Register (Adelaide, SA : 1901 - 1929), Monday 26 February 1923, page 10


A CHAT WITH MRS. J. CROMPTON.

IT is not often possible in these restless days to find a home owned by the same family for well over 50 years, and lived in with out a break during the whole period; but that is the case in re-gard to Stonyfell, the residence of Mrs. J. Crompton. The house is set on a spur of the hills, and backed by vineyards and olive plantations. There is an air of peace about the garden which has been loved and tended for so long, and a wel-coming look about the home behind the house. There is a currant vine which is surely one of the largest in South Aus-tralia. The branches are trained out from the huge old stem to make a per fectly level roof measuring 24 x 30 ft., and below the green canopy of leaves, when I saw it the other day there hung hundreds of bunches of ripe fruit. All the currants we ever use come from that one vine,' Mrs. Crompton said. Among many well-loved trees in the garden are an oak planted in 1865, and a fine elm several years earlier. 'I have never been interviewed before,' said Mrs. Crompton, later, 'but I ought to know something about Burnside and

MRS. J. CROMPTON. who has lived In Burnside since 1853.

its people. I came into the district in 1853, and have never since lived any where else.' Between the high old-fashioned French windows in the drawing room hangs an oil painting of a young girl in a wide sleeved dress of powder-blue, with a soft old gold scarf thrown across the shoul-ders. The face is peculiarly vivid and alive, the wide-set blue eyes look out at the world with an expression of quiet, bright, courage. The hands are beauti-fully painted, white and delicately formed, yet indicate unusual character. 'That is my mother's portrait,' said Mrs. Cromp-ton. 'She was a sister of Sir Rowland Hill, of postage stamp fame. They were an unusually talented family. My father was Francis Clark. He was born in Bir-mingham in 1799, and was the son of Thomas Clark, who, for a while, kept a school for boys, and afterwards became a manufacturer. He had 18 children, but hardly any of them lived beyond in-fancy. My father married, in 1824, Miss Caroline Hill, eldest daughter of Thomas Wright Hill, born in 1800. My grand-father had two daughters and 11 sons, who all made their mark in the world. Thomas W. Hill, of Hazelwood School, was noted for his educational methods, Matthew Hill was Recorder at Birming-ham, and one of the earliest workers in connection with the Ragged School move-ment. He invented postage stamps and machinery for making them— and many other contrivances not so well known. Rowland Hill was the author of penny postage and of the use of stamps, which made all the difference, the payment in money for letters having involved immense work and responsibility. Arthur Hill was head master of Bruce Castle School. Frederick became second in command at the post office. Before that he had been Inspector of Prisons in Scotland, and was doing such splendid work that it was a pity he had to relinquish it. But he gave up everything to go to the aid of his brother Rowland, who was over-taxed, and Frederick worked with him until the end of his life. Very Early Memories. 'My father and mother had 11 .children (eight sons, and three daughters). Two died of consumption in England. As others were delicate it was thought a change to a warmer climate might save the rest of the family. They came with their family in 1850 by the Fatima. She was only a 100 ton ship, not larger than some of the yachts at the Port; but besides other passengers they brought out 100 emigrants. We stayed at the York Hotel (where the Grand Central now is). There was only one building on the north side of Rundle street, between King William street and the York Hotel. The mud in Rundle street was dreadful. My first memory of Adelaide is of losing my shoe in the mud, and having to wear heavy boots. I was only four years old, but I remember that. Other things, of course, were told me later on, but I remember that stay at the York perfectly. My father took a house on Goodwood road, and we stayed at the York until the house was ready. There were my father and mother, five boys and three girls. The ship bringing the furni-ture was late in arriving, and we had to do with what we could find. Our first table was a door balanced across a barrel. I remember that when there was a second

