January 5
• Diesel fruit train loads increasing
Big saving to growers in freight rates
The diesel fruit train initiated by the Transport Minister (Mr. Gordon Chalk) and which commenced operation on Sunday, December 20, has received a big increase in support by Granite Belt orchardists. On the first Sunday of the service 83 tonnes of fruit were taken to the Brisbane Markets, but last Sunday the train carried a total of 123 tons…The chairman of the Deciduous Sectional Group committee, DGT Gow, said growers were beginning to realise the savings in freight and supporting the train.
January 7
• Iona opens in Amiens-Bapaume
Iona Enterprises Ltd have announced they have commenced business in the Amiens-Bapaume area. The merchandising store will open on Monday under the management of Ron Lawson.
January 12
• Iona Enterprises to build at Pozieres
Iona Enterprises have elased land on railway property at Pozieres and will commence immediately erecting buildings for a cold store and merchandising.
• Cr. F.A. Rogers again a CP candidate
• Bishop Brennan to visit Wallangarra
• Diesel fruit train criticised
Road Hauliers Association refutes claims that the Railway Department is getting the bulk of fruit consigned from the Granite Belt on their “cut rate cut throat diesel service“.
• Obituary: Maude Lindsay Greenup
Wife of Richard Greenup
January 21
• 105th birthday
Stanthorpe’s Grand Old Lady, Mrs. Maren Christensen, celebrates her 105th birthday. She is the oldest living in Queensland and is believed to be the second oldest in Australia.
• Priest installed at Wallangarra
The most Rev W. Brennan, Bishop of Toowoomba, visited Wallangarra on Thursday last for the purpose of formally installing as Parish Priest of Wallangarra the Rev E. Brian O’Dwyer. Previously Wallangarra was included in the Stanthorpe Parish.
• Seagulls seen in Stanthorpe
• New variety of apple
Great interest is being shown by growers and others of the district in the progress this year of the new apple variety development by Mr. Henry Franklin of Pozieres.
• Town plan open for inspection for three months
Drawn up by Messrs Scorer & Scorer, Brisbane, the plan caters for residential and industrial expansion int he town for perhaps more than 50 years. One of the most interesting provisions is that for a bypass road which will carry transports and through traffic. The town planners have given a lot of thought to the plan and the beautification of the town has not been forgotten as much parkland appears in and around the town.
The plan provided for park land on either side of the creek on its entire course through the town. The main areas set aside in the plan other than the two existing parks, McGregor Park and the town park, are the Sentimental Rocks, an area just off Wallangarra Road between Marsella Street and Catherine Street, the old Crystal Mine just under the Black Bridge, and area at the end of Scholtz Street and an area near the Grammar School reserve which is adjacent to the cemetery.
Mt. Marlay is also put down as parkland and in fact the planners have drawn up a plan for the picnic area and lookout at the top of the mountain. Earlier in the year, the council constructed a road to the top of the mountain with the object of developing the area as a Centenary Year effort.
The plan provides for residential expansion in McGregor Terrace. There will be two streets west from Britannia Street which will embrace the present dump. The plan also provides for heavy residential expansion on the southern side of Mt. Marlay from the foot of the mountain to the bank of Kettle Swamp Creek which becomes Quart Pot Creek when it passes under the Red Bridge.
Light industries will be situated as Passmore, hazardous industries off the highway at Stanthorpe and Applethorpe.
A road is proposed between Creek and Maryland Street extending from Folkestone to Railway Street (Rogers Street). Similarly on the eastern side there is another proposed road between Maryland and Matthew Street, extending from Sheahan Street to Matthew Street.
January 26
• Bailiff to Pay Fine or Go To Gaol
Stanthorpe’s Bailiff, Mr. W.J. Clancy, must pay the fine imposed on him for keeping Alsatian Dog in the Stanthorpe Shire or go to gaol.
This was the decision reached by the Stanthorpe Shire Council when they met last Thursday and is the climax to a battle between Clancy and the Council which commenced last June.
During that time, there has been charges of victimisation made by Clancy and in the worlds of the Shire Chairman, Cr. F.A. Rogers, attempts to ridicule the council. The whole trouble commenced when Mr. Clancy arrived in the town with his Alsatian dog “Cleo“. The Council at their June meeting informed him that according to the council by-laws, Alsatian dogs were not allowed in the Shire.
Mr. Clancy replied that the dog was a German Shepherd and not an Alsatian. The Council sought the advice of the President of the Canine Control Council as whether there was any difference between an Alsatian and a German Shepherd. His reply was that there was not difference.
