Key Stanthorpe events, 1952:
January 15
• Flying Fox Menace Discussed by DSGC: “In view of the success of myxomatosis in the destruction of rabbits, an approach is to be made to the CSIRO to endeavour to discover a virus for the destruction of flying foxes.“
January 18
• Councillors Express Regret at Death of Premier (Mr Hanlon)
January 22
• Silver Spur Mine to Be Reopened – Modern Flotation Methods to Be Used
January 25
• Great Interest Shown in Formation of Junior Farmers Club: “At a largely attended meeting, it was decided to form a Junior Farmers Club.“
February 1
• Bush Fire At Severnlea
February 5
• Special Meeting of Council Discusses Purchase of Bulldozer: “The Shire Council two meetings back decided to purchase a light bulldozer. At its last meeting, it decided to cancel that order and purchase a heavy bulldozer. In the meantime, the light bulldozer was railed from Sydney and on Thursday afternoon a special meeting of Council was held to consider the position.“
• District Suffers Drought, Bushfires and Flying Foxes: “The Stanthorpe District is passing through one of the worst seasons in its history. The need for rain is being felt over the whole district; bush fires at the weekend threatened homes and a flying fox camp is somewhere in the Ballandean area. The foxes are Causing damage to stonefruit in that area.“
February 6
• A Story of Advancement – Glen Aplin Packing House: “The Southern end of the Granite Belt made a move in the right direction on the day the Southern Granite Belt Co-operative Association made the announcement it was commencing business. With its packing house in operation but not yet complete, the Southern end of the Granite Belt has already a service to growers which cannot be faulted. (Association commenced business on July 30, 1951 with merchandise store; Packing House opened December 11, 1951).“
February 12
• Our King is Dead – God Bless The Queen
• Stanthorpe’s Tribute – Flags Fly at Half Mast; Minute of Silence at Official opening of the Show.
February 19
• Local Tributes to Late King: “Stanthorpe paid tribute to the late King, His Majesty King George VI on Friday, the day of his funeral and again on Sunday, the day of national mourning. In addition to the church service on Friday, a Civic Service was held in the Rex Hall on Friday evening.“
February 22
• Council expression of regret at the death of the King, be forwarded Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth (on behalf of the Shire).
February 26
• Foul Water Drainage – Trouble at Outlet at Quart Pot Creek.
• Strife at Council Meeting – Director of Local Government Invited to Adjudicate: “On the casting vote of the Chairman, it was decided to ask the Director of Local Government to come to Stanthorpe to define the position of the Shire Clerk and Engineer as they relate to each other (Dispute over whether the Engineer had the authority to hire additional labour).“
March 11
• New Church – Opening and Dedication Ceremony. A large crowd gathered on Sunday afternoon for the opening and dedication of the new Seventh Day Adventist Church in Folkestone Street, Stanthorpe: “Such as church of architectural beauty would be an asset to any prosperous town.“
March 21
• Minister for Public Works & Housing Resigns from Show Society: “Hon PJR Hilton resigns from Show Society and refuses an invitation to attend the Show, claiming a discourtesy had been extended. The Show Society had requested GFR Nicklin to approach the Minister for Public Works to ask for an extra holiday for the Stanthorpe area instead of approaching Mr Hilton.“
March 28
• English Classes for New Settlers: “The Stanthorpe branch of the New Settlers Leagues has been advised by the Organising Secretary for Queensland that action has been taken to arrange through the Department of Public Instruction for a teacher to be made available in the Pozieres – Passchendaele area for
English classes for new Australians who wish to attend.“
April 4
• Deputy Chairman Retires – Not to Stand for Council Election
(Cr. W. Townsend)
• The Granite Belt – Recovery From Drought Condition: “The Granite Belt has shown a remarkable recovery since the drought broke. The first rain fell on February 19 and since then there has been a total fall of 828 points recorded in 19 wet days.“
April 8
