
Back Row (left to right). – G. Burley, W. Exton, J. Carolan, J. Burtinshaw, J. Birmingham.
Middle Row. – A. Cottee, J. Anschau (P.M.), W. Smythe.
Front Row.- D. Raynor, E. Glasby.
RIVER MAILS.
Mr. John Anschau, postmaster from 1882 to 1896 at Lismore writes : “I organised the Lismore Fire Brigade, and was captain until 1896. When Lismore became a municipality in 1879 I was postmaster at Woodburn, which was then the distributing office for the Richmond.
The Lismore portion of the mail was sent on to Lismore by pack horse on Mondays and Fridays; on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays it was not necessary to send a pack horse. Contractor Ross put the Lismore bag in front of him. In 1880 the mail matter grew very heavy, and the roads from Lismore to Woodburn were very bad, and a contract was made with Davis and Sons. In any case Davis took a contract to run the mail by steam launch, this launch reaching Lismore usually about midnight. The mail was sorted and given out to callers usually about 1 a.m. The rapid growth of the mail soon made it impossible for pack horses to carry between Woodburn and the Clarence river. The Clarence bar was very bad. Steamers were often delayed for days, holding up the mails. James Barrie, James O’Flynn and Dr. Bernstein went to Sydney to try and get a mail service via Tenterfield and a coach service was started. My recollection of the date is not clear, but it was about 1884 when the coach started to take the mails via Casino to Tenterfield. Regarding the first telephone for public use not only in Lismore, but as far as I can find, the first public telephone in the State of N.S.W., I do know that there was no telephone for sale in this State, and we had to send to Melbourne for the two instruments, hence my opinion that ours was the first public telephone in this State. Mr. Beaumont built the Royal Hotel on the corner of Woodlark and Molesworth streets, and owing to the very uncertain time mails would arrive, also steamers, Mr. Beaumont thought a telephone service between the post office and his hotel would be a great convenience. He applied for a set, but the P.M.G. could not supply them. Beaumont wrote to Melbourne and got the set. We had no law to regulate the traffic or to make any charge, so after a lot of official correspondence it was decided that we would charge Beaumont £5 p. a. for the use of our telephone poles, and he could do what he wished about the phones, and so the first telephone service in New South Wales was started, but it was a failure. The telephones were like “Baldwin’s ghosts,” sometimes they worked and sometimes they did not. Beaumont’s telephones mostly did not work. The original Court House and lock-up stood where now the Fire Brigade Station stands, and was built of cedar, lock, stock and barrel. Daniel Hogan was the first full-time police officer stationed at Lismore. He was pensioned off in 1880. He died in the early eighties, and is buried in the Roman Catholic cemetery, he was a good, kind-hearted man, and did much to help the early settlers on the Richmond River, Abbe Schurr, a French priest, had much to do with introducing sugar cane, and the first sugar mill I know of was out at Alstonville, ‘near John Perry’s farm.’ McCann Bros. had four acres of cane, and they made a mill by felling a tree; rounding off the stump, in a root of the stump they made a socket, and by means of a heavy iron strap at the top they fixed a roller. At the end of this roller there was a long lever, to which they hitched a horse. The horse walked round the stump. The cane was passed between the roller and stump. The juice was caught in a tub sunk in the ground. The juice was boiled in half a ship’s tank, and when granulated the treacle was squeezed out through a bag. I saw this mill working. George Larkin bought the first four bags of sugar. I cannot say if he ever sold it again. I should say he did not, because after it would be in a bag a few days it would be one consolidated mass. The first sugar mills spoken of was Baillie’s mill, South Lismore. Just about that time sugar mills were starting all over the river. William Gollan, Woodburn; Buchanan, Swan Bay; McPherson, Swan Bay; Poolman and Co., Kilgin; Thompson, Broadwater; Thompson, Wyrallah; James Bryant, Rous; McKinnon, Coraki; Staines, Rous; and the Big Mill at Broadwater, started 1880 and cost £300,000. It was in its time the largest sugar mill in the world, and it knocked all the small mills out.
POSTAL STATISTICS.
(Statistics for year ending June 30, 1928.)
Registered articles posted, 14,341 ; registered articles received, 14,971 ; parcels posted, 8458 ; parcels received, 6422 ; telegrams despatched, 42,895, value £3183 ; telegrams received, 41,386 ; telegrams repeated for other offices 202,390 ; money orders issued, 7586 – value £43,189; money orders paid, 8658 – value £66,082 ; postal notes issued 30,308 – value £13,738 ; postal notes paid, 26,085 ; old age pensions paid, 6042 ; war pensions paid, 5543 ; trunk line calls, 179,644 ; local calls, 703,854 ; private bags for mail, 10 ; private boxes for mail, 325 ; requisitions for postage stamps, £14,394/2/11 ; duty stamps, £2207/14/5; salaries to staff, £15,537 ; temporary staff, £2336.
THE SUGAR INDUSTRY.
(Compiled from the “Encyclopedia of N.S.W.” in the Mitchell Library.)
The sugar industry was introduced into the Richmond river district by the Rev. J. Thorn. In 1869 Lismore grown sugar commanded £36 per ton in the open market, and at the Intercolonial Exhibition held in 1870 Mr. John Sharpe, of Richmond River Heads, exhibited specimens of sugar from Violet Ribbon plants, realising £38 per ton. But while the growing proved profitable the crushing could not be successfully (that is financially) worked, and one by one the small isolated mills were obliged to shut down. It is probable that amongst the latter category the manufacture of sugar by the late Mr. W. Yabsley under the tutelage of the Rev. Edward Holland, Presbyterian Minister of Port Macquarie, may be included.
The C.S.R. Co., in which Clark Irving was then the largest shareholder, began its crushing operations at Broadwater in 1881, cultivation work in connection with the growing of cane having been commenced in 1879. The first manager was Mr. Jas. Wyness. The area under sugar cane was 455 acres, and the quantities of cane treated during the first season numbered 12,126 tons, the yield being 26.7 tons per acre. The plant was increased from year to year, till it became eventually the largest and best equipped sugar mill in the world at a cost of £750,000.
In 1869 Mr. Robert McKenzie, father of the present Mayor of Lismore, had a small sugar mill at North Lismore, just a few chains beyond Muldoon’s mill. It was worked by horses, and the cane was grown by the late C. White at South Lismore.
Mr. Jas. Baillie, another of Lismore’s early pioneers, erected a similar mill at “Cadzow,” South Lismore. Both these mills had open pan boilers, and were not of a style that could turn out the best sugar. At one time there were 40 sugar mills on the Richmond, but finally the C.S.R. Co. froze them out, and for many years past has had a monopoly.

