Posts Tagged ‘moona plains’
Fires near Walcha.
The Tamworth Daily Observer (NSW), Friday 5 March 1915
WALCHA NEWS.
Disastrous Fires.
Hay Crop Destroyed.
(From our Correspondent.)
A disastrous fire took place at Messrs. Crawford Bros.’ Moona Plains Station, about midnight on Saturday, when the whole of their hay crop was mysteriously destroyed by fire, together with hay shed, saddles, harness, and adjoining sheds. The loss is estimated at between £300 and £400.
The property was uninsured.
At Walcha Road Mr. J. Burgess lost an old woolshed by fire. This, however, was caused by a bush fire.
At Winterbourne last week, Mr. E. Lisle’s house was burnt down. Mr. Lisle recently went to the front, and his brothers, living near, were keeping an eye on the property during his absence. When they came to get flour, etc., they found nothing but the brick chimneys standing. The residence was not insured.
A Kunderang / Moona Plains marriage
The Catholic Press (NSW : 1895 – 1942), Thursday 14 March 1929
Wedding at Armidale.
St. Mary’s Cathedral, Armidale, was the scene of a quiet wedding on the 11th ult., the parties being Jessie Eileen, daughter of the late Mr. Joseph Fitzgerald, of Kunderang Station, and Mrs. H. Fitzgerald, of Brown-street, Armidale, and Mervyn A. Crawford, of Moona Plains, Walcha.
The marriage was solemnised, and Nuptial Mass celebrated, by Rev. Dr. Coleman (Adm.), in the presence of Right Rev. Dr. O’Connor (Bishop of Armidale) and immediate relatives of the contracting parties. On the arm of her brother (Mr. J. P. Fitzgerald) the bride entered the church to the strains of the ‘Wedding March.’ She was effectively gowned in a long sleeved frock of white georgette, richly beaded; over this fell a full-trained beautifully hand-embroidered honition lace veil. Miss Mary Fitzgerald (sister) was the bridesmaid, frocked in orchid mauve georgette, with flared flounce, and hat to tone. The best man was Mr. Desmond Fitzgerald. During the Mass an ‘Ave Maria’ was rendered by the choir.
After the signing of the register, an adjournment was made to the Catholic Club adjacent, where the bride’s mother entertained the guests. His Lordship the Bishop was present, and Rev. Dr. Coleman presided, the usual toasts being honoured. Subsequently, the happy couple left for a motor tour of the Northern Rivers and Brisbane, the bride travelling in a blue check crepe de chine frock, with circular flounces, embroidered in batik of oriental colourings, adding a tucked coat of deeper tones of blue; a beige baku hat, touched with blue, completed a becoming ensemble.
Their future home will be Moona Plains, Walcha.
Grey Crawford’s death
The Port Macquarie News and Hastings River Advocate (NSW : 1882 – 1950), Saturday 12 November 1932
WALCHA NEWS.
(Contributed).
Since last writing from Walcha, two old identities have passed over to the great majority. Mr. Grey H. Crawford, of Moona Plains, son of the late Captain Crawford, well known horse and cattle breeders. The Crawford Brothers — Rowley being the surviving brother — are well-known throughout New England. Their station embraces the tributaries of the Macleay River, and a life-long acquaintance with pastoralists and breeders of large stock brought them into touch with graziers throughout the State. Honourable men, all of them, with lives extending over 80 years, their passing is a loss to the State.
Mr. Harry Costigan, another octogenarian, who, with his late wife, reared a large family at Yarrowitch, died a few days ago. A fine man, of military bearing, he was a lover of good music, and one of the pioneers when bush difficulties were not easily overcome.
The recent storms have provided green pasture for the summer.
Shearing is, proceeding throughout the district. The clip generally is light, but the wool is good and clean.
The lambing was only fair.
Weather; Outrage by Blacks; Maize; Bundarra crops; Telegraph broken
Saturday 21 December 1861, The Maitland Mercury & Hunter River General Advertiser
NEW ENGLAND.
(From the Armidale Express, Dec. 14.)
