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HAY SESQUICENTENARY WEB-LOG –– 1859
1859 – January § February § March § April § May § June § July § August § September § October § November § December
 JANUARY 1859
['Lower Murrumbidgee' correspondent, extract from report 'The Past Season' dated 30 April 1859, Sydney Morning Herald, 12 May 1859]
January was warm, but showery, and, up to the end of this month, sufficient moisture fell to keep the grass slightly green.
 The passage which follows is an early instance of the use of 'Waradgery' as a prospective name for the new township at Lang's Crossing-place. The name probably referred to the indigenous Wiradjuri people of inland New South Wales, though it is open to conjecture as to precisely why 'Waradgery' (rendered in a variety of spellings) became associated with the locality.
The district surrounding Lang's Crossing-place was occupied by at least three separate Aboriginal groups before the European expansion into the region. The Nari-Nari inhabited the lower Murrumbidgee River region, from the junction with the Lachlan River to the approximate vicinity of Lang's Crossing-place. The Yitha-Yitha people lived along the lower Lachlan River. The Wiradjuri people inhabited a vast region in the central-western inland of New South Wales, with one edge of their range located north and east of the Nari-Nari and Yitha-Yitha areas. Bill Gamage, in his history of the Narrandera Shire, claims that "in European times" Wiradjuri clans made hostile encroachments as far as Hay, so perhaps the Wiradjuri people occupied the Lang's Crossing-place area in 1858-9.
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['Lang's Crossing Place' correspondent (report dated 22 January 1859), Wagga Wagga Express, 29 January 1859]
If common report is to be trusted I shall soon have to alter the headings of these letters, as I hear it stated that this place is to receive the name of Warrageri.
Surveyor Adams had decided to locate the streets and allotments of the proposed township at Lang's Crossing-place on the eastern side of the river-bend, north of the buildings owned by Henry Leonard and Thomas Simpson. This presented Captain Francis Cadell with a dilemma. Cadell had located his store on the western side of the river-bend beside the track leading to the main crossing-place (part of the locality known as 'Cooladgery'). However by the end of 1858 it had became apparent that his store was situated on the opposite side of the river-bend from the focus of settlement activity at Lang's Crossing-place. The switch in importance to the eastern side of the bend correlated with the establishment of Leonard's punt and the opening of the Murrumbidgee Punt Hotel. In about mid-January 1859, in response to commercial and practical reality, Cadell's store was moved to a location on the river bank between Leonard's hotel and Simpson's blacksmith-shop. This building became known as Cadell's Old Depot store.
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['Lang's Crossing Place' correspondent (report dated 22 January 1859), Wagga Wagga Express, 29 January 1859]
Cadell's large store formerly located some little way down the river at Cullageri, is now being moved on to the township, not far from the Hotel.
In January or February 1859 District Surveyor P. Francis Adams suffered a severe attack of ophthalmia which prevented him from continuing with his work at Lang's Crossing-place. The following passage refers to a delay in the sale of town allotments being due to "the want of a surveyor to mark out the allotments". This may indicate that Adams had ceased his work by that stage and left the locality to return to Albury. This view is further supported by the fact that a map prepared by Surveyor Adams in February 1859 depicted Cadell's store as located on the western side of the river-bend (where it had been situated before being moved in about mid-January 1859).
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['Lower Murrumbidgee' correspondent (report dated 22 January 1859), Sydney Morning Herald, 1 February 1859]
LANG'S CROSSING PLACE. – … A sale of town allotments at this spot is urgently required, as there are almost daily enquiries for land. It is believed that the only hindrance to an alienation of some of the land is the want of a surveyor to mark out the allotments, and that the Government are keeping out of their pockets a considerable amount of money by delaying so long about this business.
['Lang's Crossing Place' correspondent (report dated 22 January 1859), Wagga Wagga Express, 29 January 1859]
Many mobs of cattle are still passing and help to make the place lively. The river has again taken a rise, and has in fact risen and fallen so often lately, that the banks are now very muddy for crossing.
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['Lower Murrumbidgee' correspondent (report dated 22 January 1859), Sydney Morning Herald, 1 February 1859]
THE MURRUMBIDGEE. – During the past fortnight, the river, which had for a long time continued unusually high considering the season, fell very rapidly, and carried off the large amount of water which has for so long covered the polygonum ground. All the obstructions to the free navigation are now becoming visible, and this year is likely to be very favourable for clearing operations. Punts were carried up to Wagga Wagga sometime ago, by the steamer Albury, and some parties have recently passed up the river to make preparations for the commencement of the snagging operations.
In late 1858 the Colonial Government of New South Wales Government invited tenders for the running of a mail service by horseback from the Lachlan River at Condobolin to Lang's Crossing-place. The route was to follow the Lachlan to Booligal and then across the One Tree Plain to Lang's Crossing-place on the Murrumbidgee, a total distance of 210 miles. By mid-January 1859 a mail-contractor had not yet been selected.
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['Lang's Crossing Place' correspondent (report dated 22 January 1859), Wagga Wagga Express, 29 January 1859]
The mail from Condobolin on the Lachlan down that river and across to this spot which was to have been run from the first of January has not yet been commenced, the reason why is not known; persons in this locality who tendered for it have been able to gain no information on the subject. A mail along the Lachlan is urgently required as persons in that part of the country at present look upon a newspaper as a perfect treasure, and only get letters at very distant intervals.
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['Lower Murrumbidgee' correspondent (report dated 22 January 1859), Sydney Morning Herald, 1 February 1859]
LANG'S CROSSING PLACE. – Much disappointment has been caused in this district by the scheme for running a weekly mail from Condobolin on the Lachlan to this spot having been given up. The Government advertised this mail several times, and apparently intended to have had it carried out, and it seems therefore probable to suppose that they either have received no tenders for it, or else that the tenders sent in were all too high. Probably, persons in Sydney are not aware that this mail could not be run very cheaply, as the country along the Lachlan affords so little feed that any contractor for this mail would be obliged to cart fodder for his horses, at a considerable expense, and the routes moreover are so heavy during the winter season, that a large number of horses would be required.
On Saturday, 15 January 1859, a man named Connor made a claim for wages against Henry Leonard of Lang's Crossing-place under the Masters' and Servants' Act. The case was heard at Balranald before John Kelly, the Police Magistrate for the district (based at Deniliquin). The passage below states that Connor's claim for wages was 30 shillings per day. This figure is extremely high and unlikely to be correct. Connor, who was probably a tradesman, more likely claimed a rate of 30 shillings per week.
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['Lang's Crossing Place' correspondent (report dated 22 January 1859), Wagga Wagga Express, 29 January 1859]
Mr. John Kelly, J.P., sat at Balranald last Saturday and disposed of some cases under the Masters' and Servants' Act. The case of Connor against Mr. H. Leonard, of the Murrumbidgee Punt Hotel, in which Connor had a claim for wages at the rate of 30s. a-day was settled by the bench, alloting him 20s. and obliging him to pay the expenses, as he had previously to coming into court refused to except [accept] an equitable settlement.
A severe storm moved along the Murrumbidgee River on Monday, 17 January 1859, bringing rain, hail and destructive winds to the region. The report of the storm from the Lang's Crossing-place correspondent to the Wagga Wagga Express indicates that some children were living at the locality by that stage.
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['Lang's Crossing Place' correspondent (report dated 22 January 1859), Wagga Wagga Express, 29 January 1859]
Last Monday a hailstorm of unusual severity visited this locality, the hail came down so fast and in such large pieces, that all animals and birds quickly sought shelter from its effects. The wind at the same time blew a perfect hurricane and caused much destruction of timber; it came so suddenly and with such tremendous violence that an almost clean pathway was cleared before it; in fact it was of a very similar nature to a tornado or to a hurricane, such as is seen in the West Indies. The ground was at one time covered with small lumps of ice, and there was a drift, these pieces of ice or hail-stones lay in large heaps. Children who here never see snow and ice very rarely, were quite delighted at the storm, and picked up and eat the hail stones greedily, just as if they had been the best almond comfits.
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['Lower Murrumbidgee' correspondent (report dated 22 January 1859), Sydney Morning Herald, 1 February 1859]
VIOLENT STORM. – On Monday last this locality was visited by a terrific hurricane, of so violent a nature, that [it] is believed its equal was never before seen in this part of the colony. The forenoon was threatening, close and cloudy, and distant thunder was heard at frequent intervals. The mercury at no time rose higher than 93, although everyone was complaining of the warmth of the atmosphere. Up to 2 p.m. the air was perfectly calm, after which black clouds began to rise in the north-west, and the approaching wind was faintly heard. Gradually, however, the noise of the rushing wind increased, until at last it came close. Then rain began to fall, and a mighty and terrific blast swept over the whole country, leaving a track behind it, which will be visible during a long period to come. Accompanying the wind was a shower of hail, or more properly speaking, of large nuggets of ice; at first the hail fell by itself, but was afterwards intermingled with heavy rain; the pieces were on the average as large as pigeon's eggs, some of them being as large as hen's eggs, and none of them smaller than swallow's eggs. In shape they were not round like ordinary hail, but jagged and splintered at the edges, like fragments of blocks of ice; nor were they of one colour, the centre being opaque, and the surrounding coating beautifully transparent; they were very hard and brittle, and did not easily melt. In weight some of them must have been about an ounce and a half. As far as can be yet ascertained, the storm was confined to the valley of the Murrumbidgee. Its progress can be easily traced by the destruction it caused as along its route numerous trees were leveled with the ground, others broken down, and the majority more or less injured. The main road is now in some spots so covered with fallen timber that it is impassable, and wheeled vehicles will in future have to make various deviations in passing these places.
A new Electoral Act for the Colony of New South Wales was passed on 24 November 1858 during the second administration of Charles Cowper, Colonial Secretary of the colony since September 1857. Cowper was an English-born pastoralist and a politician of liberal views. The Electoral Act of 1858 provided for a secret ballot and gave the vote to most adult males.
The Balranald electorate was constituted under the 1858 Electoral Act. It was a large electorate comprising the south-western corner of New South Wales, with the northern boundary extending to Bourke on the Darling River. Lang's Crossing-place was near the south-eastern corner of the Balranald electorate. An electoral roll was being compiled for the Balranald electorate in preparation for the forthcoming New South Wales elections to be held in June and early July 1859. For further information about the Balranald electorate refer to the article '1869-70 Electoral Roll – Balranald Electoral District'.
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['Lang's Crossing Place' correspondent (report dated 22 January 1859), Wagga Wagga Express, 29 January 1859]
One of the persons appointed to collect the names for the electoral rolls for the Balranald district passed here this week, it appears that an immense number of names are likely to be added to the lists, and amongst them those of many Chinamen and Aborigines. The likelihood of their [there] being a contested election for this district is already talked of and forms matter for conversation, and gives ones ear a little relief from the usual talk of horses, fat cattle, store cattle, camping out, cutting out and brands.
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['Lower Murrumbidgee' correspondent (report dated 22 January 1859), Sydney Morning Herald, 1 February 1859]
22ND JANUARY. – THE COMING ELECTION. – The forthcoming contest already engages public attention, and the settlers – usually so apathetic to their own interests – foreseeing that being properly represented in the new Parliament will be a matter of very great importance to them, both individually and collectively, are eagerly looking about for suitable men to put in for the squatting districts. The newly constituted Balranald district will, it is to be hoped, send some one into the Assembly who will do credit to this part of the colony. Several gentlemen are already talked about as likely to come forward, amongst others, Mr. A.T. Holroyd, the barrister, Mr. James Martin, Q.C., and another person, who is said to be supported by all Mr. E. Flood's interest in the district. During the debate which took place in the Assembly concerning the formation of the Balranald electorate, it was stated by some of the squatters that Balranald would prove to be a nice little pocket district. So far from such being the case, the interests in this locality are so varied that it is almost impossible to surmise how any election would be carried. The names of all persons entitled to vote in this enormous district are now being carefully collected, and it is believed that, when the lists are made up, the number of voters will be found to be much larger than any of our legislators would ever have imagined it to have been. It is thought that, by the wording of the new Electoral Act, blacks are just as much entitled to vote as whites, and it is reported that in the revision of the lists an attempt will be made to register a large number of aborigines here.
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The Electoral Act of 1858 defined the primary conditions for inclusion as an elector in New South Wales as:
Every male subject of Her Majesty of the full age of twenty-one years being natural born or who being a naturalized subject shall have resided in this Colony for three years shall if qualified as in this section is provided and entered on the Roll of Electors and not disqualified or incapacitated for some cause hereinafter specified be entitled to vote at any Election for the Electoral District in respect of which he shall be so qualified… [Clause 9, Electoral Act of 1858]
The Act defined certain exclusions, including convicted criminals still serving their sentences, those "of unsound mind", and men "in receipt of and from any charitable institution". Under the law Aborigines were "natural born" subjects of the Crown, and prima facie, qualified as electors. However there is evidence to suggest that, both locally and more widely within New South Wales, Aborigines tended to be systematically excluded from the franchise, probably by invoking the "charitable institutions" exclusion provision.
Bathurst burr (Xanthium spinosum) was accidentally introduced into Australia in the early nineteenth century from South America. The pervasive weed gradually spread along the stock-routes and river corridors of inland Australia.
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['Lower Murrumbidgee' correspondent (report dated 22 January 1859), Sydney Morning Herald, 1 February 1859]
BATHURST BURRS. – These pests appear to be inclined to overrun this part of the colony, being much more abundant this year than they ever were before. On the Lachlan they are already so numerous that it is utterly impossible to cut them down, and the consequence is, that every horse, cart, mob of cattle or flock of sheep, that comes across this way brings a quantity of the seeds, and scatters them over the country.
 FEBRUARY 1859
['Lang's Crossing Place' correspondent (report dated 12 February 1859), Wagga Wagga Express, 25 February 1859]
The weather is now very cold, and there appears to be a break up in the summer, as I generally notice that when a great fall in the temperature takes place in the middle of February there is seldom afterwards any great accumulation of warmth, as the mornings and evenings become so cold that they daily lower the temperature to an average heat.
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['Lower Murrumbidgee' correspondent, extract from report 'The Past Season' dated 30 April 1859, Sydney Morning Herald, 12 May 1859]
The month of February… was quite dry, not the smallest drop of rain falling, and the thermometer on three days following, viz., 5th, 6th, and 7th, went up to 107 in the shade. This was the highest point the mercury reached this summer, and was lower by 6 degrees than that attained last year.
The following passage contains a specific reference to District Surveyor Adams' attack of ophthalmia, which probably occurred in January 1859 (see previous discussion). Nonetheless by early February Adams had discontinued his survey work and returned to Albury. Building activities continued at Lang's Crossing-place despite the hiatus in marking out allotments caused by Adams' condition.
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['Lang's Crossing Place' correspondent (report dated 12 February 1859), Wagga Wagga Express, 25 February 1859]
Any person visiting the township and seeing various buildings in course of erection would be led to imagine that the allotments had been marked out and sold. Such is, however, I am sorry to say, not the case, and the public being unable to wait until the Government choose to sell the land are obliged to erect their huts and stores, and run the risk of being put to the expense of having to remove them at some future time. The Survey Department has always been notoriously dilatory in its movements, and appears to be determined to keep up its character. May we hope that the new Parliament will cause more attention to be paid to the speedy putting up to auction of lands required by the public. I am sorry to hear that Mr. Surveyor Adams has been prevented from plotting out the township, by a severe attack of ophthalmia, but will, as soon as sufficiently recovered, at once proceed with the work.
The steamer operator, William R. Randell, established a second store at Lang's Crossing-place in November 1858. In mid-February 1859 it was reported that Randell's store was to be "enlarged". The following passage highlights the emerging importance of the Lang's Crossing-place locality as a distribution hub for the surrounding pastoral district.
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['Lang's Crossing Place' correspondent (report dated 12 February 1859), Wagga Wagga Express, 25 February 1859]
It would appear that the steamboats underrated the consumption of various articles on this river, and brought up such small supplies that they are already exhausted. Some goods are now being carried from the junction of the Murray and Murrumbidgee up to this spot. It is reported that Randall's store is to be enlarged, and supplied with a large amount of general merchandise. Steamboats will again come up at the very earliest opportunity that the river will admit of being navigated. It has kept unusually high this season, and, if necessary, might have been kept running up to the present moment. The Adelaide people are no doubt very clever, but I am inclined to doubt the profitableness of sending bad flour up the Murrumbidgee, as the settlers here can always get good flour from Melbourne, and would rather pay a good price for it than get bad Adelaide flour for nothing.
The following incident occurred at "Nimmie" station on the Lower Murrumbidgee near the junction with the Lachlan River.
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['Lang's Crossing Place' correspondent (report dated 12 February 1859), Wagga Wagga Express, 25 February 1859]
Many accidents still continue to happen by the use of bark canoes; one day this week a white man, whilst crossing the Murrumbidgee at Nimmy [Nimmie] station in one of these frail articles, managed to overset himself in deep water, and, being unable to swim, would undoubtedly have been drowned had not a Macintyre blackfellow, who witnessed the accident from the opposite bank, good naturedly jumped in and rescued him from his perilous position.
MARCH 1859
['Lower Murrumbidgee' correspondent, extract from report 'The Past Season' dated 30 April 1859, Sydney Morning Herald, 12 May 1859]
The summer of the year 1858-9 has been somewhat remarkable on account of the unusual number of violent hailstorms, the prevalence of thunder and lightning, and the comparative absence of hot winds… March was not by any means a hot month; and, in fact, the summer on the whole may be said, comparatively speaking, to have been very cool. The hot winds blew on ten days only, one for three and twice for two consecutive days; on three occasions these winds were not followed by any rain. In the five summer months, November to March, rain fell on 33 days, although only nine times in sufficient quantities to be of any great service to the pasturage.
