Richard William Mackie Waddy

 

Richard William Mackie Waddy (1848–1933) was Deputy Post-Master-General and Superintendent of Telegraphs in South Australia.

He was born in Kapunda on 26 April 1858. The first child of Dr Edward Waddy and Jane Waddy (nee Russell).

Edward Waddy was the first Kapunda Mines doctor. The family left Kapunda and moved to Kooringa, then Mount Barker, and later Strathalbyn. Waddy was educated the Strathalbyn Public School, where he finished top of his class. In 1860, at the age of 12, he was offered a position at the local Telegraph Office, which he took.

 Waddy worked his way up through the ranks of the telegraph office, which later merged with the postal office. He held many important positions including; Operator, Cashier, Clerk in charge of Foreign Accounts, Corresponding Clerk, Secretary of the State Postal and Telegraph Service, Chief Clerk of the Commonwealth Postal and Telegraph Service, and from 1905 until 1913 as Deputy Postmaster-General and Superintendent of Telegraphs in South Australia.

Waddy married Alice Mary Simpson Vercoe on 4 December 1870. Together they had seven children;

Mary Ruth Waddy (1871–1908)

Francis Edward Waddy (1873–1964)

Ernest Winthrop Waddy (1875–1952)

Richard Edgar Waddy (1878–1880)

Egbert Harold Waddy 91882–1945)

Ethel Alice Waddy (1885–?)

Theodore Milroy Waddy (1888–1958)

 

Alice Waddy died on 21 October 1933 at Glenelg, South Australia.

Richard Waddy died on 3 November 1933 at Glenelg, South Australia.

 

 

1933, Chronicle, 9 November, p. 18., http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-page8668039

1913 'TOO OLD AT 65.', The Advertiser, 11 January, p. 6., http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article5362492

SLSA: https://collections.slsa.sa.gov.au/resource/B+422

 

Researched by Allen Tiller 2021.

 Dr. Edward Waddy

Dr Edward Waddy was born at Dudley, England on 27 August 1815. He was Baptised on 10 Sep 1815 at Saint Thomas, Dudley, Worcester, England.
Waddy came to South Australia in 1846 as a Medical Practitioner and settled at Kapunda. 

He married Jane Russell on 11 January 1847 at the Holy Trinity Church, North Terrace, Adelaide. 

Jane and Edward had four children:

Richard William Mackie Waddy (1848–1933)

Ann Eliza Waddy (1850–1892)

Jane Russell Waddy (1852–1879)

Edward Russell Waddy (1855–1856)

Jane died on 17 April 1863 at Strathalbyn aged 34. 

Two years later Waddy married Mary Thomas James at St Paul's in Adelaide on 20 June 1865. Waddy worked as the Clerk of the Strathalbyn Local Court for 21 years before his death.

Dr Edward Waddy died at 'The Briars' Strathalbyn on 31 October 1878.


From the Southern Argus:

It is with regret that we (Southern Argus) have to record the death of one of our oldest townsmen, Mr. Edward Waddy, which took place at his residence, Strathalbyn, on Thursday last. Mr. Waddy had always been in good health until within the last two or three months, when it was painfully evident that he was fast breaking up. Latterly he was confined to his house, and his critical state caused much anxiety to his friends.
 He seemed daily to grow worse, until death terminated ius earthly career on October 31, _

We understand that the deceased studied for the medical profession in England, but. like many others in the early days of the colony he came out here without having taken his diploma. Shortly after his arrival he was ' appointed Clerk of the Local Court at Mount Barker, but when a Court was established at Strathalbyn, he was removed to take the Clerkship here, and has held the position ever since. The deceased has been in the Government service for some twenty-two or twenty-three years, and has always been regarded as an efficient officer. Ia . the discharge of his duties he was always, cheerful and obliging. About two years since

the local magistracy and the members of the legal profession showed their appreciation oE his services and kindliness of disposition by presenting him with a handsome souvenir.

With his superior education, and a long experience in the -practice and procedure of the Court, the late Mr. Waddy's advice and counsel was always of great assistance to the lay Magistrates presiding in his Court. By reason of his official position, he was prevented from taking a prominent part in public matters.

He took considerable interest in the affairs of the local Institute; and. was for many years a member of the Committee of Management.

His familiar face will.be much missed in the town, and his death again reminds us that the number of our old colonists is fast diminishing.

