Gippsland Times (Vic. : 1861 - 1954)(about) |
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Friday 10 October 1884
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STRATFORD (BY OUR TRAVELLING REPORTER) On approaching this town, I was much and favourably impressed with the uni- formity and generally cleanly appear- ance of the buildings and place in toto. This, in conjunction with the de- lightful weather, added materially to in- fluence my speculation as to the future prosperity under judicious civic guidance of the shire. Stratford is situated on the main road between Sale and Bairnsdale, two coaches running daily to and from these places, and is about 140 miles from Mel- bourne, and judging from the general appearance of the place no inconsider- able amount of commercial import- ance should be attached to it. In eleva- tion it is about 105 feet above the sea, and subject to large and sudden inundations, which are very liable to be attended with disastrous results, and by the way the Shire Secretary, Mr Bolden, whom further on I shall be pleased to refer to, has a large boat with a complete furnishing of tackle and life-saving apparatus in the area attached to the Shire Hall, which, he informs me, can be manned and got in readiness to do duty in five minutes; and on more than one occasion has this useful adjunct to Shire assets demonstrated the necessity of every similar body having such an article on hand. The first item which attracted my close at- tention was the very substantial and yet unique bridge over the Avon, a wooden superstructure of 300 feet in length, which was erected about 12 years ago at a cost of of about £3,000, The bridge which pre- viously occupied the site of the present one was washed away by a terrific flood; this one, however, has resisted one or two of great force, notably about six years back. The population of Stratford proper is about 420, or including the residents of the suburbs to the south number about 500 and with the exception of those of the male adult portion in business in the township are occupied in grazing and agricultural vocations. The hop-growing industry forms a very impor- tant and staple item in the district. but as yet is comparatively in embryo, as the total acreage under cultivation is only 28. The following gentlemen living about here are actively engaged in cultivating this very valuable branch of vegetation :-Messrs W. Barton, Redbank : Harper and Co., Nuntin; Barton and Son, A. Bruse, Yeerung ; C. Bedggood, Meerlieu ; and at the Ramahyuk Mission Station. Flax is also grown. The banks of the Perry and Avon rivers are found to be the most suitable spots for the hop-grow- ing, which promises to develop into some magnitude. The south portions of the Shire are, however, principally devoted to pastoral, horse-breeding, and stock-raising pursuits, which are most successfully carried out. The town itself does not present a very animated appearance, but the neat and business-like structures vie with towns hav- ing greater facilities and a larger concensus of people. There is one matter which struck me (i e., if a criterion can be claimed) that a very high tone of morality must here exist, for as I stand at Roberts' Hotel and turn about, a place of worship meets my gaze at every point. There are four churches in the town, all built of brick, and are substantially constructed, the latest erection being of course St. Patrick's Roman Catholic Church at the south-western ex- tremity of the town, which was last Sunday opened and consecrated with very great formula and success. The other three being the Presbyterian, Church of England, and Wesleyan public places of worship. The clergyman who will henceforward officiate at the Roman Catholic Church are those con- nected with the Sale parish. The Rev. Mr Roberts conducts the services in the Pres- byterian Church, and the Rev. Mr South in the Church of England, the Maffra circuit clergyman supplying the Wesleyan body. The attendances vary, but are all nearly equal, the Presbyterian supplying a small, if any majority, in that direction. The new public offices in the main street are rapidly approaching completion, and will form a handsome and useful item in the architecture of the place. The present con- tract is let to Messrs McKerrow and Waters, of Sale, for £2700, but when finished in- clusive of supervision, the estimated cost will reach £3000. The architect and desig- ner is Mr J. H. W. Pettit, of Sale, upon whom the whole building reflects consider- able credit. In the main structure is a large courthouse measuring 45 x 25 x 21, a spacious and well ventilated apartment with the usual appurtenances of offices and rooms at the rear. The eastern wing is occupied by the postal depart- ment in which the offices and private quarters of handsome compartments are in- corporated, and on the western wing stands the shire hall, with