LISMORE’S EARLY HOTELS.
On a map of Lismore, dated 1855, is shown Brown’s public house. This was at the intersection of Woodlark and Molesworth Streets, now the site of the Australian Bank of Commerce. The proprietor was Mr. H. Brown, father of Mr. A.J. Brown, now of Hunter Street. This gentleman afterwards conducted a wholesale license on the spot now occupied by A.G. Robertson’s bulk store.

In 1870 Nathan Taylor had an hotel, “The Horseshoe Inn,” at South Lismore, on land occupied by Foley’s Butter Factory; he also kept a general store. Mr. Taylor’s descendants are well known in Lismore. At this time a boat ferry was established there, running from Elliott Road to Ballina Street. Later this was removed to the junction of Leycester and Wilson’s Creek, at the foot of Woodlark Street, and a punt worked by hand was built for the purpose. Shortly afterwards the late Chas. Dean built the Lismore Hotel, on the site of the present Hotel Ryan, and so far as can be gathered, the license from the “Horseshoe” was transferred to it. The Dean family are also well known.
The next hotel was the Freemason’s in Molesworth Street, built and kept by the late Mr. Spencer Cottee. This was followed by the Commercial, by G.W. Paulson, a very fine old gentleman, who was a keen musician, and was founder of the Lismore Band. One rarely saw him without a cigar. Forty years ago there were several hotels that have now passed out. C. Hiscock had a license for a house in Casino Street, South Lismore, at the intersection of that street with Edwards Street, and 1 ½ miles out. A.H. Leu kept an hotel on the top of the Ballina Road cutting, just inside the municipality. Dan Duffy had one at North Lismore, corner Tweed and Terania Streets. John Cusack kept the Australian Hotel, corner Pine and Terania Streets, North Lismore.

In addition, Mr. James Geraghty conducted a hotel at what was known as the Island Grass, a short distance beyond the racecourse, on the Woodlawn Road. This old building is still in existence, and is occupied by his widow, now Mrs. Peterson. The Winsome, lately delicensed at Tuncester, was built by the late Mr. D. Harley.

MR. J. E. GLASGOW.
Mr Glasgow was one of the pioneers in the sawmill industry. He built a mill on the river bank at the rear of the present Bank of New South Wales. A really good public man, of a most genial disposition, he, while conferring benefits on others, did not accumulate much of this world’s goods for himself. For a short time he was an alderman of the Lismore Council.
MORE EARLY SHIPPING.
Another authority states that the “Waimea” was built at Careening Cove, Sydney, by Mr. J.E. Manning, and was first intended for the coal trade. It came for a few trips to this river, and was lost on the bar.
The “Culloden” was brought here by Captain Johnson; she was originally a Tyne trader in England. She was a paddle boat, and was in charge of Captain Callaghan, a member of the Callaghan family, now well known in Ballina. She was also lost on the bar.
The “Susannah Cuthbert” was owned by the Clarence and New England Steam Navigation Company,” and was commanded by Captain Sullivan. She was afterwards used as a coal boat, and was an auxiliary screw boat with three masts.
Then Captain McIntyre brought a tug boat, the “Challenge,” to the river. She was a very powerful paddle wheel boat. The first steam boat on the river was a little stern wheel boat, the “Keystone,” owned by W.T. Yeager, of Oakland. A steamer known as the “Queenslander” ran here a couple of trips.
HOW THE PIONEERS CAME
The story of the arrival of our pioneers reads queerly to-day, and it is hard in these times of rapid travel to realise their difficulties. In the year 1866 a man with his wife and family left Sydney on the little schooner, “Commerce” (Capt. Robert Drewell), afterwards of the ill-fated Hector. The schooner had no cabins or berths, and the passengers had bunks on the ballast and cargo in the hold. The weather was rough and the hatches were kept on for most of the time. What a joyous time they had! Ballina – or the Heads – as it was mostly called then, was sighted 6 days later, and finally the Commerce crossed in and lay at the wharf. Imagine the feelings of city-bred people, who saw a little village with none of the comforts they had left, and then to be told that that was Heaven compared to where they were going. Well, the schooner had to sail in and be towed up the river to Lismore, (70 miles) by rowing boats, and as Dad was in a hurry, he took two of the boys with him, and they walked through the big scrub towards Lismore, and when the family arrived they settled in a slab hut to make a home in the wilderness. Brave hearts and strong muscles carried them through. The family was reared well; all hands were strong and healthy. The conditions of a clean, open air life helped in this. The women folk were brave. The women folk among the pioneers were all brave ! We should lift our hats to them. They made this country possible for us. They have all gone to their long homes. Let us hope that their rest is sweet and peaceful, for they earned it.

Back (left to right) : Messrs. H.A. Garrard, C. Hetherington, H. Thorburn.
Front : A. Staff, R.S. Wotherspoon.

A Pioneer Priest


LATER DR. PARKER’S HOUSE.
MASONIC ORDER.
