Wilston House story p 18

JOURNAL

Windsor & Districts’ Historical Society Inc. servicing the old Windsor Town Council areas of Albion, Alderley, Bowen Bridge, Eagle Junction*, Eildon, Grange, Kalinga, Kedron*, Lutwyche, Maida Hill, Newmarket*, Wilston, Wooloowin and now extended to cover Gordon Park and Herston. *part of this suburb.

VOLUME 31 No. 3 - AUGUST 2019 AUGUST - 3 No. 31 VOLUME Photo by David Teague Wilston House Newspaper clippings from 1928.

Tommy Tristram, Ginger Beer Brewer, Hope Street, South Brisbane, may almost be considered an Australian, as he landed with his parents when very young in Mel- Ceramic bourne. After travelling through the ginger beer different colonies he settled in Bris- bottle bearing bane in 1861, and in 1864 entered Tommy the employ of Messrs. Gardner and Tristram’s Keid, with whom he remained ten imprint. years. Other He then started business Tristram’s on his own account, and conducted bottles are it for two years, when being offered in our a substantial share of the profits, he collection opened a branch for Mr Gardner in Hope Street, into which he merged at the his own business. After managing Chambers. this concern for nearly nine years, he again started business on his own account and has succeeded in working up a large connection. All drinks manufactured in this estab- lishment are first class.

His mission revival style factory at West End was opened in 1928. It is now called The Markets.

PAGE TWO - Windsor & Districts Historical Society Inc. JOURNAL - AUGUST 2019 NEXT MEETING 4 p.m. Sun. 18 August The guest speaker for the WDHS general meeting on Sun- day 18 August next will be: MATTHEW

WENGERT. InIn thethe NovemberNovember IssueIssue Matthew will talk about the Spanish Flu epidemic that af- * Campbell’s Homes fected Brisbane in 1919, as written * Steedman’s Teething in his book CITY OF MASKS. Powders The book tells the wider * Shepherd Smith story of this disaster (Brisbane’s * Epitaphs for Fun worst natural disaster) across the * Rosemount 20 local government area, includ- * Grange Garage ing the Town of Windsor. More * Grange Photos than 300 people died of the Flu in Special thanks to all the * Gore Street, Albion Brisbane during the epidemic. people who made thousands of * Lethal Weapon The Windsor Branch of Anzac Biscuits for our Anzac * O’Connor’s Paddock Women’s Emergency Corps the Day Morning Tea. A found- * Melrose Park was one of the prominent anti-epi- ing member, Beres McCallum, * Nostalgia demic organisations that fought O.A.M. made so many we had the Flu one hundred years ago. to send a semi-trailer to deliver Matthew Wengert is an the ones she made. By the look JOURNAL Volume 31 Number 3 independent curator and profes- at this photo, she is now concen- trating on a lamington. August 2019 sional historian who has lived in Recent issues are viewable at the Brisbane since the 1980s. Fol- National Library of Hi to our readers at Chermside Australia, Canberra, lowing his BA (Hons) in Media State Library of Queensland and Districts Historical Soci- and on line at Studies at Griffi th University, ety via your Newsletter link. www.windsorhistorical.org.au he worked there researching for We are so pleased that you can Archive available at Windsor & Districts Historical Society Inc. ABC and SBS documentaries. He read our Journal each issue. Old Windsor Council Chambers, attained an MA (Writing, Editing Lutwyche Road, Windsor. and Publishing) from University Much of the historical material used We were sorry to hear was found at Trove Newspapers, of Queensland in 2014. His main National Library of Australia research interests are the violent about the passing of Circulation Manager: Gem Cowlishaw Proof Readers: Judy Willis history of Queensland’s colonial and Rosalie Raciti. frontier and the medical history of Denise Bender, Production costs donated by the editor. epidemics. He has worked closely late member Produced and Edited with Cherbourg’s Ration Shed andand committeecommittee ppersonerson by David Teague, B.Ed. Museum for several years as a cu- Delivered by e-mail to members. inin May.May. Print version courtesy of rator and manager of Indigenous Trevor Evans, M.P. art projects (and he is a passionate For the latest news join us collector of Queensland Indig- on our new website or As of July the Editor has corrected 48,919 lines of text facebook or twitter. enous art). in newspapers at the National Library of Australia. Windsor & Districts Historical Society Inc. JOURNAL - AUGUST 2019 - THREE CASTOR OIL

This issue we remember the Castor Oil plant. It is colour- another wonder cure from the less to pale yellow with a distinc- past. This one even cured bad tive taste. behaviour in children. It seems that it has been What is it used for? used for hundreds of years. The * punishment Moreton Bay Courier of 1846 * a moisturiser carried listings of imports of cas- paper on it. In the Queenslander * skin problems tor oil to Brisbane. the topic appeared frequently in * ringworms Bof’s superior cold- the questions column. * wrinkles drawn castor oil in pint An inquirer asked if Dr * acne and quart bottles Bancroft had delivered a lecture * fades scars It was a frequent import on the castor oil plant. He also * stretch marks into the colony and state. Near- asked whether there was any

