. At least 200 of the different Constitutions presented themselves to Mr. Marshall, with an offer of their services. They were drawn up in double file, and when the time came formed an open passage to allow the inernational retinue to pass through.

Between 1 and 2 the Royal Shepherd was sighted, and now the assembling began in real earnest. People who had been tempted to seek relief from the tedium of waiting in the friendly shade of adjoining public-houses reappeared, and minute after minute the crowd which perambulated the jetty or studded the high grounds near by was augI mented by fresh arrivals. Some of them came from unknown snuggeries in the country, into which the fame of the Governor has penetrated; but the great bulk were from the Port and Kadina. It Is calculated that the number present fell little short of 3,000 - a grand gathering for a locality which 10 years ago scarcely knew what a white man was.

THE RECEPTION.

At 3 o'clock the steamer neaced the jetty, and the surging multitude pressed as close as possible to catch a glimpse of their Governor. At a quarter-past His Excellency and Lady Edith, Mr. w. M. Morris (Aid-de-camp), Mr. H. K. Hughes, M.P., and Mrs. Hughes stepped off the deck, and a ringing cheer' proclaimed that a good understanding had at once been established between the people and their distinguished guests. An explanation of the protracted voyage was soon forthcoming. The wind had been strong and contrary, and some of the passengers had not enjoyed the sea air. That was all; and in the present pleasure of seeing Her Majesty's representative the weary waiting time was forgotten. The Governor's party, with its immense and miscellaneous escort, proceeded at once to a temporary platform erected against the Custom-House, where the important duty 'of address-presentation was to be performed.

Mr. J. B. SHBPHERDSOX, on behalf of the inhabitants of the Peninsula, read the following :

"To His Excellency the Right Honourable Sir James Fergusson, Bart., Member of Her Majesty's Most Honourable Privy Council, Governor, Commander-in-Chief, &c. " May it please your Excellency

"We, loyal subjects of Her Majesty, on behalf of the residents on Yorke's Peninsula, desire to bid your Excellency, with Lady Edith, most heartly welcome on this the occasion of your first visit to the district. We are glad to have an opportunity of assuring your Excellency of our profound feelings of respect for your Excellency's Government -a Government which will, we are convinced, tend to promote the welfare and prosperity of the colony of South Australia.

" It was with feelings of deep regret that we heard of the melancholy accident which, on a former occasion, prevented your Excellency paying an intended visit to Yorke's Peninsula. That your Excellency should have taken the first subsequent opportunity to fulfil the intention frustrated by the mysterious decree of an allwise Providence we regard as a proof of the interest your Excellency has always manifested since your arrival in the colony in all that concerns the people resident in every part of South Australia.

" We feel assured that your Excellency will view with interest and pleasure the evidences of substantial and growing prosperity that are to be found on the Peninsula, where only 10 years ago but two or three sheep stations and shepherds' huts were scattered about. Your Excellency will, we believe, be pleased to see public works for aiding and developing the resources of the district that are solely the result of private enterprise, and have proved successful commercial ventures. We trust that your Excellency will derive gratification from the inspection of the famous mines on the Peninsula, the names of which are familiar to the merchants of the world, and that pleasure may also be experienced in witnessing the transformation of the raw material to that manufactured article, which, when branded here, is everywhere accepted as the very best extant.

" We hope and believe your Excellency will observe with satisfaction that whilst the staple industry of the Peninsula, as yet in its infancy, independent as it is of climatic influence, vigorous as it has proved under the pressure of a commercial crisis of no ordinary character, it gives promise of sustaining a relation to the trade and commerce of South Australia, the importance of which cauuot easily be overrated.

" On the part of our fellow-colonists resident in the vicinity, we venture to express the hope, in which we share, that the present is but the first of a series of visits of your Excellency to this portion of the colony. It is our earnest and sincere trust that your Excellency's administration, which has been so auspiciously commenced, may long be continued to the colony, and that your Excellency, with the distinguished lady who accompanied you to these shores, may in future years, with feelings of interest and recollections of pleasure, look back upon that portion of your career passed in the colony of South Australia.