THE WEATHER – The weather at Armidale was satisfactory early in the week. On Sunday there was a little rain, with thunder, while at Cameron’s Creek, to the N., and Mihi, to the S., the rain was much heavier. On Tuesday there were several fine showers at Armidale, with a little thunder. On Thursday night a thunderstorm, with remarkably vivid lightning, passed over Armidale from the S. It lasted about an hour and a half, yet gave but a moderate supply of rain, with some hail occasionally. It was followed yesterday morning, by mere rain in showers. We have since been informed that several trees in the outskirts of the town were struck on Thursday night. It is well that no buildings appear to have been damaged, as for more than an hour the lightning was terrific. Yesterday between 5 and 6pm, Armidale was visited by a hail storm – the heaviest since the greater one of Nov. 17, 1859. Not a few of the stones were from 4 to 5 inches in circumference. One which we measured was 4¾, and others were apparently larger. The hail caused considerable damage in gardens and orchards, but fortunately the storm had passed to the E. by half an hour after its commencement. A correspondent reports a fearful hailstorm at Glen Innes on Sunday afternoon last – the heaviest ever witnessed in the district, and causing much damage.
OUTRAGE BY BLACKS – Mr. Weaver, P.M., has favoured us with information to the following effect, received from Mr. Blythe, C.P.S. at Walcha, by a letter dated 11 th instant. Constable Grant, who returned to Walcha from Winterbourne on 10th instant, reported that Dr. Morris, J.P., had informed him that on Saturday last, at noon, a party of aboriginals armed with guns attacked some Winterbourne blacks on Moona Plains station, killing four and wounding a fifth. Two of the assailants are well known as Jemmy and Major. Dr. Morris was too ill to visit Walcha to report in person the statements made to him by the surviving blacks. Active steps were at once taken by the authorities at Armidale and the Rocky to afford protection to the fugitives, who, it is stated, dare not leave Winterbourne.
THE MAIZE CROP – We are informed that the grub has attacked the young corn, by eating up the plant while yet below the surface. In consequence, it is apprehended that the yield will be materially diminished. Owing to the scarcity of hay and the probable dearth of maize, horse-feed promises to be dear next winter. We recommend some of the agriculturists near town to sow barley or green stuff in the fall of the season, as there will, no doubt, be a good demand for it in Armidale.
BUNDARRA – The crops are likely to be more abundant than was thought some short time since. There will be a very fair yield of wheat, and a prospect of a good crop of potatoes, especially the late sown ones. Corn is also looking pretty well. The gardens too are looking much better, and the neighbourhood generally is vastly improved by the timely rams we have had for the last week or two. Reaping will commence in a few days. 7th Dec, 1861.
(From the Tenterfield Chronicle Dec 12.)
THE TELEGRAPH – The telegraph wire was again broken down yesterday afternoon between Armidale and Tamworth, so that we were not able to procure our telegram from Sydney. Although the line has been open for five or six weeks, we have not had a chance of receiving a telegram for publication, which certainly shows that there must be great fault in the construction of the line. It seems to us to be a rule that the wire shall be broken every Wednesday afternoon.
Sale of bullocks from Moona Plains
Saturday 8 May 1886, The Maitland Mercury & Hunter River General Advertiser
Campbell’s Hill Yards.
100 HEAD OF First-class Store Cattle,
PRINCIPALLY BULLOCKS 3 TO 5 YEARS OLD.
BRUNKER & WOLFE have received instructions from Messrs. G. and R. Crawford, to sell by auction, at Campbell’s Hill, on Thursday, the 20th of May, 1886, at Eleven o’clock, 100 HEAD OF MIXED CATTLE, principally Bullocks, from Moona Plains.
Terms cash.
Death of Richard Crawford of Moona Plains
Tuesday 6 March 1888, The Maitland Mercury & Hunter River General Advertiser
(Armidale Express, March 2.)
We regret to hear of the death of Mr. Richard Crawford, of Moona Plains Station, at Cunderang, near Walcha. It appears that the deceased gentleman, who was noted as a bold and fearless rider, was endeavouring to escape the charge of an infuriated bullock down the deep spur of a ridge which ran into a creek. The horse Mr. Crawford was riding plunged into a thick scrub, and a branch caught the rider across the breast, partially unseating him. In the meantime the savage beast following was close on the horse and rider, and, ere the latter could recover his equilibrium, the bullock gored the horse and, it is stated, hurled both horse and rider to the ground, Mr. Crawford’s head striking on a rock with great force. When lifted up, it was at first thought that Mr. Crawford was not seriously hurt, but upon examination matters appeared worse, and it was feared the skull was shattered. Such proved, unfortunately, to be the case, Mr. Crawford ceasing to breathe shortly after being conveyed home. General sympathy is expressed at this dreadful occurrence. Mr. Crawford was about 35 years of age, and was well known and much respected throughout the district.