Ooops, I nearly forgot.... * antimicrobial It was used as a laxative. ly every ship’s cargo contained seed for sale in Brisbane and * thickens hair some castor oil. In 1864 Chris- how the oil was extracted in other * thickens eyebrows topher Newton & Co. imported countries. (23.12.1871) * scalp infections some on the Prince Consort as 1. Dr Bancroft referred to the * darkens hair well as Lea & Perrin’s sauces. castor oil plant in a lecture. * arthritis Soon people were aware 2. Several hybrid sorts have * joint pains that there were native castor oil been originated in Queens- * kills insects plants and by the 1870s there land, which do better than the * soap manufacture was a great deal of interest in the old sorts. * lubricants crop. 3. Inquiries for castor oil seed * brake fluids The castor-oil, which is have been made upon sev- * paints, dyes largely cultivated in Italy and eral occasions; we believe * inks California and grows readily that there are oil mills in Mel- * waxes on the poorest soil, might, in bourne. * perfumes addition to the noxious effects Two years later questions * food preservative on insects, become a self-sup- were still being answered. * artificial tears porting industry. Sir, In answer to the in- Wow! What is this mira- The local papers were quirer in your last edition for cle? It is a vegetable oil made full of references and especially castor oil seed, I believe some from cold pressing seeds from since Dr Bancroft had delivered a hundreds of bushells could be supplied from the Upper Bris- bane. I could send some if the price offered will pay for gath- ering. I see by late papers from California that the seed is quot- ed there from 6s to 6s 9d per bushell of 56 pounds.(1873) At the London and Paris Exhibitions sample bottles of sas- asfras oil were exhibited as well as samples of castor oil made by Dr Bancroft in 1869. Since then several gallons of very fine oil had been processed from the red fruited variety grown for him for that purpose. The oil had been tried in the Brisbane Hospital and it was found to act efficiently. PAGE FOUR - Windsor & Districts Historical Society Inc. JOURNAL - AUGUST 2019 Mr Livesey of Kedron its effectiveness; and Charles Brook had done the pressing. Creasey Clayworth, M. R. C. S., Seven varieties of castor oil seed England, L.R.C.P., Edinburgh, were shown at the Exhibitions L.M., Edinburgh, states, in a and two gold medals were re- most flattering letter to Mr Live- ceived for the contributions They sey, that, in his opinion, the oil were lodged with the Queensland is far superior to the imported Museum. article. The process of manu- Two varieties grow wild facture adopted by Mr Livesey on the river banks but were too is most ingenious, and at the seen. Not only is it perfectly small to be of much value howev- same time very simple. transparent, and free from the er the red and green fruited cas- The customary heating remotest signs of adultera- tor shrubs yielded the most fruit. process is entirely discarded, tion, but it is entirely devoid of The oil from them was proved to and the oil is extracted simply that rancidity and disagreeable possess the necessary medicinal by pressure. This is a decided taste which constitute one of properties. advancement on the old way, the objectionable character- The Queensland Times and it is mainly through this istics of the imported article. of 28 March 1876 had an article that the oil thus produced is so The preparation of Mr Livesey about castor oil superior in appearance, and is almost completely free from We have had forwarded consequently so much more either taste or smell -- a fact of to our office a small bottle of valuable, than the imported ar- itself sufficient to recommend unbleached cold-drawn castor- ticle. its universal use by the medi- oil manufactured in this town cal profession. by Mr Livesey, who resides in In the present day espe- Wharf-street. It appears that cially it is an imperative duty for some considerable time for us as a community to en- past Mr Livesey has been en- courage the development of gaged, on a limited scale, in the industries where articles are preparation of this article on produced without being sub- an entirely original principle, jected to the pernicious proc- and with the most successful ess of adulteration for the results: The sample now lying In the Moreton Mail quantity of “shoddy” which is before us is, without excep- (20.12.1889) a sad tale was re- annually imposed upon the in- tion, the finest we have ever lated. Settler Carey, near Tam- habitants of these colonies by worth, was told that boiled cas- unprincipled manufacturers in tor oil plant was good for cold, the mother country is far in ex- so he administered a dose all cess of what most people im- round the family. Result, all agine. went temporarily insane, and We have also been fur- but for copious emetics would nished by Mr Livesey with have pegged out. numerous testimonials, tes- tifying, in the most flattering terms, to the purity, efficacy, and genuineness of the article produced by him. Dr R. Gunn says of it that he can fully rec- ommend it as the best he ever

met with. The late lamented Teague. David by Researched Dr Rowlands, too, in a letter to Mr Livesey, passed a very high eulogium upon it. Drs Von Lossberg and N. J. Kennedy also commend it in terms of the highest praise. Drs Ban- croft and Smith have likewise communicated to the manu- facturer their testimony as to League of Nations Cartoon Windsor & Districts Historical Society Inc. JOURNAL - AUGUST 2019 - PAGE FIVE J. & G. HARRIS by Clem Lack - Australian Dictionary of Biography John Harris (1819-1895) ton boomed in the American civil and George Harris (1831-1891), war bought suitable land and set businessmen, were born in Lon- up a processing plant near Ips- don, sons of John Harris and his wich. On 13 October 1860 at St wife Sarah, née Walton; their Paul’s Anglican Church, Ipswich, grandfather was probably the he had married Jane, daughter emancipist, John Harris. As a of George Thorn; they had three carpenter their father was given sons and three daughters. One free passages for himself, his daughter married Richard Gar- wife and six children in the Indi- diner Casey and another Charles ana and arrived on 15 October Hill. George Harris 1833 at Sydney; he became a In the 1870s George publican and died aged 56 on 29 speculated in mining properties at appointed to the Queensland Leg- May 1844 and was buried in the Gympie and Stanthorpe but lost islative Council and served until La Perouse cemetery. heavily. His brother, increasingly August 1878. At various times he His elder son John joined alarmed at the firm’s seeming in- was consul for the United States the business of his uncle Joseph stability, visited Brisbane several of America, for Italy and for Bel- Underwood in April 1842 and on times and sent agents to report gium. In 1862 he had leased 3 May married his cousin, Cath- on its progress. George resented Newstead House, the old govern- erine Lucy Underwood. In June this interference and, attributing ment residency, and later bought with George Thornton as his it to parsimony and over-cau- it. There he entertained lavishly partner he set up a mercantile tion, decided that the partnership until the property was lost during and shipping agency at Brisbane. had broken down. On 29 August the bankruptcy proceedings. He In November the partnership was 1876 he petitioned to have the died on 28 March 1891 at North dissolved but John continued the firm declared insolvent. The pro- Quay, Brisbane, and John on 27 agency. In the squatting rush of ceedings for winding up the firm May 1895 probably in England. 1848 the business expanded rap- ended in October 1878 and he We have several files which idly and in August George arrived soon opened his own business reveal the Harrises activities. Har- in Brisbane to work for John. The as George Harris & Co. ris Lands deals with their land brothers quarrelled often and in With his wide interests along Breakfast Creek and Kedron 1852 George went to the gold- George was prominent in Bris- Park Corner deals with their land at fields at Bendigo. bane affairs. In May 1860 he was Wooloowin.

