Bits n Pieces.
During my research into Katanning’s history I have found many interesting stories that help make up the fabric of the town and district history. Bits and pieces that don’t fit into a particular category but are worth recording on a website such as this.
Because they don’t fit into any particular category I have started this page to be able to record the information as I come across it. Much of it will come from newspaper reports and from both the Trove and inHerit archives. It won’t be in any particular order but please do read through the items from our past. This page will be added to regularly so do come back and check it out.
Do you have any interesting news snippets or stories about Katanning’s past?
If so, I would love to hear from you. CLICK HERE
You can add to this page…
If you have any historical information of photos that don’t fit into a particular category please feel free to forward it for inclusion in this page using the form below or emailing admin@lostkatanning.au
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ALBANY HIGHWAY
Great Southern Herald
24 June, 1939
Before the construction of the Great Southern Railway, the Perth – Albany road was the main route from Albany on the south coast and Perth.
Soon after Surgeon Collie assumed control and Albany was born, a road was commenced towards Perth but by 1833 had only reached a distance of 16 miles. This slow progress moved the settlers in Albany to petition the Imperial Authorities in England to supply convict labour to provide a road giving access to Perth. The petition was ridiculed by the Government in Perth. Some 20 years later it was seen fit to adopt a similar suggestion. Continue reading
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MEMOIRS
An anecdotal collection of stories by A. E. Coate describing the people and places of Katanning during his lifetime.
Little Shops and Big People
This is the first of Mr Coate’s stories and it reminds us of the businesses and the people who ran them during the first half of last century. Read the story
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A NOVEL SHOW AT KATANNING
West Australian
28 February 1899
(BY A CORRESPONDENT.)
On Thursday, February 23, Mr. E. R. Beeck, of Capemont Farm, Katanning, held a decidedly successful show in the local Agricultural Hall, himself being the only exhibitor. The show was to have been opened by the Commissioner of Railways, but Mr. Piesse was unable to attend, so Mr. Adam, R.M., acted in his place. Continue reading
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SHEEP STEALING
Sheep stealing appeared to be a major problem in Katanning and surrounding districts in the early part of last century. It was a hard enough life for settlers trying to establish their farming enterprise without others threatening their livelihood.
It got so bad around 1919 and 1920 that nearly 70 farmers banded together to come up with a two hundred pound ($400.00) reward ), a small fortune in those days, for anyone providing information leading to an arrest and conviction of the thieves.
The Great Southern Herald report also provides a amazing record of land-owners and their farm names from that period. Continue reading
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SIR CLAUDE HOTCHIN BEQUEST
Although never having lived in Katanning, Sir Claude Hotchin was a major benefactor to the people of Katanning. He belonged to the Perth Rotary Club and was a founding member of the Crippled Children’s Society of Western Australia. He was a member of the board of trustees of the Public Library, Museum and Art Gallery of Western Australia and chairman of the board of the Art Gallery Sir Claude Hotchin, businessman and art benefactor. It was in his role as the latter that he bequeathed 24 pieces of original Australian artworks, by Australian artists, to the people of Katanning through the Katanning Road Board. Continue reading
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ROAD HAULAGE TO KATANNING
Great Southern Herald
25 July 1952
The following story was due to a prolonged strike by metal trades employees’ in Western Australia during mid 1952.
Many business establishments in Katanning received their first consignment of goods by road transport this week. Such essential merchandise as wool packs for the coming season, big items of machinery and furniture were among the commodities hauled by road. In smaller business concerns, where there is not a sufficient quantity required to warrant a special delivery truck, the establishments themselves are carting the goods from Perth. Mixed loads for several firms have also been carted by road.
Greatly affected by the reduced rail service is the essential supply of fresh fruit and vegetables to the town, and these too, are now being hauled solely by road transport instead of rail. The majority of road transport is arranged by the suppliers in Perth if desired but most business houses in Katanning state a fairly regular supply of general merchandise and goods is still maintained by the railways and no undue delays have been caused to-date.
Small articles such as spare pants and various merchandise, which are normally handled by goods trains, are now passing through the Post Office channels, thus enabling a quicker delivery.
FLOUR EXPORT
So that the prolonged metal trades employees’ strike will not cause any further unnecessary delays in export, large quantities of flour are being hauled by road from country mills to Fremantle. The contractors who are employed by the Wheat Board, transport the flour direct to the wharf at Fremantle where it is being loaded by the “Chupra” for export to the eastern countries. During the past fortnight 15 trucks have been operating from the Katanning Flour Mills, taking from 10 to 15 tons a load. All together 360 tons of flour will be carted from Katanning.
Although these huge trucks are performing a very necessary part of Australia’s economy, one businessman in Katanning has asked why they could not fee utilised on the return trip from Fremantle, instead of running empty to Katanning.