Mr. Clancy was then given 7 days to remove the dog from the Shire. This he refused to do and the Council instructed the Health Inspector and the Poundkeeper to seize the dog. They proceeded to do so, following Clancy round and round the town in the Health Inspectors car. Eventually, they caught up with him but were unable to capture the dog. The Council then took stronger action.
They issued a summons on Mr. Clancy and he appeared in court on Tuesday, October 6 and was fined £21/12/6. Mr. Clancy claimed that he was being victimised and entered complaints regarding various by-laws which were being broken.
“Some of the statements made by councillors would have been better if they had been left unsaid.“
At last Thursday’s meeting of the Council, the council’s solicitors, Messrs Sullivan and Beven, wrote advising that should the council desire to issue a Warrant of Commitment enforcing the fine and costs, it would be necessary to advice the Clerk of Petty Sessions to that effect.
Cr. F. A. Rogers said Mr. Clancy has not only defied the by-laws but went to length to ridicule the Council.
• Resident Engineer Sought by Council
The Stanthorpe Shire Council will take steps secure the services of a resident engineer for Stanthorpe Shire. This action was decided upon on the advice of the consulting engineer, Mr. Jack Mulholland.
The matter arose when Mr. Mulholland wrote to the council advising that his representative, Mr. J.G. Armstrong, was desirous of terminating his services early in February.
• Civic Reception for Premier
The Premier of Queensland, GFR Nicklin, will open Stanthorpe’s 80th annual show on Friday, February 5.
• Tulip Growing Competition
Mr. and Mrs van der Gugten are having a display at the Stanthorpe Show and are running in conjunction with it a competition for tulip growers. The promoters of this competition desire to state that if will be confined to the town of Stanthorpe owing to the difficulty of judging away from this area.
• Wallangarra Streets
The streets on the town of Wallangarra on the eastern side of the railway line have been in deplorable condition for many years and are lately becoming worse….At present, some of these streets are impassable and before long it will be necessary for residents to this area to form a company and purchase a helicopter for the transport of themselves to the shopping area and return. A.J. Long
• Clancy in and out of gaol
Mr. W. Clancy, bailiff for Stanthorpe, has been in and out of goal for not paying a fine imposed upon him for having kept an Alsatian dog, “Cleo“ in the Stanthorpe Shire. Clancy was arrested at 8.30am last Thursday but released from (Warwick) prison at 1.45pm after an unidentified man had paid the fine and the costs. While he was in the lock up he was issued with another summons for having kept an Alsatian dog in the Shire.
• Mallow Rural Fire Brigade
At meeting held recently it was decided to form a Rural Fire Brigade District at Mallow and Mr. Ken Brunckhorst was elected Fire Warden.
• New Varieties of Peaches
Of interest to the peach grower of the Granite Belt is the release this year of supplies of budwood by Mr. Henry Franklin of three varieties of American peaches.
February 4
• License Sought for Showing Films at Glen Aplin
A license is being sought for the showing of films at the Glen Aplin Memorial Hall. The applicants are Messrs. Clarence William Alford, Phillip Percival Dallow and Ivan Williams Lawer, all of Brisbane. An objection to the issuing of the license was lodged by the proprietors of the Arcadia Theatre.
• No Civic Reception
The Premier has requested the Stanthorpe Shire Council not to give him a civic reception on his visit to Stanthorpe this week, owing to the short time that would be available.
• Show Begins Today and Likely to Be A Record One
• Biggest Border Hoppers- Mr. E. Reeves, manager of Maryland Transport
February 9
• Stanthorpe 80th annual show
Record entries and Attendance, Excellent Fruit and Stock Exhibits. The Premier, Mr. Nicklin, during his speech at the official opening of the Stanthorpe Show last Friday gave a holiday to the school children to be taken within a month of that day. Awarded for the skill in the children’s fruit packing competition.
February 11
• Premier Pays Tribute to the Granite Belt
The introduction of refrigeration had assured fruit growers of an extended season and fairly stable prices. Queensland was the only State to record expanded apple production in the post-war period.
• Excellent Support For Fruit Train
Loading of 600 tons for the week ending February 5.
February 16
• Pictures At Glen Aplin
A licence to show pictures in the Glen Aplin Hall has been granted. Work on the installation of the projection room and equipment will commence immediately.
• Lively Discussion on Fruit Transport
Matters concerning the cartage of fruit by railway and road transport were fully ventilated at the meeting of the Stanthorpe branch of the Country Party in the Rex Hall on Friday afternoon.