His remains were interred at the Strathalbyn Cemetery on Friday last, the Bev. J.F. Henderson officiating at' the grave. In addition to the family and relatives of the deceased there was a goodly number at the grave, among whom we noticed the leading residents in the town and district.

SLSA: B44124

1863 'Family Notices', The South Australian Advertiser, 22 April, p. 2., http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article31822702

1878 'WILMINGTON, NOVEMBER 6.', South Australian Chronicle and Weekly Mail,  9 November, p. 21.,  http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article92263553

North Kapunda Hotel Advertisements. 

 

THE BUSHMAN BUYS AN AXE.

THE BUSHMAN BUYS AN AXE.

I met him in Carlson's hardware store

   he came to buy an axe,

And well I knew that process would

   the shopman's patience tax;

For Bill and Jack will take advice

   when buying boots or clothes,

But there are points about an axe no

   city shopman knows:

It must have balance, edge, and fall,

   be thin of blade and keen.

But tempered well for hard grey box,

   As well as timbers green.

May'hap this tall and sun-tanned man

   from Gippsland hillsides came,

Where axework plays a major part,

   and men must know the game;

For strength and skill, and nerves of

   I steel are needed day by day

By those who on the springboard

   stand, while forest monarchs sway.

My thoughts were straying back

   again to hills that I once knew,

And on the rugged slopes I stood,

   where giant Blackbuts grew.

Once more I heard the axes ring, I

   saw the bright steel flash.

There came a creak, a groan, a thrill

   of some great Mountain Ash,

That, stricken, tottered on its stump,

   thundering 'rousing to earth.

It crashed to wake the sleeping bush

   and still the birdland mirth.

I heard the maul and wedges thud,

   the crosscut biting deep,

While bullock teams were winding,

   slow around the hillside steep.

There axe a'shoulder. once I strode,

   where youth and strength held sway,

For tasks were lighter then than now.

   the hardest work seemed play.

In envy of that bushman tall, I walked the busy street.

   Still musing on the timbered slopes,

where trees and skylines meet,

   For bush-bred folk will ever dream of

hills and winding tracks.

   As I was dreaming there that day the

bushman bought an axe.

                   -A. R. Summers.

                    Kapunda.

First published in 1937 in The Kapunda Herald on the 9th of July, 1937. ( http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article108402170 ) 

A. Carlson owned 26 Main Street, Kapunda. The building was used as a hardware store, with the rear premises used to build water tanks. In 1933, Carlson rebuilt the front of the shop, installing the green tiles that are still visible today!

“Vote Yes!” – Kapunda’s WWI Conscription Battle

“Vote Yes!” – Kapunda’s WWI Conscription Battle

Kapunda Herald, 13 Oct 1916

In August 1916, Australian Prime Minister William Morris Hughes announced that the question of compulsory overseas service would be put to the people in a referendum.
Hughes was under pressure from the British to provide extra reinforcements from Australia in Europe.

In Kapunda, conscription meetings were held for the yes vote and the no vote. A No vote meeting, held at Kapunda Institute and hosted by Kapunda mayor S. E. Hancock, saw a very large turnout of Kapunda’s population, with a large base of women.
Arguments for either side were very heated. Those who opposed conscription were labelled as disloyal to Australia.


The feeling toward those who were voting yes to conscription in Kapunda was much worse. Posters and banners promoting the yes vote were torn down by no voters. Eggs were thrown at shop fronts and townsfolk chose to vote with their money, with shops that displayed a “vote yes” banner feeling the economic pinch when “no voters” refused to use their services or buy their goods.


The referendum was held on 28 October 1916 and resulted in 1 087 557 votes for and 1 160 033 against. New South Wales, Queensland and South Australia voted ‘No’.

Researched and written by Allen Tiller ©2019

References:

1916 'National Service Referendum. Alleged Victimization.', Kapunda Herald, 13 October, p. 2. , viewed 06 Mar 2019, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article124986543

1916 'National Service. Anti-Conscription Meeting at Kapunda.', Kapunda Herald, 20 October, p. 3. , viewed 06 Mar 2019, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article124986644

1916 'National Service.', Kapunda Herald, 27 October, p. 3. , viewed 06 Mar 2019, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article124986721

State Library of New South Wales (2014) Australia’s Conscription Debate, https://ww1.sl.nsw.gov.au/stories/australias-conscription-debate

Dutton Park Continentals

Dutton Park Continentals

Recently, while searching through an envelope containing my long-deceased grandmother, Audrey Tiller’s (nee Tremaine) belongings, a small cardboard ticket, previously unseen by me, fell from the folds of the envelope onto the floor.

