The Lismore Book

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1879-1929
“FIFTY GOLDEN MILESTONES LISMORE’S JUBILEE”
THE STORY OF LISMORE
4-10 March 1929
PRICE 3/-

Commemorating the 50th Anniversary of Lismore’s Incorporation as a Municipality and Describing by Word and Picture the Development from its Earliest Days of the Queen City of the North

ALD. and MRS. C. McKenzie, Mayor and Mayoress of Lismore, 1929.
ALD. McKenzie has been Mayor of Lismore for eleven terms

MUNICIPALITY OF LISMORE
Ald. James Stocks, 1879-80-81.
Ald. E.W. Allingham, 1882-83.
Ald. Jas. Barrie, 1884-85-92-93-1907.
Ald. L. Bernstein, 1886-87-94.
Ald. A.J. Simpson, 1888.
Ald. R.S. Wotherspoon, 1888.
Ald. J.F. O’Flynn, 1889-90-91-96-97-98-99.
Ald. J.W. Coleman, 1895-1900-01.
Ald. W. Lockett, 1902-03.
Ald. R.S.K. Balmer, 1904.
Ald. C. McKenzie, 1905-16-17-18-19-20-21-22-27-28-29.
Ald. Hon. G. Nesbitt, M.L.C., 1906.
Ald. J. Quilty, 1907.
Ald. R.J. Spinks, 1908-09-10-12-13.
Ald. J.B. Carlton, 1911.
Ald. R. White, 1914-15.
Ald. R. Brewster, 1923-24-25.
Ald. R. Kellas, 1926.

Dedication
To the pioneers of yesterday, with indomitable will and vision encompassed; to those of to-day, carrying on with courage unabated; and to the unknown of to-morrow, with their wonderful heritage of yesterday and to-day, – this work of love is reverently dedicated.


Lismore Municipal Council

Ald. C. McKENZIE (Mayor)
Ald. SAMUEL ARTHUR
Ald. W.H. CATERSON
Ald. E.J. EGGINS
Ald. WILLIAM FRITH
Ald. HARRY GREEN

Town Clerk:
JNO. W. NELSON, F.L.C.A.

Accountant:
R.E. WEBB, A.A.B.I

Ald. D. McA. ROSS (Deputy Mayor)
Ald. S.J. HOSIE
Ald. F.L. HACKING
Ald. R KELLAS, M.B., Ch.B.
Ald. N.W. SIDNEY
Ald. ROBERT WHITE

Engineer:
H.G. MURRAY, B.E.

Manager Gas Works Dept:
WILLIAM WATERS

Manage Electricity Supply Dept. and Water Works Engineer: T.L. GRIFFIN
Health Inspector JOHN STEWART, Cert. R., San. I. (London)


Lismore Jubilee Celebrations Committee
Chairman:
THE MAYOR, Ald. C. McKENZIE

Honorary Secretary:
JNO. W. NELSON, F.L.C.A

Rev. Canon A. G. MOORE
Th. Schol., L. Th. (Dur.)
Ald. R. WHITE
M. MACKINNON, B.A., B.SC.

Honorary Treasurer:
W.A. TAYLOR, Esq.
W.F. McDERMOTT, Esq.
W.E. BRYANT, Esq.
C.M. ROBERTSON, Esq.
A.T. STRATFORD, Esq.
R. BREWSTER, Esq.

Organising Secretary and Director of Publicity: W. H. LEWIS

richmond river pioneers
COMMITTEE LISMORE JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS, 1929.
Front Row (left to right : Ald. R. White, Ald. C. McKenzie (Mayor), Chairman, Jno. W. Nelson, Hon. Sec. (Town Clerk), Canon A.G. Moore.
Back Row (left to right) : W.F. McDermott, R. Brewster, W.A. Taylor, (Hon. Treas.), A.T. Stratford, C.M. Robertson, W.H. Lewis (Organiser).

Foreword

Lismore, the Queen City of the North – Lismore to-day and Lismore fifty years ago! What a change! in those days it was a real sleepy hollow. To-day it is a hive of industry, a bustling centre of commerce. This change is due to many things. First, the introduction of refrigeration into the dairying industry, which brought into use all the wonderful land which surrounds it and made it the finest dairying centre in the commonwealth. Its geographical position is unique. North, south, east and west – all the land is highly productive. From the whole of the fertile district business gravitates to the natural centre – Lismore, and a keen lot of business people have not been slow to recognise this fact, and to-day practically every requirement can be met by them. Another factor is that Lismore has always been blessed with public men who saw the potentialities of the district, and administered the town affairs with vision, imbued with progressive ideas and knowing that the town would be worth it. They strove ever to keep it in the front rank – their motto, “Excelsior.” In this book and attempt has been made to recognise their work and to place on record Lismore’s debt to them. It deals with the past; but it also looks to the future.

Nature has endowed this district bountifully with plenteous rainfall and fine streams of water. What more is necessary? Only that her people should have an abiding faith in the future and work with a set purpose for the common good. A happy and progressive people is a community’s greatest asset.

Lismore – beautiful Lismore – is our home. We are proud of it. Let us emulate the deeds of the men of the past – be stimulated by their enthusiasm, follow their example, and profit by their mistakes. Nothing, we believe, can prevent Lismore’s progress, and the city of fifty years hence will justify our optimism.

The Story of Lismore

SIMULTANEOUS DISCOVERY OF THE RICHMOND

ADMIRAL HENRY JOHN ROUS

After an exhaustive inspection of early papers, maps, and documents in the Mitchell Library, and also in the Lands Department, it is evident that accuracy as to dates was not considered an absolute essential by our first historians. This may be partly explained by the fact that explorations and surveys were feats not to be accomplished in a few months or even in a year. Then, after their return to civilisation, the explorers and surveyors had to write their official despatches to the Governor, who in turn forwarded them to England. Thus, though we read that the Richmond was discovered by Captain Henry John Rous in August, 1828, and this appears to be taken as official, there was published in the “Australian Journal” of January, 1828, a short description of the Richmond, stating that there was 12 feet of water at half-flood, and from 14 to 20 feet at the mouth, with a constant ebb tide. The editor of the “Australian Quarterly Journal” (now housed at the Mitchell Library) was the Rev. Charles P. N. Wilson, master of the King’s Female Orphan Institute of Parramatta.

