Below are true tales of Auburn drawn from old newspapers of South Australia.
Tateham's Waterhole 1851
"Exact" people called it 'Auburn Village', but it was generally known as 'Tateham's Waterhole' - not Bleechmore's, (though the family of that name lived there.) The village was named then after one "Billy Tateham".
- Adelaide Observer (SA), Saturday 2 January 1904, page 27.
The post office was (situated) at the first built store, kept by Mr. Charles Bleechmore.
Mr. J. E. Bleechmore gave a block of land to the Postal Department, and on it the present post office was erected. Race meetings were held on the flat to the east of the River Wakefield.
-- Northern Argus (Clare, SA), Saturday 28 March 1936, page 4
In his reminiscences in the Register of 24 November 1923, page 14c, Mr C.B. Powell says, inter alia:
[It] was jocularly called 'Bleechmore-town' as Bleechmore owned the public house, the butcher's shop and general store.
Index of these Stories:
Races became a 'fight club' (1852, Auburn)
There was a great race meeting, and all the north was present. The racecourse was somewhere to the east of the town, but I never could identify the place in later years.
I came with the Saddleworth contingent, and was taken to the hotel for refreshments before the racing began. On the course I saw a lot of men standing in a ring, and found that two were fighting. One was fairly well known, and at this time was a publican, though not at Auburn.
They beat one another dreadfully, and were bleeding all over the face. As all the countryside. was there, all the justices from Kapunda to Clare must have been on the ground, and probably a Stipendiary Magistrate or two; but not a word was said about the Queen's peace, and the only one who tried to act as a civilized being was Mr. "Joe" Bleechmore, of the numerous and long-established family of that name.
He stopped this fight, but there were three more rings further on with men, often naked to the waist, hammering one another; in fact, there was much more fighting than racing.
I saw one man strip off, but the first round so sickened him that he ran away and jumped into a spring cart among some other people, and from this citadel he warded off the blows of his antagonist. I saw this man later in the afternoon, still without his clothes. I don't think he ever got them.
These were the grand old times, my masters, before responsible government corrupted us. But I don't wish to represent the people of those days as savages. The country was only 15 years old, and 'law and order' had not followed the people into remote parts; in fact there was very little of either outside of Adelaide.
There was a lot of bullying, and challenging, and threatening, which came to nothing, besides the real fighting. So far as most people were concerned the racing was only a sideshow.
It was the custom of rough people in those days to settle up feuds at "the Races," and that was the cause of so much fighting. But at the same time the young men of the present day are much mere good-humoured, and much less inclined to quarrel, and better behaved all round than the young men of the early fifties.
- James Angus Foulds : Adelaide Observer (SA), Saturday 2 January 1904, page 27.
Lecture on the Telegraph, 1862
AUBURN.
From our own Corresoondent Auburn, September 17.
On Thursday, the 11th instant, the sixth monthly lecture in connection with the Institute took place in the schoolroom.
Mr. Wm. Fisher, J.P., of Kadina, occupied the chair, and introduced the lecturer—Mr. Charles Todd, Superintendent of the Telegraph Department—who gave his promised lecture on the electric telegraph.
The subject cannot be said to be well understood, especially in the country districts; but the clear and lucid manner in which the matter was treated by the talented lecturer (Mr. Todd) must have enlightened a good many present.
[On being selected as Observer and superintendent of electric telegraph for the South Australian government, Charles Todd arrived in Adelaide in November 1855.
One of his first projects, proposed in conjunction with his Victorian counterpart William McGowan, was the first national telecommunications system connecting South Australia, Victoria and New South Wales.]
Great trouble had been taken by Mr. Todd in bringing his various improved instruments specially for the occasion. Much amusement was caused in receiving messages from the various stations; but the weather very much interfered with the line, the lightning being very vivid and general. Although the sky was overcast and threatened rain here. Mr. Todd informed the meeting that heavy rain was falling in Adelaide.
The communication with Mount Gambier was very aptly compared to two stammering persons trying to talk to each other.
The lightning interfered with the line so much that Mr. Todd went on with the descriptive portion of the lecture, which did not finish until half-past 10. At its conclusion a cordial vote of thanks was given to Mr. Todd, who, in reply, expressed the pleasure that he felt in seeing the room so well filled, and for the attention that had been given him.
