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Harry George Hawker was an Australian pioneer aviator, Aircraft Designer, Engineer and Test Pilot. Harry became one of the world's greatest aviators. Harry left Australia for England in 1911, and in less than 12 months was Chief Test Pilot for the Sopwith Aviation Company . Harry's Records Australian Tour Trans-Atlantic Crossing Attempt Rescue and Adulation The Full Story The Sopwith Camel was one of the most successful fighters of WW1 and this was largely down to the work of Harry Hawker, who tested this often difficult aeroplane with his usual skill. Harry also had a major involvement in pioneering techniques required for deck landings during 1917, firstly from the Cunard liner ‘Campania’ and later from HMS Furious at Scapa Flow.   In addition to his flying abilities, his mechanical knowledge contributed greatly to the testing of new engines such as those used by French squadrons whom he visited on a regular basis. This photo (below) is of a flight at Randwick Racecourse, Sydney, on Saturday 21 February 1914, when Harry Hawker took the Governor General, Lord Denman, for a flight. Harry's Records Among Harry's competitive achievements were a number of altitude records set in June 1913. He also won a £1,000 consolation prize in the  Daily Mail Circuit of Britain Waterplane Race  on 25 August 1913. The competition was restricted to British pilots flying British aircraft fitted with British engines. The competition opened on the 16th August and had to be completed by 30th August. Entrants were required to to fly 1,540 miles within 72 consecutive hours (excluding Sunday). Winston Churchill, who was then the First Lord of the Admiralty, in a message to the Daily Mail, said, that “Hawker achieved a wonderful result, and the competition was of real value to British flying. Though we started last, we must persevere till the first place is gained.” Former Australian Prime, Sir George Reid, who at the time was the Australian High Commissioner for the Commonwealth, sent a telegraph from Dublin before the accident: - " Win or lose, Australia is very proud of you both ." During 1913, he claimed a number of new altitude records, often carrying wealthy paying passengers. Hawker still remained a regular competitor in car and motorcycle meetings held on the infamous banked track at Brooklands where he also demonstrated Sopwith machines to huge crowds. Below: Harry Hawker in a 150hp Sunbeam racer at Brooklands racecourse Australian Tour On 19th January 1914, Hawker arrived back in his home town of Melbourne, just in time to celebrate his 25th birthday with his family.  He was immediately welcomed as ‘a local-boy-made-good’ with a civic reception held in St Kilda Town Hall. Meanwhile in the southern hemisphere, Hawker was demonstrating the Sopwith Tabloid at the immensely popular aviation meetings (e.g. Albury, Ballarat) which had been bolstered by news of the type's success in the South of France. These flying meetings often attracted up to 50,000 spectators and on one occasion a particularly wild crowd nearly wrecked the aeroplane as they all tried to touch the fragile machine. The Australian Tour was declared a success with Hawker returning home on 7th June to resume his flight test duties at Brooklands. At Sopwiths in 1916, Hawker had the personal use of a small aircraft, the  Sopwith Bee . The Sopwith ‘Tabloid’ as the plane which Hawker brought to Melbourne was known, was produced at the Kingston factory of Sopwiths for the first time in November 1913, and in bringing it to Australia, Hawker was giving his people the opportunity to see the very latest in aircraft design. Three months before the cessation of hostilities of World War 1, the name of Harry George Hawker appeared in the Birthday Honors list as a Member of the Order of the British Empire. The citation referred to his work in the development of a number of aeroplanes such as the ‘1 ½ Strutter’, the ‘Camel’, the ‘Pup’, the ‘Triplane’, the ‘Dolphin’ and the ‘Snipe’. Trans-Atlantic Crossing Attempt After war ended, Hawker was joined by navigator Lieutenant Commander Mackenzie Grieve, who he had met during his dealings with the RNAS, and the pair attempted to win the £10,000 Daily Mail prize for the first flight across the Atlantic over ‘72 consecutive hours’. On 18th May 1919, they set off from Newfoundland in the Sopwith Atlantic, a 360hp V12 Rolls-Royce Eagle-engined biplane. The Atlantic, as the name suggests, was specifically designed for the challenge although disappointingly after just 14½ hours of flight they were forced to change course with an overheating engine. The aircraft had a 330-gallon fuel tank which weighed in 6,150lbs and simply over-stressed the engine. They diverted to reach the busy North Atlantic shipping lanes and located the freighter ‘Danish Mary’. After failing to arrive as planned, they were presumed lost at sea with Muriel Hawker receiving a long telegram from H M King George V, expressing his condolences. ​“The King, fearing the worst must now be realised regarding the fate of your husband, wishes to express his deepest sympathy and that of the Queen in your sudden and tragic sorrow. His Majesty feels that the nation has lost one of its most able and daring pilots to sacrifice his life for the fame and honour of British flying” Rescue and Adulation Below: Welcoming crowds in London for aviator Harry Hawker Union Jacks which had been at half mast were raised, Raynham sent a telegram from Newfoundland to London, addressed to Mackenzie Grieves asking him to be his Navigator. Thousands jammed London’s Kings Cross station to welcome the return of the airmen. They were raised shoulder high and carried to Sopwith’s waiting Rolls Royce.  The next day they were received by King George V, who invested each of them with the Air Force Cross. This was the first time this famed decoration had been personally awarded by the King and also the first time the Air Force Cross had been awarded to a civilian.  Hawker and Grieve were awarded a consolation prize of £5,000 by the Daily Mail and Hawker later named his second daughter Mary in honour of the ship that rescued him from a watery grave. Want to read more? See more photos? Click this link to read the full story at ClareHistory.com | HarryHawker Harry Hawker's father George and the Sopwith Tabloid biplane he demonstrated in Australia

TOTAL : 26 Floods in 50 years !! 7 August 1852 - There was continual heavy rain in the Clare area over a period of 10 hours. This completely washed out all the houses at Clare and Stanley Flats. It was reported a man named Harry James was drowned in the vicinity of Watervale. 11 May 1861 - Continuous rain over three days and nights in Riverton district caused flooding of the Gilbert River. 2 July 1861 - Continuous rains around Riverton flooded the Gilbert River and inundated cellars with some property damage. Farmers were pleased by the rains. 22 December 1861 - Severe storms caused minor flooding of low-lying land around Stockport. 22 July - 1 August 1862 - It was reported that the proprietor of the Clare Castle Inn, Jame Glynne, and his horse were drowned in the flood as they attempted to cross the Light River at Baker's Flat. 27-29 August 1863 - Heavy rainfalls resulted in flooding of the Gilbert and Wakefield Rivers with some damage to property. 5-6 April 1867 - Thunderstorms accompanied by heavy rain caused extensive flooding over a wide area with considerable property damage. Communities reporting flood damage included Stockport and Riverton. 5-25 September 1867 - The Gilbert River flooded in Saddleworth. 4-9 October 1867 - Other places that reported floods included Clare. 3 January 1870 - Heavy rains and thunderstorms throughout the Mid-North caused flooding in a number of places including Riverton and Saddleworth. 21-26 January 1870 - Heavy rains and floods were reported from around the State with much associated damage. Flood reports included Tarlee. 22 October - 2 November 1870 - Stormy weather and heavy rains were reported from areas including Clare. There was considerable flooding as creeks and rivers overflowed with accompanying property damage. A woman was drowned in the Hutt River at Clare. 19-31 July 1872 Very heavy floods were reported in the North. Heavy rains fell over a period of 2 days with up to 4 inches reported. Streets in Clare were flooded. The Light and Wakefield Rivers flooded. 11-16 January 1874 - A terrific thunderstorm caused a huge flood in Clare, Auburn, Mintaro, Stockport and Saddleworth. Several bridges were washed away. There was considerable property damage at Clare Friday 16 January 1874, page 2 GREAT FLOODS IN CLARE - 1874 During the last twenty years the matter has been frequently discussed as to whether in the event of a flood of unusual magnitude, Clare from its position would not be inundated. Seasons have rolled on and floods have come, but, save for a few dwellings close on the river, little or no damage has ever been sustained. Under a feeling of security Clare has gone ahead, and annually several substantial buildings have been erected until it has risen into a town of considerable importance. Situated in the centre of a rich agricultural and mining district, factories have sprung into existence, and the various trades have multiplied rapidly, so that the present year was welcomed in with mora than ordinary indications of prosperity. The weather, although unusually dry was reasonable, enabling the agriculturist to gather in the produce of the field in good condition. Sunday 11 January 1874, On Sunday there were evident signs of a change which was hailed with a feeling of welcome. The atmosphere seemed charged with electricity, and the contending elements portended a storm; brilliant streams of electrical fire darted forth from cloud to cloud, and the loud peals of thunder appeared to be overhead while the echo rumbled among the surrounding hills. The rain descended in torrents, and increased to such an extent that in a short time the creeks were overflowing. The Hutt River could not contain the mighty volume of water, and it soon spread over the narrow valley on which the town is situated, and as all the small tributaries discharged their contents the furious flood rushed forth to do its work of destruction. Some persons apprehensive of danger left their houses, but before any precautions could be taken to save property the river rose so high as to overflow the whole town. The main, street became like the channel of a river, and large trees were borne along as if they were very playthings. All the stores and business places had from two to three feet of- water in them, so that not only the goods that were in cellars were destroyed, but a vast amount of stock besides. The loss to storekeepers alone must be over £2000, and many families in circumstances of comfort have lost considerably. All the bridges are damaged, and the bridge in Lennon Street will have to undergo repair before it is safe for traffic. From rising ground on the west side of the town we had a view of the flood while at its height, and it was distressing to see the havoc it was making and the fright the people were in. Men walking to the middle in water were carrying children and women to places of safety, and horses and pigs were turned out in order that they might have a chance of escape. Fences, stockyards, and sheds were swept away, and men and boys were to be seen on the roofs of some houses in low situations, while piles of cases were floating ,down the streets. Miss Lipsett's seminary, situated on rising ground between the river and a tributary, was unapproachable, and some anxiety was manifested for the safety of the inmates as the waters rose up to the floor level. The fruit frees in the garden were wholly submerged, and a house occupied by Mr. Akers was nearly carried away, as only the roof was to be seen. It was fortunate the occupants fled on the first appearance of danger otherwise the family must have been drowned. The English and Scottish and Australian Chartered Bank (above) , a large two-storey building, has been injured to some extent, as the water has caused the foundation on the north side to settle, and the wall has bulged out, and it is feared that it will come down. The flagging on the footpaths in several places was washed up, and the foundations of some buildings were almost undermined. Towards the north end of the town danger was more manifest, the buildings being in close proximity to the main stream, and the ground being somewhat lower, the force of the current was greater, and logs and fencing were dashed against the houses with great fury. In the Commercial Hotel (above right) and other houses in the same locality the water was over the beds, and much property was destroyed. Mr. Harmer (the butcher) turned out his pigs, some of which were carried down the stream while others had enough to do to keep their heads above water. The flood gradually subsided towards evening, and about 6 o'clock we were able to cross the foot bridge on the south side of the town, the railing of which was all gone, but the foot planks were firm. The town presented a sad spectacle. Men and women, drenched in wet, were baling out water, while others were carrying furniture and bedding outside. Storekeepers with all available help were removing their goods and emptying cellars. The calamity has cast quite a gloom over the neighbourhood, for although the loss will fall heavily on a few, yet the residents as a whole will suffer also, and it will be some time before Clare recovers its former position. It was thought that the Clare Hotel, being a massive and lofty building, would, on account of its weight, have settled a little in some parts, more especially as the current was strong upon it; but there is no sign of crack or flaw in any part of the' building, which shows that the structure is a substantial one. The Corporation have something before them—in fact that body would require a special grant of £1,000 to be able to do justice-to the town. We believe that the river could be made to carry a much greater volume of water if some labour was bestowed on it. Inchiquin bridge, as it is constructed, is a great barrier, and prevents the flow of water. Having only one span it is not wide enough to allow a free flow, and in this instance the water was dammed back to the manifest injury of property. Now that the bridge will have to undergo repair it would he well to give another span to it and otherwise improve the banks. We do not mean to affirm that the bridge was the cause of the water submerging the town; yet, at the same time, it is evident that the span is not of sufficient width to carry the volume of water in time of floods. It was fortunate that the storm did not last long, and that it occurred during the day. Had it been in the dark there is not the slightest doubt that lives would have been sacrificed, as people would not have known which way to go for shelter, and help could not have been so readily obtainable as it was during the day. No person ever witnessed Clare in such a flooded state before (but see news clippings at top) , and it is possible another such storm may not soon occur. Farmers in the neighbourhood have also sustained loss, having wheat washed away and miles of fencing besides. Gardens have also suffered considerably; large fruit trees were washed down the stream, several of which are now stuck against houses and fences. Mr. Kimber's garden on Stanley Flat has suffered most—orange and other trees having been carried off altogether. It is impossible to estimate the loss in this district. Hill River was also very much swollen, and has done a great amount of damage to Mr. Fisher's property. From every direction- we hear of wreck and ruin, for the waters rose so suddenly that no precautions whatever were taken. At Donnybrook gardens are destroyed, and fruit trees and-fences washed away. A spring cart was swept away from Mr. Pryor's workshop and dashed to pieces, and other articles of less value were also borne away with the stream. Men struggling to save a horse and cart in the waters of Willochra Creek, near Quorn Further up the river some of the farmers sustained serious loss, but Mr. FT Bray is the greatest sufferer in that direction. His wheat was all reaped and in heaps, and the whole of it was carried clean away. At Sevenhill the rain poured down in torrents, and Mr. N. Richardson lost fourteen bags of wheat; Mr. Jacob's tan pits were swamped, and his loss is considerable. Penwortham and Watervale escaped without much injury being done to property —roads and bridges however, were greatly damaged. At Leasingham the flood was frightful and the inmates of houses along the creek had enough to do to save themselves. A great many of the houses were submerged, and several families have had their property destroyed. Monday 12 January 1874 On Monday afternoon Clare was again thrown into a state, of the greatest excitement. Huge thunder clouds overspread the sky, and almost darkened the face of nature as the rain came down with great fury. A repetition of Sunday's flood was anticipated, and preparations were quickly made to ward off the water: doors were blocked up, and the entrance to cellars covered with all possible haste. The water rushed along the streets, and men were hurrying to-and-fro to render assistance. The river again rose considerably, but did not overflow its banks. The storm gradually passed away and the water subsided, to the great relief of all who were within its sweep. The rainfall on Sunday in Clare was 4.562 inches, and on Monday 1.470 inches. 7-17 June 1875 - Heavy Rains over 9 days caused widespread flooding. The Hutt River overflowed its banks at Clare cutting all communication to the south. A woman, Catherine Eganwas drowned. At Riverton, the main street and some of the local shops and residences were flooded. 11-16 February 1877  - Torrential rain and thunderstorms were reported from around the State. This led to short term flooding in Mid-North towns including Riverton, Clare and Auburn. 18-26 March 1877  - Widespread rains were reported in many areas of South Australia. Serious flooding was reported in Clare and Saddleworth. 21-26 September 1877 - Near Clare, a man and his horse drowned trying to cross Skillogallee Creek. The Hutt River flooded with a loss of bridges. 17-29 July 1878  - Areas north of Adelaide reported rain and winds for a period of days. This led to reports of flooding and damage in many communities including Clare. 10-11 January 1881 - Heavy rain accompanied by wind led to serious floods in Clare with accompanying property damage. Auburn, Riverton and Watervale reported flooding. Eyre Creek flooded at Watervale 1910 16-28 June 1883 - Heavy rains occurred over a period of days with up to 3 inches in a single downpour. Flooding was reported in Clare. Bridges were washed away crops were lost and property damaged. 26-29 July 1883 - Gales and rain caused flooding around Clare. 21-22 June 1887 - Heavy rains caused the Wakefield River to overflow and flood causing some property damage. 1-6 April 1889 - Thunderstorms and widespread heavy rains , measuring 4-5 inched, caused problems in many districts of South Australia. The Gilbert and tributary creeks overflowed. Flooding was reported from Riverton to Blyth. 20-28 January 1890 - Scattered thunderstorms and torrential rain were reported north of Adelaide. Over 5.5 inches fell on Stockport Creek and 4 inches at Stockport, where homes were flooded causing significant damage. The Rivers Light, Gilbert and Wakefield, broke their banks and caused flooding in various country towns and country from Hoyleton to Balaklava. 1-8 February 1890 - Flooding reports came from the Mid-North with damage to roads, fences, telegraph lines, railway lines and other property. Floodwaters on Main Road to Clare, Koolunga TOTAL : 26 Floods in 50 years !! Read more: Floods in 19th Century Clare Floods in 20th Century Clare