The first Masonic Lodge in the Lismore district was formed early in 1879, Wor. Bro. G.W. Paulson having inspired a number of Freemasons living in the Richmond River district with the desirability of forming a Lodge. A meeting was held, at which the following brethren were present : Wor. Bro. G.W. Paulson, Bros. J. Barrie, L. Berstein, J. McLennan, G.C. Britt, G. Larkin, W.E. Reed, J.J. Moore, J.R. Stocks, G.E. Perry, E. Wren, and J. Perry. It was decided to apply to the Grand Lodge of England, through the Provincial Grand Lodge, for a Charter or Warrant. This was eventually granted, and the Lodge No. 1844 worked under the English constitution. As the brethren were living in different parts of the district, the name “Richmond River” was adopted, and the meeting place decided on was Lismore. On March 26, 1879, the new Lodge was dedicated by R. W. Bro. W.H. Simpson, assisted by W. Bros. H. Perdrian, E. Simpson, and G.W. Paulson, District Grand Lodge Officers. On January 22, 1880, the Lodge, which up to that time had been holding its meetings at the Protestant Hall, moved into a new hall provided by Bro. J.E. Glasgow, the number on the roll at that time being 44. In July of 1887 it was decided to commemorate the amalgamation of the constitutions and the formation of the United Grand Lodge of N.S.W., by a monster demonstration and the laying of a foundation stone on the block of land which had been purchased some years before. During the years 1892, 1893 and 1894, when new members joined, the suggestion of having a hall owned by members met with much favour. On August 5, 1896, the new hall was opened and dedicated, and the largest number of Masons ever meeting in the district was present. On September 4, 1903, another branch, “Lismore Temperance,” No. 237, blossomed. In 1921, “Lismore Loyalty,” No. 276, was opened, followed by “North Coast United Service,” No. 459, opened in February, 1923, making four Lodges meeting in the Lismore Temple.
ABORIGINAL NAMES.
Almost without exception, the aborigines named a place by the word in their language denoting some physical peculiarity in the place, or by something that had occurred, belonged to, or had been seen at the place. Thus, Tuckurimba, the correct name for Lismore, denoted a glutton, aboriginal tradition having it that at one time a blackfellow on the bank of the river killed a native dog and ate of it until he was ill. A burrung was an instrument of warfare, and also had its peaceable uses. It was made of wood, and was shaped like a battle axe. From it there came Burrungbar, or Burringbar. The native name for a hole in the ground was a wollong, and hence, from the depression which is still to be seen at Wollongbar, it gained its name. the affix “bar” indicated that a thing was there to be found. The original name for North Lismore was Boyam, signifying a sleeping lizard. Booyong was the name given to the iron-wood tree, which grew plentifully in the scrub near the part still named thus. Similarly there was Binna Burra, meaning beech tree ; Bungalow, the bangalow tree ‘ Piccabeen, the piccabeen tree ‘ Goolmangar, the water gum tree ; boi boi gar (the true name for Rosebank), meaning apple tree. Gerrange (true name for Bexhill), meaning red gum tree. Coondoorimba (now Gundurimba) was the aboriginal name for a man with a palsy or crossed eyes, so evidently a man with one of these afflictions resided in that locality. Bulloona, now known as Ballina, meant the outlet of a river.
‘LET’S CONSIDER THE PAST WITH A LINGERING GAZE.’
4/2/95. – First District Court held in Lismore, Judge Murray presiding.
5/1/95. – The Council decided to erect a 2in. Douglas Pump (hand) at the foot of Woodlark Street to pump water into carts. (Lismore’s first water supply)
29/8/87. – An attempt was made to curtail the boundaries of the Municipality. It was found that a special Act of Parliament would be necessary.
1884. – Fawcett’s Bridge over Wilson’s Creek, Lismore to North Lismore, opened for traffic.
20/3/91. – First sod of Railway to Murwillumbah turned by Hon. Bruce Smith.
24/3/90. – Cost of Waterworks, first instalment gazetted £12,395 8s 5d.
LISMORE’S MILESTONE OF PROGRESS.
GAZETTED MUNICIPALITY, 1879.
GAS WORKS Established 1888, First Light January 2nd. £6000 borrowed. Ald. Bernstein, proposer.
WATER SUPPLY, 1888. Ald. Bernstein, proposer.
SEWERAGE, Lismore proclaimed Sewerage area 1901. Ald. J.F. O’Flynn responsible. (This matter was under discussion for 10 years.)
ELECTRIC LIGHTING (present system), established 1927. Ald. R. White moved resolution to establish.
Before the Gasworks was proceeded with it was found necessary to obtain a special Act of Parliament empowering Councils to borrow to establish Gasworks. This cost £52/10/-, of which Lismore paid £17/10/-, December, 1886.
On September 12th, 1887, a number of ratepayers petitioned the Council to reject the proposal to establish a water supply.
The establishment of the Gasworks caused a long wrangle in the Council, culminating in the prosecution of Ald. Bernstein and the broker who obtained the loan on a charge of misappropriation. This charge was dismissed. Later Shorter and Stocks, Solicitors, put a bailiff into the Council Chambers, to recover their costs, but they withdrew him, and their costs being taxed, they made a substantial refund.
December 16, 1889. – Alfred Poolman appointed Water Engineer. Salary, £3 per week.
June 15th, 1891. – 3,700 acres, Parish Whian Whian, reserved for water supply for Lismore.
May 30, 1892. – Patrick Quinn appointed Inspector of Nuisances, Inspector Public Vehicles, Inspector of Dairies, Bailiff, and Officer under the Impounding Act, and Rate collector.
MR. J.F. O’FLYNN.
Mr. O’Flynn, who died two years ago, was one of Lismore’s stalwarts. Seven times Mayor, he was always a fighter, with progressive ideas, and at all times a tower of strength. The Lismore Foundry was established by him.
MUNICIPALITY OF LISMORE.
CURRENT STATISTICS.
Total estimated revenue for the year 1929…………………… £115,958
Total estimated expenditure, inclusive of loans moneys and advances
from the New South Wales Government …………………….. £151,000
Quarry Output for 1928 –
Metal ………………………………………. 16,383 tons
Metal screens …………………………………8,807 “
Gravel …………………………………………9,260 “
Total …………………………………………..34,450 tons
Sanitary and garbage services rendered for the year 1928 –
Sanitary ………………………………………..60,098 services
Garbage ………………………………………..74,836“
Gas works trading undertaking, 1928 –
Number of consumers, 1400.