In an effort to attract a medical practitioner to the new settlement a group of landholders and businessmen in the vicinity of Lang's Crossing-place agreed to guarantee an annual income of £300 to a qualified doctor willing to take up residence at the township. In addition the publican Henry Leonard offered an extra inducement of free board and lodging for the first year.
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['Lang's Crossing Place' correspondent, Wagga Wagga Express, 12 March 1859]
The want of a surgeon in this district has been so much felt that the settlers have at last come to a resolution to guarantee an income of £300 a-year to any duly qualified and sober medical man, who will take up his residence at this township, and Mr. H. Leonard, of the Murrumbidgee Punt Hotel, has not only engaged to pay, if necessary, his share of the guaranteed amount, but also has offered most liberally to provide a medical man with board and lodging gratuitously, during the first twelve months.
The passages below refer to unemployed men travelling on foot through the rural areas of Australia, seeking work and sustenance. Many of these men had drifted away from the Victorian goldfields as the creeks at the diggings dried up during the summer months. They can be considered as an underclass of transient temporary workers, seeking employment at the stations and towns they travelled through. If no permanent work was available the squatters and station-managers would often provide food and shelter in return for some menial task.
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['Lower Murrumbidgee' correspondent (report dated 3 March 1859), Sydney Morning Herald, 29 March 1859]
OUR ANNUAL INCURSION. – It has become a notorious fact that at this season of the year this part of the country is annually visited by a large number of men seeking, or pretending to be seeking, for employment. Whence they come or whither they go remains a mystery. They pass right through this part of the colony from one end to the other, and, until a certain period has elapsed, are heard of no more. Many of them, no doubt, are industrious men, desiring to obtain work – others, again, are lazy fellows, who only desire to idle their time away; but the whole of them, from appearance, seem to be totally unsuited to any work in the bush, and in fact feel apparently entirely out of their element in this part of the country. Very few of these men have any money, and many of them in England would be classed amongst the paupers. The settlers, who cannot very well refuse food to starving men, find rationing them to be a very severe tax, as very often the flour, &c., supplied weekly to these pedestrians is of larger amount than that consumed by the persons belonging to the station. Some settlers, driven to desperation, have at last only granted the walkabout's the use of a hut, with liberty to purchase their own rations; others, upon the principle of giving the men enough to prevent them from starving, yet not sufficient to encourage them in leading a lazy, wandering life, grant them a pound of flour each; and a third class of settlers give them a good supper, a good breakfast, and a place to sleep in. Of course these latter obtain a good name compared with the less liberal settlers, although it is a curious fact, and worthy of notice, that these very men who are living on the settlers during half the year, usually take every opportunity of abusing them, and look on them as their natural enemies, because they are sufficiently well off to be lessees of Government land. An opinion appears to gain ground that it will be necessary before many years are passed, to levy rates for the support of the poor, or provide for their maintenance in some other way, as the labouring classes in Australia are so improvident that but few of them, out of their superabundant wages, lay by any provision for old age, or time of sickness, and, consequently, when unable to work any longer, must either lie down and die of starvation, or be provided for by public or private bounty.
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['Lang's Crossing Place' correspondent, Wagga Wagga Express, 12 March 1859]
At one spot on the Lower Lachlan, there are two stations close to each other, although on opposite sides of the river, and men walking about and pretending to be looking for work are often accustomed to get all they can at the one station, then cross the river, declare that they are starving, and obtain all they can from the other station. Lately a man crossed over to the station on the left bank and asked for some breakfast, the person in the kitchen enquired if he had not already procured some thing to eat on the opposite side, and on his replying in the negative, commenced frying for him some beef-steaks, however, soon after having occasion to leave the kitchen, she was surprised on her return to find, not only that the man had disappeared but also that he had taken all the beef with him. On enquiry it was discovered that the fellow had already been well fed on the right bank, and thinking no doubt that when the person went out of the hut she intended to call over the river and enquire about him, he had quickly decamped, but in his hurry had not forgotten to pay his respect to the frying pan.
In March 1859 Edward Bell Firebrace was appointed as a Justice of the Peace. Firebrace was the leaseholder of the "Toogimbie" run, about 30 kilometres downstream from Lang's Crossing-place.
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[New South Wales Government Gazette, No. 50, Friday, 25 March 1859, p. 701]
Colonial Secretary's Office,
Sydney, 23rd March, 1859.
MAGISTRATES
His Excellency the Governor General, with the advice of the Executive Council, has been pleased to appoint the following Gentlemen to be Magistrates of the Territory and its dependencies, viz.: –– [including]
Firebrace Edward, Lang's Crossing Place;
APRIL 1859
['Lower Murrumbidgee' correspondent (report dated 16 April 1859), Sydney Morning Herald, 26 April 1859]
THE WEATHER, &C. – After an interval of more than ten weeks, during which there were only two slight sprinkles of rain, we have this week had some fine showers, and the moisture has penetrated about two inches. Even this small amount of rain has been most acceptable, as the country is in a very barren state. Owing to the want of rain all the stock have been obliged to feed on the river frontages, during an unusually long period, and have everywhere made it quite bare; the feed on the back plains is not so bad, but up to the time of the rain the cattle were not able to take advantage of it, on account of its distance from any water. All the sheep stations will now also be put back, and with a little more wet the frontages will stand a chance of recovering. At present a blade of grass is almost a rarity, and there are immense tracts of country which, with the exception of a few bushes, are as barren and dusty as a largely frequented turnpike road. The stock, however, are not in as bad condition as might have been expected – they have contrived to pick up a living on salt bush, polygonum, and other shrubs, and the comparative coolness of the late summer has been much in their favour.
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['Lang's Crossing Place' correspondent, Wagga Wagga Express, 23 April 1859]
The want of rain is now much felt, and the country all around begins to wear a very dried up and barren aspect. The mornings are getting cold, and the thermometer at sunrise already is found as low as 40.
In early April 1859 the residents of Lang's Crossing-place were engaged in speculation about who was to be appointed as Police Magistrate for the district.
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['Lower Murrumbidgee' correspondent (report dated 9 April 1859), Sydney Morning Herald, 19 April 1859]
WARRAGERI (Lang's Crossing Place). – The appointment of a magistrate and police for this place has afforded much satisfaction to the inhabitants of this part of the river, and leads them to believe that they are not altogether forgotten by the Government, and that there is now additional hope of the township being quickly proclaimed and of land being put up for sale. The wording of the vote for the police has caused much discussion, and many and varied are the opinions as to how it is to be understood. The Herald gives it thus – "Lang's Crossing Place. – Difference between salary of police magistrate acting as clerk of Petty Sessions, Moulamein, and that of a police magistrate; to do duty also at Balranald, £50." This may either mean that the newly appointed P.M. is to act as clerk at Petty Sessions at Moulamein, or that the gentleman at present acting as clerk of Petty Sessions at Moulamein is appointed police magistrate at Lang's, with an additional salary of £50. If the latter supposition be the correct one, I fancy the columns of the Herald will quickly receive some communications on the subject, as it has for a long while past been publicly reported that the appointment had been offered to another person, and this change will be anything but agreeable or conducive, as is generally thought, to the due performance of the public business. Some persons are of opinion that there is some unintentional error in the wording of the vote.
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['Lang's Crossing Place' correspondent, Wagga Wagga Express, 23 April 1859]
The great question now is, Who is to be our new Police Magistrate? Some short time ago we all imagined that we knew who was to be the fortunate individual, but at present we begin to imagine that we were either misinformed on the subject, or that ministers have for some reason changed their minds on this subject. From the wording of the vote it would appear either that a clerk of petty sessions has been appointed the P.M., or that the new P.M. is also to act as the clerk of petty sessions at another place, but the paragraph attached to the amount voted is so very loosely worded that it is totally impossible to say what construction might be put upon it. However, everyone is pleased to see that a Police Magistrate has really been provided for in the estimates, and that he is to have a salary of £225 and an allowance of £45 for forage. The Legislature have also provided for a clerk of petty sessions at £175, a chief constable at £175, and three constables at £100 each. Up to the present time this part of the colony may be said to have been almost destitute of police protection, and these appointments have only been made in deference to our just claims and rights. We may now hope that a good look out will be able to be kept on horse stealers, cattle duffers, persons selling sly grog, and other pests of society.
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During April 1859 the basic administrative framework for Lang's Crossing-place was established by the New South Wales government, which included the establishment of a post office and appointment of a police magistrate.
On 12 April 1859 Henry Shiell was appointed Police Magistrate of the Balranald Police District (to be based at Lang's Crossing-place), on an annual salary of £375 (as well as an allowance of "2s. 6d. per diem in lieu of forage for a horse"). Shiell had previously been the Clerk of Petty Sessions at Deniliquin (to which he had been appointed on 22 November 1853).
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[Wagga Wagga Express, 30 April 1859]
HENRY SMITH [SHIELL], ESQ., has been appointed Police Magistrate at Lang's Crossing Place, Murrumbidgee, and Balranald; and Mr. […] Edwards Clerk of Petty Sessions.
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[New South Wales Government Gazette, No. 54, Friday, 1 April 1859, p. 757]
General Post Office, Sydney
31st March, 1859
NEW POST OFFICES.
Notice is hereby given that Post Offices have been established at the following places:–– (including)
Lang's Crossing Place, on the Murrumbidgee.
Gillinbah, between Wagga Wagga and Balranald, on the south side of the Murrumbidgee.
Parties residing at these places are therefore recommended to advise their correspondents to address their letters and newspapers accordingly, to ensure their being duly forwarded.
W.H. Christie, Postmaster-General.
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[New South Wales Government Gazette, No. 61, Tuesday, 12 April 1859, p. 803]
Colonial Secretary's Office
Sydney, 12th April, 1859
MAGISTRATE
His Excellency the Governor General, with the advice of the Executive Council, has been pleased to appoint
Henry Shiell, Esquire,
to be a Magistrate of the Territory and its Dependencies.
Charles Cowper
His Excellency the Governor General, with the advice of the Executive Council, has been pleased to appoint
Henry Shiell, Esquire,
to be a Police Magistrate at Lang's Crossing Place, Murrumbidgee, and at Balranald.
Charles Cowper
PETTY SESSIONS
His Excellency the Governor General, with the advice of the Executive Council, has been pleased to appoint the following gentlemen to be Clerks of Petty Sessions, at the places mentioned opposite their names respectively, viz.:–– (including)
Lang's Crossing Place:–– Mr. George Edwards
Charles Cowper
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The document above states that George Edwards was appointed as Clerk of Petty Sessions at Lang's Crossing-place. Edwards had fulfilled that role at Balranald since 1 May 1853 and there is no evidence that he re-located to Lang's Crossing-place, even for a short period of time. Another person was later appointed as Clerk of Petty Sessions at Lang's Crossing-place.
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[New South Wales Government Gazette, No. 61, Tuesday, 12 April 1859, p. 804]
Colonial Secretary's Office
Sydney, 12th April, 1859
PETTY SESSIONS
His Excellency the Governor General has been pleased to appoint Lang's Crossing Place, on the Murrumbidgee, to be a place for the holding of Courts of Petty Sessions, under the Act of the Colonial Legislature, 3 William IV, No. 3.
Charles Cowper
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['Lower Murrumbidgee' correspondent (report dated 16 April 1859), Sydney Morning Herald, 26 April 1859]
WARRAGERI (LANG'S CROSSING PLACE.) – The vote of £800 for a court and watch-house at this place, following so soon after the vote for a police magistrate and a police force, serves to show that the Government have at last come to some ideas of the importance of this locality, and that your correspondent who has, during the last three years, kept the public informed of the state of affairs in this part of the colony, has not spoken of Lang's Crossing Place as an important point of communication, without having had good reason for doing so. The establishment of a post office is also a great boon, and the new Lachlan mail will afford great accommodation to the inhabitants of a very large tract of country, who, up to the present time, have had no opportunity of receiving letters or papers, except at very distant intervals.
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['Lang's Crossing Place' correspondent, Wagga Wagga Express, 23 April 1859]
Several persons are endeavouring to obtain the permission of the Government for the erection of a pound at this place, and several petitions to the Balranald Bench have been numerously signed.
The second New South Wales parliament was dissolved on 11 April 1859 and preparations were underway for elections to be held in June and early July 1859. The Balranald electorate had been formed under the provisions of the Electoral Act of 1858, passed on 24 November 1858. The 1858 Act provided for a secret ballot and gave the vote to most adult males. For further information refer to the article '1869-70 Electoral Roll – Balranald Electoral District', which includes a map of Balranald electorate and a discussion of provisions under the Act regarding the qualification and exclusion of electors and the collection and revision of electoral rolls.
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['Lower Murrumbidgee' correspondent (report dated 9 April 1859), Sydney Morning Herald, 19 April 1859]
ADDITIONAL POLLING-PLACES. – The approaching elections, under the Electoral Reform Act, reminds us that a great necessity exists for increased accommodation being afforded to the electors of the Balranald district, in the way of additional polling-places. It is, therefore, suggested to the Government that the following might be gazetted as localities fit and proper for the attendance of deputy returning-officers, viz., Warrageri (Lang's Crossing Place) and Balranald, on the Murrumbidgee; Euston, on the Murray; Moorna, at the junction of the Darling; Jamieson's Station, at Mount Murchison, on the Darling; Tupruck and Bullagel Stations, on the Lachlan. Balranald will, no doubt, be the place of election and head-quarters of the polling, so that it is not strictly correct to speak of it being appointed an additional polling-place.
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['Lower Murrumbidgee' correspondent (report dated 16 April 1859), Sydney Morning Herald, 26 April 1859]
REVISION OF THE ROLLS. – As the fruits of the attendance of a police magistrate in this district, we have to record the collection of the names of persons entitled to votes, and a due and proper revision of the rolls, matters which have been almost entirely neglected in this district during the last four years, if not for a longer period. At the revision held in the police court at Balranald, before Mr. John Kelly, P.M., the number of additional names given in amounted to the large sum of 254, which, added to 138 previously standing on the lists, makes a total of 392 voters in the Balranald district. The names of nearly one hundred aborigines were given in with the lists of persons claiming to vote, but it does not appear that any of their names were placed on the rolls. It is worthy of notice that few of the new voters are at all benefited by the manhood suffrage clause, as even under the old electoral act the majority of them would have been entitled to register under the heading of recipients of salaries, so that the only reason of their names not appearing sooner on the rolls of the district, is the utter carelessness that has existed with respect to the preparation of the electoral lists.
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['Lang's Crossing Place' correspondent, Wagga Wagga Express, 23 April 1859]
Much anxiety is still shown about the great delay in selling the town allotments, and many parties are waiting, with money in their pockets which they eagerly desire to transfer to the Government. The approaching election begins to form matter of daily talk, and many curious speculations are hazarded as to who will come forward to represent us. This spot will no doubt be one of the most important polling places in case of a contested election, and the number of votes recorded will to some extent serve to show the public importance of this locality.
In 1859 the Riverina district was administered as part of the Anglican Diocese of Sydney under the Bishop of Sydney, Frederic Barker.
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['Lower Murrumbidgee' correspondent (report dated 30 April 1859), Sydney Morning Herald, 12 May 1859]
RELIGION. – There is not the least advancement to report. The Bishop of Sydney has never yet fulfilled his oft-repeated promise of sending a minister to this part of the country. The foundation of the township at Lang's affords an excellent opportunity for the establishment of a minister at that spot, where, as from a centre, he would be able to visit the surrounding stations. No doubt, the Government would most willingly make a free grant of land for the erection of a church and minister's house, and the inhabitants would all subscribe towards their erection. The subject is again prominently placed before his lordship, who probably, amongst his numerous duties, has lost sight of this distant spot.
['Lower Murrumbidgee' correspondent (report dated 30 April 1859), Sydney Morning Herald, 12 May 1859]
THE LABOUR MARKET. – A considerable number of men have been employed in the district during the last six months in splitting, fencing, hut building, &c. The supply of efficient labour has not been quite equal to the demand, although at all times there have been a number of unemployed who were not suitable for the required work. Many persons wishing for shepherding and hut-keeping are out of employment, and being unable or unwilling to turn their attention to other work, are likely to have to walk about for some considerable time. The present rates of wages are:–– Married couples on stations, £50 to £80; stockmen, £50 to £75; shepherds, £40; shepherd and hut-keeper, £55 to £60; hut-keepers on out-stations, £25 to £35; hut-keepers on head stations, £39 to £52; useful boys on stations, £30; girls as nurses, £20, all with rations. A few brickmakers, sawyers, thatchers, and itinerant saddlers, tailors, watch-makers, daguerreotype artists, and general hawkers can make money in this locality, but all persons not wishing to work hard are especially recommended to keep away, there being no room for such.
['Lower Murrumbidgee' correspondent (report dated 30 April 1859), Sydney Morning Herald, 12 May 1859]
CATTLE, SHEEP AND HORSES. – Notwithstanding there having been but a small per centage of natural increase amongst the cattle, owing to the majority of the cows having been spayed, and a large number of fat stock having been taken away from the district, the number have been kept up by arrivals of store cattle. The fat stock sent to Melbourne and the gold-fields have well kept up the character of this locality for producing prime meat; and the prices realized have averaged from £5 to £6 10s. for cows, and from £8 to £9 for bullocks. The pasturage at present, from the want of rain, is dreadfully scanty, and a continuance of dry weather will cause serious loss to the settlers. The Cumberland disease appears year by year to be working nearer to this part of the colony, and of late some cases of this endemic have occurred on the Murrumbidgee, within 180 miles of the mouth of the river. The number of sheep is still very small, and but few have gone to market. Many persons are again talking of going into this sort of stock; but the high price of store sheep, and the great falls in the value of fat sheep, have hitherto induced them to abstain from taking any steps in the matter. Horses are greatly on the increase, although some few mobs have been sold. It is generally noticed that horses bred in the hilly districts are much better for station use here than those bred on the spot, as the latter, owing to the softness of the soil, are always tender in the hoof and liable to lame easily, and consequently are better when shod; whereas the former are naturally much harder in the hoof, and, in this sort of country, do not require shoeing.