--- Mail : 1847   ; Telegrams : 1860  ; Telephone : 1908  --- In December, 1838, Mr. Henry Watts was appointed S.A. Postmaster-General, with one clerk to complete the establishment. Branch offices were opened in due course, the first at Port Adelaide, the second at Port Lincoln. The year's revenue of the department in 1840 was only £232 4s. 5d. The net loss on the post and telegraph services was in 1883 £15,297. That was a decrease of nearly £8,000 from the loss of the previous year. In February, 1855, Mr. Todd  received his appointment as Superintendent of Telegraphs and Observer.  The first telegraph line — between Adelaide and the Port — was opened on February 18, 1856. The first settlers in Clare gave their address as The Twins  (named for a waterhole) or Inchiquin , the name of Paddy Gleeson's homestead, or Gleeson's Village . From 1846 residents' addresses in the census were recorded as Clare Village  or Clareville. The population of Clare Village  was a gathering of shepherds, hut-keepers, farm and domestic servants, stockmen and artisans, all employed by a few station gentlemen. (Noye, p16) The first mail service  was established in 1847, a bag being dropped (at Inchiquin ) on weekly trips to Bungaree Station, from Gawler (see above) . By the 1850's a more frequent mail service was provided with a regular coach line operating between Clare and the Gawler rail terminus. By 1851 Clare received three mail deliveries each week. With the railway extension from Adelaide to Kapunda in 1860 the mail coach then ran between Clare and Kapunda. A rival service still ran from Gawler to Clare and then to Mt. Remarkable. When t he Peterborough railway line  was opened from Riverton on 20 December 1869, then the mail coach ran from Clare to Riverton . Telegraph Service The Telegraph service  at the Clare Post Office was connected in 1860 and then quickly extended to Burra. The telegraph instrument was first installed in a room of the Shamrock and Thistle Hotel , (formerly Ford's Hotel ) on the corner of Burton Street and Main Street. Land for a Telegraph Office on Main Street was donated by James Wright and a foundation stone laid on 9 February 1860. The two-story building was completed by September 1860, and the telegraphic instruments transferred to there. Later in the month, the Post Office was also moved to this building. Officer Belcher then had the dual responsibility for postal and telegraphic services. When the Clare telegraph was completed in 1860, telegrams could be sent through Adelaide to Sydney and Melbourne. When the Overland Telegraph  was completed (by Charles Todd ) to Port Darwin in 1872, telegrams could be sent to worldwide destinations. 1918 Telegram re Kaiser abdication South Australian Register (Adelaide, SA : 1839 - 1900), Thursday 26 January 1860, page 3 Clare, January 24 1860: On Friday last the telegraphic line to Clare was declared to be in complete working order, and was opened under the direction of Mr. Todd, the Superintendent of Telegraphs, and Mr. Fowler, Inspector of Lines, who dispatched a message to the Mount Gambier office, and in a minute and a half received a congratulatory reply. The efficiency of the line being thus satisfactorily proved, messages were severally sent by Mr. E. B. Gleeson , J.P., to His Excellency (the Governor), and by Mr. Todd  to the Hon. the Commissioner of Public Works, to which satisfactory answers were received in an inconsiderably short space of time. Following this most unmistakable success came an inaugural luncheon, presided over by Mr. E. B. Gleeson , supported by Messrs. Lennon, Macaulay, Filgate, Todd , &c., &c., which was, however, but scantily attended, owing in a great measure to the stewards having neglected to give due notice of the day. However, scanty as the gathering was, hilarity was the order of the occasion, the Chairman proposing "The Health of Her Majesty, the Prince Consort, and the Royal Family," and finally of the Governor, in due order. Then came the toast of the day— " Success to the South Australian Telegraphic Communication, " coupled with the name of Mr. Todd , the guest of the occasion. Mr. Todd responded in appropriate terms, and evidently was much gratified at his cordial reception. The town and trade of Clare, Mr. Fowler's health, Mr. Lennon's, the Colonial Architect's department, Mr. Belcher's health (the local officer at Clare), Mr. Gleeson's, and the Hostess's followed in rapid succession; and at 5 o'clock the merry party separated, well pleased at the stride in advance their rising little township had taken. In the 1870's a new third courtroom was built in Clare, and the old second courthouse in Clare was remodelled to become the new and much larger Post Office which opened in July 1880, next door to the old Post office, and near to an old brewery, now a bakery. 1904 Postcard from Clare Sir Charles Todd retires : Saturday 29 November 1913, page 14 TELEPHONE TO CLARE. The Clare exchange was started in 1908 with five subscribers, and connection with Adelaide by means of the condenser process (on telegram lines) was made in 1910, but the (noisy) 'buzzer' was only the pioneer service, and the number of subscribers had increased through the work of the vigilance committee, to such an extent that the erection of the trunk line was justified. The first telephone line in 1906 was installed between the home of Dr. Otto Wien Smith and his brother, Dr. Alfred Smith. The first 7 private telephone subscribers from 1910, were almost all the local pastoralists: Clare Brewery, Pioneer Ave. D.T. Angus, Hill River Station E.W. Hawker, Calcannia Station W. Hawker, Anama Station M.S. Hawker, North Bungaree Station R. M. Hawker, Bungaree Station J. Hill, Inchiquin Clare Telephone Exchange Establishment at Ness Street, Clare, SA 5453 A new telephone exchange opened on 21 November 1913 behind the Post Office, and simultaneously, on the same day, November 21, 1913, at 3p.m., the Mayor of Clare (Mr. W. G. B. Lewcock) rang up the Deputy Postmaster General in Adelaide (Mr. E. W. Bramble) and congratulated him upon the completion of the trunk telephone line between Adelaide and Clare. On behalf of the councillors and residents generally he thanked the department for providing the improved service, and expressed the hope and belief that the number of subscribers would speedily increase. Mr. Lewcock's remarks were endorsed by Mr. T. Gillen, president of the vigilance committee; Mr. D. Menzie, secretary, and Mr. J. Bailes. Mr. Bramble, in reply said the department realised the importance of putting all the big towns, as far as possible, in touch with the city by means of the telephone. The connection with Clare was part of a system that would be extended to Rochester shortly, and the question of carrying a trunk line to Blyth was under consideration. The Blyth trunk line was connected via Kybunga to Adelaide. So calls from Blyth to Clare were trunk calls, costing 2s 4d. (via Adelaide). Then Tenders were called for extensive alterations to the Post Office Building, which was in the old (second) courthouse. So postal equipment, telegraph instruments, and the telephone switchboard were temporarily moved to the new (third, and present) Courthouse, while the Clare court functions moved to the upstairs room of the Clare Institute next doors. The renovated Post Office was opened in June 1915, by which time there were 48 telephone subscribers. Letter delivery to Clare premises was first enabled by 16-year old Alexander Taylor, Clare's first postman, on 1 June 1915 (far left of above photograph). In 1913 there were 32 Clare subscribers, and Mr. Bramble was satisfied that the- number would Increase largely when, the public realised what an advantage it was to be able to speak to subscribers in Adelaide. He sent his best wishes to the residents, and congratulated them on the completion of the work. The new line cost £630, and the distance between the Clare and Adelaide exchanges is about 88 miles. The old Police Station and cells behind the Post Office were demolished to make way for a new automatic telephone exchange, which opened on 2nd December 1961. The new brick Post Office was opened on 3rd March 1969.

One of the oldest construction techniques in existence, Dry stone walling involves constructing walls by simply stacking stones on top of each other. Unlike brick walls, which require wet mortar to hold them together, dry stone walling involves no mortar at all. These walls simply rely on gravity, along with the skills of those who build them, for their stability.  Jump to section: Hill River Station - Old Canowie - Browne Hill Range - Bundaleer - Hampton - Princess Royal, The Gap - Mintaro & Kadlunga - Stone fence stops fire - Reference Camel Hump Wall, Hill River Station The longest continuous dry stone wall in Australia is the Camel Hump Wall , which stretches approximately 65 kilometres from Farrell Flat to Booborowie in South Australia's mid-north, along the Camel's Hump and into the Browne Hill Ranges. No one can doubt that this wall starts at Hill River Station, by Claremont Farm, and was built for old Colonist C. B. Fisher . More information: claremuseum.com | Heard about the great Hill River Stone Wall? Hill River Station was once the largest farm in S.A. and was the jewel in the crown of early businessman C.B. Fisher . The first three kilometres of this wall pass Gerald Lally's Claremont Farm, formerly part of Gum Creek Station . This southern section of the wall first appears on a map from 1860. See - Farming on a Large Scale The first sixteen km. of this wall were built by Patrick (or Peter) O'Grady. Above: The last section of Camel's Hump Wall passes through Munduney Station on the huge historic Canowie run. 2. Old Canowie homestead surrounds. Initially established over 80,000 acres, this station carried 63,000 sheep. The dry stone walls there are legendary. This historic pastoral property was west of Hallett on the way to Jamestown, and was taken up as part of the Drs William and James Browne’s Booborowie run in 1843 when it totalled 319 square miles. The front paddock along Wilkins Drive has a dry stone wall at least 300 metres long, recently renovated. 3. Browne Hill Range This is actually the top end of the Camel Hump Range, and the northern end of the old dry stone wall 65 km. long from Claremont farm. 4. Bundaleer and Campbell Range Bundaleer forest was planted as recommended by George Goyder in 1876. It has water, stone, and dry stone walls, and now covers 3200 hectares, the first forest plantation in Australia. 5. Hampton Village (near Burra) On the outskirts of Burra, the stone ruins and foundations are the only remains of the former township of Hampton Village, once a bustling settlement during the peak mining period in Burra from the1860s. From Weekend Notes - A Walk in Hampton Village Following the discovery of copper in Burra, the South Australian Mining Association laid out the town of Kooringa in 1846. To provide alternative housing for the miners and their families, the townships of Redruth, Aberdeen, Llwchwr and Hampton were a privately surveyed. The sale of allotments began in 1858 and by 1866, over 30 dwellings and a Chapel sat beside the stone quarry of Hampton Village. The houses in Hampton village were predominantly simple two or three roomed cottages built from stone from the local quarry, inhabited mainly by copper miners and a few farmers. 6. Princess Royal Station and the Gap A dry stone wall forms the southern boundary with the neighbouring property, "The Gap" as it marches up a huge hill from the Burra Creek, totalling over four kilometres. There is the ruin of a dry stone Shepherd's Hut at The Gap, similar to this ruin at Bimbowrie. 7. Mintaro and Kadlunga "Mintaro",wrote Bruce Munday, "partly because of its world famous slate, salutes stone in a graceful manner." Yvonne's Slideshow of Mintaro and Kadlunga dry stone walls Slideshow: Heritage S.A. Mintaro dry-stone walls Stone Fences and Fire A STONE wall made about 150 years ago helped stop a grassfire on a property near Moculta during South Australia's bushfires last week. The wall, built by the early settlers, halted the grassfire in its tracks at the property, which was hit by the Eden Valley fires. ADVERTISER - 21 Jan 2014 SA author Bruce Munday was helping to mop up the fires on Sunday when he saw the remarkable impact the stone wall had on the blaze. For Mr Munday, who wrote a book on the dry-stone walls that run across South Australia, it's another lesson from the people who settled the state. Reference: " Those Dry Stone Walls Revisited " by Bruce Munday and Kristin Munday. "Beautiful stone was nature’s gift to South Australia, and an irresistible building material for early settlers. Many stone walls, without mortar or with no more than mud to stem the breeze, have defied gravity and the elements all these years. Or did gravity combine with friction and deft balance to sustain them?" Join Bruce Munday (pictured above) and Kristin Munday as they traverse South Australia in search of those walls, seeking answers and documenting the adventure. Discover historic masterpieces and insights into rural life in the years following European settlement. And meet the custodians of the walls, rightly proud of this heritage, who shared their stories. Also See: claremuseum.com | Heard about the great Hill River Stone Wall? Stone by stone, St Mary's walls are framing a legacy (ABC Sun 14 July) Dry stone walls should be heritage listed before constructions fall into disrepair, organisation says (ABC 17 May 2015) The fight to restore Australia's historic dry stone walls (ABC 3 April 2024)

The township of Clare is home to two wineries at opposite ends of the town: The Knappstein Enterprise Winery , 2 Pioneer Ave, Clare SA (the old Clare Brewery), and Mr Mick Cellar Door and Kitchen , 7 Dominic St, Clare SA (the old Stanley Winery) and book-ended by Jim Barry Wines in the north, and Tim Adams Wines to the south. A third original Clare Winery was The Clarevale Cooperative Winery, the buildings of which still survive in Lennon Street Clare across from the Clarevale Cottage , the old Manager's home. The Knappstein Story 2 Pioneer Avenue, Clare South Australia 5453 (near the northern bend of the Hutt River in Clare) 1878 Enterprise Brewery Built Fanny Filgate (daughter of Paddy Gleeson) was an entrepreneurial businesswomen.  She constructed the Enterprise Brewery in August 1878 and was completed early in 1880. As the copper mining industry took off at Burra, so did Fanny’s beer sales.   1905 Brewery renamed to Clare Brewery In 1905 the name was changed to Clare Brewery and during that time, the brewery owned no less than fifteen hotels in Clare and the surrounding district. Clare businessman John Christison had bought the business. Beer was delivered over a wider area including being transported to Broken Hill by rail. John Christison had died, and his wife Di Christison took over. The brewery was enlarged, the roof of the building lifted, the tower reconstructed, and an elevator fitted in 1913, which enabled 1,000 gallons of beer to be produced daily, 200 hogsheads per week. Shorter hotel trading hours were introduced in 1916 that led to a drop in sales, and within one year the brewery was closed.   1917 Clare Mineral Waters In 1917, the brewery was leased and commenced trading as the Clare Mineral Waters Company, producing a range of soft drinks and cordials until 1976.  It was led by Frank Bulfield who had visited Clare in 1910 on a sporting trip and liked it so much he returned to take up the role as brewery secretary in 1912. By 1960, Clare Mineral Waters had nine staff and an annual wages bill of £6000.  