Old news from Armidale and New England

Tuesday 7 August 1866, The Maitland Mercury & Hunter River General Advertiser

(From the Armidale papers, Aug. 4.)

On Friday night last week (says the Express) there was some snow and sleet. Since there have been heavy frosts and dry weather favourable to farmers.

The same paper reports that a meeting was held at Armidale, on Wednesday, to consider the desirability of forming a carriers’ company for the speedy transit of goods to and from Armidale and Singleton. About fifty persons wore present. The Mayor presided. Mr. A. S. Waters entered at length into the details of the proposed scheme. He suggested the formation of a company, with a capital of £3000. This amount, he calculated, would purchase twelve waggons, with eight horses each. Each waggon, he estimated, would make nine trips in the year, carrying three tons. Allowing only £9 per ton, each waggon would earn £480 in the year ; the whole twelve £5832. The liabilities for salaries, shoeing, and forage, was put down at £2450 – or £300 more if the capital wore only borrowed. It was resolved “That a company be formed, to be called the Armidale and Singleton Carriers’ Company, with a capital of £3000, in 600 shares of £5 each.” A committee was appointed to prepare a prospectus for the formation of the company, to frame regulations for the sale of shares, and to report progress to a general meeting without delay. – The rates of carriage keep high. Alderman Trim has received advices of goods dispatched from Maitland to him at £18 per ton, after a considerable delay. He states that he finds no difference between the rates of carriage from Maitland and those from Singleton. Express.

On Wednesday, the foundation stone of Mr. Allingham’s new store was laid, by Mrs. Greaves. A number of the Messrs. Allingham’s friends were present, and there was a brisk flow of champagne on the occasion. – Express.

Of late Port Macquarie has supplied Armidale with some fine oranges and maize. Yesterday Alderman Trim purchased a full bullock load of large maize from Port Macquarie. The owner of the team informs us that the recent gales have blown down so much timber as to block up the road very much. – Express.

Inverell, July 31. – They have already commenced lambing at Auburn Yale, although in advance of the usual time. I hear, however, there will be but one flock thus early. No former wheat crop ever looked more promising at the same stage than the present one, and, should nothing unforeseen occur, it is expected to exceed the yield of any former year, as ranch of the soil under crop is now comparatively old ground, and was more carefully prepared for the reception of the seed than on any former occasion. – Correspondent of Express.

The shareholders of the New England Flour Company held their first half-yearly meeting on Monday last, 30th ult., at Mr. Tysoe’s Freemasons’ Hotel, Armidale. The chair was occupied by Mr. E. Baker, the chairman of the company. The half-yearly report was adopted. From this we learn that the only hindrance now existing for the completion of the company’s mill is the detention of part of the machinery at Morpeth, awaiting carriage to Armidale. – Telegraph.

We have been given to understand that it is contemplated by the Government to establish an electric telegraph station at Uralla. – Telegraph.

Our readers will be glad to learn that, up to yesterday morning, upwards of 700 signatures had been obtained to the petition to the Legislature, in behalf of the proposed new road from Armidale to Grafton. As the greatest care has been taken in getting those signatures, we think the petition, should it be necessary to present it, will have a formidable aspect, and show the Government that this time we are really in earnest. – Telegraph.

On Tuesday last, a son of Mr. Phillip Post, of Gostwyck, met with a very severe accident while working at a chaff cutting machine. The father was just about leaving the machine to be fed by the boy, when the latter cried out that his fingers had been out. On examination it was found that the fore and next two fingers of the left hand had been severed at the tops, including the first joint of the forefinger, and smaller portions of the next two. Dr. Spasshatt quickly attended the little sufferer, and did what was necessary – Telegraph.