The low state of the Murrumbidgee River focussed the attention of the district residents on the desirability of continuing the de-snagging operations, especially on the stretch of river between Lang's Crossing-place and the Lachlan junction.
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['Lower Murrumbidgee' correspondent (report dated 9 April 1859), Sydney Morning Herald, 19 April 1859]
THE MURRUMBIDGEE. – The increasing value of the inland water communication in this colony renders the proper clearance of the channels of the different rivers not only a subject of local interest but also a work of importance to the whole community. For the clearance of the Murrumbidgee £1000 was originally voted, and afterwards an additional sum of £2000. The snagging operations during former seasons were confined to that portion of the river which lies between the Lachlan junction and the embouchure, where a removal of all the main impediments to the navigation was effected. The part at present requiring attention is that which lies between Lang's and the Lachlan. This portion once freed from snags, the most important part of the river would be navigable during more than half the year, and the Lower Murrumbidgee would be able to look forward with certainty to an annual arrival of water-borne stores. This season the water is almost unusually low, and all the snags and other obstructions are clearly exposed to view; and consequently it is now a most favourable period for proceeding with the clearing operations. I hear that parties are at work near Gillenbar, but as yet there is nothing doing on this portion of the river. Captain Cadell is, however, said to be expected at Warrageri (Lang's crossing-place) very shortly, and on his arrival we may expect to see some further activity in the work.
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['Lang's Crossing Place' correspondent, Wagga Wagga Express, 23 April 1859]
The river is now exceedingly low, in fact fordable in many places. The necessity of some amount of clearance being affected in the water way is now more than ever apparent, and we shall be glad to see some men at work in this locality cutting the snags and topping the branches.
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[Wagga Wagga Express, 30 April 1859]
CAPTAIN CADELL has visited us [at Wagga Wagga] this week, and we learn from him that the clearing of the river is being proceeded with as actively as his means permit. He complains much of the difficulty of obtaining fit men for such work, and assures us that were the right sort of labour abundant, he would set on a much larger number of men than he has now employed. Three parties, however, are busy in the meanwhile, and as the river is now extremely low, they have an opportunity of doing their work effectually.
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['Lower Murrumbidgee' correspondent (report dated 30 April 1859), Sydney Morning Herald, 12 May 1859]
THE THREE RIVERS. – The Murrumbidgee fell very low towards the end of the summer, and has been fordable in many places. The Lachlan, on the contrary, has been unusually high, and the channel has been filled by freshes several times during the season. At present, it is dry in some places, but the water remaining in the channel would be almost ample for two years to come, even if the stream did not unfortunately again come down during that period; so the settlers are in no fear of want of water at present. The accounts of the navigation of the Darling by Cadell and Randell, have caused much greater interest to be taken in that river, and persons going to that locality to settle feel great satisfaction in the thought of the facility of the water carriage. Many new stations are being stocked, families are going up to reside, and the country is altogether becoming more settled. It is expected that, during the winter, a tract will be made from the lower part of the Lachlan, in a north-westerly direction, across to the Darling, which will prove a very great convenience, as at present it is necessary to ascend from the mouth of this river – a long and tedious journey.
MAY 1859
['Lower Murrumbidgee' correspondent (report dated 28 May 1859), Sydney Morning Herald, 9 June 1859]
RAIN AT LAST. – Ten days, during each of which very many heavy showers have fallen, have had surprisingly fertilising effect on the previously barren plains, where the young grass is already springing in great abundance, and gives promise of a good fattening season for stock. The settlers are quite delighted at the change, and are busy putting their sheep out on the plains, and breaking in horses to muster their anticipated fat cattle.
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['Lower Murrumbidgee' correspondent (report dated 5 November 1859), Sydney Morning Herald, 15 November 1859, page 3]
THE PAST SEASON. – … During April, and until the 12th May, the weather was cool and dry, after which date there was a con[….]ance of wet, with occasional slight frosts intervening throughout the remainder of the month.
Henry Shiell was appointed Police Magistrate at Lang's Crossing-place on 12 April 1859, on an annual salary of £375. Shiell was from a prominent family on Montserrat in the Leeward group of islands, West Indies. He was born there in August 1826. In 1849 Henry Shiell married Mary Ann Wilcox at Montserrat. The couple arrived in Australia in August 1853, and soon afterwards they travelled to Deniliquin where Henry took up the position of Clerk of Petty Sessions to which he had been appointed (on an annual salary of £175). [For additional information see 'Henry Shiell (1827-1889)' by Richard Shiell and Dorothy Anderson]
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['Lower Murrumbidgee' correspondent (report dated 7 May 1859), Sydney Morning Herald, 18 May 1859]
POLICE MAGISTRATE. – The appointment of Mr. Henry Shiell as police magistrate, Lang's Crossing Place, is an event of considerable importance to this part of the river, as Balranald being so distant, the public were greatly inconvenienced by having to travel so far to attend court. Now, with Benches at the former as well as at the latter place, no such waste of time will occur, and with such ready means of justice, servants will no longer be at the mercy of their masters, or masters compelled to put up with badly behaved servants. Would that the Government could be persuaded to have courts of assize held at Wagga Wagga, as at present, by reason of the great distance of Goulburn, our assize town, the ends of justice are almost completely defeated in this part of the colony. Only a few weeks since, the owner of a large mob of horses, refused to prosecute a man who had made away with several of them, solely on account of the immense inconvenience, expense, and loss of time it would occasion him to attend at a spot so remote as Goulburn. I am given to understand that an address will shortly be presented to Mr. John Kelly, P.M., thanking him for his voluntary and gratuitous attendance to the police business in the Balranald district, pending the appointment of a stipendiary magistrate.
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['Balranald' correspondent (report dated 27 May 1859), Sydney Morning Herald, 8 June 1859]
Our newly-appointed police magistrate, Mr. Henry Shield, arrived here [at Balranald] from Lang's Crossing on the 24th instant, the Court day being the 25th. There were no cases on record, the only business being the swearing in of a constable.
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['Lower Murrumbidgee' correspondent (report dated 28 May 1859), Sydney Morning Herald, 9 June 1859]
POLICE. – Mr. Henry Shiell, our recently-appointed police magistrate, has arrived and taken up his residence amongst us, much to the general satisfaction, as the want of such an officer in the district has long been felt. At the present time Mr. Shiell is the J.P. for nearly one hundred and fifty miles along this part of the Murrumbidgee, and he not yet being possessed of the double vote so necessary to constitute a P.M. an efficient officer in a thinly populated district, business will, to a great extent, be at a standstill, until some gentleman is sworn in as a J.P., or the double power is conferred on the police magistrate. On the 19th of inst. month the publicans of this locality assembled at Balranald to obtain their licenses, but a bench could not be formed or even a single J.P. found to adjourn the meeting, the formality required by law. When Mr. Kelly, P.M., who had been performing his duties at Deniliquin came over to Balranald on the 25th to meet the publicans who had all been detained at that place, he found that owing to the annual licensing meeting not having been adjourned, he was quite unable to do anything in the matter, except to advise the Governor-General of the occurrence, and to suggest that under the circumstances his Excellency would take upon himself the responsibility of issuing the licenses. This course will no doubt be pursued, as unforeseen events solely caused this disagreeable business.
['Balranald' correspondent (report dated 27 May 1859), Sydney Morning Herald, 8 June 1859]
The surveyor, who is appointed to survey at Lang's Crossing, has not yet arrived, but is expected daily.
In May 1859 a mail-route was commenced between Condobolin on the Lachlan River and Lang's Crossing-place on the Murrumbidgee (via Booligal). The mail was carried on horseback once a week between the townships. The contractor was William Elliott (who was probably based at Condobolin).
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['Lower Murrumbidgee' correspondent (report dated 7 May 1859), Sydney Morning Herald, 18 May 1859]
NEW MAIL. – The long wished for mail down the Lachlan, from Condobolin to Lang's Crossing Place, which brings letters direct from Sydney, to the residents on that river, has at last commenced running. The contractor is Mr. Elliott, and the mail arrives at Lang's on Saturday, and departs for Condobolin on the Monday. The post office is at Mr. Francis Cadell's store.
Local attention began to be focussed on raising funds for the purpose of sinking a well at Pine Ridge, 30 miles from Lang's Crossing-place on the road to Deniliquin, in an area known as Old Man Plain. Reliable public watering-places on the routes in and out of the new township would insure its viability and continued use as a crossing-point for stock from the north. In the meantime a petition had been submitted to the Postmaster-General proposing that a postal route be established between Lang's Crossing-place and Deniliquin.
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[Pastoral Times (Deniliquin), 26 May 1859]
WELL ON THE OLD MAN PLAIN – Some [persons] at Lang's Crossing-Place, on the Murrumbidgee, have subscribed upwards of one hundred pounds towards sinking a well on the centre of the much-dreaded Old Man Plain. The distance across this extensive plain is about fifty miles, and several months in the year there is not a drop of water to be had. Many lives have been lost travelling over these plains, from time to time, and those who are combining to carry out the project of supplying these arid wastes are to be commended. People are beginning to appreciate these "back blocks," as they are termed, if they succeed, as no doubt they will, in obtaining water by sinking, a very large amount of stock can be depastured on lands now useless solitudes.
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['Lower Murrumbidgee' correspondent (report dated 28 May 1859), Sydney Morning Herald, 9 June 1859]
NEW POSTAL LINE. – It is understood that the Postmaster-General has had laid before him a proposition for running a mail twice a week between Lang's Crossing Place and Deniliquin. The distance is only eighty miles, and such a mail would allow us to receive news from Melbourne in two days, and by means of telegraph also from Sydney; the importance of early intelligence of the state of the markets to our graziers is well known, and until arrangements are made for continuing the telegraph wires from Deniliquin to the Lower Murrumbidgee, this mail will not be of much service. A petition to the Postmaster-General on this subject has already been numerously signed, and will, as soon as possible, be sent in. In anticipation of the mail many subscriptions have already been promised towards the expense of sinking a well on the Old Man Plain, half way between the Billybong and the Murrumbidgee, in order to afford accommodation for crossing the plain during summer months, where, at present, no water is to be procured in ordinary seasons.
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[Pastoral Times, 26 May 1859]
DENILIQUIN TO LANG'S CROSSING-PLACE – An effort is being made to obtain a regular post from Deniliquin to Lang's Crossing-Place, on the Murrumbidgee. The movement is worthy of support, and its success of vital importance to Deniliquin. Considering the extensive importation of cattle and sheep into Victoria by this route, the wonder is why the Government has not been stimulated to action before this. However, the moment is opportune, and the Postmaster-General should be made to understand the subject.
By May 1859 it was apparent that two candidates would be contesting the Balranald electorate in the forthcoming election. Both men were pastoralists.
Augustus Morris was an early pastoralist in the Riverina, taking up runs on behalf of Benjamin Boyd in the 1840s. He later managed runs near the Murrumbidgee-Lachlan junction for William Charles Wentworth. In 1853 Augustus Morris acquired a group of runs in the Balranald district, with his head-station at "Yanga" station (near Balranald township). During the transition period before responsible self-government Augustus Morris had been an elected member of the New South Wales Legislative Council representing the pastoral districts of Liverpool Plains and Gwydir (from September 1851 to February 1856).
William Adams Brodribb was an experienced pastoralist who had managed runs in the Monaro district before he was encouraged by his brother-in-law, John Kennedy, to take up land at Wanganella (between Lang's Crossing-place and Deniliquin) in December 1853.
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['Lang's Crossing Place' correspondent (report undated), Wagga Wagga Express, 14 May 1859]
ELECTION NEWS. – Mr. Augustus Morris and Mr. Brodribb are already putting up for the Balranald district, the latter gentleman will however stand no chance against Mr. Morris, who is a resident in the district…
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[Wagga Wagga Express, 14 May 1859]
BALRANALD. – We have received the revised list of electors for the district of Balranald. We observe that it contains 390 […….], a considerably greater number than we were led to look for.
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[Sydney Morning Herald, 8 June 1859]
WRITS OF ELECTION. – His Excellency the Governor-General has directed it to be notified, for general election, that Writs have been issued, addressed to the Returning Officers of the several Electoral Districts throughout the colony, for a General Election of Members to serve in the Legislative Assembly; and that the following is the arrangement for the holding of the different Elections, viz:––
[Electoral District] 2. Balranald; [Members to be returned] 1; [Date of Writ] 11 May 1859; [Returning Officer] F.N. Burne, Esq.; [Place of Nomination] Balranald; [Polling Places] Balranald, Euston, Moorna, Oxley, Lang's Crossing Place; Mr. Chadwick's Station, Belilla, River Darling; Mr. Reed's Station, River Darling; and Mr. Bowler's Station, Tooregannie, River Lachlan; [Date of Nomination] 14 June 1859; [Polling Day] 5 July 1859; [Return of Writ] 30 July 1859; [Candidates] A. Morris, W. Brodribb.
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[Pastoral Times (Deniliquin), 26 May 1859]
BALRANALD ELECTORATE – Mr. Augustus Morris, and Mr. W. A. Brodribb, are the only two candidates in the field for this district as yet. The friends of both of these gentlemen are very sanguine of success. Mr. Brodribb has the advantage of being earliest in the field, while Mr. Morris is an old resident of the district, has had great experience in the House of Assembly, he is very practical in his views, and well acquainted with the wants of the pastoral people. Had Mr. Morris made his intentions known earlier, we believe that Mr. Brodribb would not have opposed him. The electors will, however, weigh well the claims of each, and return, it is to be hoped, the best man.
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['Lower Murrumbidgee' correspondent (report dated 28 May 1859), Sydney Morning Herald, 9 June 1859]
THE CANDIDATES – Whether it is perfectly correct to say candidates I do not feel quite certain, for if Mr. Brodribb has not already retired from the contest, he probably will have done so before this reaches you, as he has no hopes of success, and his opposition to a local settler of acknowledged ability is most unpopular. Mr. Morris's numerous friends speak with confidence of his return.
JUNE 1859
['Lower Murrumbidgee' correspondent (report dated 5 November 1859), Sydney Morning Herald, 15 November 1859, page 3]
THE PAST SEASON. – … In the middle of June the frosts were tolerably severe, whilst the beginning and latter part of the month were wet.
In early June 1859 it was reported that “the Government” was “about to establish a pound” at Lang’s Crossing-place. Several petitions requesting the erection of a pound at the new township had previously been submitted to the local Bench of Magistrates. At that stage two candidates for pound-keeper were being considered.
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[Pastoral Times, 9 June 1859, page 3]
POUND AT LANG'S CROSSING-PLACE. – The Government being about to establish a pound at the above spot, there are two candidates in the field – Mr. Joseph Wilson, for some two or three years past chief superintendent in the employ of Messrs. Ricketson, at Barratta, and Mr. Cunningham, well and favorably known in the district. Both parties are considered very eligible for the appointment, which promises to be very lucrative. In these obscure places, where the eyes of the Press do not intrude, the office of poundkeeper has been too often abused, to a very great extent indeed, and we only hope, in the appointment of the officer in the above instance, that trustworthiness and respectability may have due weight with those in whose hands the affair rests.
The following passage, referring to Lang's Crossing-place as 'Lang's Corner', is apparently an expression of the frustration at the delay in the preparations for the sale of town allotments at the locality. No further survey work had been done there since District Surveyor Adams returned to Albury earlier in the year (after suffering from ophthalmia).
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['Local Intelligence', Pastoral Times, 30 June 1859, page 3]
LANG'S CORNER. – When, in the name of fate, is the proposed township at this place to be laid out and sold? A Surveyor comes down, looks at a place, nods his approval of the site of the town, goes away; comes back again perhaps in a year or so, nods again or even winks. By the end of the third year, […] eyes are again opened – the town is surveyed; off the plans go to Sydney, where they lie on the shelf for another year. We now come to the fifth year, and […] land is up! Those who originally wanted the land have long since departed, and the land, when […] falls into the hands of a few, or perhaps one or two speculators, who frighten away all new comers […] asking exorbitant prices for allotments bought at [..]set price. This is a tolerably correct history of many of the small bush townships. They are often too small to need a police force, and too dangerous to be left without it. There is something radically wrong in this Survey Department. People want land, […] the Government want money. The remedy is obvious – more Surveyors should be employed. In regard to our district, it is too large for one Surveyor to superintend. He lives at Albury, one hundred and forty miles distant; and although Mr. Adams is a very active officer, and means well, still he cannot [..]over the ground. Were he a mammoth phys[…] tripod, – one foot in Albury, one at Lang's Corner and one in Deniliquin, – he would still only cover a portion of his territory; there would be left o[…] large tract of country. This inefficiency, negl[…] indifference – term it what we may – amounts to t[…] that in the town gatherings the people cry […] against the squatters, whereas the Chief Sur[vey] Office in Sydney is to blame. We have daily evidence of it in all parts of the colony, Lang's Corner b[…] one out of five hundred yearly on record.
On 29 June 1859 two "portions of land", one on each side of the Murrumbidgee River at Lang's Crossing-place, were proclaimed as being "reserved for Public purposes… and excluded from the leases of the several Pastoral Runs of which they respectively form portions". These reserves constituted the land set aside for the township at Lang's Crossing-place.
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[New South Wales Government Gazette, No. 129, Friday, 1 July 1859, pp. 1477-8]
Crown Lands' Office
Sydney, 29th June, 1859
It is hereby notified for general information that His Excellency the Governor General with the advice of the Executive Council, has been pleased to direct that the several portions of land hereinafter described, shall be reserved for Public purposes, in accordance with the provisions contained in the 8th and 9th Sections of Chapter 11, of Her Majesty's Order in Council, of 9th March, 1847, and excluded from the leases of the several Pastoral Runs of which they respectively form portions.