At John’s invitation he re- turned to Brisbane and became a partner in the agency. Soon afterwards John went to London to set up an office as resident partner. Under John the business had been confined to wool export, wharf management, shipping agencies and wholesale imports from London. George was more venturesome; he added a fleet of coasting ships, opened a fell- mongery, tannery and boot and George Harris’s Residence - Newstead House harness factory, and when cot- PAGE SIX - Windsor & Districts Historical Society Inc. JOURNAL - AUGUST 2019 HUNTER BROS

Many people did not know Council for many years. Their red that Brisbane Cleansing Limited trucks were very familiar in the aka Hunter Brothers had a local suburbs collecting the weekly nightsoil depot. As much of Wind- nightsoil cans and replacing them sor was sewered the need for this with an empty one and a supply what it was supposed to do. service was further afi eld. Two weeks before Christ- The depot was on Hunt- mas the men would leave a little er’s Island. This island was cre- greeting card with a short poem ated when Breakfast Creek was on it. Often it stimulated the straightened in 1931. The old resident to leave out a bottle of water course was gradually fi lled beer or some such the following and the island was reached by a week. from John Oxley Library low wooden causeway. Many older members will remember the name Hunter Brothers for they had the cleans- from John Gibson ing contract for the Brisbane City of sawdust. For the younger read- ers many residents used to have a small hut (dunny) in the back yard that had an enclosed seat under which the can was placed. Quite often newspaper, apple

wrappers and very occasionally Teague. David by Researched a roll of often shiny paper was used. Visiting at night was always a problem. The men were strong to carry those heavy loads on their shoulders using an old sugar bag for padding beneath the can and a loose lid on top that was not al- ways successful in carrying out

Brisbane Cleansing Ltd Night Soil Facility at Windsor c1963

The Earth Closet was a Queensland invention by John Bramston.

Windsor & Districts Historical Society Inc. JOURNAL - AUGUST 2019 - PAGE SEVEN The ownership of the main property was transferred to Eric Lawrence Bradley in 1942. GARDEN In 1974 the land was sold to by WRD Investments to Raymond SERVICE STATION and Rae Rosenberg as joint ten- ants with Robert and Jean Hast- Will and Sarah Durston It seems that in 1936 ie. In 1979 the land was sold to are reputed to be the first settlers eight perches of land was leased Peter and Deborah Dutton as in Windsor as we know it. They to Robert McHugh who probably joint tenants with Terry Friar and arrived in Brisbane in 1858 and operated the first garage and Michael Matson. the following year they bought al- then 1937 to Margaret Jane Per- In 1980 the land was most 20 acres on what we know rin. transferred to Michael and Kath- as the Albion Road corner with In 1938 then George Bar- erine Eeley. The land was leased Lutwyche Road (portion 156). nard became the new owner of to Mid-City Lada Pty Ltd from 1991 to 14 August 1996. Residents then no- ticed that the building was be- ing stripped of joinery and sev- eral mini-skips had been placed around the site.

Around 1863, he started the garage and he called it the As a result of inquiries on an ambitious stone house (to Garden Service Station. 26 August 1996 the Brisbane City replace his temporary dwelling) Council put a stop work order on which he called Stoneleigh. He the site and on 2 September a planned to use it as a hotel but nomination for Stoneleigh to be was refused a licence and he entered in the Queensland Her- couldn’t keep up with the mort- itage Register was received by gage. After being taken over by the cultural branch of the Depart- Frederick Forbes and then Fred- ment of Environment. erick Forbes jr, John Lloyd Bale In 1952, the service sta- Teague. David by Researched On 5 September the purchased the house and 11 tion was leased to Gerald Flander nomination was presented to the acres of land in 1874. In 1889 Coltey and William Vincent Jones Heritage Register Advisory Sub- Alexander Leslie became the and in 1953 to Coltey alone. In committee. new owner. This was followed in 1957 Coltey renewed his lease Between 8 and 11 pm on 1890 by widow, Lady Gore from and added a further 15.5 perches 11 September 1996, the local Dunrobin on Sandgate Road. for a car sales yard. In 1966 the Brisbane tuff home of Windsor’s It seems that various tenants lease was transferred to Doherty first resident, Stoneleigh, was rented the house, now called Hil- and Richardson Pty Ltd and then demolished. It had been com- dawin - a combined name from to Bill Doherty Pty Ltd. menced in 1863. her children - Hilda and Irwin. William Bradley became the next owner in 1920 and then William Griffiths a confectionery maker. In 1930 Annabella Brad- ley repurchased the property and around this period a shop was added to the house. The house was converted to flats. William Bradley had converted several other large local houses into flats. In 1933 the garage was leased to William Rankin. PAGE EIGHT - Windsor & Districts Historical Society Inc. JOURNAL - AUGUST 2019 purchase a fenced area and not a narrow tongue of land attached to it. Masters agreed to rectify the situation and to compensate BANKRUPTCY Coxon. In the bankruptcy ex- amination of his affairs it was Local contractor Thomas rior one. After another adjourn- revealed Masters used to build H. Masters appeared before the ment His Honour said that there homes, borrowing money on Bankruptcy Court on 10 May were several things which had them and then selling the hous- 1932 with liabilities to unsecured not been done and a substantial es. He used to borrow after the creditors of £4,385 11s 6d., and allowance must be made. There house was complete and before £82,388 to secured creditors was, however, not as much miss- it was sold. In most cases the and to partly secured creditors of ing as the plaintiff claimed. He loans were negotiated before the £6,473, against assets valued at assessed the amount recover- houses were completed. Knowl- £18,130 9s. able to be at £50 14s. edge of the original mortgage Thomas Henry Masters As a result of this case wouldn’t be revealed to the buyer married Margaret Madeline Mc- another couple took Masters to at the sale. The terms would usu- Knoulty in 1911 and soon started court over another breach of con- ally be for three years. their family with Mary Hanora be- tract with the sale of a piece of It was stated that he ing born in 1911, Thomas Henry land and the building of a dwell- thought he would be able to re- (jr) born in 1913 and Allen Roy ing house and a shop at Lutwy- lease those people and give them was born in 1915. che Road, Wooloowin. a free title. A few people had al- Thomas started his house Business continued until most paid off their homes in full building business in 1912 with a 1927 when Masters found it nec- and would yet have a mortgage capital of £400 and was success- essary to find financial assistance on their property. Possibly there ful. to carry on his extensive specula- were six in that position. The Telegraph: 29 August 1914. tive building operations. A witness claimed that N EW House for Sale, M’Lennan street, In 1930 Masters was back Albion, two allotments, 66 feet frontage, there were nine persons who six rooms, pantry, and bathroom, sliding in court again. Police Constable had paid more than the mort- sashes, back veranda; terms, £600, £200 Sidney Coxon disputed his pur- gage debt. Masters was declared deposit, or offer. chase of land at Damon Street. bankrupt on 25 July 1932.