He said that he could not allow the opportunity to pass without acknowledging the great and willing assistance rendered by the gentleman of the department, and he would therefore propose a vote of thanks to Mr. Towler, who returned thank for the compliment paid him. The usual compliment being paid to the chair, the meeting came to a close.
On Friday afternoon (the day after the talk) we were visited with one of the severest hailstorms that has ever been experienced in this district. The village had it but slightly; hut westward it was dangerous to be out in—lumps or ice of a conical shape as large as pigeons' eggs were lying thick on the ground the following morning. Much damage has been done to gardens and poultry; but nothing more serious that I have heard of.
Little Boy Lost, AUBURN, 1863
From our own Correspondent. Auburn. January 10.
On Tuesday, December 29, a little boy named Sands, whose parents reside at Leasingham, was missed from Mr. McDonald's sheep-station, Emu Belt on Hoyle's Plains, where he had been staying for the holidays. it appears that on the afternoon in question he left the head-station with the intention of going to one of the shepherds, whose flock was near the station, and with whom he remained till about 5 o'clock p.m.
After leaving the shepherd he went in the direction of the head-station, which, however, he never reached. On the shepherd's return with his flock at night he made enquiries for the boy. Finding that he had not returned he informed Mr. McDonald that Sands had been with him during the afternoon, but had left him at the time above-mentioned.
Search was at once made for him, and his tracks being soon discovered they were followed up by moonlight for two miles, leading in the direction of the scrub. Fires were then lit, and the men stayed all night at the place where the tracks were lost.
On the following day (Wednesday) Mr. McDonald communicated with the boy's father, who went down and helped with others to search for the unfortunate boy.
Information was given to Police-trooper Field, of this township, at 1 o'clock a.m. Thursday morning, who started at daylight and mustered as many of the neighbouring settlers as possible.
A vigorous search was instituted in the scrub for many miles round, and not the slightest trace of him could be found, his tracks not being visible further than the place to which the men traced him on the night he was lost.
This morning Police-trooper Field testifies to the fact that the hot wind which blew so furiously on Wednesday, the 31st, entirely obliterated all traces of the boy's footsteps The search was kept up till Monday last, and without success, about 30 or 40 horsemen being actively engaged in the search. Mr. Field states that there are many road tracks about the place Sands was lost, all of which have been made by settlers carting pines, and all terminating in the densest part of the scrub.
It is most likely that the boy followed one of those tracks and lost himself in the scrub, where there is not a drop of water, or anything that could afford the slightest nourishment. It was a most unfortunate circumstance that no blackfellows were in the neighbourhood, as if there had, there might have been a chance of finding the boy. It is now ten days since he was first lost, and nf course all hopes of finding him alive has been abandoned.
Clare Mail Coach Tragedy 1863
[From our own Correspondent] Auburn, December 21, 1863.
On Saturday a sad accident happened to the Clare mail conveyance, driven by George Harmer.
It arrived shortly after its appointed time (3.30p.m., at Auburn), and passed on for about a quarter of a mile, where the road has lately been metalled, and had been rolled but not blinded.
[Blinding is generally coarser metal than quarry dust. Usually used together, the blinding acts as a pre-foundation to the laying of the dust and sand.]
Consequently it is rather heavy for draught and the mail having a load of 11 passengers and luggage the driver pulled the horses off the metal on to the well-beaten track alongside that is mostly used.
In doing so the off hind wheel passed over a flat stone about two inches thick, which seems to have started the spokes out of the wheel and before the horses could be pulled up the vehicle had overturned.
The driver, I regret to say, had his leg broken ; the passengers escaped with a few bruises and scratches, which is mainly due to the conveyance being covered; had it been open, serious consequences must have resulted from so many passengers being thrown out.
As soon as intelligence reached the village (which was brought by a gentleman passenger riding one of the leading horses in), a large number of persons hastened to the spot to render assistance. The driver was carried to the Rising Sun Inn, and Dr. Morgan immediately set the limb, which is progressing favourably; the mail and passengers were forwarded on in hired conveyances.