2. No pre-emptive rights will be admitted in respect of the Land so reserved, save to such allotments as may be found actually to contain improvements effected by the respective occupants, of a value exceeding the minimum upset price of the lands in an unimproved state.
3. The allotments containing valuable improvements will be leased to the licensed occupants for one year, in accordance with the terms of the Order in Council of 19th June, 1850, and during the currency of the lease, the respective lessees will be permitted to secure the fee simple of their improvements by purchase under the right of pre-emption at the usual upset price, viz., – for Town allotments £8 per acre, and Suburban allotments £4 per acre, unless assessed at a higher value.
Geo. Barney
Chief Commissioner of Crown Lands
DESCRIPTIONS OF THE SEVERAL RESERVES
Lachlan District
[including]
No. 85 – Warradgery Reserve, 13¼ Sections.
Commencing at a point on the northern margin of Cooladgery Lagoon 77½ degrees east from the east corner of the Cooladgery Stockyard, and bounded on the west by a line bearing north 3 miles; on the north by a line bearing east 4¼ miles; on the east by a line bearing south to the River Murrumbidgee; and on the south by that river downwards to the Cooladgery Lagoon, and by that Lagoon to the point of commencement.
This reserve is taken in part from Mr. McEvoy's Run, at Cooladgery, and Mr. Jeffries' Run, at Illilliwa.
Murrumbidgee District
[including]
No. 109 – Bungah Reserve, 2½ Sections.
Commencing on the Murrumbidgee River, at a point north 2 chains and 22 links from the north corner of Dr. Lang's Old Kitchen, at the Burnt Hut; and bounded on the west by a line bearing south 1 mile; on the south by a line bearing east 2 miles; on the east by a line bearing north to the River Murrumbidgee; and on the north by that river downwards to the point of commencement.
This Reserve is taken from Messrs. Lang, Brothers, Mungadungadal, and Eli Elwah Runs.
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[‘Lower Murrumbidgee’ correspondent (report dated 6 August 1859), Sydney Morning Herald, 16 August 1859, page 2]
LANG'S CROSSING-PLACE – The reserve at this spot, after a very long delay, has at last been gazetted. On the north bank of the Murrumbidgee it consists of thirteen and a quarter sections, taken from Cooladgery, Mr. James McEvoy’s run, and from Illilliwa, Mr. Jeffries’s run. On the south bank it consists of two and a half sections taken from Mungadungadal and Eli Elwah, two runs belonging to Messrs. Lang Brothers. The reason of the reserve being so much larger on the north than on the south side is the land on the latter side is very low, and subject to be flooded, and consequently the whole of the town and suburban allotments have been laid out on the north bank. The large reserve is called Wurragery or Warrageri, the smaller Bungah. It is to be hoped that no further delay will take place in proclaiming the township and in putting up to sale the building allotments, as they are urgently required, many respectable persons who would be of service to the district being prevented from settling down, as they cannot yet get any land. The allotments, moreover, will sell well and readily, and be the means of sending a small amount of money into the Treasury.
In June 1859 Benjamin Bradley was appointed as Chief Constable at Lang’s Crossing Place. Benjamin Bradley had arrived in Australia in 1842 with the 99th (Wiltshire) Regiment. He married Ann Daley in 1845 (probably in Sydney). The 99th Regiment was stationed at various places, ending up at Hobart from 1848. Bradley resigned from the Regiment in 1854 and joined the Mounted Police (serving on the Araluen goldfields during the mid- to late-1850s).
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[New South Wales Government Gazette, No. 122, Tuesday, 21 June 1859, p. 1393]
CHIEF CONSTABLE AT LANG'S CROSSING PLACE
The Bench of Magistrates, acting for and at Lang's Crossing Place, have this day, in Petty Sessions assembled, been pleased to appoint Mr. Benjamin Bradley to the office of Chief Constable at Lang's Crossing Place.
Henry Shiell, Police Magistrate
Edward B. Firebrace, J.P.
Police Office, Lang's Crossing Place
10th June, 1859
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[Pastoral Times, 21 July 1859, page 2]
Mr. Benjamin Bradley has been appointed Chief Constable at Lang's Crossing-place, on the Murrumbidgee. Mr. Bradley has been long and favourably known in the Mounted Patrol.
A rapidly-rising river during June 1859 halted further progress in the clearance of snags from the Murrumbidgee, though high water-levels increased the expectation of the arrival of steamers at the stations and townships along the river.
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['Lower Murrumbidgee' correspondent (report dated 11 June 1859), Sydney Morning Herald, 21 June 1859]
THE MURRUMBIDGEE. – The works for the clearance of the Murrumbidgee this season had proceeded but a comparatively short time, when down came a heavy fresh, which, raising the water to two-thirds bank high, put an end, it is feared, to the operations for the year. Hopes are entertained of a boat being able to come up very shortly, and such an arrival will be a welcome visitor, as already many stations are very short of rations, and the price of flour has, I hear, owing to the scarcity, gone up from £3 to £4 the bag.
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['Lower Murrumbidgee' correspondent (report dated 25 June 1859), Sydney Morning Herald, 11 July 1859]
THE MURRUMBIDGEE. – This river still continues to rise, and there is every prospect of an early flood, and of the Murrumbidgee remaining navigable during many months. Large piles of firewood have already been cut in anticipation of the arrival of the boats, and the scarcity of rations and tobacco in the district at the present moment renders a speedy appearance of some of the steamboats a matter of much public interest.
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[Pastoral Times, 30 June 1859, page 3]
THE MURRUMBIDGEE. – A very rapid rise has taken place in the river during the past ten days, and we hear of further freshes coming down. The operations for the clearance of the water-way must now have been brought to an end for the season, as there is now not much chance of the water again falling low enough to admit of cutting the snags.
On 18 June 1859 the five year-old son of William and Eliza Hawkings (or Hawkins) drowned in the Murrumbidgee River at "Toogimbie" station, about twenty miles downstream from Lang's Crossing-place. The child's father, William Hawkings, worked as a stockman on "Toogimbie" station (which was leased by two brothers, Edward B. and Robert T. Firebrace, from about late 1858).
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['Lower Murrumbidgee' correspondent (report dated 25 June 1859), Sydney Morning Herald, 11 July 1859]
CHILD DROWNED. – On the 18th instant a child about five years old was accidently drowned at Toogimbie, a station belonging to the Messrs. Firebrace on this river. It is said that the little boy went to the river to bail out a bark canoe, and was never again seen. On being missed, his father, William Hawkings, immediately examined the side of the river, and was horrified to observe marks on the slippery banks which left no reasonable doubts on his mind that his poor child had slid into the water. About a twelve month ago an infant sister of the deceased was drowned at the same spot by a somewhat similar accident.
The nomination of candidates for the Balranald electorate was held on 14 June 1859 at Balranald. A show of hands of those attending the nomination favoured Augustus Morris, but a formal poll was demanded by the other candidate, William Brodribb.
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[Pastoral Times, 2 June 1859, page 3]
BALRANALD ELECTION. – The death of Mrs. Augustus Morris has unfortunately taken place. A telegram has been received from Mr. Morris, announcing his intention to sit, if elected.
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['Lower Murrumbidgee' correspondent (report dated 11 June 1859), Sydney Morning Herald, 21 June 1859]
JUNE 11TH. – ELECTION NEWS. – The nomination day at Balranald is the 14th instant, when I hear two candidates are likely to be proposed, Mr. William Brodribb and Mr. Augustus Morris. Opinions somewhat differ as to the relative chances of success of these two gentlemen, but as it appears that Mr. Brodribb would never have come forward had he imagined that Mr. Morris had any intention of standing for Balranald, and now only continues as a candidate out of respect to the parties who sent him a requisition, it is to be presumed that there is not now much probability of his being at the head of the poll. Mr. Morris' friends are actively at work, and speak with confidence of his return, whilst the supporters of Mr. Brodribb seem very quiet. It was at first supposed that neither of these gentlemen would be present at the nomination, but late reports speak of the probable presence of both candidates. On the suggestion of the returning-officer, Mr. F. N. Burne, the Government have appointed three additional polling-places, two on the Darling, and one high up the Lachlan. It, however, now appears that not only is there a difficulty about getting persons to act as deputy Returning-officers at those places, but also that there are no means of forwarding the ballot boxes to such distant localities, or even if there were, of receiving the particulars of the polling in sufficient time to allow the writ being returned to Sydney within the allotted period for its receipt. Even at one or two of the nearer polling-places there has been some difficulty in finding persons to take care of the ballot boxes, and individuals to act as poll clerks. These boxes have not yet arrived, and curious speculations are being discussed, respecting the validity of an election without such boxes, and the possibility in case of necessity of substituting bags or other receptacles. Since writing the above I have seen an address from Mr. Morris to the electors, after apologizing for his apparent neglect in not coming publicly forward sooner, on the plea of domestic affliction, he proceeds to state his views. We learn that he is a moderate squatter, opposed to State aid, in favour of the Government extending the railways and telegraphs, and one who will give attention to local matters, and endeavour to advance the interests of the district. This address has been extensively circulated, and will most probably do some amount of good for Mr. Morris' party.
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['Nomination for Balranald' (dated 14 June 1859), Pastoral Times, 30 June 1859, page 3]
The Nomination of a Member to serve in the Legislative Assembly of New South Wales, took place in the Court-house, Balranald, this day. The attendance of persons was very large, considering the locality. The Returning Officer, Mr. F.N. Burne, having read the writ, Mr. N. Chadwick proposed Mr. William Brodribb as a fit and proper person, in a very few words. Mr. William Lane seconded his nomination. Mr. Thomas D'Archy proposed Mr. Augustus Morris in a good speech. Mr. William Ross seconded the motion. Mr. Brodribb then addressed the meeting, and was followed by Mr. Morris, who made an able speech, which lasted half an hour. No other candidates being proposed, a show of hands was called for, when seven persons held up their hands for Mr. Brodribb, and the majority of the audience theirs for Mr. Morris. The Returning Officer having declared the show of hands to be in favor of the latter gentleman, a poll was demanded by Mr. Brodribb, and announced by the Returning Officer to be held on the 4th July. A vote of thanks to the Returning Officer being proposed by Mr. Brodribb, and passed unanimously, the proceedings, which were of the most peaceful nature throughout, terminated.
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[Pastoral Times, 23 June 1859]
Meeting of electors at Balranald to decide between the candidature of Augustus Morris and William A. Brodribb for the Electorate of Balranald. A show of hands was in favour of Mr. Morris, but Mr. Brodribb demanded a poll be conducted, which it was determined would be held on 5 July at various places, including Oxley and Lang's Crossing-Place.
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['Lower Murrumbidgee' correspondent (report dated 25 June 1859), Sydney Morning Herald, 11 July 1859]
JUNE 25. – THE ELECTIONS. – I last week sent you a report of the nomination at Balranald, where the show of hands was, as I then told you, in favor of Mr. Augustus Morris. Since then, as I understand, the Returning-officer has been at work despatching persons to the more distant polling places to take the votes on the 5th July, as it has been found quite impossible to find persons located on the various spots able or willing to undertake the duties of deputy returning-officers. No regular ballot boxes can be provided, it appears, for six out of eight of the polling places, and consequently it will be necessary to make use of any ordinary boxes that can be procured. Mr. Brodribb's friends all seem to imagine that has good hopes of success, and are much offended at any suggestion referring to the propriety of his resigning; but it is now generally believed in this part of the Balranald district that Mr. Morris will have a very large majority of the votes.
JULY 1859
In early July 1859 it was announced publicly that Edward Cunningham, previously manager of "Toganmain" station, had been appointed pound-keeper at Lang's Crossing-place.
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[New South Wales Government Gazette, No. 139, Tuesday, 19 July 1859, p. 1590]
POUNDKEEPER, LANG'S CROSSING PLACE
Notice is hereby given, that the Bench of Magistrates in Petty Sessions assembled, have this day been pleased to appoint Mr. Edward Cunningham to the Office of Poundkeeper at Lang's Crossing Place.
Henry Shiell, Police Magistrate
Police Office, Lang's Crossing Place
5th July, 1859
In July 1859 it was reported that tenders had been requested for the provision of a mail service "once or twice a week" between Deniliquin and Lang's Crossing-place.
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[Pastoral Times, 14 July 1859, page 3]
DENILIQUIN TO LANG'S CROSSING PLACE. – Contracts are called for a Mail between Deniliquin and Lang's Corner (the Murrumbidgee), once or twice a week. The distance is about seventy or seventy-five miles; the road is good in the summer, and the reverse in the winter. In the summer there is a great want of water throughout the route; but there is a well intended to be sunk in the Old Man Plain. There will be an abundance of water to be had at Wanganella (Mr. Brodribb's station), and at the Black Swamp, on the great plain; how long the swamp will supply water it is difficult to state. We wish to call the attention of parties tendering to these matters, so that they may not enter into a difficult contract at too low a rate. The Mail will prove of the greatest service to the Murrumbidgee, and we hope it may be extended to the Lachlan, and join the mail running along the river. We trust whoever takes the contract will carry it out faithfully, which they can only do by tendering for a sum that will really compensate the party for the work to be done.
Voting for the Balranald electorate was carried out on 5 July 1859. Augustus Morris was elected to represent the district with over 80 percent of the vote. William Brodribb received moderate support at only two of the polling-places within the electorate – Lang's Crossing-place and Balranald. Brodribb's support at Lang's Crossing-place was 40 percent of the votes cast there (his strongest result of all the polling-places). The overall turn-out in the Balranald electorate was less than 40 percent of those registered to vote. [For further information see 'New South Wales Election Results 1856-2007']
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['Balranald' correspondent (report dated 20 July 1859), Pastoral Times, 28 July 1859, page 2]
THE ELECTION. – The Balranald district has elected, of its own free choice, a member to represent it in the Legislative Assembly, and its choice has fallen upon Mr. Augustus Morris – a gentleman of great ability, political experience, and unsullied character. The support given to Mr. Morris throughout the district may be said to have been almost universal; and a boasting speech made by his adversaries, to the effect that Mr. Brodribb had the support of all the respectable persons about Balranald and Lang's, must be considered to have been only a piece of colonial bounce. It is a matter of surprise to many persons why three or four settlers persisted in obliging Mr. Brodribb to contest the seat, when it could be so plainly seen that he had not a shadow of a chance of ultimate success, nor even of receiving a respectable amount of support. But it is quite possible that there may have been some hidden motive of which we have received no intelligence. I annex an account of the number of votes received at the various polling-places, from which it will be seen that Mr. Augustus Morris obtained a majority of 92, out of 146, votes – the total number recorded during the election:––
Morris Brodribb
Balranald … 28 10
Oxley … 16 1
Lang's … 18 12
Tooregami … 0
0
Euston … 14 0
Moorna … 30 0
Belilla … 0 2
Reed's … 13 2
119 27
From mid-July, with the river continuing to rise "very rapidly", steamers began to arrive at the townships on the lower Murrumbidgee.
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['Balranald' correspondent (report dated 20 July 1859), Pastoral Times, 28 July 1859, page 2]
SHIPPING NEWS – The Albury, 60 tons, fifty-horse power, Captain George Johnston, with the Wakool barge in tow, arrived here [at Balranald] on Sunday last [17 July 1859], and landed some few tons of cargo. Her arrival here was very opportune as stocks of many articles were running very low. The Albury has proceeded up the river, en route to Lang's. The rate of freight to this spot this year is £9. I have learnt that the twin boat Bunyip, Captain Randell, may be expected up the Murrumbidgee very shortly. The river is still rising very rapidly, and in some places running over the flat lands; it is not, however, thought that the present "fresh" can cause a very heavy flood.
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['Lang's Crossing Place' correspondent (report dated 23 July 1859), Wagga Wagga Express, 30 July 1859, page 2]
THE "ALBURY." – This boat, for some time expected, arrived here [at Lang's Crossing-place] this week, with the barge Wakool in tow. She started from the Goolwa on the 1st July, with over 200 tons of general merchandise, and entered the Murrumbidgee on the 18th, arriving here in eight days from that time. She brings flour, tea, sugar, potatoes, and other necessaries, by far the larger portion of which is loading for settlers, purchased on commission in Adelaide. Our old friend, Captain George Johnstone is in command, and as usual wastes no time but makes short stoppages, works hard at discharging cargo, and then proceeds immediately. I am inclined to believe that you will not see the Albury at Wagga Wagga this trip, as she will probably discharge the last of her cargo at the Yanco. The Bunyip, Captain W.R. Randall, is expected shortly, and is likely to go high up the Murrumbidgee for the purpose of trading.
AUGUST 1859
['Lang's Crossing Place' correspondent (report dated 6 August 1859), Wagga Wagga Express, 13 August 1859, page 3]
THE WEATHER. – We are again beginning to complain of the want of rain, as in this sandy soil almost any amount of water is absorbed in a short time. The frosts have been tolerably severe, and will, no doubt, do good at this season of the year. The new moon has come in dry, but the weather does not appear to be settled, and we are hoping for a change; the barometer is, however, very high.
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['Lower Murrumbidgee' correspondent (report dated 6 August 1859), Sydney Morning Herald, 16 August 1859, page 2]
STOCK, &C. – Very few fat cattle have lately left the river, and not many of them can be said to have been in prime condition, although it has been noticed that five or six most extraordinary fat cows have been sent away. The cattle are, however, gradually improving in condition, and in the course of a couple of months will be in good marketable state. The season is not quite so wet on the Lower Murrumbidgee as could be wished, and there seems at present a prospect of a continuance of dry weather. Some extremely good wethers have lately left for the Melbourne market where no doubt they will command a high price.