February 18
• Civic Centre Will Cost £134,000
• Sewerage Up by £200,000
Plans for Stanthorpe’s Civic Centre were received last night by the Stanthorpe Shire Council at a special meeting. The cost of the ultra modern building is £134,000 without heating. During the discussion on the plans it was revealed that the cost of the sewerage scheme in Stanthorpe had risen from £428,000 to €620.000. Although the cost of the civic centre at first seems frightening, it must be remembered that it must be constructed in the very near future otherwise the costs will rise so steeply that in five years time it could cost over £150,000.
Firstly, there is provision in the plans for a small grove of apple trees near the main entrance and for a statue of a tin miner with water trickling into a tin he is holding. Another provision is the use of rough granite in the buildings, garden and courtyard. The court yard was rather a large one but the hall would accommodate 1000 people and for dancing 1200. The dining room would seat 300, which is adequate. Provision has also been made for the library.
• New Post Office at Wallangarra
A new Post Office, involving some £20,000 in expenditure, is to be constructed at Wallangarra in the foreseeable future.
• Farewell to Rev Fr. Murphy
February 23
• Pictures at Glen Aplin
The proprietors of the newly licensed Glen Aplin Picture Theatre have announced that they will open their theatre in the Glen Aplin Memorial Hall on Saturday night, February 27. The full proceeds of the night will be donated to schools in the Glen Aplin district.
• Second Charge Against Bailiff Adjourned
• Mr. Fred Thorpe Honours Superintendent of the Stanthorpe Ambulance Brigade for 26 years
February 25
• Choral Society Formed in Stanthorpe
March 1
• Expansion of lona
Cold Stores at Amiens – Bapaume and Pozieres
• Opening New Texas Post Office
March 10
• Bailiff Clancy on Two Charges
Kept Dog and Concealable Firearm
March 15
• Photographs in 60 seconds
Croston Studios have become the sole agents in Stanthorpe and the first in country Queensland to become agents for the Polaroid Land Self Developing Camera.
March 22
• Clancy Fine £30; Warrant of Execution Issued
• Iona’s Cold Store at Amiens Welcomed
March 24
• Bailiff on Firearm Charge
March 31
• Bush Children’s Health Scheme Branch Reformed
April 7
• Thirty Four Persons Naturalised
Since naturalisation was taken over by local authorities, a total of 289 people had been naturalised in the shire. This was believed to be the largest number for any local authority in Queensland outside Brisbane.
May 3
• Squash In Stanthorpe
A syndicate of four local businessmen has been formed to build and operate a squash courts centre in Stanthorpe. A suitable block of land, centrally placed in Railway Street has been purchased.
May 19
• Record State Apple Exports
Queensland has exported record quantity of apples totalling 140,000 bushel cases.
The highest previously in recent years was 30,000 cases. Of the apples exported, 120,000 went to the United Kingdom and the balance to the East.
• Removal of Church at Wallangarra
The removal of St. Mary’s Church from its original site in Tenterfield Street to its present location in Glen Lyon street provided one of the most interesting experiences this town has had the opportunity to witness for many years.
May 24
• Sewerage Scheme to Cost €606,000
May 31
• Mr. Hilton Wins Carnarvon With Reduced Majority
At the close of counting, Mr. Hilton had a majority of 322 (227 less than 1957 elections).
June 16
• Council Adopts Sewerage Plans
June 28
• Dedication of St. Mary’s Church, Wallangarra
July 5
• Bailiff for Stanthorpe
The bailiff of the Magistrates Court in Warwick has also been appointed bailiff of the Magistrate’s Court of Stanthorpe as from July 1. The former Bailiff, Mr. W. Clancy received notice of his termination some time after he had been fined for having an unlicensed concealable firearm in his possession.
July 12
• Pony Club for Stanthorpe
July 26
• No Civic Centre in 1960-61
Cr. Rogers said that after discussion with the Director of Local Government, the present scheme was too costly and it would prove a heavy burden for the Council to meet the interest and redemption costs. He suggested that the Council give consideration to a less costly scheme. A cost of £80,000 would be more in line with Council’s ability to pay for it.