 The cardboard, upon inspection, turned out to be a ticket to an event in Dutton Park, Kapunda. The event marked as the 2nd of March 1904 was before my grandmother’s birth in 1913. This makes me wonder if the cardboard ticket belonged to my great-grandmother, Florence May Tremaine (nee Hazel).
 

A 'Continental' is a fundraising fete. In this circumstance, the ladies of Kapunda had organised a Continental to raise money that would help erect a new grandstand-pavilion at Kapunda’s Dutton Park.
 The event had a carnival-like atmosphere and was held on a Wednesday throughout the afternoon, into the evening. Organisers estimated that around 500 people arrived for the event. Each charged 6d. ($3.92* in today’s money) raising 16 Pounds ($2,506.49*).

The day began with a procession from the Post Office on Main Street, along Hill Street, then Baker Street into Dutton Park. The procession contained the Kapunda Brass Band, members of local friendly societies in their regalia, and several pushbike riders in colourful costumes.

 

Dutton Park Memorial Gates 1905
SLSA: B29965

Events on offer at the continental included a slow bicycle race. An orange-eating contest, where oranges were hung from strings, and boys had to catch, then eat the hanging oranges. Various sporting events, including running races across various distances, egg and spoon races, obstacle races, a potato race (I don’t know what that is?) and a wheelbarrow race.

 In the evening, there was a fashion show of local ladies wearing their homemade gowns and also a skating rink which was put together for the local children to keep them entertained while the adults watched the procession on the stage.
 Stage shows of various musicians, singers and comedy acts also played, but were often drowned out by the noise of the crowd on the skating rink. Also present were several carnival side-shows, including a fortune teller, Professor Snipeman.

 The event was considered a great success, and plans were made to hold further continentals in the same year to raise more money toward improving Dutton Park.

Researched and written by Allen Tiller © 2019

References: 

*Calculations for inflation from pre-decimal currency to decimal currency done at https://www.rba.gov.au/calculator/annualPreDecimal.html

1904 'MEETINGS.', Kapunda Herald (SA: 1878 - 1951), 25 March, p. 5. , viewed 23 Feb 2019, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article108328931

1904 'DUTTON PARK.', Kapunda Herald (SA: 1878 - 1951), 20 May, p. 5. , viewed 23 Feb 2019, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article108329690

1904 'DUTTON PARK.', Kapunda Herald (SA: 1878 - 1951), 15 April, p. 5. , viewed 23 Feb 2019, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article108329238
Photo: https://collections.slsa.sa.gov.au/resource/B+29965

James Crase

James Crase was born in Penryn, Cornwall (UK) in 1819 to George and Elizabeth Crase (nee Harris).^[1] James also had two brothers and two sisters; Mary Ann (1802 - 1823), Henry (1826 - 1868), Elizabeth (1826 – 1902) and Thomas (1831 - 1844).^[2] James was baptised at St Gluvias Church on the 28th of February 1819 in the Parish of St Gluvias Cornwall.^[3]

  George Crase worked as a butcher, a trade in which his son, James would later follow.^[4]

  James emigrated to Australia on board the Waterloo. The vessel left London on 13 June 1840, stopping at Falmouth on 5 July 1840. It then sailed under Captain George Robinson, arriving at Port Adelaide on 8 November 1840.^[5]

  James returned to Cornwall to marry Mary Ann Vivian Moyle, on the 3 May 1847, at Camborne, Cornwall. James’s occupation was listed as “miner”, whilst Mary’s was listed as a “spinster”. They were married by Father Banns, with the ceremony witnessed by Thomas Bawden and John Duckham.^[6]

 Mr Crase first worked in Port Adelaide building embankments that helped keep the seawater out of the township. He later lived in Kensington, and eventually moved to Allen’s Creek near Kapunda. In 1847 he worked as a miner at the Allen’s Creek Mine, from which he saved enough money to open his own business in Kapunda, a butcher and slaughterhouse.
 Crase opened a butcher store in Hill Street, where the information centre stands today. He worked as a butcher, but also as a stock dealer and wheat trader. He soon had enough money to invest in a farm on Clare Road, on which he would sometimes host sporting or social events.