barrel emptied and the door put across the two it was much more steady. Fortunately my mother had brought a maid from Eng-land, and she was a treasure; but not long after we arrived she married. After 15 months on Goodwood road my father took a house in what is now Kensington ter-race—one of two low single-story houses; I believe it is still standing. ' Hazelwood. 'It was about two years later that my father bought Hazelwood,' Mrs. Cromp-ton continued. 'The first house there was built by Mr. Alexander Elder. Later came Mr. Neville Blythe and his brother, who lived there and farmed the place. Mr. William Sanders also lived in that house with his wife and family. Mr. Burr bought Hazelwood after the Blyths left. He went to the Victorian gold diggings, leaving his wife and daughter in the house. His wife died there before he returned. The homestead had four rooms and veran-dahs closed in to make extra bedrooms. It was built of single brick in a wooden frame. There was a high shingle roof, for there was no galvanized iron in those days. I wonder if people now remember what shingles were like? They were little palings about 10 by 3 in., and came from Tasmania. A garden had been made, but cattle had been allowed to destroy it, and as we arrived in March it did not look very promising. But my brother Henry was a born gardener, and soon worked wonders. Of course, there was no water except from wells and rainwater tanks. The water from those shingle roofs used to be the colour of strong tea after the first rains; but afterwards it was clear and good. Before long Henry had cut irrigation channels from the First Creek, cutting it as far up as possible to get a good fall. The creek was fairly constant, but stopped in 1859, which was a very dry year. He tried to grow walnuts, but it proved too dry. Almonds, however, did wonderfully well, as did olives and oranges. Four planted in 1855 did so well that 30 more were put in, and by 1866 we had a good sized orangery. That old Hazelwood garden grew wonderful fruit, especially peaches, Our first crop of wheat was grown in the paddock by Burnside road, now a vineyard. My brother Henry cut it. Wheat was reaped with a sickle in those days. My sister and I helped to make up the sheaves; they were tied with twisted bands of straw. Hay was mown with a scythe. Among other experiments Henry tried making small quantities of wine. My brother, John Howard Clark, married, in 1858, Miss Lucy Martin, and lived at Hazelwood Cottage. In 1865 he joined The Register, and later became its editor. Stonyfell. 'And what is the story of Stonyfell?' -—'The house was built by Mr. Borrow, who came up to work the Stonyfell quar-ries to supply stone for the Adelaide Gaol. My husband, Mr. Joseph Cromp-ton, came to South Australia from Liver-pool in 1860. He went into partnership with my brother, Henry Clark, in the Stonyfell Vineyard. Shortly afterwards my brother died, and Mr. Crompton had to carry on the vineyard. We were married from Hazelwood in 1866, and went on a visit to England. While away Mr. Crompton visited some of the wine pro-during countries of Europe to study their methods, and we had interesting ex-periences in France, Spain, and Portugal. The different climates made much of the information of little use. The conditions in Spain were most like those in Aus-tralia. On our return we went to Beau-mont, to a house with a tower. (Tower House was its name.) Mr. and Mrs. Hay had just left there. We came to Stony-fell in 1867. The garden was laid out and the vineyard planted by my brother, Henry Clark. It was to have been his home, but he died. Mr. Cobbledick, who ploughed the Stonyfell Vineyard in 1861, is now living in Parkside. He is over 80 years of age, but for the last 10 years he has walked up from his home each year on the anniversary of the day he finished that ploughing. The Initiation of a Fine Movement 'Will you tell me some more about your own people?' I asked. 'Well,' said Mrs. Crompton, 'I think every one does not know that my sister, Miss Caroline Emily Clark, originated the first scheme for boarding out destitute children in families. That was in 1866. In those days the children were all put in the Destitute Asylum with the old people. That did not do. Miss Clark, after great trouble, persuaded the Desti-tute Asylum authorities to allow her to take out one boy and one girl, who were placed in two different families. Miss Clark looked after them for years, and when the Destitute Board refused money for their support she paid for their clothes herself, because the children were so happy in their new homes. This she did for years, until the people could afford to keep the children for nothing. The boy, unfortunately died when he was about 10 years old. The girl married a northern farmer, and is still a credit to South Australia. She kept up a corre-spondence with Miss Clark until the lat-ter's death; This was the small begin-ning of the work carried on by the State Children's Council, which was first formed as a voluntary committee early in the seventies: There were 12 members, in-cluding—besides Miss Clark— Lady Daven-port, Mrs. Neville Blyth, and John Howard Clark. The scheme was taken over by the Government in 1884, the board being taken over as it stood. I joined the committee in 1906, when Miss Clark was unable to continue. The council has now 1,500 children under its care.' Mrs. Crompton attends the meetings regularly, and finds keen pleasure and in-terest in the work. She is also treasurer of the Adelaide branch of the Unitarian Women's Christian League. She has seven sons and three daughters living, and takes the greatest interest in her grand-children. ***This section belongs to Burnside article*** http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/63833013/4557480