1976 Enterprise Winery established The Enterprise brewery building was established as a winery by Tim Knappstein and wife in 1976 and was known as Clare Enterprise Winery, named for the Enterprise wine plantings. It later became known as the (Tim) Knappstein Enterprise Winery . Tim Adams' two wineries: Mr Mick and Tim Adams Mr Mick has a fascinating history Mr. Mick Wines, Cellar Door and Kitchen are named after the late K.H. (Mr. Mick) Knappstein, an Australian winemaking legend and Tim Adams’ mentor and friend. In the early 1890’s there were already 150 acres of vines in the Clare Valley. Brewer John Christison, one of the larger growers, could see a need to process the grapes, and as a consequence approached Joseph (J.H.) Knappstein, Otto Wein Smith and Magnus Badge (a local solicitor) to establish a winery. In 1894 the four men contributed £350 each to purchase the recently failed Clare Jam and Preserving Works and proceeded to establish the necessary equipment for winemaking. (Above: Then ) The location for this winery was down by the southern Hutt River in Clare, at 7 Dominic Street, Clare South Australia 5453 (Below: Now) Mick Knappstein wrote : In 1902 my father Joseph Knappstein returned to Clare to take charge of the Stanley Wine Company, due to a crisis in the export side of the business. He travelled to London and proceeded to open up new markets for the company. Joseph Knappstein returned to South Australia by 1909 and by 1914 had bought out the other three partners in the Stanley Wine Company. Just three years later, in 1919 Joseph died, leaving behind a young family and the business was entrusted (unsuccessfully) to the management of Elders. In 1935, when the time approached for the Knappstein family to take control of the business again, we took action that was to be the salvation of the company. In 1954 the wine industry experienced a slump, but the Stanley Wine Company purchased another piece of land at Leasingham, planting almost all 50 acres with Riesling. In 1954 Stanley also became involved with supplying wine to Lindemanns in NSW. In 1962 Mick Knappstein (Mr. Mick) took over as managing director. During this time the family encouraged growers to plant more suitable varieties and increased our own grape plantings. Production increased enormously and we were able to supply a large section of the industry with the varieties that they lacked. This was one of our big successes. The company was renamed Stanley Leasingham winery. In 1967 son Tim Knappstein joined the staff at Stanley as winemaker. He proved to be a very good winemaker and still is. The Knappstein family must be grateful to our winemakers for the fortunate situation in which we found ourselves prior to selling. The (aging) Knappstein family shareholders eventually sold to (multinational) H.J. Heinz in 1971, and Tim Knappstein was kept on as winemaker. Mr. Mick was retained as manager / managing director in an amicable outcome. Owners H.J. Heinz moved the wine-making to a very large plant in the Riverland, and the Clare Stanley Wine Company premises were vacated. In 2011 Tim Adams and wife purchased the Stanley Winey at Dominic Street, Clare, and renamed it ' Mr Mick ' (the Stanley Name was owned by Heinz, and the Knappstein name owned by Accolade). Tim Adams' Winery just south of Clare 1987 was an eventful year for the newly named Tim Adams Wines, with the purchase of the current winery site at Warenda Road in Clare and arrival of daughter Frances. Our cellar door was opened and the first grapes crushed on site the following year. The decades that followed brought with them a natural evolution of the company, the physical site and the wines themselves. These years of hard work, passion and curiosity have resulted in a progressive family winery that is committed to creating elegant wines, without forgetting its obligation to the Australian wine industry, environment and wider community. Tim Adams Wines now has a presence in all major international markets and is the constant recipient of awards, reviews and accolades both in Australia and overseas. Jim Barry Winery , just north of Clare Jim Barry  was a pioneer of the Australian wine industry and was the first qualified winemaker to work in the Clare Valley. He founded Jim Barry Wines  in 1974, although earlier in 1959 Jim and his wife, Nancy, purchased their first property and vineyards on the northern outskirts of Clare. Jim Barry was the first qualified winemaker in the Clare Valley, graduating with the 17th Degree in Oenology from the famous Roseworthy Agricultural College in 1947. Working for 22 years as winemaker at the Clarevale Co-operative, Jim Barry became a pioneer of Australian table wine. He then went on to establish Taylors Wines in 1969 for the Taylor family at Auburn, high in the Clare Valley. Jim's wife Nancy proved a driving force in the formation of Jim Barry Wines and sons, Peter, Mark & John were involved in the company’s rise. Peter Barry became managing director in 1985. Today Peter’s children Tom, Sam and Olivia work for Jim Barry Wines as winemaker, commercial manager and brand ambassador respectively. Current custodian’s, Peter & Sue Barry, are deeply proud that Jim Barry Wines is still family owned, with three generations of Roseworthy graduates. Read more: Clare Museum | The Story of Clare's Wineries | Chapter 4. Clare Wineries in the post-War Boom Clare Valley Knappstein Enterprise Winery Mr Mick Cellar Door and Kitchen Tim Adams Wines Jim Barry Wines

The Advertiser (Adelaide, SA) Wed 18 Feb 1903 SUGGESTIONS OE FOUL PLAY. (By our Special Reporter.) Clare. February 17, 1903 Six miles from Clare lies, the unpretentious little village of Penwortham, which just at present is probably more widely talked of than at any previous period of its history. The cause of the unwonted publicity lies in the mystery attached to the death of the oldest resident, Mr. Joseph Ninnes. This has caused the place to be visited by an unusual number of strangers, chiefly medical experts and police officers. Note: all Illustrations are not actual pictures of the participants. The Death The deceased was found lying on the floor of his room on February 5, his body bearing evidences of the fire which had occurred in his bedroom. No suspicions were aroused at the time, and the coroner decided not to hold an inquest. Mr. Ninnes, who was 82 years of age, married his third wife about 15 years ago, but at the time of his death they occupied separate rooms. This accounts for the fact that no one was in the room when the tragedy occurred. It was stated after the burial of the body that the deceased on the day before he died had told one of his sons that he was displeased with his wife, and that he intended to alter his will. This and many other rumours that have gained currency will probably be fully investigated by the police. The deceased was said to have been latterly exceedingly petulant and hard to please, but it has not been shown that there was any evidence of active hostility between him and his wife. An inquest was opened in Clare on Tuesday evening, and after evidence of identification and the medical testimony had been taken, the enquiry was adjourned till Monday next to enable the police to make a more thorough enquiry. Index : Feb 19 Exhumation Feb 18 Widow's Evidence Feb 19 Son's Statement Feb 24 Warburton in the Box Feb 25 Widow Examination March 3 Important Evidence March 4 Evidence by Dr Smith March 5 Evidence from Rohrlach labourers March 11 Summing Up and Verdict THE PENWORTHEN MYSTERY. DEATH OF JOSEPH NINNES. EXHUMATION AND INQUEST, (From Our Own Correspondent.) ADELAIDE, Feb. 19. 1903 A great deal of interest has been aroused in what is now known as the Penwortham mystery. Later reports seem to indicate that the circumstances surrounding the death. of the old man Joseph Ninnes require thorough investigation. The facts as gathered are that early on the morning of February 5 Ninnes was found somewhat severely burned in his bedroom, which was on fire. He died soon after being dragged out. No inquest was held, and the body was buried. Afterwards certain rumours were circulated. It was stated that unpleasantness had arisen between the Husband and wife, which led the former to alter his will. This was done on the day the fatality occurred. In consequence of the rumours the body was exhumed. An inquest was opened and then adjourned. Ninnes, who was 82 years of age, is said to have left property valued at £15,000. He had been married three times. His latest wife is a comparatively young woman. A statement has been made by a young woman, Susan Wyman, who was staying in the house at the time of the occurrence, in regard to the movements of a farm hand named John Warburton. Miss Wyman says she was aroused by hearing cries as of someone in pain. She jumped out of the window, and noticed the place on fire. She went to the front of the house, and saw Warburton standing on the verandah with Mrs. Ninnes. Warburton wanted, her (witness) to promise that she would not say she had seen him there if anyone asked her, but she did not promise. Mrs. Ninnes also urged her to say he was not there. Miss Wyman replied, 'I will not tell a lie. If I am asked I will say he was here. She added that she had not seen Warburton since. A neighbour, J. Brazier, who had been called to assist at the extinguishing of the fire, said that Mrs. Ninnes had informed him that Warburton left the farm at midday on the day previous to the fire. Warburton had told him that he had had a bit of a row. with Mrs. Ninnes, and was going to work on a farm near Kapunda. Joseph Trestrail, another neighbour, said Warburton went to his place at midnight on Saturday after the fire to inquire for Mrs. Ninnes. Trestrail asked him if he was at the house when the tragedy occurred. He replied he thought it was on the previous Tuesday, that he left. Afterwards he said he left on the following day. The inquest is to be resumed on Monday. About a dozen witnesses have to be examined. THE INQUEST . Clare, February 17. (from above report) The body of Mr. Joseph Ninnes, who was burned to death on February 4, was exhumed today at Penwortham. Detectives Priest and Dempsey are in charge of the case, assisted by Mounted-Constable Farmer. The jury were sworn in at Penwortham this afternoon, and having viewed the body, and the premises where the fire occurred, the coroner (Mr. John Christison) adjourned the enquiry to Clare. Drs. Ramsay Smith and Rogers made a post-mortem examination of the body. The inquest was opened at the Clare Courthouse at 8 o'clock. Mr. E. J. Scott was chosen as foreman of the jury. Peter McDougall, carpenter, Clare, who had buried the deceased, said he had attended that day at the Penwortham Cemetery, and assisted at the exhumation. He saw the coffin opened, and the body was that of the deceased, Joseph Ninnes. Dr. Ramsay Smith said the coffin was disinterred and opened in his presence, and the body was identified by Mr. McDougall as that of Joseph Ninnes. Witness afterwards made an examination of the body. Read the rest of the injuries detailed at the inquest (lots of details!) At the request of Detective Priest the enquiry was adjourned till Monday next at 10.30 a.m. Dr. Ramsay Smith and Dr. Rogers will return to Adelaide to-morrow morning. THE CLARE MYSTERY. NINNES'S BODY EXHUMED. ADELAIDE, Tuesday. Geelong Advertiser (Vic.) Thu 19 Feb 1903 Page 4 Sensational, developments are expected regarding the manner in which the old man Joseph Ninnes met with his death at Penwortham, near Clare, on February 5th 1903. The city coroner (Dr Ramsay Smith), with Dr Rogers and Detectives Priest and Dempsey, went to Penwortham, where the body was exhumed, and the doctors conducted a thorough examination. The deceased, who was 82 years of age, was married three times , his last wife being only 23 at the time of his marriage. She survives him. Mrs. Ninnes's story of how her husband met his death was to the effect that on the night of February 5th she and her son (Bertie), 14 years of age, were living in the house with Ninnes, and towards morning woke to find the place on fire. They tried to rescue the old man, but were unsuccessful, and when the fire was extinguished his dead body was found huddled up in a corner of his bedroom. When the doctor was called in, he discovered marks on the nose and forehead, but surmised that these were caused by falls from his bed. The widow did not mention that anyone else was staying at the house at the time, and when the servant girl casually mentioned in her account of the fire that a man was also there the friends of the deceased became suspicious , and demanded an inquest, a request which the Attorney-General granted. The inquest was opened in the Clare courthouse tonight. (17 Feb 1903) with Mr. John Christison (former mayor of Clare) as coroner. Dr Ramsay Smith, who conducted the post-mortem examination, stated that, in addition to burns all over the body, the scalp was injured in two places not quite to the depth of the hone, and the skin was broken in other places. The injuries might have been caused by a fall or a knock. Death might have occurred either from burns or suffocation, but burns were not likely to have caused death suddenly. Deceased's heart was diseased, and this also might have caused death. He could not say whether the suffocation was due to strangulation or not. He had never known death to occur in a few hours from burns such as those he saw on the deceased's body. At the request of the police the inquest was adjourned until Saturday.— Register (Adelaide, SA), Wednesday 18 February 1903, page 5 THE PENWORTHAM MYSTERY. EXHUMATION OF THE BODY. STATEMENTS BY RELATIVES AND OTHERS. THE WIDOWS VERSION. OPENING OF THE INQUEST [By our Special Reporter.] CLARE, February 17. For close upon half a century peaceful serenity has reigned supreme at Penwortham— an old-time "Polish village" near Clare - but the delightful obscurity which has kept it from public notice for all these years, was broken with striking suddenness on Tuesday. The result is to-day that the eyes of all Australia are upon this quiet spot. Mr. Joseph Ninnes, a respected and valued settler of Penwortham is reported to have died on February 5 from the results of a burning accident. This is said to have been caused through a lamp falling from a washstand in his bedroom on to the floor, and setting the bedclothes alight. He was discovered by his wife penned in the corner of the room, and being old and feeble was unable to do anything for himself. With the assistance of her boy, of about 14 years, Mrs. Ninnes managed to move her husband, but he fell on to the bed, which was well alight at the time. After an effort she succeeded in dragging the prostrate body, to the passage, and called in a neighbour. On arrival the neighbour fancied that Mr. Ninnes was dead, and Dr. Smith, who was sent for, pronounced life to be extinct when he examined the body. This was practically the story told by Mrs. Ninnes, and on this statement Mr. Bentley, a local justice, gave a certificate of burial. The matter would possibly have ended there, but people will gossip and one thing leading to another, a chain of suspicion was woven. The day before the fire (sons) Messrs. Joseph and William John Ninnes, sons of the deceased by his first wife, called upon the old gentleman, and had a long chat about their private affairs. The outcome was that Mr. Ninnes, sen., decided that he should call in next day his banker, and have a talk with him. The position of the wife was discussed at the time, and the sons then drove away, leaving their father in good health and spirits. Next morning they were called in to view his dead body. They found the face covered with burnt feathers, and almost unrecognisable. When next they saw the body it was laid out ready for burial, and they state that they were surprised to find that the face looked so much better than they expected. There were, however, marks or dents on the nose and forehead, which it was surmised were caused when the deceased fell. During her description of the occurrence Mrs. Ninnes did not say that anybody was staying at the house, and when the servant girl happened to mention casually that some one was there the friends of the deceased instantly took the matter up. Mr. Magnus Badger , solicitor, of Clare, was retained and requested to ask the Government to exhume the body, and at the same time order that an inquest should be held. Mr. Badger forwarded the request on Friday last, and on Monday Dr. Ramsay Smith was instructed to have the body exhumed and to hold a post mortem. He was also directed to arrange for the holding of an inquest. Detective Priest left Adelaide on Monday to arrange for the exhumation, and Dr. Ramsay Smith, in company with Dr. Rogers, made the trip on Tuesday. to Penwortham and its Cemetery. — Detective Priest was waiting at the cemetery gates for the arrival of the coach. — Penwortham—   is but a wayside village, and even the coach driver or mail conductor might be excused for passing it in his sleep. It is six miles south of Clare, and first on the Adelaide side of Sevenhill. There are not more than 20 houses all told. The place does not boast of an hotel, but it has two places of worship —   Church of England and Methodist. Horrocks, the explorer, who lost his life in Horrocks Pass, is credited with having founded the village about 1844, and he certainly must have done a great deal for the district, because in the little cemetery is a magnificent tomb erected to his memory, and a memorial plate in the Anglican Church, within the precincts of the burial ground. There are not many graves. The grave of the deceased (Joseph Ninnes) was situated almost in the centre. A tombstone conveys the intelligence that the deceased's second wife was lying there, and the coffin containing his body was alongside. It was a solid casket, and nicely mounted, and when the lid was raised the following inscription was seen:— "Joseph Ninnes, aged 82 years. Died February 5. 1903." —The Exhumation.— The work of exhumation did not take long, and everything was in readiness for the jury to view the body at 2 o'clock. A gruesome sight was presented. As soon as the jury had completed their task in the cemetery, Dr. Ramsay Smith and Dr. Rogers began their distasteful task. Dr. Frederick Smith was present during the whole time, and Detectives Priest and Dempsey, who had charge of the case, were in attendance. The doctors, who did their work thoroughly, were over two hours conducting their investigations, under the shelter of a neighbouring tree. They examined the body most minutely. They drove into Clare about 6 o'clock this evening, and immediately prepared for the inquest. This is about the thirtieth exhumation which Dr. Ramsay Smith has conducted. —Deceased and His Family.— From all accounts, the deceased was a fine old Cornishman, beloved by all. He was fully 6 feet in height, and must have turned the scale at 14 stone. Towards the close of his life he became feeble, and his sight materially gave way. He arrived in South Australia about 1848, and started working at Burra Mines. Early in the fifties he settled at Rosenvale, which lies a mile to the west of Penwortham, and practically at the head of the Skilly Hills. Here he had a good property, consisting of a seven-roomed house, comfortably furnished, and about 400 acres of land. His first wife was Miss Roach, a relative of Mr. J. Roach . Their children were Mr. Joseph Ninnes, of Tarcowie: Mr. Thomas Ninnes, of Mannanarie; Mr. William John Ninnes. of Blyth and Mrs. Watts wife of the Rev. J. Watts. Shortly after the death of his first wife the Deceased married Mrs. Clarke, a widow, who lived for about 21 years after the marriage. There were no children by this union. Mr. Ninnes then married the widow who survives him (Annie Lane), and who at the time was about 23 years of age. She is a daughter of Mr. M. Lane, of Hoyleton, and bore her husband two children— Bertie, who is now 14 years of age, and Mabel, who is about nine. —A Son's Statement.