But the saddest part I have to relate is that Mrs. Harmer was killed in coming from Clare to attend on her husband. A young man named Patrick Curran, who took up some of the passengers, was returning about 9 p.m., and came in contact with the butt of a tree, which I am told on good authority is 4 feet high and 18 inches thick, and when found about 20 minutes after by the drivers of other conveyances which were returning to Auburn the horse and cart had turned a complete somersault, the driver was found under the cart, and the poor woman quite dead, with the cart resting on her back.
I need not enlarge on this dreadful catastrophe, as you will receive full particulars of the Coroner's enquiry from Clare. No event has cast more gloom over the district, the parties are so well known and much respected. Mr. Harmer, I hear, is connected with (both) the Oddfellows and Foresters. - South Australian Register (Adelaide) Tue 22 Dec 1863 Page 3 AUBURN.
AUBURN SLAUGHTERYARD, 1870
ADAMSON V. TAYLOR.
POLICE COURT - AUBURN:
This was an information under the Police Act, to compel the defendant, who is a butcher, to remove his slaughteryard and pig-stye. Mr. Emerson appeared for complainant, and Mr.
Williams for the defendant.
[The manufactory operated by Messrs. Adamson Brothers is located in the south-western portion of the (Auburn) township, and judging from the number of reaping, winnowing, and other agricultural machines in a partly-finished state about the yard, the spirited manufacturers are doing a good trade.
There are from 20 to 23 workmen employed on the premises, and general satisfaction is expressed at the workmanship of the various articles turned out. South Australian Register (Adelaide, SA) Tue 13 Mar 1866 Page 3]
J. A. Adamson deposed -- I know the defendant. I remember the day I laid the information in this case. On the day previous I was in Auburn. It was a very hot day. I smelt a very strong disagreeable smell coming from the defendant's premises. 1 could not enjoy my meals on account of the effluvia and stench. I live close to the defendant's house. His yard is at the back of my house. The animal matter runs from his yard into mine. It has poisoned my well, and rendered it useless.
Cross-examined by Mr. Williams -- 1 have tried to settle this case out of Court, but we could not agree as to slaughtering the sheep. I did say if Taylor would pay the costs I would not go into Court. I told Taylor if he did not remove the stench none of my men should have meat of him. That was because I would not encourage the slaughtering of cattle, to my great
annoyance.
After hearing the several witnesses pro and con, and the addresses of counsel, the defendant's counsel stating it was a case of spite -- his Worship stated that the health of her Majesty's subjects must be protected, and he thought a case had been made out ; he should order the defendant to remove the nuisance within seven days, and pay costs, £4 3s.
CHARGE OF MURDER AT AUBURN 1870
Before Mr. Justice Wearing,
James Dunn, aged 22, surrendered to his bail to answer the charge that he did, at Auburn, on the 5th March, feloniously, and of malice aforethought, kill and murder one Lionel Edwards, and pleaded not guilty. He was defended by Mr. Stow, Q.C.
William Sedgely, aged 29, surrendered to his bail to answer the charge that he did on the 5th of March feloniously and of malice aforethought kill and murder one Lionel Edwards, at Auburn, and pleaded not guilty.
Mr. Stow, Q.C., and Mr. W. R. Wigley appeared for the defence.
The Crown Solicitor opened the case to the Jury, stating the circumstances and the law applicable in such eases.
[William J. Jacka and Joseph H. Jacka were the sons of William Jacka the brewer from Auburn; in 1876 William moved his family from Auburn to Melrose where William became the publican at the North Star Hotel.]
William Jacka, of Auburn, brewer, deposed:
"On the 5th March Lionel Edwards, William Clayhill, Sedgely, and Dunn were at his baker's shop. There was a conversation between the prisoner and Edwards respecting a racing mare, Creeping Jenny. Edwards said he would bet £20 she would run any horse within 50 miles of Dunn's Bridge. Prisoner said he would accept it, on which Edwards said he did not think he Lad £50.