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['The Murrumbidgee' (Lang's Crossing-place) correspondent (report dated 9 August 1859), Pastoral Times, 18 August 1859]
A very welcome fall of rain has taken place to-day, and not before it was wanted, I assure you. It commenced about twelve, and lasted pretty steadily until after sundown. About eight or nine o'clock, however, the weather cleared, and almost all signs of rain vanished. This fall, though it would have done much good, of course, if it had lasted a little longer, will revive the feed, which was getting rather bare, and replenish the surface water-holes on the Plains, that were becoming very low and muddy. There is but very little stock on the road down, either below or above us.
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['The Murrumbidgee' (Lang's Crossing-place) correspondent (report dated 14 August 1859), Pastoral Times, 18 August 1859]
The weather at present looks lowering, and threatens rain. We cannot have too much of it, and I earnestly desire to see it come down a regular good three days' pour. I hear of but very little stock in our immediate vicinity coming down the Lachlan. A mob of fat cattle belonging to Mr. McEvoy, and a lot of sheep to Mr. Nicol, crossed the river during the past week. Dealers are on the wing, I perceive, in all directions. The river at present is falling, but we are in expectation of a heavy flood next month, as it said there is an immense quantity of snow on the mountains. We do not expect a steamer for the next five or six weeks.
The Murrumbidgee River began to fall again in late July and continued to fall during August. Steamers continued to travel along the lower river in August (though not without difficulties).
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['Lower Murrumbidgee' correspondent (report dated 6 August 1859), Sydney Morning Herald, 16 August 1859, page 2]
THE RIVER NAVIGATION. – The Albury, Captain G. Johnstone, passed Lang's on Monday, on her way back to the Goolwa. On this voyage she has only ascended as far as Tubba [Tubbo], a station belonging to Mr. Peters, near the Yanko, as she not only had no cargo left on board, but the river at this early period of the year is not always to be sufficiently depended on to keep high to warrant a boat in going high up without some special inducement. As it is, the river has fallen many feet during the past fortnight, and although the Albury was only drawing two feet and a half on her descent, some careful steering was requisite in navigating the shallow parts of the river. The portion of the river cleared during the present season, small as they were, have considerably improved the waterway, and, no doubt, when the snagging operations are completed next season, the river will be found navigable during the greater part of the year. The shearing season not having commenced on the Lower Murrumbidgee, there was hardly any down loading for the Albury. She had, however, as I understand, some considerable number of sheepskins. The Murrumbidgee has gone rather low, but is not at present falling, so that we may soon be expecting another fresh, more particularly as there is now on Manaroe [Monaro] a very large quantity of snow, which will be gradually melted by the sun, and supply the river with a considerable quantity of water.
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['Lang's Crossing Place' correspondent (report dated 6 August 1859), Wagga Wagga Express, 13 August 1859, page 3]
The Albury steamboat passed here at the beginning of the week, and discharged cargo at the store; she had been up as high as Yanco, which was the highest spot for which she had loading or freight this trip. The river had fallen so much before the Albury came down, that some nervous persons began to imagine that there would not be sufficient water for her and that she would stick in the mud until another fresh arrived. Her commander, Captain Johnstone, is, however, so well acquainted with the water way, and handles his boat so well, that he could probably navigate the Murrumbidgee when other persons would not be able to proceed at all. The Albury is now en route to the Goolwa, and will probably come up again with as little delay as possible. There are reports of other boats arriving, but in the present low state of the river it is not probable that we shall see any for some time to come.
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['Balranald' correspondent, Pastoral Times, 18 August 1859]
THE MURRUMBIDGEE. – The river has again fallen very low – in fact, much lower than is generally the case at this season of the year. The Albury passed down last week, and was somewhat inconvenienced by the prominence of the snags in the uncleared parts of the water way. She ascended as high as the Yanko, this trip, and discharged a full cargo of general merchandize. It is reported that the Bunyip, instead of coming up the Murrumbidgee, has gone up the Murray, and that the Gemini will therefore come in her place.
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['Lower Murrumbidgee' correspondent (report dated 20 August 1859), Sydney Morning Herald, 30 August 1859, page 2]
AN ENTERPRISING INDIVIDUAL. – I hear that a person from this district has had a barge built at Gundagai, forty-seven feet long and eighteen broad, which he has freighted with cedar and pine planks, onions, and potatoes. He is floating this barge down the Murrumbidgee, and disposing of the cargo as he proceeds. Such an enterprise is worthy of every success.
In early August 1859 Assistant Surveyor Edward Twynam arrived at Lang's Crossing-place to complete the work that District Surveyor Adams had begun in the period November 1858 to January 1859. Twynam had been appointed as an Assistant Surveyor in the New South Wales Survey Department on 11 March 1859. The work which Twynam undertook at Lang's Crossing-place included the preparation of allotments for sale which involved clearing street lines of scrub and small trees, marking trees on allotment lines with the distinctive 'horse-shoe' Surveyor's mark, digging trenches (called lockspits) on the corners of sections and allotments, and driving stakes at the corners of each section (branded with appropriate numbers).
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[Pastoral Times, 25 August 1859, page 2]
LANG'S CROSSING-PLACE, MURRUMBIDGEE. – Mr. Surveyor Twynam is engaged in laying out the Township for the above place, and not before the work is required. We may now expect, towards the close of the year, to see the land advertised.
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By mid-August plans of the allotments that were to be sold at "Hay (Lang's Crossing Place)" were available.
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[New South Wales Government Gazette, No. 158, Wednesday, 17 August 1859, pp. 1817-8]
Sale at Hay (Lang's Crossing Place)
[List of allotments]
Lithographic Plans of these lands can be obtained from the Land Agent at Hay, and also at the Surveyor-General's office, Sydney, on payment of one shilling each.
During August the mailman on the route between Wagga Wagga and Balranald was thrown from his horse (approximately 25 miles from Wagga Wagga). The pack-horse he was leading ran away and was later recovered without the mail-bags it had been carrying.
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['Lower Murrumbidgee' correspondent (report dated 6 August 1859), Sydney Morning Herald, 16 August 1859, page 2]
IRREGULAR MAILS. – We have again this week to complain of the non-arrival of our Sydney mails coming via Wagga Wagga. The roads are good, and the weather fine, and it can only be by sheer neglect that we are thus inconvenienced at the present time. Many persons state that they have been put to considerable inconvenience, as well as expense, by this irregularity on the part of the mail contractor.
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['The Murrumbidgee' (Lang's Crossing-place) correspondent (report dated 9 August 1859), Pastoral Times, 18 August 1859]
The want of postal communication is a cause of very great and just complaint up here, and this is a matter in which your able advocacy would doubtless do the good folks at Lang's a great benefit. You will, I dare say, have heard of the loss of the mail, the other day, from Wagga Wagga. It appears that the mailman was thrown from his horse, and the one he was leading got away with the bags it was carrying, among which was the mail for this place. Really, the inhabitants of a district holding such important position should, as far as possible, be secured from risks involving such very serious losses and inconvenience. We are in the dark here as to what progress is being made towards the establishment of a weekly mail between your township and this. It is hoped that so desirable a consummation will not be unnecessarily delayed. You would be conferring a great obligation, if you would afford us some information on the subject.
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['Lower Murrumbidgee' correspondent (report dated 20 August 1859), Sydney Morning Herald, 30 August 1859, page 2]
MAILS. – The Balranald and Wagga Wagga mail, lost at the commencement of the month, has not, according to the last account, been recovered. It is to be hoped that the Postmaster-General will cause some inquiry to be made into the particulars of this affair. All we at present know is, that the mailman is said to have reported that he got thrown and lost his pack-horse in the bush, and that the following day the horse was found, but the mail-bags were missing. Probably this statement is perfectly true, but it would be much more satisfactory to the public, and also to the contractor and the mailman, to have a magisterial inquiry into the circumstances connected with the loss of the Government and private mail-bags during their progress from Wagga Wagga to Balranald.
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['The Missing Balranald Mail Bags', Wagga Wagga Express, 27 August 1859, pages 2 & 3]
A magisterial enquiry into the circumstances attendant upon the loss of the mail bags for Gillenbah, Lang's Crossing, and Balranald on the 30th ultimo, was held at the Police Office, Wagga Wagga, on Tuesday, the 23rd instant, before Henry Baylis, Esq., P.M., and John Gordon, Esq., J.P.
John Brailsford, the mailman to whom the accident happened, having made his appearance in compliance with the summons which had been served upon him.
Patrick Stewart Murray, postmaster, was sworn, and deposed that on the morning of Saturday, the 30th July last, the mail for Gillenbah, Lang's Crossing Place, and Balranald, was delivered to Brailsford, as well as the private bags for the intermediate stations, and the "road-side bag" containing letters and newspapers; witness saw the bags placed on the pack-horse; either the pack-horse or the horse the mailman was to ride was restive and threw itself down before it left the Post Office, and after the mailman had passed down the street beyond the Squatters' Hotel, witness again saw the horses unruly, and the pack-horse got loose, but he was caught again and handed over to the mailman; Brailsford was perfectly-sober on the morning in question, and since he, witness, had been connected with the Post Office, he never saw him anything but civil, sober, and correct; witness heard rumours on Saturday night or Sunday morning of the mail having been lost, to which he paid no attention till he saw Brailsford ride to the Chief Constable's house, on Sunday about two o'clock; on Monday, the 1st August, in the evening, the Chief Constable reported to witness at the Post Office, that he and several other persons had been in search of the lost mail that day without success; witness then wrote to the Postmaster-General, informing him of the circumstances; wrote a second time, on the evening of Thursday, the 4th instant, and received an answer, recommending a reward to be offered for the recovery of the lost bags, and also desiring that an investigation into the case should be made by the Bench of Magistrates; witness had received no communication from the Postmasters at Gillenbah, Lang's Crossing, or Balranald; up to this date, the 23rd, the bags had not been found; Brailsford never mentioned the loss of the mail to witness till he had been down the river and brought up the return mail; had been told by Gormly, the contractor, that he, his brother, and half a dozen blackfellows had been in search of the mail, and that Gormly had offered the blacks £5 if they could find the bags.
…
The Chief Constable having been sworn, deposed that, on Sunday morning, the 30th July, a man named Heward told him that defendant had been thrown from his horse and had lost the mail; and in the evening Brailsford came himself and reported the loss of the mail, and detailed the cause and manner of the accident; defendant said that Reuben Hannam of Currawarna, and Robert Gormly had found the pack-horse in the bush without the mail. The defendant showed no marks of injury sustained by the accident, but said he had been stunned; on the 1st instant witness and others went in search of the mail; they could not track the horse that had got away; sheep were feeding in the neighbourhood of the accident; witness and his party searched from Malabo to Toyeo. The case was then adjourned for a week, the Bench animadverting strongly on the delay which had allowed two days to elapse before any strict search was made for the mail bags, instead of instituting it immediately the accident happened.
A mail service between Deniliquin and Lang's Crossing-place commenced in mid-August 1859. The contractors were Frederick Marshall and John Waring of Deniliquin. The mail was conveyed by horseback, with the round trip of 80 miles being undertaken twice a week. Attention began to focussed at this time on the desirability of sinking a well on the Old Man Plain to facilitate safer and more convenient travel between Deniliquin and Lang's Crossing-place.
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['The Murrumbidgee' (Lang's Crossing-place) correspondent (report dated 9 August 1859), Pastoral Times, 18 August 1859]
The question of the well-sinking experiments on the Old Man Plain is much agitated here, and people are at a loss to understand why the work is not proceeded with, as it appears that sufficient money has been subscribed to make a good beginning at all events. A meeting on the subject is to take place here, I believe, in about a fortnight. I will write more fully by the next opportunity.
[Since our Correspondent's letter was written, a mail service between Deniliquin and Lang's Crossing-Place has been established.]
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['The Murrumbidgee' (Lang's Crossing-place) correspondent (report dated 14 August 1859), Pastoral Times, 18 August 1859]
We received the first mail from Deniliquin this morning, and I need not tell you it caused some little excitement in our rather limited community. This has been the most important event which has occurred since my arrival, and in the absence of any interesting news, I shall limit my communication to a very brief space, as it is of no use to encumber your columns with a mass of verbiage "signifying nothing." The establishment of a mail twice a week to and from our township, is a great boon to the inhabitants of this district, and will, I have no doubt, be duly appreciated. I think if Messrs. Marshall and Waring could put on a light conveyance they would find the work much easier for their horses, and would frequently have the chance of a passenger or two, which would help them along in carrying out their contract. The next thing we must look out for is the extension of the telegraph. This, I hope, is not so far distant as some people seem to imagine. It is a matter which should not be lost sight of, for this is a very important outpost to both the colonies of Victoria and New South Wales. I have no doubt we may calculate on your able assistance when the subject comes to be fairly agitated. But the sooner it is brought on the tapis the better.
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[Pastoral Times, 18 August 1859]
THE MURRUMBIDGEE MAIL. – The first mail for Lang's Crossing-Place left Deniliquin on Saturday morning last [12 August 1859]. Under present regulations, the mail leaves Deniliquin on Tuesday at 7 a.m., arriving at Lang's on Wednesday at noon; and leaves on Thursday at 6 a.m., reaching Deniliquin at noon on Friday. The second mail leaves Deniliquin on Saturday at 6 a.m., arriving at Lang's at 10 a.m. on Sunday; and departs from the Murrumbidgee at 4 p.m. on the same day, arriving at Deniliquin at 6 a.m. on Tuesday.
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['Lower Murrumbidgee' correspondent (report dated 20 August 1859), Sydney Morning Herald, 30 August 1859, page 2]
MAILS. – The Balranald and Wagga Wagga mail, lost at the commencement of the month, has not, according to the last account, been recovered... Whilst grieving over the loss of our letters and papers, we are somewhat consoled by the establishment of a new mail, which has commenced running twice a-week between Lang's Crossing Place and Deniliquin. This mail will be the means of affording a very large amount of accommodation to the district, by bringing us Melbourne news every three days; and our thanks are due to the Postmaster-General for giving such prompt attention to this new postal requirement in this district, as soon as we pointed out the urgent necessity for the establishment of another mail. – About £200 has been collected for the sinking the well on the Old Man Plain, between the Murrumbidgee and the Billibong, and it is reported that Messrs. Marshall and Waring, the contractors for the new mail, are likely to undertake work. Being themselves greatly concerned in the success of the undertaking, no doubt they will pay more attention to it than other parties.
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On 24 August 1859 a meeting was held at the Murrumbidgee Punt Hotel at Lang's Crossing-place "to consider the question of the commencement of the long talked of well on the Old Man Plain". The meeting was chaired by Henry Shiell, the Police Magistrate at Lang's Crossing-place.
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['The Murrumbidgee' correspondent (report from Lang's Crossing-place dated 28 August 1859), Pastoral Times, 1 September 1859, page 2]
The great event of the past week or so has been the meeting convened to consider the question of the commencement of the long talked of well on the Old Man Plain, and held at the Murrumbidgee Punt Hotel, on the 24th instant. I was unfortunately from home at the time, and am indebted to Mr. Shiell, P.M., for notes and minutes of the proceedings.
There were present – Messrs. Henry Shiell, P.M., W. Lang, J.P., E.B. Firebrace, J.P., W.L. Echlin, Henry Leonard, Matthew Palmer, and S. O'Sullivan.
Mr. Shiell, having been called to the chair, said that, having solicited the attendance of the gentlemen present that day, he thought it necessary, before they proceeded to the business for which they had met, to offer a few observations with reference to his connection with the Old Man Plain subscription list, and to afford them an explanation of the reasons which induced him to convene them together. Shortly after his arrival in the district, Captain Cadell and himself had some conversation together about the absence of water on the Plain indicated, and the practicability of obtaining it by sinking. It was a subject vitally important to the gentlemen present themselves, and having himself felt the inconvenience of crossing that plain without water, he had concurred with Captain Cadell in the expediency of appealing to the public, to see whether sufficient funds could be raised to demonstrate the practicability of obtaining a supply of water – desideratum of the greatest magnitude, and one he was sure the meeting could not fail to recognise as such, as it was intimately associated with their progress and the advancement of their district. Mr. Shiell proceeded to say that he had immediately seen the advantage that must necessarily follow, if the attempt were successful, and he pledged himself to promote the undertaking to the best of his ability. He drew out the heading of a subscription list, and appealed to the inhabitants of the district to further the object they (the promoters) contemplated, and he now felt it his duty to thank them for the liberal way in which they had responded to that appeal. When this interesting subject was first mooted, there was no meeting for the expression of public opinion, and nothing was settled as to the course to be pursued. They would perceive, from the heading of the subscription list, that it was deemed advisable to allow the subscribers themselves eventually to determine the best mode of expending the money raised, and it was in order that that point might be arranged that he took it upon himself to convene the present meeting. The season was rapidly passing, and delay now would only tend to embarrass their future operations. Vigorous action should at once be taken, and, as the gentlemen present were all practical men, they would readily, he had no doubt, agree as to the modus operandi. Any assistance he could render he would be happy to afford, but he had not given any thought himself as to the proper way of carrying out the undertaking; nor was he prepared with any suggestions, much less tangible proposals, to submit to them. It would be for them now to proceed at once to the consideration of the subject, with a determination to devise and mature such a plan as would ensure success. They would further have to appoint a Committee, or one man (in whom they had sufficient confidence, and who would not evade the duties which the office would entail upon him), to supervise the work, and to take care that it was carried out in accordance with the principles which they might that day affirm. The possibility, too, of the guaranteed funds not proving sufficient for the completion of the undertaking should receive their attention, and, if they admitted it as a contingency, he would say that, before they separated, it would be highly desirable that they should arrive at an understanding as to how the deficiency should be met.
Mr. Firebrace moved – "That the well be sunk at the Box Creek, at the Thirty-mile Pine Ridge."
