A Slice of History…

Eltham Post Office & Telephone Office

Commencing on Saturday last, (1908) the Eltham Post & Telegraph Office will be closed each Saturday at 1 p.m. This will afford the official in charge, Miss Windsor, a weekly half-holiday. Mails which ordinarily close at 2.30 and 5.30, will close at 1 p.m. The key of the telephone bureau will be left in charge of some reliable resident for use in case of emergency.

Northern Star
4/5/1908 page 2

Lantana on Roads

Residents along some of the roads towards Clunes - and main roads as well as bye roads, are loud in their complaints about the way in which lantana is growing. This is in places makes the tracks very narrow. One ratepayer who noticed the recent paragraph in the “Star” re the growth on the road to Boatharbour, while agreeing work is needed there, states that unless the shire council takes action soon some of the shire roads will get in the same condition.

Northern Star
7/5/1908 page 2

Persimmons at Market

We (Northern Star) received from Mr. Charles Stewart, of Rosebank, a very fine lot of persimmons, grown on his farm in that district. The fruit was the largest we have seen here or on the Sydney market. Many of them measured 12in. in circumference and 11 1/2in. round the other way. They were the seedless variety, and we understand, the produce of a tree about four years old. They were of splendid flavour. Evidently the Rosebank soil suits the persimmon.

Northern Star
11/5/1908 page 2

A late Night of Festivities at Rosebank - Presentation to Mr. J. Parmenter

Fair dealings are appreciated and the truth of this was pleasingly extrapolated on Tuesday night last, when a large number of friends assembled at the residence of Mr. J. Parmenter (Senr), Rosebank, to make him a presentation as a token of the esteem in which he was held by them and to express their gratitude for the manly way in which he executed his duties as a cream-carrier for the district for a number of years.

Mr. C. Frazer occupied the chair, and a brief and appropriate speech eulogized Mr. Parmenter’s characteristic, manly qualities, and then presented him with a beautiful shaving set, which had been selected by the energetic and capable committeemen, Messrs. W.B. Hepburn and W.H. Weir. Mr. A. Quirk then presented Mr. Parmenter with a beautiful silver mounted pipe and a chamois leather tobacco pouch as a token of their appreciation for his energetic qualities; and for the same reason, Mr. W. Sheppardson presented Mr. E. Parmenter with a silver mounted pipe.

Mr. W.B. Hepburn also spoke of the good qualities of Mr. Parmenter, after which Mr. Parmenter and his two sons responded. Immediately after the presentation, the room was cleared and dancing indulged in. Mr. W.B. Hepburn, who had the combined duties of secretary and M.C. kept things going with a vim to the excellent music supplied by Mr. J. Ryder until half past midnight.

Northern Star
18/5/1908 page 3

Thrilling Adventure at Bexhill

Narrow Escape from Fatal Catastrophe

Horse and sulky swept away

Horse drowned

Lady driver unaided struggles ashore

Loses her money and effects.

The old crossing at Bexhill yesterday just above Bexhill bridge, witnessed a very thrilling adventure, and it would have been a most sensational sight could have been seen.

Miss Meskell, of Rosebank, was the unfortunate, and at the time, it may be said, very fortunate actress in what could be termed a third rate drama of one act. Miss Meskell had obtained a loan of a horse and sulky to drive to Lismore. She got along all right and the trip under ordinary circumstances would have been uneventful; but on reaching Bexhill bride, near Boatharbour, she thought of giving the horse a drink, which it had not since starting from Bangalow, and she turned off to cross at the ford as she had often done previously.

Unfortunately she did not give thought to the fact that the creek would be swelling with the recent rain, a condition which she only realised when too late to turn back. The horse being thirsty went into the water without hesitation and commenced to drink; but following the current, as horses do, in those circumstances, was soon in trouble by getting into deep water. No one was present to render aid, and Miss Meskell, without wasting any breath by screaming, and realizing that the only hope was to abandon the vehicle and try and reach the bank, she took the opportunity, while the horse was plunging about and had came near the bank to jump out. The water was very deep, but she fortunately had struck a shoal place where the water was only up to her neck and she scrambled ashore. The horse was swept away with the vehicle, the former being drowned, and all Miss Meskell’s effects, purse (containing silver) water proof cloak, and other effects were lost and the lady stood on the bank drenched.

She was about to start to walk to Lismore, but Mr. Woods, of the New Firm was out for a drive and, although having only a two seated sulky, made room for Miss Meskill, and brought her to Lismore. The sulky will probably be recovered, but we are afraid that in the turbid water none of the contents will be found.

It was a most fortunate escape from drowning for Miss Meskell, who we understand was none the worse for her experience. She reported the occurrence to the police so as to avoid any chance of them being sent on a mission to investigate if anyone should find the drowned horse or any of the lost articles.

Northern Star
21/5/1908 page 2

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