" Signed on behalf of the inhabitants of Yorke's Peninsula, this 7th day of July, 1870.

"J. B. SHEFPERDSON, S.M., Chairman of Committee, and others."

Mr. PHILLIPS, on behalf of the Friendly Societies, read the subjoined address :

" To his Excellency the Right Honourable Sir James Fergusson, Bart., Member of Her Majesty's Most Honourable Privy Council, Governor, Commander-in-Chief, k&c. " May it please your Excellency

" We, the united Friendly Societies of Yorke's Peninsula, beg most cordially to welcome your Excellency to Wallaroo and the important district connected therewith on this occasion, and beg to assure your Excellency of our devoted loyalty and attachment to the person and throne of Her Most Gracious Majesty.

" It is an earnest desire that the principles of philanthropy and ''self-dependence inculcated by these Societies may be found to aid in promoting the wellbeing and good government of this colony, of which our several Orders form, the major portion of the population.

" We have noticed with satisfaction the interest your Excellency has always taken in developing the resources of this colony, and feel sure that after your visit to this rich, but hitherto neglected portion of the colony, the happiness and prosperity of its inhabitants will receive your earnest attention and sympathy.

"Wishing your Excellency and Lady Edith health, happiness, and prosperity, and a long residence among us, we have the honour to be, your Excellency's most obedient, humble servants,

" Wm HARRIS is, A.I.O.O.F.

"JAS. JULIAN, LO.O.F., M.U.

" RICHD. LLYOD, A.O.F.

" WM. THOS. MCNIECE, A.I.O.R., S.U."

His EXCELLENCY said:- Ladies and Gentlemen of Yorke's Peninsula, Gentlemen of the Friendly Societies -I come among you with the greatest pleasure to pay my first visit to this important part of the colony, and I rejoice that my coming has occurred under such auspicious circumstances - that even the weather has favoured the day in order that nothing may be wanting to render your welcome complete. (Applause.) It does not require the assurance of the addresses that have just been presented to prove to me the hearty affection for the Sovereign and for the mother-country which animates the inhabitants of this Peninsula in common with those of all other parts of South Australia. 'Wherever I have been in this colony I have observed the feeling of loyalty to be as strong as is to be found in the mother country, demonstrating to me that you have brought with you English sympathies, and that you retain on this side of the broad ocean as much loyalty and attachment to the British Crown as animate our countrymen at home. (Cheers.) Not merely this feeling of loyalty that animates, but your appreciation of good government, attachment to law, and love of liberty, honesty, and freedom, which characterize all tho people of this province, arc proof to me that it is destined to remain a worthy child of the English people. (Applause.) The measures necessary for your prosperity depend not on the act of the Governor, but on the voice of a free community, and the representatives it is privileged to select; and while you do me no more than justice in believing that I shall view with satisfaction the carrying out of any works which are needed for the development of any part of the colony, you know very well it does not rest with me to spend public money in ono place or another. There is much that a Governor can do, but the selection of such measures is not part of his duty, seeing that it belongs to the consolidated government of the country, resting on the free voice of the people. (Applause.) Still, as I said, there is much that a Governor can do, aud I sincerely hope to prove to you that such things as come within the scope of my duty shall not fail to be done whilst I aaa amongst you. Ono most important duty which I am very anxious to fulfil and which so long as I remain I hope to be able to discharge is to cement the province with the mother-country, and maintain that feeling and affection towards Her Majesty which exists in this colony in fully as marked a degree as in any place that I have visited. (Applause) To say that there is any feeling on the part of England to sever that union-to cast off her colonies is a libel on the British people. (Applause.) I think that great as is your attachment undoubted as is your attachment-to the mother country, the mother-country's to her colonies is not less nor more weak. I believe England is proud of her colonies, and that, as in me past, she is ready to spend her last penny and the blood of her people in defending them should their freedom or prosperity be menaced. (Hear, hear.) We did not want the assurance of a Minister of the Crown given on a late occasion to that effect; but the freedom of government conceded to the colonies entitles England to depend upon them to act in their own defence - (applause) - and in making good that defence I feel quite certain the colonies will not be found wanting should thoy be called upon. (Applause.) But my lot is cast in happy times-in times of peace and I hope they will be marked not only by tranquillity, but by the commercial prosperity and progress of foe colony. Unfortunately it period of agricultural depression marked my arrival; but I am glad to find that this district is prospering notwithstanding the depression in that great branch of industry for which Yorke's Peninsula is known, not only in South Australia, but throughout the world. I trust it will be found still to be as in the past-one of the mainstays of the province and that the mining properties will be yet further developed by the legitimate outlay of capital. I desire during the days that I shall remain among you to stay the source of your prosperity and learn more of that branch of industry. (Applause.) It will always continue in my recollection how hearty and loyal has been the welcome you have accorded me and Lady Edith, on whose part, as well as on my own, I thank you. (Applause.)