The motion was seconded by Mr. Leonard and was carried, and, after some discussion as to the eligibility of the locality –
It was then moved by Mr. O'Sullivan – "That tenders be at once invited for the sinking of a well at the spot indicated; that it be sunk sufficiently deep to reach a good supply of fresh water; that it be bricked, and that it be not less than four feet in the clear after it is finished."
The resolution, having been seconded by Mr. Firebrace, was carried.
The following motion was then proposed by Dr. Echlin – "That placards, be stuck up in Deniliquin, inviting tenders for the execution of the work. Such tenders to be sent in addressed to "The Treasurer of the Old Man Plain Well," Lang's Crossing-place, on or before the 7th day of September next."
This resolution, which was seconded by Mr. Lang, was also carried.
Mr. Firebrace proposed – "That Messrs. W. Lang, Echlin, Palmer, Leonard, and Shiell do form a Committee of Management; that they have power to add to their number; and that three form a quorum."
Seconded by Mr. O'Sullivan and carried.
After some further conversational discussion the meeting separated.
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[Notice in the Pastoral Times, 1 September 1859, page 3]
OLD MAN PLAIN WELL – Tenders are hereby invited for Sinking a Well at the Box Creek at the Thirty Mile Pine Ridge. The Well is to be sunk sufficiently deep as to insure a good supply of fresh water. It must be bricked all the way up, and must not be less than four feet in diameter in the clear when finished.
Tenders to be addressed to the "Treasurer of the Old Man Plain Well", Lang's Crossing-place, and must be sent in on or before the 7th day of September next, when they will be opened.
Henry Shiell,
Treasurer,
Lang's Crossing-place, August 24, 1859.
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['Lower Murrumbidgee' correspondent (report dated 3 September 1859, Sydney Morning Herald, 16 September 1859, page 6]
THE PLAIN ROUTE. – The main route from the Lower Murrumbidgee to Victoria commences at Lang's Crossing-place, and, traversing a large tract of country known as the Old Man Plain, comes in on the Billybong Creek. This plain is fifty miles broad, and during a part of the year no water is to be found on it either for man or beast. The great inconvenience arising from this want of water, led to a subscription being entered into some time since for raising money to sink a well on the plain… The success of this undertaking will be of the greatest advantage to parties coming overland with stock, and to all persons who are obliged to cross the Old Man Plain.
By August 1859 a medical practitioner, Dr. William Leahy Echlin, had settled at Lang's Crossing-place. Dr. Echlin was born in about 1809 at Kinsale in county Cork, Ireland. In 1841 William Echlin was appointed as the Medical Attendant to a British mapping expedition in Guyana (South America). Later Echlin practised as a surgeon in London. During the early to mid-1850s Dr. Echlin served as a Government medical officer aboard immigrant ships sailing from the United Kingdom to Australia. He settled in Australia in about late 1857. Dr. Echlin briefly practised as a doctor in Victoria before settling at Lang's Crossing-place.
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['The Murrumbidgee' correspondent (report from Lang's Crossing-place dated 28 August 1859), Pastoral Times, 1 September 1859, page 2]
The dulness of desolation reigns here supreme. There is absolutely no news of interest to communicate. An accident did happen about Thursday last, by which Mr. Taylor, of Barrobogie [Burrabogie], (twenty-five miles up the river) unfortunately broke his leg. Dr. Echlin was quickly in attendance, and the patient is, I understand, going on as well as could be expected under the circumstances. With regards to stock, about the usual report will do – very little crossing. The river has been falling this two days.
On 24 August 1859 the Police Magistrate and three Justices of the Peace met at Lang's Crossing-place to determine the rates to be charged at the local pound.
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[New South Wales Government Gazette, No. 177, Tuesday, 6 September 1859, p. 1984]
Table of Rates to be charged for Trespass of Cattle and the Sustenance thereof, whilst Impounded at Lang's Crossing place, in the District of Balranald, under the provisions of the Act of Council, 19 Victoria, No. 36.
Fixed by the Justices in Petty Sessions assembled, at Lang's Crossing Place, on the 24th day of August, 1859.
Henry Shiell, J.P.
E.B. Firebrace, J.P.
Wm. Lang, J.P.
S. O'Sullivan, J.P.
SEPTEMBER 1859
['Lang's Crossing Place' correspondent, Wagga Wagga Express, 3 September 1859, page 2]
THE WEATHER, &C. – During the past week we have had some slight showers, which have tempted us to believe that a great change may be at hand, but as yet the sky continues to look very clear, and the weather, although cold and slightly frosty, gives but little appearance of rain. The river has taken a rise of about two feet, caused no doubt by rain somewhere very high up. A few sheep and cattle are crossing, but, as yet, this year but a comparatively small amount of stock has gone by this route to Victoria.
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['Lower Murrumbidgee' correspondent (report dated 3 September 1859), Sydney Morning Herald, 16 September 1859, page 6]
THE WEATHER. – We yesterday were blessed with three hours of splendid rain. The country was so much in want of water that this rain was worth any amount of money to the settlers.
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['The Murrumbidgee' (report from Lang's Crossing-place dated 4 September 1859), Pastoral Times, 8 September 1859, page 2]
To begin, as usual, with the river and the weather: the former has risen between three and four feet during the past week, and the latter has been very capricious – drizzling one day – sunshining the next. On Friday and Friday night, however, we had some tolerable showers, but they have passed and left no sign. It rained hard, I hear, for two days during the week high up the Lachlan.
By early September 1859 it became known that Lang's Crossing-place was to be officially named 'Hay'. The accounts below suggest this was not a popular decision. The new township was named after the politician and pastoralist, John Hay, who had been the Member for The Murrumbidgee since April 1956 in the New South Wales Legislative Assembly and held the position of Secretary for Lands and Works from October 1856 to September 1857. John Hay had emigrated from Scotland in 1838. He settled on the Upper Murray and became a successful squatter, holding pastoral leases in the Murrumbidgee and Albert pastoral districts.
Further reading: Sir John Hay (1816-1892) – Australian Dictionary of Biography (on-line); Former members, Parliament of New South Wales.
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['The Murrumbidgee' (report from Lang's Crossing-place dated 4 September 1859), Pastoral Times, 8 September 1859, page 2]
But we will drop the river and the weather. I have something more important to talk about this week. We have a real downright grievance to complain of. What do you think of the bad taste – and I had almost said, impertinence – of the Government in converting the natural and native name of this place – Wooradgery – into "Hay?" Hay! – was ever anything so ridiculous or so completely malapropos! I think if one thing is to be deprecated more than another, in the settlement of a new country, it is the discarding of native names in favor of those of the little illustrious gentlemen of the hour, who float on the surface like heavy hollow straws for a portion of a generation, and are lost and forgotten in the next. Why is their vanity to be ministered to, I should like to know? What mighty benefit have the little illustrious conferred on the public, that we must be compelled to see their names stuck on every pillar and post, and distinguishing our familiar places and our homes? And why "Hay" of all the little illustrious who have cast their brief shadows on the Murrumbidgee? What have we here to do with Mr. Hay? "Morris" would have been a far better name, and surely more appropriate; but while our ingenious Executive were casting about them for an out-of-the-way name, how much more graceful it would have been to have dubbed the town "Brodribb!" I imagine some concatenation of ideas which it would be impossible to unravel or define, some confusion of notions, or some crude attempt at wit in the coincidence of names, must have led to this stupid baptism. Hay and Lang – the names are prominently before the public; but surely the Lang, of Lang's Crossing-place, might have been spared the indignity of being thus superseded in consequence of the doings of his restless namesake of Sydney? One thing is certain, in Government advertisements the place may be called "Hay," but, since they are forbidden to know it as Wooradgery, the public will assuredly stick to the old-established name.
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['Lower Murrumbidgee' correspondent (report dated 10 September 1859), Sydney Morning Herald, 20 September 1859, page 3]
THE TOWNSHIP OF HAY. – We all greatly respect Mr. John Hay, admire him for his great abilities, and thank him for the various services he has rendered to the public; but for all that we do not feel any great pleasure in learning that the Government have called the township at Lang's Crossing place on this river after him, because Hay does not make a good name for a locality; it sounds very abrupt and awkward, and is not, so far as any one here is aware, particularly appropriate. Why it was called Hay does not appear, but it is quite possible that Mr. Hay may have been the Minister for Lands and Public Works when the first movement towards forming a town at that spot was commenced. It was generally supposed that the place would have been called Warrageri or Macleay. The first name would have served to commemorate the most important of the aboriginal tribes; the second would have been appropriate, as being the name of two of our late members, and of important settlers on the Lower Murrumbidgee. The first land sale at Hay is to take place on the 11th and 12th October, when eighty-two half-acre town lots and eleven suburban lots are to be put up to auction. I hear some complaints about the town lots being placed too far-away from the river, and all the frontages being reserved for suburban lots; however, we know that it is quite impossible to please everyone, and the result of the sale will serve to show what interest is taken in the locality, and how the public approve of the survey and plotting of the ground. Official notice required.
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['Lang's Crossing Place' correspondent, Wagga Wagga Express, 3 September 1859, page 2]
ALLOTMENTS. – After waiting patiently for a very considerable period, we have at last some prospect of being able to procure some allotments of land here, as the surveyor has now marked out the town and suburban lots, and, as soon as the Government are put in possession of the particulars of the survey, we may expect to see some land gazetted for sale. There will, no doubt, be many purchasers, but, as there are plenty of allotments, it is not likely that the price of the land will be is high as some people imagine. It would be a pity that the lots should be all bid up to a high figure and the working man prevented from procuring a small piece of land on which to settle down.
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['The Murrumbidgee' (report from Lang's Crossing-place dated 4 September 1859), Pastoral Times, 8 September 1859, page 2]
A Land Sale, as your advertising columns no doubt show, – or, if they don't, more shame to the Government! – will take place here on the 11th and 12th of October: so saith the Government Gazette. We are looking with some interest for the number of that interesting periodical which shall convey the intelligence of the township having been proclaimed.
…
Such is my budget for this week: if it isn't interesting, I can't help it. I have no talent for invention, and never could cook up a dish of news in my life, without some material to work upon.
The following reports are indicative of the steady progress in the provision of services and facilities at Hay (Lang's Crossing-place) during the weeks prior to the sale of town allotments.
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['Lang's Crossing Place' correspondent, Wagga Wagga Express, 3 September 1859, page 2]
REGISTRATION. – The office for the registration of births, deaths, and marriages has been removed from Balranald to this spot – a much more central spot, and affording greater accommodation to those inhabitants of the district who live on the Lachlan.
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['Lang's Crossing Place' correspondent, Wagga Wagga Express, 3 September 1859, page 2]
THE POUND. – Preparations are being made for erecting the new pound, and Mr. Edward Cunningham, the recently-appointed keeper of it, will no doubt make a very active and popular officer.
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[New South Wales Government Gazette (2nd Supplement), Friday, 2 September 1859, p. 1980]
Colonial Secretary's Office
Sydney, 5th September, 1859
PUBLIC POUND
His Excellency the Governor General has been pleased, in accordance with the Impounding Act of 1855, to appoint Lang's Crossing Place, to be a place for establishing, erecting, and maintaining a Public Pound.
Charles Cowper.
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['Lang's Crossing Place' correspondent, Wagga Wagga Express, 3 September 1859, page 2]
MAILS. – This place is now the point at which four mails arrive and depart weekly, viz.: – The Lachlan mail and the Balranald and Sydney mail, each once a week, and the Deniliquin mail twice a week. By the latter we get news from Melbourne every three days.
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['Open Column – The Mail to Lang's Crossing-place', Pastoral Times, 8 September 1859, page 2]
THE MAIL TO LANG'S CROSSING-PLACE.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE PASTORAL TIMES.
SIR, – I am sorry to say that the mail from your township to this place is not being very well run; the fault seems to be in the contractors not having a sufficient number of horses on the line. If they wish to succeed they must make considerable alterations in this respect. People are too much in the habit of taking such contracts at too low a rate to pay them, or even to enable them to carry out their work in a proper and satisfactory manner. The public suffer in consequence, and have a right to complain, not only of the contractors, but of the Government, for accepting tenders at rates at which it is obvious the contractors cannot afford to discharge the service they have undertaken in an efficient manner. But if contractors will, with their eyes open, engage in a losing game for themselves, the public may still fairly expect to have the contracts carried out just as well as if they paid those who have taken them handsomely; and it is clearly the duty of the Government imperatively to insist on the bond being fulfilled to the very letter.
This mail has not long been started, and it is to be hoped the contractors are meditating immediate improvement. Entertaining this hope, let us content ourselves, for the present, with the hint already given.
[The above comes to us anonymously. We insert it because our friends on the Murrumbidgee may not be acquainted with the rules necessary in conducting public journals. We must henceforth have the names of our correspondents. – Ed. P.T.]
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[Pastoral Times, 29 September 1859, page 3]
COURT-HOUSE AT LANG'S CROSSING-PLACE. – We are informed that the "Bench of Magistrates at Lang's Crossing-place" have called for tenders for the erection of a Court-house and Lock-up at the Murrumbidgee. We have reason to believe that our informant is correct in stating that some farcical pretence of soliciting competition has been made; but beyond a manuscript placard or two, in the handwriting of Mr. Henry Shiell, who receives Government pay as Police Magistrate for Balranald and Hay, nothing has been done to give publicity to the matter. A few persons may by chance get a sight of these choice specimens of magisterial calligraphy, or possibly some individual may get private information that will enable him to work the oracle. But surely such is not the way to carry out the contract system, and it is not likely that the Government will tolerate it. The surest means of obtaining bonâ fide competition would have been the insertion of advertisements in the local journals; but this course has not been adopted, and the perpetrator of the blunder has only himself to blame if suspicious people extract disagreeable inferences from the circumstances.
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[Advertisement, Pastoral Times, 8 September 1859, page 2]
MURRUMBIDGEE PUNT HOTEL,
LANG'S CROSSING PLACE.
The above excellent and commodious Hotel, situated on the best and shortest route for Stock from the Bathurst, New England, and Moreton Bay Districts, offers advantages to Overland Parties such as but few Bush Hotels in the Colonies of New South Wales or Victoria possess. An extensive stock of Spirits and Wines, the best procurable in the Colonies, and not to be surpassed in quality, will be found constantly on hand. The accommodations have been prepared with a view to the greatest comfort and convenience, and without regard to cost. Stabling of the most commodious kind, and under the best arrangements, has been provided; in addition to which the Proprietor has erected very extensive Crossing Yards, and an excellent Punt has long been plying on the River in connection with the Establishment.
Hitherto some difficulty and inconvenience have been experienced by parties crossing the Plains between the Murrumbidgee and Deniliquin; this, however, will shortly be obviated by the sinking of a Well on the Old Man Plain, about half-way between the Murrumbidgee and the Billabong, which undertaking is to be shortly completed. The Lachlan Road, therefore, is now not only the most direct, but the pleasantest and best, for Stock from the Northern Districts of New South Wales; and Parties travelling this way will find a comfortable Home at the Murrumbidgee Punt Hotel.
HENRY LEONARD,
Proprietor.
Lang's Crossing-place, Sep. 7, 1859.
There was increased steamer activity on the river during September as the Murrumbidgee began to rise again.
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['Lower Murrumbidgee' correspondent (report dated 10 September 1859), Sydney Morning Herald, 20 September 1859, page 3]
STEAM NAVIGATION. – One of Messrs. Randell's boats, said to be the Gemini, was at Balranald yesterday morning. She will, in the present state of the river, be able to go at least to Lang's. I imagine the Albury steamboat must also be somewhere close at hand.
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['Lower Murrumbidgee' correspondent (report dated 24 September 1859), Sydney Morning Herald, 7 October 1859, page 2]
SHIPPING NEWS. – The Albury, 60 tons burthen, 30 horse power, commanded by Captain George Johnstone, and accompanied by the Barwan and Mitta Mitta barges, has just passed up. It appears that she went down the Murray nearly empty and, meeting the Ruby at Wapmanga, forty miles below the junction of the Darling, took on board from her 230 tons of goods and proceeding upwards entered the Murrumbidgee on the 18th instant, accompanied by three barges. At the Lachlan junction, the Wakool barge was cast off. The Albury will arrive at Lang's Crossing Place to-morrow. On this trip she brings 45 tons of fencing wire, 40 tons flour, 35 tons machinery for quartz crushing at Adelong, 10 tons of machinery for Gundagai, being Cadell's saw-mill, and the remainder of the cargo general merchandise, including 50 tons of goods brought up to order. The flour brought up is being sold here at £43 a ton. The freight is £10 a ton to the lower part of the river, and higher in proportion as the boat proceeds further up. The Albury is to proceed to Gundagai if the water will possibly permit her to go so high. The river is still rising here, and there seems to be no reason to apprehend any deficiency of water.
The Gemini twin steamer, Captain W.R. Randell, came up to Balranald last Sunday week, and after landing cargo, again went down the river.
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[Pastoral Times, 29 September 1859, page 3]
LANG'S CROSSING-PLACE. – We learn from our Correspondent at Hay, that the Albury steamboat (Captain Johnston) arrived at that township on Sunday afternoon [25 September 1859], having the barges Mitta Mitta and Barwon in tow. She left Balranald on the Tuesday afternoon previous, and brought the Wakool barge to within a short distance of the junction of the Lachlan, where she left her. The Albury was to proceed up the river on Monday afternoon, on her way to Gundagai. The Murrumbidgee has lately risen considerably, and was still on the rise on Sunday last.
OCTOBER 1859
['Lower Murrumbidgee' correspondent (report dated 15 October 1859), Sydney Morning Herald, 25 October 1859, page 3]
THE WEATHER, &C. – There is loud complaints of the want of rain. The country on the Lachlan and Murrumbidgee are already much burnt up, and great scarcity of feed. Severe hot winds, and thermometer up to 100. The Murrumbidgee again falling, after commencing to overflow. Some amount of water now coming down the Lachlan.