— During the afternoon I had a chat with Mr. William John Ninnes, the youngest son of the deceased by the first wife. Mr. Ninnes said:— I am a farmer, at Blyth, and rented the farm off my father. In company with my brother Joseph I was at my father's residence the day before he was burnt. We talked of many matters, including monetary, and the position of my step-mother. She handled my father's money, and, after our chat, he said he would call the banker up in the morning and have a talk with him. The next thing I heard was my father's death. I saw the body, and it was covered with feathers and stuff, and it was almost unrecognisable. My father was on perfectly friendly terms with all my brothers as well as myself. Kalgoorlie Western Argus (WA), Tuesday 24 February 1903, page 30 THE PENWORTHEN MYSTERY. DEATH OF JOSEPH NINNES. ADELAIDE, Feb. 19. A great deal of interest has been aroused in what is now known as the Penwortham mystery . Later reports seem to indicate that the circumstances surrounding the death of the old man Joseph Ninnes require thorough investigation. Evening Journal (Adelaide, SA), Tuesday 24 February 1903, page 1 WAS MR. NINNES MURDERED? INQUEST RESUMED. from our special BEPORTER CLARE, February 23 1903; The inquest on the body of Joseph Ninnes, of Penwortham, was resumed at the Clare Courthouse at half-past 10 this morning. The building was crowded with men and women. Mr. John Cbristison acted as Coroner. Mr. Herbert, M.P., appeared for Jack Warburton, arid Mr. M. Badger for the three eldest sons of the deceased. —Continuing Widow's Evidence— Question by the Jury—The deceased's lamp stood on the back part of the washstand, and a soap dish was between the lamp and the bed, on the stand. The lamp had a kerosine capacity of about a pint, and was nearly full on the night of the fire. The will, deeds, and a few pounds were kept in a safe in deceased's room. The safe key was deposited in a locked drawer the key of which kept usually in her husband's vest pocket, but on the night of the fire it was left in the lock by herself before she went to Clare. In pulling the deceased out of the room they pushed the bed aside, and so did not disturb the broken lamp and jug on the floor. She got her hands burnt and hair singed in the endeavour to rescue her husband, and that day showed them to Mesdames Kenopki and Robins. Her own clothes were not burnt. A Juryman—Was that not strange? —Mrs. Ninnes—Well, we tried to keep off the fire ourselves. " The Juryman—Seeing that a cup of brandy and water was left on the chair near the bed, can you account for the deceased getting to the washstand ? ' Witness—Yes. He wanted more, as he often did, and he knew where the bottle was kept. That accounts for the cup being on the washstand when we went into the room. By Detective Priest—Her housemaid, Miss Wyman, did not say to her that she was not going to tell any lies, and witness did not tell Miss Wyman that if she made any statements she would not be believed. —"The girl was in her service only three days." She had since been to Miss Wyman's parents' house to pay her, but did not see her. Warburton drove her and the children there. By a Juryman—The deceased's lamp was usually left alight until the morning. On three previous occasions her husband had knocked over a lamp, in the parlour, and once wood in the fender was set alight as a result. By Mr. Lathlean—Her husband was always attired in bed as he was on the night of the fire. The quilt , on which the deceased was dragged from the room was much more blackened at the time than it was to-day. It had since been hanging in the rain. Up to the time of the fire she had been on good terms with her husband and stepsons, and had no suspicion that the latter were unfriendly to her. So far as she was concerned there was no unfriendliness now. By Mr. Herbert — The cut on the deceased's, eyebrow was not there when she saw him standing at the foot of the bed. It must have been caused through his fall on to broken crockery. When she told the stepsons: that she did not care where Warburton was she was indignant at their asking her when Joseph Ninnes accused her of telling a lie in saying that she did not know the whereabouts of Warburton. Everybody in the neighbourhood knew of his presence on the farm, so it would have been useless to lie. Warburton's taking of carbolic was a pure accident, it having been kept with the camphor mixture. Warburton's sister married her brother, and she had no idea he was at Mrs. Cate's when she went there. The meeting was quite accidental. She never asked Miss Wyman to say that Warburton was not at the fire. Wyman on the night of the fire jumped through a window, ran down to the well, and sat down behind a brush fence there. Deceased knew that Warburton was about to. leave the place. By Mr. Badger—Did not tell the stepsons that-her daughter Mabel slept with her on the night of the fire. By the Coroner—On the day before the fire she found fault with Warburton for putting up a crush-pen for the bull, The necessity of which she could not see. He threw his tools down, saying "'Oh, I'll go and find work somewhere else. I can't please you," and after having been paid he left. The examination of Mrs. Ninnes occupied six hours and a quarter, and the reading of the depositions was concluded at 6.30, when the Court adjourned for an hour. The witness gave her evidence with perfect candour and straightforwardness. The Court was again crowded at night. —WARBURTON IN THE BOX.— Mr. John "Warburton, gardener, of Adelaide, received the same caution as the Coroner gave to Mrs. Ninnes. He said he had been working for the deceased a little over four months, and left his employ on February 4. He never had any quarrel or words with the deceased, and on leaving told him the wages, "13/- a week." was not-enough. It was 2 o'clock in the afternoon when he left the premises. Carried no luggage whatever except a bottle of brandy. Did not follow the main road, but went across the hills for a shortcut to Watervale. Having taken a drink of brandy neat, he became drowsy, and lost the use of his legs. He then lay down and slept until sundown. He was then three miles on his way. A Voice in the Court—Who drank the whisky? Police Officer—You will be put out if you are not quiet. The witness, continuing, said at sundown he went on his journey again, and had more brandy. He then slept until 4 o'clock in the morning, when he got up and walked for a mile down the main road and waited for the coach to come along. He never lost his senses through the brandy drinking. Told the coach driver he had slept out and was cold, and would ride inside. He journeyed thus to Saddleworth, and took the train to Tarlee. And travelled by coach to Kapunda. There he went to a boarding house. Did not know who kept it. Was in it only a few days. First heard of Mr. Ninnes's death on Friday, February 6. Thought he would be a help at Penwortham, and on Saturdays turned to the deceased's house, where he arrived at 11 p.m. "Nobody was home, and he enquired at Trestrail's house as to where the family had gone. Said to Mr. Trestrail—"I had some words with Mrs. Ninnes, and left by the midday coach on Wednesday, and went to Kapunda." Did not say to Mr. Trestrail in respect to the fire— "Has any enquiry been made as to how it happened?" He left Mr. Trestrail's and went to Mr. Brazil's house at midnight. Knew the deceased's habits pretty well. "Bertie used to take his lamp away at night sometimes, and when he did not Mrs. Ninnes used to remove it. When at Mr. Brazil's house he heard a trap go to Ninnes's. house, and he went over. That was 1 o'clock on Sunday morning. Found that the family had returned and had retired. Knocked at Bertie's window, And Mrs. Ninnes, who was in the adjoining room, got up and dressed and let him in. He could have stayed at. Mr. Brazil's house that night, a bed having been made up for him, but he heard the trap, and was anxious to learn the news. Went to bed with Bertie, and remained at the house until February 14. After leaving went to Mintaro, and. speaking to the boss of the chaff mill, asked if there was a pub at the Burra. Did not remember asking him if there was a policeman in the same town. The proceedings here were interrupted by a person in the Court whistling, an offence whicb had been noticeable at-intervals during the whole of the evening. Instead of being thrown out, the whistler was given a severe lecture by Detective Priest. The offender had been taking advantage of the cover afforded by the crowd and an unlighted Government Courthouse, but a local justice in the audience named him. Warburton, continuing, further explained his movements. From Mintaro he went to Farrell's Flat, and then journeyed by a goods train to Riverton, and signed-the name "J. Lee" to the usual risk note. Detective Priest—Why did you sign with that name? Witness—Because I. thought this thing would be in the papers, and I did not want everybody to know my business. Besides I often go by the name of J. Lee. Detective Priest—Why did you not travel by the ordinary passenger train early, and thus have to sign no risk note? Witness—Because I had not made up my mind to go away from Farrell's Flat that day. I thought of stopping over Sunday. At 10 o'clock the inquest was adjourned until 10.30 the following morning, when the examination of Warburton will be continued. Register (Adelaide, SA), Wednesday 18 February 1903, page 5 INTERVIEW WITH THE WIDOW . Mrs. Ninnes, widow of the deceased, who is at present residing at Norwood, was seen on Tuesday evening, and gave the following account of the circumstances attending the death of her husband:— "There were sleeping in the house my husband, myself, the two children (Bertie and Mabel), and the young girl (Miss Wyman). At about 2.45 a.m Bertie was aroused by a strange noise, and jumping np called me, crying 'Oh, mamma, something is wrong.' I went with him to the bedroom, and found the apartment in flames. The cover on the bottom of the wasbstand was burning, and Mr. Ninnes was standing holding on to the foot of the bed, with his nightshirt on fire. We tried to put the flames out, but had to leave the room several times to get breath on account of the suffocating smoke. After considerable difficulty, for he was very weighty for a woman and a little boy to deal with, we got him to the door and opened the window to let in fresh air. We noticed also that the carpet was burning, and that the lamp (a kerosene one with a round glass bowl) and the water jug had fallen to the floor and smashed. My husband had a cut over the eye, evidently caused by a fall on to the broken glass and crockery, and his face was somewhat bruised. I sent at once for a neighbour to go for the doctor, and tried my best to revive Mr.Ninnes with brandy and water. The neighbour went as quickly as possible for the medical man. but my husband had died before he arrived." "Was Mr. Warburton about at the time of the fire?" - "Jack Warburton, who had been working for Mr. Ninnes, was not present at the time; he left on the previous dinner time, and did not return until the Sunday morning. Mr. Ninnes was 82 years and four months old, and we always left a light burning in the bedroom for him. I suppose he had got up, and being sometimes very unsteady on his feet had fallen and upset the lamp and jug. I had no knowledge of any intention to exhume the body until I saw the intimation in the papers, and know of no reason why that course should be adopted. Dr. Smith, who with the police and undertaker were in the house an hour, told me, in answer to a question, that no inquest would be necessary. Dr. Smith also asked if the house was insured, and I told him it was not." "Was there any dissatisfaction in reference to the will?"- "Well, naturally the sons by the first wife were not well pleased that my boy should be left the bulk of the property while they were left out. I was left £400 and maintenance so long as I remained unmarried, and a daughter, Mrs. Watts, also received £400, and the rest went to my children. I had been married to Mr. Ninnes 15 years, and my husband had set his grown-up sons in business. I told them, however, that it was no wish of mine that they should be left out, and that I would have been satisfied if they had been given the two farms and my children the rest." "But why should an exhumation be necessary; have you heard any suggestion of poison, for instance?" — "There was never any poison given to or taken by my husband. He used to have a little whisky or brandy as a stimulant in his tea, but that was the strongest thing that was ever administered to him." "Did any of the family speak of an intention to demand an exhumation?" —"Yes; it was mentioned.'' "By whom?"— "Mr. Ninnes's son Tom said that if he could prove there had been any poison about, he would have my husband dug up." "Would it be likely that any suspicion would attach to this Jack Warburton, who worked for deceased?" — "Oh, no, indeed. He was a first-rate fellow, a hard worker, and was well liked and well treated by Mr. Ninnes. He was all right." "Where did Warburton go when be left Mr. Ninnes?"- "I don't know, but he said Mr. Ninnes would know where to find him if he were wanted again." "Then you consider there were no suspicious circumstances connected with the death?"-"None whatever." Coolgardie Miner (WA), Wednesday 25 February 1903, page 3 INTERSTATE NEWS THE DEATH OF JOSEPH NINNES THN CORONER'S INQUIRY. THE WIDOW'S EVIDENCE. ADELAIDE, February 23, 1903 The inquest concerning the death of Joseph Ninnes, whose body was exhumed, was resumed today. Annie Ninnes, the widow of the deceased, was in the witness-box for six hours. She gave evidence with perfect candour. Under cross-examination by Detective Priest, she said that the deceased made no complaint whatever about her familiarity with Jack Warburton. The deceased did not tell her that he was not the father of the child of which she was confined in (last) September. On the night before his death the deceased said to her. "I want to see you early in the morning, old girl'; but she did not anticipate anything unusual. Warburton was the next witness. He was questioned at length, and stated that he left the house on the afternoon before the death of Ninnes, and did not know of the fatality until two days after. He caught an early coach five miles from the deceased's residence on the morning of the tragedy. The inquiry was adjourned till Tuesday. Advertiser (Adelaide, SA), Tuesday 3 March 1903, page 5 THE PENWORTHAM INQUEST. IMPORTANT EVIDENCE. Clare, March 2. The enquiry into the death of Mr. Joseph Ninnes, which was adjourned from last Thursday, was resumed at the Clare Court-house this afternoon by Mr. J. Christison (the coroner). Mr. Magnus Badger represented the three eldest sons, Mr. R. H. Lathlean appeared for Mrs. Ninnes (widow of the deceased), and Mr. C. E. Herbert, M.P., for J. War-burton. Detectives Priest and Dempsey conducted the case for the Crown. Joseph Ninnes, farmer, of Tarcowie, and eldest son of the deceased, said that on January 25 his father told him his wife complained of an internal trouble and she went to the city to undergo a medical operation. Prior to this witness had heard that Mrs. Ninnes had given birth to a child on September 16, 1902. On January 27 he had a private talk with the deceased. Detective Priest-What did you say to him? -I asked him if he had looked into his affairs and how he intended to distribute his property. He replied, "I do not think it a proper thing for anyone to know about a person's will until after death." As he would not tell anything about his affairs I said I would not press him. I told him he was keeping everything dark from his first family and was trusting every-thing to strangers. I further said to him, "I have something on my mind to tell you. Are you aware your wife was confined of an eight-months' child about the middle of September?" Deceased said, "No, I am not. My wife told me there was a rumour about the time of something of the kind. In fact there was a rumour that the child had been heard crying there, and I don't think there is anything in it." To that I replied-"I think, father, you'll find there is something in it." "How do you know?" he asked, and I told him my brother John told me and, that he got it from the doctor. He seemed surprised and exclaimed, "I can hardly believe it." I said, "I think you'll find it is a fact." Did he tell you the last time he cohabited with Mrs. Ninnes? -Yes, he said the last time was in the first week of January, 1902. They occupied the same bed until the end of February, but after that they occupied separate rooms. Was any mention made of Warburton? Yes, I asked him if he were aware that Warburton had been knocking about the premises for over 12 months. He said Warburton had been doing odd jobs for his wife, and that he had not paid him anything. Mrs. Ninnes told him Warburton would not take any money because he was doing it for friendship. The deceased told his wife to pay the fellow off and send him going. He further said, "I can see now why I have not been looked after better during the last 12 months. I have been very much neglected to what I used to be. Bother the woman. I have not been able to see, as she would not come near me to feel what sort of state she was in." You had another conversation with the deceased on February 4? Yes. Father said Mrs. Ninnes had written to Dr. Smith asking him if he had told anyone about her being confined, and that the doctor had replied in the affirmative. Dr. Smith said he did not like the tone of the letter, and that there was nothing to keep secret about it. Did the deceased say he spoke to his wife on the subject? -Yes, and that she had denied everything. Deceased also referred to his will, and said, "Well, boys, I can't do anything now. To think that after all I've done for that woman she would not give me any peace until I would do so, and then to have a paramour living in my house." Mr. Lathlean-Did he use the word paramour?- Yes. He further said, "I'm blind, and can't see what is going on. Oh, me. If I only had my poor eyesight I would make an alteration in things, and get a separation from her." By Detective Priest -Deceased asked John to request the bank manager in Clare to bring down a statement of his banking account. Did he say anything else?-Yes. He said he believed there was mice poison in the house, and that he would like a search to be made. He said, "I may be poisoned or hit on the head like that poor old man in the hills." Did the deceased say anything about the moneys given to his wife? -Yes he said he turned over £600 to her about three months ago, and that he had given her power to draw cheques. Register (Adelaide, SA), Wednesday 4 March 1903, page 5 THE PENWORTHAM ENQUIRY. SEVENTH DAY OF HEARING. EVIDENCE BY DR. SMITH. ANOTHER ADJOURNMENT. [From our Special Reporter.] CLARE, March 3. The Ninnes inquest entered upon its seventh day this morning, when William John Ninnes, a son of the deceased, continued his evidence. Mr. Lathlean— Did you tell The Register reporter that in your conversation with your father on February 4, deceased never said anything about altering his will, and that you will not know why he wanted the banker? — No. I told the reporter that my father wanted the banker to go down to see about his accounts. The Coroner— As a matter of fact, did deceased say anything about altering his will on February 4? — No. Dr. A. A. Smith, of Clare, said he called to see deceased on the morning of February 5. He described the condition of the body, and stated that the nose was flattened. There was an abrasion in front of and above the right ear. The hands appeared to have suffered more than the other parts, and though the burns on the body were not deep they covered a large surface. There were no burns on the back of the body, and the hair on the back of the head was not singed -- He formed the opinion that the deceased died from shock from the effects of burns, and, considering his age, coupled with the probability of suffocation, he was not surprised , that he died so quickly. Detective Priest — Is it possible that deceased received, the burns while he was in a standing position? — It is quite possible. If a man in flaming clothes was placed on a quilt and dragged out of a fiery room would you not expect to find the quilt scorched? — Yes. And you see no evidence of scorching on this quilt? — No. Did you notice any smell of kerosine on the body? — No. Do you think it was possible to drag the body out on the quilt without disturbing the broken crockery, you saw on the, floor? —No, it would have swept all the pieces before it or aside, unless the legs had been lifted in the dragging. You attended Mrs. Ninnes on September 16? — Yes; after the birth of a child. Have you any, idea of what became of the body?