Cover of Sir Thomas Mitchell’s Field Notes and Sketches

New light is being shed on a set of early survey sketches of Newcastle by Sir Thomas Mitchell.  Final Year Civil, Surveying & Environmental Engineering Student Tim Chisholm has completed an analysis of Sir Thomas Mitchell’s 1828 survey notes and sketches of Newcastle. The full title of the report is Sir Thomas Mitchell’s Field Notes and Sketches: An in depth analysis of Sir Thomas Mitchell’s field notes and sketches from an 1828 survey of the harbor and surrounds of Newcastle, NSW, using modern adjustment methods to estimate the accuracy of his survey and instrument(s) and was completed under the supervision of Emeritus Professor John Fryer.

A full copy of the report can be downloaded as an 18 MB PDF file here: Sir Thomas Mitchell’s Field Notes and Sketches (2011)

Overlays using the 1830 plan of Newcastle by John Armstrong

Chisholm’s work builds upon the work of Chris Towers and Troy Sumner’s 2009 study of Mitchell’s Field Notes and Sketches. Their reports can be downloaded here  Sir Thomas Mitchell’s Angular Observations and Field-Note Sketches of Newcastle. [12.6 MB PDF file] [29 October 2009.] A summary by Chris Towers is available here: Summary of Report: Sir Thomas Mitchell’s Angular Observations and Field-Note Sketches of Newcastle [896KB PDF File]

Overlays of the 1830 Armstrong plan of Newcastle

To analyse Mitchell’s observations, a comparison study is done with John Armstrong’s 1830 Plan of the Township of Newcastle. From there the stations are identified and a site by site (point by point) investigation carried out on each feature in the survey.

Point 'S' on Signal Hill

Sir Thomas Livingstone Mitchell ( 1792-1855) became surveyor-general of New South Wales in 1828. In that same year he traveled through the Colony, and while in Newcastle he conducted a detailed survey. The original Field Books are held in the State Library of New South Wales and we were very excited when copies of the complete books were made available back in 2008. Since then two student projects have been conducted analysing Mitchell’s observations, and both have been very complementary regarding their quality and accuracy when compared with modern technological advances.

Newcastle Coal Fields, New South Wales, 1865

The coloured engraving above is a view taken from the hill overlooking Darby Street in the current suburb of Cook’s Hill, Newcastle.

Features include: St John’s Anglican Church, (between Darby Street and Dawson Street), directly behind is a train on the Newcastle Coal Company’s Railway, (running along Bruce Street and curving towards Dawson Street), a train running along the Australian Agricultural Coal Company’s Railway, to the extreme right of the engraving can also be seen a train on the Great Northern Railway. Various buildings can be seen along Darby Street and (probably) Laman Street. In the distance is the area around Parry Street and Union, where reports of discoveries of Aboriginal burials were reported in 1881.

This image was scanned from a slide in the Collection of the late Dr John Turner. It forms part of a research collection of slides compiled by the late Dr John Turner (1933 – 1998), local historian and lecturer. His collection is rich in Australian history and local studies. See Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/uon/sets/72157624177753010/

The original was a coloured engraving entitled “Newcastle Coal Fields, New South Wales” [1865] by engraver Walter Hart, presumably from an original painting by Oswald Rose Campbell (1820-1887). For background on Campbell see: adb.anu.edu.au/biography/campbell-oswald-rose-3157 Campbell probably visited Newcastle and painted the scene  during the period from 1855-1864 when he was living in Sydney, and prior to his return to Melbourne. It was originally published in The Australian News for Home Readers 25 August 1865 page 12: trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/page/6163138?zoomLevel=1

Accompanying the original engraving was a story on page 13:

The Newcastle Coal Fields, New South Wales.

The Newcastle Coal Fields, New South Wales
The Australian News for Home Readers 25 August 1865 page 13

Of the mineralogical treasures of New South Wales its carboniferous deposits are by far the most extensive, if not the most valuable, and present a source of wealth in developing other industries which must help to advance our national prosperity. Coal beds are to be found throughout almost every part of the, colony; but by far the most important fields are those situated on the south bank of the Hunter River, or, as they are commonly termed, the Newcastle mines, which are of almost unlimited extent. Commencing at the southern entrance of the harbor, where the coal is distinctly visible in the sea face of the cliffs, unbroken strata extend inland for about nine miles, and south ward as far as Lake Macquarie. There are at present eight mines in active operation; of these, the Australian Agricultural Company is the oldest. This company obtained a free grant of one million acres from the Crown, in 1824; selected it in the Hunter River district, found coal upon a portion of it, and at once made use of the convict labor which their charter assigned to them, in testing how far the discovery was likely to be profitable. For many years the trade was confined to the operations of this one company, but the discovery of gold having given an impetus to trade, and caused capitalists to look about for profitable investments, coal companies rose in favor, and in a few years the export of this article has increased full 700 per cent. All the mines now working are contiguous to the town of Newcastle (from the vicinity of which our engraving is taken.) They are all in direct communication by means of railways with the wharf. The coal waggons run right alongside the steam cranes by which their contents are transferred to the vessel’s hold. As a proof of the increasing importance of this trade we may mention that the ship British Sovereign, of 3000 tons burthen, is now being loaded alongside the Government pier.

Original engraving as it appeared on page 12 of the Australian News

We sincerely thank the State Library of Victoria that were able to provide the following details regarding the original black and white engraving.

Title: THE NEWCASTLE COAL FIELDS, NEW SOUTH WALES. [picture]
Author/Creator: Walter Hart
Colourist: Unknown
Contributor(s): Oswald Rose Campbell 1820-1887
Publisher: Melbourne : Ebenezer and David Syme
Date(s): August 25, 1865
Description: print : wood engraving.
Subjects: Wood engravings

Notes:
Wood engraving published in The Australian News for Home Readers.
Title printed below image.
Engraved in image l.r.: Walter Hart.
Monogram of Oswald Campbell engraved in image l.l.
Contents/Summary: Shows view overlooking Newcastle, railway lines and buildings in middle distance while factories? belch smoke in distance.
Related works: Series: Illustrated newspaper file. Australian news for home readers
Link to digitised item: www.slv.vic.gov.au/miscpics/gid/slv-pic-aab15469
Link to this record: search.slv.vic.gov.au/primo_library/libweb/action/dlDispl…

Gionni Di Gravio
University Archivist and
Chair, Coal River Working Party

80. View from Lady Parry's Seat, Tahlee, 8th April 1841 by Conrad Martens

 Item 80 View from Lady Parry’s Seat, Tahlee, 8th April 1841
from Sketches in Australia, 1835-1865 by Conrad Martens (1801-1878)
View Album: http://acms.sl.nsw.gov.au/item/itemDetailPaged.aspx?itemID=457268#

69. Tahlee, Port Stephens 21st April 1841

 Item 69 Tahlee, Port Stephens 21st April 1841 from Sketches in Australia, 1835-1865 by Conrad Martens (1801-1878)
View Album: http://acms.sl.nsw.gov.au/item/itemDetailPaged.aspx?itemID=457268#

Item 6 The Hunter at Glendon 3rd May 1841
from [Album of] Pencil sketches, watercolours, etc.
by C. Martens, O.W. Brierly, S.T. Gill, John Rae, C. Rodius and others, ca. 1823-1863
http://acms.sl.nsw.gov.au/item/itemDetailPaged.aspx?itemID=404878

The Yellow Rock, Wollombi Range, 3rd May 1841 by Conrad Martens

Item 66 The Yellow Rock, Wollombi Range, 3rd May 1841
from Sketches in Australia, 1835-1865 by Conrad Martens (1801-1878)
View Album: http://acms.sl.nsw.gov.au/item/itemDetailPaged.aspx?itemID=457268#

4. Church at Morpeth 10th May 1841

Item 4 Church at Morpeth 10th May 1841
from [Album of] Pencil sketches, watercolours, etc.
by C. Martens, O.W. Brierly, S.T. Gill, John Rae, C. Rodius and others, ca. 1823-1863
View Album: http://acms.sl.nsw.gov.au/item/itemDetailPaged.aspx?itemID=404878

87. From Burwood near Newcastle, 11th May 1841, Shepherds Hill

Item 87 From Burwood near Newcastle, 11th May 1841, Shepherds Hill
from Sketches in Australia, 1835-1865 by Conrad Martens (1801-1878)
View Album: http://acms.sl.nsw.gov.au/item/itemDetailPaged.aspx?itemID=457268#

Ash Island 12th May 1841 by Conrad Martens

Flyleaf Ash Island 12th May 1841
from [Album of] Pencil sketches, watercolours, etc.
by C. Martens, O.W. Brierly, S.T. Gill, John Rae, C. Rodius and others, ca. 1823-1863
View Album:http://acms.sl.nsw.gov.au/item/itemDetailPaged.aspx?itemID=404878

Newcastle Church 13th May 1841 by Conrad Martens

Item 3 Newcastle Church 13th May 1841
from [Album of] Pencil sketches, watercolours, etc.
by C. Martens, O.W. Brierly, S.T. Gill, John Rae, C. Rodius and others, ca. 1823-1863
View Album:http://acms.sl.nsw.gov.au/item/itemDetailPaged.aspx?itemID=404878

76. Morrisets Bath, Newcastle, 13th May 1841

Item 76 Morrisets Bath, Newcastle, 13th May 1841
from Sketches in Australia, 1835-1865 by Conrad Martens (1801-1878)
View Album: http://acms.sl.nsw.gov.au/item/itemDetailPaged.aspx?itemID=457268#

77. Nobby Rock, Newcastle, 13th May 1841

Item 77 Nobby Rock, Newcastle, 13th May 1841
from Sketches in Australia, 1835-1865 by Conrad Martens (1801-1878)
View Album: http://acms.sl.nsw.gov.au/item/itemDetailPaged.aspx?itemID=457268#