Gas manufactured, 45,000,000 cubic feet.
Miles of reticulation, 25 miles.
Electricity works trading undertaking, established 1928 –
Number of consumers, lighting ……………………750
Industrial and domestic power ……………………..160
Miles of street, reticulated …………………………. 12
Connected load ………………………………………400 k. w.
Number of units sold, 1928 –
Lighting ………………………………………………226,976
Power ………………………………………………..110,021
Street Lighting –
Number of lamps and candle power ……………..9-500 watt
79-300 watt
340-80 watt
Water Supply –
Estimated population supplied ……………………. 9,000
Number of premises connected …………………….2,034
Annual consumption …………………………166,000,000 gals
Annual consumption, railway purposes …….…..8,650,000
Annual consumption, other industries …………16,558,000
Sewerage –
Number of premises connected ……………………..1,100
Public Cattle Markets – Returns for year 1928 –
Horses ……………………………………………………68
Cattle (over 2 years) ……………………………………8,387
Cattle (under 2 years) …………………………………3,613
Pigs …………………………………………………..24,494
Total fees collected ……………………………..…£441/4/9
LISMORE IN 1929.
Lismore has a population fast approaching 12,000, and is set in a district with a population of 60,000. This district is the finest, largest and richest dairying centre in the Commonwealth, indeed it is doubtful if the big scrub country is excelled for this purpose anywhere in the world.
North Coast butter and bacon are known everywhere as the standard of what such goods should be. In Lismore, Norco, Ltd., the big co-operative concern, has its largest branch with a peak output of 80 tons per week, and Foley Bros. turn out over 60 tons in the same period. The surrounding rolling country is of the highest fertility, and is densely covered with a beautiful crop of paspalum grass, while smiling homes dot the country side. Surely Dame Nature has treated us well.
Lismore’s position at the junction of the Richmond River with Wilson and Leycester Creeks, is an ideal one, the stream being navigable for 1000 tons boats right into the town. These boats arrive three times per week, and keep us in close touch with the Sydney markets.
In addition a daily mail and passenger train leaves and arrives from Sydney, while a train service, at least twice daily, connects with Murwillumbah, at one end, and Kyogle at the other.
Fine roads radiate from Lismore into the country centres like the spokes of a wheel, and bus and car services trade on these daily, while there is a fine daily service to and from Brisbane, via the Tweed River.
From a tourist and scenic point of view, Lismore and its surroundings offer many attractions, the beautiful grass clad hills and fertile slopes and plains provide a panorama of surpassing loveliness, stretching from Nimbin to the sea.
The city of Lismore itself has done much to make the lot of its people a comfortable one. It has most of the services which go to make a healthy and progressive community – water supply, electricity for light and power, gas, sewerage, clean streets, bituminous roads, municipal aerodrome, and footpaths, parks, swimming baths, bowling greens, tennis courts, golf links, musical societies and first-class educational facilities are all here, with many others that need not be enumerated.
In business matters stores of all kinds and hotels are quite up to date.
Within twenty miles of the sea, the climate is pleasant and healthful, a study of this book will reveal the fact that there are scores of people living here over eighty years of age, who are natives, or came here over sixty years ago. Surely a sufficient proof of the healthy condition of life in Lismore.
Our people are ever ready to offer a warm welcome to visitors, and to assist them to enjoy their sojourn amongst us. Tourists will always find it easy to get any necessary advice.
Surrounded as it is by a veritable Garden of Eden, the rapid progress of the last fifty years is not surprising, but who would be so rash as to forecast the result of another such period? We can hope for much more expansion, and with display of wisdom for the future, similar to that of our pioneers, our fondest hopes should be realised, and Lismore of half a century hence should be a wonderful monument to its pioneers.

BRIEF PARAGRAPHS ABOUT OLD LISMORE PEOPLE.
The late C.E. Taylor taught in a school at Pinegrove, South Lismore, about 1877. This veteran has left a mark as an educationalist in this district that has no equal.
Mr. E.M.D. Spring, father of Miss G. Spring, also conducted a school at Yenrebar, Three Chain Road, South Lismore, for many years, commencing in the very early seventies.
“A HUSKING BEE”
Corn growing on the Richmond River 50 years ago was not a matter of disc ploughs, but the scrub was just felled and fired, and the seed put in with hoes, and when it grew it was picked and carried over the logs in bags to the barn.
It was husked on wet days and o’nights; lucky was the farmer who had an attractive daughter or two, for there was always help at husking time for him. It was remarkable how many young fellows had business along this way on wet days, or on moonlight nights. Of course the business may have been real, or on the other hand they might have called to see the girls. However, they often gave a hand to husk the corn for an hour or two, the girls doing their share, and giant cobs flew over the straddle, and white husks accumulated in piles and sometimes almost covered the huskers; a whisper – the husks covered many a sly squeeze, which was only manifested by the heightened colour of the maids’ cheeks, and then, to make the work go with a swing, songs and choruses almost raised the rafters of the old barn. Some of their songs (do they stir your memories you old timers ?), “Ben Bolt,” “Love Amongst the Roses,” “A Flower from My Angel Mother’s Grave,” “Red, White and Blue,” “Walking Home with Angeline.”
