Brisbane Courier (Qld. : 1864 - 1933), Saturday 11 October 1930, page 19


Rainworth-An Ideal Suburb,

TO-DAY, at 3 o'clock, the extension

of the Rosalie tram service to the new suburb of Rainworth will be officially opened by the Lord Mayor (Alderman W. A. Jolly, C.M.G.). It will be a red-letter day for the residents of this popular new building area, which offers unrivalled views of the city; after years of pro-crastination and petty jealousies the long-desired tram connection with the city is an accomplished fact, and Rain-worth is definitely on the map.

Back to the 'Eighties.

IN the 'eighties when Brisbane boast-

ed about 30,000 inhabitants, and all the suburban areas were virgin forest still open to purchase, some of the wealthiest and most influential of Bris-bane's citizens built their homes on the western ridges-land high, healthy, well-drained, protected by Taylors Range from the westerlies, and open to the cool north-east breezes in sum-mer, and commanding unrivalled views. At Ashgrove was Glenlyon, the home of Alexander Stewart; at Bardon was the home of Sir Charles Lilley; Sir Arthur Rutledge was on the height now known as Clinton; the Hon. J. C. Heussler, and later the Hon. John Stevenson, occupied Fernberg (now Government House). On the next ridge were the Hon. W. D. Box at Baroona, and Sir A. C. Gregory at Rainworth, Sir Thos. Mcilwraith at Auchenflower, the brothers Stanley at Ardencraig and Ascog, and the Hon. A. H. Palmer at Easton Gray. From their homes thev had a full view of the city, from which their houses could be seen, while to the west were the wood-ed slopes of the hills. Fernberg was occupied by one of the worthy German settlers of the old days, J. C. Heussler, after whom Heussler-terrace was nam-ed. "Heussler's paddock" ran up to the foot of Stuartholme, and was a wilderness of wattle scrub. It embraced what is now known as the Chermside Estate, much of which still awaits close settlement. The Hon. John Stevenson next occupied the home, and later on it became, and still is, Government

House.

Baroona was occupied by the Hon. W. D. Box, later on by the Hon. P. Perkins, and later still by Sir Robert Philp. The coachman to the firstnamed was named Bacon, and Bacon's Knob (where Mr. Watkins now lives) was the viewpoint of the neighbour-hood. The "white ants" had so rid-dled one floor of the house that the legs of Sir Robert Philp's piano went through it. The present Deputy-Mayor, Alderman Watson, was offered the pro-perty for under £1400, and Mr. G. Greasley was offered nine allotments

on Bacon's Knob for £630.

The Founding of Rainworth.

"RAINWORTH was founded by Sir A.

C. Gregory, then President of the Legislative Council, and one of the fam-ous explorer brothers of that name. He purchased nearly 60 acres of the land in the locality, and built a house, Fairseat, for his brother-in-law, Mr. Hume, Under Secretary for Lands, after whom Hume-street is named. After the old pioneer himself were named Gregory-street, Augustus-street, Pioneer-street, and Explorer-street-all in Toowong. In his expedition down the Victoria River in the Northern Ter-ritory, he probably named Rainworth station on the Peak Downs, as he also named St. Osyth street in Toowong. Probably Rainworth was or was near his native home in England. The pres-ent Barton-street is named after Mr. and Mrs, J. G. Barton, who were the superintendent and housekeeper, re-spectively, for Sir Augustus Gregory at Rainworth. They were married at Christ Church, Milton, shortly after their arrival at Rainworth about 1878, and remained with Sir Augustus until his death, when they moved to Colston, at the corner of Howardstreet and Baroona-road. Mr. Barton used to drive Sir Augustus to Parlia-ment House in a four-wheeled buggy which Sir Augustus had built himself. This noted explorer, who was un-married, was of a retiring disposition, but he had an inventive turn of mind, and by passing the steam from his sawmill to a tank containing tea-tree leaves he was able to extract oil, which he marketed hi England. Greg-ory Park, which is named after him, was previously known as Red Jacket swamp. Mr. Barton's daughters still treasure brooches made out of sovereigns by the late Sir Augustus Gregory. Mr. G. Greasley, one of Ralnworth's progres-sive citizens, was offered Rainworth and five acres around it for £760. The land alone subsequently realised over

£2000.

How the Suburb Began.