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['Lower Murrumbidgee' correspondent (report dated 5 November 1859), Sydney Morning Herald, 15 November 1859, page 3]
THE PAST SEASON. – The late winter season – comprising the seven months from April to October – has been chiefly noticeable from its being dry, to that extent that the growth of plants was almost at a stand-still, for the rains that fell, even when occasionally heavy, did not appear to have any [...]ry fertilising effect… July and August may also be said to have been [..]ought some hard rain, after which, until the end of October, any rain that fell was not worth noticing. However, on the 26th ultimo, wet weather, accompanied by daily severe thunderstorms, commenced, and continued to the end of the month, thus making a favourable beginning to a summer which will, it is generally thought, prove to be unusually hot. From April to October rain fell on fifty-seven days, although only twenty-one times sufficiently heavy to be of any great service. Hot winds blew on five days during October... On the 10th October the glass rose to 100 [degrees] at 2 p.m., and continued at 89 long after sunset. The barometer varied but little, only moving between "change" and "fair," was hardly ever effected by any rain that fell, and seemed only to move when the atmosphere was disturbed by heavy winds.
The following satirical verse on the subject of the naming of 'Hay' township was published in the Pastoral Times in early October 1859.
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[Pastoral Times, 6 October 1859]
POETRY
"HAY"
Allotments of land at the new township of Hay was publicly auctioned on 11 and 12 October 1859. The land-sale was considered a success; reports state it "was very numerously attended" and many of the allotments, especially the suburban lots, realised high prices. All of the allotments, except for one of the town lots, were sold. [See map of allotments and purchaser details.]
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[New South Wales Government Gazette, No. 202, Tuesday, 4 October 1859, p. 2181]
Approaching Land Sales
[including]
Hay (Lang's Crossing Place) –
Tuesday, 11th October
Gazette No. 158
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[New South Wales Government Gazette, No. 203, Friday, 7 October 1859, p. 2198]
Department of Lands,
Sydney, 3rd October, 1859
Notice is hereby given, that a site has been fixed upon for a Town to be called Hay, at the undermentioned place, and that copies of the approved plan have been deposited for public information at the Surveyor General's Office in Sydney, and with the Clerk of Petty Sessions of the District, viz: –
HAY, situated at Lang's Crossing Place, on the Lower Murrumbidgee.
John Robertson.
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[Pastoral Times, 6 October 1859]
LAND SALES.
AT HAY (LANG'S CROSSING-PLACE.)
On Tuesday, 11th October, at 11 o'clock.
TOWNSHIP OF HAY.
TOWN LOTS.
_____ On Wednesday, 12th October, at 11 o'clock.
TOWNSHIP OF HAY.
SUBURBAN LOTS.
TOWN LOTS.
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[New South Wales Government Gazette, No. 203, Friday, 7 October 1859, p. 2198]
Department of Lands,
Sydney, 7th October, 1859
Land withdrawn from sale (advertised in NSWGG No. 158) "with a view to their being subdivided into smaller areas."
Lot 8 Parish of Hay 6a. 1r. 5p. Lot 9 Parish of Hay 7a. 2r. 6p. Lot 12 Parish of Hay 4a. 0r. 0p. Lot 13 Parish of Hay 4a. 0r. 0p. Lot 14 Parish of Hay 4a. 0r. 0p. Lot 15 Parish of Hay 4a. 0r. 0p. _____________
['The Murrumbidgee' correspondent (report dated 18 October 1859), Pastoral Times, 20 October 1859]
The past week has been enlivened by incidents of a more than ordinarily, interesting character. First among these must be reckoned the Land Sale. This is, I suppose, the greatest event that has ever occurred on this part of the Murrumbidgee. The particulars, which I send enclosed, will prove to you that the sale should have taken place before, as the eagerness with which the lots were sought after, and the high rates at which they sold, show clearly that people had been waiting long and anxiously for the opportunity to purchase. The Government have good reason to congratulate themselves on the result; but their procrastination, if productive of benefit to the revenue, cannot be admitted to have done the public much good; and by the public I do not only mean the present small population of Hay, and the few parties who have come from distant parts to purchase, but a very large section of the colonists of both Victoria and New South Wales. It is well known to you that this place is situated on the great highway for stock travelling from the northern districts of New South Wales to the southern markets, although of late, owing to the extraordinarily unpropitious season on the Lachlan, another route has been generally adopted. This, however, as it has not always been the case, will not either continue to be so, and we shall yet again have the great stream of cattle and sheep pouring past us into Victoria. The superiority of the route over any other is pretty generally acknowledged, and whenever there is sufficiency of feed the road down the Lachlan will always be taken by overland parties, in preference to that across the Levels to Wagga Wagga. For this reason every encouragement ought to be held out to people to settle here, by whose means the wants of the overlanders can be supplied and their business forwarded; and the sellers of New South Wales and buyers of Victoria, must profit by an early and rapid advancement of the place, as much as they have hitherto suffered by its being needlessly and foolishly retarded. You will perceive among the names of the larger purchasers several which are familiar to the inhabitants of this and the surrounding districts, as those of men of considerable astuteness and good business abilities. The judgement of these gentlemen will not readily be impugned, in a matter in which their lengthened experience and continued means of observation render them thoroughly capable of forming a correct opinion, and their action in the late sale may be taken as an unerring criterion of the prospects of this young, but highly promising township. The result of the sale will no doubt surprise you. Every lot, but one, offered for sale was purchased, and, when that was put up, it so happened that something occurring outside the Hotel in which the sale took place, had drawn the greater number of persons from the room. The whole amount realised by the two days' sale of ninety-two lots was £2,027 10s. – no small sum for a place which seems to have attracted, hitherto, but little attention, and which has ever been grossly neglected by the Government, to contribute to the revenue of the colony. And now let us inquire to whom the country is indebted for the value which the land in this little corner of the Murrumbidgee at this moment possesses. The originators of the settlement at Lang's Crossing were Captain Francis Cadell, the pioneer of steam navigation on the Murray and Murrumbidgee, and Mr. Henry Leonard. The former established a store, and the latter, besides building a public house, made many other improvements, such as commodious punts and extensive yards for crossing stock. To their enterprise is entirely owing the present promising condition of things. But for their exertions it is not only certain that the land would have been destitute of value, but it is also extremely questionable whether there would have been any land sale at all for many years to come. Now, what is the reward of these gentlemen? They find the ground on which they have placed their property laid out as a reserve, and are excluded – at all events for the present – from participating in the benefits their exertions and enterprise have created for others, except by entering into competition with wealthy opponents from a distance. It is to be hoped that the Parliament, in dealing with the land question, will make provision for such cases.
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['Lower Murrumbidgee' correspondent (report dated 15 October 1859), Sydney Morning Herald, 25 October 1859, page 3]
LANG'S LAND SALE. – The first public sales of land took place at this spot, on the 11th and 12th instant. The auction was very numerously attended, many parties from Wagga Wagga and from the Lachlan were present. The whole of the land put up, consisting of eighty-two town lots and fourteen suburban lots, was, with the exception of one of the former, disposed of. The unexpectedly high prices at which some of the land was sold, greatly astonished many intending purchasers. Two suburban lots fetched respectively £50 and £42 per acre, and all the other suburban lots caused much competition, and realised high prices. The town lots also sold well, the highest price given was £47 for the half-acre, and only some few were knocked down at the upset price. With respect to the laying out of the township, the general opinion appeared to be a great mistake had been made in not placing the town allotments on the river frontage, as if so placed, they would have been much more valuable. The Government will now be able to see that there was really a demand for land at this spot, and will, it is to be hoped, lose no time in further accommodating the public by announcing another sale with all convenient speed.
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[Pastoral Times, 20 October 1859]
LAND SALES.
SALE AT HAY.
The first sale of town and suburban lots in the above township took place on Tuesday and Wednesday, the 11th and 12th instant, at the Murrumbidgee Punt Hotel: Land Agent, Mr. Charles A. Sinclair, Clerk of Petty Sessions, Hay. The result of the two days' sale, as subjoined, demonstrates the flourishing and promising condition of this important outpost. It will be seen that one suburban lot of 6a. 1r. 5p. fetched as high as £50 per acre, and one town lot of half an acre over £80 for the lot. Of the lots offered for sale, one only was not sold. The total amount realised was £2,027 10s. Parties from the Lachlan and Murrumbidgee rivers, Deniliquin, Wagga Wagga, and other places, attended the sale and became purchasers. The following are the lists of the two days' sale:–
FIRST DAY'S SALE.
Town Lots, Two Roods Each. Upset Price, £8 per Acre.
SECOND DAY'S SALE.
Suburban Lots. Upset Price, per £2 Acre.
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['The Murrumbidgee' correspondent (report dated 18 October 1859), Pastoral Times, 20 October 1859]
We have had impromptu horse racing, and a variety of amusements, usual in a bush township in a time of excitement, during the week. A party of serenaders, who came down from Wagga Wagga, performed at the Punt Hotel, on the two evenings of the land sale. They were certainly very well worth hearing. Among them was Foans, once celebrated as one of the best performers in Rainer's old company. They left here on Thursday for Deniliquin, and no doubt, by this time most of your readers have had an opportunity of judging of their merits.
_____________
The conventional theory of town planning was that town allotments formed the basis of the town centre, with larger suburban allotments adjoining the town boundary. Some disquiet was expressed that the town allotments at Hay had been placed too far from the river frontage. As the township developed the suburban allotments sold in October 1859 formed the basis of the town centre at Hay.
_____________
[Extracted from 'Recollections of Lang's Crossing-place' (Part III) by 'an Old Resident', Riverine Grazier, Wednesday, 9 January 1884]
The first land sale, it will be near enough for these papers to say, was held in April, 1859 [actually October 1859]. Being suburban land, although it is now the most valuable in the town, the upset price was low; but the sale being attended by visitors from various parts the biddings ran up until some of the lots went high. What was once known as the Bank paddock, a block of four acres, adjoining the reserve for Government buildings, being the property through which Bank-street now runs, with a frontage to Lachlan-street of 264 feet, and a depth to Pine-street of 10 chains, was purchased by Mr. Robert Neilson at £20 per acre, £80 in all; and the allotment on which stands the Crown Hotel and other buildings was knocked down to Mr. Jonathan Boon, of Wagga, who ran it up to a good figure per acre. He paid the deposit and forfeited…
Rather an amusing episode occurred over the purchase of another allotment, the frontage of which extends from the corner of Mr. Bentwitch's store to the 'Little Wonder'… A party of three, Mr. Roset of Booligal, Mr. Bradley the new chief constable of Hay, and Ike Smith the tailor, arranged to buy the lot… The three arranged for Mr. Roset to bid for an allotment, and if successful to divide it into three equal strips from Lachlan-street to the river. Mr. Roset obtained the one on which stands the property of Mr. Myers, and Moore-street. Now the centre strip, having some advantage over the two outside ones, Mr. Bradley got an idea into his head that by virtue of his position in the town he ought to be allowed first choice; so he took possession of it and erected a dwelling about where Mr. John Ford's house now stands, but the other two could not see it; they wanted to go 'yankee grab', 'odd man out' or some other mode of arbitration, but Mr. Bradley would have none of it and withdrew from the arrangement; throwing of course his third of the land on to Mr. Roset's hands, who eventually sold his interest to Mr. Moore of the Booligal Station – hence Moore Street. Mr. Myers had previously acquired Smith's portion…
At this first sale four blocks were sold on the west side of Lachlan-street, extending from the present Post Office corner to Thirlstane House, and four on the east side from Murray's corner to the north wall of Mr. Bentwitch's store. A large number of the town lots proper lying between the Park fence and the Railway Station, and extending to the right towards the Gaol, were purchased; most of them on spec; for they lay for a number of years untouched. The right owners of some are not to be found now. One purchaser, a Mr. Smith, a carpenter, had the temerity to build a nice little house for his wife and family to live in while he was away in the bush working, but people thought he was mad to build out there, and his wife came to live in the town; no other part but in the vicinity of the pubs and stores being deemed worthy of the name. Mr. Smith's hut being abandoned it became eventually a haunt of vagabonds who burnt it piecemeal. It stood just outside the north fence of the Park.
Mr. Leonard was permitted to purchase without competition, on account of being the founder of the town, the allotments on which his hotel stood; the price per acre being the same as the next one, and a fine lot it was; the frontage being from Murray's Corner to very near the Council Chambers and down to the river bank (the Punt Hotel lots). Captain Cadell was also allowed to purchase the land where his store stood, at a fixed price. Mr. T. Simpson was allowed to purchase the land on which Wharf Cottage stood at a fixed price – this is now the site of Cramsie & Bowden's Stores.
A bullock driver named Henry Sullivan was drowned on the night of 12 October 1859 while crossing the river to "Mungadal" station in a bark canoe with one or two companions. The canoe capsized and "Sullivan at once sank and was seen no more". After his body was recovered he was buried at "Mungadal" station on 17 October by Chief Constable Benjamin Bradley. Sullivan had been born in Ireland; he was aged 26 years at the time of his death.
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['Lower Murrumbidgee' correspondent (report dated 15 October 1859), Sydney Morning Herald, 25 October 1859, page 3]
DROWNED. – On the evening of the 12th instant a bullock driver named Henry Sullivan, in the employment of the Messrs. Lang, of Mungadal, was drowned in the Murrumbidgee. Under the excitement of attending a land sale, Sullivan is said to have drank rather too freely, and whilst returning home, in crossing the river in a bark canoe with two companions, contrived to get upset; the two were picked up, but Sullivan at once sank and was seen no more. By the last account his body had not been recovered, although the chief constable and others had been dragging the river.
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['The Murrumbidgee' correspondent (report dated 18 October 1859), Pastoral Times, 20 October 1859]
A melancholy and fatal accident occurred on Wednesday night. Two men, employed on a new building in course of erection on the opposite side of the river, for the Police Magistrate, were crossing in a bark canoe, when it unfortunately capsized, and one of the men, of the name of Henry Sullivan, was drowned. A search was instituted next morning by the police for the body, but it has not yet been recovered.
On 11 October 1859 "the frame of a large building" was landed at Hay from the Gemini steamer, Captain William Randell's double-hulled steamboat. The frame was used in the construction of the 'Old Iron Store', built at Hay by the firm of Randell and Scott (in opposition to Francis Cadell's store which had been established here at least eighteen months beforehand). William Randell was a partner of Randell and Scott, based at Adelaide. The store was initially managed by George Dorward. After a year Mr. Dorward gained a license for the newly-built Caledonian Hotel, and resigned as manager to pursue his own business interests.
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['Lower Murrumbidgee' correspondent (report dated 15 October 1859), Sydney Morning Herald, 25 October 1859, page 3]
SHIPPING NEWS. – The twin steamer Bunyip [? probably the Gemini], accompanied by a barge, and commanded by Captain W.R. Randell, arrived at Lang's on Tuesday last [11 October 1859], and landed the wood work of a store which Mr. Randall is to erect at that spot. The saying, "That where there is room for one store there is room for two," appears therefore also to apply to this locality. The Bunyip has proceeded upwards. The Albury is said to be on her way down from Wagga Wagga.
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['The Murrumbidgee' correspondent (report dated 18 October 1859), Pastoral Times, 20 October 1859]
Among the occurrences of the week is to be recorded the arrival of Mr. Randall's boat (the Gemini) on Tuesday [11 October 1859]. She left the following day and proceeded up the river, having landed the frame of a large building, which, I understand, is intended for a store. By the way, in addition to this, which Captain Randall is said to be about to establish immediately, in opposition to Captain Cadell, we are also promised two new public houses – one by Mr. Flood, of the Lachlan, and the other, by Mr. Boon, of Wagga Wagga. Whether such progress may not be a little in advance of the times may be very well open to question, with all our encouraging prospects. And speaking of our prospects, reminds me of what has not, I dare say, escaped so vigilant an eye as that of the Editor of the Pastoral Times, viz.: – That the electric telegraph, to connect Sydney with Adelaide, is to pass through Hay. That such a consummation may be expeditiously accomplished, is most devoutly to be wished, since we should then have instantaneous communication with the capitals of the three colonies; and, looking a little further a-head, we can see ourselves holding telegraphic correspondence with the squatters and stock-dealers of Queensland. The telegraph to Adelaide would wonderfully facilitate the navigation of the river, as the masters and owners of boats could at all times obtain immediate and correct information as to how far they could venture to proceed. The advantages of such a connection with Sydney and Melbourne are too obvious to need remark. If I might venture on a very hobbling attempt at an application of an old saying. I would express a hope that the Government will lose no opportunity of "Making Hay while their sun shines," and in no way can they do this better than by expediting, by every possible means, the extension to it of the telegraphic wires.
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['Lower Murrumbidgee' correspondent (report dated 22 October 1859), Sydney Morning Herald, 1 November 1859, page 3]
SHIPPING NEWS. – The Albury, Captain George Johnstone, accompanied by the barges Barwan and Mitta Mitta, has just passed down the river; she has on freight 370 bales of wool, 8 bales of sheepskins, and 3 casks of tallow. On this trip, owing to a rapid fall of the water in the upper part of the Murrumbidgee, she only succeed in reaching as high as Cummindroo, Mr. Lintot's station, lying between Wagga Wagga and Gundagai. All her surplus cargo was disposed of at the former place on her return, and a quantity of general merchandise shipped for various stations between Wagga Wagga and Lang's. The Albury came to the latter place on Wednesday evening, and proceeded on the following morning. I understand she is to load cargo in the Murray and come up again without loss of time. The Bunyip, Captain W.R. Randell, has also descended, after going up to Tugramine [Toganmain], Mr. William Macleay's station. She unshipped all her extra cargo at Lang's, where her proprietors are establishing a store. The Gemini is to come up as soon as the Bunyip gets down to the Darling junction. Although the river is far from high, the boats appeared to glide down pretty easily, and the barges, piled with bales of wool, presented a novel appearance as they passed the various stations.