By this time mother came out and cried a halt, as tea had been prepared, and the huskers repaired to the house and regaled themselves with her scones, when this was done one of the visitors discovered that his concertina was at hand, and after some finessing on the part of the girls, father’s consent was obtained and the table and chairs being cleared out of the kitchen, the fun began in earnest, for then, as now, the young folk liked nothing so well as a dance, and they did dance, not a shuffle round the room, nor was it jazz, but a fine wholesome affair that required some skill.
And their waltz tunes ! Do you remember “Ehren on the Rhine” and “Sweet Dreamland Faces” ? and the old stuff they played for the Lancere? Phew – it stirs my blood now to think of it all. The horses used to get terribly tired tied up to the fence. They would rest first one foot and then the other, and occasionally whinney to catch the attention of their owners, but the owners were busy on more important matters, and until father and mother made it clear that it was time for Lothario to get off home the horses got no relief. You have heard of the “good-bye at the door” no doubt, but it was nothing to the good-bye at the fence after the husking bees. Ah, well, I’ve been back to a pleasant interlude in a long life, very pleasant indeed, and – oh yest – that’s my grand-daughter and her “boy” just come in, and yes – scones and tea. It seems this sort of thing is both ancient and modern, and boys and girls are much the same as they were 50 years ago.
A STORY OF 1865
In the year 1865 Jack and Mary Thomson, of Bald Hill (now known as Bexhill) spent many an anxious hour. Their daughter Nellie, married a year before to young Barrett, had gone to live at Simpson’s Town, at the mouth of the Brunswick River, where the young husband was engaged in cutting cedar logs for a Ballina timber merchant – Charles Jarrett. The first baby was expected, and there was not a white woman living anywhere near the expectant mother. The parents could not bear to think of their daughter being left to the care of some black gin, but the distance that separated mother and daughter seemed prohibitive. The older people came to the Richmond River from London, and the task of riding 40 miles through jungle and over flooded creeks seemed an impossible one to them.
They talked the matter over with two neighbours, hard working and hard drinking bachelors, and pointed out that their girl should not be alone in her hour. The neighbours, Brian and Dan, did not know much of such matters, but they did appreciate the mother’s feelings. They owned a stout boat built of red cedar, made by Fred west, of Gundurimba, 12ft. long, and designed to stand the wear and tear of running out log timber from the creeks.
To Brian and Dan the matter seemed simple – they owned a rowing boat, and Simpson’s Town was at the mouth of a river, Bexhill was on another river, the miles of open Pacific between the river entrance to them appeared of no great consequence. Next morning Brian and Dan, with young Sandy Brown as a companion, and with Mrs. Thompson, were on the river at Lismore, bound for Ballina, 70 miles away.
Each of the men had a pair of oars, and all day long they pulled steadily, with only one halt for food. River reach after river reach was left behind as the four oars dipped in unwearying monotony. The party left Lismore with the tide, but before they had gone far this changed, and checked their progress slightly. For many miles the thick scrub lined the banks of the stream, broken here and there by a swamp, occasionally the party saw by some cleared patch of the men responsible for the clearings. At first they talked freely, but as the sun rose higher and beat down more and more strongly on the people in the boat, Mrs. Thomson became drowsy, and snatched a sleep, the oarsmen dropping their conversation for fear of waking her. Later, the woman and the boy tried a few songs to vary the tedious way. After a mid-day meal the “voyage” was continued, the men pulling with the same tireless stroke. A breeze sprang up and, as the sun began to sink, the millions of brightly plumaged birds that habited the scrub set up their calling. Camp was made for the night, and, after an early breakfast, the journey was resumed. Throughout another long day the oars dipped and rose till, in the evening, the last bend was rounded and Ballina came in sight.
At Ballina they stayed for the night and, with next morning’s ebb tide, pulled out over the bar and headed their boat north. Once again they pulled all day up the lonely coastline, never a sign of habitation, and then, as the sun was sinking, crossed the bar of Brunswick. There old Jack Simpson piloted them in to a safe anchorage, and then guided them to a slab hut in the trees.
It was some reward for the labours of Brian and Dan, who did not look for a reward, to know that they were just in time. It was no wonder that the boy who first saw light the next morning was christened Brian Daniel by Abbe Schurr. Hard drinking, hard living days, hard working, soft hearted men. With the man newly entitled to the title of father the event was fittingly celebrated with some Jamaica rum. Mrs. Thomson was left to stay with her daughter and grandchild till some suitable opportunity of return presented itself, and Brian and Dan returned next day, by the same route they came. – R.W.

Output of this Single Factory is 80 tons per week.

LOOKING SOUTH, 1877. Note Waterhole.
A GREAT BATTLE IN LISMORE.
There was a dispute between aborigines about the year 1858, the council of the offending tribe declining to give the satisfaction demanded, the result being the severing of diplomatic relationship, and the formal declaration of war. Then great preparations were made for the battle, and each tribe was joined by other tribes from every part of the Big Scrub, all preparing their weapons and adorning their persons with fantastic colours in hot haste. The news of the impending hostilities spread like wild fire, and in an incredibly short time detachments had arrived from as far away as Brisbane and Mount Lindesay (Unumgar). At length, when the armies were mobilised they took up positions on what is now the Court House Hill and the Hospital Hill, the surrounding locality as far out as Goonellabah being alive with dizzily excited natives. In all, the actual belligerents numbered about six hundred, fairly evenly divided, fearsomely decorated and armed to the teeth. All at once, with hoarse yells and piercing battle shrieks, the armies were seen to be moving, and soon afterwards as they charged along the flats the withering showers of spears were exchanged. As the deadly weapons hissed through the air, with almost superhuman agility, the blacks leapt into the air as high as three feet, many of the spears passing harmlessly beneath them, while some had such force that they pierced two men at once. Yet on they came in undaunted ferocity, until at last, despite the storms of spears, boomerangs, and other missiles, the tribes met in ghastly hand to hand conflict. Tomahawks were aimed with terrible precision, and the scene became one of indescribable savagery, but both sides displayed marvellous skill in warding off the blows. Off all the combatants, the fiercest of all were the women, who fought with the sticks, six or seven feet long, which they used for digging up yams, but now sharpened to a razor’s edge. And so the fight proceeded with unabated energy. When one side seemed to be getting the worst of it one of the tribes assisting the other side would go over, again equalising the respective strengths.