Untitled - Possibly Newcastle Harbour 13th May 1841

Item 78 [Untitled] Possibly Newcastle Harbour 13th May 1841 ?
from Sketches in Australia, 1835-1865 by Conrad Martens (1801-1878)
View Album: http://acms.sl.nsw.gov.au/item/itemDetailPaged.aspx?itemID=457268#

79. View looking North from Churchyard, Newcastle, 14th May 1841

Item 79 View looking North from Churchyard, Newcastle, 14th May 1841
from Sketches in Australia, 1835-1865 by Conrad Martens (1801-1878)
View Album: http://acms.sl.nsw.gov.au/item/itemDetailPaged.aspx?itemID=457268#

f.5 Nobby’s Newcastle. Unsigned. Undated. Untitled.

f.5 Nobby’s Newcastle. Unsigned. Undated. Untitled. [1843?]
from Portfolio collection of views, mainly in New South Wales, volume 5, ca. 1836-1873 drawn by Conrad Martens
View Album: http://acms.sl.nsw.gov.au/item/itemDetailPaged.aspx?itemID=825931#

99. Stroud, 8th May 1852

Item 99 Stroud, 8th May 1852
from Sketches in Australia, 1835-1865 by Conrad Martens (1801-1878)
View Album: http://acms.sl.nsw.gov.au/item/itemDetailPaged.aspx?itemID=457268#

67. Carrington, Port. Stephens, 11th May 1852

Item 67 Carrington, Port. Stephens, 11th May 1852
from Sketches in Australia, 1835-1865 by Conrad Martens (1801-1878)
View Album: http://acms.sl.nsw.gov.au/item/itemDetailPaged.aspx?itemID=457268#

64. Valley of the Glocester

Item 64 Valley of the Glocester [1852?]
from Sketches in Australia, 1835-1865 by Conrad Martens (1801-1878)
View Album: http://acms.sl.nsw.gov.au/item/itemDetailPaged.aspx?itemID=457268#

19b. Newcastle - 16 May 1855

Items 19b. Newcastle, showing the soil reclaimed by enclosure from the sand – 16 May 1855
From Colonial sketches: an album of views of Sydney and NSW by E. West, F. Terry, Conrad Martens et. al.
View Album: http://acms.sl.nsw.gov.au/item/itemDetailPaged.aspx?itemID=449077#

The Newcastle Herald has not been yet digitised, but we have tracked down the series of reports as they appeared in the Newcastle Herald.

Discovery of Aboriginal Remains - NMH 9 June 1881 p.2

Discovery of Aboriginal Remains
(Newcastle Morning Herald & Miner’s Advocate 9 June 1881 [p.2])

Yesterday afternoon some workmen employed at the corner of Parry-street near the approach to the racecourse, came across, a few feet from the surface, a number of aboriginal skeletons. Three or four were exhumed from their sandy grave in a good state of preservation; one in particular – measuring 5ft 8in – being almost perfect, and enshrouded in a large sheet of tea-tree bark, the material generally used for such purposes by the blacks. Those already dug out were removed by Constable Smith to the lockup. Other skulls and bones are visible in the sand, and will probably be dug out to-day. Medical examination having proved them to be the remains of aboriginees (sic), and the Coroner, Mr. C. B. Ranclaud, having personal experience of the spot having many years ago been a general camping place and burial-ground of the blacks, no inquest is considered necessary.

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More Aboriginal Skeletons - NMH 10 June 1881 p.2

More Aboriginal Skeletons.
(Newcastle Morning Herald & Miner’s Advocate 10 June 1881 [p.2])

Yesterday morning a further instalment of aboriginal remains, discovered in Parry street, was lodged at the lockup. The bones, which are comparatively perfect, despite their long burial, clearly betray themselves as being those of the Australian blacks.

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(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENTS.)
NEWCASTLE.
WEDNESDAY.

The Corporation workmen employed in excavating  for the extension of Parry-street towards the racecourse unearthed to-day five human skeletons. They were found encased in sheets of ti-tree bark. The locality is known to have been many years ago a great aboriginal camping ground. The bones were much decayed, but the sheets of bark were excellently preserved.

Article identifier

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article13486213

Page identifier

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-page1424736

APA citation
(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENTS.) NEWCASTLE. (1881, June 9). The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 – 1954), p. 5. Retrieved January 10, 2012, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article13486213

***********************************************************

The Newcastle Herald states that on Wednesday afternoon some workmen employed at the corner of Parry-Street, near the approach to the racecourse, came across, a few feet from the surface, a number of abo- riginal skeletons. Three or four wero exhumed from their sandy grave in a good state of preservation, one in particular – measuring 5 feet 8 inches – being almost perfect, and onshrouded in a large sheet of ti-tree bark, the material generally used for such purposes by the blacks.

Article identifier

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article13478945

Page identifier

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-page1424755

APA citation
NEWS OF THE DAY. (1881, June 11). The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 – 1954), p. 5. Retrieved January 10, 2012, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article13478945

***********************************************************

John Egger, the Corporation waterman,  while engaged in excavating a street in Newcastle, yesterday, unearthed the remains of 500 [sic] skeletons, encased in sheets of bark. The bones were much decayed, but the bark was in excellent preservation. The locality has been known for many years as an aboriginal camping  ground.

Article identifier

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article71832095

Page identifier

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-page5653568

APA citation
LATEST TELEGRAMS. (1881, June 11). Northern Star (Lismore, NSW : 1876 – 1954), p. 2. Retrieved January 10, 2012, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article71832095

***********************************************************

Thursday, June 9.

A discovery of several blackfellows’ skeletons was made yesterday by workmen employed near the entrance road to the Newcastle racecourse. A few  feet below the sandy surface they unearthed four or five well preserved skeletons – some wrapped in ti-tree bark. They were removed to the lockup, but on examination no inquest was deemed necessary. A number of other skulls and bones are sticking out of the sides of the cutting, and they will be dug out to-day. The spot is well-known  to old residents as having been a regular burial ground and camping place for the aboriginals.

Article identifier

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article70956724

Page identifier

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-page5062550

APA citation
Colonial and Intercolonial Telegraphic messages. (1881, June 11). Australian Town and Country Journal (NSW : 1870 – 1907), p. 9. Retrieved January 10, 2012, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article70956724

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The Location

By Russell Rigby

I have overlaid the 1894 Newcastle street plans on  a recent aerial photo to show where  the Racecouse Road turned off Parry Street.

Parry Street and Racecourse Road (Compiled by Russell Rigby)

Parry Street and Racecourse Road (Compiled by Russell Rigby)

The intersection was at a corner in the municipal boundary between Newcastle and Hamilton, and Racecourse Road ran westwards to the grandstands and finish post which were in the middle of what is now Newcastle High School.

Knaggs 1887 (Plan cropped)

The cropped image from Knaggs 1887 harbour chart shows that the intersection of Parry and Melville Streets was on a rise above the swampy ground  to the southwest, with a creek running into the swamp immediately south of the intersection from the high ground of Cooks Hill. The depiction of Parry Street does not change on charts for about 20 years, so they are not  reliable for defining the extension of Parry St.

In the early 20th century the racecourse was moved from National Park area to Broadmeadow, and the cricket ground shifted west from Corlette St to National Park, as part of the subdivision of the area by the AA Co.

The drilling rig shown in the 1898 Snowball photo http://www.flickr.com/photos/uon/3270569951/ was probably set up on the
south-eastern side of the Parry/Melville St intersection. There may be other photos showing the general area.

***********************************************************

Discovery of Human Remains NMH 10 January 1888 p.7

DISCOVERY OF HUMAN REMAINS.
(Newcastle Morning Herald & Miners Advocate 10 January 1888 p.7)

It was reported to the police yesterday morning that Mr. William Parker, night scavenger, whilst emptying the closets of Messrs. Clark and Smith, of Parry-street, on Sunday night, brought forth two bones, which subsequently were found to be the shin-bones of a human being. Inspector Brennan immediately caused the bones to be taken of, and despatched constables Rochefort and Smith to have the closet thoroughly emptied, with a view to finding further remains of the human being. The constables in question lost no time in proceeding with the necessary grappling irons, &c., and instituted a search of the place, but could not find any other vestige of remains. In prosecuting their inquiries, however, they elicited the fact from Mr. Clark that it was he who had placed the bones in the closet some considerable time ago, that they were bones of an aboriginal, and were taken from an aboriginal burial-place near the racecourse. This statement was corroborated by ex-senior-constable Smith, who stated that these and other bones, including skulls, &c., had been removed some years ago from the place, which brought about the fact that they were evidently the bones of aborigines. We are glad the matter has been cleared up so satisfactorily, as the finding of human bones in such a place would at all events give rise to the supposition that some unaccountable termination had occurred to some human being. The shin-bones, which are in the possession of constable Rochefort, are of unusually large size, and of course are entirely denuded of flesh, as some years must have elapsed since the aboriginal of whom they formed portion closed his earthly career.

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FURTHER INFORMATION

While it doesn’t appear that a Coroner’s Report was ever made, it would be interesting to know what became of the human skeletons. I wonder if the relatives and descendants of Mr C.B. Ranclaud, Mr Clark, Constable Smith and Constable Rochefort would have any family information that has passed down through the years. If anyone has further information please get in touch with by leaving a comment on this blog.

It is very important that future developments in the area take note of the site’s history and potential for further archaeological finds.

Gionni Di Gravio
University Archivist
Chair, Coal River Working Party

The knowledge of what has gone before affords the best instruction for the direction and guidance of human life.

and

History furnishes the only proper discipline to educate and train the minds of those who wish to take part in public affairs; and the unfortunate events which it hands down for our instruction contain the wisest and most convincing lessons for enabling us to bear our own calamities with dignity and courage.