In Governor’s despatches (Mitchell Library) there is to be seen the original of Allan Cunningham’s letter to Governor Darling, dated December 16, 1828, in which he tells of his journey of the previous year, during which he discovered the Darling Downs, explored the head of the Richmond, and reached Mount Warning, which he described “as seen daily from the seaboard by passing mariners.” It was on this journey that Cunningham discovered the famous “Gap” in the Great Dividing Range. So that it is practically certain that while Allan Cunningham was exploring the head of the Richmond, Captain Rous was discovering the Richmond River. Cunningham in his despatch mentions Rous’ discovery, as the “embouchure of the Richmond.” This also explains the map dated 1827. Cunningham’s explorations were of the greatest importance to the eastern portion of Australia, and were the means of establishing an enormous cattle and sheep industry. His official position was that of His Majesty’s Botanical Collector.

FIRST SETTLEMENT

To a grandson of the first Surveyor-General Townsend, and a lineal descendant of Viscount Sydney, after whom Sydney is named, we are indebted for the information that Admiral Rous name the Richmond after his great friend and patron, the Duke of Lennox and Richmond, and also named Lennox Head after the Duke.

The first survey on the Richmond was carried out in 1818, and was, of course, confined solely to exploration work.

The earliest map of the Richmond in the Lands Department was drawn in 1843, but shows no settlement whatever. What is now known as Wilson’s Creek is shown as bearing the native name “Moomunna.” In subsequent maps it is called “Boatharbour Creek.” The map of 1843 also shows “Kareela Creek,” which is now part of the Clarence District, with Elliott’s Station marked thereon.

Another map of the Richmond river, drawn by Assistant-Surveyor J. C. Burnett in 1845, shows two huts to the north of Pimlico without the name of the owner of either being given. The mouth of the river is marked with the native name, “Bul-loona.” This should finally decide the long-argued question as to whence Ballina derived its name.

In 1844 Clark Irving took up Tomki Station, and Burnett’s map shows a general store at Coraki kept by one Ritchie. This map also shows for the first time on any map Boatharbour Creek and Rosehill Creek, now called Wilson and Leycester Creek respectively.

W. WILSON
First Lismore Settler

In 1843 William Wilson made application to purchase 163 acres of land on the Richmond. The application was eventually granted, and a map dated 1845 shows “Wilson’s Station, Lismore,” thus showing that Wilson was the first settler at Lismore. A map by Surveyor Frederick Peppercorn, dated 1855, shows a reserve set apart for “The Village of Lismore,” with tentative sites for a lock-up, public school, cemetery, and allotments for Anglican, Roman Catholic and Wesleyan Churches. The same map shows Brown’s public house as being then in existence.

The design of the town of Lismore was laid before the Executive Council in 1856, accompanied by a letter from the Surveyor-General to the Colonial Secretary bearing the date of January 12 of the same year, and was approved. In 1865 a map drawn by Surveyor Donaldson shows the township of Lismore with Molesworth, Woodlark, Keen and Bounty streets already named.

THE GIRARD FAMILY

Mrs. Mary Girard, who died at Lismore House in 1876, purchased the Lismore Station from the Wilson family in 1865, and immediately entered into occupation. William Wilson lost no time in selecting, under the Robertson Act, the property known as Invercauld. His daughter, the late Mrs. Teresa Watt, selected Monaltrie, and R.E. de B. Lopez, who subsequently married Miss Mary Wilson, selected Koolool, on the borders of Gundurimba, then a much more important settlement than Lismore. The Girards also selected all round the Lismore Station, otherwise with the advent of many other selectors they would have had no run for their cattle. The Girards also acquired Dungarubba, which was for many years a large cattle run. In 1875 Miss Emma Girard married Mr. John Horniman, manager of the newly-established branch of the Commercial Bank at Lismore. The ceremony took place in the drawing room of Lismore House, the officiating clergyman being the Ven. Abbe Schurr. Mr. Arthur Horniman, Chief Engineer of the Main Roads Board in the North Coast District, and Mr. John Horniman, of the Commercial Bank, Goulburn, are sons of the marriage. Mrs. Horniman, senr., who lives at Bondi, Sydney is now 85 years of age. She is as tall and straight as she was at 20, and her faculties are remarkably keen and bright.

LISMORE HOUSE, HOME OF THE WILSON AND GIRARD FAMILIES

The Girard family were noted for their hospitality, and were regarded as leaders in social matters. Mr. A. M. Girard was a Justice of the Peace, and took a deal of interest in sporting matters. In addition to owning Lismore station, they were also holders of Dungarubba, but in the 1870 flood they lost a lot of valuable cattle, and never recovered from the loss. They boiled down cattle for tallow, the Lismore slaughter yards being in the centre of what is now Lower Molesworth Street, near Stocks Park. They owned the land now bounded by Conway and Cathcart Streets to Albert Park boundary. This land was subdivided and sold by auction when the station business failed.

THE AMENDED DESIGN OF LISMORE

The “Village of Lismore,” as it was then called, was originally planned and laid out by Surveyor Frederick Peppercorn, the first map of the village being drawn by him in 1855. However, ten years later the then Surveyor-General, W.R. Davidson, wrote the following memo., which is to-day in the Lands Department (Alienation Branch): – “The design of the town of Lismore appears to me in several instances to be unsuitable owing to the features of the ground. Mr. Surveyor Donaldson may be instructed at his convenience to examine into it, and suggest amendments.”

Mr. Donaldson carried out these instructions in the following year (1866), and the following quotation is from his letter to the Surveyor-General written in the same year :- “The whole of the town to the east of Dawson-street, except section 28 and part of 29, being deeply inundated in flood water, is unfit for building purposes and should be subdivided into suburban allotments. I have made the street from the bridge in Dawson-street to follow the direction of the road to Ballina, which has recently been cleared through the bush. The land above flood is so limited in extent that I have divided sections 34 and 35 into allotments of five chains by one chain for building, but with a portion of flooded ground, and the crown on the ridge being very narrow I have not thought it necessary to leave a lane, as by so doing I should limit the extent of building ground. I have taken the road to Bald Hills, along the ridge on the site of the present track. I have made one church reserve on the ridge, and would have recommended another, but the quantity of building ground would have been limited thereby.”