There would be a slight retreat, and then at each other again, veritably with tooth and nail, in the sweltering heat of the day, the dense scrub on all sides echoing and re-echoing the wild shouts of agony or demoniac glee, a weird and terrible sight. When noon came and the sun was at its height both sides were well nigh exhausted, and an armistice was proclaimed, the armies retiring to their respective hills, and resting and refreshing themselves under the cool trees. This primeval warfare did not mean appalling slaughter, and we are not quite certain if any were actually killed, but fearful wounds were inflicted, and at midday many were hors de combat. When the combatants had conquered their weariness, two or three of the more daring warriors from the Hospital Hill raced down to within earshot of the camp of the Court House Hill and made unpleasant jibes. This was the signal for the recommencement of hostilities, and soon the battle commenced again in full force, and was waged with terrific energy until sundown. Then was the battle lost and won, then was the Bullen Bullen done. Certainly the battle was done, but which side won it was hard to say. However, they knew and recognised the victors, and that was quite sufficient.
It was evident that in the young days of the elder blacks terrible ravages had been worked by an epidemic of smallpox, and it was said that the infection was brought to them by a runaway convict from Brisbane, who was making his way along the coast, and made friends and stayed with them. In the early days the blacks were good workers, but had developed a rather disconcerting partiality for white man’s cattle, and depredations were frequent, a significant fact being that they never seemed to lack a good round meal of beef. They were not cannibals. Usually the aboriginal men were not clean shaven, the beards of some reaching a length of two feet. When they did perform this attention to their toilet, however, it was not inspired with a view to improving their personal appearance, but for the purpose of making a waist belt to hold weapons, etc. The process was rather more laborious than was really necessary, the practice being to wax the beard with black bee’s wax and then pluck it out. When at war, the aborigine tied his hair into a knot and secured it with a native dog’s tail.
Besides being highly superstitious, these people had many peculiar customs and amongst others, the system of scarification, so prevalent amongst coloured races, was quite universal. When a youth reached man’s estate, and the time for his scarification’s arrived, of his own free will he immersed himself in the cold water of a creek (generally in the winter time), and, upon coming out, he was held down by several other men, while others beat his chest with nettles, and then one took a sharp flint and drew it across the young man’s chest, inflicting a deep cut. Contrary to supposition, no preparation was placed in the would, but the young man was placed in the charge of two of the boldest old blacks in the tribe and at once removed to a fire, where the wound was dried, but until it was quite healed he was not allowed to converse with anybody. In its healing stages it would be doctored with possum fat. This unpleasant custom, known as Cumbungerry, practically died out about 20 years ago.
EARLY POLICE HISTORY
From information supplied we gather that the first police officer in Lismore was a Mr. Hughes, father of Mrs. T. Exton, subsequently followed by Messrs. Whatham and O’Rourke. It is quite possible that these were what was known as constables, i.e., not full time men, but had other occupations, and were simply used to maintain order when required ; but later Mr. D. Hogan, the much loved, handsome Irishman, came along, and put in all his life on the Richmond. A kindly man, many good stories are told of him. He rarely locked a man up, and was most forbearing, but when necessary he was a rough customer. He was in charge in Lismore in the seventies, and was for a while assisted by Mr. Jno. Anschau, afterwards Postmaster.
MR. JAMES BAILLIE.
The late Mr. Baillie was one of Lismore’s first blacksmiths, Mr. J. Simes being the other. An up-to-date, progressive man, Mr. Baillie did much to forward Lismore’s interest, and at one time owned the corner now occupied by the Royal Hotel. A reference to the old files of the “Northern Star” shows that he was always in the forefront in public matters. He established a sugar mill in 1873 on Leycester Creek.
MR. R.J. SPINKS, J.P.
Mr. Spinks sat in the Council for some years, and was Mayor on seven occasions. He worked hard and faithfully to push Lismore forward. Mr. Spinks now resides in Manly.
MR. W. LOCKETT, J.P.
Mr. Lockett came to Lismore in 1877, and was a blacksmith by trade. From his arrival here he interested himself in all public matters, and was for over 20 years an alderman. He was twice Mayor. The School of Arts, A. and I. Society, and Lismore Hospital owe much to him for his efforts on their behalf. He was for many years President of the Hospital. Mr. Lockett is now 80 years of age, resides in Diadem Street, Lismore.
MR. C.A. BARHAM, TOWN CLERK AND CLERK OF WORKS, LISMORE, 1888 TO 1924
Mr. Barham, who was associated with the timber industry at Lismore and Sydney, was appointed Town Clerk and Clerk of Works in 1888, and retired as Town clerk in 1924. During that time he saw the Municipality of Lismore grow from its humble birth to the bright and progressive town it is to-day. Gas undertaking, water, sewerage, sale yards, fire brigade and station were all started during his official career.
ENTERED on Record by me in Register of Patents, No. 8. Page 424, this fourteenth day of July, One Thousand eight hundred and sixty.
W. ELYARD,
For the Colonial Secretary and Registrar.