Fractured collar bone
Tuesday 14 January 1873, The Maitland Mercury & Hunter River General Advertiser
(From the Armidale Express, Jan. 11.)
On Monday afternoon a young woman named Tomkins, a servant of Mrs. Hipgrave at East View, sustained a bad fracture of the collar bone. She was riding towards Mihi Creek, and when about two miles on this side her horse shied, and threw her over on the off side. Dr Spasshatt was sent for by the sufferer’s friends, and only a short time before the messenger arrived the Doctor had reached home after performing a continuous journey of about 60 miles, from Moona Plains, beyond Walcha. Without any delay, he made his preparations to undertake the second journey, and on arriving where his patient was being cared for he found the injury as above stated. We need not add that Dr Sphassatt did all that the nature of the accident required, and hence the young woman is progressing favourably towards recovery.
Transfer of runs
Saturday 18 August 1849, The Moreton Bay Courier
TRANSFER OF RUNS. (From the Government Gazette. ) Crown Lands' Office, Sydney, August, 1849. It is hereby notified, for general information, that the interest of the former licensees in the undermentioned runs of crown land has been transferred, with the sanction of the Government, to the persons hereinafter particularized, in ac- cordance with the regulation of 1st January, 1818, namely :— NEW ENGLAND.—Boyds Plains (or Yarrow- ford), from Archibald Boyd to Burgess, Campbell, and Young ; Whitmore, from Archibald Boyd to Burgess, Campbell, and Young ; Barney Downs, from Brown and Herring to Brown and Barney ; Elmsmore, from Browne and Alcorn to John Browne ; Moona Plains, from Crawford and McDonell to A. F. Crawford ; Beverley (Brodie's Creek), from Phillip Ditmas to Alexander Barlow ; Mandoey Creek, from W. C. Hetherington to J. Hudson Keys ; Ward's Mistake, from William Nowland to Michael and Wm. Nowland ; Euro- pambela, from T G. Rusden to Frederick Huth ; Shannon Vale, from J. P. Robinson to T. G. Rus- den ; Yarrowitch, from J. P. Robinson to Wrn. Sprott Boyd ; Torry Burn, from John Smith to Charles Blaxland ; Guy Fawkes, from Richard Ward to James Rigny ; Deep Water, from C. and A. Windeyer to John H. Challis.
Swept Down Flooded Creek
Friday 19 February 1937, The Sydney Morning Herald
GRAZIER DROWNED KEMPSEY, Thursday. Mr. George B. Waller, of Wallarobba, well- known stock-breeder and noted Shorthorn cattle judge at many show rings on the north coast, was drowned yesterday in the Macleay River, at Kunderang. With his son, Lewis, Mr. Waller visited a station property. Creeks in the vicinity are swollen because of recent rains. On the return trip, Waller and his son were attempting to cross the mouth of Kunderang Creek, when Waller's horse lost its footing and threw its rider into the stream. He disappeared beneath the water in view of his son, who was unable to render any assistance. Lewis Waller, aided by two men on the op- posite bank, made a search, but no trace of the body could be found. News of the tragedy was sent to George's Creek settlement, and a number of men are now making a search. Mr. Waller was in charge of Moona Plains Station while Mr. and Mrs. M. Crawford were on holidays. He judged the cattle at the Guyra show last week. Mr. Waller was a member of both the gen- eral council and the cattle council of the Graziers' Association. In 1925 he unsuc- cessfully contested In the National party in- terests the Federal seat of Newcastle. In 1934, at the by-election for the Gloucester seat in the Legislative Assembly, caused by the death of Mr. Walter Bennett, he was a United Country party candidate.
Death of Mr. C. J. A. McLennan
Tuesday 28 February 1933, The Sydney Morning Herald
BINGARA, Monday. The death has occurred at Forster of Mr. Colin James Alexander McLennan, aged 77, an old resident of Bingara. Mr. McLennan had been engaged in the teaching service for about 45 years, having been stationed at Moree, Moona Plains, Walcha, and Dinoga. He retired 12 years ago.
Old news from Armidale and New England 