THE FIRST AUCTION SALE recorded in the Lands Department as having taken place at Lismore was on December, 1875, of 13 to 16. Instructions were issued from Sydney that the sale be advertised (the only North Coast papers then in existence being the “Clarence Examiner,” established 1859, and the “Casino Express,” established 1870), and that the sale should take place at the Temperance Hall. Previous sales of Lismore lots had taken place at Casino, and the name of Surveyor Richard Barling, as well as that of Mr. Donaldson, is to be found on old documents relating to those and other district land matters.

In searches in the Lands Department there appears the original of a letter from Patrick Molony Ryan (a noted builder in Lismore’s pioneer days), dated November 21, 1874, asking that the land at the corner of Keen and Zadoc streets (now the site of the Court House Hotel) be put up for sale, also sites in Keen-street fronting the Anglican Church. These lots were eventually purchased by Mr. Ryan, and remained in possession of the family until recent years. The land in Zadoc-street had been reserved by Surveyor Peppercorn as a water reserve, but Mr. Donaldson decided that it was not required for such purpose.

In a supplement to the “Grafton Argus” some years ago the late Thos. Bawden gave the history of the various stations. In this he stated that Lismore Station was taken up by Ward Stephens for Scott, of Glendom, in 1842 or 1843. This has never been disproved. In fact there are several other records to show that under the pre-emptive right system, which then prevailed, the country where Lismore is now was first taken up by a Captain Dumaresque, after whom the Dumaresque or Severn Grand river was named. He was the father of Commodore Dumaresque, who was on the Australian Naval Station ten years ago.

A station in those days had to be “occupied” with six months of selection or else it was forfeited. As a matter of fact, it was never occupied by him. In 1842 Ward Stephens, who had taken up Runnymede, came along. Proofs exist that Ward Stephens had 10,000 sheep on Lismore Station before Wilson bought him out, which, according to Bawden, was in 1843 or 1844.

Furthermore, in the “Richmond River Express” in 1897 E.D.S. Ogilvie stated that when he and W.C. Bundock, of Wyangarie, visited Lismore in 1843 there was a shepherd there in charge of a flock of sheep, which were badly infected with fluke and footrot.

From this it would appear quite certain that Wilson was not the first man to occupy Lismore, but it might be a pity to destroy popular tradition.

Taking the North Coast it may not be generally known that the greater part of the Upper Richmond River country was, in the forties, heavily stocked with sheep, but the results were so discouraging that the enterprise was soon abandoned and the runs were restocked with cattle. This also occurred to some extent on the Clarence.

As a signal instance of this failure it was told, years ago by “old hands” that one William Maister late one autumn camped at a spot beside the Lismore road on the Casino side of Naughton’s Gap with 16,000 travelling sheep. A wet winter set in and precluded further travelling. The delicate merinos died like flies from fluke and footrot, and, by early spring, there was but a wretched remnant of 3000 to 4000 left. The scene of this pastoral tragedy was subsequently known as “Maister’s Camp.”

Writing in August, 1879, the late W.C. Bundock, of Wyangarie, said that when in 1843 he first visited Lismore with Mr. Ogilvie, the only tenement there was the tent of the manager of a flock of catarrhed sheep.

Herewith is a list of early cattle stations on the Richmond, from Government records (Mitchell Library) :-

CLARK IRVING, M.P.

Tomki, near Casino, was taken up in 1840 by Clay and Stapleton, but after a few years of financial trouble they disposed of the run the to Clark Irving.

Busby’s Flat, Tuckombil, was applied for by Busby in 1844, the former being incorporated with Wyan, and afterwards worked with Wooroowoolgen through Mr. Barnes.

Tunstall Station was taken up by Shaw and Leycester in 1843. They are said to have been the first white men to pass through Casino. It later passed to Henry Garrard, thence to Turnbull and Flood, and finally to A. Campbell.

Tatham was taken up by the trustees of Dr. Mackellar, the manager being Machattie, who acted thus for a number of years.

Bungawalbyn was taken up in 1847 by Mr. Barnes as an out-station of Tomki for and on behalf of Clark Irving.

Gibberagee (part of the Broadwater run) was taken by Sandeman in 1845 and passed to Clark Irving.

Lismore was applied for in 1843, and permission to purchase granted to William Wilson in 1845.

Boorie. Permission to purchase granted to Henry Garrard 1865.

Bentley. Selected by Robert Barrington Dawson 1870, a son of the first agent for A.A.C. Co. at Port Stephens.

In 1860 the area of land occupied on the Richmond was 363,563 acres, while the number of occupiers of land exceeding one acre was 23 only.

Dr. Lang, who visited the district in 1865, severely commented on this state of affairs. For some considerable period country for stock was occupied under license by squatters. No land could be purchased by any one, not even by squatters under pre-emptive rights. The chief industry at this time besides stock raising was timber cutting, chiefly cedar, but pine known as “hoop” pine and also Moreton Bay pine, as well as white beech, were obtained in considerable quantities.

In 1852 the number of cattle grazing on stations was computed at 70,000, and at this time the Richmond also supplied most of the timber required for Sydney and Melbourne markets. In 1851, as the result of the gold rush throughout N.S.W., cattle jumped from 10 /- per head to £8, tallow was worth £30 per ton, and cedar 80 /- per hundred feet, a ton of flour on the river was worth £80.

As to who was the first to arrived on the Richmond from the Clarence it is claimed by his family that in 1838 George Olive in charge of a drove of cattle, and in search of new country for Mr. Busby, settled at Tuckombil Creek, near the present town of South Woodburn.

In 1843, according to papers in the Mitchell Library, land was taken up midway between Casino and Coraki by Stapleton, McDonald, and P. J. Campbell. Nearby on a map drawn that year by Assistant Surveyor Burnett, appears the name of Ritchie’s Stores (Coraki).