By His Excellency Sir William Thomas Denison, Knight Commander of the Most Honorable Order of the Bath, Governor General in and over all Her Majesty’s Colonies of New South Wales, Tasmania, Victoria, South Australia, and Western Australia, and Captain-General and governor-in-Chief of the Territory of New South Wales and its Dependencies, and Vice-Admiral of the same, &c., &c., &c.
To Henry Garrard, Esquire, one of Her Majesty’s Justices of the Peace for the Territory of New South Wales :-
KNOW YOU, that I, Sir William Thomas Denison, the Governor General and Governor-in-Chief aforesaid, Do, by virtue of the power and authority in me vested, and with the advice of the Executive Council, hereby appoint and assign you to be and to perform the duties of Police and Stipendiary Magistrate for the Town of Casino, and Police District of Richmond River, together with such other duties as are, or shall be, from time to time directed to be performed by Police and Stipendiary Magistrates within their respective Districts, under the authority of any Act or Ordinance in force within this colony ; and to suppress all tumults, riots, affrays, or breaches of the Peace, all public nuisances, vagrancies, and offences against the Law within the said Town and District ; and to keep, and cause to be kept, all Acts, Ordinances, and Regulations for the good of the peace, and the preservation of the same, and for the quiet rule and government of the Liege Subjects of Our Sovereign Lady the Queen, in all and singular their article in the said Town of Casino and Police District of Richmond River, according to the force, form, and effect of the same ; and therefore I command You that to keeping the Peace, Acts, and Ordinances, and all and singular other the premises, you diligently apply yourself, and perform and fulfill them in the aforesaid form, doing therein what to justice appertains, according to the law and form of the said Acts, Ordinances, and Regulations, as aforesaid.
(SEAL)
GIVEN under my Hand and the Seal of the Territory, at Government House, Sydney, in New South Wales aforesaid, this Thirteenth day of July, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty. W. DENISON
By His Excellency’s Command, CHARLES COWPER.
Copy of certificate of appointment of late Mr. Garrard, of Bowen Creek, Police Magistrate.
POLICE MAGISTRATES.
The first record of a resident Police Magistrate is contained in the certificate of appointment of Mr. Henry Garrard. He was appointed in 1860, but there is no record of a court being established here then. Those invoking the aid of the law had to go to Casino.
Mr. H.S. Elliott was here in 1878. He lived at South Lismore, and died there. Elliott Road is named after him. He acted as P.M. at Lismore for some years.
The first official C.P.S. here was Mr. W. Carson, who was for some time secretary of the Lismore Hospital. Mr. Elliott was the returning officer at the first election of Aldermen, and Mr. Carson opened the first council books, and acted as Town Clerk until a permanent appointment was made.
THE PIONEER AS WE KNEW HIM.
A man of strong physique, mostly one who worked hard, drank hard, and fought hard, by the force of circumstances he had all these qualities, be they good or bad. No man or woman, weak either in body or mind, could have survived ; if such appeared on the scene, it was but a passing phase, they soon left for they could not earn an existence, and hard work was the only means that counted ; drones and spongers soon got short shrift, and were forced to find other fields for their talents, then all that survived were strong and vigorous, and many of them became noted “characters” in our small community.
Hard heads, hard fists and soft hearts were their chief attributes. We will never see their like again for conditions now are vastly different. Other times, other men and other methods, but memory lingers with the men and women of the past, they did their duty well and to them we owe much of our present comfort and prosperity. Just a silent toast to the “Memory of the Pioneers.”
This ends our story of the past 50 years. May those who compile the history of the next half century have as pleasant a task.
Lismore, Present and Future
The foregoing pages tell a story of rapid development that is a veritable “romance of progress.” The facts are simply set out, and there has been no attempt at elaboration. A vast amount of work was entailed in the collection of the data and, though no trouble was spared to verify facts and dates, it is realised that some of the statements are bound to be questioned. However, it is hoped that any criticisms offered will be of a constructive nature, tending to increase the knowledge of the rise and growth of the town. In a work of this size it has not been possible to do more than touch upon the salient features of the story – possibly not all of those – and to those who may be inclined to criticise the book on these grounds the limitations of space are offered as the reason for curtailment.
So much for Lismore of the past. A creditable past, when the foundations were laid for present prosperity and future progress. The present generation is not unmindful of the debt owed to the men who built so surely ; and the example they set, the standard they reached, has been maintained in more recent times. The town has never lacked men willing and able to steer progress along sound lines, and, like the tottering steps of the infant change to the quick paces of youth and then to the sure and steady stride of maturity, Lismore has passed through the infant and transition stages and is now planted firmly on the road of progress, and each year advances steadily at a greater speed.
POLICY JUSTIFIED
Life in Lismore is as many-sided as in any of the great centres of population, and it is not possible to do more than indicate a few of the many activities in this brief conclusion to the story of its growth. Early in the field with municipal services, making life easier and more comfortable to residents. Lismore intensified its effort to be regarded as the most modern country town in the Commonwealth as soon as the dread shadow of the Great War was lifted. Despite the increased cost of establishing such services the town was represented by men who had the courage of their convictions and believed that “nothing was too good for Lismore.” That their faith was justified has been abundantly proved, and the last three years have been an era of progress never previously equalled. Municipal services, such as electric and water supply, gas and sewerage, have been remodelled to such an extent that they may be said to have been transformed. Roads have been reconstructed and modern labour saving machinery installed wherever possible. The cost has been high, but it has been worth while, for the “hand” of progress has revivified dormant potentialities and private enterprise has responded with astonishing vigour to the encouragement of progressive administration. Business has expanded, houses and population increased, and Lismore has become widely known as a “good town in which to live.”