and gums, came back to Burnside later as the wife of the first rector. According to her description the church was much as it is now, except that it was not plas tered. That was done as a sort of memo rial to Mr. Kingsborough. There was no paid organist. Miss Sanders played, also Miss Berry, and sometimes Mrs. Dodd her self. The parish was large, as it in cluded Payneham as well, and all the various efforts had to be carried out in duplicate. The building of St. David's Hall was one of the greatest achievements. This was built by the church under Synod, but later went out of the hands of the church, and became merely a local social hall. It is now rather in need of reno vation, being useful mainly for occasional picture shows. The Burnside Christian Church. The oldest church in the neighbourhood is the Burnside Christian Church. One of the early tenates of the members well worthy of imitation was a rooted objec tion to getting into debt. So, when the land for the building was given by Mr. and Mrs. Lockwood, enough money to build the new chapel was promptly sub scribed. It was opened on December 25, 1864, the preachers being Pastors Abbott and Cheetham. The new chapel was con nected with Zion Chapel, in Pulteney street, and pastors Abbott and Finlayson, co-pastors at Zion, took service in Burn side alternately once a month. The Jubilee services were held in November 1915. Among early workers then living were Mr. and Mrs. Lockwood, Mr and Mrs. Slape, Mr. and Mrs. James Slape, Mr. and Mrs. W. Slape, and Mr. and Mrs. J. Rodger. Mementoes were sent to old scholars of the Sunday school then in Egypt, and the trenches at Gallipoli. Mr Robert Finlayson, born in Glasgow, 1813, was pastor of the church until his death in 1897. He was succeeded by Pastor C. Frisby Smith. Although affiliated to the Baptist Church the Burnside Church is practically undenominational. This arose from the fact that in the early days members of denominations not strong enough to stand alone had combined to secure place of worship— an early example of practical church union. The late Mr Joshua Gurr was the first Sunday school superintendent, and among his successors were Messrs. Lockwood, P. Messant Ewers, Young, Ludlow, Bristow, Booth, Grant, W. Rodgers, A. Rodgers, and Jack man. The activities of the community are strikingly well maintained. Pastor C. Frisby Smith is still in charge. Mr. Colin Rodger is secretary, and Miss Hut chinson treasurer. Knightsbridge Baptist Church. Although Baptist services were conduc ted in the Burnside Council Chamber as far back as the year 1883, the real forma