Except for the cattle industry nothing was done on the Richmond until the timber getters pitched their first camp in the country round Alstonville and on to Ballina and Blackwall (Wardell). A steady stream (after 1839) then began to come in from the Clarence. Then came the Kings, Oliver Jones, the Extons, V.J. Norris, W.T. Yeager, Wm. Yabsley, John Sharpe, Archie McInnes, J.E. James, Carter, etc.

The river and its tributaries bore the logs to the booms, and many were the sawmills – Glasgow’s at Lismore, Breckinridge at Wyrallah, Yeager and Yabsley at Coraki, Inkpen and Carter at Wardell (or Blackwall) and James on the other side of the river. The finest cedar perhaps in the world was turned to commercial account, though much of it was laid waste, and the roaring days of rum and hard living of that period are still the subject of legend and story.

In 1870 the total population of the valley of the Richmond was said to be 4000. Of these Casino (then the chief town) was credited with 300, Ballina with 300, and Lismore with 275, though Lismore was at that time the centre of the timber industry. There was no school in Lismore till 1868, and the one created that year was everything a school ought not to be.

QUEEN VICTORIA, KING EDWARD VII, KING GEORGE V.

Mails were conveyed in those days by the squatters from Grafton to Casino, and there was no time table.

The Robertson Act (selection before survey) became operative in 1862. Mr. Hugh Livingstone, of Codrington, who came to the Clarence in 1855, and removed to the Richmond in 1862, claimed to have taken up the first selection under the Robertson Act. The late J.E. Glasgow claimed to have drawn up the first application and that the selection was at Codrington, so presumably it was for Livingstone. The latter came from Scotland in 1849, and was a shipmate of the Rev. Duncan McInnes, who for 40 years was the Free Presbyterian Minister at Maclean. The Robertson Act gave an immense fillip to closer occupation, and maize, sugar, bananas, vines and other sub-tropical products were introduced, and except for flour, the district began to be largely self-supporting.

The first selector in the Big Scrub was Andrew Freeborn in 1861. He came from Kiama in search of gold, the gold fever having caught the Richmond as well as other parts of the State, but none is chronicled as having been discovered except about the Upper Richmond. However, the high prices which were at once attainable for cattle, tallow, cedar and other timbers brought gold to many, though not directly from the gold mine. In making these researches many contradictory statements regarding the date on which the Richmond was discovered have been met with while it is also evident that much of the so-called history of the Clarence and Richmond is to a certain extent legendary. As to the date of discovery information is taken from maps actually seen in the archives of the Lands Department. From there it is gleaned that the first survey for exploration work was made in 1818. At the Mitchell Library is a map dated 1827 showing the Richmond with Lennox Head. To the north-west of the Headland is shown a creek with Mangrove Swamps, the creek flowing into the Richmond. Inside Ballina Heads, the map shows a sandy beach. The river must have been navigated for either bank is marked “long bushy grass,” “fine timber.” Also to be read thereon :- “This map was constructed by various observations, taken during progress of a journey which was performed in the winter months of 1827 by Allan Cunningham.”

In 1850 the river banks from Ballina to Lismore were covered with dense scrub, the only clearing being at Rocky Mouth, afterwards well known as the Gollan Homestead, near Woodburn.

Some schooners trading to Richmond 1850 :- The Josephine, Margaret Mary, Sallie.

The aboriginal name for what is now North Lismore was Boyam, Lismore or that part of it centred round the juncture of Wilson and Leycester Creeks was called “The Rope,” because of the ease with which the cedar cutters could stop their floating logs there.

Bexhill, then known as Bald Hill, was a more important settlement in the fifties than was Lismore, because it was from there that much cedar was drafted. There is an authentic story as to how it got the name of Bexhill. A young German name Beck, together with a Swede who in his own country was a barrister, named Crozenbatter, while working one day at Big Grass (afterwards the property of the late Sir Thomas Ewing) met a surveyor who pressed Beck into his service for a few hours, holding the surveyor’s chain, etc. When finished he asked his assistant’s name, and on being told Beck, said : “Well, we’ll call this Beck’s Hill.”

In “Discoveries in the N.E. Portion of New South Wales” (Mitchell Library) it is stated that the first name given to Ballina was Deptford – afterwards altered to the aboriginal name, which, however, is improperly spelled. It was originally “Bulloona.”

REPRESENTATIVES IN PARLIAMENT.

Clark Irving was the first Parliamentary representative of the Richmond, sitting in 1856-7. His constituency included the Clarence and the Darling Downs, Queensland not then being a separate colony. The next representative was Arthur Hodgson, who sat in two Parliaments, viz., from January, 1858, to April, 1859, and from 1859 to 1861. In the latter year the electorate of which the Richmond was part was called the Clarence, and Clark Irving again represented the constituency from 1861 to 1864. He was succeeded by John Connell Laycock, who in turn was superseded by Thos. Bawden, who sat until 1880, and was then succeeded by Charles Hugh Fawcett. Fawcett only sat from April to November, when the Richmond and the country north of it were declared a separate electorate. Fawcett was elected to the new constituency. In November, 1882, he was succeeded by Samuel William Gray, who was replaced in 1885 by T.T. Ewing and Patrick Hogan.

MR. C.H. FAWCETT, M.L.A.

In 1887 the increasing population and importance of the district raised the status of the Richmond to a three-member representation, the elected being F.G. Crouch, Thomas Thomson Ewing and Patrick Hogan. Those three sat till 1889. From the latter year till 1894 the constituency was represented by Sir. Thos. T. Ewing, B.B. Nicoll and John Perry. A change to single electorates in 1894 resulted in Ewing being elected for Lismore, Robert Pyers for the Richmond, and Perry for Rous. In 1901 Ewing was elected to the first Federal Parliament as member for the Richmond. He was followed in the State House by John Coleman. In 1904 there was another shuffle of seats, and the name of Lismore was changed to Rous, the change involving the addition of Murwillumbah and the Tweed to Lismore. J.W. Coleman was elected to the new constituency. He died in 1905, and was succeeded by the late G.T. Hindmarsh, who retired in 1913. In that year Lismore again became a single-seat electorate, and Mr. G. Nesbitt was returned. Seven years later proportional voting became law, and Lismore was absorbed in the new electorate, to which was given the name of Byron. The successful contestants were George Nesbitt, R.S. Perdriau, and T.J. Swiney. In the election of 1922 W.T. Missingham replaced Swiney. In 1925 Nesbitt retired, and the members elected were W.T. Missingham, Stuart and R.T. Gillies. Two years later there was another turn-over to single seats, and Missingham was elected for Lismore.