— I suggested that it might be buried in the garden. Did Mrs. Ninnes afterwards write to you? —Yes. She wrote complaining that I had told 'that woman,' and after her asking me not to say 'anything about the birth of the child, she thought she could have trusted me. I replied that I was very much annoyed at the whole tone of her letter, that I did not know who was meant by 'that woman,' and that I could see no necessity for there being any secrecy about the birth of the child, concerning which I told a relative of her own. Did Mrs. Ninnes ask you to keep the birth a secret? — Yes; and gave as a reason that she might be chaffed about it on account of Mr. Ninnes's age. A Juror— Did you tell anyone an inquest on the deceased was necessary? — Yes; several people. Can you give any reason for deceased's nose being flattened? — Probably by a heavy fall on the floor, or through being dragged on his face. The Coroner— Might the red patch on the pupil of Warburton's eye have been caused by a burn? Mr. Lathlean (stabbing the table severely with his pen)— The idea of suggesting such a thing. Witness (after examining the eye)— No; it is the result of a ruptured blood vessel, which could be caused by any strain. Warburton— Don't you remember, doctor, how blood shot and swollen my eyes were when I consulted you after taking the carbolic acid, and did I not say it was due to my coughing and vomiting?— Yes. —Coach Passengers — Sidney Wilmott Croft, storekeeper, of Watervale, said: — On February 5 I joined the Clare coach at Watervale and travelled to Saddleworth. Warburton was also a passenger. I noticed no bottle on him. —Statement by Mr. Wyman.— Joseph Wyman, farmer, of Penwortham, said-Susan Wyman is my, daughter. On February 5 she returned from Ninnes's house to my place. On February 13, Mrs. Ninnes and Warburton drove to my place in the night, and wanted to see Susan, who, however, was in bed. I heard Mrs. Ninnes tell my wife she had come to pay the girl. Warburton also wanted to see Susan. I said to him, 'Why didn't you stop at the fire, because the people might blame you for doing it. If I were in your place I would have stopped. Warburton said nothing then, but later remarked that the Ninneses did not like him on the place. He again asked me to call Susan, out I told him to come another day. I said "The girl has given her evidence to the police and she cannot say that Warburton was not there." Warburton remarked, 'How could she guess me in the night?' and I said, "Surely when the girl was speaking to you she ought to guess you,'' Mrs. Ninnes said; "Well, Jack, the best thing you can do is to go and see the police in the morning." Warburton replied, "You fool, do you think I will do that after I told the police before." - Warburton said nothing about 20 quid. I don't know what for or to whom he said it. Mr. Wyman.— Detective Priest— Did Warburton say anything to you about how long it would take your girl to earn £20?— Yes; he said it would take the girl a good while to earn 20 quid. Did you understand he was going to make the girl a present of £20?— No. Did they pay Susan?— No. Did they offer to leave any money in the house for her?— No. Did they ask you to persuade the girl to say that Warburton was not in the house on the night of the fire? — Yes; both of them. What did you reply? — I said the girl could not tell a lie for any money. Was it then that Warburton said he wouldn't mind giving 20 quid?— It was somewhere about that time. When your daughter returned home on February 5 did she say that Warburton was at the fire? Mr. Lathlean— You have a very bad memory? — Yes. You met Detective Priest at Sevenhill Hotel?— Yes. And he shouted?— I don't know who shouted, but I know I had a drink. (Laughter.) Detective Demnsey — It was I who shouted. (Laughter.) Mr. Lothlean— And that put you all in good humour? Witness— Well, I had had some before, and I did not have such a big one with the detectives as I had before. (Laughter.) Mr. Lathlean— You say you have a bad memory?— Well, it is not very good, and not very bad. (Laughter.) As a matter of fact you had forgotten about the 20 quid to-day until Detective Priest reminded you of it?— Yes. Do you know what led up to the conversation at your house? The. Coroner— I must remind you that this witness is a Pole, and does not under-stand the English language well. Mr. Lathlean— He seems pretty dead. I should like to put some life into him. (To witness)— As a matter of fact, your memory is a bit hazy. Witness— Yes. The Coroner— Do you understand the meaning of hazy? Witness— No. but if he asks me in Polish I will answer him very well. (Laughter.) Mr. Lathlean— All right; we'll talk Polish when we get outside. Mr. Herbert— Did Warburton say that he was not at the fire?— Yes. The Coroner— Did you ask Warburton what the 20 quid was for? Witness— No. I was full up of it. I did not want to be mixed up with a job of that kind. The Coroner— You had made up your mind not to come to the inquest?— Yes. Did Warburton say anything to you about shutting his mouth? No. You were not present at the whole conversation? — No. Mr. Herbert— Don't you think, Mr. Coroner. I should be allowed to question him again? Witness— I won't speak to you at all. That will block you all. (Loud laughter.) Mr Herbert---Now, I didn't worry you, Mr. Wyman. (Laughter.) Witness— Yes, but the other fellow did. (Laughter.) The Coroner— Well, we won't worry you anymore. (Laughter.) Mr. Lathlean— No, for goodness sake let him go. —The Twenty-fifth Witness.— Selina Catherine Gray (the twenty-fifth witness) was called. (Prior Servant) Mr. Lathlean brought Mrs. Ninnes in from the witness room and sat her directly opposite the witness. Detective Priest— I don't want Mrs. Ninnes to sit there. She can come here (behind the reporters), where she has sat before. Mr. Lathlean then moved her close to himself, but still in front of the witness. A juryman-I object to Mrs. Ninnes sitting there. It was rather pointed to place her directly in front of the witness. Mr. Lathlean— She is entitled to sit near her counsel. Mrs. Ninnes then took her former seat behind the reporters. Witness said— I entered the service of Mrs. Ninnes on September 15 last year, and remained till December. Mrs. Ninnes took to her bed on the night of September 15. There was no nurse in the house, and she did not tell me the nature of her illness. Her daughter Mabel asked her mother if there was a child there, and she replied, "No; if there was we would let the people know." Warburton was residing in the house during the time I was there. Detective Priest— Why did you leave?— Witness— Mrs. Ninnes said that her husband asked her who she could do without best, a servant or Warburton, and she said I could not do some of the things that Warburton could. She said she had told Mr. Ninnes she wanted somebody to clean out the well, and had recommended Warburton. Did he clean out the well while you were there?— No. Did you ever go into deceased's room?— Yes. I sometimes blew his candle out. Did other people sometimes do that? — Yes; Bertie and Mrs. Ninnes. Did you ever see Mr. Ninnes kiss Mrs. Ninnes?— No. Did you ever see anybody else kiss her?— Yes: Warburton. Did Warburton ever sit near her?— Mrs. Ninnes used to sit on Warburton's knee. What did he do during the day?— Sometimes he lay on Mrs. Ninnes's bed. Did Mrs. Ninnes call on you at the Grange recently?— Yes, last Friday week she asked me if I would come to Clare, as her lawyer said she ought to get as many witnesses as she could. Did she say she wanted you for a witness?— Yes; she said, "I know you'll stick up for me." I said I could not go. She asked me if I would write a letter saying I was surprised that Mr. Ninnes was taken up again, and added, "You know how to word it." She said she wanted to take it to Court and show it, and that Warburton had said he knew I would stick up for him. Was any reference made to any payment?— No. Did Did deceased appear to be well looked after by his wife?— Yes. Did you ever hear anybody threaten or wish him any harm?— No. A Juror — Did you ever see a small lamp burning in deceased's room?— No. Was it a candle or a lamp that was used? —I don't remember ever seeing a lamp. Mr. Lathlean— You remarked to Mrs. Ninnes at the Grange that you were surprised at the exhumation?— Yes, and it was some time after that she asked me to write a letter to that effect. —Mr. Bentley Examined — James Bentley, of Clare, narrated the enquiries he made into the case in his capacity as Coroner, on February 5. He formed the opinion that the deceased accidentally upset a lamp, and that death was due to burning and suffocation. He gave a warrant for the burial, considering that an inquest was unnecessary. He had had an interview with the Ninnes Brothers, who were satisfied that he could not have done otherwise with the evidence before him. A Juror— Dr. Smith has said from what he saw he considered an inquest necessary. Did he tell you? Witness— No; if he thought so why did he not communicate with the police? Mr. Herbert— A very sensible query. —Mrs. Ninnes at the Bank.— Mr. Davey (local manager National Bank), recalled, said that Mrs. Ninnes operated on her own account on February 4 - to the extent of £606, which she drew in notes, gold, and silver. It was a deposit account, but the deposit was not due. She did not operate on deceased's account that day, and during the preceding three months had done so only once when she drew a cheque for £40. At 9 o'clock the enquiry was adjourned until the following morning. Bendigo Advertiser (Vic), Thursday 5 March 1903, page 3 THE PENWORTHAM MYSTERY, ADJOURNED INQUEST. Adelaide, 4th March. The inquest was continued to-day. Frederick William Rohrlach, labourer, of Stockport, gave the following evidence: —I know John Warburton. I worked with him for four or five weeks at Scribbling Bros., near Stockport, in the latter part of last year. While there he visited a place near Sevenhills three or four times; so he told me. He said he had a girl there; that she looked after an old man; and that he was going to get married as soon as the old man died. -She would get £800 after the old man's death, and the property comprised four sections of land, one of which was well timbered with stringy bark poles. Warburton also stated that he was going to leave Stribbling's and go up near Seven Hills, where he had some wattle grubbing, and would get 30/- a week and tucker. He said he would be married within six weeks after leaving Stribbling's. I asked him the name of the old gentleman, and Warburton replied, "Ninnes." Then I laughed at him, and Warburton said "Yes, that's it." He said his girl was going to sell the place after the old man's death, and then she and he would go to the West. The old man was partly blind, and partly deaf. Detective Priest : Did he ever say anything about wishing the old man dead? "Witness—No Did he say anything about letters?—Yes; he he said he sometimes got letters from his girl. Did he say whom he was going to do the wattle grubbing for?—Yes; for his girl. Did he say the old man was opposed to his marriage with the girl?—No. A Juror : Did he ever divulge to you the name of his girl? Witness : Only that her name was Annie. The inquest is not concluded. Register (Adelaide, SA), Thursday 5 March 1903, page 5 THE PENWORTHAM ENQUIRY. EIGHTH DAY OF HEARING. EVIDENCE CONCLUDED. CLARE, March 4. The eighth day of the Ninnes inquest was entered upon by the Coroner (Mr. John Christison) and jury this morning. Frederick William Rohrlach, labourer, of Stockport, gave the following evidence . Mr. Herbert— I suppose you were telling snake stories to each other? We were having our dinners out on the farm. But you told some stories, in return? Not while he was telling me any. (Laughter). Did not you do a bit of romancing also? No. Rudolph Benno Robrlach, labourer, of near Stockport, said— I worked with Warburton at Stribbling's last year. We occupied the same room. He said he used to go to Seven Hills to see his girl, an old chap's daughter. I asked him how old her father was, and he said over 80, and added that he was going to marry the girl after the old man's death. He remarked— There were often two children over at Annie's place, who used to assist Annie in her work. Their names were Bertie and Mabel. He also said that there was a rope leading from the old chap's room to an outhouse; that the old man was partly blind and partly deaf, and that the rope was to enable him to find his way. Warburton also said that he would shift the rope from the outhouse to the well, and then the old chap would follow the rope from his room to the well, and throw himself around the post, and down the old —  — would go. He also said that he asked Annie whether she would marry him? and she replied yes; but that he could not get married until the old chap was dead. Warburton went on to say that he would like the old chap out of the road, and that Annie asked the old chap whether she could get married now, and he said 'Yes'' after a lot of talking to him. Warburton added that when he left Stribbling he would be married in five weeks. Than he asked me if I had any coloured rabbits, which he wanted for Bertie and Mabel Trestrail. The witness, intimated that that was all he knew. Detective Priest proceeded to put questions to him. Mr. Lathlean— Mr. Coroner, the witness has said that that is all he knows. Detective Priest— Well, you can have that down if you like, but it's a lot of nonsense. The Coroner (warmly)— You know. Mr. Lathlean, that the witness has come here to tell the truth, and the whole truth Mr. Lathlean— Quite so; but Mr. Priest must not lead him. The Coroner— Well, I can lead him, and I will lead him. Mr. Herbert— It is not right for Mr. Priest to lead. The Coroner— I have sat so long at this infernal inquest that you must excuse me if I am a bit irritable. To witness - How often did Warburton use to go near Sevenhills to see Annie?— About once a fortnight. Did he say anything to yon about having to be quiet?— Yes. Once he said he had to keep quiet up there, and not make too much row, so. that the old man should not know he was there. Did he ever say anything about wanting to have the old man out of the way?— Yes. He said he would like to have the old man out of the way, but he did not know how to get around it. He told me he couldn't get married to Annie because she had to look after the old man who was partly blind and nearly deaf. Do you know whether any letters passed? —Yes. He received letters from Annie about once a week, and one night he handed me a letter. It began 'My dear John,' and on the back were the initials 'A. N.' Did you ask him what the N meant?— Yes; and he said he wouldn't tell me. I knew the A. stood for Annie. Did Warburton say why he wanted to have the old man in the well?— Yes, because he wanted to marry Annie. Did you remonstrate with him about his, suggestion of putting the old man in the well?— Yes. I told him it wasn't right, but he didn't say anything. Did he ever say anything about setting fire to the place and burning the old man? -No. By a Juror— Was Warburton speaking seriously or in jest when he spoke about putting the old — — down the well?— I thought he was joking. Do you think he meant to do it?— No. Then why did you advise him not to do it?— I was joking. By Mr. Herbert-Do you know that the privy is only about 15 yards, and the well about 70 yards from the house?— No. And you don't know that the privy is in the south-easterly and the well in a westerly direction, the difference in situation being greater than a right angle?— No. By a Juror— Have you ever been to the place?— No. Do you think a blind man could tell the difference in the angles?— No. —John Joseph O'Sullivan, engine driver, of Manoora— , related a conversation he had with Warburton on February 14. The latter enquired concerning hotels at various places on the railway line, and also asked if there was a police station at the Burra. Joseph Ninnes , recalled at request of the jury, said deceased's privy was situated, about 20 yards from the back door of the dwelling house, and the well was 30 or 35 yards from the back door. There were no obstructions between the two. The privy, was in a southerly direction from the back door, and the well south-westerly. The well was about 40 yards from the privy. Detective Priest intimated that this closed the evidence. The Coroner said he would require an adjournment for 24 hours before he summed up; and, this meeting the view of the jury, the enquiry was adjourned until 2 o'clock to-morrow. Armidale Chronicle (NSW), Wednesday 11 March 1903, page 8 South Australian Mystery. THE PENWORTHAM CASE. AN OPEN VERDICT, WITH A RIDER. The Inquest on Joseph Ninnes, farmer, of Penwortham, whose body was exhumed in consequence of the circulation of sensational reports, was concluded on Thursday. The Coroner, in summing up, pointed out certain discrepancies in the evidence of Mrs. Ninnes and the man Warburton. It seemed to him that the stories she told to the jury, Mr. Bentley, and the man Brazil, to say the least, were very contradictory. He thought the jury would come to the conclusion that Warburton was present at the time of the fire, and with his assistance, presuming the fire was accidental, there should have been no great difficulty in rescuing deceased before he was much injured. Warburton's evidence might be put aside as a tissue of lies. His actions seemed to have been more like those of a criminal than an innocent man. The girl Bray's evidence was given in a straightforward, clear way, and it showed in which way Warburton spent his time while at deceased's place, and how he conducted himself with Mrs. Ninnes. She said that the rope and wire were placed to conduct deceased to an outhouse, and, in conjunction with that of Rohrlach, her evidence showed that Warburton had this in mind when he was speculating to be rid of deceased, so that he could marry Annie (presumably Mrs. Ninnes). A peculiar feature was the position in which the deceased's body was left, with only the head and shoulders out of the room. That, taken in conjunction with the burnt flooring boards in the passage, would almost lead one to believe that deceased was dragged from the passage partially into the room, instead of being dragged out of it. Before asking the jurymen for their verdict he would remind them that before an accused party could be convicted of murder or manslaughter in a Criminal Court, (that) a certain amount of direct evidence, or strong circumstantial evidence, would be necessary to obtain a conviction. He thought he was also right in saying that it was an accepted principle in English justice that if there was a doubt, the accused should have the benefit of that doubt. The jury returned the following verdict, after an hour and 25 minutes' retirement: — " We are of opinion that Joseph Ninnes, late of Penwortham, farmer, came to his death by suffocation, either before or during the burning, or from heart failure, consequent on excitement, but there is no authentic evidence to allow how the fire originated ." The following rider was added: — 'Owing to the perjured statement of the witness John Warburton, and of the witness Annie Ninnes, strong suspicion points to them as being cognisant of deceased's burning, and of not attempting to rescue him from the fire." Lack of lighting and lack of ventilation