The Radio Show can be heard on ABC 1233 Radio’s website here:

Tracing the Hunter’s history – River Stories, Episode 20

And images from the day taken by Phil Ashley Brown are here:

Phil Ashley-Brown’s images of Tracing the Hunter’s history

Our map for the excursion was Francis Barrallier’s 1801 Survey of the Hunter.

Ensign Francis Louis Barrallier. ‘Coal Harbour and Rivers, On the Coast of New South Wales, surveyed by Ensign Barrallier, In His Majesty’s Armed Surveying Vessel, “Lady Nelson”, Lieut. James Grant, Commander, in June and July, 1801. By Order of Governor King’. CO 700/ New South Wales 16/

Here is an overlay of the Barrallier map with modern day (2011) Google

River Stories Overlay (Click for larger image)

We began our journey at Raymond Terrace.

Here is a link to the 1853 engraving of the township from the Illustrated Sydney News with text:

http://coalriver.wordpress.com/2011/09/14/raymond-terrace-hunters-river/

Two versions of Francis Barrallier’s Survey Plan for June – July 1801 is here: http://coalriver.wordpress.com/history/

The 1801 Survey Mission  – The Object of the Mission

1801

GOVERNOR KING TO LIEUT.-COLONEL PATERSON (King Papers.) (HRNSW V.4:389)

Sydney,
8th June, 1801

Dear Sir,

It being my intention to send the Lady Nelson to survey and examine Hunter’s River, and the Service not permitting me to be absent from this settlement, I am much gratified by your offer of going in that vessel, and making such observations as may be of public benefit to this colony.

I have directed Lieut. Grant to accommodate you in the best manner the brig will allow of, and to give you such assistance as you may require.

I enclose you a copy of my orders to Lieut. Grant, together with the object of inquiry I wish to be informed of respecting that place, [the enclosures were copies of instructions to Lieut. Grant, post, p. 390, and Governor King’s memorandum, post, p. 391.) and I have to request your information on those points on your return to this place.

I am, &c.,

PHILIP GIDLEY KING

1801

GOVERNOR KING TO LIEUTENANT JAMES GRANT (King Papers)  (HRNSW V.4: 390-391)

Instructions

9th June, 1801

As the winter is now advancing, which renders it unsafe for the Lady Nelson being sent to renew the survey of Bass’s Straits and the south-west coast of this country until the spring, and as the surveying Hunter’s River, lying between this place and Port Stephens, is of the utmost consequence to be ascertained, - you are hereby required and directed to receive Lieut.-Col. Paterson and the persons on board, as per margin, [these persons were – Ensign Barrallier, Mr. J. Harris, six soldiers, two sawyers, a pilot, a miner, and one native] bearing them on a supernumerary list for provisions, and proceed without loss of time to Hunter’s River, for which place you are provided with a pilot.  When arrived there, you will give every assistance to Ensign Barrallier, in making as complete a survey as possible of the entrance and inside of that river, its shoals, depth of water, and every other particular, as pointed out by the second paragraph of your former orders.

You will take under your command the Francis, colonial schooner, and cause her to be laden with the best coals that can be procured ; and should that vessel be laden before the survey is completed, you will dispatch her to this place without loss of time.

If the weather will admit of your going into Port Stephens, which Lieut.-Col. Paterson is desirous of visiting, you will make every observation on that place, as well as Hunter’s River, agreeable to the second paragraph of your former instructions and the directions added to this instruction.  As the Service will require your returning to this port by the first of August, you are not to make a longer delay, delivering me a journal of your proceedings, and such specimens as you may be able to collect, as pointed out by your orders from the Duke of Portland, and my instructions of March 5th.

Given, &c.,

PHILIP GIDLEY KING

MEMORANDUM BY GOVERNOR KING  (King Papers.) (HRNSW V.4: 391)

[Enclosure.]

9th June, 1801

OBJECTS to which Governor King requests Col. Paterson, Lt. Grant, and the other gentlemen going in the Lady Nelson to Hunter’s River will pay a particular attention.

The nature of the soil in general.

Whether the grounds are overflowed, either by high tides or by land floods.

Whether the place may be thought healthy or unhealthy on account of the mud banks which I am told surround the sides of the river.

If the water is sweet and good.

The size of the trees and whether there is plenty of timber for building, stone, lime-stone, or shells.

How far it may be practicable for vessels to frequent that port with safety, the quantity of coals that may be procured there, the facility of procuring them, and what proportion of labour would be necessary to keep a supply ready for vessels going thither for that article.  To assist the gentlemen in forming an idea on this head, a miner who has been there before will accompany them.

To examine where the most eligible place would be to form a settlement, both with respect to procuring coals and for agricultural purposes.

PHILIP GIDLEY KING.

Our Starting Point – Raymond Terrace (at the junction point of the Hunter River (their Paterson’s River) and our Williams River (their Hunter’s River)

REMARKS, &c., on board His Majesty’s armed surveying vessel, Lady Nelson, in Hunter River, 1801. By LIEUT. GRANT, COMMANDER – HUNTER  RIVER (HRNSW V.4: 404-409)

Sunday, 28th June, 1801. -  Wind, N.W.  P.M. – moderate and cloudy weather.  At 4 p.m., the tide serving, we dropped up into the entrance of Paterson’s River, and at 6 came too in 3 fathoms water for the night.  At 7 in the morning we dropped up into 9 feet water, and was informed by the second mate, who was ahead in the boat sounding, that he had only 7 and 6 feet.  I immediately brought up.  In order the better to satisfy myself on this head, I went with Colonel Paterson in the boat at the top of high water, and found no more than two, three, and four feet at most, a little further above where our boat had been.  We then returned, and sounded the other entrances to this arm, but found no more water, and in many places less.  Judging that the vessel might touch at low water where she lay, the rise of the tide not being less than four or five feet, I got up the anchor and brought her back into two fathoms water, giving up the idea of getting further up this arm with the vessel.  We moored with the kedge

Morpeth – Greenhill

LIEUT.-COLONEL PATERSON’S JOURNAL AND DISCOVERIES AT HUNTER RIVER (HRNSW V.4: 448-453)

June 29. -  Accompanied by Mr. Harris and Mr. Lewin, I left the Lady Nelson with the launch to carry our provisions and what we thought necessary for an excursion of seven days, and a little boat belonging to Mr. H., which we found very useful ; indeed if it had not been [for] it we could not have proceeded as far as we did.  This day we got on about 16 miles, and rested the night on a rising ground which I called Greenhill.  The soil is good but does not extend to any considerable distance.  Here the water is fresh enough for use.  The tide rises about four feet.  Nearly half a mile above this the river, which your Excellency has done me the honor to name Paterson’s River, formerly called the Cedar Arm, falls into Hunter’s River.

LIEUT.-COLONEL PATERSON’S JOURNAL AND DISCOVERIES AT HUNTER RIVER (HRNSW V.4: 448-453)

June. 30 -  Proceeded about 14 miles, the country generally low, covered with wood ;  very little of it fit for cultivation – not from the soil but from the lowness of the situation.

Compare with the Town of Morpeth in 1865, engraving from the Illustrated Sydney News:

http://coalriver.wordpress.com/2011/09/16/the-town-of-morpeth-in-1865/

Click the image for a higher res version.

Morpeth 1865 - 2011

Maitland – Shanks’ Forest Plains

LIEUT.-COLONEL PATERSON’S JOURNAL AND DISCOVERIES AT HUNTER RIVER (HRNSW V.4: 448-453)

July 1. -  This day we concluded ourselves 12 miles higher up, and as the banks of the river in most places are very low and swampy, we fixed upon the first dry ground for our headquarters, where we built a small tent hut, thatched with grass which grows luxuriant.  Here is an extent of country for about three miles to the southward with several lagoons and rather low, but except on the banks of the river not subject to floods.  The soil in most places is good, thinly interspersed with fine lofty trees.  This I named Shanks’ Forest Plains in honor of Captain Shanks, the projector of the Lady Nelson, a gentleman much interested in the prosperity of this colony.  The wood generally known by the name of cedar does not abound much in this place.

The camp at Shanks’ Forest Plains

LIEUT.-COLONEL PATERSON’S JOURNAL AND DISCOVERIES AT HUNTER RIVER (HRNSW V.4: 448-453)

July 4. -  Having fixed on Shanks’ Forest Plain as our place of rendezvous, in the neighbourhood of which is a large lagoon reported to be 9 miles across, and as the weather was very variable, I thought it better to convince myself of the nature and extent of this large sheet of water as described, and supposed to be the source of the Paterson River, than to undertake a larger journey towards the mountains until the weather became more favourable.  About a mile higher up the river is a deep creek to the right, which from its direction gave us every reason to believe that it had communication with the lagoon.

Sightings of Aboriginal People

LIEUT.-COLONEL PATERSON’S JOURNAL AND DISCOVERIES AT HUNTER RIVER (HRNSW V.4: 448-453)

July 5. -  We dispatched the boat with three men up the creek while we proceeded by land in expectation they would be able to join us.  After traveling about 3 miles, and passing some ponds with quantities of wild ducks in them, but exceeding shy, we had from the top of a rising ground a view of the large lagoon, and was much disappointed in its appearance and extent.  It is merely a chain of large ponds, and forms several small islands covered with reeds.  The circumference may be 12 or 14 miles, but no part of it is 1 mile broad.  From the number of black swans and wild ducks were saw here, we had no doubt of killing many, and with the assistance of the boat, provided it arrived, we should be able to get them out of the water.  After waiting till late in the day, and neither hearing nor seeing anything of our people with the boat, we considered they had met with some difficulty in getting up the creek.  We therefore returned to our hut after traveling from 9 in the morning till half-past 3 in the afternoon without resting or having the least refreshment.  To-day we heard some natives, and saw a new canoe on the banks of the creek where we expected to have met our boat.  From what I observed of trees cut down by the natives, which must have been a much sharper edged tool than what their stone maga is, and from their shyness, I have little reason to doubt but that some of the European deserters are among them.  The country round this lagoon is tolerable soil, and certainly affords food for the natives.  The surface is much grub’d up, particularly where roots of fearns, orchises, and a species of arum grow, which had nearly been fatal to some of our people.  Later in the evening the boat returned, but could not find any communication the creek had with the lagoon.  The men said they had seen very fine trees of cedar and ash.