Mr. C.H. Fawcett was the first member for this district after its separation from the Clarence.

SIR T.T. EWING, M.H.R.

SIR THOMAS EWING.

Sir Thomas Thomson Ewing was a native of Pitt Town, Hawkesbury River, New South Wales, and came here as a young surveyor in 1880. He was elected to the State Assembly in 1885, and sat until 1901, when Federation was accomplished and he was elected to the first Federal Parliament. He held office under Mr. Alfred Deakin as Minister for Home Affairs and Defence 1906-1907, 1907-1908. He was knighted in 1908. He was possessed of great natural ability, was a splendid speaker, with personal gifts of no mean order. He came into public life at a most opportune time for us. The railway from Lismore to Murwillumbah is his monument. He was a great man, and to him this district owes much. He died on September 16th, 1920.

MR. JAMES STOCKS.

The first Mayor of Lismore, Mr. James Stocks, was a striking figure in the early days of Lismore and district. An Englishman by birth, he came here when the district was very young. A chemist by profession, he for many years was the only medical man available, and rendered yeoman assistance in that respect. A very eloquent speaker and a keen administrator, he was just the man to steer a young council through the many shoals that beset it. Lismore owes much to its first Mayor.

MR. JAMES STOCKS
MR. E. COLEMAN – One of the first Aldermen of Lismore, and a pioneer storekeeper and shipowner, Father of J.W. Coleman, M.L.A.
Mr. Coleman opened Newtown Stores in 1857
MR. JAS. BARRIE            MR. E.W. ALLINGHAM
Two of the first Aldermen
MR. A. CURRIE           MR. G. LARKIN
Two of the first Aldermen
DR. L. BERNSTEIN – A Pioneer Medico and good Public man.
MR. V.J. NORRIS – First Auditor for Council
MRS. C. McKENZIE – Mayoress. ALD. C. McKENZIE – Mayor, 1929.
ALD. R. WHITE, MR. R.J. SPINKS, MR. W. LOCKETT and J.F. O’FLYNN
Four men who did much to make Lismore. Each has been Mayor for many years.
L: MR. C.A. BARHAM – Town Clerk for 37 years.
R: MR. J.W. NELSON – Town Clerk
MR. St. H. PEARD
Former Town Clerk
LISMORE MUNICIPAL COUNCIL, 1929.
COUNCIL CHAMBERS, LISMORE, 1929.

THE FIRST COUNCIL.

The first municipal council of Lismore was composed of six aldermen :- James Stocks, James Barrie, Edmund Coleman, Archibald Currie, E.W. Allingham and George Larking.

Mr. James Barrie, father of many present Lismore residents, was a fine speaker, who left a big mark in Lismore’s history. He was Mayor on several occasions, and for many years was in business as a general storekeeper.

Mr. Edmund Coleman was another prominent business man, having opened the Newtown Store near the Church of England in 1857. He was a ship-owner also, and dealt largely in cedar. A ruggedly honest and upright man, he left a very fragrant memory behind him. His son, Mr. J.W. Coleman, was also Mayor and M.L.A. for some years.

Mr. Archibald Currie was a storekeeper in North Lismore. He originally came here as a mate on a schooner. His family still live in North Lismore. He was one of the best.

Mr. George Larkin was also a well-known storekeeper his premises were in Molesworth-street, and are now McLean’s. A keen business man, he was always in every movement for Lismore’s good.

Mr. E.W. Allingham, the only survivor of the first team, is a solicitor by profession. He was a well known figure, and was at one time Mayor.

LISMORE’S EARLY MEDICAL MEN.

DR. J.W. WALKER

The first record of a doctor is furnished by a headstone in the North Lismore cemetery of Thomas Barker, M.D., who died at Gundurimba in 1858. Dr. Lock was here in the very early seventies. He was then an old man, and died shortly after. Dr. D.G. Rowlands, a young Welshman, was here for some years, and died at the age of 36 in 1878. Dr. J.W. Walker was here in the very early days, went away, and came back about 1877, remaining until his death. A son was Mr. J.P.F. Walker, and chemist and later printer. Dr. J. Foreman, now well-known in Sydney, came here in May of 1877 and remained for a short period. Dr. L. Bernstein, who figured so prominently in our public life for many years as Mayor, etc., came here in December, 1878. Then came Dr. A.F. Parker, in February, 1879. He died quite recently. A few years later Dr. R.N. Gaggin settled in Lismore. The rest of the story is quite modern, and requires no elaboration.

S.S. AGNES IRVING AT FOOT OF WOODLARK-STREET, 1877.

EARLY SHIPPING.

The wonderful red cedar along the banks of the Richmond attracted a number of adventurous souls who came in little crafts, which brought their own timber-getters. These felled the trees close to the water and used hand winches to load the timber into the schooner. The first record we have of a vessel is that of the “Sallie.” It is said that she came to somewhere about Wyrallah but on a subsequent trip the river was somewhat brackish owing to drought, and she came on to Gundurimba, where she loaded, and some of those who came on her remained there and founded a settlement, and for many years, in fact up to the eighties, it was as important a place as Lismore. It had one hotel and two fairly large stores – Barker and Harrison. Mr. F.E. Scrivener, now of South Lismore, was manager of Harrison’s. Soon a large fleet of vessels came along and many fine ones were built at Coraki by the Yabsley family.