J. McLennan, Dr. Bernstein, N.J. Simmons, T.C. Lodge,
E.W. Bentley, G. Larkin, G. West, S. Garrard, C. White.
At Rear. – T. Exton and F. Fredericks.
EARLY STORES.
It is hard to determine who opened the first store in Lismore, but it is quite clear that the late E. Coleman opened the Newtown Store, opposite the Church of England, in Coleman Lane, in 1857.
On the river bank at the rear of the present Freemason’s Hotel, a store was kept by a man named O’Nines, and at one time by G. Morris. This later came into the possession of Mr. J.E. Glasgow, who combined with it a saddlery business, and kept the Post Office before it became an official position. Mr. George Larkin came from the South Coast and opened in Molesworth Street, very early in the seventies. This position is now in the occupation of Mr. S. McLean, but this business was sold by Mr. Larkin to the late A.G. Robertson, who with Mr. S. Woodward conducted it for some years before transferring to premises across the street.
Mr. John McLennan soon after opened a general store, where the Star Court now stands, and failing, the stock and business was purchased by Mr. Jas. Barrie, who afterwards removed to Woodlark Street, on the spot now held by Maloney and Son and O’Connor.
Mr. Andrew Wotherspoon, who retired from the Education Department about 1876, built a store in Zadoc Street, on the river side of the Courthouse, and conducted a store there.
Mr. A. Currie opened at North Lismore, and conducted a fine business for many years. Mr. Denis Hogan had a business at the corner of Pine Street and Terania Street at an early date.
CHRISTMAS IN LISMORE 50 YEARS AGO.

Christmas 50 years ago was not like Christmas to-day. There were then three hotels – Dean’s, on the site of the present Hotel Ryan, Freemasons’ and Commercial. Stores – George Larkin, now McLean’s, James Barrie, where Maloney’s and Mason’s building are now, and Edmund Coleman at Newtown. There were no crowds perambulating the footpaths, for there were no footpaths, and no crowds to walk on them. There were no motor cars in the middle of the street. There were two reasons for this. One was that cars were then unknown, and the other that the middle of the street was not fit to put a car on. Boats and horse flesh were the means of locomotion. Everyone living on the river bank (and most people did that) had a good boat, and Dad and Mum and the family came to town a week or so before to get the Christmas supplies, and the boys and girls had unfamiliar elastic side boots on, costing 8/6, and worth half of it. You could tell by their limp that boots were not a regular thing with them, and something to be discarded as soon as they got a chance. They were mostly taken home slung over their shoulders. Dad went to see a man about a dog while Mum did the shopping. In fact, as far as I remember he saw several men about several dogs, and when it came to going home his attempts at rowing the boat caused Mum to say something cutting, and she took the job on herself, for all women could pull a boat – they had to. But before Dad got that far in the day’s enjoyment he had a game of quoits, then as popular as football is to-day, and not nearly so rough. This game was played in Molesworth-street in front of Dean’s Hotel, and after every game an adjournment was made to see another man about a dog, and then the quality of the game deteriorated somewhat. Being near Christmas most work was suspended, and the men from the mill (Glasgow’s) at the rear of what is now A. G. Robertson’s – Bob Knight, the Browns, Ted Wren, Sam Warnock and Charlie Callard, drifted along and discussed the topics of the day (chiefly beer) to their own satisfaction. Towards evening the horses that had made the journey were hauled out of the hotel yard, the saddle bags filled with the day’s purchases, including liquids, and soon all were homeward bound, and thanks to the instincts of the animals, they mostly got there. Santa Claus was just as regular in his visits then as now. The old chap doesn’t seem to have aged any, but he didn’t carry the class of goods that are in vogue to-day. Chocolates at 4/- per lb., bless your hearts ! The whole Christmas outfit for a child did not cost that, but they were quite happy and much more content than the spoilt darlings of to-day, who turn up their noses to anything less than 10/- toys. Why, Mum didn’t get 10/- to spend on her dear old self, and Dad would have had a rough spin if he told Mum that his day in town had cost him that much. However, they had a good time, and on Christmas Eve they sang songs learnt in a land far away and amid their joy many a sigh escaped when they thought of that dear land, and Mum’s eyes glistened suspiciously at times when thought of those she would never see again. Heigho ! it is a long way too look back – 50 years – but some fragrant memories of it linger. Dad and Mum are all gone to the Land o’ the Leal, but we remember them. Oh, Yes !
SCHOOL TEACHERS
The first record of a school in Lismore that we can discover was the Bark Hut, on the site of the Boer War Memorial. A Mr. Rankin was teacher, who was drowned when the “Rainbow” was wrecked at Ballina, and was succeeded by Mr. Andrew Wotherspoon, who in turn was succeeded by Mr. G.H. Daniel. These were public schools, but Miss Staff taught a private school at a very early period in Lismore history.