Thomas H. Masters, Lutwyche road. His honour describe the conduct Teague. David by Researched On 3 July 1935 Thomas The business path was of Masters over the sale of the Henry Masters applied to the not always smooth as Masters land as sharp practice and could Supreme Court for an order of found himself in the District Court not unfairly be stigmatised as discharge from bankruptcy. The fighting a claim for damages. fraudulent, though fraud had not order of discharge was granted Horace Cundy claimed almost been specifically alleged . As the but its operation was suspended £120 damages from Masters for result of early subdivisions and for two years.Depression times breach of contract. later resubdivisions many allot- were tough with the interest paid In 1918 Masters con- ments in that area had awkward by Masters being as high as 15% tracted to sell to Cundy certain shapes. Coxon had agreed to and never less than 10% land, building, &c. and to erect a dwelling house and a shop in MASTERS BUILDING accordance to certain plans.It cnr Chalk and Lutwyche Road was claimed that the house and shop were negligently and un- skilfully erected with inferior ma- terials. Frederick Marsden who had supplied the timber for the premises opined that the neces- sary repairs and alterations might be carried out for a further £5 or £6. At an adjourned hearing Mas- ters reputation was put in doubt by citing times when he removed a bath from a house after he had sold it and substituted and infe- Windsor & Districts Historical Society Inc. JOURNAL - AUGUST 2019 - PAGE NINE Please let us copy any photos you have with PHOTOGRAPHS regard to our District.

This is Lutwyche Road outside the Windsor State School fence when the tram lines were being re- cemented in. Can you see Windsor House? The Quarry Face? The Houses in the Kirkston Estate? Do you remember the paper boys and their bikes delivering your daily papers. By the size of the bike lamp, deliveries were made sometimes in the dark.

HELLO: To Jim Fraser, son of Unit- ed Milk Vendors founder who is visiting in August.

The military on Kelvin Grove Road. Photo taken in 1914. See also next article.

PAGE TEN - Windsor & Districts Historical Society Inc. JOURNAL - AUGUST 2019 tour in the road just at the Oval, which is evident to-day, from the formation of houses opposite the park.Looking down the Long Hill, KELVIN GROVE Kelvin Grove, showing a portion The Brisbane Courier: 23 August 1930 of the residential area of this pro- gressive suburb. The Long Hill, The Windsor Town casionally, but were very respect- an easy stretch on the outward boundary was Kelvin Grove able, and quite harmless. “Catch- run, was formidable on the re- Road. On one side Windsor penny,” by the way, earned her turn journey, and it is not to be Town and the other Ithaca Town name through her skill in catching wondered at that progress up the - which were united in Greater pennies in her extensive mouth steady incline was slow. at the street corners. Close to the Brisbane. Settlement was well ad- blacks’ camp, near Prospect Ter- vanced before the name Kelvin No great wonder attaches race, bricks were manufactured, Grove was applied to the suburb. to the fact that a district so favour- and the kiln supplied the founda- The titles of Three-mile Scrub ably situated, and so rustic and tions and “legs”, for some of the and Enoggera were given very healthful as Kelvin Grove, should earliest houses. One of the first generous application until ex- have attracted early settlers of buildings in the district was that panding settlement caused the Brisbane. Its natural advantages of the late Mr R. B. Price, who people to be more particular. as a residential area ensured was in the old Waterworks Of- Regular traffic made the erection its steady advancement, so that fice for very many years, and his of a bridge over Enoggera Creek, Kelvin Grove was able to play an place, with its brick stumps, is still at the foot of the Long Hill, a dire important part in the chapters of at Prospect Terrace, although it necessity, and a wooden one was the city’s history through which has been extensively altered by built, which served the public de- the horse ‘bus rumbled on its way his son, Mr James Price. mands until July, 1919, when unchallenged. It soon gained, IN TRACK TO THE NORTH. the present concrete bridge was and still retains, high suburban opened. It is a substantial struc- status. ture, as is also the fine new bridge When one journeys to-day over the creek at Ashgrove-av- along the bitumen road, and views enue, connecting Kelvin Grove the populous suburb stretching directly with Ashgrove. on. either side, it seems a far call to the bumpy bush track and a first few scattered structures. It is the old story of pioneering and When the old Northern development in a new setting. road was mapped out by the late Blacks were numerous in Kelvin Mr Bergin, and the bus service Grove long after settlement came, to Gympie was instituted, Kelvin and their gradual disappearance Grove was magnified in impor- is well within living memory. Kel- tance, as the route went right vin Grove was in the path of those through the suburb. The buses aboriginals who tramped out in passed out along Kelvin Grove the direction of Enoggera, but road and over Cash’s Crossing. there were many who made their At first the hills were not cut, and permanent home much nearer some of them were really steep to town. The Three-mile Scrub bluffs. There were severe ruts in -road, now known as Ashgrove- places, and parts of the journey avenue, at the old tram terminus, were boggy in wet weather. This was a camping ground for one caused a long-suffering traveller tribe, and in earlier years “Billy to facetiously inserted an adver- Moffatt” and “Catchpenny,” his tisement in The Brisbane Cou- gin, held court on the hill behind Remnants of the rier,” informing the public that a Kelvin Grove school, overlooking Three Mile Scrub ‘bus and four horses had been the main road, and what is now lost in the road at the Oval. School-street. A gully, long since The additional ‘bus traffic A SCHOOL IS OPENED. dried up, ran below their camp. to Enoggera made Kelvin Grove Kelvin Grove has been They conducted a corroboree oc- a busy place. There was a con- an important educational centre Windsor & Districts Historical Society Inc. JOURNAL - AUGUST 2019 - PAGE ELEVEN Kelvin Grove State School under construction 1949

