Brisbane Courier (Qld. : 1864 - 1933), Monday 1 April 1929, page 10


Electricity at Thargomindah.

An old resident of Thargomindah, who hides his identity under the penname of "Thargo," writes that a previ-ous correspondent, "F.K.," was wrong in suggesting that-the late Mr. John Leahy was instrumental in securing the lighting of Thargomindah with electricity. The credit, he says, is due to the late Mr. Henry Peterson. About the year 1890, Mr. Peterson se-cured an 8 h.p. engine and dynamo for his own private purposes, and found he was able to supply power to light the premises of several other business firms. Some time afterwards Mr. Peterson left the district to reside in Brisbane, leaving the management of his business to his nephew, Mr. David Peterson, now of Coorparoo. About the year 1897 Mr. Russell Homes was clerk of works to the council (not shire clerk, as stated) ' and recom-mended to the council that it should purchase the plant. This was done, and the artesian bore was used for generating the power for the township. Mr. Homes was an electrician, and assisted by Mr. William Peterson (now of Quilpie) and a local blacksmith, completed the installation. A second dynamo subsequently was purchased bv the shire council, and, excepting for a break of a few days about 12 years ago, which was caused by a fire at the bore, the plant has been in continuous operation since that time. Our correspondent adds that Mr. Homes did not hold the office of shire clerk as stated by another correspond-ent. On his retirement the late Mr. John Leahy was succeeded by his brother, the late Mr. P. J. Leahy, and since that time the office has been held by the late Mr. Robert Speedy, Mr. C. N. M'Lean, and Mr. W. R. Speedy, who now holds the position. He concludes by saying: "It is galling to all Thargoltes to listen to the levity that is aroused so often when their beloved Thargo is mentioned, for if the history of Thargomindah is ever written it will be of absorbing in-terest. The glory of Thargomindah has not departed; it is merely ob-scured, and that is mainly because so few people know its history and its

achievements."