secretary's, contractor's and engineer's offices. The whole buildings cover a very large area of ground, and in total contains 21 rooms allotted as follows : post-office 10 rooms, court-house 5 rooms, shire offices 6 rooms. The external appear- ance of the offices are grand, and when com- pleted will form an imposing feature to the town. It would be unfair to critically de- tail the structure in its present condition as no adequate idea of its prominent fea- tures, could be imparted ; therefore until a future date, I must merely content our readers with a temporary reference to the work. The police department have evidently exercised great discretionary powers in their selection of a suitable station here, but have overlooked what I deem a most material defect, and that is an insufficiency of peace officers, as away to the west there is vast range of district to be attended to, and but one officer to fulfil these duties. In a fairly large community similar to this, an extra officer is urgently required as in prosecuting the duties in the country, he leaves for a time the town of Stratford totally unprovided for, in case of emergency. The new station comprises a fine 6-roomed wooden house, 4-stall stable, cell, and about half an acre of ground, and is under the control of MountedConstable Walsh, who has the place in a highly creditable state of order, a very nice vegetable and flower garden surrounds the front, whilst a couple of 400 gallon tanks are located at the rear exemplyfing thoughtfulness in the preservation of the valuable aqua clarus. The premises were purchsed by the Govern- ment recently at a cost of £525. The annual valuation of the Shire of
Avon stands at £27,000, with an annual general rate of 1s in the £, the total revenue being about £3,000. The council consists of the following :- Messrs Scheer (President). W. Little, Crockett, Lloyd, Cobain, and Thomson. Mr W. L. Bolden is the Shire secretary, and Mr J. W. Pettit occupies the position of engineer with credit to himself and all concerned. They assemble to dispose of civic business the first Monday in every month, and the business days of attendance of the Secretary are Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday. Speaking of the Secretary, I am indebted to Mr W. Leonard Bolden for a quantity of valuable information con- cerning the district. This gentleman's ready aquiescence and genial disposition, making him at once estimable and entertaining In ad- dition to his multifarious duties, Mr Bolden has a miniature meteorological observatory, the working of which he generously eluci- dated to me. Altogether the financial posi- tion of the shire is in a highly satisfactory condition. The State school here is under the guidance of Mr Burbank, a gentleman who apparently enjoys the confidence of both the pupils and their parents. In his schoolastic duties Mr Burbank is assisted by two under tutors, but he informs me that a falling off in the attend- ance is perceptible, the average now reach- ing only about 90. As a rule, the children bear a very healthy and intelligent aspect, but Mr Burbank complains that a vile gutter exists in proximity to the school, and if not at once attended to by local health authori- ties, may result in some virulent epidemic breaking out. There is also a school in con- nection with the Roman Catholic body, under the control of Miss Dunphy There is an average attendance of 50 children, to whom the usual schoolastic training is im- parted, and with satisfactory results. The sanitary conditions of the place are of fair order, and have been since the establish- ment of the town. This no doubt, is attri- butable to the proximity of the Avon and Perry rivers, which serve in a great degree to carry off all offensive matter which, owing to the gradient of the district, cannot possibly find a spot for stagnancy, and which perforce must find its way into the rivers, to be hurried away into unknown centres from human habitation. The cemetery, too, is located some distance from the town, which in a measure serves to assist in the preven- tion of any invasion of malaria. It is plea- santly situated about 1½ miles out on the Sale road, at Nuntin, and is about fifty acres in extent. As in most places, Stratford has its quota of Friendly Society branches, the strongest being the M.U.I.O.O.F., which meets at the Shire Hall every alternate Wednesday night, Mr McKnight being at present the authorita- tive dignitary. The Hibernian Society, al- though not directly represented by a branch, are here in strong numbers, but for the pre- sent content themselves by serving under the Sale flag. The Blue Ribbon warriors are also in forcible numbers here. I think there must be an amount of lethargy here on the part of the societies, or the council, shown in the entire absence of such an institution as a reading library for the more staid, or a gymnasium for the