for over half a century, and some has maintained a high position in lunch bags. Indeed, a thorough- of Queensland’s prominent men the educational life of the State. A fare which led up to Red Hill have passed through the school great number of its boys and girls bore the name of Goat Terrace, there. A mixed school was opened have gained scholarships, and but this apparently was replaced on June 28, 1876. with due cel- many of those of older genera- by a more euphonious name, ebration. It was required in those tions have won distinction in the as it does not appear on official days that the public should sub- professional and commercial life maps. scribe a certain amount of money of the State. PARKS AND RESERVES. to assist in the cost of establish- PROGRESS OF SCHOOLS. Kelvin Grove has been ing a school, and the late Mr R. Both the boys’ and girls’ endowed with several valuable B. Price was responsible for the schools, under the direction of parks. Bancroft Park, at the foot collection of a large portion of the capable staffs and the vigilance of the Long Hill, is being devel- residents’ money which brought of energetic committees, have oped into a more suitable sport- the Kelvin Grove School into be- progressed. The grounds are well ing arena. It once belonged to Dr ing. kept, and a memorial to heroes of Bancroft, and was the scene of Children walked from the Great War forms the gateway very valuable experiments in plant Enoggera and other places as to the boys’ school. An impos- life. The doctor was a practising far distant. Others were fortunate ing entrance to the girls’ and in- physician, and used his grounds in the possession of horses and fants’ school, facing the tramline, to experiment in the growth of ponies, and as the school grew was officially opened In June sugar cane, wheat, maize, and there was an increasing number last. The old buildings of the first other agricultural plants. The re- of equines in the playground. years have long since given way sults of his observations have Mr Long was the first teacher in to more commodious and up-to- been of great benefit to Queens- charge at Kelvin Grove, but six date structures. The girls’ school land and the rest of Australia. years after the establishment of has an average attendance of Approving glances were the school Mr F. L. Walker, who 757 pupils, and the boys’ school cast at Kelvin Grove by official now lives in retirement at Her- 527 pupils. Those boys and girls eyes from time to time, and it was ston-road, assumed charge. who now go to the school do not to have been the locality of a new There were then only two old give “double-banks” on ponies, Government House. Until the buildings - one for the boys and as was done in the early days. Mayne gift of St. Lucia land it was girls and the other for the infants. They ride in trams to Prospect selected also as the situation of The school grew so much that in Terrace, or walk short distances, a new University of Queensland. 1897 the Department of Public In- for schools are so numerous in The Government House matter struction decided to divide it, and Brisbane nowadays that the dis- caused some controversy. A re- a new boys’ school was built on tance between them is not great, serve adjoining the Kelvin Grove the top of the hill. Mr Walker was and no scholar need walk far. If side of Victoria Park was marked transferred there, and remained there are few horses there are down as an ideal site for a Vice- in charge until 15 years ago, fewer goats; but there used to regal residence, and the foun- when, after his services had been be goats in large numbers, and dations of a new building were recognised in a special way by bearded marauders had a habit begun in July, 1910, and finished an extension of his term for five of getting into the school grounds in 1911. They are there to-day, years, he retired at the age of 70 after the children had gone into for the project never got beyond years. The Kelvin Grove School class and making feast from the the foundation stage. The Gov- PAGE TWELVE - Windsor & Districts Historical Society Inc. JOURNAL - AUGUST 2019 ernment, in the meantime, had high level of popularity. purchased Fernberg, at Upper While closer settlement Paddington, as a Governor’s had taken away much of the rural residence, This incident was aspect which so fascinated the doubly related to the proposal early colonists, it did not affect to build a new University. Firstly, the healthfulness of the suburb, the present University building is nor could it affect its convenient old Government House, which situation; and these were factors was vacated by the Governor in bringing Kelvin Grove to its Ithaca Wool Scour when Fernberg was purchased; present position. Water, gas, and, secondly, the new Univer- electricity, telephones, and other A SPORTING SUBURB. sity would have been built on the facilities came in their time - like Kelvin Grove has long adjoining property, quite close to the welcome ‘buses and the more been prominent in the sporting the new Government House. The welcome trams - and all the time life of the city and State. The University site in Victoria Park Kelvin Grove was becoming filled Kelvin Grove Amateur Athletic has now reverted to the Brisbane with houses in its many streets. Association has its headquar- City Council. However, other in- To-day the transformation has ters at Bancroft Park, and one of stitutions of a public character assumed wonderful proportions. the first-class cricket teams also have been established close by The Prospect Terrace section bears the name of the suburb, at Kelvin Grove. The Creche and has developed into an up-to- which is familiar in several other Kindergarten Association opened date township, and several busi- branches of manly and womanly its residential training college at ness places on the Long Hill also sport. Victoria Park road in 1919. In a serve the population. A chain of Early evidence of the house formerly owned by Sir shops at intervals extends to the residents’ interest in sport was Charles Lilley, and occupied by old tram terminus at Ashgrove the establishment of the Kelvin his son. The Friendly Societies’ Avenue, where another town- Grove sports ground, in the di- Hospital also is in the neighbour- ship, bordering on Newmarket, rection of Herston. The control hood. has been built. The Kelvin Grove of the ground was vested in trus- TRAMS GIVE IMPETUS. Memorial Hall stands at that end tees attached to the Ithaca Town A crowning event in defi- of the suburb. Kelvin Grove has Council, and the property came nitely establishing Kelvin Grove its quota of secondary industries. directly under the municipality in as an important residential sub- The North Australia Rubber Mills, Greater Brisbane. urb was the construction of the Ltd., bought the property of the The oval reserve is an- tramline to Newmarket Road, Ithaca Wool Scour Co., Ltd., four other centre of sporting activ- adjacent to the saleyards, in July. years ago and converted it into a ity where healthy necessity has 1903. The line was extended to rubber factory. Near by is John- called for more playing room, and Bank Street in September, 1926. son and Sons’ tannery, which has this is being provided by the lev- Greater speculation in property stood on the bank of Enoggera elling of part of the grounds. followed, and the suburb forged Creek for many years.The Kelvin The suburb has reason ahead. Men and women were at- Grove military reserve, acquired to be proud of its worthy church tracted to “the Grove.” and built, in 1911, plays an important part buildings. The Methodist Church, beautiful and comfortable homes. in the Commonwealth’s defence St Ambrose’s Roman Catho- In the years immediately before training operations in Queens- lic Church and School, and St the war Kelvin Grove readied a land. James’s Church of England, standing side by side on Kelvin 1914 - Mounted Infantry on Kelvin Grove Road Grove road, are symbolic of the progressive and co-operative spirit of the community.

