Observer (Adelaide, SA : 1905 - 1931), Saturday 1 September 1928, page 51

 

EARLY DAYS IN CLARE:

VISITORS AND TOWNSMEN.

II.-—By die Rev. R. Kelly.

 

Governors

Distinguished visitors came to the beautiful northern village from time to time.

Among them were three of our early Governors.

In 1857 (left) Sir Richard Graves MacDonnell was welcomed by the residents, and hospitably entertained by Mr. and Mrs. Gleeson at Inchiquin.

• I distinctly remember seeing the arch that was erected at the southern entrance to the township.

• It stood between the site of! the present bridge and Toovey's Corner, and was an artistic structure with a wealth of floral decoration.

• Subsequently Sir Dominic Daly came on, a visit and was received in a similar loyal and hearty fashion.

• Later on, Sir James Fergusson, on April 19, 1809, passed through on his way to visit the meat preserving works at Booyoolie, a station that was managed by Mr. H. B. Hughes.

• The triumphal arch was in evidence, as in both the previous instances, and an open air address was given by His Excellency in reply to a public welcome.

• A number of viceregal visits have been made since those days, but "early Clare" relates to events prior to the close of the seventh decade of the century, the Franco-Prussian war standing as a good historical landmark of this terminal point.

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Bishops and Others.

After three Governors may be mentioned three bishops who came on the business that pertained to their high calling.

• The Rev. Dr. Augustus Short, who for  35 years guided the destinies of the Anglican Church in South Australia, made a tour of the north, going as far as Arkaba, taking Clare on his return, and covering in the trip more than 700 miles.

• At St. Barnabas's Church, Clare, he records in his diary, there was a congregation of 45, including the Bungaree party that accompanied him. It was the day of small things.

• I remember also the visit of Bishop Geoghegan, of the Roman Catholic Church, and a confirmation held by him in the old chapel.

• The third "bishop," though it was not until some time after that the title was conferred upon him, was the Rev. William Taylor, of California, who held a mission in the sixties, and again in the early part of 1870.

• He was a remarkable man, and made a great impression.

 

If I were to name three visiting politicians, two of them would be the

members for the district.

• Sir George S. Kingston and Mr. H. E. Bright.

• At election time they came on tour and were well received, holding the position for several years.

• Sir John Colton and Sir William; Morgan, in their pre-knighthood days,  came occasionally, but .strictly on the business of the great commercial interests] they represented.

 

Of visiting lecturers there were many during the period now under review—

• the Rev. James Henderson, who discoursed ably on "The Fall of Jerusalem," and "The Oddities Genius,"

• of the Rev. John Davidson on "Walter Scott,"

• Charles Simeon Hare on "Books."

• Mr. John. Williams, of Barossa, a gifted Welshman, who was employed by G. F. Angas to travel the country and deliver addresses on temperance,

• and the Rev. John Watsford, whose favourite subject was "Courtship and Marriage"—these three stand out prominently in one's memory.

 

There was a Mr. Daniel Crosby who created some stir by his lectures in the Town Hall on "Henry VIII." and other historical topics.

• He introduced "hymns" of his own composing, relating to his themes, and had them sung to well-known tunes.

• The era of "Penny Readings" was at that time nearing its close, as hardly. exciting enough for the new generation,

• and the entertainment of that kind provided by the visit of the Rev. L. W. Stanton, of Kooringa, while not a failure, was a sign of the passing of an obsolescent institution.

• This gentleman, who rejoiced in' his high-churchmanship at a time when it was anything but popular to do so, was the father of a much esteemed school inspector of later days.

• All sorts of travelling troupes came to the place, and in tent or hall provided material of the  less solid kind for eager  appetites.

• This was inevitable, though they did not always secure the blessing of tradesfolk in those days when the credit system was universal.

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Some Magistrates. 

Of visiting Magistrates special, mention must be made of (left) Mr. Marshall MacDermott and Mr. John Varley.

• The former, who resided at Kooringa, came periodically, and at first presided in the original Courthouse, which, many years later, was turned into a casualty hospital.

• Mr. E. B. Gleeson dealt with cases in the intervals, and Mr. Varley for some years dealt out justice in the. building now used as a post office.

• Before the settlement of local lawyers much of the Court business was attended to by Mr, Huggins and Mr. Benham, who came from the southward.

• Only in specially, important cases was a city man sent for, and the appearance of Mr. S. J. Way on one occasion was an event to be talked of.

• As Clare grew in importance it attracted gentlemen of the legal profession as residents, first among these being Mr, Erasmus Gower and Mr. T. H. Hosier, who fought many a battle in the local Courts.