TENTACLES OF TRADE
One of the features of present-day Lismore is its ever-lengthening tentacles of trade, reaching further and further into a prosperous countryside. Commerce is the life blood of a nation, of a State, and of a town, and it pulses steadily and ever more strongly in the arteries – the crowded streets – of the “Queen city of the North.” Though the progress made has been great, it is still true that the potentialities of the closely settle Valley of the Richmond have not been more than scratched, and Lismore is so situated geographically that it has been and always will be the key town to the commercial possibilities of the North. The fact is recognised by keen business brains, and there is a continual and steady growth of trade. Yearly, almost daily, the town expands. A mere two years have seen a complete street of modern shops added to the main business block, almost the entire remodelling of another section, and scores of individual buildings. Bricks and mortar are tangible evidences of development.
Though to the unthinking majority the celebration of a jubilee may mean principally mirth and merriment, there is a section of the community that will join in the mood of the moment, but, at the same time, will give more than a passing thought to deeper things, will pause to give thanks to the God Who has so abundantly blessed a town and district that it has never ceased to advance. Religious beliefs have exercised a wonderful influence over Lismore’s population since the earliest days, but never more so than in 1929. If concrete evidence of abstract truth be possible then Lismore’s many churches, all with increasing congregations, substantiate the claim that citizens recognise the necessity of placing “first things first.” Most of the denominations have acknowledged that Lismore is the natural centre of their work in the district, have appointed able and earnest men in charge of that work, and the future holds still greater possibilities along these lines.
EDUCATION
Education is now given its proper place as one of the essentials of modern life, and Lismore offers its citizens educational facilities unequalled among the country towns of the State, for it is the only one to possess a first class High School and first class Rural School. Both the schools draw pupils from a wide area, and the enrolment at the High School is verging on the 400 mark, and that at the Rural School exceeds 1250. The latter school will this year
RICHMOND RIVER STEAMERS TO-DAY
secure an addition block of buildings, costing £20,000. Technical education is offered per medium of the Trades School, costing more than £10,000, to be opened this year. An additional primary school at South Lismore has an enrolment of several hundred, and Roman Catholic schools have more than 600 pupils enrolled. Statisticians say that every child has a definite calculable value to a nation – what is the value in terms of money of the thousands of children now attending schools in Lismore ? But little thought is required to show that these citizens-of-to-morrow mean continual progress to the town, for, in a comparatively few years the majority will be enjoying the full rights of citizenship, each with their own particular niche in the life of the town, all proud of their birth place and anxious to help further progress.

SCENIC BEAUTIES
Lismore is such a busy commercial centre that its claims for attention as the hub of a district possessing great attractiveness by reason of its scenic beauty, are not emphasised to the extent they deserve. As the spokes of a wheel radiate from the hub, so do the many roads radiate from Lismore and on every one of the roads there is much for the tourist to admire. Panoramas of fertile, beautiful countryside, intersected by scores of streams running to the main river, may be obtained from the numerous hills. Superb scenic vistas of smiling farms and golden beaches may be seen where the roads approach the coastline ; inland there are spots of surpassing loveliness where waterfalls in the virgin, sub-tropical scrub, cascade into deep pools mirroring the staghorns that cling to lofty giants of the scrub, tangled glades where orchids and rare ferns mingle in the beauty of Nature undefiled. In the town the severely practical considerations of earlier times have been replaced in more recent years by a sense of the fact that practical progress and town adornment can work in harmony. The result is that avenues of shady trees line the residential streets, parks are always being improved and additions made to provide for future needs. Almost in the centre of the town a beautiful park has recently been enlarged, and the fine new Town Hall built at a cost of £17,000 stands out from a fitting background. A recent addition to the park will set off a unique memorial to the men of the district who laid down their lives in the Great War. The memorial takes the form of one of the most modern swimming pools in the Commonwealth, entered through an imposing memorial building of distinctive, modern design. Parks are provided in North and South Lismore, a recreation ground is laid out with all the equipment necessary for sports of all kinds.
SPORTING ACTIVITIES
Sport plays an important part in Australian national life, and Lismore is well catered for in this respect. Every branch of sport has its devotees, and many hailing from Lismore have become known far beyond the boundaries of their town. As the natural centre of the district Lismore is the headquarters of many North Coast organisations controlling various sporting activities, and its sporting arenas attract teams of Empire-wide renown. Football and cricket, as the national games, are numerically strongest, and in the past few years sound administration in Lismore has given the town and district an honoured place in the State. On the river bank near the heart of the town the Lismore Bowling Club has thrived and increased in membership, boasts, one of the best greens in the state, and intends to construct another during jubilee year. Adjacent to this green the council is building a croquet lawn, and this “infant” promises to become a lusty one. Six tennis courts visited and praised by Commonwealth champions constitute the grounds of the Lismore Tennis Club, and there are numerous courts in other parts of the town. Golf is making an increasing appeal to the community, and the Lismore Golf club recently transferred its links, by permission of the council, to a park on the outskirts of the town, and already has one of the best links in the country parts of the State, and is improving these so rapidly that the claim will soon be extended to include the metropolitan areas. Two race clubs stage periodical meetings, attracting patrons from all parts of the district; swimming, rifle shooting, hockey, athletics, these and many other branches of sport have their followers, who are yearly increasing in numbers.