W. YABSLEY – Coraki, Pioneer Ship Builder

The fleet was a quaint one, of all rigs and types and the masters and owners as quaint as the ships. Owing to the fact that there were no tugs in the beginning they were at the mercy of the winds to get in and out of the rivers. They came in batches, as many as a dozen being here at one time, and then possibly a couple of months would elapse before another lot came. As they carried supplies for the settlers, there were many lean times between their visits. Flour was often at a premium and was eked out by maize meal, which was ground in small hand mills. Some early ships were the Josephine, Sallie, Victory, Commerce, Wallace and Bruce, Alpha, Policeman, Saucy Jack, Bonnie Dundee and Wallaby. Later some small steam craft came along at intervals, such as the Susannah Cuthbert, Culloden and Waimea, and then the Clarence and Richmond Steam Navigation company – the fore-runner of the North Coast Company – sent the Agnes Irving and Ballina, but the first regular boat was the Platypus, Captain John Magee. This was about 1876. Since then they have maintained a regular service. In the seventies Messrs. G. and B. Nicholl came along with a line of steamers, the first of which was the Bonnie Dundee and later the Richmond, Lismore, Truganini, Alice, Helen Nicoll and Wyrallah. This firm also pioneered the Byron Bay trade with the Cavanba and Newrybar. Captain Hunter, now of the Wollongbar, was their commodore. Mr. W.T. Yeager, of Coraki, also ran a line of steamers to Lismore for many years. They were absorbed by the N.C.S.N. Company. His boats were the Oakland, Wyoming and St. George. Two noted skippers on boats trading to the Richmond were Harry Jackson and Ben Alley.

schooner amphtrite tug index
SCHOONER AMPHITRITE AND TUG INDEX. – Coleman’s Point, 1877.
schooner richmond
S.S. RICHMOND, COLEMAN’S POINT WHARF, 1877.
Church of England on Hill.
MR. T.G. HEWITT.

LISMORE’S NEWSPAPERS

“THE NORTHERN STAR” was founded in Lismore in May, 1876, by Mr. William Kelleway. The office was then at the lower end of Molesworth street, opposite Mr. C. Balzer’s residence. The paper afterwards became the property of Mr. T. G. Hewitt, and is to-day owned by a limited liability company, it is issued daily, and employs 68 hands in its production. It is recognised as one of the best, if not the best, country daily in the State.

R.G. BALMER,
of the “Lismore Chronicle”

THE LISMORE “CHRONICLE,” a bi-weekly was produced by Mr. R.G. Balmer in the early seventies, and continued for upwards of 20 years, when it ceased publication. Mr. Balmer died in 1899.

“THE NORTH COAST DAILY NEWS,” Lismore’s first daily paper was first published in May, 1907, and ceased in 1914. The Directors then issued the “North Coast Weekly News,” which lasted only a few months.

MR. JOSEPH IVESS, who hailed from New Zealand, where he was well known in the journalistic world as “the Ragplanter,” came to Lismore in 1900, bringing his own printing plant (which was very obsolete). He had already started over forty papers in New Zealand and New South Wales, and he conceived the idea of giving Lismore a daily evening paper. For several months he continued to print the “Lismore Evening times,” which was published in the afternoon, but owing to insufficient staff and probably also the lack of funds, Mr. Ivess moved on, taking his plant with him to try his luck elsewhere.

MR. ROBERT MICHAEL O’HALLORAN, also bearing the soubriquet of “Ragplanter,” started the “Northern People,” which had a short and stormy career during war time, and finally ceased publication about 1916.

THE LATE MR. J.P.F. WALKER published a small weekly called the “Standard” in 1887. It only lasted a few issues.

MR. JUSTIN McCARTHY for a few months in 1926 issued a very fine paper called “The Northern Weekly,” which soon ceased publication.

The first newspaper on the Richmond was the “R.R. Express,” founded in 1870 by Mr. R.G. Balmer, before he came to Lismore, at Casino, and still being published in the sister town.

WILLIAM KELLEWAY,
Pioneer Journalist


Of the life of the late Mr. William Kelleway, the founder of the “Northern Star,” we have not been able to glean any particulars other than those known of him for many years. Mr. Kelleway was a former employee of Messrs. John Fairfax and Sons of the “S.M. Herald.” After leaving that paper he fulfilled a 12 months’ engagement with the “C. and R. Examiner,” where he conceived the idea of launching a newspaper in Lismore. He was a man of broad views, and during his thirteen years’ residence here he won the esteem of all sections of the community. He resided at Goonellabah, where he experimented with tropical fruits and new grasses. His home was afterwards destroyed by fire, but the site to-day is marked by mango and persimmon trees. He did much to advance the Richmond river district when the North Coast was young and battling for its very existence. He was another of the pioneers who went through storm and stress, but left the district much better than he found it. If he did not altogether achieve much financial success with the “Star,” he did more – he deserved it. Returning to Sydney he continued in press work, and had a long and useful career. His death occurred at Balmain about 1913 at the good age of 84 years.

MR. T. GERAGHTY,
of Boatharbour, Age 92.

History of the Churches

THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND

St Andrew's church 1874 lismore
St Andrew’s church 1874

In 1824 by Letters Patent of George IV., New South Wales was created an archdeaconry of the Diocese of Calcutta. Rev. T. Hobbis Scott was appointed Archdeacon, and worked for a short time in Sydney. In 1829 at the request of the Duke of Wellington a young clergyman named Broughton was appointed, who seven years later became the first Bishop of Australia. In 1842 the Bishop appointed the Rev. John McConnell, B.A., to take charge of the settlement (Grafton), and to Mr. McConnell belongs the honour of having officiated at the first religious service both on the Richmond and on the Clarence. In 1844 he officiated at a service at the home of Mr. W.C.B. Wilson, at Lismore House, situated at the foot of the present Molesworth-street. He was succeeded by Rev. Coles Child, M. A., who visited Lismore as often as possible. He was accompanied by Dr. Tyrrill (Bishop of the new diocese of Newcastle). Dr. Tyrrill secured the site of St. Andrew’s Church and Rectory, subsequently making the latter a gift to the Parish. The Church owes him a debt of gratitude for his foresight. Mr. Coles Child was succeeded by Rev. A.E. Selwyn, M.A., who subsequently became Dean of Newcastle. He was followed by Rev. R. Winterbotham. Later on (1865) Casino became the centre of a new parish, with Rev. G. Head Shaw as vicar.

richmond river pioneers
REV. F.R. NEWTON,
First Anglican Clergyman

He was followed by Rev. W.H. Dunning, who was assisted by Rev. F. R. Newton, who took up his residence in Lismore. In 1871 Rev. W.H. Dunning presided at the first meeting of parishioners in Lismore. Mr. Newton also being present. It was decided to build a church, the committee of lay men being Messrs. John Peate, Edmund Coleman, Wm. Smith and F. Fredericks. At the Easter Meeting Messrs. S. Garrard, John Peate and E. Coleman were appointed church wardens.