Prisoner said, " Give me your cheque." The deceased said, "if I give you a cheque it will be a blank." The prisoner said, " Fill it out." Deceased said " If I did perhaps it would be like yours." The prisoner took offence at that, and after some other words which he did not hear, Sedgely and deceased walked outside the shop, while witness served some customers who had just come in, and a few minutes afterwards hearing blows went out and saw Dunn and Edwards in a scuffle.
The deceased fell. Dunn struck him while he was lying on the ground. With the assistance of others parted them, and they seeing the police trooper ceased for a time.
They stopped in the street five or ten minutes, and had a conversation as if they were going to have a fight.
By Mr. Stow - No blows were struck in the shop. Dunn struck deceased in the face with his fist while he was in the act of getting up off the ground. Did not see Sedgely strike a blow. Tried to prevent deceased from fighting, but he was determined to do so. Took him by the hand, and he threw me aside. He said, " Here's Peter Toner, and he'll see fair play."
The deceased said they were like curs, and challenged them to fight. I knew Edwards, and have heard that he has been a fightable man in his day. I have heard that he was ready to fight at all times. Sedgely was a customer of mine. Deceased was a veterinary surgeon, about 50 years of age.
John Williams, Auburn, was at Jacka's on the night in question, and saw Sedgely, Dunn, and the deceased. Remembered a conversation about a racing mare.
Sedgely appeared to take offence about a cheque. He seemed very much annoyed, and kept on disputing about it, when the deceased said he should not make a disturbance in Mr. Jacka's shop, and went outside and stood against the verandah. Sedgely went out afterwards.
The deceased was standing with his left arm round a verandah post eating a tart he had purchased in the shop. Saw the prisoner walk up to him and strike him two or three times on the side of the head. The deceased said it was a very cowardly thing to strike like that without giving any notice. Dunn then said he would back the prisoner to fight the deceased on Monday morning. Edwards said he was not speaking to Dunn, and told him " to get out of the way, he was only a thing."
Dunn got offended at that, and Edwards and Dunn had a few rounds ; it might be two or three.
Police-trooper O'Neil then came, and they stopped. Then Toner came by, and Edwards said, " Toner, you're just the man I want. I have been struck several times here, now we'll go and have it out."
The prisoner, Dunn, Toner, and deceased all walked down the street together. They had got about 50 or 60 yards away when the police-trooper overtook them, and told them that if he found them fighting again he should take them all up.
The prisoner seemed to stop behind- The deceased told them to " come on, and not stop there like curs with their tails between their legs." They walked on until they came to the back street of the village. They were on a hill, and he was at the bottom. Could see them against the sky.
They remained talking some few minutes, and then Dunn and Toner left and returned to where I was standing. I could not see what was going on with the others. I heard a blow, and immediately afterwards heard the deceased call out that he was struck with a stone. Toner and Dunn ran up as fast as they could. Witness went up after them, and saw prisoner and deceased fighting. They fought he should say for ten minutes afterwards.
After the fight was over, the prisoner put on his coat and the deceased followed Dunn. They fought for a while, and Edwards appeared very much exhausted and stopped fighting. He made some remarks, speaking to Dunn, "Mind, I have not given in to you" or something similar to that, on which Sedgely struck him a backhanded blow, and knocked him backwards on to the ground.
Toner picked him up into a sort of sitting position, and, speaking to Sedgely, he said, "That was a cowardly blow, and knocked two of my teeth out." He told him if he would hold out his hand he would give them to him. They put him up on to his feet, and the police-trooper came up and said he should take down all their names. Dunn and Sedgely then walked off. The deceased said to O'Neil that he had been struck with a stone, and asked him to feel the wound.....
... The Jury, after a brief retirement, found the prisoner guilty of manslaughter.
Mr. Wigley handed in two memorials as to the character of the prisoner, who in reply to the usual question eaid, "The deceased forced me to fight, and I cautioned him several times before I did so."
"His Honor said - Prisoner, it is a most painful duty I have to perform in sentencing you, because your appearance, deportment, the evidence of these documents, and the oral evidence satisfy me that you are a person who is capable of no deliberate act of cruelty."
... "It would be wrong of me to indulge my sympathies at the expense of the public security of life; but I think when facts are disclosed showing that the crime does not bear the gravest appearance it is my duty, having regard to that, to apportion a much lighter sentence.