In its four years of exist- ence the Kelvin Grove Central Progress Association has done excellent work in advancing the cause of the suburb generally, and of that portion particularly which comes within its scope. Windsor & Districts Historical Society Inc. JOURNAL - AUGUST 2019 - PAGE THIRTEEN success for a number of years in Brisbane. Shortly after the ar- rival of the family in Brisbane an- other child, Benjamin, was born. JOHN L. BALE Young Bale, soon after coming The Brisbane Courier: 23 November 1885 here was sent to learn the gro- cery business. Up to the time of Many of our readers will from the Oxley railway station. At his departure for London he had learn with regret of the death first the change appeared to do been kept constantly at school, of Mr John L. Bale, which took him good, but after a time he suf- but schools were not so plentiful place at his residence at Ken- fered a relapse, and he gradually in Queensland in those days as sington Lodge, Oxley, yester- became worse until death put an now, and the boy had to depend day forenoon. Mr Bale has been end to his sufferings. During his upon his own exertions mainly to suffering from a protracted ill- illness, Mr Bale was attended by remedy his necessarily imperfect ness, which commenced about Dr Thomson, who was assisted education. September of last year, and for by Drs Marks and Cannan. At the age of 20 John L. some time past, his recovery has The late John L. Bale Bale had so far prospered that he been regarded as hopeless. His was born in London, on the 18th found himself the possessor of illness in the first place took the of January, 1837. There he re- a store in what is now known as form of an enlargement of the mained until he was 12 years old, Ann Street in the Valley. He was liver, accompanied with jaundice, and then in May, 1849, he came industrious and his efforts were but that was followed by dropsy. to Queensland with his father His condition was so much im- and mother. The family came out proved some five or six months in the Chaseley, the second ship ago that he was prevailed upon which came out under the charge to try a change of residence, of Dr Lang. Mr Bale, senior, was and he took up his abode on the a builder by trade, and he car- Blunder Creek, about three miles ried on his business with varied rewarded with a fair degree of suc- cess. He married a daughter of John Lloyd Bale the late Mr Alfred Slaughter, and his wife has survived him. Some time after his marriage he gave up business on his own account and was in the employ of Mr W. D. Brookes ironmonger, as clerk or bookkeeper. He had not been there long before Mr Slaughter started a building society on the terminable principle. The soci- ety which was known as the No. 2 Queensland Building Society was wound up, and a highly suc- cessful terminable society, the Brisbane Mutual, was organised in 1870. Mr Dickson, now the Hon. J. R. Dickson, was one of the trustees, and Mr George Hall was chairman of this society. It terminated by the effuxion of time in 1878; but in the meantime - in 1874 - the Brisbane Permanent Benefit Building and Investment Society was launched into exist- ence. Mr Dickson and Mr Hall were both in the new venture, which proved a great success. Mr Bale, who is fairly entitled to the credit of having been the orig- PAGE FOURTEEN - Windsor & Districts Historical Society Inc. JOURNAL - AUGUST 2019 inator of building societies upon the permanent principle in Bris- bane, was secretary of this soci- ety, and managed its affairs with great credit to himself and profit to the shareholders until the 1st October last year, when he was compelled to resign on account of ill-health. His place was taken by his brother, Mr B. R. Bale, who is now the secretary of the soci- ety. In the year 1872 Mr Bale aspired to municipal honours. He entered the council in succession to Mr Spence, who had resigned his seat in the West Ward. From that time Mr Bale remained in the corporation until he resigned in 1884, and during the whole of those twelve years he was the faithful representative of the West Ward. While in the council he was not remarkable for initi- ating or propounding any great scheme for the amelioration of the condition of the city, but in the administration of the funds of the corporation he was able to render much valuable assist- ance. As chairman of the Finance Committee he rendered good service. The council marked its Wharf-street church he was very are two sons attending school. appreciation of his long services enthusiastic in his endeavours The funeral will take place to- by a special resolution, regretting to improve the musical servic- morrow (Tuesday) forenoon, from the cause of his resignation. As es. The present tendency of the the residence of the deceased, a politician, Mr Bale has always choir is in no small degree due to Stoneleigh, Lutwyche. been a consistent supporter of his efforts, and through his efforts the party now in power, and at and that of the choir the organ one time he took a very active was purchased. Mr Bale him- John Lloyd BALE part in political organisation, par- self held the position of organist, * born London 16 January 1837 ticularly about election times. At for some time. About fourteen * died Brisbane 22 November 1885 the last general election he was months ago, before his illness returned as junior member for assumed a serious form, he was * insolvent 1859 Enoggera, his colleague being presented, in recognition of his the Hon. J. R. Dickson. In the services, with a very handsome * MLA for Enoggera 1863 - 1885 course of his parliamentary ca- testimonial by the Wharf-street * Alderman Brisbane 1872 - 1884 reer Mr Bale did nothing worthy of congregation. Mr Bale leaves six * married 1856 Elizabeth Slaughter note. The precarious state of his children - three boys and three health prevented his attendance girls. His eldest son, John Alfred, * children: at the House during the present who has been employed in the John Alfred 1857 session, and a few weeks ago he Customs Department, is married, Eliza Alice 1859 resigned his seat in the Legisla- but in feeble health. His eldest Annie 1861 tive Assembly. daughter is married to Mr. W. J. Ada Helen 1867 Mr Bale was a member Hooker, of Messrs. Hooker, Son, Arthur William 1870 of the Baptist denomination, and and Elliott. There are two grown- Albert Edward 1873 during his connection with the up daughters at home and there Windsor & Districts Historical Society Inc. JOURNAL - AUGUST 2019 - PAGE FIFTEEN Te-Koi Estate was created by re-subdividing Subdivisions 1 to 6 + 8 of ReSubdivisions 32 to 44 of Subdivision 3 of Portion 3, Parish of Enoggera (What a mouthful) of land along Gilbert Road in 14 allotments each just over 20 perches. Sale was held 15 June 1923. New street was created - Cameron Street. PAGE SIXTEEN - Windsor & Districts Historical Society Inc. JOURNAL - AUGUST 2019 THEN and NOW OUR GUN In our Newsletter April The foundation stone of St Colum- 1999 the question of the whereabouts ba’s Roman Catholic Church at of the gun formerly on display at the Wilston was laid on 23 August 1914 by Archbishop Duhig Windsor Town Council Chambers was posed. Then in JOURNAL is- sues May and August 2017 we lo- cated photos of the actual presenta- tion in August 1922. Originally the gun was supposed to be re-located in the new Memorial Park. Now Vice President Mark has located a clipping from the Sunday Mail, 3 March 1958 that adds to the chase. It featured a photo (see below) taken in the Crosby Park Nursery of guns removed from Brisbane City Coun- cil parks as they didn’t conform with park development. Included were two 5.9 German Howitzers and six other guns of various vintages. One howitzer has an inscription saying it was captured in 8 August 1918. This must surely have been ours. It was captured in August 1918. A local resident remembered that he used to climb over our gun on the way home from Kedron High c1958, so our gun must have been removed around that time. The council, by the clipping, The initial Massey’s Hill road cutting was made in 1886 was offering to give the guns away by contractor B. Swenson for the Ithaca Division and again to any returned soldiers organisation. the cutting was deepened for the Shire of Windsor in 1891. The original memorial plaque* is Correction: Newsletter April 1999: Change gun capture date to 8 August 1918 vide April. vide 1918 August 8 to date capture gun Change 1999: April Newsletter Correction: now in the State Library. * See next issue.