St Andrew's church 1929 lismore
St Andrew’s church 1929

In 1878 the church was enlarged, and in 1882 it was decided to build a rectory. Lismore became a separate parish in 1883, following the ministries of Rev. W.F. Harris Walker (locum tenens) and Rev. H. Porter. The Rev. A. Poole was actually the first vicar. From the original Parish of Lismore the parishes of Woodburn, Murwillumbah, Ballina, Byron Bay, Eureka, Coraki, Bangalow, Mullumbimby, Dunoon, Nimbin, Clunes, Alstonville, Tweed Heads and Upper Tweed have since been formed. Rev. A. Poole was succeeded by Rev. H. Jobson, then came Rev. A.W. King (for a short time), Rev. Canon R.K. Ewing. After the death of Canon Ewing the Rev. A.W. Johnstone became vicar, and in turn he was succeeded by Canon R.A. Whyte, B.A. Then came Rev. A.R. Ebbs, Rev. F.W. Tugwell, B.A., then the present rector, Canon A.G. Moore, Th. Schol. In Canon Whyte’s time the beautiful Parish Church of St. Andrew’s was commenced, and completed to its present stage. New Churches have also been erected at North and South Lismore. A Children’s Home is well established, as is the St. Andrew’s Hostel for girls. It is impossible in the brief space available to mention the names of many lay men and women who have made the wonderful progress possible. The present church wardens who carry on the work of those appointed in 1871 are Messrs. W.C. Tippett, J.R. Ball, and J. Storey (junr.). The Bishops under whose guidance the parish has been fostered are Bishops Broughton (Australia), Tyrrill (Newcastle), Sawyer, Turner, Green Cooper (Grafton and Armidale), C.H. Druitt and J.W. Ashton (Grafton). It has been predicted that in the course of a few years Lismore will be a separate diocese with its own bishop, and this is not an impossible development judging from past progress.

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

The beginnings of the Presbyterian Church in this district are somewhat obscure. The presbyterian charge of Lismore was originally known as the Richmond River Parish, and embraced the whole district from the Richmond to the Tweed Rivers.

St Pauls Presbyterian church
St Pauls Presbyterian church

The Rev. John Thom, M.A., who arrived in the colony from Scotland in 1856, was the first minister. After a successful ministry Mr. Thom was drowned in the Richmond River on September 2, 1869.

The centre of the charge, which was formed in 1864, was Coraki, but the Rev. Daniel Blue, who was inducted in 1870, made Lismore the headquarters. He was succeeded in November, 1877, by the Rev. W. F. Fraser, M.A.

The Rev. R. Inglis, M.A., was inducted early in 1886, the Rev. W.F. Craigie on October 21st, 1891, the Rev. James Gray on May 20th, 1896, and then the Rev. M. Kirkpatrick, M.A.

Succeeding ministers were Revs. A.M. Gauld, Alan MacKillop, B.A., B.D., David Galloway, and the present minister, Rev. A.J. Parker, B.A.

The congregation at first worshipped in the Temperance Hall and afterwards in the Protestant Hall. In 1881 a substantial brick church was built to seat 250 people.

The present church was built in 1907, and the old church was demolished in 1921 to make room for the Memorial Hall, which is used for the Sunday School. Last year the beautiful kindergarten hall was built to accommodate the growing primary department of the Sunday School. The valuable Manse property is situated on a large area of land between Leycester and High streets.

During the ministry of the Rev. Alan MacKillip Presbyterian services were inaugurated in South Lismore. A cottage was purchased in Casino-street and altered so as to accommodate a Sunday School. In 1928 a small weatherboard church was built and Sunday School and regular worship are now conducted there every Sunday.

St Cathage's R.C. Church
St Cathage’s R.C. Church

ROMAN CATHOLIC HISTORY.

The Roman Catholics were served by Priests travelling here from the Clarence, and the names given are Fathers O’Connell, Johnson and Healy.

The much loved Abbe Schurr arrived in 1871, and remained here till his death over 40 years after. He was everyone’s friend, irrespective of creed. He did much to establish the culture of sugar cane on the Richmond.

At first services were held at Lismore House, the home of the Girard family, and later in the Court House, now the fire station site in Molesworth Street.

Father J.J. Doyle arrived to take charge of the Parish on July 3rd, 1878, and remained here till his death in 1909. The Catholic Church in which he celebrated Mass on the following Sunday was a wooden building 20ft. by 20ft. It occupied a site where the late Bishop now lies buried in the Lady Chapel of St. Carthage’s Cathedral. After travelling his whole district, Father Doyle selected Lismore as the best centre, and the town most likely to develop, though at that time it was only a village.

In the same year a Catholic School, taught by Miss M. Crowley, was opened, between 60 and 70 children attending. In 1882 Father Doyle was promoted by the Bishop of Armidale to the dignity of Dean of Lismore. The districts about Casino were also constituted a separate parish.

BISHOP DOYLE
RIGHT REV. J. CARROLL
Present Bishop of Lismore

In 1886 Dean Doyle founded St. Mary’s Convent, and brought the Presentation Sisters from Lucan, in Ireland, to conduct the Catholic Schools.

On July 29th, 1887, Dean Doyle received the Apostolic Brief from Rome that constituted him Bishop of Grafton to rule the newly established diocese of the North Coast. The boundaries of the new diocese extended from the Tweed River to ten miles below Port Macquarie. The Bishop decided to build his diocesan Cathedral in Lismore. On May 31st, 1905, the Bishop laid the first brick of the new Cathedral on the completed foundations. On June 11th he laid the foundation stone of the new Convent. He died on June 4th, 1909. The outside general dimensions of the Cathedral are: Length 165ft., width 72ft., height 80ft., length of transepts 112ft. The Cathedral was consecrated on August 15th, 1919.