" I do not form a low estimate of the value of human life, as might be said by some persons inconsiderately. I have a high regard to the sanctity of human life, but I think I am not exceeding my duty in apportioning you a light sentence in consequence of the extenuating circumstances. It is to be regretted that the circumstances did arise, but I see nothing of the gravest character surrounding the commission of the offence.
"The sentence of the Court is that you be imprisoned for twelve calendar months, but not with hard labour, and I shall order that you shall not be subjected to greater contamination than is necessary. I don't think I could possibly sentence you to less, but that is the penalty which I think it right to order."
Justice Wearing
[Justice Wearing took an active part in the (notorious) 1867 sacking of Mr. Justice Benjamin Boothby (Corruption of Benjamin Boothby) and was appointed by the Hon Arthur Blyth's or the Hon Henry Ayers' Government as the third judge of the Supreme Court of South Australia in his place.
Part of Wearing's duties involved holding the Palmerston Circuit Court in the Northern Territory, from where he was returning when the ship Gothenburg was wrecked.]
In February 1875, S.S. Gothenburg was wrecked in a storm on the Great Barrier Reef off the north coast of Queensland. Twenty-two people survived in three lifeboats. Between 98 and 112 people were killed, including a number of civil servants and dignitaries. Justice Wearing did not survive. (Read more)
[Also lost was about 93 kilograms (3,000 oz) of Darwin gold valued at £40,000 consigned to the ES&A Bank in Adelaide, worth about US$2.6 million in 2008.]
Wearing's place on the Bench was taken by Justice Randolph Isham Stow Q.C. (!!), but he died just three years later on 16 September 1878.
Life was somewhat shorter in the S.A. Judiciary!
(1885):
"There may be honest lawyers on the earth,
There may be lawyers who are men of worth,
I say there may be, pray you mark me well,
And, yes, (if so), there may be angel forms in Hell."
Malicious Fire at Auburn, 1871
INCENDIARISM AT AUBURN
COMMITTAL TO THE SUPREME COURT.
An enquiry into the circumstances attending :he recent fire on Mr. W. Wiles's farm was held m March 20, at the Court-House, Auburn, by Mr. A. King. J.P.. with Mr. J. H. Adamson as
Foreman, when the following evidence was given:—
Joseph Ryles, a farming man employed by and living on the farm of Mr. William Wiles, about half a mile from Auburn, deposed —
"Re-collect Monday, the 13th instant. There were two stacks of hay built about 20 yards from
the house I live in. There were between 70 and 80 tons in each ; one stack was very close to the fence running along the road. A wagon outside the fence was loaded with straw, and a narrow scaffolding between the straw on the wagon and the haystack. Saw the stack in perfect condition that night about 9 o'clock."
"Went to see that the horses and everything were all right. Went to the lower side of both stacks, and came back the same way, and feel confident everything was right. When I went to feed the horses it was a very dark night, and there was a drizzling rain. Everyone in my house was in bed, when I heard a crackling sound like fire."
"Got up, looked out of the window, and saw a reflection of light. Could see the lower corner of the stack, but not fire— only a reflection. Immediately went outside; then saw the straw which was on the wagon on fire and the side of the stack. Ran into the stable, which adjoins the other stack, about 15 feet away from the one on fire, and let the horses go."
"Mr. Wiles was the first person who came, and a great many others came afterwards. Collected all the buckets I could. The men made a line to the creek, and the buckets were passed up and down. A great many people collected. The fire completely destroyed the wagon and one stack. Was at work the whole of the night assisting to put the fire out."
(At this stage the witnesses were requested to leave the Court-House.)
"Robert Ireland lives near the stack, his land adjoining Mr. Wiles's. Did not see him at the fire. Have had a dispute lately with him about some pigs of his which used to be continually on Mr. Wiles's property. Shot two some short time ago by Mr. Wiles's direction."
Have seen Ireland several times since. Ho spoke to me next day. An ill-feeling has existed between us since, and he has blackguarded me on several occasions.
By Foreman— Ireland asked if I shot the pigs. I said ' Yes ;' and he replied, ' I will have it out of him before long.' That was on the Wednesday previous to the fire.