Windsor & Districts Historical Society Inc. JOURNAL - AUGUST 2019 - SEVENTEEN has appropriately described as the COVER STORY “glorified floor polishing” of to-day. And pleasing to the senses were the waltz tunes of some of the old WILSTON HOUSE songs, that were played, such as: by F.E. Lord: The Queenslander: 6 November 1930. Sweet Dreamland Faces, Passing to and Fro, In his book, “A Journalist’s he came, I do not know. Neither am I Bring back to Memory days of long ago. Memories,” Major-General Spencer- sure of the year in which it was built, Ah, those who have not Browne, in speaking of the old home but I think it was in the early sixties. floated round to music of such as from which the suburb of Wilston (probably as late as 1875 when he this old song, with a good dancing takes its name, describes it as “The bought portion 269) Mr Wilson mar- and congenial partner, have not dominating old place above the New- ried a widow, Mrs Coutts (1885), lived! market Railway station.” It is certain- with one daughter (Maggie), who But to return to other trees still ly closer to the latter than to Wilston afterwards married Mr Jack Wil- left standing in the Wilston House station, but it is a steeper climb up son, (1884) who was no relation to grounds. Another hot country tree is from it. The word, “dominating” is her step-father, but a brother of Mr the tamarind, and that giant thorned well applied to this fine old house Gilbert Wilson—and there were two bramble, the Kel apple of South Af- on the hill top as it meets the eye Wilson sons, born to the old home I rica, which is used there to make from every point, therefore its view is presume.(House was sold in 1884) barriers against the lions. Gum and magnificent. Eildon Hill is prominent Many were the merry gatherings other native trees have kept their on the left, the Hamilton Heights be- held there in the old days. The car- stand about the grounds (there is yond, and below them the Bulimba riage drive curved up the hill, a little still about an acre of land round the bend of the river. Then we have the to the right of the house, then back to house), and a rich-hued bougainvil- rest of the city lying directly before us, the left and round to the house-front, lea has completely enveloped one, and stretching away to the right and past silky oak trees and lignum vitae and there is a big Moreton Bay fig bounded by the Enoggera hills. The —that “wood of life” from which tree, and a small bottle tree. As if in Newmarket sale yards appear to be bowls are made—and directly op- contrast to the trees that belong to almost immediately below Wilston posite the veranda steps is a fran- our Southern lands, and to Eastern House, all the activities there being gipanni tree. Not far from the back ones, the present owner of Wilston so plainly visible, but they are more gate we find another tropic tree with House has grown ivy against its than a quarter of a mile away. rich scented blossoms—the magno- south-eastern wall, to which it has This old home was built by lia. How often must the music, and taken kindly. What a wealth of varied the Hon. William Wilson, one time those other “sounds of revelry,” have associations the tree, and plant life member of the Legislative Council. floated out— round the old home call to mind. He was also head of a mercantile “To blend with fragrance in those southern The slates covering the roof shades. and insurance business, and rep- were brought from Wales, I under- And tell of feasts within the stately dwelling, stand, and are similar to those which resentative of the Adelaide Milling Bright lamps, and dancing steps and gem Company. But whether the name crowned maids.” have covered the old homes over- he gave to his home is just a slight Dancing was dancing in the seas for hundreds of years. Along alteration of his own, or that of the days of the Wilson gatherings at the front of this imposing old home home or place in England, whence Wilston House, not what some one of plaster-faced brick stretches a ve- circa 1880