The extent of the Mission to Mount Elizabeth (today’s Mt Hudson) and Mount Ann (today’s Bolwarra Heights)

REMARKS, &c., on board His Majesty’s armed surveying vessel, Lady Nelson, in Hunter River, 1801. By LIEUT. GRANT, COMMANDER HUNTER  RIVER (HRNSW V.4: 404-409)

Wednesday, 8 July, 1801. -  Wind, S.W.  The distance we were from the ship might be 15 or 16 miles.  We started at daylight and proceeded onwards.  So far, the ground on each side appears to be less or more overflowed every fresh, and is full of lagoons and swamps.  The soil is black and good ad full of brush, with trees of great magnitude and of different kinds.  The grass is thick and long where it grows, but so far the ground is low and swampey, though, no doubt, from the height of the hills inland there is good ground free from all floods.  We breakfasted about nine miles further up on a rising ground clear of brush and swamp.  The ground appeared open, the grass luxurious and long.  I travelled a mile and a half on this sort of ground, and came to a pleasant rising mount which afforded an extensive prospect.  It was covered with long luxuriant grass and very large trees of different kinds ; some rocks are interspersed on its top, with plenty of water at hand.  The land here is high above the source of the river.  Here is plenty of land for agriculture.  The soil is black, but mixed with a sort of sand or marley substance.  However, its natural productions warrant it fit for anything.  A creek that boats might lay in clear of the violent floods runs along the foot of the mount.  The cedar grows here in plenty about the sides of the river, so that there is plenty of wood and stone with water and ground much preferable to any I have seen about Sydney for agriculture.  This is the first spot for cultivation we have yet met with since we left the ship that is desirable about the waterside.  The evening brought us up to the Colonel, where we found them in a comfortable hut and a good fire.  This place might be nine or ten miles further up.  In the morning the Colonel and Dr. Harris in his boat, and Mr. Barrallier and myself in our small boat, proceeded up the river to a mount, similar in productions and soil to the above described, but much higher and of greater magnitude.  The view was extensive and picturesque, as it commanded a great extent of country.  Colonel Paterson had before visited this place and named it Mount Ann.  [Named Mount Ann by Colonel Paterson in honor to the Governor’s wife, Mrs. King.]  On our passage up we had passed five rapid falls, which we were obliged to drag the boats over.  We proceeded onwards, and after passing four more falls, some of which were very rapid and troublesome from the trees being in many places washed right across there, we took-up for the night about three miles above Mount Ann.  On the opposite side was a lagoon, where we shot a brace of ducks in.  We saw several traces of the natives, both young and old, and passed some canoes, which are small and rudely put together.  Here the river still was extensive and wide, but the freshes had left their marks in many tops of trees not less from the source of the river than 25 feet perpendicular height.  The next day brought us to the foot of a high hill, [Colonel Paterson named this hill Mount Elizabeth, in honor of his wife] which was still higher than Mount Ann, and connected to the same by a chain of lesser hills forming a semi-circle nearly.  From the top of this we could see the island in the entrance of the harbour, all the range of blue mountains which we had now got to the nor’w’d of, and also the river for a great way inland winding in various ways.  The production and soil here is nearly what I have before described, and, like the first, is steep on one side.  Here we found some new plants of the fearn tribe, and others, particularly a sort of balm which grows here to a great size, the stem of it approaching nearly to the texture of wood, and is of a sweeter smell than the common balm.  This mount was named Mount Elizabeth.  On it will be found a tree with the letters W.P.,  J.G.,  J.H., F.B.,  [These initials evidently stood for William Paterson, James Grant, John Harris, Francis Barrallier] with the year 1801.  In another tree we cut a piece of the wood from it, which will stand a long time visible.  We saw that the river took so long a sweep and returned to nearly the same place, that it would take us the next day to get almost to the place we were ;  [it would appear from this that they went up the river to about the spot where Singleton now stands.]  therefore we determined on returning, as our stock of provisions would not allow a longer stay.  The country we saw from this hill is an immense level, extending from hence to the Blue Mountains, which we saw until lost to the eye, stretching in a northerly direction into the interior.  I presume this is about 15 or 16 miles higher up than the hut.  We passed the night, as usual, on the banks of the river, and next day proceeded downwards.  On our passage up from the hut we passed in all fourteen different falls.  We again visit Mount Ann, and arrived at the hut in the afternoon.  Mr. Barrallier, it is to be observed, had obtained the survey so far as we had been up.  Cedar grows along the banks of the river in great abundance and great magnitude.  The ash, gum-trees of all sorts, the swamp-oak, and tea-tree is also in great plenty and very large, together with various other woods.  Of minerals there appears not to be any great variety;  those that are about the river in general are volcanick.  Birds and plants nature has been bountiful in bestowing here ; fish also are plenty, and I suppose, from their leaping, are of the trout kind.  Of shells we found a black sort of bivalve and much resembling the shells I have seen searched for in the river in Scotland, particularly the Doun, which in general are found to contain small pearls.  Having now seen as much as I could up this arm, I was anxious to return.  The colonel wished much to examine the other arm of this extensive river, which runs in a northerly direction and branches out apparently towards Port Stephens.  [Doubtless the Williams River.]

Thanks to Mrs Margaret Fryer who transcribed all the original documents.

Gionni Di Gravio
November 2011

Cover of In Search of Nobbys' Tunnels by Roslyn Kerr, Geologist

Please download a copy of In Search of Nobbys’ Tunnels – by Roslyn Kerr, Geologist. Report to Coal River Working Party University of Newcastle, October 2010. (6.2MB PDF)

In Search of Nobbys’ Tunnels – by Roslyn Kerr, Geologist.
Report to Coal River Working Party University of Newcastle, October 2010. (6.2MB PDF)

Thank you to Mr Brian Walsh who kindly compiled the author’s files into one document for the web.

The above video “A True ANZAC Memorial” was posted on You Tube in November 2010 and recently entered into the Laman Street Trees debate with the description:

The current Newcastle City Council intends to cut down the Laman Street fig trees in order to construct a NEW ANZAC memorial.
The problem is, these trees, planted by returned serviceman from the Great War (as a symbol of hope and renewal) were what THEY choose themselves for us to remember them by.

The video states that the trees were planted in the 1930s and quotes the statements of the then “Lord Mayor” of Newcastle Alderman Parker. This has caused some confusion as the title of ‘Lord Mayor’ did not come in for Newcastle until after 1948, and some have suggested that the Mayor Parker was actually the Lord Mayor of Sydney.

What we can say is that, at the time, the title of Lord Mayor’ was only to be bestowed on Mayors of capital cities.  Due to the population growth of the Greater Newcastle area, its outstanding position as coal port and industrial powerhouse, and status as second oldest city,  the Newcastle City Council applied to have the title, and in October 1947 His Majesty approved the application. The Letters Patent conferring the title of Lord Mayor was sent to Council in October 1948 and from then on the official title was ‘The Right Worshipful The Lord Mayor of Newcastle’. (see Maiden, H.E. (1966). The History of Local Government in New South Wales. Sydney: Angus and Robertson.pp.246-247)

And while a more comprehensive search of the Council’s archives will need to be made when they re-open to the community, we have at least digitised the possible source of the words in the video. They appear to come from a Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate Editorial, Saturday, December 27 1930 p.6 entitled “Trees and the City”. This is the same article referred to in Greg Ray’s recent article on the subject. We reproduce it below along with a transcription.

The Editorial paraphrases the words of one of the first speeches of the new Mayor C.J. Parker, who was Mayor of the Borough Council of Newcastle between 1931-1932, as well as adding its own encouragement and words of wisdom to his endeavours.

Mayor C.J. Parker (NMH&MA 16 December 1930 p.8)

“The new Mayor of Newcastle (Ald C.J.Parker), who was last night elected to that office, is a native of this city, and has spent the whole of his life in Newcastle. He served through the war, and on his return entered the City Council, of which he has been a member for seven years. He is a brother of Ald. E.J. Parker, a former Mayor of Carrington and a municipal member of the Hunter District Water Supply and Sewerage Board. The Mayoress (Mrs Parker) is a daughter of the late Mr. George Campbell, a well known sporting identity of Newcastle, and granddaughter of the late Captain William Campbell, a well known shipping identity of Port Hunter” (NMH&MA 16 December 1930 p.6)

To accompany it are further articles just days before and after showing the progress of the Mayor’s street tree planting policy. These articles provide the evidence for Mayor Parker’s tree policy for the City, its poetry and unanimous support by his fellow aldermen, its connections with the Wattle Day League (and presumably its ANZAC connections). There is even a charming description of the fledgling trees that had just been planted “in a few months on the barren block of land facing the Town Hall.” What is most inspiring is the call for the inauguration of a  “Tree Spirit” within the citizens of Newcastle. What these articles show is that the steps taken towards the street plantings were well thought out and planned.