Mr. W.O. Harman, Teacher.
Mr. Harman was the first Town Clerk.
Mr. W.O. Harman established a private school, “The Commercial,” on Coleman’s Point, on the western side of the southern approach to Simes bridge. This was in 1875.
Mr. Harman was the first official Council Clerk – it was then a part time job. In this photo the adult figure on the left is Mr. Harman. Among the pupils in this photo are Ald. R. White, T. Exton, S.M. Cottee, and H. Knight.

Mr. Wotherspoon retired in 1875.

Mr. G.H. Daniel, Teacher.
Mr. G.H. Daniel writes :- School house and school were under one roof, and for a short time Mr. Lockett occupied the house, I being single boarded with Mr. and Mrs. McKenzie on the river bank opposite the school. The school ground then occupied a square of about two acres, having for one corner Nesbitt’s new store. The attendance increased so rapidly that the next year saw the whole building converted into school, and later a tent to accommodate 70 or 80 was added to it. When I married a residence was built, and when the new school was erected on a site I recommended, the old school and residence were sold to the Municipal Council for, I think £10, and they were removed bodily to a position near the old Police Station (Senior Constable Hogan in charge), and became the School of Arts and Caretaker’s residence for many years. I took charge of Lismore Public School in 1875, succeeding Mr. Wotherspoon. The following year a travelling photographer took a photo of the Lismore Public School. Considering its age the work was excellent, for I can recognise and name about half of the children. The four big boys next to me are Tom Brandon, Peter McDonald (fighting Mac), Howard and Peter Hewitson. In the second row the second boy is Robert White (late Mayor), and the last boy in the front row next to the girls is Charles McKenzie (your present Mayor). He was my youngest scholar, and I have carried him many a time to school, for in those days of constant rain and paddy-melon holes it would have been dangerous for him to venture alone.





Now Skype’s Chambers to Royal Hotel.
Lismore Hotel (now Hotel Ryan) at extreme right hand

Now Wicks and Co’s., McLean’s and others.


Some of Lismore’s Pioneers


R: H. GARRARD, of Boorie, P.M. in 1860

Age 95 years, 67 years in Lismore
R: MRS. H. BROWN, North Lismore


Pioneer Sugar Miller and Blacksmith


Messrs. J. Greenhalgh, senr. and junr.


The first couple married in Lismore in the middle forties.

MRS. G.C. BRITT. Age 80. MRS. JAS. MCKENZIE, Age 79.


Early Naturalist.

Mr. Thomas Borton was mail contractor for 34 years )with two short intervals). In 1865 he was a member of Mr. John Barling’s survey party, who went with pack horses from Casino to Kynumboon, and measured the first lot of selections taken up on the Tweed River – under the Land Act of 1861 – free selection before survey. Included in those blocks were what is now the site of the township of North and South Murwillumbah.
Mr. Borton was the first hon. secretary for the Lismore Hospital, and in conjunction with the late Mr. Edmund Coleman secured a grant of 17 ½ acres of land for that institution, thus providing a small revenue for the hospital, and ample room for extension, as proved by the fine lot of buildings now erected thereon. He was also the first hon. secretary for the Lismore School of Arts. On 1st January, 1870, he opened a new line of mail from Ballina to Yamba (Clarence Heads), via Wardell and Woodburn – by rowing boat ; previous to this all mails for the Richmond were carried up the Clarence to Lawrence and from thence to Casino by pack horses.
He was the first to convey the mails from Lismore to Ballina by coach, having a horse back contract at the time, the through road not being traffickable previously for wheels. Mr. Borton is in his 85th year.

Aged 83, Natives of Lismore.

North Lismore.

Mr. Davis came to Lismore in 1854 and is 84 years of age.