tion of the above church dates from May 22, when a special service was arranged by the Rev. A. Webb (Chairman of tbe S.A. Baptist Association). The re quest for the constitution of the church was signed by Frederic Boyling, Grace Boyling, W. M. Adams, Mary G Adams, James Alfred Fallon, Francis Mercer, Elizabeth Mercer, E. Tyler, Augusta Ger ber, John Turner, James M. Young, M Holroyd, and E. Holroyd. At a meeting on June 28 the resolution was adopted for the raising of money and the preparation of plans. Mr. D. Williams was the archi tect, and Messrs. Hull and Butler's ten der for £908 was accepted. This, for a church to seat 400 people, is calculated to rouse envy now that it costs over £1,000 to build a four-roomed house. Mr. John Turner, one of the most earnest workers for the welfare of the church, died suddenly not long after it was com pleted. The Rev. F. Boyling was the first pastor, his term of office extending from 1883 to 1885. The Rev. C. Frisby Smith was in temporary charge, then for a while the work was carried on with the assistance of students, Messrs. A. Metters and E. Bungey being among the most help-ful. The Rev. Paynter took charge from 1886 to 1887. There was a time when the church struggled on without a settled pas tor and under a load of financial difficulty, but the church doors were kept open. In 1888 the Rev. George Berry came to reside in the district, and the pulpit was again regularly occupied. Mr. James Grey, of the State Children's Department, gave efficient service during this time both in the pulpit and at business meetings. In 1894 the Rev. S. Fairey consented to take the oversight of Knightsbridge, together with the Glen Osmond Church. In 1907 the Rev. J. G. Raws held the joint pasto rate of Knightsbridge and Magill. Two years later the Rev. E. B. Turner took up the work. Other pastors have been the Revs. A. Gowans (1913), S. Fleming, B.D., J. Ings (1919), and E. R. Ledger, who has taken over the charge this year. The Sunday school has flourished under a succession of enthusiastic superinten dents, including Messrs. Adams, J. Tur ner, R. Turner, D. H. Bottrill, and W. J. French. The total cost of buildings until 1909, when the semi-jubilee was held, was £1,360. A new kindergarten room was added recently, and stained glass win dows have also been placed in the church. Land has been purchased for a manse, and it is hoped in the near future to do something towards erecting one. Continued on next page.

BtlRMDE^- THE MliM:

Continued from previous pane1.

Burnside Public School. There seems to be a certain amount of mystery concerning the origin of the Burnside Public School. The earliest records at the Education Department state that 'The Burnside Public School was opened on January 1, 1869, the teacher at that time being Miss Ruth English.' Old residents mention the names of Messrs. Renou and Andrews. It would be interesting to collect further information. At any rate, the school is a going concern, now, with new addi tions in course of construction, and a fine type of children in attendance — hearty, sturdy, young folk. They were being dis missed at the close of a sultry, day, with the cheery tinkle of the icecream cart sounding sweet music in their ears when I saw them. Mr. Richard Turner gave the following information about the school, where he is just completing his twentieth year as head master:— 'The ori ginal school building at Burnside was just one room with the teacher's residence attached. It seated 60 children, and was not full when I came here. Now we have 190 on the roll, and an attendance of 160. You do not see all the children here; the younger ones are in the Burn side Christian Church. We had 80 over there, with a teacher, last year. The present school was built in 1907. It was the first school erected under the re gime of the late Director (Mr. A. Wil liams), and the arrangements were in accordance with his ideas of what was best for a small school. On the whole, his plans have worked out remarkably well. It was due to the late Hon. T. Price, and to the Hon. F. W. Coneybeer, P that we owe this building. You see the windows open to the south, to avoid the glare. A new room is going up now to accommodate 70 more children. There was one thing not to be over looked about this school — an honour roll lof old boys who had gone to the war, num-bering nearly 70 names — and many photographs of Mr. Turner's old scholars, which they had sent to him from 'over there.' More eloquent still is a row of seven little white crosses, in the school garden, bearing the names of old boys who have given their lives for their coun try. Behind each is a sturdy young pop lar, chosen because this tree is a remin der of the long, long roads in France. A shield bears the words,' 'Heroes of the Great War, 1914-1918.' 'I want them to be remembered,' said their old teacher, ''but it is as hard to teach the children about this war as any war hundreds of years ago.' When asked to tell of suc cessful old scholars, Mr. Turner men tioned an old scholar, Miss Lorna L. Mar rett, who has recentlv won the Diploma of Commerce, although only in her twen tieth year. Another successful scholar is very young one — Raymond Turner, aged 9½ years— who was the youngest boy ever to sit for the qualifying certificate, and won an exhibition worth £10 a year for two years, and is now in the intermediate class at the Norwood High School. Knightsbridge School. An account of Burnside would be incom-plete without some mention of the school long conducted by Mrs. Hubbe, who had before that been a teacher at the Advanced School for Girls. Together with Miss Cook, and later with Mrs. Hubbe's daughters, the school was car-ried on from 1886 until the end of 1921. In 1922 the school was taken .over, by Misses Jones and Wells, who are employ ing the Dalton ? and Montessori . methods. One of Mrs. Hubbe's old scholars, Bertram Wood, is now secretary to the Cecil Rhodes trust estate.