"Trees and the City" - Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners' Advocate Saturday December 27, 1930 p.6 (Click for a larger image)

NEWCASTLE MORNING HERALD AND MINERS’ ADVOCATE
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 27, 1930
Trees and the City

In one of the first utterances after his election as mayor of Newcastle Ald. Parker made a welcome statement of his intention to use his energies for the beautification of the city. He spoke of the beaches, but the most interesting feature of his statement was his reference to trees. He had been impressed by what he had seen in Brisbane of what had been done in open spaces with trees, and he left the impression that he would endeavour to secure similar effect in Newcastle. If he does nothing else but inaugurate a new era of tree planting, he will leave a name that will be honoured and sung in the years to come. A memorial erected in stone in recognition of civic services cannot be compared with the memorial living in the hearts of each succeeding generation. And it is the latter kind of memorial that will be the Mayor’s reward in the event of his persisting with his present intention. But the Mayor needs to be told that the way is long and hard. Newcastle is without the tree sense possessed by other cities. With some notable exceptions her people are unmoved by the thought of avenues of stately and majestic trees singing songs of beauty as the breezes stir them, and when they are still delivering inexpressible messages to the souls of men and women. Sometimes trees have been planted and left either to die or to be ruined by vandals. A young tree in a park is an invitation to the rude destructive hands of boys and girls, and sometimes the parents witness the work of destruction unmoved. If spoken to, they remark with surprise that it is only a tree. In the case of ill-treatment of a dog or cat or some other animal they would be instantly stirred to action, but a tree does not cry out: it submits silently to destruction. Where there is no poetry in the soul, this view can be understood, but the city should have poetry in its soul, and it should deal with those who would either crush beauty or despoil it. With the younger generation there should be special efforts in the schools to promote a tree sense, and this should lead to the protection of trees already planted as well as to eager backing of such efforts as the Mayor of Newcastle contemplates.

But the Mayor’s difficulty will be not only with those who would destroy what should be regarded as a trust for posterity. It will be with those who believe that that which was good enough for the past is good enough for to-day. For there are many such people. Notwithstanding the improvements which have been effected in King Edward and other parks in recent years, these folk are impatient at the idea of spending money on beautification. Low rates and a drab city! That really expresses their outlook. But we are sure that the new MAYOR, who while an alderman oftentimes exhibited a vision that was refreshing, will not listen to this kind of opinion. Rather will he say that it is just as important to spend money on tree planting and other works of beautification as it is to spend it on streets and pavements. Let any unprejudiced person stand on the hill overlooking the city and say whether he is satisfied with all that he sees! He sees a good deal of beauty, but he also sees possibilities of more expansive beautification. In some directions he does not catch the sight of a tree. In some of the new suburbs avenues of trees are giving promise, but taking the city as a whole there are areas of unrelieved drabness. This brings us to an important point. Ald. Parker may do well with the work he is undertaking in Newcastle, but he is responsible for only a small area; similar work needs to be carried out by the other councils. Of course, the ideal would be a single authority directing this class of work. Through this ideal may one day be realised, every effort should be made to triumph over the difficulties of the present system of government. If the Mayor of Newcastle has the backing of his alderman, Newcastle will do its part, and it will be for the other councils to do theirs.

In considering his campaign, it is to be hoped the Mayor will see to it that the tree planting is conducted on true lines. In the work that already has been done, have the best kinds of trees been obtained? Could better effect have been secured by the use of more suitable trees? The questions have been raised by some people who have a knowledge of Newcastle and its special difficulties, and they should have serious consideration from Ald. Parker. One of the most delightful spots in Newcastle is Islington Park. There may be seen Moreton Bay figs in all their rugged grandeur – trees which, as someone has remarked, are so suggestive of age and tradition. This fig may be dirty and inconvenient in private gardens, but in a park they are of inestimable worth. There should be more Moreton Bay figs in Newcastle. Though they may not be suitable for some parts, particularly where their roots [...] interferes with [.......line illegible] ly used than at present. But there are other trees of which this may be said. For this reason the Mayor should investigate the suitability of Newcastle for various kinds of trees. He may find that what is being done at present is on sound lines. On the other hand, he may find that the best use is not being made of the opportunities available. Apart from parks and beaches, there should be a more lavish use of trees in private gardens. This is a matter that rests with the people, but with the development of a keener tree sense there should not be any difficulty about it. For this development the City Council and the other councils can do a great deal by example. Leadership is needed in such an important branch of town planning, and it will be regrettable if all councils do not aim to provide it.

"Better Newcastle Tree Planting Scheme Mayor Enthusiastic" (NMH&MA 24 Dec 1930 p.6)

BETTER NEWCASTLE
Tree Planting Scheme
MAYOR ENTHUSIASTIC
(NMH&MA 24 Dec 1930 p.6)

Beautification of Newcastle by an extensive scheme of tree planting is planned by Mayor (Ald. C.J. Parker), who conferred with aldermen and the City Engineer (Mr. J. Cummins) on the subject yesterday.

Ald. Parker cited Brisbane, Bathurst and Ballarat as examples of the splendid results which could be obtained by a studied programme of tree planting, and said that Newcastle was sadly lacking in that respect. He hoped to be able to submit to the council a suitable scheme.

“National Park is one the places I have in mind,” said the Mayor. “Then, if it is possible I would like to have an avenue of trees the entire length of Memorial Drive. Planting does not entail much expense, and, if the trees are a success, they represent an excellent investment from a municipal point of view.”

Ald. Parker said that there were difficulties in the way of planting the trees along the Memorial Drive, but he hoped that these could be overcome. There were many other parts of Newcastle which would benefit by tree planting. He was sanguine that, if he could submit a sound scheme to the council, it would be adopted.

The Mayor said that he was undeterred by the failure of spasmodic efforts which had been made from time to time. Provided the scheme was kept well to the fore, and the necessary driving force was maintained, he saw no reason why it should not reach fruition. He declared that other tree planting proposals had failed, not only because of insufficient perseverance, but because of the neglect to comply with certain natural factors which any considered scheme of tree planting demanded.

“Provided we plant the right trees in the proper positions, have them suitably trenched, and give them adequate attention during the early years of their growth, there are no insuperable obstacles,” he said. “I am very keen on the proposal, and will certainly do my utmost to carry it through. With the support and co-operation which I am getting from the aldermen, there seems nothing to stop me.”

City Beautiful Tree Planting Scheme Council's Endorsement - NMH&MA 6th January 1931 p.6 (Click for a larger image)

CITY BEAUTIFUL
Tree Planting Scheme
COUNCIL’S ENDORSEMENT

NMH&MA 6th Jan 1931 p.6

Considerable enthusiasm was shown at the meeting of the City Council last night in the proposal of the Mayor (Ald. C.J. Parker) to formulate an extensive policy of tree planting and city beautification.

The Mayor said that since taking up office he had given the matter attention. “The publicity in the local Press to the proposal to be dealt with by the council,” he said, “has resulted in strong public support being accorded to the idea, and I am therefore fortified, if such a condition were necessary, in placing the proposal before the council, with recommendations for an early commencement on the preliminary work required.

“It is on all sides admitted that the city streets sadly lack the beauty and picturesque appearance which well ordered and suitably planted avenues of trees would afford. To obtain successful and effective results a great deal of information requires to be obtained respecting the suitability of certain types for different positions and aspects, ‘soil’ and climatic conditions. Plans would be required to be prepared of streets to be planted, showing nature of construction, and widths of both carriage and footways, overhead wiring and poles, existing trees, vehicle entrances, present or future possible business premises. All this is necessary before deciding where trees are to be planted, the type of trees, and spacing. Types of tree-guards are many and varied, and a great deal depends upon a wise selection in this respect. I have already set inquiries on foot, and hope shortly to have very valuable information on this aspect, including estimates of cost. I am pleased to state that the expert services of several citizens, such as engineers, architects, and town planners, have been proffered in an honorary advisory capacity to co-operate with the council, if desired.”

DETAILS OF PLAN

The Mayor then detailed his recommendations, which were as follow -

(1) That this proposal for the inauguration of an extensive street tree planting policy by the Council be adopted.

(2) That the Finance Committee be instructed to recommend the amount to be expended in the current year in that direction, and whether the amount should be provided from general fund revenue by provision for such work on that fund’s 1931 estimates, or to be raised by a loan item for such purposes, when the council is again borrowing, as it will be shortly, I believe, for other necessary works and services.

(3) That the tree-planting details be referred to the Works Committee to carry out.

(4) That the Mayor be empowered to co-operate the honorary services of certain local gentlemen to assist and advise such committee.

Ald. Kilgour commended the Mayor for instituting the matter. There had been, he said, a committee of ladies in this district which had been doing a little bit in this direction. They formed the Wattle Day League, which had been working for about eight years, and the trees they had planted were quite a credit to the city. The trees in Newcommen Street, too, were a credit to the city gardener (Mr. Coleman). They were beautiful to look at, and afforded shade. If the Mayor could prosecute this policy and carry it out in many of the other streets, it would be a credit to him and to the gardening staff. The presence or the absence of trees in a city made an impression on a visitor. There could not be too many trees.

Ald. Cornish also commended the mayor. During the past five years they had planted trees, he said, but somehow no care was taken of them after they were put in the ground. He suggested that the council get one of the staff of the Sydney Botanic Gardens to advise them, and that an Arbor Day be instituted to invoke the assistance and enthusiasm of the senior boys and girls in the schools. For some years vandalism had been going on, and most of the destruction of the trees was done by boys. He felt that to counteract this tendency they take steps to get the interest of the boys and girls, giving them trees to plant and look after.

NOT LOOKED AFTER

Ald. Christie said that they council at different times had spent a considerable amount of money in planting trees, but had never looked after them. National Park in a few years would be beautiful, if properly provided with shade and ornamental trees, which would take 15 or 20 years years to grow. What had been done in Manly, where the trees were growing right on to the borders of the ocean, showed what was possible.

Ald. Gibson said that he was right behind the proposal, and would give it every support he could. He hoped the action of the Mayor would do good. They wanted to enter on this right away. But the trees would want attention. What had been done in a few months on the barren block of land facing the Town Hall showed what attention could do. The trees were already nearly 2 ft in height. They were beautiful. In six or 12 months’ time one would not know the place, with the trees being looked after. They had men in Newcastle who understood this business, who knew as much about it as any one in Sydney. He hoped they would get busy, and see that the policy of the Mayor was given effect.