By Jurors — Do not know what he meant; those were the words. The wagon belonged to Mr. Wiles, jun.
Frederick Summerton, machine -fitter, living between Auburn and Mr. Wiles's farm, said — I saw the fire from my place about a quarter-past 9. When first seen it appeared as if a heap of rubbish was burning near the road. Could distinguish a larger body close alongside of what was burning.
When I first went down the wagon was burnt. Previous to this went to Mr. Adamson's yard, and alarmed them. It was about a quarter of an hour from the time I saw it until I got to the fire, I having gone to the village to give the alarm.
Mr. Wiles was on the top of the adjoining stack when I got there. Mr. Oldham was on the ground. The fire at this time was running up the roof of the stack, and the whole of the side was on fire. It would have been utterly useless trying to get the wagon away.
About 200 people were there soon after the fire broke out. but not see Ireland at the fire.
William Wiles, storekeeper, deposed— I own some land situated about half a mile from the town. Had two stacks of hay on the 13th built side by side; one adjoining the road. Saw them all right on the Sunday previous to the fire. Estimated the one that was burnt at between 80 and 90 tons.
A wagon loaded with straw alongside the stack was also burnt. On the Monday night, was sitting in company with a gentleman in a back room, when I was startled by the alarm of fire, aud directly I got outside saw a great light in the direction of my farm. Made all haste, and before 1 got down saw the stack that adjoins the road on fire. When first 1 saw the fire it was creeping up the side, but not on the roof.
When I got down, went on to the other stack and called for water. The first person I saw was Holmes; he was on the stack with me. We set to work endeavouring to extinguish the fire. The stack and wagon were completely destroyed. Estimated the total loss at about £220.
Do not know how the fire was occasioned. My neighbours are Hancock, Hillary, Hocking, and Summerton, but Ireland is my nearest. Have had a quarrel with Ireland lately. Instructed my man to shoot his pigs for trespassing.
Ireland spoke to me at Mr. Bleechmore's hotel about an hour and a half previous to the fire; he challenged mo to go outside and fight. He said again, 'I want you to come outside.' He spoke in an angry and abusive manner. Got up and went away immediately.
Saw Ireland on the Friday previous to the fire at Mr. Bleechmore's; he asked if my man had not shot his pigs. Replied the man had done what I had instructed him to do, and he said, 'I'll have it out of him and you too.' I went away then.
Saw him again about 1 o'clock after this at my store. While I was engaged he came up and said, ' I want to speak to you,' and requested me to go on one side with him, when he said, 'Now, what about these pigs ? I cannot replace them for £7.' Whereupon he put his fist into my face, and said, 'I'll give it to you and your man too.' Went away to another part of the store, where he followed, saying, ' I'll have it out of you.' And, 'I'll send for the police,' and then he rode away towards his house, which is two sections from where my stacks were, and he passed by them on the way home.
He is the only neighbour I have had any words with.
By Foreman— The stack was not cut.
By Juror Did not blame Ireland for trees destroyed on the property ; suspected boys of that.
By Juror— Had no idea of Ireland's intention when he said, 'I'll take it out of you;' none whatever.
By Coroner — Attached all the blame to Ireland when I first saw the fire, and publicly expressed myself to that effect.
R. E. Holmes, tinsmith, sworn— Was at the fire about 10 o'clock. There were about six persons there then. Saw the reflection of it from the township, and heard Mr. Adamson's bell ring.
Saw Ireland about half-past 9 that night. He sat down alongside me at Mr. Bleechmore's. Said, 'Mr. Wiles, I want to speak to you.' Mr. Wiles said, 'I want to have nothing to say to you.' Ireland challenged him out to fight, and Wiles went away. Ireland then said, 'I'll show Wiles something, if he'll come outside.' I said, ' I'll represent Wiles ; what would you do .'' Whereupon he caught me by the collar and tore my coat, when he said he was sorry for it, but he could not do by me as he would by Wiles, whom he had a grudge against.
Went outside and he followed, and said, ' Wiles will suffer for this to-night.' I then wont away to look for Wiles to caution him, but could not find him. Had no suspicion from what he said what he alluded to. Should think he intended to give him a hammering. Ireland then went away. Did not see him again or which way he went. Ireland smokes.