PAGE EIGHTEEN - Windsor & Districts Historical Society Inc. JOURNAL - AUGUST 2019 randa with an arched porchway with mon addition of steel mantelpieces. rent owner 1930) has no respect or gable roof. The iron roof of the ve- Round each bow window is built a liking for our wooden houses, ex- randa, like that of Oakwal (Windsor), wooden seat, made of cedar, like cepting, I am pleased to note, the old described in The Queenslander of all the other fittings of this well-built slab ones of the bush. He is much in- October 25, is supported by pairs of old home. Even the flooring boards terested in this old-time brick house wooden posts. The wooden steps, in the hall, running right through the that he has purchased, and is grad- with plaster-faced brick sides, narrow house, are of cedar. ually putting its neglected grounds in up in a curve like those of Delamore An interesting outside fea- order. Some pretty roses are already (Kedron), also previously described. ture of the house is a well, over blooming in the concrete bordered Square pedestals at each end of the which stands the bushhouse, at beds below the veranda. The Major curves, on which stand pottery urns, present vacant of plants. This well served in both the South African War give an imposing appearance to the is of great depth, and holds about and the Great War, and, apart from steps. Projecting at each end of the 25,000 gallons of water. A pipe runs that, he has not only travelled much, veranda are bow windows. Another to it from the roof of the house, so but observed much. He is a lover of veranda runs round the rest of the cool rain water is always to be had. Nature and antiques and the beauti- house from one bow window to the This well, I am told, was hewn out of ful in general. He purchased Wilston other, and a door from each opens the solid stone. The land below what House from Major Cahill, who is well on to each side veranda. A wooden is now the front garden fence was known in Brisbane and Queensland. addition, consisting of the ballroom, also cut away and levelled for a cro- He lived at Wilston House for some divided by two sets of cedar doors, quet or tennis lawn. Here, I believe, years after his retirement from public some guest rooms, and the kitchen a marquee was often erected when life. and maid’s quarters, were attached entertainments were being held at (Corections and explanations added in to the house at the back, but the this hospitable house. A new house brackets) present owner—Major Wynyard- has lately been built thereon. When Joss—has had it demolished, and Mr Wilson purchased the Wilston William Wilson built the veranda along the back of property it consisted of a number married Eliza Mackay in 1859 the original brick house, and thus (133) of acres, which have now been we have the veranda to-day running sold, and on which new houses now children: three parts of the way round. stand. But the Major has purchased, Mary Isabella Wilson 1859 - 1865 The interior of the house the as well as the land round the house, William Charles Wilson 1861 Major has had renovated, electric an acre or so below the road which James Alexander Wilson 1863 - 1865 light installed, and one of the back runs by his gates, still thickly covered James Alexander Wilson 1865 rooms divided to make a laundry and with trees. On this highroad there still married widow Eliza Coutts 1885 maid’s room. The two front rooms stand the old posts of the gate lead- step daughter Maggie Coutts containing the bow windows, are ing into the house grounds in other (father - James Coutts of beautiful apartments, 27ft long and days. Inniskillen, Ireland.) very lofty, and possess the uncom- Major Wynyard-Joss (cur-

Maggie Coutts and James Wilson on the verandah.

Windsor & Districts Historical Society Inc. JOURNAL - AUGUST 2019 - PAGE NINETEEN From the 1860s road metal was obtained from this area and after 1879 it became the quarry for the Ith- aca Divisional Board and after 1889 BITUMEN DEPOT it was taken over by the Windsor Shire Council as the main source for road metal and kerb stones. Later the site was used as a council depot and blacksmith’s shed. In 1953, the Brisbane City Council had workmen clean up the area of the bitumen depot. What is also interesting is the background to the photos. The former quarry and works depot is now the Windsor Quarry Park.

14 April 1953 Photos: Courtesy: Brisbane City Council.

Above: Looking north along Lutwyche Road and tramway sub-station can be seen. Second photo continues on - over- lap at palm tree. Right: Looking north along Lutwyche Road and across to the Fosbury Street Corner. Below: The frontage of the Garden Serv- ice Station on the corner of Albion Road can be seen.

Our Mail Bag WASTE OF BITUMEN Sir,— A very good example of waste of ratepayers’ money can be seen at the Windsor depot of the Brisbane City Council. Recently some hundreds of barrels of bitumen have been dumped in the yard, all uncovered and exposed to the sun. The barrels have now burst, and the bitumen is running over the ground surface. I have heard of the saying, “pouring money down the sink,” but this beats it. DISGUSTED RATEPAYER. Daily Mail: 23 September 1926. PAGE TWENTY - Windsor & Districts Historical Society Inc. JOURNAL - AUGUST 2019