• Government Policy Defended – No Depression Likely, Says Treasurer: “The Federal Treasurer, Sir Arthur Fadden, addressed over 400 people in the Rex Hall last night (Monday). He defended the Government’s financial policy and stated a depression was not likely. He dealt with taxation in relation to woolgrowers and stated that the introduction of the 40 hours week was a national tragedy.“
April 10
• Development League: “498 trees planted during the year, including 150 willows.“
• Establishment of Regional Broadcasting Station in Stanthorpe Sought: “When Sir Arthur Fadden visited Stanthorpe on Monday, a deputation waited on him to put the case for the establishment of a regional broadcasting station. The town and district of Stanthorpe has a population of 8000 of whom approximately three-quarters are orchardists and wool and vegetable growers: in other words, primary producers.“
April 22
• Honour Board Unveiled at Thulimbah
• Town Council Officers Clash at Council Meeting – Proposal they should be asked for resignations defeated: “The Clerk (E.L. Alcorn) and the Engineer (R.J> Stock) clashed at the meeting of Shire Council on Thursday afternoon. The Shire Clerk in a type-written report to the Council made a complaint that the Engineer had threatened to punch him on the nose in his (the Clerk’s) office.“
• Work Commenced at Silverspur Mine: “Work has now commenced at the Silver Spur Mine. A start has been made to ship the ore at the surface away. The surface ore which contains zinc, lead and silver is estimated at 10,000 tons.“
• Water Supply Expected to Be Finished in One Year: “Mr Hilton unveils tablet to mark the commencement of construction of the PJR Hilton Reservoir.“
May 13
• Bendee & Pikedale Area to Be Fertilised by Air: “Approximately 500 acres of land on Bendee and Pikedale are to be fertilised from the air tomorrow. The fertiliser to be used is superphosphate.“
June 12
• Destroyed by Fire – Hotel in Wallangarra
• Private Wards at General Hospital Re-opened
July 8
• Hail Prevention Committee Formed to Conduct Experiments: “100 growers attend meeting at The Summit Hall.“
July 15
• A Story of Co-operation, Border Town Amenities: “Behind the turning on of the water supply and electric light for the Border Towns of Wallangarra and Jennings on Saturday is the story of co-operation between three governments, a municipal council and two shire councils. It is a unique situation in that the Stanthorpe Shire has the water supply and supplies water to Jennings and the Tenterfield Shire Council which supplies Jennings with electricity also supplies Wallangarra. For the occasion, the Streets of Wallangarra were decorated with
bunting. In the morning, the Wallangarra Pipe Band led a procession of school children to the sports ground where sports were held for the children.“
July 29
• Lengthy Evidence at the inquiry into Wallangarra Fire: 23 people in the hotel at time of the fire, 13 June, 1952
September 23
• £6000 plant for Tin Mining Here (Dalcouth)
• Main Strip of Aerodrome May be Complete in Nine Months
October 7
• 1952-53 season memorable for restoration of stable wool values
• Cricket at Show Ground – New wicket officially opened
October 17
• To Be Tested on Saturday: Water Pressure in the Main Street
October 23
• Northern End of Granite Belt (The Summit) To Form Bowling Club
October 31
• Gala Night at The Summit, Capacity House for Opening Picture Night: “The Summit Public Hall Committee’s Picture venture drew a record audience when the first pictures were screened on Wednesday.“
November 18
• Protest Lodge and Car Reverts to Syndicate – Redraw for Consul: “After the Show Society was announced as the owner of the Ford Consul car, which was the first place in the Society’s £ a ticket art union, a redraw took place, L. E Miles of Cottonvale was declared the winner. The “Secretary Syndicate“ was read as “Society Syndicate“. Following an appeal by Mr. W. A. Blake, Mr. Miles agreed to forego his claim.“
• Motor Cyclist Killed in Race: “Toowoomba rider killed while competing at Stanthorpe Racecourse“
• Water Supply Will Be Connected to Housed by December 1
December 9
• Now Operating – Stanthorpe Cold Stores: “The Stanthorpe Cold Stores situated at Wallangarra Road near Jardine Street have commenced operations.“
• Number of apple trees planted 1947-52: Estimated yield up to 1960
December 16
• Volunteers wanted to shoot up flying fox camp
December 19
• Plans for New Building on Main Street
December 23
• An Editorial to Father Christmas