WHEN Mr. Badger took over the con-

trol of the Tramways Company his idea was to run the trams over Baroona Hill, along Baroona ridge, through Fairseat, along Heussler-terrace, and south-east of Stuartholme, along its flank to Mt. Coot-tha gates, and so to the summit. But some of the Baroonaroad residents, afraid that a cutting (such as the one which opened up Auchenflower and North Toowong to a large population) would leave their houses "in the air," opposed his plans. The Auchenflower cutting cost £2300, but made North Toowong easily acces-sible. The Baroona people were less far-seeing and more parochial. Ac-cordingly, the tramline was stopped at Elizabeth-street. To the west lay the desirable lands of Rainworth, Fernberg, Rose Hill, and Heussler's Paddock. But Fernberg was not to be cut up for sale, nor, till Sir A. C. Gregory's death, was Rainworth. The land was eminently suitable for building areas,

and was the only large area within 25 miles of the General Post Office not open, to purchase in small lots. But the pressure of population was increas-ing and it was clear that so soon as the land should be in the mar ket such desirable areas would be rapidly built on Mr. F. Bennett, who had been appointed to the Too-wong school came seeking an area for a home. He discovered that some in-accessible land of unrivalled outlook, part of the John Douglas estate had been acquired and fenced in with Rainworth. It comprised eight 26perch blocks of surveyed land. He se-lected what he regarded as the best half acre sheltered from the bitter westerly winds and with a view im-possible to build out. Sir Robert Philps agents accepted his offer In the belief that this would give building a start. The architect discovered to his dismay that Annie-street between Hope and Hume streets was insur-mountable. At his earnest request Mrs Challinor kindly allowed access through Fairseat but only on the understand ing that this was not to create a pre ceden.tAnnie-stieet was later made trafflcable. Baroona Hill and Bacon's Knob were next cut up and sold, as were two five-acre blocks near Rainworth House. Rose Hill rapidly filled up and soon Baroona Ridge, Bacon's Knob, Rainwoith and Rose Hill were studded with homes in high healthy positions. Sir Robert Philp sold the re mainder of the Rainworth Estate to the War Service Homes at a very patriotic figure.

Agitation for Tram Service

AFTER, water, gas, and electricity had

been secured, the residents began to agitate for the long-delayed tram ex-tension. Local jealousies unfortunately arose. One party insisted that the line should climb Baroona Hill. The City Council's engineers demurred. An-other party, more far-seeing and less parochial, left the decision of the route to the engineers, so long as Rainworth and Rose Hill were given tram com-munication. The Mayor and Vicemayor, both personally familiar with the area and its merits, were strong supporters of the extension.

In the meantime several active and public-spirited citizens, Messrs. Bur-nett, Verrall, Bennett, Greasley, and ethers, launched a campaign for a good school site. The Department of Public Instruction secured an ideal site of about seven acres from Mr. Finnick before all the good land had been alienated. So rosy were the pros-pects that over 120 of the best head teachers available applied for the school, and Mr. A. Morrison was se-lected. An enrolment of over 300 pupils soon convinced all reasonable people that where so large a school population existed there was no excuse for further delaying the tram exten-sion. And now it has come, thanks to the efforts of the vigorous Progress Association, the executive of which comprises Messrs. T. H. Verrall (presi-dent), G. Greasley (secretary), and J. Johnstone (treasurer). The equally progressive school committee, who played so able a part in having the

school established, comprise Messrs, dent), W. C. Atkinson (vice-president), G. Greasley (secretary), and J. F. Johnstone (treasurer). Roads, lights, channelling, resumptions, and the tram extension have been largely due to the vigorous policy of this body, which also has a horticultural section, which encourages the love for flowers that beautify so many of the homes. The equally progressive school committee, which was formed on the opening of the school, comprises Messrs. G. Greas-ley (chairman), T. Warbrick (secre-tary), T. H. Verrall (on leave), W. G. Rose (treasurer), C. Shelton, G. Rice, Mrs. L, M. Anderson, and Mr. A. Mor-rison (head teacher). The committee has obtained a piano, sewing machines, library, electric light, and basket ball courts for the school, improvements, which have cost in the vicinity of £400, and well over £100 is in hand. Present activities include the formation of a playing area, which, when completed, will be one of the best in Brisbane.

A Bright Future.

"RESIDENTS of Rainworth heartily ap-

preciate the justifiable confid-once of the Education Department, the Lord Mayor, and the Deputy Mayor, in their district. Some of the spurs from Stuartholme are now being cleared of brush, and many high, healthy sites, with beautiful views of the city, are about to be prepared for sale. The present period of depression may somewhat delay, but cannot prevent, the development of this fine building area, with its chean land, reasonable valua-tions, low rates, and easy distance to the city. Only the fact that Fernberg and Rainworth were not available for building lots prevented all this land be-ing filled long ago with a desirable class of settlers. In the Rainworth Valley, and the valley north of Rose Hill, Iie 210 acres of fine land. Allow-ing 60 acres for roads, &c, 150 acres are open, affording space for 1050 homes, which, with an average popu-lation of five per home, gives 5250 souls. If from each home only two persons travel to the city and back daily the tram revenue reaped would be over £50 per day, or £1500 per month, and this does not include visitors or non-residents travelling to and from Rainworth on business. The probable municipal rates would be about £10,000 per year. Any one who saw North Too-wong between Rivervlew-terrace and Milton as it was 20 years ago and as it is to-day, with its 2000 voters, will realise what the two larger Rainworth valleys will yet accommodate, and the future that awaits this promising sub-

urb.