The McDonald family – Duncan, Peter, and Alexander (below) – were among Lismore’s pioneer farmers. They were all fine specimens of Scotsmen, and their memories are revered by all those who knew them. They all lived at Maizegrove, about three miles out of Lismore.





These premises were destroyed by fire in 1884.

The figure on horseback of the left is Mr. T. Atkin, Blakebrook.

Founder of M.U.I.O.O.F. in Lismore.
FRIENDLY SOCIETIES IN LISMORE.
The first Friendly Society formed in Lismore was the “Hand of Friendship” of the Sons of Temperance. The date of foundation was October 13, 1866. The next was “Loyal Richmond River” Lodge of the M.U.I.O.O.F., which was founded on August 3, 1879. Then followed the Protestant Alliance, which was established on July 10, 1890. Followed the H.A.C.B.S. with September 12, 1900, as its foundation date. The Ancient Order of Foresters was next, with December 20, 1904, as its foundation day. The very next year, on June 20, 1905, the Grand United Order of Oddfellows was established. June 24, 1910, was the inception of the Ancient Order or Druids. After a lapse of two years the Independent Order of Oddfellows was founded on June 17, 1912. The Independent Order of Rechabites was established on November 10, 1914. The last Friendly Society to be established in Lismore was the A.H.C. Guild, which was on December 11,1920.

LISMORE’S SHARE IN THE GREAT WAR.
This is modern history, and it is only necessary to briefly refer to it as something of which we are proud. Our young men gave of their best. Many gave their lives, and sad hearts mourn them to-day. Our people gave of their money, and our women folk’s share is beyond praise. More need not be said. Let the sore wounds heal. The best monument the fallen can have is theirs – it exists in the grateful hearts of our people.
OUR STAPLE INDUSTRIES FOR SIXTY YEARS.
First. – Red Cedar, which grew along the banks of the river and the creeks, and in the red soil of the Big Scrub.
Second. – The hoop pine, which covered all the hill lands. Millions of feet of this were cut every year and sent all over Australia.
Third. – Sugar cane, which at one time reached from Bexhill to the sea, along the river. Upwards of forty sugar mills were in existence, some steam, some horse, and some bullock-power.
Fourth. – Dairying – at one time carried on in the homes entirely ; hand milking, milk set in dishes, skimmed and churned by hand and put in wood kegs and sent to Sydney.
THE DAIRYING INDUSTRY.
The dairying industry was started in New South Wales in 1820 in the vicinity of Parramatta and soon extended to the South Coast. The separator was introduced in 1880, and the first consignment of butter for export was 400 tons in 1890. To the late D.L. Dymock was due the introduction of the separator. After the death of the late Alexander Berry he visited Holland and Denmark in search of information on the dairying industry, and there became aware of the value of co-operation and made his first acquaintance with the Alfa-Laval separator. Returning to New South Wales he visited the Richmond in 1885 an preached the gospel of co-operation and the virtues of the separator, meeting with extraordinary success. The North Coast to-day produces more milk and more than double the quantity of butter than all the rest of the State, while the South Coast produces 55 per cent. of the output of cheese. The dairy and farmyard industry for 1926 was estimated at £14,712,000.
The dairy herds in the district are among the best in the Commonwealth, all the leading breeds being represented. These herds are replenished at intervals with importations of the world’s best. The result of this is shown in the repeated fact that the North Coast of New South Wales produces half of the State’s output of butter. Of this amount Norco Ltd., the big Co-operative Company, produces 50 per cent.
There are two factories (butter) in Lismore, with a peak out-put of 140 tons per week.
The bacon industry is a corollary of dairying, and is fast becoming only second in importance to the latter. There is a fine factory at South Lismore, but most of the pigs in the district are sent to Norco, Ltd., Byron Bay, while upwards of 24,000 per year pass through the Lismore Municipal Saleyards at North Lismore, buyers from Sydney, Newcastle, and Brisbane firms operate at these yards.







By Hon. W.J. Lyne, Minister for Works. Lismore Station.






Looking South and East.