August 2
• Heated Discussion Over Tomato Paste
• Stanthorpe SP Bookie Convicted
(Thomas Claude Bruce, a Stanthorpe railway employee)
August 4
• New Plan for Civic Centre
Cr. Fred Rogers: There is a crying need for this centre. It must not only provide for today’s requirements but must serve the town for the next fifty years. You can’t go building a new centre every decade and the centre was designed with this in mind. The Council Chambers have reached the stage when something has got to be done. Their life cannot be many years now, as they are infested with borers. Unless something happens, what will cost £100,000 today will cost £160,000 in four years time.
August 9
• The Parking Problem Reviewed
The parking problem in Stanthorpe affects all of us, especially the Council. Parking in the main street, especially on Thursdays and Saturday mornings has become a serious problem, particularly for the country people who come to town to
do business and cannot park their cars. One of the solutions that we have considered is angle parking in three side streets: Locke, Railway, and Folkestone Streets.
• Road Transport Firms Amalgamate
Maryland Transport and Western Interstate Transport
August 25
• Hail Rockets Attacked and Defended
The usefulness of rockets to disperse hail storms and thus prevent damage to crops was disputed by Mr. E.J. Smith of the Radiophysics Division of CSIRO when he addressed a seminar on rain which was held by the Commonwealth Bureau
of Meteorology at Sydney University on Wednesday, August 17. Mr. Smith is one of the CSIRO’s rainmaking group. His contentions that the rockets were useless were countered by Mr. Tom Archer (Applethorpe) who is the chairman of the Stanthorpe District Hail Prevention Committee who, in an interview claimed that since rockets were first fired in 1954 they had never failed stop a hail storm provided they were used in a reasonable manner. Mr. Archer said sometimes orchardists made the mistake of firing into the wrong cloud.
September 1
• NSW Orchardists Support Rockets
September 8
• Motel for Stanthorpe
To Be Erected by Iona Enterprises
Iona Enterprises has plans in hand for the erection of a chain of motels starting with one in Stanthorpe.
• Maryland Transport Fined £30
Contravention of the State Transport Facilities Acts in using a Commer Truck for the transport of goods not in accordance with this Act (Border Hopping).
“We are covered by Section 92 of the Constitution“ – Mr. Reeves.
September 13
• Show Ring Lighting Almost Complete
September 15
• Choral Society’s Fine Opening
Choral Society presents first concert at Rex Hall
• Bush Fire Brigades Formed at Severnlea
September 29
• Adoption of Town Plan Delayed
October 6
• 12 Months Sentence for Ex-Bailiff
In the Warwick District Court, William John Clancy was sentenced to two and a half year’s imprisonment on five charges of stealing and false pretences. Four of the sentences are to be served concurrently and the net result of the sentence
is that Clancy will only serve 12 months in prison.
October 11
• 3000 at Stanthorpe Rodeo
• Air Taxi for Stanthorpe
Principals of the newly constituted Stanthorpe Air Taxi commence operations as an air charter service from the Stanthorpe district to anywhere in Australia.
• Apple Blossom Marathon Footrace
Footrace from Pikedale to Stanthorpe, staged by the Stanthorpe Apex Club, is won by Ivan Giddens, of Amiens
November 8
• Fire Brigade Building in Wallangarra
Police Department has granted permission for a garage to be erected in the Police Reserve on the a garage corner of Margaret and Merinda Street, Wallangarra to house fire-brigade equipment.
November 10
• Stanthorpe Squash Centre Opens on Saturday
November 24
• Quake Felt in Stanthorpe
The earthquake which shook Brisbane and surrounding district on Thursday, November 17, was felt in Stanthorpe. This had been reported to this office by two residents of Stanthorpe and one from Applethorpe.
• Police Search for Deadly Bomb
• Cases Against Clancy Dropped
November 29
• Council Adopts Town Plan
• Search for Unexploded Bomb Over
• Board approves of Swimming Pool for Nurses
December 6
• New Plans For Civic Centre
The Stanthorpe Shire Council at its meeting on Friday, November 25, had before it new plans and specifications and estimates for a Civic Centre for Stanthorpe. The building includes a public hall, with dining room and a public library, also public conveniences. The total cost of the proposed new buildings is £79,000, of which 61,500 is for the hall, £11,000 for the library and £3,500 for public conveniences. Provision has been made for the building of new council chambers at a later date.
December 8
• School of Arts Future Decided
At a meeting of subscribers of the Stanthorpe School of Arts held in the CWA Rooms on Tuesday, November 29, it was decided to approve of a proposal made by the committee that the School of Arts property be handed over to the Stanthorpe Shire Council. Dealing with the use of the money realised from the disposal of property, it was definitely intended that the money should be used for the library and the library only at all times.