Crase left Kapunda for the Victorian goldfields during the gold rush of 1852. It is thought this may have been where the money came from that later allowed him to improve his hotel and invest heavily in other areas of the town. He travelled to Melbourne from Adelaide on board the barque, Dreadnought, in September in 1852.^[7]  Crase returned to Adelaide, from Melbourne on the steamer, 'Cleopatra' on the 8 May 1853, returning from the Victorian Gold Fields.^[8]

 

Upon returning from the Victorian Goldfields, now flush with cash, Crase renewed his slaughtering licence, which was first granted in 1851, and re-granted in July 1853.^[9] James’ address was listed as Section 1401, at North Kapunda.^[10]

In 1854, James Crase purchased the North Kapunda Arms Hotel, which he would own for around 22 years. In 1865, Crase invested huge sums of money into his hotel, and rebuilt it in 1865, in readiness for a royal visit from Prince Alfred.
 James Crase served on Kapunda’s first council as the elected member of East Ward.

Crase was heavily involved in local goings-on and was a founding member of the local branch of the Oddfellows (M.U.) and the Foresters Lodge.

 

Mary Crase, who was well known, and much loved across South Australia, died in November 1884, which dramatically changed James’ life.^[11]  He retired from work in 1890 and moved to Dulwich to live with his daughter. James Crase died on 8 May 1905 at Dulwich, he was 85 years old. He was buried the following day at the Clare Road Cemetery alongside his wife, Mary.^[12]

A memorial for Mary from her daughters: "In loving memory of father and mother, who died May 8, 1905, and November 9, 1884. Not forgotten. —inserted by loving daughters, Mary, Lizzie, and Nellie." ^[13]

 

Researched and written by Allen Tiller © 2018

Thanks to Jacki Williams for the link to a photo of Mr James Crase - obtained from the State Library of South Australia: [B 76601] - https://collections.slsa.sa.gov.au/resource/B+76601

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[1] "Pedigree Resource File," database, FamilySearch(https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/2:2:SGJX-BDF : accessed 12 September 2018), entry for James /Crase/; file (2:2:2:MMSM-GYN), submitted 4 May 2011.

[2] James Crase in household of George Crase, Camborne, Cornwall, England, United Kingdom; from "1841 England, Scotland and Wales census," citing PRO HO 107, The National Archives, Kew, Surrey.

[3] Gill Hart and Bill O’Reilly, ‘James Crase’, Cornwall OPC Database, (2021), http://www.cornwall-opc-database.org/search-database/more-info/?t=baptisms&id=2053023.

[4] Ibid.

[5] Diane Cummings, Waterloo 1840, State Library of South Australia, (2017), https://bound-for-south-australia.collections.slsa.sa.gov.au/1840Waterloo.htm.; 'SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.', Adelaide Chronicle and South Australian Literary Record, (11 November 1840), p. 3.

[6] http://www.cornwall-opc-database.org/search-database/more-info/?t=marriages&id=1045477.

[7] 1852 'SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.', South Australian Register (Adelaide, SA: 1839 - 1900), 30 September, p. 2., viewed 13 Sep 2018, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article38459800.

[8] 1853 'SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.', South Australian Register (Adelaide, SA: 1839 - 1900), 11 May, p. 3., viewed 13 Sep 2018, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article38462630.

[9] 1853 'BENCH OF MAGISTRATES.', South Australian Register (Adelaide, SA: 1839 - 1900), 5 July, p. 3., viewed 13 Sep 2018, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article48548113.

[10] 1851 'BENCH OF MAGISTRATES.', Adelaide Observer (SA: 1843 - 1904), 13 September, p. 8., viewed 13 Sep 2018, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article165042820.

[11] 1884 'Family Notices', Kapunda Herald (SA: 1878 - 1951), 11 November, p. 2., viewed 13 Sep 2018, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article106579948.

[12] "THE LATE MR. JAMES CRASE." Kapunda Herald (SA: 1878 - 1951) 12 May 1905: 5. Web. 13 Sep 2018 <http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article108433836>.

[13] 1884 'Family Notices', South Australian Register (Adelaide, SA: 1839 - 1900), 10 November, p. 2., viewed 13 Sep 2018, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article43807190.