Governor-General (Lord Northcote) in foreground.
NOTES FROM “NORTHERN STAR”
JANUARY, 6th. 1877.
Butcher’s prices :- JAMES BRYANT.
Fresh and salted beef, 3 1/2d lb.,
by the quarter 3d lb
Sausages, 5d lb.
Terms Cash Monthly.
SELECTION FARM.
For sale – 4 miles from Lismore on a navigable creek, emptying half into the main river. Farm, 80 acres, on which is erected a four-roomed cottage and kitchen, land rich and securely fenced, orangery, garden, etc. Price £120.
Ladies’ Clothing :-
Chemises, 1/11 to 3/11.
Nightdresses, 3/11 to 10/6.
Camisoles, 1/11 to 7/6.
White Stockings, 6d to 2/6.
Lace Stockings, 1/- to 2/6.
Muslin Costumes, 17/- to 30/-.
Alpaca Costumes, 30/- to 40/-.
Black and Coloured Silk Dresses, £2.
Men’s Wear :-
Cotton Shirts, 2/6 to 3/6.
Wool Shirts, 4/6 to 8/6.
Tweed Coast, 14/6 to 25/-.
Overcoats, 18/6 to 35/-.
Boys’ Complete Suits, 15/- to 35/-.
Maize, 2/8 bushel.
Hides, 3d lb.
Pigs, 6d lb.
Bacon, 9d lb.
Butter, 10d lb.
Cheese, 8d lb.
Potatoes, £6 ton.
Bark, £6 ton.
Pine Logs, 7/3 to 7/-.
Pine Flooring, 13/6 to 16/6.
Good Cedar, 14/- to 18/-.
Beech, 12/- to 13/-.
JANUARY 20th.
Public Notice. – A public meeting will be held in the Lismore Court House on Monday, January 22, at 7 p.m., to take steps to petition the Government for the erection of bridges at the junction of Wilson and Leycester Creeks; also to get the Casino and Ballina road, via Lismore, made a first class road, and for the transaction of other important business. James Baillie, convener.
JANUARY 27th.
Another meeting called, re Wilson and Leycester Creek bridge, etc.
FEBRUARY 17th.
Advance Lismore ! On Sunday afternoon there were four steamers in port : “Agnes Irving,” “Jabberwock,” “Index,” and “Lismore,” besides the sailing vessels “Amphitrite,” “Rob Roy,” and “Margaret Jane.”
FEBRUARY 24th.
To The Hon. Minister of Justice, Sydney. Memorial to cause steps to be taken to establish a District Court and Court of Quarter Sessions at Lismore and for the appointment of a Land Agent. James Baillie, chairman.
MARCH 8th.
The “Barque Peony,” Newcastle, with coal, bound north, sprung a leak and was ran ashore five miles south of Richmond river Heads, Captain and four hands drowned. Captain’s wife and five hands saved. Ship total wreck.
At this time J’s.P. were :- H.S. Eliott, P.M., J. Stocks and A.M. Girard.
MARCH 17th.
On March 11th, Miss Josephine Girard died at Lismore Station following shortly after her mother’s decease. All business places in town were closed for the funeral.
MARCH 24th.
Mr. J. Horniman, first manager Commercial Bank, left by “Agnes Irving” for Sydney.
APRIL 21st.
J.B. Moorcroft, Woodlark-street, had on view a carpet snake measuring 14 feet in length, captured about 20 miles from Lismore by two blackfellows, whilst tracking a stray bullock belonging to some cedar cutters up the creek.
MAY 5th.
Notification of appointment of Dr. John Govett Smith, of Grafton, as Government Medical Officer and Vaccinator for Richmond River district.
The electoral lists at this time showed the number of electors in Cassino 666, Lismore 492, Ballina 489.
Dr. J. Foreman settled in Lismore.
MAY 19th.
Purchase of s.s. “Victoria” by James Webster for passenger and cargo trade on the Richmond River. She was a screw boat, fitted with direct-acting 15 h.p. engines, made by Hilton, of London ; length 75 feet. 14 feet beam, 5ft. 6in. depth of hold and register 20 tons, license to carry 175 passengers, speed 8 to 10 knots, and calculated to make the trip from Lismore to Ballina in a day.
JUNE 2nd.
Mr. Neil Sharpe was appointed post office stationmaster, vice I. M. Hyam, resigned.
JUNE 16th.
The first bootball club in Lismore was formed at the Commercial School Room ; captain, R. Dawson ; secretary, W.O. Harman. £600 was allotted by Postmaster-General for a telegraphic wire between Lismore and Ballina and Wardell.
JUNE 22nd.
The new Court House was started by Mr. J. Perry, in which 100,000 bricks are to be used. Mr. Johnson had just started the brick making industry.
JUNE 30th.