In mid-October it was reported that the firm of Messrs. Bregartner and Committi from Deniliquin had been selected to erect a court-house and lock-up at Hay.
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['Lower Murrumbidgee' correspondent (report dated 15 October 1859), Sydney Morning Herald, 25 October 1859, page 3]
LANG'S COURT-HOUSE, &C. – I am given to understand that Messrs. Bregartner and Comitee of Deniliquin are the successful tenders for the erection of a court-house and lock-up at this place. The building is to be of brick, the walls fourteen inches thick, and is to contain a police court, magistrates' room, two cells and a lock-up keeper's apartment. The amount of the tender is £820, and the building is to be finished by the 1st April. The sum voted last year for this erection was £800, but only a slabbed building was then contemplated; no doubt there will be no objection to give the additional £20 for a permanent brick structure. Five tenders were sent in, but all except the one accepted contemplated only nine inch walls.
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'The Murrumbidgee' correspondent (report dated 18 October 1859), Pastoral Times, 20 October 1859
I understand that the tender of Messrs. Bregardner and Comitee, of South Deniliquin, of £820, for the erection of a Court-house here, has been accepted. It is, I believe, to be built entirely of brick, with a slate roof. There were five tenders for the work.
[Pastoral Times, 6 October 1859]
NOTICE.
THE PUBLIC POUND at HAY (Lang's Crossing-place), Lower Murrumbidgee, is NOW OPEN for the reception of Stock.
E. CUNNINGHAM,
Poundkeeper.
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[New South Wales Government Gazette, No. 202, Tuesday, 4 October 1859, p. 2180]
Notice is hereby given, that the Bench of Magistrates at Lang's Crossing Place, in Petty Sessions assembled have this day been pleased to make the following appointment, viz.: -
Mr. Charles Alexander Sinclair, to be Registrar of the Court of requests at Lang's Crossing Place.
Mr. Benjamin Bradley, to be Bailiff of the Court of Requests at Lang's Crossing Place.
Mr. Benjamin Bradley, to be Inspector of Slaughter Houses and of Cattle intended for slaughter at Lang's Crossing Place.
Charles A. Sinclair,
Clerk of Petty Sessions.
Lang's Crossing Place, 20th September, 1859.
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[New South Wales Government Gazette, No. 205, Tuesday, 11 October 1859, pp. 2213-4]
Colonial Secretary's Office
Sydney, 11th October, 1859
SPIRITS
His Excellency the Governor General in pursuance of the powers vested in him by the Act of the Governor and Legislative Council, 13 Victoria, No. 29, has been pleased to declare the Town of HAY to come within the operation of the 3rd clause of the said Act, so as to constitute it a place at which any fermented or spiritous liquor, or any mixed liquor, part of which is fermented or spiritous, may be sold in quantities not less than two gallons at one time.
Charles Cowper,
The Treasury, New South Wales, 10th October, 1859
['Lower Murrumbidgee' correspondent (report dated 22 October 1859), Sydney Morning Herald, 1 November 1859, page 3]
THE OLD MAN PLAIN WELL. – This important undertaking progresses in a satisfactory manner. The workmen are now bricking it with the intention of keeping out the spring of water cut into when forty feet deep, and of sinking still lower for a more abundant and permanent supply. It is believed that the £250 of subscriptions will cover the entire cost of the works.
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[Pastoral Times, Thursday, 27 October 1859, page 1]
Conveyance to the Murrumbidgee
MARSHALL & WARING are now running a Conveyance twice a week between Deniliquin and Lang's Crossing-place.
Leaves Deniliquin 6 a.m., Tuesdays and Saturdays; Lang's Crossing-place 4 p.m., Sundays and Wednesdays.
Passengers Booked – Marshall & Waring's Store, near the Court House, South Deniliquin; and at Mr. Leonard's Hotel, Murrumbidgee.
NOVEMBER 1859
['Lower Murrumbidgee' correspondent (report dated 5 November 1859), Sydney Morning Herald, 15 November 1859, page 3]
CATTLE AND SHEEP. – Owing to the arrivals of store cattle and considerable natural increase, the number of cattle in the district is still getting larger. The majority of the runs are now considerably overstocked, and a bad season would at once show the necessity of thinning the herds. Spaying, after being the fashion for only about three years, is already getting into disfavour and the old plan of weaning the calves, if properly carried out, is said to be found better and more profitable. Sheep are now not much seen in the lower parts of the district, there being only a few near the Lachlan junction, and a few at the mouth of the Murrumbidgee, not more than from 25,000 to 30,000 in all.
_________________
THE LACHLAN. – Great complaints of want of cattle feed along this river have been heard all through the present year. The river, however, being now full, and overflowing the adjacent flat country, a considerable amount of pasturage will soon be produced along the frontage, and tend to alleviate, in some measure, the wants of the stationary herds.
_________________
THE DARLING. – This river is yearly coming into greater notice, and we now constantly hear of parties travelling to and from that part of the colony. The season there has been very dry, and the feed miserable, but of late fine rains have fallen. It appears to be a country more particularly adapted to the depasturing of sheep; and, no doubt, in a short time, some of the most extensive sheep walks in this quarter will be found on the Lower Darling.
['Lower Murrumbidgee' correspondent (report dated 5 November 1859), Sydney Morning Herald, 15 November 1859, page 3]
LANG'S CROSSING-PLACE. – This township has considerably advanced in importance during the past six months. The recent sale of land proves that the public are fully aware that this place is on one of the main thoroughfares of the colony. Buildings will now be rapidly erected, and, before long, a police court and lock-up will be commenced. The new pound is complete and has already received some horses and cattle. The punt and crossing-yards are finished, and a second store is in course of construction.
_________________
POLICE . – The establishment of a magistrate and police at Lang's has considerably added to the efficiency of the force in this district; and the proposed plan of having a P.M. and police at the new township of Wentworth, at the Darling junction, will, if carried out, be still further a step in the right direction. No very important cases have engaged the attention of the police during the winter, but it has been noticeable that the sly grog carts have not only not ventured on the Murrumbidgee, but have not even come down the Lachlan as low as they were accustomed to do in former years.
['Lower Murrumbidgee' correspondent (report dated 5 November 1859), Sydney Morning Herald, 15 November 1859, page 3]
THE MURRUMBIDGEE. – The navigation of this river, commenced last year, has been continued this season. About 500 tons of goods have been brought up, and about 400 bales of wool sent down. The sudden rise and falls in the water have rendered the navigation somewhat uncertain, more particularly as many parts of the water way still require much clearing. The boats are already found to afford very great accommodation to the settlers, and if their proprietors take care to act justly towards their customers, there can be but little doubt of their establishing a permanent and very extensive carrying business.
['Lower Murrumbidgee' correspondent (report dated 5 November 1859), Sydney Morning Herald, 15 November 1859, page 3]
RELIGION. – The Bishop of Sydney, urged on, as I am informed, on good authority, by the representations made during the past four years in the columns of the Herald respecting the urgent necessity of his paying some attention to this part of his diocese, has at last signified his intention of sending up a clergyman to undertake the onerous duties of itinerating this part of the river in pursuit of his sacred duties. The gentleman alluded to (the Rev. Mr. Ford) will doubtless be well received, and, if found competent to make his bush hearers take an interest in his preaching, will obtain liberal subscriptions towards his support. The erection of a small chapel at Lang's is a subject that will soon be mooted, and I imagine there will be no lack of funds for such a meritorious undertaking.
['Lower Murrumbidgee' correspondent (report dated 5 November 1859), Sydney Morning Herald, 15 November 1859, page 3]
LABOUR . – The number of persons perambulating the district during the past winter has not been quite as large as usual, although still more than equal to the demand, and of the generally nondescript nature. In rates of wages there is but little alteration to report. Good stockmen, £50 a year; shepherds, £30; home station hutkeeper's, £40 to £50; out station hutkeepers, £26 to £30; married couples, £55 to £75; house servants (female), £30; girls, £20 – all the above with rations. Shearers, 25s. per 100, with rations at reduced rates, and shears at cost price, or 20s. per 100, with rations found. Plenty of work for itinerant coopers, tinmen, saddlers, and tailors, if good workmen and bringing their own materials.
[New South Wales Government Gazette, No. 226, Tuesday, 8 November 1859, p. 2447]
AUCTIONEERS' LICENSES.
Notice is hereby given, that a Meeting of Her Majesty's Justices of the Peace, acting in and for the Police District of Balranald, will be holden at the Murrumbidgee Punt Hotel, Hay, on Tuesday, the 22nd day of November next, at noon, for the purpose of taking into consideration applications for Auctioneers' Licences, under the provisions of the Act of Council, 11 Victoria, No. 16.Charles A. Sinclair
Clerk of Petty Sessions
Hay, 22nd October, 1859.
DECEMBER 1859
[‘Lower Murrumbidgee' correspondent (report dated 17 December 1959), Sydney Morning Herald, 27 December 1859, 5(3)]
THE WEATHER, &C. – The continuous heat tells us that we are in the middle of summer, and the burnt-up appearance of the country serves to confirm the fact. The low state of the Murrumbidgee gives a dismal appearance to the river, and the disappointment of getting no flood makes the naturally grumbling settlers in a still more discontented state of mind. To hear them talk one would imagine that heaven and earth were rapidly coming to an end, and that everything worth living for had disappeared from the world; whereas, on enquiry, you find the only grievance is, that the Murrumbidgee has not this year as usual overflown its banks, flooded the lowlands and rendered them fertile, and that consequently there will be a considerable falling off in number of fat cattle. The Lachlan is behaving much better than the Murrumbidgee this year, and is again bringing down a moderate amount of water.
[New South Wales Government Gazette, No. 226, Tuesday, 8 November 1859, p. 2447]
LICENSING MEETING.
Notice is hereby given, that a Meeting of Her Majesty's Justices of the Peace, acting in and for the Police District of Balranald, will be holden at the Murrumbidgee Punt Hotel, Hay, on Tuesday, the 6th day of December next, at noon, for the purpose of taking into consideration applications for the issue and transfer of Licences, under the provisions of the Act of Council, 13 Victoria, No. 29.
Charles A. Sinclair
Clerk of Petty Sessions
Hay, 27th October, 1859. _____________
[New South Wales Government Gazette, No. 226, Tuesday, 8 November 1859, p. 2447]
HAWKERS' AND PEDLERS' LICENSES.
Notice is hereby given, that a Meeting of Her Majesty's Justices of the Peace, acting in and for the Police District of Balranald, will be holden at the Murrumbidgee Punt Hotel, Hay, on Tuesday, the 13th day of December next, at noon, for the purpose of taking into consideration applications lodged with the undersigned for Licences, under the provisions of the Act of Council, 13 Victoria, No. 36.
Charles A. Sinclair
Clerk of Petty Sessions
Hay, 27th October, 1859. _____________
[‘Lower Murrumbidgee' correspondent (report dated 31 December 1959), Sydney Morning Herald, 10 January 1860, 2(6)]
LICENSES. – Messrs. Haverfield and Neilson, and Messrs. Randell and Scott, have applied for leave to sell wine and spirits by wholesale at Lang's Crossing Place. These are the first applications for such licenses at that place.
[Sydney Morning Herald, 22 December 1859, 6(5)]
INLAND MAILS.
The undermentioned tenders for the conveyance of Post Office Mails during the ensuing year having been accepted, the particulars are published for general information.
WESTERN ROAD.
William Elliott, to and from Cowra and Condobolin, via Bundabarra, for three years, at per annum, £276.
William Elliott, to and from Condobolin, on the Lachlan River, and Lang's Crossing-place, on the Murrumbidgee, (by the line branching from Gulligal [Booligal], on the Lachlan, to the Murrumbidgee), £750.
[‘Lower Murrumbidgee' correspondent (report dated 17 December 1959), Sydney Morning Herald, 27 December 1859, 5(3)]
THE SHEARING. – This annual operation has at last come to an end in this part of the country. The clip, as a whole, is considered very good, and many of the fleeces have been extremely heavy. The want of labour has been greatly felt, and the deficiency of men has deferred the conclusion of shearing to an unusually late period of the year. This lack of shearers – for other hands were sufficiently plentiful – is almost unaccountable, as the wages given here may be considered high. The rates have been 25s. per 100 sheep, without any ration; or 20s. per 100 with rations, whereas higher up the river they have been giving only 16s. per 100. Very few of the rising generation appear to be learning to shear, and it is to be feared that in future years there will be considerable difficulty found in getting the sheep stripped. The great part of the wool has gone to Melbourne by bullock teams, as in the present uncleared state of the Murrumbidgee, it is rarely possible for steamboats to come up at this season of the year. Some wool that was to have gone by water is still standing in the shed, as the river fell so rapidly that the boat could not come up to fetch it away. The question as to whether it pays best to shear in the grease, or to wash the sheep, seems still undecided, as it is found that what is lost in the price is gained in the weight, the greasy weighing almost twice as heavy as the washed fleece. The expense of washing the sheep in this part of the country is considerable, and there is always some loss by drowned sheep, therefore unless the price of clean wool is considerably higher than that of the greasy, say at least double, it is very doubtful if it is any use taking the trouble to wash the sheep.
[Sydney Morning Herald, 27 December 1859, 6(1)]
GENERAL NOTICE. – The Agents of this Journal in various parts of the colony are as follows:––
SOUTHERN.
Lang's Crossing – Robert Neilson.
[‘Lower Murrumbidgee' correspondent (report dated 31 December 1959), Sydney Morning Herald, 10 January 1860, 2(6)]
BOXING DAY 1859. – A considerable number of persons assembled at Lang's Crossing Place, to pass a pleasant day and obtain as large an amount of recreation as possible in a short time. Many races, got up on short notice, were run, and although the rules of the Jockey Club were not very strictly adhered to, or any large amount of science shown, yet much amusement was caused by these equestrian performances. Amongst other races, was one of a man on foot against a man on horseback, for fifty yards and back, in which the horse, turning quickly, contrived to come in first. The holiday makers were very well behaved, many of them were pretty merry, but there was very little drunkenness, and no fighting.
[‘Lower Murrumbidgee' correspondent (report dated 31 December 1959), Sydney Morning Herald, 10 January 1860, 2(6)]
POLICE. – LANG'S. – On the 27th instant, before Mr. H. Shiell, P.M., and Mr. W. Lang and Mr. Loughnan, J.P.'s: Four men, named Conolly alias Wilson, Smith, Wilkinson, and Ormond, were brought up on remand, on the charge of robbing Robert Jeffries, on the night of the 22nd, of £55. The prosecutor and prisoners were, it appears, sleeping in the same room together, and the money was missed in the morning. The prisoners, who previously had no money, at once commenced nobblerising, and from this cause and some other circumstances, were arrested on suspicion. No money was found on them, but in Smith's tent a one pound note was discovered buried near the tent-pole; the rest of the money could not be traced. The prosecutor, a man of but limited education, now swore to the note found, stating that he had had it in his possession for seven months. The Bench, on examining the note, found that it was only issued in July last, and consequently could not be the one that Jeffries believed it to be. There being no further evidence, the prisoners were discharged, and the one pound note ordered to be given up to Smith.
[‘Lower Murrumbidgee' correspondent (report dated 31 December 1959), Sydney Morning Herald, 10 January 1860, 2(6)]
SHIPPING NEWS. – The Gemini, steamer, Captain Charles Stilton, arrived at Canally station on the 14th, and landed cargo for Messrs. Randell and Scott's store at Lang's. The Albury, steamer, Captain George Johnston, accompanied by the barges Wakool, Bogan, and Mitta Mitta, came up to within four miles of Balranald on the 16th, and landed about 220 tons of general merchandise for Lachlan settlers, and Messrs. Haverfield and Neilson's at Langs. The Albury started downwards on the 20th. The water in the Murrumbidgee is very low, and the steamboats experienced considerable trouble in entering the river, owing to the presence of so many obstructions in the waterway. Three clearing parties are now starting to proceed with the snagging operations which have been in progress during the past two years; one party goes up the river, and the other two parties are to work between Lang's and the junction. The time is very favourable for clearing the channel, and it is hoped that, by the time the navigable season again arrives, that a very considerable improvement will have been made in the channel of the Lower Murrumbidgee.
[Pastoral Times, 1 December 1859, 3(2)]
WELL ON THE OLD MAN PLAIN. – The contractors for this work are meeting some difficulty. They met water, in the first well, at a depth of forty feet, beautifully clear and good; and the well fell in. They then commenced sinking a second shaft, about thirty feet from the first. They soon found water, but it proved disgustingly brackish. This little incident proves clearly that we know nothing of the water supplies in this strange country. There may be perfect seas of the fluid underneath, for aught that we know. The first “artesian” well will settle this point, and we shall be glad when the interesting matter is determined, which we hope will soon be the case. _____________
[‘Lower Murrumbidgee' correspondent (report dated 31 December 1959), Sydney Morning Herald, 10 January 1860, 2(6)]
THE OLD MAN PLAIN WELL. – This useful undertaking bids fair to be soon completed. Three wells have been sunk. The first had good water, but it fell in; the second, although not far distant, contained brackish water; the third well, at the depth of fifty feet, struck a considerable spring of excellent water, which it is hoped will yield a permanent supply. The contractors are now bricking the sides of the well, which, as soon as it is finished will be handed over to the subscribers to the Old Man Plain Well.
[‘Lower Murrumbidgee' correspondent (report dated 31 December 1959), Sydney Morning Herald, 10 January 1860, 2(6)]
NEW CONVEYANCE. – A coach is now running twice a week between Lang's Crossing Place and Deniliquin, and affords considerable accommodation to the public. The proprietors of the conveyance would soon do a good business in carrying passengers, if they paid a little more attention to horsing their coaches, and ran the distance in a shorter period of time than they do at present.
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