Bully Hayes was married at Penwortham Alfred Thomas Saunders (4 September 1854 – 3 November 1940) was an accountant and amateur historian of the early days of South Australia . Working with his own remarkable collection of chronological but un-indexed notes, an incredible memory and a passion for facts clearly stated, he came to be regarded as South Australia's unofficial historian , with a particular interest in the sea and River Murray . By engaging in controversy, he attracted a wide following. His greatest asset in this endeavour was his collection of clippings from every South Australian newspaper from 1837 to 1909, arranged chronologically, and relying on his memory to locate the required article. He also had records of the arrival of every ship which had visited South Australia. Nearly every day he answered an enquiry relating to South Australian history, and frequently contacted authors and newspapers. Saunders had a very jaundiced view of the Lutheran Church and the German people (at least those who came to South Australia and settled in places such as Hahndorf and Klemzig ), finding them boorish and insular. Such sentiments found ready acceptance during the First World War. - Wikipedia Bully Hayes Around 1911 Saunders took to visiting his bedridden aunt, who regaled him with stories of her time in the Spice Islands , where she had met the famed naturalist Alfred Russel Wallace and the notorious Bully Hayes . The more he checked her dates and facts, the more he trusted her memory and decided to commit the Hayes story to print. Marriage at Penwortham Writes Lucy Webb in 1952: " Bully Hayes, the buccaneer, was married to 'widow -Amelia Littleton, of Port Adelaide at St. Mark's, Penwortham, and Bully gave the clergyman, Rev. William Wood, a £10 wedding fee and gave Mrs. Wood a roll of grass (green?) lawn (cloth) for a surplice." Having begun to write a history of Hayes, he found it essential to visit Singapore, Shanghai, and Hong Kong. Saunders collected his findings into a privately distributed 40 page tract: " BULLY HAYES THE PIRATE  : barrator ( overly officious in litigation) , bigamist, buccaneer, blackbirder and pirate: An authentic life of William Henry Hayes of Ohio or New York City, born 1829, killed 1877; 40 pp ." [5] -- which was published by various newspapers in 1913. (There are many other sources which Saunders did not find, so I have compiled all these into a single story, listing my sources below.) Born in 1827 in Cuyahoga County, Cleveland Heights, Ohio, his father is said to have kept either a tavern or an ordinary grog-shop.   His father was called Henry Hayes; his mother's name is unknown. Their son was William Henry Hayes. There is no direct word of his boyhood, but there is ground for the assumption that he grew up as a reckless desperado.   The Honolulu Advertiser of September 24th, 1859 gives an interesting, history of the “Consummate Scoundrel.” About the year 1852, he was “unfortunate as to mistake a few horses belonging to a neighbour for his own, and sold them accordingly, pocketing the cash.” Unfortunately again for the world, he escaped prison by a flaw in the indictment and fled from danger. The young Hayes received his education at Norfolk, Virginia, and later was appointed to a cadetship in the US Revenue Service, where he served with honor and promotion. Subsequently, he resigned and became Captain of one of the Great Lake steamers, but afterwards – about the year 1854 or 1855 – he joined the US Navy, where he is reported to have served with credit under Admiral Farragut. It was near the middle-1850s when Captain Hayes first appeared in the Pacific; he arrived in Honolulu in 1858: over six feet in height, big, bearded, and blond, with a soft voice and a persuasive smile – 240-pounds of intriguing manner and sly scheming. [1] The adult Bully Hayes had a powerful physique, reddish-brown hair and beard, piercing blue eyes, and a pleasant baritone voice. By 1854 or 1855 he had acquired his master's ticket and was engaged in trading in California, Australia, East Asia and the Pacific islands. [2] He is then said to have got a job with the Chinese Navy, but it didn’t take long for this position to turn into a criminal enterprise with the aid of another American captain, Ben Pease . Bully and Pease sailed all around China extorting merchants for “protection” from pirates. “They had a protection racket. They were mobsters.” After their scam was exposed, Bully and Pease were fired from the Chinese Navy and cheating merchants became Bully’s full time career. He was infamous for “paying with the foretopsail” - loading up with cargo and then sailing off in the middle of the night without paying. He also made money through insurance fraud and by stealing and selling ships through various cons. Notably he never stole a ship or cargo on the high seas, so while he was frequently described as a pirate he never committed actual piracy. [4] Arrives in Adelaide Hayes arrived in Singapore with an American brig which was seized for debt and sold by the Vice-Admiralty Court, and Hayes was stranded; but he was a charming young man of good appearance and manners, had a good voice, sang nicely, and was generally liked, especially by women. A Singapore merchant, Mr. Webster, bought a barque of 187 tons, the C. W. Bradley Junior , and gave Hayes in charge of her. This was in December 1856. Hayes apparently filled the barque with stolen cargo from Batavia (Jakarta). As  captain of the ship C. W. Bradley, Jr. in January 1857, Hayes visited the port of Fremantle, Western Australia. Hayes arrived in Fremantle on January 30 1857, and had been the "lion" of Perth for about six weeks. Further, he had astonished the natives generally, and had entertained the Chief Justice and the elite of the place on board his barque, made many valuable presents to lady friends, engaged himself to marry Miss Scott. the daughter of the harbourmaster, and had taken her brother with him to Adelaide. [5] Miss Scott’s keepsake necklace from Hayes (above) was passed on through family generations before being gifted to the WA Museum in 1990. [7] Hayes converted his cargo carrying barque to a passenger ship. The ship’s cabin accommodation was excellent, and Bully soon found paying passengers for two trips to Adelaide, South Australia. As many of these passengers were convicts with conditional pardons, the S.A. authorities were displeased with this influx of immigrants.  Apparently Hayes hadn't paid his bills, because the Singapore ships chandlers caught up with him and forced the sale of his ship, which bankrupted him.  [3] Bigamous Marriage In the Clare Valley town of Penwortham, on 20 August 1857, ignoring the fact that he was already married, he married widow, Amelia Littleton. Perhaps Amelia had money that could help him start up again. I n Melbourne , Australia Hayes gained the command of the Orestes sailing to Vancouver , Canada. Hayes was thrown off the ship in Honolulu by the supercargo ( person employed on board a vessel by the owner of cargo carried on the ship ) for swindling passengers. He proceeded to gain command of a new ship, the 318-ton brig Ellenita with a cargo obtained by fraud. Hayes sailed back across the Pacific, abandoning Amelia in San Francisco (another tale has her running a liquor store there). On the return trip to Sydney, Hayes lost the Ellenita off Navigator Islands on 16 October 1859 and with the women and children and a skeleton crew reached Savai'i to raise the alarm. After considerable difficulties, the remaining passengers and crew were returned to Sydney by H.M. brig Elk . There Hayes evaded a charge of having indecently assaulted one of the passengers, Miss Cornelia Murray, aged 15. [ 6] The loss of his ship, the Ellenita , off Samoa in October 1859, left Hayes stranded in Sydney, penniless. He was sued for debt and incarcerated in the debtors' prison, Darlinghurst gaol, from 17 to 19 January 1860. New Zealand Hayes was a notable early figure in the history of the Otago region of New Zealand. After facing bankruptcy in Australia in the late 1850s, he sailed to Otago in 1862 (at the time the region was the center of a gold rush ). After his release in Sydney Hayes joined an itinerant vaudeville troupe, the Buckingham Family entertainers, as manager. With them he travelled to New Zealand on the Cincinnati , arriving in Dunedin on 23 September 1862. In January 1863 they arrived at Arrowtown . Hayes "unofficially married" a widow Mrs Roma 'Rosie' Buckingham, whose four sons were vaudeville artists, performing as The Masters Buckingham . Hayes and Roma settled in Arrowtown where he opened a hotel, the "United States", later called "The Prince of Wales". The nearby Lake Hayes is indirectly named for him; originally called Hay's Lake after an early settler, the spelling changed over the years as locals came to associate the name with that of Bully Hayes. Open hostilities began when Rosetta Buckingham, the most talented member of the Buckingham Family entertainers, became pregnant and went to live with Hayes as his wife. No formal marriage took place, and in any case Hayes's first wife was probably still alive. Hayes's seduction of Rosetta so angered the Buckinghams that they are said to have offered £5 to any barber courageous enough to cut Bully's long hair sufficiently to establish that he had lost an ear as punishment for cheating at cards. The challenge was apparently accepted, the locks were cut and the loss revealed. The whole incident, much to Hayes's anger, was later acted out by the Buckinghams as a comedy. In 1864 he travelled to Australia and purchased the brigantine Black Diamond , only to default on the mortgage interest payments. He returned to New Zealand, intending to take the Buckingham Family entertainers, with whom he was now reconciled, to China. He reached Croisilles Harbour, near Nelson, where on 19 August 1864, Rosetta Buckingham; her 14-month-old daughter, Adalaida Eudora; her brother, George Buckingham; and a nursemaid were accidentally drowned. Hayes's ship was seized, he was sued for non-payment of wages, and later, accused of abduction. [2] South Pacific Despite these setbacks Hayes re-emerged as the registered owner of the Shamrock and engaged in trading between Lyttelton and the Pacific islands. Later he owned the Rona and traded around the New Zealand coast and the Pacific. On 26 July 1865, at the Royal Hotel, Christchurch, Hayes married Emily Mary Butler. Although he described himself as a widower, the marriage may have been bigamous. Twin daughters, Leonora Harriet Mary and Laurina Helen Jessie, were born on 2 May 1866 at Lyttelton. A son, Frederick, may have been born after Hayes's final departure from New Zealand in January 1867. The family lived in Samoa while Hayes traded among the Pacific islands. Blackbirding on the Rona , Samoa and Leonora In May 1866 Hayes acquired the brig Rona and operated in the Pacific with bases in Apia , Samoa , and in Mili Atoll in the Marshall Islands . Hayes became notorious in the Pacific because of his "recruiting" of Pacific islanders to provide labour for the plantations of Tahiti , Fiji , Samoa and Australia. While there was some voluntary recruitment of Pacific islanders, the activity predominantly involved kidnapping, coercion and tricks to entice islanders onto ships, on which they were held prisoner until delivered to their destination. On 17 April 1868, Hayes arrived off Suwarrow on the brig Rona , with 109 islanders from Niue (then known as Savage Island ) who were being transported to Tahiti . He found Captain Handley B. Sterndale, and a work crew of 18 men, 2 women and 3 children, whose food supplies had run out. Hayes agreed to rescue Sterndale and the islanders, notwithstanding the Rona was already crowded, with Sterndale and the Islanders being delivered to Rakahanga (Reirson island), from where they eventually were able to travel to Tahiti. Sterndale sold the pearl shell, beche-de-mer, copra and equipment to Hayes. Hayes made money and purchased the brigantine Samoa . By coincidence Hayes lost both ships off Manihiki , Cook Islands in March 1869. Hayes then purchased the schooner Atlantic , although soon after he was arrested in February 1870 by the Consul Williams in Apia on charges related to his activities. Williams concluded that Hayes was guilty of the charges brought against him and was preparing to send him to Sydney where they would have more authority to deal with the case.   In the meantime, however, another rogue, one Ben Pease had arrived on the brig Pioneer and Hayes, persuading the consul that his chronometers needed checking, was allowed to go aboard and promptly sailed away. Hayes escaped from Samoa on 1 April 1870 on the ship Pioneer of Ben Pease , a fellow American of similar reputation. [8]   There are differing accounts of the adventures of Hayes and Pease. That of James A. Michener and A. Grove Day is different in detail to that provided by Alfred Restieaux , an island trader who had dealings with both Hayes and Pease. What is consistent between the accounts is that Hayes and Pease proceeded on a trading cruise in the Caroline Islands and the Marshall Islands in the 250-ton brig Pioneer . According to Restieaux, Hayes and Pease argued over the ownership of the cargo; Hayes claimed the cargo was his and that Pease was merely carrying it as freight, while Pease claimed a half share in the cargo. Restieaux's account is that Hayes sold the cargo in Shanghai; with Restieaux recounting two stories that he had been told about Pease's death: the first was that he drowned after jumping overboard from a Spanish Man-of-War, the second was that he was killed in a fight in the Bonin Islands . In any event when the Pioneer arrived back in Apia Hayes was in sole command with his explanation for this change in command being that Ben Pease had sold the ship to Hayes and had retired to China – an explanation that many doubted but would not or could not challenge. Hayes renamed the ship Leonora (the name of his favourite daughter), painting her white in an effort to change her reputation. Hayes continued to trade in coconut oil, copra and blackbirding. Hayes was arrested by Captain Richard Meade of the Narragansett  (1859) on 19 February 1872 but was released as Meade could not find witnesses or sufficient proof. Hayes's reputation meant that no crew members would give evidence against him. In 1872 Hayes was engaged in the copra trade, including installing George Winchcombe on Nukufetau in the Ellice islands. [6] Bully Hayes was certainly engaged from time to time in 'Blackbirding', or trading in native laborers taken aboard by trickery or force, and delivered to work on plantations in Fiji.   It doesn't appear that Hayes was involved in shipping laborers to Queensland.  It seems that Hayes only occasionally took to blackbirding, his usual business being trading in copra and coconut oil.   [8] Read much more: State Library Qld. His activities, including 'blackbirding' (slave trading), gun and alcohol running, alleged piracy and atrocities, engaged the attention of British and American authorities, but their inquiries failed to find sufficient evidence to substantiate charges. Hayes was arrested by Spanish officials at Guam in 1875, and convicted of aiding the escape of political prisoners. He was imprisoned in Manila gaol, where he was said to have been baptised into the Catholic faith. Released after nine months, he resumed trading. More Stories at Wikipedia: Accusations of raping children Louis Becke and the wreck of the Leonora The final voyage on the Lotus Death The commonly accepted version of the death of Hayes provided by Charles Elson, the mate of the Lotus , was that when leaving Kosrae on 31 March 1877, the ship's cook Peter Radeck, "Dutch Pete", responding to threats from Hayes, killed him. While the events are unclear, it is understood that Hayes was shot with a revolver, struck on the skull with an iron implement, and thrown overboard. Charles Elson and the remaining crew sailed the Lotus to Jaluit in the Marshall Islands and gave an account of the death of Bully Hayes. No one was concerned at his death – indeed Peter Radeck was treated as a hero. Louis Becke's interpretation of the events was that Charles Elson plotted with the other crew members to murder Hayes. The motive was remove Hayes and allow Elson and the crew to search for and take the money that Hayes was believed to have buried on Kosrae following the wreck of the Leonora in 1874. The existence of this buried money is part of the myth that surrounds Hayes. Summary Hayes was an astute entrepreneur and a mariner of great ability. He was courageous, resourceful, determined in the face of adversity, and capable of acts of generosity. He was also a philanderer and a rogue, given to towering rages and sullen moods. He regularly defrauded creditors and willingly engaged in illegal trading activities. He had a reputation for ruthlessness, which has endured. While his numerous misdeeds are acknowledged, it is now generally agreed that Bully Hayes was probably little worse than other trader captains who sailed the Pacific during the nineteenth century. [2] Sources : [1] Images of Old Hawaiʻi - Bully Hayes https://imagesofoldhawaii.com/bully-hayes/ [2] NZ Biography : Story: Hayes, William Henry https://teara.govt.nz/en/biographies/1h13/hayes-william-henry [3] Pirate Captain William Henry Hayes https://oztreasure.weebly.com/pirate-bully-hayes.html [4] Swashbuckler : the story of Bully Hayes https://www.rnz.co.nz/programmes/black-sheep/story/2018675656/swashbuckler-the-story-of-bully-hayes [ 5 ] BULLY HAYES THE PIRATE. TRUE HISTORY OF THE SOUTH SEAS BUCCANEER. (Written for 'The Mail' by A. T. Saunders, North Adelaide.) https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/63803478 [6] Wikipedia: Bully Hayes https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bully_Hayes [7] Western Australian Museum › Explore › Articles › Collection Highlight: Bully Hayes' Necklace https://museum.wa.gov.au/explore/articles/collection-highlight-bully-hayes-necklace [8] Bully Hayes - Pacific pirate : truth or fiction? https://www.slq.qld.gov.au/blog/bully-hayes-pacific-pirate-truth-or-fiction Hayes in Popular culture The 1894 novel A Modern Buccaneer , by Thomas Browne writing as "Rolf Boldrewood", is based on the story of Bully Hayes. Hayes featured in an episode of the radio series Tales of the Southern Cross The 1954 film His Majesty O'Keefe includes Hayes' character as the antagonist. Captain Bully Hayes : blackbirder and bigamist by Frank Clune The 1983 film Savage Islands , (also known as Nate and Hayes ), is an adventure film , which starred Tommy Lee Jones as Hayes.