On Sunday, July 1, the new Roman Catholic Church was opened by Rev. Father F. Schurr and Rev. Father Sheehan.
First meeting held in Lismore petitioning for incorporation as a municipality was held on Tuesday, July 3, at the Court House. It was thought by some that discussion was somewhat premature. E.W. Allingham was chairman. H.S. Elliott, P.M., read the advertisement calling the meeting. W. English moved and J. Stocks seconded the motion. J. Sexton said the settlers in his neighbourhood were not disposed to be rated under the municipal scheme. R. Gibson said the whole thing was five years too soon. A. MacDonald thought no benefit would be provided to outside settlers. The meeting adjourned without definite results.
JULY 14th.
A receiving post office was opened at North Lismore, with Mr. D. Currie in charge. A meeting was called at Mr. C. Dean’s Hotel for the formation of a Building Society.
Mr. Davis, of South Lismore, had on view at Larkin’s store a cabbage weighing over 13 lbs.
JULY 28th.
On July 23 the “Bonnie Dundee” arrived in Lismore from Dundee. She was a little screw steamer of 45 h.p., with an estimated speed of 9 knots.
AUGUST 4th.
Another meeting was held at the Court House to petition the Government for the erection of a bridge at the junction of Wilson and Leycester Creeks. Convener was Andrew Wotherspoon.
AUGUST 22nd.
The death occurred of Spencer Cottee at the age of 44. Mr. Cottee came to Lismore in 1869, assisted in the building of E. Carter and Co.’s sawmill, and subsequently built the Freemasons’ Hotel, Molesworth-street.
SEPTEMBER 1st.
The “Northern Star” had a leader on the necessity of Lismore having a hospital.
SEPTEMBER 8th.
The first art union in Lismore was advertised by J. B. Moorcroft to take place on October 12, on Mr. Campbell’s “Golden Barrel” principle. Four hundred prizes were advertised, among which were stuffed birds, a silver watch, 9 volumes of scientific works, five tubs, etc.
SEPTEMBER 15th.
Steamer Notice : Richmond River fares by s.s. “Victoria” at this time were as follows :-
Lismore to Ballina – 8/6.
Lismore to Wardell – 7/6.
Lismore to Broadwater – 6/6.
Lismore to Woodburn – 5/6.
Lismore to Swan Bay – 4/6.
Lismore to Coraki – 3/6.
Lismore to Wyrallah – 2/-.
Lismore to Gundurimba – 1/-.
OCTOBER 6th.
A meeting was held at the Court House to consider advisability of promoting the sugar cane industry in Lismore district.
OCTOBER 17th.
A political meeting was held at Court House for the purpose of taking steps to secure the return of C.H. Fawcett to represent the Clarence and Richmond River district in the coming Parliament. Mr. W. English was in the chair. Sub-committee appointed consisted of J. Currie, G. Larkin, E. Coleman, J. Baillie, A. Currie, E.W. Allingham and J. Perry.
DECEMBER 1st.
As a result of the Clarence and Richmond River election Thos. Bawden defeated C.H. Fawcett by 30 votes. Meeting at Court House was held for the purpose of forming a Free Selectors’ Association. W. English was in the chair. There was a very small attendance.
DECEMBER 8th.
Charles Nicholas started a new industry in Lismore, that of basket making from the lawyer-cane grown in the scrub around Lismore.
DECEMBER 15th.
The metalling of Woodlark-street was nearly completed by the contractor, Mr. O’Keefe. The road superintendent, Mr. R. Donaldson, intends to give the contract to continue the metalling right through to the Big Scrub and right down to the wharf. Only a short time before this Woodlark-street was covered with foxtail and sometimes knee deep in mud.
A meeting held at Temperance Hall to advocate the objects of the Liquor License Amendment Association, viz., “to procure such a change in the law as will effect the transfer of the power of granting licenses from the magistrates to the people and the closing of public houses on the Sabbath.”
1878.
JANUARY 2nd.
J.C. Vesper, coach proprietor, drove a two horse coach from Lismore to Ballina, and found the road practicable for traffic.
The Lismore Public School at this time had 136 scholars – 61 boys, 75 girls. The master was G.H. Daniel.
JANUARY 26th.