ADELAIDE’S EXAMPLE

Ald. Light said he felt that Newcastle had been lacking in this respect. He would cite Adelaide, with its flowering fruit trees. He had been in that city when the trees were in blossom. He hoped that whatever was done here, some attention would be given to the planting of trees similar to those that were a feature in Adelaide.

Ald. Shedden mentioned Brisbane as setting a good example. It was not only tree planting in the streets. As pointed out in the “Newcastle Morning Herald,” they wanted to create a tree sense. The best way to do that was to provide trees for private citizens to plant and attend.

Ald. O’Neill said that it was most refreshing to find the aldermen so united on this matter. it was a good augury. He agreed with what had been said, that a “tree spirit” should be inaugurated. Recently he had some friends here to see Newcastle, and in speaking of it they said Newcastle looked best at night time. Only a good friend of the city could say that. Nature had helped Newcastle considerably. He commended the work that the City Electrical Engineer had done, and expressed a wish that the City Engineer would now be given a chance.

Ald. Castleden and Ald Davis added their commendation of the action taken by the Mayor, who, observed in acknowledgement, that it was very pleasing to find his recommendations were received in such spirit. He looked upon the planting of trees as a good investment.

The recommendations were adopted.

"Tree Planting" - Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners' Advocate 8th January 1931 p.8 (Click for a larger image)

Tree Planting
Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate
8th January 1931 p.8

The Mayor of Newcastle (Ald. Parker) is to be complimented upon his persistency with his scheme to inaugurate a programme of tree planting within the city. It is also satisfactory to read of the co-operation he has received from his brother aldermen, and the sympathetic interest of numbers of citizens. Ald. Parker is tackling the question on proper lines. He has made up his mind to secure expert advice as to the areas in which trees are to be planted, we well as the suitability of various kinds of trees. In the discussion at the meeting of the City Council on Monday night, some of the aldermen made important points. One point especially should be respected. It appears that in the past when trees were planted, proper care was not taken of them. There was evidently that spasmodic interest which is almost as bad as no interest at all. It is to be hoped this will not be so in the future. The council has strongly backed the Mayor’s worthy effort, and its interest should be as strong always as it is to-day. It is not enough for it to say that it will devote special attention to the city beautification during Ald. Parker’s term as mayor. Rather should it say that this work, which is so much needed in Newcastle, will continue to be in the forefront of its programme till the ideal of the city beautiful is at last realised.

I hope this information provides some historical perspective to understand the minds of the people responsible for planting these Laman Street trees, and what they wished for the city. There is much to be inspired by here. Any one with further information is very welcome to either leave a comment, or contact us by email.

Gionni Di Gravio

By Gionni Di Gravio

In 1853 the Government hatched a plan to blow up Nobbys island in order to build a lighthouse.

Newcastle in 1853 from The Illustrated Sydney News 26 November 1853 p.60

Lieutenant Colonel Barney and Gother T. Mann on the 4 March 1853 agreed and embraced the idea of blasting the rock. By April 1853 Barney reports that work was underway to drive galleries into the headland for the planting of the explosives for the ‘demolition’ of Nobbys Island. Colonel Barney & Mann had planned three tunnels, and thought they may have needed a fourth.  However, it seems that only two tunnels were actually dug, both to a distance of 24 metres into the island.

This angered the wider Newcastle community who rallied under the leadership of John Bingle to save the Island from destruction. The tunnel excavation was eventually stopped after Newcastle residents protested to the Government.

On what is perhaps the birth of the environmental movement in Newcastle (if not Australia in general according to Dr Glenn Albrecht), on the 22 November 1853, 49 citizens sent a Memorial to His Excellency Sir Charles Fitzroy, the Governor General of the Australian Colonies calling for him to intervene and protect Nobbys Island.

All this, according to John Bingle was to no avail. He attributes the success to another figure, known simply, as ‘Mr Thorn’, who after hearing the details from Bingle, traveled to Sydney and is credited with finally convincing the Governor’s mind.

“The Government at one time acting upon the suggestion of Col. Barney, of the Royal Engineers, intended to remove Nobby’s by blasting, but the citizens becoming aware of their design a public meeting was held in the Court House, on the 21st June, 1854, to petition the Legislative Assembly, to inquire into the particulars of the intention of the promoters, and with a prayer that the ill-advised measure be frustrated. The citizens having taken this public step considered that their prayer would receive the attention it demanded. However, it was a false delusion, for Col. Barney, the promoter of the scheme, was not to be daunted, but pushed on the excavation of the chambers for destroying the ill fated Island, as it was called, and throwing it into the sea. Several of these chambers were completed, and filled with (I am afraid to say how many tons of) gunpowder sufficient not only to blow up Nobby’s, but to seriously injure the city, and a day was fixed for the great display. Fortunately for the citizens the intention was known, but only a few days before it was to have been an accomplished fact, Mr. Thorn, of Prince Alfred notoriety, visited the writer, and entered fully into his views on the matter and on his return to Sydney, at his request, called upon the Governor, inducing him to postpone the day. By this at first sight trivial incident the destruction of Nobby’s -was abandoned, and It remains in the position and beauty that nature assigned it.

John Bingle Past and Present Records of Newcastle, New South Wales (1873) pp. 14-15 .

Bingle states that the meeting in the Court House occurred on the “21st June, 1854″. This could be a misprint in the date for 1853, as according to documents obtained from the New State Wales Parliamentary Archives the matter appears to have been resolved by the 31st December 1853.

See: 18 July 1854. New South Wales. Parliament. Legislative Council. Nobby’s Island. Laid upon the Council Table by The Colonial Secretary, and Ordered by the Council to be Printed, 18th July, 1854. Papers relating to the blowing up of Nobby’s Island [745 KB PDF file] Thanks to the New South Wales Parliamentary Archivist.

Please also see the original manuscript of the above printed papers. The papers include the tabling letter, a schedule, and some 30 pages of letters numbered 1 – 18 dated from 31 January 1853 to 10 January 1854. Kindly located and digitised by Kate Wilson, Processing Archivist at the New South Wales Parliamentary Archives:

1854. Nobby’s Island Return to Address, – Mr Cowper Ordered to be printed 18th July 1854

The original Petition signed by the 49 residents of Newcastle and dated 22 November 1853 does not appear to have survived.

“Mr Thorn”

After wondering about this “Mr Thorn” for years, on the weekend of the 10/11 September 2011,  I focused on John Bingle’s allusion to “Mr. Thorn, of Prince Alfred notoriety”.  Who was Prince Alfred? And how was our Mr Thorn, who in 1853 was responsible for convincing the Governor Fitzroy to refrain from blowing up Nobbys in Newcastle, connected to him.

It is with great honour that we reveal that the mysterious “Mr Thorn” was Mr George Thorne, of Claremont House, Rose Bay, a Sydney business man and merchant who had a number of business interests in Newcastle.

Besides saving our Nobbys Island from destruction, his other claim to fame came later in March 1868 when he took a bullet in the right ankle and thwarted an assassination attempt on the visiting Duke of Edinburgh Prince Alfred by an Irish assassin by the name of Henry James O’Farrell.

This was an important occasion for the Australian Colonies, the first Vice Regal visit to the country. As beautifully portrayed in the pages of The Illustrated Sydney News, The Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Alfred arrived with great fanfare.

Harbour Illumination in honor of the Visit of His Royal Highness Prince Alfred to New South Wales (The Illustrated Sydney News 22 February 1868)

Visit of H.R.H. Prince Alfred to New South Wales - Harbour Reception (The Illustrated Sydney News 22 February 1868)

Supplement to The Illustrated Sydney News 23 March 1868 p.1

Supplement to The Illustrated Sydney News 25 March 1868 p.2

On the Wednesday 4th March 1868 The Prince embarked on the Steamer Morpeth, rounding Nobbys at 10 minutes to 11 o’clock that evening. They were greeted by thousands of people waiting at the wharf, with a Royal salute fired from the hill before and again after the landing at Newcastle along with rockets launched. The Royal party proceeded to the Great Northern Hotel to retire for the evening.

The formal public landing with reception and procession through Newcastle took place on the following day, Thursday 5th March 1868, then onto Morpeth and Maitland. Here is the transcription of his journey from Sydney to the Hunter River District from The Illustrated Sydney News:

 At 3 p.m. the following day, the Prince, accompanied by Earl Belmore, Commodire Lambert, Lord Newry, Lieutenant Haig, and Mr Martin, Mr Wilson, and Mr Docker, embarked aboard the H.R.S.N. Co.’s steamer Morpeth, which had been placed at the disposal of the Prince, and specially fitted up for the occasion. The vessel at once proceeded on her voyage to Newcastle, where she arrived about eleven o’clock. A royal salute was fired. The voyagers landed and proceeded to the Great Northern Hotel. The official landing took place at 10 a.m. on the 4th (should read 5th – Ed).

The Prince, accompanied by His Excellency Earl Belmore, Viscount Newry, Lieutenant Haig, Captain Beresford, the Hons J. Martin, J.B. Wilson, J. Docker, W.M. Arnold, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, and Commodore Lambert, were received at the vessel’s side by the Mayor and Aldermen of Newcastle; the Right Rev. Dr Tyrrell, Bishop of Newcastle; The Right Rev. Dr Murray, R.C. Bishop of Maitland; Mr Dodds, M.L.A., Mayor of East Maitland; Mr Lee, Mayor of West Maitland; Mr Jaques, Mayor of Morpeth; Mr Munro, Mayor of Singleton; Messrs. Cooper, Wisdom, Eckford, and Lee, members of the Legislative Assembly; the Revs. Mr Selwyn, Mr D. Boyd, Mr Millard, Mr Chapman, Mr Simon, Mr J. Spicer Wood, Mr Coutts, Mr Sterton, Mr Bain, Mr Nairn, Mr E.C. Pritchard, and Mr Canon C. Walsh. On reaching the arch formed by the coal trophy the mayor of the city Mr Hannell, read the address

To His Royal Highness Prince Alfred Ernest Albert, Duke of Edinburgh, Knight of the most honorable Order of the Garter, &c., &c., &c.