By a Juror— Ireland was neither drunk nor sober. He knew what he was doing. Directly I heard the bell I started off.
By Coroner— Was not in the company of Wiles and Ireland the week previous.
John Lines, blacksmith, sworn— Saw Ireland on the night of the fire between 8 and 9 o'clack:
in my shop. Ho came in and asked if I let his horses go. I said ' Yes.' He then went away. Did not say where ho was going. Did not see him again that night....
Joseph Mellor, stonemason, said — Went down to the fire about a quarter to 10. Did not remain very long. Came home with Mr. Wiles. It was a cloudy night. Saw no stubble burning.
The stacks were between my place and Ireland's, and the nearest way to his place from Auburn is by the back road by Wiles's property.
Heard Ireland say that Wiles had shot two of his pigs, and I replied that he had done worse than that to me.
About a week previous to the fire saw Ireland at Mr. Bleechmore's hotel.
Heard him say that he would have it out with him yet. He was lighting his pipe, and took up some matches from the counter, saying that a pennyworth of matches would do a lot of injury, and that Wiles had two stacks which his horses had not eaten yet. This happened on either the Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday night previous, and he was at the time in liquor.
By Juror — Did not attach suspicion to any one in particular when I heard of the fire.
T. F. Oldham. auctioneer, deposed— Saw Ireland next day after the fire, when I heard him say, 'If I had been passing by and saw the stack on fire, I would not have helped to put it out.' Asked what time he was in bed last night, and he replied at 10 minutes to 8.
Said, ' That is not true, for I saw you at Mr. Bleechmore's at half-past 8.'
By Coroner— Had no communication with him the week previous.
By Juror — My reason for asking these questions was because I knew he bad been accused of setting it on fire.
Michael Corcoran, trooper, stationed at Mintaro, sworn — I served a subpoena on Ireland this morning. Told him I wanted to speak about the fire. He said, ' I know nothing about it, as I got home about half-past 9 that night. When I was within 100 yards of my own house, I looked round and saw a fire. I thought it was stubble. Had no idea it was Wiles's stack, as it was all right when I passed by.'
The Jury retired, and after a short consultation returned the verdict to the effect that they were of opinion that the fire was the work of an incendiary, but there was no evidence to show by whom it was done.
Mr. Jas. Brook, from Adelaide, watched the proceedings on behalf of the police.
COMMITTAL.
Robert Ireland was then arrested by the police on suspicion of having set fire to one stack of hay on Monday night, the 13th instant. He was then brought up for trial before Mr. A. King, J.P., and after all the previous witnesses were re-examined by Mr. Brook, the prisoner was committed for trial at the next Criminal Sittings of the Supreme Court.
The Bench was asked by Mr. N. Sowton if they would take bail. Mr. Brock said it was not his intention to oppose, but he would suggest the desirability of getting permission from one of the Judges of the Supreme Court.
Notes from Auburn 1879
NOTES AND QUERIES FROM AUBURN.
Plenty of rain. New tank at school (with) five feet of water in.
New tank at Post-office ; no water in it, and never likely to be.
Town Hall offices lately destroyed by fire are to be converted into a boot shop, with miserable lean-to attached. Claim re late fire satisfactorily settled
Footbridge near Boord's has been repaired, and not before time.
The Council are now putting metal on the mud road in King street. The present Council are doing justice to the township.
Billiard Club well patronised.
Rifle Club defunct.
Business slack.
District Council wanting chamber, let a good chance slip. Should have bought Town Hall buildings.
Clerk of Police Court late several mornings last week owing to the moisture. Police cells empty ; no fault of the police.
New landlord well liked. Lawn tennis out of date.
Fire at Bleechmore's— burning rubbish -- no inquest.
Catapults all the rage. One young larrikin had to pay 4s for breaking a window. Serve him right.
Storekeepers are cutting about both ways. Fat stock very scarce.
New bridge over Skilly progressing favorably. Proceeds late picnic satisfactory.
Why is football neglected ? When is the next entertainment to take place?
Hares are becoming very plentiful
Farming operations in full swing.
Shipment of sugar sold here lately : brisk competition.