Pioneer Sawmiller
Lemuel Grigg Snow exhibited five varieties of well-grown sugar cane, of high density, grown by Francis Morrish at his farm at the Big Scrub, where he owned 13 acres.
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 13th.
The funeral of John Clegg Taylor, Woodlark-street, was largely attended. Mr. Taylor, who had been a resident of Lismore for 20 years, died at the early age of 33.
MARCH 11th.
Meeting at Woodburn Hotel for the purpose of petitioning Parliament for the separation of the Clarence and Richmond River electorate.
Laying of foundation of Protestant Hall in Magellan-street.
MARCH 30th.
A meeting was held at the Court House to petition the Government for a portion of land for a new cemetery. G. Larkin was in the chair, and Mr. E. Coleman acted for Mr. T. Borton, secretary, who was away.
MAY 10th.
The electoral roll at Lismore at this time showed 543.
MAY 11th.
Death at the age of 33 of Mrs. Stocks, daughter of William Yabsley, and wife of Mr. James Stocks, who became first Mayor of Lismore.
JUNE 17th.
Meeting at Paulson’s Hotel for the purpose of forming a Masonic Lodge and petition to the Grand Lodge was accordingly drawn up.
JULY 10th.
At the old Court House a meeting was held to form an Agricultural, Horticultural and Industrial Resources Society. There was a small but influential attendance. Mr. George Larkin was in the chair, and among those present were E. W. Allingham, W. English, E. Coleman, W. Kelleway, J. Perry, Mr. Sohn, J. Baillie and A. Currie. Subscriptions were to be £1 per annum. Mr. E. Coleman was selected as secretary and Mr. E. W. Allingham was hon. treasurer.
JULY 13th.
The newly-appointed Clerk of Petty Sessions (Mr. W. Carson) and the accountant of the new branch of the Bank of New South Wales (Mr. G. Laman) arrived from Sydney.
JULY 27th.
There were over 200 people present at the opening of the Protestant Hall, Magellan-street, in which was held a tea meeting.
AUGUST 3rd.
Mr. J.J. Anschau, afterwards postmaster, joined the post office as probationer, first resigning his position as constable.
The “Northern Star” of September 14 said : “We are happy to say, as it is a great saving of labour to a newspaper man, that for the last few weeks there has been little or nothing to do at the Lismore Police Court, and we are glad to find that our residents are so busy in taking up land and otherwise making the best of the times, that they have no leisure for anything. May such a state of matters long continue, so that all the judge have to try (on) at the next sitting will be a pair of white kid gloves.”
OCTOBER 12th.
A cricket match was played on the Lismore ground between teams of the married and single of the Wilson’s Creek and Richmond River Clubs, which resulted in the single men winning in one innings.
OCTOBER 19th.
Mr. J.D. Forbes opened a new photographic gallery in Woodlark-street.
NOVEMBER 23rd.
After being out for 12 days a party, prospecting for gold, returned to Lismore with some rough specimens. Consequent upon the low prices of timber and the prevailing drought it was thought a gold field would be just the thing required to keep matters going.
DECEMBER 14th.
Dr. L. Bernstein arrived from Tenterfield and commenced practice in Lismore.
A counter-petition against declaring Lismore a municipality was presented to His Excellency the Governor on the ground that the time was premature, the proposed area too large, the population too sparce, and that a number of signatures on the original petition were obtained by misrepresentation.
Lismore at this time had about 50 houses, and a population of 200 in the municipal district.
1879.
FEBRUARY 1st.
Dr. A.F. Parker, formerly of Coraki, took up his residence in Lismore. There were now three medical practitioners in Lismore.
MARCH 8th.
Although Lismore was declared a municipal district on March 5, nothing was done until March 29, when a meeting was held at Mr. C. Dean’s Assembly Rooms for the purpose of fixing a date for the first election of aldermen and auditors, and to nominate a returning officer. Mr. E. W. Allingham was the convener of this meeting.
Mr. J. Barrie moved that the third Saturday in May be fixed for the elections, and Mr. Paulson seconded the motion, which was carried.
Mr. A. Currie moved that the election take place in Mr. Dean’s Assembly Rooms, which was seconded by Mr. T. Exton. An amendment by Mr. L.G. Snow, seconded by Mr. J. Wotherspoon, that the election be held in the Court House was lost by two votes.
It was moved and seconded by Mr. G. Larkin and J. Baillie that Mr. H. S. Elliot, P.M., act as returning officer. – Carried.
On March 26, Sir Henry Parkes, in reply to Mr. J. Davies, announced in Parliament that Lismore had been proclaimed a municipal district, the petition for incorporation having 191 signatures and the counter-petition having 93.
APRIL 12th.
A public meeting was held at Paulson’s Hotel on April 19, to take steps to form a M.U.I.O.O.F. Lodge.
MAY 28th.
At Mr. Dean’s Assembly Rooms a meeting, lasting three hours, was held calling for nominations for aldermen and auditors for the municipal district of Lismore. Returning officer, H.S. Elliot, P.M., read the proclamation authorising the meeting. The nominations consisted of 16 names, one of which was informal, and two received too late. Two names were later withdrawn. The nominations for auditor consisted of four. It was announced that the elections were to take place at Dean’s Assembly Rooms on Saturday, May 31st, the polls being open from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. The official declaration of the poll was to take place on the following Monday, June 2, at 12 noon. Candidates then addressed the meeting.
JUNE 2nd.
The election for aldermen and auditors for the municipal district of Lismore took place on this day. Out of 179 people justly entitled to vote 174 voted. The returning officer was H.F. Elliot, P.M., poll clerk A.S. Meares, and the scrutineers were J. Currie, R. MacKenzie, G. W. Paulson, A. Rose, J. Wotherspoon and T. Exton. Result of the poll was declared as follows :-
FOR ALDERMEN:
