THE TRARALGON & DISTRICT HISTORICAL SOCIETY INC

EXTRACTS FROM THE TRARALGON "RECORD"
Taken by John W. Davidson

January   1898
Owing to absence of the Band Master, the Band didn't turn out on New Year's Eve.  
Mrs. H. Ross,of Sale, took over Mrs. McAuley's Crown Hotel.
Mr. John Dwyer started with bridge over Traralgon Creek at Traralgon South, near the Creamery. The old Cribbins bridge has stood many a good flood and is one of the oldest in the district.
Mr. A.R.Anderson, of Rosedale, bought the Flynn's Creek Mechanics Institute to re-erect in Rosedale.
Meeting held in Mechanics to form a branch of the St.John's Ambulance Society in Traralgon, with Dr, Horne in the Chair.
Article on Rosedale Tannery, owned by Mr. F.A.Shiells, of Traralgon, and managed by Mr. W. Shiells.
Headlines read that in Traralgon on 14th January it was 105 degrees in the shade. Also reported that on previous Wednesday, 12th, bushfire smoke covered the area and old-timers said that it was similar to conditions on Thursday, 6th February, 1851. The whole country was on fire with close fires at Tyers, Upper Flynn's Creek, Loy Yang, Hazelwood and Morwell area and many homes were burnt to the ground.
"Recollections of Gippsland" (by Wombat) gave early history of Sale (18th January).
Mr. J.Glen, of Traralgon Post Office, transferred to Walhalla, after 3 years.
Traralgon races were held on Foundation Day, a public holiday, Wednesday, 26th.
Annual meeting of Traralgon South Mechanics Institute.

February   1898
On 1st February fires were still burning and a disastrous fire started at Loy Yang. Traralgon shops closed at 1.30 pm. and several hundred persons were engaged in fire-fighting. Sheepwash Creek bridge caught fire 3 times and fire headed to Traralgon South and Hazelwood. Shops closed following day after fires had been raging all night in Traralgon area, opposite Bradens & McDonalds Hill and travelling towards Hill Top. Other firefighters went out to Morris's, Holt's, Whalley's and Stammers' to assist when fire spread from Downie's where Whalley's house was saved by a strip being fired before heading across to Holt's and Redpath's.
Callignee Hall was burnt down and Mr. Tanner's old house destroyed. At Korumburra fire came up to the back of shops in Commercial Street while at Toora and Foster houses and churches were burnt to the ground.
Mr. Harry W. Gay completed his pupil teacher's course at Traralgon State School and was appointed in charge of schools near Dargo.
Tyers and district was surrounded by fire.

March    1898
Traralgon Cycling Club held monthly meeting.
Mr. Jas. Brown opened bootmaker business formerly occupied by Mr. R.D. Lawrenson .
Chas B. Hill, of Colac, was granted transfer of the "Star Hotel" from Mr. E. Kaye.
Mr. M. Williams opened hairdressing and tobacconist business
Mr. H.J.Counsell, teller of Bank of Australia, transferred to Tungamah.
Constable P. Olive was promoted to Briagolong police station after 6 years here.

April   1898
Mr. W.H.Hales sold his bakery business to Mr. T.S.Gilbert.

May  1898
Horticultural Society held annual exhibition.
Traralgon Sports Club celebrated the Queen's 79th Birthday with 14 events after a procession from the Post Office to the Showgrounds.
Carrajung State School, built by Mr. Wright, is a neat little building with good attendance of youngsters, in charge of Mr. Fox.

June   1898
Traralgon Brass Band, under Mr. R.Kinna, played out in Franklin Street on Saturday night, 4th June.
Constable Walker, of Toongabbie, left Police Station, and was replaced by Constable Hall.
Golden Wedding celebrated on 8th June, of John, son of Alexander Campbell and Helen, daughter of Alexander Munro, of "Crofton", Loch Broome, at Ullapool, Scotland, 1848.
Dr. Home entered partnership with Dr. Allister who acted on his behalf while absent with illness.
Annual Fire Brigade Ball held in Mechanics and Mrs. Fitzpatrick supplied the dance music. Mr.Barker was M.C. and Mr. J.Pate the caterer.
Sunday 19th, Traralgon Brass Band, under leadership of Mr. R.Kinna, played selections of sacred music in the afternoon at the brow of the hill leading to the reservoir, nearly opposite Mr. Serjeant's residence .
On Sunday 26th a combined Church Service was held in the Mechanics Hall. Members of the Independent Order of Rechabites, Manchester Unity, Grand United Order of Oddfellows, together with members of the Fire Brigade, and led by the Traralgon Brass Band marched to the Hall from the old Masonic Hall, via Kay Street, to Church Street and along to and down Seymour Street to Franklin Street and along Hotham Street. Rev. J.G.Wilson was the preacher at the hall.
Two blocks in Franklin Street, which were demolished by fire on 8th March, 1896, and allotments purchased by Mr. J.S.Milligan, have shops being erected for him.
On 27th, first load of timber arrived at Callignee for the new hall and contractors, Messrs. Evans & Potts, expect to commence next week.