Please join us for dinner and a guest speaker, at the AGM on Friday 16 August, at 6pm, at the Clare Hotel, 244 Main North Road, Clare S.A. RSVP by 9 August 2024 to clarehistory@gmail.com or to Gerald Lally lallygh66@gmail.com Our esteemed guest speaker is S.A. Parliamentary librarian Dr. John Weste, who has created a number of YouTube videos you might like to sample: We hope to see you all there !

Mr. John Christison and Mrs Christison, of Weerona (Bleak House) Mr. Christison was one of the most widely known and highly respected of the businessmen of Clare. For 29 years he carried on business as a brewer, and under his able control the business of the Clare Brewery expanded very considerably. He took a keen interest in public affairs, and was always foremost in helping for-ward any movement tor the advancement of the town and district. As a man Mr. Christison was looked up to and respected by all classes. Manly, bluff, but genial, be always expressed his mind freely, and his word was his bond. Of a very generous and kindly nature, no legitimate charitable demand made upon him was ever resisted, and there are many who can speak of his bounty unostentatiously bestowed. Mr. John Christison was 62 years of age, and was a bluff, hearty, honest, good-natured man. He called a spade a spade, and his word was his bond. When he contested the District of Stanley for the House of Assembly he hit straight, out from the shoulder. There was no trimming about John-Christison. He answered questions without any equivocation, and everyone knew on what side of the fence he was. His supporters declared that he was too honest and straightforward to get into Parliament. The deceased had a particularly interesting career. Mr. Christison had reached the age of 62 years, having been born at Dalbog, Scotland. As a youth be was in a solicitor's office at Brechan, and afterwards went to an uncle in Gloucestershire. Later on he managed an estate in the Isle of Wight. In 1879 he came to South Australia under engagement to the late Hon. J. H. Angas, and managed the Hill River cattle Estate for three years. In 1882 he entered into partnership with Mrs. Filgate in the Clare brewery, (her husband having died), the firm becoming Filgate and Christison , and later on purchased her share, conducting the business up to the time of his death. Like the late Dr. Bain, he always had the welfare of the district at heart. He was President of the Stanley Agricultural and Horticultural Society, Chairman of the Phylloxera Board, President of the Clare Institute, and a Director of the Stanley Wine Company , of which he was one of the founders. He was a great supporter of racing, and gave the Brewers' Purse to the Clare Racing Club, and also a cup to the Clare Coursing Club. He was President of -the Golf Club, Mayor of Clare from 1883-1886, and a Freemason. He had the distinction of being the Coroner who conducted the longest inquest in South Australia—that in connection with the Penwortham case . . Read more: South Australian Mystery. THE PENWORTHAM CASE ; AN OPEN VERDICT, WITH A RIDER. Mr. Christison has left a widow—Diana, a daughter of the late John Hope, grazier, (died 1880), and sister of Mr. R. E. H. Hope, grazier of Wolta Wolta, Clare (nearby Clare Museum). In 1896 he had married Miss F. D. Hope, daughter of the late Mr. John Hope, of Wolta Wolta, who survives him. Her father John Hope, a quiet man, owned much land around Clare, perhaps 50 properties, and gave 7 acres to the Presbyterian Church. They purchased 'Bleak House', possibly the finest house in Clare and renamed it ' Weroona'. It was to be the scene of many celebrations. For some years Mr. Christison had not enjoyed good health. In 1909 he and Mrs. Christison visited England, and while there he consulted specialists with reference to his illness. On On his return to Clare from the old country he for a time enjoyed fairly good health, but a few weeks ago be was obliged to take to his bed. and the illness culminated in his death on Monday. He was undergoing an operation and was under the effects of ether, an anaesthetic at the time, the operation being conducted by Dr. O. W. Smith, and the anaesthetic administered by Dr. Yeatman, when he succumbed from heart failure. Clare's Finest Citizen -- Mrs. J. Christison, M.B.E. Mrs. (Frances) Diana Christison, M.B.E., of "Weroona", Clare, was the widow of the late Mr. John Christison, who was looked up to and respected by all classes. A Clare citizen all her life, Diana Hope was born in Clare at "Wolta Wolta", the Hope family residence in the beautiful wooded country on the West boundary of the town, a spot selected by her father, pioneer John Hope, where her girlhood was spent amid scenic beauty and the quiet of Nature. Her late mother held open house at "Wolta Wolta", and on many Sundays there were Anglican Sunday School Classes. As part of Mrs. Christison's education she paid a visit to Vienna and to Venice, on the Continent. She was married to Mr. John Christison, then aged 47 years, at St. Peter's Anglican Church, Glenelg in 1896. Their family home was "Weroona", in Clare. After Mr. Christison's death the business inherited by Mrs Christison was sold to shareholders of a new company she formed, called the Clare Co-Operative Brewing Co., Ltd., which carried on the business from July, 1912. This sale of shares by Mrs Christison established her wealth and security, even though the sale of alcohol was severely constrained from 1915. The company and new machinery was then sold to a soft-drink manufacturer. Imbued with a love of the Country, her interests later in life found many expressions. The field of education was dear to her heart, and she was frequently a visitor to schools of all denominations. Monday evening, July 3 1922 , was the occasion on which a Ladies' evening upon ' Notable Women of the British Empire ' was carried out by the above society at the Institute Hall, when there was a large attendance. Mrs Christison had charge of the evening, and a comprehensive programme was arranged. The subject really resolved itself into ' Notable Women of the world ,' and this aspect was explained by Mrs Christison. Welcome Home Blyth Agriculturist (SA) Fri 1 Feb 1935  P.1   Upon her arrival back in Clare in January 1935, after a lengthy holiday spent in Great Britain, Mrs. Christison was welcomed by members of several societies with which she had always been associated: Miss Winifred Wien-Smith (secretary of the Clare and District Hospital Aid)  presided. In the absence of Mrs. Hawker, Mrs. P. Stacy, spoke on behalf of the Clare Red Cross Society . Thanks Mrs. Christison, in a graceful reply thanked them all for the welcome home and expressions of good-will. In the course of her remarks she said that on this visit to the Mother country she was impressed by the fact of how near Australia seemed to the old country on account of the fast air services and the wonderful advantages of radio. "The wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Kent was a marvellous sight and a fitting climax to her holiday. It seemed that people in all parts of the British Empire heard the relay of the wedding ceremony just as clearly and distinctly as if they had been an eyewitness in the streets of London. Even on her way out to Australia by steamer —in mid-ocean—Australia seemed very near, for she received on Christmas morning a radiogram from friends in Australia wishing her a happy Christmas. Her friends in England, before she left, laughingly said that now there were such fast and up-to-date air services she would probably often pay them a visit, in fact, suggested that she would make a solo flight like Mr. James Melrose, in a 'plane of her own". She assured them that this was hardly likely, as she preferred the less strenuous existence and the luxury of a modern liner and the exhilaration of the sea voyage. Achievements 'Hope' and 'Faith': Windows in memory of John & Isabella Matilda Hope   and in memory of John Christison . “At St. Barnabas's Church yesterday morning two stained glass windows were unveiled. . . The windows, which represent Hope and Faith, are the gift of Mrs. J. Christison, one in memory of her father and mother, and the other of her husband.” [ Observer 28 Mar 1914 ] Di Christison was 51 when her husband died, and she lived for another 37 years.  Her husband owned the Clare brewery when he died, and she tried to sell it, but when she couldn’t she became actively involved in the company that was formed and ran it until 1916.  Harriet Filgate (Paddy Gleeson’s daughter) had run the brewery earlier with John Christison – and I would have thought running a brewery was quite unusual for women at any time so both of these women must have been pretty gutsy. Land grants Di Christison gave the land for the Pioneer Park, for Neagles Rock Reserve, and for what is now the Caravan Park, which sadly was meant to be kept in its native state but is now a purely commercial venture with hardly a native plant in sight. " "They were not inconsequential gifts to the town, and she should be given credit for her generosity." Mrs Christison gave lectures on Animal and bird life and for a lifetime she worked unceasingly as local Secretary to foster the movement for the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. The Red Cross Society was her greatest work. As Secretary in World War One and supporting many relief funds such as the Belgian Relief, Australian Comforts Funds and Australia Days, she achieved outstanding work for her country. In World War II she was elevated to President of Clare Red Cross and only retired as the result of advancing years. Her interest in the life of the people was of outstanding merit. Visits to the sick in homes or in hospital were frequent. An untold number of kindly acts and deeds marked her life and interest for the poor and needy, and for many years she was a member of the Clare Victoria Relief Society. The outstanding benefaction of Christison Park , a lovely flora and fauna reserve near Clare Showgrounds, in memory of her late husband, was one of her finest achievements. Pioneer Park: Then only in 1947, the fulfillment of plans to hand over the deeds of a property near the Bowling greens and Swimming Club, plus a bronze plaque in memory of the first explorers and settlers, plus memorial ga tes and fencing, set the seal upon her magnificent benefaction to posterity. A staunch member of St. Barnabas Anglican Church, Mrs. Christison's aids to her church were full of substance and character. One important item was the installing of a memorial stone to "Old Martha" in the churchyard, commemorating a well known crippled identity who regularly walked up the hill every Sunday in earlier days. In final tribute to the finest citizen Clare has ever had, due recognition was accorded by His Majesty the King when in the New Year Honors of 1948, Mrs. Christison was honored by being made -- "A member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, 5th Class." Zonta Memorial The Zonta Club of Clare & Districts unveiled their 2016 plaque on the Zonta Women's Honour Roll on February 22 2017, announcing the late (Frances) Diana Christison MBE as the recipient. "Mr Christison helped shape Clare, and it’s districts during her lifetime of 88 years, as she generously donated massive amounts of land, money and time to support community events, spaces and preserving local history." Former Clare & Gilbert Valleys Council Mayor Patricia Jacka OAM and inaugural inductee on the Zonta Women's Honour Roll in 2010 said she was thrilled to have Mrs Christison on the roll. “She was one of the pioneers of the Clare community,” Mrs Jacka said. “Her commitment was just outstanding.” Mrs Christison was born in Clare in 1860 to John and Isabella Hope, and got married in 1896 to John Christison. She is best known for her benefaction of Christison Park - now known as the Clare Caravan Park. - Story : Scott Murphy Death In the Northern Argus of Thursday 19 Aug 1948 it was noted that the illness of Mrs. John Christison, M.B.E., one of the Town's finest citizens, and who was in Clare Hospital, was still causing anxiety to her relatives and friends. During the week her condition had not improved. ON Thursday, August 26 1948, in the early hours of the morning Mrs. Frances Diana Christison, M.B.E., of "Weroona," Clare, widow of the late Mr. John Christison, died at the Clare and District Hospital at the age of 88 years.   By instructions under Mrs. Christison's will she was cremated at the South Australian Crematorium, West Terrace, Adelaide, on Monday August 30 1948, when the Rector, Rev. John L. Bond, attended. So far as we can gather this is the first cremation of a Clare born citizen. The Urn and ashes were brought to Clare and the full funeral service in St. Barnabas' Church was held on Thursday Sept. 2, at 10.30 a.m.1948. Afterwards the funeral left for the Clare cemetery at 11 o'clock. Messrs. F. W. Forsaith, Clare, funeral directors, were in charge of all arrangements. It was fully expected there would be a large and representative attendance at the funeral to witness the last rites and pay honor to, what one telegram we received a few days ago from Western Australia fittingly said:—she was "Clare's grand old Lady."   "Ending on a personal note may we say that Mrs. Christison's demise will leave a blank in our lives. For three generations her encouragement, help and progressive thought have always been thoughtful and encouraging, and the loss we feel certain is shared equally by all walks of life in Clare and district."         Read More: Generous Mrs. Christison at Clare Museum of the National Trust The Hope family of "Wolta Wolta"  at Clare Museum of the National Trust Pioneers of Snowtown, Pastoral pioneer John Hope ENTERPRISE BREWERY, Pioneer Avenue, Clare , Clare Regional History Group Death of Clare's Finest Citizen  - Mrs.Frances Diana Christison, M.B.E.