We, as the mayors, aldermen and burgesses of the respective boroughs of Newcastle, East Maitland, West Maitland, Morpeth, and Singleton, and on behalf of the warden and members of the Maitland District Council and the inhabitants of the Hunter River District generally, beg most respectfully to bid your Royal Highness welcome to this important portion of the colony of New South Wales.

We can assure your Royal Highness, that in no part of the British dominions has her Most Gracious Majesty more loyal and devoted subjects than the inhabitants of this district, and that by none of the many virtues of the late Prince Consort, your Royal Highness’s illustrious father, held in more esteem and affectionate remembrance and admiration.

We further desire that your Royal Highness will accept of our assurance that, not only as the son and representative of our beloved Queen, do we rejoice in your presence among us, but that we heartily welcome you personally as the Sailor Prince of our country – a character always dear to Britons – and for the many estimable qualities we have already learn’t to recognise in your Royal Highness.

We trust that your Royal Highness will be gratified with the inspection of our district, rich as it is in mineral, agricultural, and pastoral resources, and that you will carry back with you to our distant fatherland a pleasant recollection of your visit to the Hunter River and to this colony.

JAMES HANNELL, Mayor of Newcastle,
ALEXANDER DODDS, Mayor of East Maitland,
JOHN LEE, Mayor of West Maitland,
CHARLES E. JAQUES, Mayor of Morpeth,
ALEXANDER MUNRO, Mayor of Singleton.

Coal Arch at Newcastle - Landing of His Royal Highness (Events of the 5th March 1868 from The Illustrated Sydney News 20 April 1868 p.349)

His Royal Highness read the following reply:-

Gentlemen, the cordial unanimity and kindly feeling towards me which seems to prevail among you has very much increased the pleasure I experienced from the hearty welcome that has greeted my arrival on the shores of the Hunter.

The universal assurances of loyalty to which my arrival in these colonies has given occasion will be the source of sincere gratifications to the Queen, and this gratification will be very considerably increased by observing how general and how deep is the reverence in which the memory of my dear father is held by the people of Australia.

I am well aware that this is one of the wealthiest and most important portions of New South Wales, “rich in mineral, agricultural, and pastoral resources,” it is, therefore, with no small interest that I have looked forward to this visit, nor have I any doubt that I shall carry away with me as pleasing an impression of the country as I have already received of its inhabitants.

ALFRED.

To the mayors, aldermen and burgesses of the respective boroughs of Newcastle, East Maitland, West Maitland, Morpeth, and Singleton, and on behalf of the warden and members of the Maitland District Council and the inhabitants of the Hunter River District.

The Prince took his place in his carriage, and the procession having been formed in the following order:-

The Fire Brigade,
The Band,
The M.U. of Oddfellows, 6 abreast,
The G.U.O. of Oddfellows, ditto,
The Ancient Order of Druids, ditto,
The Ancient Order of Foresters, ditto,
The Band of the Sons of Temperance, 6 abreast,
The Guard of Honour.
The Carriage of His Royal Highness and Suite.
The Clergymen, Magistrates, and Vice Consuls of the District, 6 abreast,
The Mayors and Aldermen of the various Boroughs of the Hunter River District, 6 abreast,
The Citizens, 6 abreast,

proceeded along Hunter-street, to the Australian Agricultural Company’s Bridge, then back along into Bolton-street by Church-street, and down Watt-street to the Great Northern Hotel, where the Prince soon afterwards appeared on the balcony. School children in large numbers, drawn up in front of the hotel, commenced to sing the National Anthem from the boundary of their establishment in Church-street.

Shortly after eleven o’clock the Prince and party went by special train to the Mine of the Australian Agricultural Company, where they were received by Mr Merewether, the general superintendent. After watching the process of raising the coals the Prince, the Governor, Lord Newry, and Captain Beresford, went down the shaft, when Mr. Winship shewed and explained the process of getting out coals from the seam. Having examined a considerable portion of the mine, the party returned to the surface, and were speedily back to Newcastle.

At one o’clock His Royal Highness held a levee, when a considerable number of residents of the district paid respects to the Prince.

At three o’clock His Royal Highness and party embarked on board the Morpeth, and proceeded up the river, followed by the Coonanbara and City of Newcastle, both of which were crowded with passengers. The people assembled on the banks of the river exhibited their loyalty by the firing of guns, &c. His Royal Highness gracefully acknowledged the cheers with which his appearance was greeted. At about half past five o’clock the steamer hauled alongside the wharf at Morpeth, where an immense number of people were awaiting her arrival. When His Royal Highness stepped on the wharf the Mayor of Morpeth, welcomed him. The party then proceeded to the carriages which awaited them. As soon as the procession commenced to move, a salute of twenty-one guns was fired by the members of the Newcastle Naval Brigade. When the Prince reached the arch opposite the Courthouse the school children sang a few bars of the National Anthem. A few minutes afterwards the railway station was reached, and  on the visitors taking their seats the train moved off to East Maitland. Here another crowd had assembled, and manifestations of loyalty as enthusiastic as those of Morpeth and Newcastle were displayed. The train soon after drove back to Newcastle, where the royal party passed the night.

In the evening, Newcastle, East and West Maitland, and Morpeth, were brilliantly illuminated. At Newcastle the police office, the bank, hotels, and large houses of business exhibited large gas illuminations. On the North Shore three large bonfires were burning nearly all night, and at intervals there were displays of rockets.

The steamer Coonanbara, which had followed the Morpeth from Newcastle, was illuminated with lanterns, the line of her hull and paddle boxes being marked by red and green lamps, producing a most pleasing effect; and she also had a good display of rockets and blue lights.

At an early-hour on Friday morning the Prince and suite left Newcastle by train for Singleton, where they arrived about half past nine o’clock. His Royal Highness, accompanied by the Governor, entered the carriage of Mr W. J. Dangar, and the procession at once moved through the town. On reaching the Mechanics’ Institute a number of children sang the National Anthem very creditably. At the termination of the singing the Prince and party alighted and went into the Mechanics’ Hall, where they partook of some refreshments, inscribed their names in the visitors’ book, then drove back to the railway station, and left for Maitland.

The train stopped opposite the Court House in East Maitland, and on stepping on the platform His Royal Highness was received by the Mayor, who, on behalf of the inhabitants, offered his congratulations on the occasion of the royal visit. A salute of twenty-one guns was fired by the Naval Brigade, and His Royal Highness entered his state carriage. The procession then moved through East Maitland to High-street, West Maitland; entering the latter, hundreds of people lined the roadway, and cheered the royal visitor. On reaching the triumphal arch in West Maitland, the Mayor welcomed His Royal Highness to the town, and then took part in the procession, which was arranged in the following order:-

Vounteer Fire brigade.
Manchester Unity Order of Oddfellows.
Grand United Order of Oddfellows.
Ancient Order of Foresters.
Druids.
Sons of Temperance.
Guard of Honor.
H.R.H. THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH AND SUITE.
Guard of Honor.
Bishops and Clergy of all denominations.
Mayors and Aldermen of East and West Maitland, Newcastle and Morpeth.
Members of Reception Committee.
Carriages with two horses.
Carriages with one horse.
Horsemen.

Triumphal Arch at Maitland - The Mayor Reading Address (Events of the 6th March 1868 from The Illustrated Sydney News 20 April 1868 p.348)

Ranged along High-street were a large number of school children evidently delighted to see the Prince, whom they cheered heartily. When the Prince’s carriage reached the Northumberland Hotel, His Royal Highness entered for refreshments, and shortly after arrived at the racecourse to open the Agricultural Show. He was received y the President of the Agricultural Association, Mr. Wyndham, who pointed out to the Royal visitor the principal exhibits. At the invitation of the committee, the party then proceeded to the large marquee and took luncheon. The Mayor of West Maitland, Mr. John Lee, on behalf of the residents, presented the Governor with an address expressive of loyalty to the Queen and respect for his Excellency personally. His excellency responded in appropriate terms.

having an engagement in Sydney for the evening, His Royal Highness left a two o’clock, returned to the railway station, and was conveyed back to Newcastle.

At 3 p.m. the party re-embarked on board the Morpeth, which at once started for Sydney, where she arrived at half past eight, and enabled the prince to attend the complimentary concert given to Mrs. Meillon at the Exchange.

Corroboree held in South Australia in the presence of H.R.H. The Duke of Edinburgh (The Illustrated Sydney News 25 March 1868 p.4)

From the 4th to the 6th March 1868 the Prince visited Newcastle, Morpeth, Maitland and Singleton on his journeys throughout the Colony. An illustration of the Arches erected in his honour at Maitland and Newcastle were published in The Illustrated Sydney News.

Coal Arch at Newcastle - Landing of His Royal Highness (Reported after the event in The Illustrated Sydney News 20 April 1868 p.348-349)

The assassination attempt occurred on the 12 March 1868 at the Sailors’ Home Picnic at Clontaaf. The Prince had left the Royal Tent to hand over a cheque to Sir William Manning as a donation towards the Sailors’ Home.

Plan of Clontarf (The Illustrated Sydney News 25 March 1868 p.325)

The Recent Attempt on the Life of His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh (The Illustrated Sydney News Supplement 25 March 1868)

Attempted Assassination of His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh at Clontarf, Middle Harbour (The Illustrated Sydney News 25 March 1868 p.329)

The assassin fired once, striking the Prince in the back. The Prince fell to his knees, saying “Good God, my back is broken”.  According to William Vial’s Testimony the assassin aimed again at Manning, who was in line with the Prince, Manning falls to the ground, but the gun did not discharge. Mr William Vial then comes forward to restrain the assassin, and a struggle begins and pandemonium breaks out. The assassin fires again hitting George Thorne, who had rushed to the aid of the Prince and placed himself inadvertently in the firing line.