• Mr. Hosier, who was a man of magnificent physique, unfortunately died early.

• Then came on the scene the late Mr. T. R. Bright, a son of a former member for the district.

• He spent many years in Clare, and in his office were trained several young men who afterwards distinguished themselves in their profession.

 

The Doctors.

Of medical men, the first of whom I have any recollection, and then only by repute, was . Dr. Bokolowski, who resided for two or three miles out in the Spring Gully direction.

• He could not have made a long stay there, and I should say, was more of a farmer than a medical practitioner.

• Memory is somewhat hazy at this point, but not so in the case of Dr. Charles Houlton Webb, who for many years held the leading practice in the district.

• He built what was then regarded as quite a fine house, a mile from the township on the Hill River road, where he held a considerable acreage of beautiful timbered country.

• The old building with its quaint architecture, reminiscent of the home land, has long since been demolished.

• The doctor, who lad a large family, erected a roomy and comfortable house on the hill near the Presbyterian Church, where he spent the remainder of his days.

• He had interests in the Farrell's Flat district, where his older sons followed pastoral  and agricultural pursuits.

• He was a true "old identity" of Clare, having., seen many of the folk introduced into the world, as well as skilfully easing their passage Out of it when their departure became inevitable.

• Dr. A. E. Davies was the first who came along to divide the responsibility of medical practice with Dr. Webb.

• He afterwards took the late Dr. Bain into partnership, and when he retired, he left the last named gentleman with a growing clientele and the confidence of the public.

• Dr. Bain lived many years, and was a public benefactor, interesting himself in everything that made for the welfare of the town, and spending his money freely for the. advancement of its enterprises. 

 

The status of most of the "professions" was improved within.the last half-century.

• In architecture, for example, much more attention is paid to the construction of  public buildings.

• The original Clare Town Hall was not built on the lines that find favour to-day.

• Its designer (Mr. Bobert Rickman Page) had. an eye for utility rather than for aesthetics, and while. his plan provided conveniences that were very welcome, he did not attempt to compete with the great architects of the world in the matter of outward form.

• It may be mentioned here that he also drew plans for the Clare Hotel, a structure that threw all the others of its class into the shade.

• Page, as I remember him, was a man of versatile gifts (he painted scenery for the town hall platform), and of rather eccentric character.

• I believe he would have taken a contract for anything in the field of art. He had confidence in his own powers, and had in him some of the stuff out of which .successful colonists are made.

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Well-known Citizens.

In the official world one recalls Sir. Andrew Young, one of the early mayors. 

• T. W. Powell, his father-in-law, who for many years was clerk of the Court;

• Jr. Thomas Ownsworth and Mr. Henry March, bailiffs, and Mr. William Lennon, he first town clerk, and one of the best known and most respected citizens.

• Mr. Lennon's history was not an ordinary one. In the second Parliament of South Australia, he sat in the Assembly as a member for "Burra and Clare," with Messrs. Wiliam Dale and George W. Cole, as colleagues.

• I learn from Mr. Blacket's History" that this Parliament was opened on April 27, 1860, and that Mr. G. C. Hawker, of Buugaree, was elected  Speaker.

• On this occasion Sir George Kingston, a former member, was defeated, but later on represented Stanley. under the rearrangement of electoral districts.

• Mr. Lennon was a man of strong personality and genial disposition, and rendered fine service to the town for a long period.

• In business he was an auctioneer, and many a time did he liven the proceedings by the savour of his ready Irish wit.

 

In the police force of the first decades the names of. Kewson and Irwin occur, and then Lance-Cpl. Lawrence, Catchlove. Neynoe, and Ayliffe.

• Messrs. Corcoran, W. Smith, R. Eade, Dempsey, and Saunders came later.

 

In the post office, I think, Mr. George Bell was the first resident master, then Mr. Belcher and Mr. John Bastard, who fulfilled a long term of service. .

• Mr, J. Smith, whose association with the town dated from the late sixties, was for years clerk of the district council, and then Town clerk.

• His introduction to Clare happened under sensational circumstances, he had just arrived from England, and was on his way to the far north, when be was murderously attacked in his room at Smith's Hotel, by a Russian, who for the offence, received a life sentence.

• Sympathy went out to him, and on his recovery ho found suitable employment in the district, which became his permanent home.

• It was through the timely assistance, of Mr. Henry Catt that his' life was saved, and his bit of rescue work was suitably acknowledged in due course by the young mans friends in England.

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