July  1898
Mr. J.J.O'Regan, after 4 years at railway station, was transferred to Bairnsdale .
Mr.M.Bernard, of Franklin St., began making bicycles of quality.
Mr..J.A.Collins, past Secretary and leading player of the Traralgon Brass Band was presented with an Address signed by all members, and a writing case, prior to leaving for Heathcote. Mr. Alf Cross was appointed Band Secretary in his place.
Campbell Bros. new house was completed by a builder of Malvern.
Traralgon Bicycle Club obtained gravel for their bike track,from Mapleson's pit adjoining the saleyards.
Reported that paper pulp was being used in Germany to make artificial teeth.
Mr. Samuel Benson Williams died at Tyers, aged 65. He was one of the first pioneers to Woods Point and later was Licensee of a hotel at Happy Go Lucky for 14-15 years when he blazed a track from there to Tyers .
Four pupils of Traralgon State School No.1328 obtained their Merit Certificate: Adolph Guenther, Angus Cameron, Mildred Stephens and Herbert Birrell, son of headmaster Mr. Birrell.
Band members farewelled Mr. Fisher who was off to West Australia. He was one of the earliest members of the Band and one of its best members .

August   1898
Traralgon Football Club and Fire Brigade both farewelled Mr. T.J. McLaughlin who was leaving Traralgon.
Miss Montgomery, assistant State School teacher, was transferred to KooWeeRup.
Edwin Kaye, owner of the "Star Hotel" applied for transfer of Licence and granted from Mr. Charles Bernard Hill who had left district, to Mr. George Rust, of Collingwood, and publican at Sale for 10 years.
Annual meeting of Traralgon Sports Club. Those present were Messrs. West (in the Chair), Mayze, MacDonald, J.Thompson, Brown, King, E.Guest, Stephens, McCarthy, Bernard, Pettit, Meinardi and Secretary Mr.W. E. Gibson.

September    1898
Mr. Jas. Mayze, who recently purchased the site of Mr. McMahon's building in Franklin St., has erected a very large workshop with showroom in front for his buggies.
Traralgon Brass Band had open-air concert Saturday night, 24th, with parade in the main street, playing at different corners and collected £3.
Traralgon South school opened again after 2 months closure, due to measles .
On Friday evening, 23rd, Messrs. Neilson & Co., butchers, opened their fine new shop in Franklin St. They previously only had a delivery cart. Not to be outdone, Messrs. Grubb & Co. also had an effective meat display.
Mr. D. McBean started a new blacksmiths shop next to Bain & MacDonald's. He recently returned from West Australia.

October  1898
Mr. A.E.West, of the Wesleyan Church for past 2 ½  years, was farewelled and welcome made to Mr. T.Roberts, his successor.
Mr. George Whalley, after living at Traralgon South for 25 years, was farewelled in the Mechanics Hall prior to leaving to live with his grand-daughter in Traralgon. Messrs. Gibson Bros. took over his property.
Messrs. Clarke & Co. opened a new mart in Franklin St. next to Mr. Shiells, selling all produce and furniture.
Music was supplied by the Crow family and Mr.D.Christensen was M.C. at the Traralgon Ladies Social Club, and the following night the "Rosette Club" held their fortnightly dance, when Mrs. Fitzpatrick supplied the music and Mr. W.Barker was M.C.
Mr. C.Cochrane disposed of his property at "River View", Traralgon West .
Tenders accepted for erection of St. James' parsonage, 17th October by Messrs. Burton & Motton, being the lowest of four, for  £325, to be completed in 10 weeks.
Callignee new hall opened on 26th officially, by Mr. H.C.Jones. Last hall opened about 1883 but was burnt down.

November  1898
14th Annual Agricultural Show with special train running from Sale, took £72.9.0 at the gate and £5.15.9 at the grandstand.
Mr. Jim Huffer was successful tenderer for carting butter from the Gormandale factory to the Traralgon Railway Station.
Harry Cogill's circus held on vacant block near the coffee palace, facing the station.
Father Sherman, of the Catholic Church mission,was farewelled.
The Governor, Lord Brassey, and his lady arrived from Bairnsdale by train and stayed overnight at the Grand Junction Hotel, and walked through the town in the evening with no official welcome. The Vice-Regal party left next morning on horseback, accompanied by Mounted Constable Ryan, to stay overnight at Carrajung.

December  1898
Mr. James Tyson, M.L.C. and Australian millionaire, born in N.S.W. in 1823, died at Toowoomba, Qld.; he was the owner of the famous Heyfield Estate.
Flora (MacMillan) wife of Dr. Horne of Kay(e) Street, died, aged 30, and was buried at Hazelwood.
Upper Flynn's Creek opened a new State School, with Miss Molyneaux as teacher.
Application by Council to erect an 8,000 gallon tank in the Railway Reservoir, which would supply water to flush the street gutters.
Dr. Montgomery offered to teach children to swim, at the same reservoir, if permission granted.
John Nicholson Jones, formerly of Boisdale, was granted transfer of Licence of "Sportsman's Arms" hotel, Tyers, from Caroline Fuge.
Joseph Wright was granted renewal of "Junction" hotel licence at Loy Yang. Population of Morwell given as 3,120; Traralgon 1,400; Toongabbie 1,115 and Loy Yang 720.
6,000 oz. of gold was escorted by special coach from Walhalla to Toongabbie.


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