Three cheers having been given for His Excellency, three more for Lady Edith, and the inevitable extra cheer for the little ones, the viceregal party were driven to the Smelting works. On the way their attention was drawn to truckload after truck load of ore bagged and ready for shipment, and to the extensive improvements which the Railway Company has recently been making in the shea and building accommodation connected with their wharf.

THE SMELTING WORKS.

Arealbon&fidelion isthe smelting establishment at Wallaroo-a lion which slight make free to roar amongst more pretentious rivals than are to be found for it in South Australia. Although the Newcastle branch has robbed it a little of its glory, and thinned the population of the township to a very appreciable degree, it still holds its own as a grind industrial depot. A very appropriate introduction it forms to the busy realm of

mining enterprise on the Peninsula. Through it the visitor gets a good insight into the nature and extent of the mineral resources that invite his further inspection. He can find here ore from the Walloroo Mines, which first gave the impulse to private adventure in this part of the colony, and which, after outliving dozens of later discoveries, are still being profitably worked; from the Moonta, which sustained au unparalleled reputation for many years, and is still yielding valuable stores of metal; from the Paramatta, which is fast pushing its way into notice as one of the wealthiest properties in a richly-endowed district; from the Kurilla, Foona, and North Yelta, which have scarcely yet advanced beyond small things, but arc prolific in promise; from the Kadina and Section 129, which may yet eclipse many of the mines that had an earlier start. And these, after all, form hut a portion of the numerical strength of the mineral properties that have been partially developed, or that await the release of capital from other investments, in order that they may be opened up. Interesting as the several processes of smelting are, the temptation to redescribe them minutely must, in mercy to au over-informed public, be resisted. All that need be done is to give an outline of the plan adopted. The ore on being brought down (say from the Wallaroo Mines) is carefully sampled, and the bulk laid out on the grass. After this comes the screening and weighing, the latter operation serving as a check upon the returns form the mines which experience has proved is not uncalled for. The screened stuff is available for treatment by the ordinary reduccrs, but the metal is emptied into vast calcining furnaces. Of these there are 15, and the fires are kept alight in tliem in perpetual rotation. When the roasting is completed the stuff is released and transfen-ed to the crushers,

where it is pulverized to a fineness

to suit the reducers. Great skill is required

in the nrngling as in the sampling of the ore, certain combinations being far better adapted for smelting purposes than others. On this principle the Kurilla and the Wallaroo lots are commonly thrown together. The stuff is carried in wagons along narrowgauge tramways and shot into hoppers communicating with the reducing furnaces. About two tons go to a charge, and the general run of charges per week is 27. The daily consumption of coal for each furnace is

four and a half tons. There are now eleven furnaces in constant use, so that the weekly absorption of coal in this branch of the work alone approaches 300 tons. When the ore has been thoroughly melted, the slag or

