Heathcote in the 1890s

THE boom of the 1880s was followed by a sharp economic downturn as the 1890s dawned.

Gross domestic product fell by 17 per cent over 1892 and 1893, several banks failed and by 1893 the most severe financial crisis in Australian history was at its peak.

At the same time a rising tide of nationalism was sweeping the country and the campaign for federation, which would ultimately unite the colonies into the Commonwealth of Australia, gained widespread support.

Australia’s fledgling wine industry also took a hit over the decade as phylloxera swept across the country, and vineyards were destroyed.

Closer to home the pages of the McIvor Times echoed many of these wider concerns.

 

The decline of Heathcote’s first wine industry

The Heathcote region had several vineyards in the later 19th century including Mayfield, which was owned by McIvor Times proprietor GW Robinson.

But the dual onslaught of phylloxera, a tiny insect which had already destroyed grapevines across the world, and the temperance movement led to wine making almost disappearing from the district by 1900.

Temperance societies such as the Band of Hope and the Independent Order of Rechabites were very active in Heathcote and the market for alcohol declined as the century drew to a close.

Published Thursday, 24 December 1896

PHYLLOXERA

Mr GW Robinson and his eldest son recently noticed a small patch of vines in his Mayfield Vineyard, Heathcote, that were not making growth equal to the surrounding vines.

Thinking the patch might he infected with phylloxera, Mr Robinson examined the roots of some of them and with the assistance of a magnifying glass discovered insects upon them.

To make sure before reporting to the department that it was phylloxera, Mr Crake, of Axe Creek, was consulted and he kindly came over, and after an examination expressed the opinion that there was not a shadow of a doubt about it being phylloxera.

Mr Robinson then reported the matter to the Agricultural Department, and on Friday last, Mr Hopton, Government expert, at present engaged in the Strathfieldsaye district, where the vines are being uprooted, paid a visit to the vineyard, and verified the existence of phylloxera in it.

On Tuesday last the vineyard was visited by Mr Martin, Secretary for Agriculture, Mr French, Government entomologist, Mr Hopton and Signor Bragate.

It was evident to them that the phylloxera had firmly established itself and that the vineyard would have to be uprooted.

 

 

Federation foreshadowed

Henry Parkes, generally regarded as the father of federation, was premier of New South Wales five times between 1872 and 1891.

His first public speech calling for a united Australia was in 1899 and the concept gained momentum with the 1890 Federation Conference in Melbourne and the 1891 National Australasian Convention in Sydney.

The McIvor Times reported on a train journey Parkes made from Melbourne to Sydney in mid 1891, including this report from Castlemaine.

Parkes’ dream was realised in 1901, less than a decade after this speech, but he did not live to see it having died in 1896.

Published Thursday, 25 June 1891

Sir Henry Parkes arrived at Castlemaine this morning and was enthusiastically received. He was welcomed by the mayor (Dr Woolley) and members of the Borough Council, who, on behalf of the residents; presented the veteran statesman with an address, which had special reference to the endeavours of Sir Henry at federation, and of the bringing together into one Commonwealth the whole of the Australian colonies.

Sir Henry Parkes, in replying, said that the time had arrived when, throughout Australasia, they should be brothers. He predicted that but a short time would elapse when the bounds of separation would disappear, and they should stand together as one nation.

Such a result would conduce to the prosperity of the colonies. Cheers were given for “The Queen,” for Federation,” and for “Sir Henry Parkes.” The latter then left en route for Deniliquin.

 

Budgetary constraints

A report from the February meeting of the McIvor Shire council no doubt inspired these verses.

Councillors had revisited a proposed payment to the Shire’s Inspector of Nuisances and the debate became heated with Cr Duncan describing those who opposed him as “dunderheads”.

The poet clearly felt the crumbling roof of the shire hall to be a more worthy target of expenditure.

Originally built in 1863 by local builder, James Crowle, the hall had been beset by structural issues from the start.

Many of Crowle’s buildings did not stand the test of time, being poorly constructed and using sub-standard materials.

Crowle was a member of the Shire Council when this poem was published.

Published Friday, 15 March 1895

RETRENCHMENT

Oh! our councillors in Heathcote, for the best thing to arrange:

Called a meeting, for they sadly see all speedily must change.

And they find to their officials, salaries large they cannot pay,

So they only must reduce them without parley or delay.

 

And so all soon meet in council, for each one would throw some light

On the state of their finances and give help the wreck to right.

But oh! sad to tell, each one rises up to say

There is but one way to do it and that way is just this way.

 

And they wrangle o’er those salaries, one with t’other can’t agree.

For with eyes of other people, rarely ever man doth see.

And then hot discussion goes on, as to what they ought to give,

For of course, just like his neighbours, our officials too must live.

 

And some of them say give little, others cry to give them more,

And the subject waxing warmer, terminates in wordy war.

But at last to one agreement, they our councillors have come,

To divine amongst officials, say a fixed and stated sum.

 

Yet oh! Councillors retrenching, can you not some money spare,

For an object truly worthy, and our Town Hall roof repair.

For imagine, oh ye singers, as your voices upward soar,

When enchanted by your warbling your audience loud encore;

 

Even as you turn responding, to that ever urgent call,

Gone your voice; for hear the cracking of the roof of the Town Hall.

Oh think of it lads and lassies, as around you gaily prance,

In the all ensnaring mazes of the madly circling dance.

 

And your voices and your laughter, which the hall doth echo round,

Will be hushed when to your hearing comes that awe inspiring sound.

How can we drink tea or coffee, or enjoy a piece of cake,

Underneath a roof that’s rotten, and upon our heads may break.

 

Ah alas! the good time’s over, and we o’er that roof must sigh,

But our lives are dear unto us, and we do not want to die.

Ignorance is bliss say sages, and ’tis folly to be wise,

And we cannot thank those people for thus opening our eyes.

 

What if – oh! the thought is dreadful, if upon some council day,

Whilst our councillor at the table, all the laws down for us lay,

If that roof without a warning suddenly collapse and fall,

Crushing them beneath its ruins, burying them our great men all.

 

Thus their lives will all remind us, to take care and heed in time,

And not go near roofs so treacherous, with indifference sublime.

And we’d tell in mournful numbers, retrenchment is not a dream,

And that roofs that don’t look rotten, are not always what they seem.

 

Up ye councillors! up and do it! ere ye meet such dreadful fate,

And expend a little money, ere ye find it is too late.

 

Kangaroos

Kangaroos have been both the delight and bane of district residents since the first European settlement.

Nineteenth century scientists need not have worried about declining numbers; in 2020 the Australian Government estimated there were more than 42 million in commercial harvesting areas, with the actual total being much higher.

Published Thursday, 21 March 1890

The rapid decrease in the number of kangaroos is beginning to attract the attention of scientific societies in Australia.

From the collective reports of the various stock inspectors, it was estimated that in 1887 there were 1,881,510 kangaroos.

In 1888 the number fell to 1,170,380, a decrease of 711,130. The chief obstacle to the adoption of measures for the effectual protection of the kangaroo is his vigorous appetite.

One full-grown kangaroo eats as much as six sheep.