volatile youth, and a hint to the powers that could, if they would be may not be out of place. Every facility is afforded to Stratford for the establishment of such an institution, and a little energy and straining is only necessary to obtain this aquisition, more especially since the old Shire Hall will be shortly at the disposal of any who would take up the matter warmly; for such sterling purposes. I have no doubt that the council would deal liberally with any society or persons who would purchase the building for a free public library. In commenting previously on the com- mercial properties of the place, I predicted a fair future for the town ; of course I am speculating on chances held out by the ex- tension of the Railway line to Bairnsdale, and from the number of business houses in the place. I shall briefly recount them, in order that some slight idea may be imparted to those who are strange to the town. To begin with there are five hotels in the shire, all well appointed and creditably conducted ; the Swan hotel, is kept by Mr J. Roberts, formerly of Bairnsdale, to this is attached a large music hall, and is the chief place of amusement in the town. This house was formerly conducted by Mr Tom Curran, a genial host and good sport, and many a plea- sant hour was spent by travellers in days gone by in hearing him recount tales of "warriors he had met." Mr Wm. Poole is the proprietor of the Shakespeare hotel, situated pleasantly and conveniently at the western end of the town. The next most central being the Stratford hotel, now kept by Mrs Dunlea, who succeeded Mr J. J. Curtain. The pretty little Avon Arms is situated on the road to Sale, beyond the bridge, and is made a calling place by most travellers on this road, the proprietress, Mrs Happy, being known to old residents, and highly respected. Mr Frank Pywell runs the Farmers' Arms, and this is the first hotel on entering Stratford that gladdens the heart or meets the eye of the "thirsty bona fide." A large and very handsome store in the main street is that of Mr Scheer, who, by the way, is president of the shire. There are two others, Messrs Lorry and Lloyd, the latter being more of a general ironmongery and furnishing emporium. In saddlery business the town is well supplied, Messrs Logue and Crockett and T. W. Curran having large and fairly stocked shops. The sturdy knights of the hammer and anvil find plenty grist for the mill, and Stratford boasts of two "village black smiths," in the personages of Messrs M. Knight and Mildenhall. Two gentlemen having pretensions to the drug dispensing are also to be found in the place, viz., Messrs Bullock and Lory, both of whom appear to have very snug and model miniature dispen- saries. There is also a large sawmill in the district, carried on by Mr Kerchival, from which there is a very creditable out-put of sawn timber. For close confinement, want of air, seden tary habits and brain and nerve tire, trust in Hop Bitters. Read. "lorCH oS P?Lrs.a"-Clears out rats, mice, roaches, flies, ants? bed-begs, letles, insects, skunks, jack-rabbits, gophers. At ldruggists Felton, Grimwade andi Co., Agents, Mel bourne.--[AdrL] Important to Country Buyers.-Sendl your Drapery orders direct to GEORGE & GEORGE, the great Cash Drapers. Pat terns post free. Best vale in the colony, No difference in price. George and George Federal Emporium, Melbournsm .---[Adr.l No PUcg WVRHOor. EEse--Ask your chemist for Harrssn's Curs and IVari Remoter. To avoid disappointment, don't be persuaded to take any of the worthless smitations offered in place of it s.umerosis tatimonis -ertify to its worth- Sold retail by all rise mists. Price 1i or by post Is 2d in stamps. C. Hlarrison, Chemist Prahran. Wholesale scents, 3[sers locke, Tompsitt, and Co,, How it is Done.-The first olject in life with the American people is to "get rich;" the second, how to regain good hlealth. The first can be obtained Isby eergy, honesty, and savingg; the second (good health), by using (;RGnes AesC-T FUL wR. Should you Ihe a despondent sufferer fromi any of the effect, of Dyspcpsia, Liver Complaint. Indigestlions cke. sEch as Sick Hendlache, l'alpitation of the Heat, Sour Stomach, Habitsual Costive less, DTizziness of the IItad, Nervous Prosa tration, Low Spirits, &e., you unesl not suffer anotherday. Twosleose of Ass;t'c; FUawn: will relieve )youat once. Samplebottlesid ; jregular size 4s 6i. Positively sold by all first-class Dnlruists in Australia. Whole sale. I.scKE, Touir.rrr & CO. Mellbourne. Consumers of WcOLLEs SIISN.PI'P., epecl? ally those taking it medicinally, sliould pur chase it only Iy the bottle, ansd thus ensure the genuine article, as there is a fraudlulent imitation in the market. Lirge and small Ibottles are obtainable at every respec?tablh lhotel andm Wine and Spirit Merchant s in the colony. The name of 3I. Moss end Co. is on the top label of the yellow wrapper.