refuse is skimmed off the surface into sand

moulds, the molten metal being allowed a vent through another escape-hole associated with a different set of moulds. The slag is broken up fine, and if any copper is found in it the pieces containing it are returned to be remelted. The moulded pigs of copper, still somewhat adulterated with slag, are cast into other ovens known as roasters, of which seven are kept employed. Here the heat has to be carefully regulated, lest in providing for the removal of the remaining refuse the metal should be altogether volatilized. The liquid goes through several stages before it is purged of its dross sufficiently to qualify it for removal into the refineries. There are two refining furnaces, and from these the copper, now in a marketable state, is ladled into cake and ingot moulds ready for storage or shipment as a pure article. Whilst the metal is passing through the roasters it is customary to hasten on the final stage and assist purification by putting a log of timber into each of the furnaces. This plan, it is

said, cannot be carried out in Chili, and the

inferiority of the commodity produced there is partly due to this circumstance. The firebricks required for the ovens are all imported, but fireclay equal, if not superior, in quality to that brought from home is now obtained in quantity about four miles from the works. A kindly description of saud turned to good account in filling up crevices, where it becomes glazed over and impervious to the heat, and in mixing with the local fireclay, is brought from hillocks on the way to Moonta. The water, which has

to be close at hand in all the

smelting processes, is supplied by the 10horse engine that works the crusher, a connection being formed between it and the sea. This is a bare sketch of the operation, which gives occupation to between 150 and 200 men, and istnemainstay of Fort Wallaroo. The premises are of enormous extent, all the furnaces, except the caleiners, being roofed in. The new amalgamated process, from which much has been expected, has so far proved only a partial success. Warmth enough for all ordinary purposes could be commanded, but the insufferably intense heat required to make one of the chambers has not yet been attained. But the idea, which embodies a very valuable improvement on old methods, will not of course be abandoned.

Through several of the numerous departments connected with the works His Excellency and party passed, under the guidance of Mr. Harvey (the Superintendent), and Mr. Jones. The tapping of the reducing furnaces was viewed with much interest, not only by the principal visitors, but by a considerable crowd of onlookers, whose curiosity to get another view of the Governor did not render j them oblivious to the glowing spectacle presented by the molten metal. The sulphurous vapours rendered it impossible to remain loug in the vicinity of the furnaces. Whilst inspecting the crushed ore His Excellency was introduced to Mr. Mackenzie, the Weigh Master, a Highlander of the good old type, with a persistent reverence for good snuff and the pure Gaelic. He afterwards received the honour of an introduction to Lady Edith, and this tilled up the measure of his gratification. The inspection of the Smelting Works and the interview with Mr. Mackenzie occupied about an hour, and then the party were driven to Mr. Shepherdson's. His Excellency and Lady Edith intend residing in Mr. Harvey's house during their stay at

Wallaroo.

THE PROGRAMME.

The programme for to-day includes a trip to Moonta, inspection of the mines, luncheon at 3, ride to the hunting-ground 10 miles beyond Moonta, and camping out for the night. On Saturday there is to be a champagne luncheon at Wallaroo, and on Sunday the Royal Shepherd is to leave oa her return trip. His Excellency will visit Wallaroo Mines and Kadina on Monday morning, riding on thence with Mr. Moms to Port Wake

field.

[Per Electric Telegraph.]

Moonta, July 8.

His Excellency the Governor last night visited the Gaol and Police Station at Wallaroo Bay, after having, as reported, inspected the Smdthig Works.

He left the Port at 11 a.m., and on arrival at the Paramatta went over the surface works, examined the machinery, descended the engine-shaft, and also examined Ford's rock-borer with great interest.

On reaching Moonta at 2 o'clock, it was seen that great preparations had been made, including the erection of a triumphal arch, and he was met there by 300 members of Friendly Societies and a concourse of between 2,000 and 3,000 people.

Addresses were presented on behalf of the Town and District, and the Freemasons and Benefit Societies, Sir James giving a general reply, in the course of which he spoke highly of self-government by the people, and again repudiated any intention on the part of Great Britain to cast adrift her colonies. An inspection of the Moonta Mines and the celebrated Cemetery Flat followed, Lady Edith accompanying the

Governor.

At the banquet in the Institute this evening CO ladies and gentlemen were present, and Dr. Herbert, J.P., presided. The toasts of "The Governor" and "Lady Edith" were most enthusiastically received. His Excellency took occasion to compliracnt Mr. H. K. Hughes, M.P., upon his representation, and assured those present that the Parliament would second local efforts to improve the condition of the place and people.