The Wounding of Mr Thorne (Sydney Morning Herald 27 March 1868 p.7)

Thorne family of Claremont, Rose Bay, Sydney, around 1877 (Courtesy of the Historic Houses Trust)

The photograph above was located through TROVE on the Historic Houses Trust website. “Family group photograph of George and Elizabeth Thorne of Claremont, Rose Bay, and Darcey Hey, Castle Hill, and their six daughters. The daughters are Annie Bisdee Pain (1843-1920), Gertrude Mary Naish (1845-1910), Rosalie Ann Watkins (1850-1927), Emily Nuttall Thorne (1851-1903), Melina Julia Thorne (1852-1887) and Ellen Elizabeth Thorne (1855-1938).”

An eye witness account by Emily Nuttall Thorne (1851-1903) sixth child of George Thorne has survived, and is preserved in the Library of New South Wales. A transcription of the account is here.

Another account, by Mr George Thorne’s wife Elizabeth, has recently also come to light, and donated to the University Archives by Newcastle Herald journalist Mr Greg Ray. This is a twelve page manuscript relating to the history of the family, to which is appended a cover note with Elizabeth Thorne’s account of the assassination attempt.

Elizabeth Thorne's account

In March 1868 on the occasion of the Duke of Edinburgh’s visit to Sydney a picnic was given to him at Clontarf, we were all at it and just after lu[nch] the Prince was walking in [the] grounds, when a man named “O’Farrel rushed out from the crowd and shot at him, my husband was walking with two of my daughters, seeing the Prince fall ran to assist him and a second shot fired at the Prince entered my husband’s foot, he did not feel it but saw the blood trickling out, he was carried on board a yacht and landed at our wharf, the bullet being extracted next day. The Queen expressed a wish to see the bullet it was sent home to her and returned to me afterwards.

Read the full manuscript here:

[Manuscript] Bisdee and Thorne Family History by Elizabeth Ann Thorne (nee Bisdee) (10.3 MB PDF)

On the 14th March 1868 the bullet (or ball) was extracted from the Prince by doctors Watson and Young of the Challenger and Gallatea. 

It was found that the bullet had penetrated the back about half an inch to the right of tho vertebral column, on a level with the ninth rib, and, traversing the course of the ribs round by the right, had lodged in the flesh, not far below the surface, within two inches of the breast bone. (ISN 2 January 1869 p.5)

From the West Coast Times (2 April 1868) via the Sydney Morning Herald March 14:

An examination of the pistols has set at rest all doubt of the number of shots fired. After the first discharge, which inflicted the injury on His Royal Highness, there was a second attempt, but the pistol missed fire, the bullet remaining in the chamber. At the third attempt the cartridge exploded, and the bullet entered the foot of Mr Thorne. The pistol is not a Colt, but it is supposed to be of French manufacture. The barrel works on a hinge.

…

With reference to the injury to Mr George Thorne, this gentleman immediately after the occurrence, was conveyed on board one of the yachts, which took him to his residence, Claremont, Rose Bay, where he was attended by Dr Bennett and Dr Milford. It appears that Mr. Thorne had taken up a position which would enable him to obtain a good view of the Prince, and he was observing His Royal Highness and Sir William Manning, when the assassin stole up behind them and fired the shot. The Duke immediately fell to the earth, and Mr Thorne ran to his assistance. It was when standing at the side of the Prince that he was struck by the ball, aimed (as Mr Thorne thinks) at His Royal Highness, who then lay on the ground. The ball passed through Mr Thorne’s trowsers and the elastic of his boot into the inner side of his right foot, and taking an oblique course, lodged in the muscles of his heel, near the os calcis. The wound has been probed for three inches, but the ball is so placed that it cannot at present be extracted. During Thursday night Mr Thorne suffered the most acute pain, but we are happy to be enabled to state that he was yesterday much better. Dr Bennett saw Mr Thorne again yesterday. The patient is progressing exceedingly well, the foot is not much swollen, and a confident hope is entertained of a speedy and a favourable cure. Much sympathy is very generally felt throughout the community with Mr Thorne in the unfortunate occurrence which has befallen him.

The assassination attempt brought much shame to the wider Australian public that saw themselves as British subjects first and foremost. Australia was portrayed both as revengeful wraith as well as suppliant dame.

Australia, Vindex - Remember the Ides of March "More than thy flesh, our honor felt the wound" - The Illustrated Sydney News 25 March 1868 p331

Australia Supplex - The Illustrated Sydney News 20 April 1868

AUSTRALIA SUPPLEX. New South Wales (loquitur) –
“I pray you, in your letters,
When you shall this unlucky deed relate,
Speak of me as I am; nothing extenuate,
Nor set down aught in malice.”

"All Right Again" - The Illustrated Sydney News 20 April 1868

On the 20th March 1868 a public meeting was held at the Exchange to begin raising funds for the establishment of “Alfred Memorial Hospital” in Sydney, with around £4,000 already raised. The Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, especially founded to commemorate this thwarted assassination attempt, was officially opened in 1882.

By at least 1930 Thorne’s role in saving the Prince had been all but forgotten.

Clontarf Tablet - Sydney Morning Herald 4th July 1930 p.8

It is with great pleasure that we restore this unsung hero back into the Australian Story.

Gionni Di Gravio
September 2011

Related digitised documents:

The Attempted Assassination of His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh (The Illustrated Sydney News 25 March 1868 pp.322-323)

'The Prince's Visit to Australia' - The Illustrated Sydney News p.347

"The Trial of Henry James O'Farrell for the Attempted Murder of His Royal Highness Alfred Ernest Albert, Duke of Edinburgh" - The Illustrated Sydney News 20 April 1868 p.350

"The Trial of Henry James O'Farrell for the Attempted Murder of His Royal Highness Alfred Ernest Albert, Duke of Edinburgh" - The Illustrated Sydney News 20 April 1868 p.351

"The Trial of Henry James O'Farrell for the Attempted Murder of His Royal Highness Alfred Ernest Albert, Duke of Edinburgh" - The Illustrated Sydney News 20 April 1868 pp.354-355

"Execution of O'Farrell for the Attempted Murder of H.R.H. The Duke of Edinburgh" The Illustrated Sydney News 16 May 1868 p.363

Farewell to the Prince - The "Galatea" Passing the Heads (From The Illustrated Sydney News May 1868 p.369)

Lord Mayor's Round Table Powerpoint

The History Channel (through WTFN Productions in Melbourne) is currently in pre-production for ten (10) half hour TV shows entitled “Tony Robinson Walks.”  This TV series will identify little known compelling stories illustrating our unique Australian character and feature Tony Robinson, star of the Time Team, The Worst Jobs in History, and Blitz Street.

Newcastle has been identified as the subject for one of the TV Shows, and potential sites and stories include a walking tour through: Nobbys, Macquarie Pier and archaeological dig, Fort Scratchley and the convict coal mines, Christ Church Cathedral and cemetery, James Fletcher Hospital site, Rose Cottage, Cornish Docks and the Star Hotel.

A meeting was convened by The Lord Mayor on Wednesday 28th September 2011 from 1pm – 3pm to gather together all  agencies and organisations who either own or control any one or more of these sites. It was held in The Lord Mayor’s Reception Room Level 2 Town Hall.

The meeting discussed the filming project including individual agency approvals/requirements.

It was proposed that Screen Hunter co-ordinate all filming approvals and act as a central contact point for the Project.  Annette Hubber (Manager, Screen Hunter) attended the meeting.

The Meeting Agenda was as follows:

*   Introduction
*   Sites and draft storyline
*   Filming approvals (Screen Hunter)
*   General event logistics (access/parking/crowd control etc)
*   Excavation approvals
*   Media Announcements
*   Other Requirements (general discussion)

This an exciting opportunity for Newcastle and its history to be showcased worldwide.  Your assistance and co-operation in this project would be greatly appreciated.

A listing of Attendees:

Lord Mayor, Cr John Tate – Facilitator
Gionni DiGravio (University Archivist and Chair CRWP, University of Newcastle)
Keith Southall (Crown Lands)
Ann Hardy (Secretary Hunter Region Branch National Trust and University of Newcastle)
Keith Powell (Newcastle Port Corporation)
Kaitlyn Sheppard (Newcastle Port Corporation)
Dean Dr James Rigney (Christ Church Cathedral)
Dr Rosemary Barnard (Christ Church Cathedral)
Graham Harding (or representative) Crown Lands
Annette Hubber (Screen Hunter)
Ros Kerr (Geologist, CRWP)
Susan Effenberger (Crown Lands Representatives CRWP)
Bill Nethery (Senior Advisor Heritage Branch)
Tim Smith (Deputy Director Heritage Branch)
Sophie Mill (Representative from Tim Owen’s Office )
John Waring (Livesites)
Brent Randall (City of Newcastle)
Garry Hazell (Marketing Co-ordinator, NCC)
Emeritus Professor John Fryer (CRWP University  of Newcastle Surveying)
Melanie Patfield (CRWP)
Jude Constable (General Manager for Hunter New England Mental Health – James Fletcher site)
Allan Walker (Site Manager – James Fletcher Site)
Bronwyn Orrock (Christ Church Cathedral)
Aunty Nola Hawken, Kerrie Brauer and Dene Hawken – Awabakal Tradition Owners Aboriginal Corporation (ATOAC)
Sarah Cameron (Heritage Officer City of Newcastle)
Wendy Badger (Landscape Architect City of Newcastle )

Copy of Powerpoint Presented by Emeritus Professor John Fryer (CRWP)

History Channel – Round Table Powerpoint (17.8MB)

Tony Robinson Walks Round Table Minutes (final version)