Henry Barwell Saturday 20 February 1926, page 2 Sir Henry Barwell , K.C.M.G. Premier of the State of South Australia and recently chosen South Australian Senator in succession to the late J .V. O'Loghlin. He will be 49 on Friday, February 26, 1926. He was born in Adelaide, and is a son of the late Henry Charles Barwell. After attending Whinham College, he proceeded to St. Peter's and then to the University, where he was admitted to the degree of Bachelor of Laws in 1899. In 1899 he started practice as a barrister and solicitor at Clare , going to Port Pirie in the following year, and taking into partnership Mr. P. Hague. Top Row-Archdeacon Samwell, Mrs. Webb, Mr. W. G. Webb, The Bishop of Adelaide Dr. Harmer, Miss Lucy Webb . Second Row-Miss Barwell, Mr. E. M. Webb, Miss Juliet Webb, Mr. F. W. Young, M.P. Bottom Row-Miss Daisy Smith, Mrs. Barwell (Miss Nancy Webb), Mr. H. N. Barwell (bridegroom), Miss -Winifred Smith, Canon Webb. In 1902 he married Miss Anne (Nancy) Gilbert Webb, second daughter of the Canon Webb, (then rector of Clare), and he had one son and three daughters . When the Stanley district branch of the Liberal Union was formed the young Port Pirie solicitor was appointed president, and that Liberal stronghold has returned him as one of its representatives in the House of Assembly, at each election held since 1915. He took a lively interest in the affairs of the Church of England, and in 1910 was one of the representatives from the Adelaide Diocese to the General Synod, which met in Sydney. At Port Pirie he was ministers warden and lay reader at St. Paul's Church, and represented that church at the South Australian meetings of Synod. He was Church Advocate for two years, but resigned that position because his ministerial duties prevented him from acting in the Canon Wise case . Sir Henry visited England in 1922, and was knighted. He was Leader of the Opposition In the Assembly until he resigned his seat for Stanley in December last, previous to his election to the Federal Senate. He is a fine speaker and effective in debate. Lady Barwell is a daughter of the late Canon Webb. MA.. Rector of Clare. Ex-Premier of S.A. dies Sir Henry Barwell - lawyer; Attorney-General, 1917-1924; S.A. Premier, 1920-1924; Commonwealth Parliament Senator, 1925-1928; S.A. Agent General in London, 1928-1933; Deputy Chairman of the Housing Trust. Advertiser, 1 October 1959, p. 3, col. b-c Read more: Clare History | Re-visiting St. Barnabas Clare Museum | The Riesling Trail Story   Chapter 4. Clare Railway declines THE LIBERAL LEADER -- A Character Sketch. [By One Who Knows Him.] Register (Adelaide, SA), 8 March 1921, page 5

Lucy Webb wrote in 1942: "Barnaby bright, Barnaby bright, the longest day and the shortest night" ; otherwise St. Barnabas' Day (June 11) is the Patronal Festival of St. Barnabas' Church, Clare. St. Barnabas' was a favourite dedication in the Diocese of Adelaide because it was Bishop Shorts birthday. There are (also) St. Barnabas' Churches at Solomontown, Bordertown and Croydon, besides St. Barnabas' Theological College, North Adelaide, the foundation stone of which was laid by Bishop Short on June 11th." Saint Barnabas the Apostle The "Peacemaker" Patron of consolation, encouragement, neurological and nerve diseases, and Parkinson's disease Feast Day: June 11 He was born “Joseph” but changed his name to Barnabas when he converted to Christianity and though he was not one of the 12 Apostles, he is still frequently regarded as one. He was originally from Cyprus and he studied with Paul the Apostle and they converted many to Christianity together during their numerous journeys. His Feast Day is June 11th, which was believed to be the longest day of the year. Perhaps because Barnabas was known and a reconciler and a “Peacemaker” who was quick to offer encouragement and consolation, June 11 is also often referred to as “Barnaby Bright.” Most of Barnabas’ story is told in the Book of Acts. Many regarded him as a Prophet. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barnabas The Anglican St. Barnabas church at the top of Clare was opened in 1851. Previously, services were held in the courthouse, down the hill. St. Barnabas' Church, rectory. and schoolroom stand on a well-wooded hill north of Clare township. In simple Gothic Revival design, St Barnabas was the outcome of much active lobbying by the founder of Clare, E. B. Gleeson , and other local people of influence. It is one of the earliest surviving rural Anglican churches of its type and reflects the religious aspirations of settlers at the time. It is claimed to be the oldest church north of Adelaide. The Rev. Bagshawe, the incumbent,  was the architect of both Clare and Penwortham Churches and of the parsonage.  Read more : https://www.clarehistory.com/top-ten-historic-buildings-of-clare In 1851 a visiting journalist noted that: "Clare has an Episcopal Church, on the hill, near the entrance of the village from the Burra, in course of erection; the design is Gothic, and the edifice will perhaps contain 200 persons ; but it is not far advanced, and there seemed a want of funds, or energy, or something to complete it." Mrs. Gleeson laid the foundation stone of the church in 1850. She now lies in the family vault, and she outlived her husband, and all males of the direct line of Gleeson. At first the church had an earthen floor, and just a few benches to sit upon. The wall fabric fell into sad disrepair in the time of the Rev. William Wood. [1] [Register: 21 Mar 1864] The church was unfinished when the Gold Rush in Victoria began. Its remaining builders were unskilled. Bishop Short noted its crumbling walls, its gables falling out, and the sheep feeding in its churchyard. Matters brightened with the arrival of the Rev. S. Button Green in 1862. St. Barnabas had then remained in an unfinished and dilapidated state. From 1862 St Barnabas recently underwent considerable repairs and improvements. The whole of the western end of the church was rebuilt, and likewise a portion of the eastern. Saturday 4 July 1863, page 2 The bazaar was again opened on Saturday afternoon for a final clearing off, which was expeditiously effected by means of raffle. The building was again crowded with purchasers, and I believe it was realized. The bazaar throughout has proved a complete success. Steps are being taken to unroof St. Barnabas at once to effect the necessary repairs, which are much wanted. Saturday 12 September 1863, page 3 The money collected some time ago in aid of St. Barnabas-Church is now being applied to it. The mason's work is nearly completed. The alteration will tend greatly to strengthen and beautify the sacred edifice. The porch has been removed from the north side to the west end and enlarged. The edifice has been reroofed with metal, floored, ceiled, and plastered. These substantial improvements, together with various embellishments, render the building fitted for the sacred purposes to which it is now duly consecrated; and the Protestant Episcopalians of Clare may at length be congratulated upon possessing one of the neatest and best-finished churches in the North. "A CHURCHMAN. March 11, 1864." [3] The exterior was repaired, the interior plastered, and in 1864 the church was reopened and consecrated. The font was placed in position in 1871. This was carved out of white freestone, from Mr. John Hope's Wolta Wolta quarries, nearby to (south-western) Clare. The chancel was added in 1872. Lucy Webb wrote —Bishop Short speaks thus of the Clare Church:—"In 1857 the Church at Clare, desolate enough, even the gables falling out, and sheep feeding in the church yard. Forty-five in all at church, including the Bungaree party. After service, baptized a child and spoke to the Church Wardens about saving the building by tie rods, and fencing the churchyard." [5] Bishop Short wrote in his diary: “Enlarging the building by throwing down a portion of the eastern wall, and building thereto a chancel, with vestry adjoining. . . the neat and substantial appearance of the new portion of the structure, the walls being strongly built, and the corners faced with quoins of beautiful white freestone. The end window, which has three lights, is very handsome, and contains a good deal of dressed work. . . Separating the chancel from the body of the church is a handsome arch of elegant proportions.” [Northern Argus 1 Jun 1875] The chancel, 14 x 14 and 20 ft. high was added in 1875, chiefly through the liberality of Dr. Bain. He also presented nine windows of stained glass from London. These windows have of late years been replaced by more durable glass. The only one of Dr. Bain's windows remaining is in the vestry. In 1877 Mr. Boake resigned and the Rev. R. B. Webb accepted the incumbency on condition that a rectory should be built at Clare. Mr. Webb read himself in on April 1, and on October 1 Bishop Short laid the first stone of the rectory which cost £1,600. A schoolroom, which has since been enlarged, was built close to the church in 1883, and was opened by Bishop Kennion on his first visit to Clare. [4] Every institution connected with St. Barnabas' is free of debt. Both church and schoolroom are lit by acetylene gas. Half the cost of this was borne by Baron von Sanden , in memory of his daughter's confirmation. Baron Bernhardt Traugott Leberecht VON SANDEN was born on the 11th November 1850 at Tussainen (Lithuanian: Tusainiai/ Russian: Čiapajevo) East Prussia. Von Sanden emigrated out of the Deutsch Reich on the vessel "LADY PAIRNS" to arrive in Australian at the Port of Melbourne on the 4th April 1874. On disembarking in Melbourne, Von Sanden went up to the Riverina district . [2] A disused churchyard lies between church and rectory, and possesses many graves of interest. Nine of-the  Gleeson family are interred in the Gleeson vault. Mr. E. B. Gleeson lived at Inchiquin. about a couple of miles out of Clare. Clare parish was at first an appendage parish of Penwortham, which owned both parsonage and parson. The parson drove over to Clare once a fortnight for service. On the alternate Sundays he went to Auburn. This was then a mission district of Penwortham. He shared this charge with the Rev. Mr. Titherington, incumbent of Riverton. Mr. Titherington was drowned while crossing the River Light, when in flood. In 1862 Auburn became a separate charge, and Bungaree church was added to Clare. A change was made in 1877, when Canon Webb took charge. A rectory (parsonage) was built at Clare which now became the working centre, instead of Penwortham. Canon Webb was essentially a missionary pioneer. He established church services at Watervale. The pretty little church of St. Mary's is the outcome. After Watervale was handed oyer to Auburn, church services were started at Blyth. Clare was the post town for Bundaleer and other stations.. That fine old Churchman, John Bristow Hughes, owned Bundaleer at the time. When his eldest daughter was born, he gave a bell to the Clare church in memory of the event. He caused the name and date of her birth to be engraved on its rim. In later life, Miss Hughes wished to verify her age. She therefore referred the authorities to the bell. On behalf of Mr. R. D. Davies, then manager of the English and Scottish Bank at Clare, Mr. Naudebaom ascended the bell turret, and examined the inscription. The heroine of the bell was then still living. Bishop Short laid the foundation stone-of the Clare rectory in 1877. This is one of the most comfortable clerical dwellings north of Gawler. Canon Webb entertained the four bishops of Adelaide within its walls. Mr. W. L. Beare took great 'interest in its erection, and-superintended every detail of its building. The total cost was £1.600. Clare rectory was always a refuge for the poor and oppressed. The schoolroom was built in 1881, at cost of £290. This had 40 members on its roll. Mrs. Harmer inaugurated the union when she visited Clare in 1898. [1] Mr. J. W. Gleeson succeeded his father at Inchiquin. With his fine presence, and his snow-white beard he made a most imposing figure in the family pew. Dr. Thomas Hawker and his wife are buried in the churchyard. He was the brother of Robert Stephen Hawker, the Cornish poet. Mrs. Hawker was in Brussels at the time of the Battle of Waterloo. In 1911 Canon Webb passed away. The Rev. E. A. Radcliff, from Mount Barker, was his successor. During his time the children's window was placed in the church by many of the 600 children baptised by Canon Webb during his 34 years' incumbency. It was unveiled by Mary Ada Tilbrook, the last child baptised by him. The congregation also placed a tablet in the sanctuary in memory of their late pastor, bearing the Pembroke College arms. A brass tablet was also placed in the church in memory of the late Fred Auburn Bleechmore, a worshipper of 21 years. Rev. S. J. Bloyd succeeded Mr. Radcliff. During his incumbency a cross was placed on the porch gable in memory of Sarah Ann Lee, a communicant and constant attendant of the church for over 40 years. It was given by her children. A pulpit has been placed in the church in memory of the church's 75th birthday. The church contains a fine roll of Honor, and the Hope and Christison windows are very handsome. Barnabas' Centenary Fair takes £235. - OPENED BY LADY NORRIE. Rector John L. Bond welcomed the Vice-Regal visitor in these words: "A hundred years in the life of a Church is a notable milestone and as we consider the past it is fitting that we should pay tribute to the witness and work of former generations of worshippers who loved God and showed .their love in devoted service to St. Barnabas Church." "We of the present generation plan to mark the occasion in a tangible way by paving the East End of the Church and doing as much panelling as funds will allow. The final result is expected to make the Church more beautiful and so prove an inspiration to present and future generations of worshippers." "Together with this laudable project the necessity of maintaining the fabric of the building has not been forgotten, and forms a part of the plan for which the effort is being made." Blyth Agriculturist (SA : 1908 - 1954) Wed 29 Aug 1951 Page 4 Sources [1] https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/204495068 [2] https://germanaustralianalianstomilitarism.blogspot.com/2011/05/anti-war-german-australian-story.html [3] https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/39119399 [4] https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/97807578 [5] https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/215943640 [6] The Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1889 - 1931) Tue 14 Feb 1911 - Page 11 DEATH OF CANON WEBB. [7] Victor Harbour Times (SA : 1932 - 1986) Fri 13 Dec 1957 - Page 5 LUCY WEBB MEMORIAL WINDOW THE LATE MISS LUCY WEBB . Lucy Webb was daughter of the late Canon Webb, who was well known as the Rector of St. Barnabas in the early days of Clare. Lucy Webb was a very interesting personality and for a great many years she has contributed Victor Harbour News to this journal and had a very wide and interested circle of readers. Her very interesting articles will be greatly missed and the firm of Tilbrook Brothers express their deep regret at her death and in losing such a valued and interesting correspondent. She knew and corresponded with a great many people abroad and throughout Australia and in her breezy and refreshing style wrote entertaining and descriptive stories of the past history of the people living in Clare, Yankalilla and Victor Harbor and other parts of South Australia. Miss Webb's sister Lady Barwell and Mr. Bay Webb, of Melbourne are the only two surviving members of Canon Webb's family. Her Articles are found at https://trove.nla.gov.au/ Search for Lucy Webb's Diary. The following letter has been received from Lady Barwell, sister of Miss Lucy Webb, who died on Sept. 11th: — 3 Ashleigh Grove Unley Park. To Tilbrook Brothers, Dear Sirs — As my late sister Lucy Webb was associated with the Tilbrook family and the Northern Argus for so many years, I thought you and your readers might like to know something about her death on Sept. 11th. She had not been well for six weeks, Bronchitis was the first trouble, then another complication arose. ... The first part of the Burial Service was taken by Rev. John Bond (ex Rector of St. Barnabas, Clare) in St. Augustine's Victor Harbour. He had been so good to her in her illness. Before she was ill she was always at the 7 a.m. service on a Sunday and once during the week. Some time ago she wrote instructions about her burial. She wished 'to 'be cremated and Rev. Cecil Swan was to officiate if possible. He kindly took his part of the service. Her ashes are to be buried in our mother's grave in the Church yard of Christ Church, Yankalilla. Yours sincerely, (Lady) Nancy Barwell. Northern Argus (Clare, SA), Wednesday 23 September 1953, page 12

History Month Event - Sun 26 May, 2pm - 4pm Come and hear the stories of early pioneers and settlers who lie in the Clare Cemetery and the Saint Barnabas’ Church of England Cemetery. Local historians will tell the stories of these resourceful people and their contributions to their community. Afternoon tea will be provided in St Barnabas’ Church Hall. When Sun 26 May, 2pm - 4pm Presented By Clare Regional History Group Event Type Guided tour Event Theme Dark Histories Where Clare Cemetery 80 Benny's Hill Rd, Clare, SA, 5453 (beyond Clare Museum) THEN St Barnabas Cemetery with afternoon tea at St Barnabas Hall Region Clare Valley & Mid North Price Free Bookings Bookings not required Presented by Clare Regional History Group More Information: Contact Gerald Lally 0457 020 680 clarehistory@gmail.com