A Hardy Cornishman. An instance of the' kind of pluck that went to the building of success is the story of Henry Duastan. . He was a Cor nishman who came. of farmer stock. An injury to a foot in childhood prevented him from taking up farming on his own account, so he turned to other work. Be ginning, as a young man, by carting gravel, he filled in days between with strenuous trips to the ranges for firewood, which he counted more profitable than idleness. His immense capacity for keeping on is still remembered. An oldtimer here and there will still tell, with a smile, that 'the Old Boss was a beggar to work, and we had to work too.' In 1881 he dis gusted the hand-breaking gang by instal ling his first machine. They thought their jobs were lost, whereas the cheapening of the production increased the sales, and more men were- constantly needed, as.fbe business grew. When his ?? banker put before Henry Dunstan the proposal to buy the Stonyfell Estate, instead of continu ing to pay royalties, he ? consulted hi3 wife, and together they tackled a long uphill pull, and at last made the place their own. ' Compared .with the risks and toils_ undertaken by ? the past generation of pioneers, people of the present day may say, with the Shepherd King— . . The lines have fallen unto me in pleasant places, .. Yea, I have a goodly heritage. The Stonyfell Quarries / The story of these quarries goes far back in the. history, of South Australia. They must have been worked in Governor Gaw Jer's tune, for Mr. Borrow who . built Stonyfell- house; obtained stone there for the building of the Adelaide Gaol— one of the. public works for which the go-ahead governor was Warned. The iater story is interesting. .The quarries were opened up in the sixties in a way to permit hardy draymen to venture out over rough steep tracks. The late David Packham, and the late Henry Dunstan. were among those who paid royalty to the owners for the right to cart stone. In 1867 Mr. Dunstan took, a . lease of ? Stonyfell for quarrying purposes, and. laid the foundation of the large concern — now Dunstan's Limited — which- control the land to-day. Before the use of Teinforced concrete became general, most -houses were built of stone m rough blockB. From one part of this estate same along tracks, still traceable, despite the scrubby saplings now thereon, which try to hide man's sacrilijrious in vasion of the beautiful gully. The sand stone for old CQaytoni Churob, Kensington, as well as for. many residences in that district was brought from here. Hard stone only is now quarried, and after be ing broken to suitable size, is screened by machinery. TIMs stone has gone to the building of Bowman's Arcade, and of the Register office (except the front), and many other noteworthy city structures. It goes into the foundations of soldiers' homes. In addition, hundreds of loads of garden screening? are distributed through the metropolitan areas; and the screenings even go to Melbourne. Miles of new roads are made each year, and more miles of worn roads are re-sheeted — sometimes a£ Sratenbound' macadam, and often, now, in connection with tar and bitumen. It has been a big. advance since Henry ? Dunstan began selling hand broken metal in 1867. , The quarry is worked with a double plant' of machinery.'- ? The 'old Blake Marsden machines and., their screens are still at work alongside, some of the very latest types recently installed, while compressed-air drills are used in boring holes for blasting.