G. Larkin, 114 votes.
H. Currie, 87 votes.
J. Stocks, 82 votes.
E. Coleman, 82 votes.
E. Allingham, 68, votes.
J. Barrie, 68 votes.
J. Baillie, 25 votes.
A. Wotherspoon, 45 votes.
J. Bryant, 26 votes.
J.E. James, 34 votes.
L.G. Snow, 45 votes.
W. English, 61 votes.
J.E. Glasgow, 39 votes.
E. Carter, 48 votes.
FOR AUDITORS:
V.J. Norris, 74 votes.
J.R. Stocks, 72 votes.
S. Beardow, 43 votes.
E. Carter, 28 votes.
Accordingly, Messrs. G. Larkin, A. Currie, J. Stocks, E. Coleman, E.W. Allingham and J. Barrie were declared elected as aldermen, whilst V.J. Norris and J.R. Stocks were declared elected as auditors.
JUNE 2nd.
Meeting for Mayor. Returning Officer H.S. Elliot, P.M., in the chair. Ald. Coleman proposed, and Ald. Currie seconded, Ald. J. Stocks for Mayor; Ald. Stocks proposed Ald. Allingham. Ald. Allingham desired not to stand for proposed office, and spoke highly in favour of Ald. Stocks, and the latter was consequently elected. First meeting of the new city council was held the same evening at 8 p.m. at Dean’s Assembly Rooms. Discussion centred around the framing of by-laws, appointment of town clerk, rate collector, assessor, a suitable building for council meetings and temporary loans. This meeting adjourned to Monday, June 9, at the same place.
His Worship the Mayor afterwards invited the aldermen to dinner at Dean’s Hotel, to which the press were not invited, and proceedings were strictly private.
Meeting of City Council June 9, at old Court House. At this meeting the committee of the School of Arts offered the use of their building for six months, accommodation free. The duties of the town clerk were defined, and salary fixed at £50 per annum. The services of Mr. W. Carson, who had arrived last year from Sydney to act as Clerk of Petty Sessions, was secured as temporary town clerk.
JULY 30th.
At the instance of 89 signatories a public meeting was called for August 4 by the Mayor to urge upon the Government the necessity of establishing a Land Office, District Court and Court of Quarterly Sessions at Lismore.
AUGUST 3rd.
The official opening of the Loyal Richmond River Lodge, M.U.I.O.O.F. took place at Paulson’s Commercial Hotel.
AUGUST 11th.
At City Council meeting held this day the assessors reported that the unimproved value of property within the municipality was £5849, the rate whereon was 1/- in the £1, realising £296, which with the Government grant would bring municipal income up to £600.
SEPTEMBER 6th.
Tenders were invited, closing August 23, for the erection of police quarters at Lismore, plans of which could be seen at the Court House.
SEPTEMBER 8th.
At a council meeting of this date the Mayor moved that future meetings be held at the School House of W.O. Harmon until matters connected with the assessment notices and payments of general municipal rates for current year were completed. Motion resulted in a tie.
SEPTEMBER 20th.
In this issue of the “Northern Star” a paragraph appears complaining of that paper being called upon to pay rates amounting to £2/12/- and “yet we have not had dry feet in going to and from business the last three months.”
SEPTEMBER 22nd.
At a meeting of City Council held this day it was moved and seconded that rates due and payable, shall be payable at the office of the council clerk, Municipal Council Chambers, at the Commercial School House, Molesworth-street, on Mondays from 4 to 6 p.m., and Saturdays from 10 to 12 a.m.
OCTOBER 11th.
A Government “Gazette” of this date contained a notice of the appointment of James Stocks, J.P., as coroner for the Richmond River district and the colony generally.
OCTOBER 4th.
The Municipal Council meeting of this date lapsed because of lodge meeting and one alderman being in Sydney.
LISMORE AGRICULTURAL AND INDUSTRIAL SOCIETY.
The first exhibition of the Lismore A. and I. Society was held on January 26th, 1885, and all the exhibits that could be shown indoors were on view in the Albert Hall, or Albert Theatre, as it is variously mentioned in the old papers. The pound yard, where the horses, cattle and other outside exhibits were on view, is described as the part of the town now occupied by the Lismore Memorial Baths.
The officials of the Society were :- President. Mr. Thos. T. Ewing ; Vice-Presidents, Messrs. Jas Barrie and Geo. Larkin ; Treasurer, Mr. E.B. Backhouse ; Secretary, Mr. A.J. Simpson ; Committee, Rev. W.F. Fraser, and Messrs. E. Carter, G.T. Hindmarsh, S. Garrard, Jas Anstey, D. McDonald, F. Fredericks, J.J. Beveridge, A. Currie, W. Lockett, J. Harrison, G.F. Laman, Jas. Baillie, J.E. Glasgow, J.P.F. Walker, J. O’Flynn, J. Glasby, L. Bernstein, E.W. Allingham, M. Hindmarsh. J.M. Fegan, J.R. Stocks, C.E. Taylor, and W. Northcott.
In the horse section Messrs. S. Garrard, G. McLean and J. Webster judged the bloods, and Messrs. W. McLean, J. J. Beveridge, C. Robson and J. White, the draughts and hackneys.
The show of horses was described as “very large.” Mr. C. Robson’s “Osman” received the award for the best blood stallion (any age) and champion blood stallion ; Messrs. M. and G. Hindmarsh’s “Sir Robert” secured the champion draught prize, with Mr. C.H. Stanford’s “ Young Thunderbolt” second ; champion blood mare, J. English’s “Miss Quinton.” In the horse and pony sections there were 220 exhibits.
In the cattle section there were 70 exhibits, the judges being Messrs. F. Fredericks, H. O’B’. Wilson, J. Glasby, C. White, J. White, D. McDonald, and S. Garrard.
Poultry and pigeons were judged by Messrs. C.A. Barham, J.T. Cockerill, R. Fraser, C. White, and A.H. Leu. There were six classes.
Dogs were judged by Messrs. J. Glasby, T.J. Cockerill, L. Bernstein, and W. Smith, there being 24 entries.
SOCIETY’S FINANCES.
A statement by the Treasurer (Mr. E. B. Backhouse) showing the finances of the Society was as follows :- Members’ subscriptions, £147 5s 0d ; special prizes, £5 1s 0d ; donations, £2 16s 0d ; sale of timber, £2 2s 0d ‘ receipts of show, £62 17s 10d ; Government subsidy, £145 1s 0d ; total, £365 3s 8d ; paid away, £140 13s 3d. Balance, £224 10s 5d. Of this £200 was placed in the bank as a fixed deposit.
Copyright expired.