The nights are very cold.
Further additions to schoolroom nearly finished.
Great noise at delivery of late mail. Postmaster threatened to give some one in charge the other evening ; some one made himself scarce.
Babies very plentiful; perambulators everywhere. Doctor got his hands full of work.
Severe Motoring Accident at Auburn, 1907
[From our Special Correspondent.] AUBURN, January 15, 1907
A motor accident, which fortunately was not attended by serious results, occurred just outside Auburn at 10.30 to-night.
Several carloads of city men were as usual motoring to Clare to attend the races which will be held to-morrow. The car which left Adelaide was driven by Mr. Woodman, who had as passengers
Messrs. H. C. Moody, (the sporting editor of 'The Register'),
T. Devine (the manager of Tattersall's Club),
A. E. Hamilton, and Rex Thomas of 'The Register'.
Leaving Grenfell street at 5.15 this afternoon hey had a splendid run through Two Wells to Balaklava, where they arrived at 8 o'clock. After dinner a start was made for Clare, and all went well until a few hundred yards from Auburn.
Here the road divides into two, and the chauffeur, after a moment's hesitation, decided to take the track to the right. The turn, sharp as it was, would probably have been successfully negotiated but for one of the tires blowing out at a critical point.
The car crashed through a fence and turned completely over into a ditch 4 or 5 ft. deep.
The occupants were thrown out in all directions, and Mr. Hamilton was pinned under the car. When the others picked themselves up they noticed the absence of their companion, and located him by his calls. When they had extricated him from his awkward position, all the party hobbled to Dr. (John Walter) Yeatman's residence, where they were carefully examined. (Dr. Yeatman's father Edward Kelson had been Rector of Auburn).
It was feared at first that Mr. Hamilton had fractured his collarbone, but the doctor was able to state .that no hones had been broken. The chauffeur's right leg was badly bruised, and Mr. Devine's head was gashed, though not seriously. Messrs. Moody and Thomas escaped with scarcely a scratch.
The car was badly smashed, and will have to be replaced in practically every particular. The party, with the exception of the driver, continued their journey to Clare shortly after midnight in a (pony cart) conveyance kindly provided by Mr. H. Bone, of the District Hotel.
Two of the party have had similar exciting experiences in motoring to Clare before.
Two years ago they left Adelaide at 5 o'clock in the morning, and reached their destination only in time to see the next to last race of the day. Leaving Clare again as soon as the sport was over they travelled all night, and did not get back to the city until 9 o'clock the next morning.
CLARE, January 16, 1907.
The party of city motorists, who met with an accident at Auburn, arrived safely at Clare in Mr. H. Bone's pony cart just before 4 o'clock this morning. Now that the excitement of the moment is past, the escape of the tourists seems more miraculous than ever.
At the time of the smash the car was going 20 miles an hour downhill. At the division of the roads, the white crown, which the chauffeur (Woodman) had been following, gives way for 10 or 12 yards to dark ground, which could not be properly distinguished at night.
Woodman discovered that he was off the track, and noticing a road to the right endeavoured to turn at almost right angles to get on to the crown again. The turn was, however, too sharp, and in a flash the car had broken through the fence and rolled heavily into a deep culvert.
The motor turned over completely, and was standing right side up, with Mr. A. E. Hamilton pinned below it by the broken axle. AIl that could be seen of him was one leg poking out from under the car, and it was by flourishing this limb that he indicated to his companions his exact position. It took two or three minutes to lift the car sufficiently to allow him to be dragged into the open.
However, as stated in the previous message, a medical examination proved that neither Mr. Hamilton nor any of the others had sustained serious injury. The bonnet of the car is at present facing the hill, from which it made its last dash, with the rear portion at the bottom of the culvert.
Some of the people who visited the scene last night doubted whether the motor had overturned, but an Auburn gentleman, who witnessed the accident and subsequently rendered valuable assistance, was most emphatic in his statement that the machine turned a complete somersault.
Colour is lent to this by the fact that all the top fittings, including the steering gear and lamps were smashed. and the occupants spread about on both sides. The car is in a woeful condition. Woodman remained for the night at Auburn. All the members of the party are well this morning.
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