In Lismore Catholic Education is provided by St. Carthage’s Primary School, in charge of the Presentation Sisters, by St. Carthage’s Boy’s School, and by the South Lismore Convent School, in charge of Sisters of St. Joseph. Secondary education is provided by the Marist Boys’ School and by St. Mary’s College. The total enrolment of Catholic pupils amounts to 622. There is already in hand a project to build a Boys’ Boarding School near Lismore.

Salvation Army Hall Seventh Day Adventist church lismore
Salvation Army Hall & Seventh Day Adventist church

THE SALVATION ARMY.

The Lismore Corps was officially opened on April 2nd, 1891, but before this two Salvationists came from Kempsey. William Gray and George Guy opened fire on Lismore. This was the commencement of the organisation which has been such a power for good in our midst. The first officers appointed to command Lismore were Captain Maggie Doland and Lieut. G. Gayland. Huge crowds were attracted to the Army. These two lasses did a wonderful work, and quite a number of their converts still stand to-day.

METHODIST CHURCH HISTORY.

Methodism in Lismore was born amidst pioneering conditions. The Methodist services held at that time were those conducted by the Rev. Glasson, who used to ride across from Ulmarra, a distance of over 100 miles.

Methodist church lismore
Methodist church

These were held in the Temperance Hall, which then stood on the hill at the end of Keen Street, within a short distance of the Catholic Cathedral. This hall was later blown down during a storm. In 1878 the Richmond River district, extending from Ballina to Casino along the river and across country from Casino to the Tweed, was formed into a circuit. The first minister appointed was the Rev. Mr. Hotston, who travelled on horseback over this large area, and instituted a series of monthly services. Mr. Hotston was followed by the Revs. E. King, Dunstan, Scotton, Curwood, Tarn, Lewin, Boyer, Cooper, Reeve, Lane, McCallum, Orr and others who are known to men of the present day. A small wooden church was erected on the site of the present fine structure about 1877. The present building was erected during the ministry of the Rev. B. Dinning.

BAPTIST CHURCH.

The decision to commence Baptist services in Lismore was made on September1st, 1913, at a meeting in the home of Mr. W. Bannister, South Lismore. Rev. W.H. Wingfield, then of Casino, Rev. A.J. Waldock, then Home Mission Superintendent, and three local Baptist families were present. The first service was conducted by Mr. A. Cane at Mr. E.A.S. Thompson’s residence, North Lismore, on Sunday, September 7th, 1913.

On March 8th, 1914, Mr. Wm. White, then President N.S.W. Baptist Union, and Rev. A.J. Waldock, at a meeting held in the Temperance Hall, North Lismore, formed the Church with 16 members. Of those foundation members Mrs. W. Bannister, Miss A. Bannister, Miss Ethel Bannister (now Mrs. G. Baxter) and Mrs. Arnold are still in active membership. Mr. E.A.S. Thompson and Mr. A. Cane were appointed Secretary and Treasurer, respectively.

Rev. John Complin arrived May 16th, 1914, and commenced services in the Octo Pavilion, now the New England Co.’s garage, South Lismore. The successful establishment of the Baptist cause in Lismore is largely attributed to his earnest and faithful ministry.

The site occupied by the present South Lismore church was given by two Sydney Baptists, Mr. (later Sir) Hugh Dixson and Mr. W. Buckingham.

Church of Christ and Baptist Church Lismore
Church of Christ and Baptist Church

Rev. John Complin was succeeded by Rev. G. Stanley Cox, during whose ministry the South Lismore church was opened for worship on June 16th, 1915. Mr. Cox was followed by Rev. J.H. Baker, who had served the Church during his student days, Rev. D.F. Mitchell, Rev. Jas. Johnston, and Rev. Joseph Hunter, who all ministered faithfully and well. After a brief pastorless period Pastor J.J. Weller conducted a vigorous evangelistic campaign. Considerable progress was made, and additional property acquired in Magellan Street. This building, now known as the Central Church, was opened for worship in May, 1926.

The present officers are Pastor S.G. Tomkins, who commenced his ministry in July, 1927, Mr. D.A. Collins, Secretary, and Mr. H. Larkin, Treasurer.

CHURCH OF CHRIST.

The history of this local Church is amongst the unique, with other congregations, who have served some of the vital needs of Lismore for nearly half a century. In April, 1884, Mr. John Newby, from the Manning River, visited the Richmond, and arranged a meeting of “Christians,” at the home of Mr. and Mrs. W.J. Stewart, at Bungawalbyn. Mr. and Mrs. L.H. Robinson and Messrs. L. and J. Patch were among the first new members received into fellowship. In July the late Mr. Geo. Day, of Sydney, who had been preaching at Bungawalbyn, paid a visit to Lismore, and meeting with two immersed believers, the late Mrs. Burtinshaw and the late Mr. J.P.F. Walker, meetings for worship were commenced on the last Sunday in July, 1884, in an “upper room” over the Crusade Printing Works in Woodlark Street.

In March, 1920, the site of the present new Temple at the corner of Keen Street and Magellan Street was secured, and in November, 1922, a contract was let to Messrs. Brown and Jolly, of Lismore. The “Northern Star” of July 17th reports : “The church, which was designed by Mr. F.J. Board, A.I.A., is a handsome structure of a design suggesting the Flemish style of architecture, and is a dignified addition to the town.” The membership of over two hundred has many isolated, and includes many pioneers of the town and district. Several active auxiliaries – the Bible School, Ladies’ Guild, Endeavour Societies (2), Devotional and Choir Service – sustain and enlarge the sphere of activity. The official Boards of Elders and of Deacons and Deaconesses have assisted to guide the work over the years.

The following gentlemen have ably ministered to the congregations at the local Temple :- Evangelist G.B. Moysey, Pastors Morrison, F.J. Saunders, Thos. Bagley, S. Stevens, Thos. Hagger, T.B. Fisher, G. Chandler, P.J. Pond, B.A., W.J. Way, and N.G. Noble.

Copyright expired.

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