PUBLIC BODIES
A phase of Lismore life that would need many pages to do it justice is the interest taken in public affairs, evidenced by the many public bodies. Where their interest touch the administration of civic affairs they work in harmony with the municipal council, and also devote much time to their own special interests or to national questions. Public spirited men are pleased to give their time and energy to use the organisations to advance the best interests of the town and to press Lismore’s claims upon Governments. In this section of their activities they have been assisted by sympathetic members of Parliament. Senator Massy Green, formerly member of the House of Representatives for Richmond, and acknowledged to be one of the ablest men in the Commonwealth Parliament, did yeoman work for Lismore that will not soon be forgotten. He was succeeded by Mr. R.F.H. Green, M.H.R., elected (unopposed) for the third time in 1928, who has always evinced a willingness to attend to matters of local importance. With many years of experience of local conditions and acquainted with local government in all its branches, Mr. W.T. Missingham, M.L.A., has proved his worth to the town and district, of which he is proud.

Prominent among local organisations by reason of the varied nature of its work is the Lismore Chamber of Commerce. Its membership list includes all the prominent business men of the town, and the list and the enthusiasm of members grows with the passage of years. The North Coast Chamber of Manufactures set out to foster the infant industries called into being by the growing population of Lismore, and the increasing prosperity of the countryside, and has more than justified its existence. In the past Lismore has given the world some musicians of outstanding ability, whose names have become known on the concert platforms and in the theatres of the world. The musical talent of the town has been fostered and encourage by the Lismore Musical Festival Society, an organisation known far and wide in musical circles, and still developing on sound lines. The Lismore Agricultural and Industrial Society, Orchestral, Philharmonic and Choral Societies, Lismore Horticultural Society and the new established Horticultural Society of South Lismore, the various citizens’ associations concerned with some specific activity, Country Women’s association, Returned Soldiers’ League, all unite to form a homogenous many-faceted gem in the crown of the “Queen City of the North.” All have one thing in common, and that is that they are not moribund, but vigorous growths of a virile public life.
PUBLIC HEALTH STUDIED
Earlier in the book the story of the town’s interest in public health has been outlined, and it is an interest that has not waned with the passage of years. A wealthy community is not necessarily a happy community, but a healthy one usually is. The Municipal Council has recently intensified its efforts in this direction, and plans have been laid for further improvements that will make it outstanding in the State. Apart from the council’s efforts to secure a healthy community by minimising possible dangers, the citizens support two hospitals by public subscription – Lismore District Hospital and St. Vincent’s Hospital – and many private hospitals to care for the well-to-do. The Lismore District Ambulance Service is a lusty infant that has grown in a year from nothing, and this year, still suffering with growing pains, will add a third motor ambulance to the two at present owned. The town has always been fortunate in its medical practitioners, but now, though medical men are always reticent on the subject, it is apparent to any layman that the sick and suffering of the North Coast are turning more and more towards the well-equipped surgeries of the town in preference to the far away cities. The North Coast Children’s Home serves a district much larger than Lismore, and no citizen acquainted with this institution would hesitate to praise the work of Canon Moore and his committee of enthusiasts.
IDENTICAL INTERESTS
Through all the years that have passed the men guiding the destiny of the town have never forgotten that its growth was due to the surrounding countryside. Lismore has progressed in conformity with the development of its surroundings. There has never been a marked division between the townspeople and the farming community, in fact the two have to a large extent been interchangeable. Their interest are identical and must remain so. Primary production in the Valley of the Richmond has seen great changes in the past, it is not stationary to-day, and will continue to develop. Changes, almost unnoticeable from year to year, are taking place and, as the economic pressure intensifies, primary production alters to meet the altered requirements. Compared with countries that have been settled and intensively farmed for many hundreds of years the Richmond River district, although one of the most closely settled in the Commonwealth, is only sparsely inhabited. Present indications are that time will change this. The acreage of farms will shrink and more intensive farming will follow. Side by side with this development Lismore, too, will continue to grow. Part of its growth will be due to natural increases of population, an assumption supported by the present attendance at schools ; part will be due to the growing rural population ; part of its growth will be due to modern scientific advances in transportation tending to widen its trading radius ; and still a further reason for growth will be the town improvements and extension of municipal services that will go to make life more enjoyable. All these and some others that will occur to persons interested in particular branches of human endeavour will play a part in the development to come.
Lismore has been well built. The men of the past built for to-day ; the men of the present are building for the future. The past has been good, the present is better, but the future, beyond that it will transcend anything previously known – who can say ? When Lismore celebrates its centenary the men of to-day will be gone, but they will not be forgotten. To-day we look back over the fifty golden milestones on the pioneers, and say : “Honour these men, they built well.” The citizens of the future will look back as we do to-day, will con the records of the men of the jubilee year, of the 1920’s, and say : “Honour these men, they even surpassed their forebears.”
Acknowledgement of Thanks and Apology
There have been so many people who have supplied old-time photographs and contributed historical data to this souvenir booklet that the Committee finds it impossible to personally thank everybody, and, this is by way of a collective grateful acknowledgement to all such for their very valuable advice, co-operation and assistance.
Quite a number of the photos supplied were very old and faded, and therefore necessarily difficult of reproduction, but their inclusion is because of their historic value and interest, even at the expense of the blockmaker’s art and technique.
Compiled, Edited and Published
by
The Lismore Jubilee Souvenir Booklet Committee
Robert White (Chairman), the Mayor (Ald.
C. McKenzie), Rev. Canon A. G. Moore,
C.A. Barham, Jno. W. Nelson,
W. H., Lewis (Convener)
LISMORE
Wholly set up, Block made and
Printed by
NORTHERN STAR LIMITED
Modern Photos by W. G. Parker
and “Northern Star”
Copyright expired.