Sir James Fergusson goes kangaroo hunting, fixing bis camp 17 miles distant tonight, Lady Edith returning to Wallaroo.

A VISIT YORKE'S PENINSULA. 1869

A VISIT YORKE'S PENINSULA. 1873

A VISIT YORKE'S PENINSULA. 1876

A VISIT YORKE'S PENINSULA. 1878

A VISIT YORKE'S PENINSULA. 1883

A VISIT YORKE'S PENINSULA. 1885


OFFICIAL VISIT TO YORKE'S PENINSULA.

Sat 22 Jan 1876, South Australian Chronicle and Weekly Mail (Adelaide, SA : 1868 - 1881)Trove

On Sunday evening, January 16, the Governor Musgrave returned to Port Adelaide from Yorke's Peninsula, where she had been with the Hod. E. Ward (Minister of Agriculture and Education), Mr. J. A. Hartley (President of the Council of Education), Mr. M. Salom, and Messrs. J. J. Duncan and J. Richards, members for the district. We have been favored by the editor of the Yorke's Peninsula Advertiser, with the following particulars of the trip :—

The party left Adelaide on Wednesday last, and on Thursday arrived at Moonta Bay where they were met by the Mayor and other gentlemen. Captain Hancock, Superintendent of the Mines, courteously placed his waggonette at their disposal. An inspection was made of the sites proposed at Moonta for the erection of a schoolhouse. The opinion arrived at was that a site near to the Roman Catholic Church, on the hill between the mines and the town, was the most desirable situation, it being bold and commanding, and although it is leased for mineral purposes, this will not create any practical difficulty. The party then proceeded to Kadina ,and on Friday morning visited the various sites proposed, for schools at Kadina. One was agreed upon to be nearly opposite the Bank of South Australia, and another was recommended at the Wallaroo Mines, on the Devon Consols sections. The party then drove down to Port Wallaroo, and visited the various public buildings there. They were delighted with the Institute, with its noble hall and convenient library and retiring rooms. They also inspected the Hospital and Smelting Works, with all of which great satisfaction was expressed. They were unanimous in the opinion as to a site for a school on the hill in front of the Hospital, the President stating that it was the best site on ths Peninsula. The Fuse Factory was also visited, and great interest expressed in the proceedings there. The party then made for Maitland via Kalkabury but lost the track, and had to camp put about a mile and a half to the north of that township, in some mallee scrub. Next day they reached Kalkabury early, and enquiries were made as to the school requirements, but no arrangements were made, as the place is at present without a settled population. They then proceeded to Maitland, where Mr. Hartley visited the site reserved tor school purposes at the southeast corner of the township. He also accertained from the residents that they would be willing to assist in ithe erection of the buildings by contributions of materials and cartage and that there were nearly a hundred chiidren of school-going age to be found in the vicinity of the township. He also intimated that where local help was given the Government would give priority to claims. While the President of the Council was thus engaged, a deputation of residents waited upon Mr. Ward with reference to local wants, the most urgent of which were, the immediate construction of a jetty at Ardrossan, for which there is the sum of £2,000 on the Estimates ; the construction of a dam at Clay Gully, to supply water for the teams; the construction of an easier approach to the site of the jetty ; and the clearing of a road from Maitland to Port Victoria so as to meet the requirements of the settlers in the Hundred of Kilkerran. The Minister promised to lay the matter before his colleagues at the earliest opportunity, and to recommend them for favorable consideration. He congratulated them on the character of the district, and on the fewness of their wants. After visiting Gum Flat where they were entertained by Mr. W. R. Paddock, the manager of Messrs. Giles and Smith's station, the party proceeded to Yorketown and Edithburgh, where sites for school buildings were examined. No decision was come to, the absolute settlement of the sites being left over until some future time. The party embarked on board the Governor Musgrave, which had come round from Moonta Bay, about half-past 6 o'clock, and reached the Semaphore about 11 o'clock on Sunday evening, after a pleasant trip.