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HOW OTHERS SEE US
AMERICAN VIEW 1927
From the Southern Districts Advocate – 1927:
We have come across an article which appeared in an American paper during 1929, and while the high and mighty tone gets on our nerves, there is much of common sense and sound prophesy in the writings. The article is by Frederick G. Stickels, former County Sheriff of Lane, Oregon, America, and, at time of writing, in Australia. Continue reading
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Ambulance in Accident
VAN OVER-TURNS ON
ALBANY HIGHWAY
Great Southern Herald
10 October 1952
Railway Train Driver Charles Punch was an active member volunteer member of the Katanning community. Besides being the longest serving secretary of the Central Great Southern Football League he was also an ambulance driver. The following story relates to a patient transfer to Perth.
A patient and passengers in the Katanning ambulance were fortunate to escape serious injury when the van over turned on the Perth-Albany Highway near the 47-mile peg about 6.30 p.m. on Monday. Carrying Mrs Badman of Gnowangerup as patient, the van was driven by Mr C. Punch of Beach Street. With him as passengers were his wife and small son Keith.
The accident occurred when the van was over-taking a heavily loaded wool truck on a straight stretch of road. As he drew alongside the truck Mr Punch realised, too late to avoid the accident, that he was right on a culvert which was not marked with the usual white guide post. When the ambulance hit the culvert the force of the impact wrenched the front wheels off and the van turned over completely, coming to rest again on its wheels. The van was extensively damaged and the windscreen, glass panel between cab and stretcher compartment, and several windows were broken.
Mrs Badman, who was being conveyed to Perth for treatment of an injury to her right leg, the ankle and lower portion of which was encased in plaster, received lacerations to the knee but was otherwise uninjured. Mrs Punch received a bad knock to the left side of her head and was dazed and the driver received bruises and slight lacerations to the face. Their young son, who had been asleep on the seat, was thrown forward onto the floor and uninjured.
The wool truck stopped and its driver, with other passing motorists were quickly on the scene to give assistance. Mr Punch extricated himself from the ambulance and rendered first aid to his patient and family. A Mr and Mrs Cooper of Mr Barker, who had pulled up at the scene of the accident, brought Mrs Punch and Keith back to Katanning. Mrs Winscom, who had been travelling to Perth with her son, also came on the scene and stayed with Mrs Badman until the arrival of a relief ambulance which had been summoned from Armadale.
The damaged ambulance was towed to the Central Ambulance Station, Perth, for repairs, and Mr Punch was later brought back to Katanning by Mr L. C. Quartermaine.
Mr Punch had left Katanning early on Monday afternoon to take the ambulance to Perth. Although he had been rostered for work at 4 a.m. on Tuesday morning, Mr Punch had undertaken the trip as no other driver was available. He had taken his wife and son as passengers to give him company on the long trip. Mr Punch was most appreciative of the help given to him and has said he would like to thank the many passing motorists who gave assistance both at the time of the accident and afterwards.
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BRIAN YARDLEY
Popular local identity and men’s barber arrives in Katanning.
Smart manoeuvring this week resulted in newcomer to the town, Brian Yardley, arriving at 6.30 p.m. on Monday and signing up with the Norths Cricket Club at 9 a.m. on Tuesday. A Yardley to play in the Katanning Cricket Association? Quite correct and, what is more, he is a distant relation, to wit third cousin, of the Yorkshire captain and English Test selector, Norman Yardley. Quite apart from being handy on the cricket field, Brian Yardley plays A grade hockey and can hold his own on the tennis court.
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WOOL FESTIVAL QUEEN 1954
YVONNE COVENTRY CROWNED QUEEN OF WOOL FESTIVAL
£990 Raised for Anglican Church
Months of organisation came to an end on Tuesday when Miss Yvonne Coventry was crowned Queen of the Wool Festival with due pomp and ceremony at the Wool Ball held in the Katanning Town Hall. The Festival resulted in £989/17/4 being raised for the St. Andrew’s Church, Katanning. Continue reading
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THE SEPARATION MOVEMENT
The Colony still in its infancy and federation in Australia about to become a reality, the people of the Eastern Goldfields wanted to separate from the rest of Western Australia. After the discovery of gold at Coolgardie (1892) and Kalgoorlie (1893), these towns were at the centre of the Eastern Goldfields, and the flow of immigrants from the Eastern Colonies increased. It argued the case for the Goldfields’ separation from Western Australia and the formation of a new Colony/State in the Goldfields, named “Auralia“.
This is about a newspaper report of a meeting held in Katanning in 1900 to discuss the movement and its ramifications for Katanning, farmers, and the state as a whole. Continue reading
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MURDEROUS ATTACK ON BOY
Katanning Sensation
MURDEROUS ATTACK ON BOY.
HORSE MAIMING MYSTERY SOLVED.
Great Southern Herald
17 September 1924 – P2
The following appear to be the facts of an altogether extraordinary case. At about 10.30 p.m. last Friday night, Miss Sarah McLeod, daughter of Mr. George McLeod, heard a knock on the back door of the house and on opening it found a small, dishevelled boy who gasped out that he had been attacked and stabbed, and from whose chest blood was oozing rapidly.
Miss McLeod, with great promptitude, seized the boy in her arms and carried him round to Dr. Pope, who, after a hasty examination conveyed the boy in his car to the hospital and telephoned for the police and for a magistrate to come and take the boy’s deposition, as at that time the affair looked like having a most tragic ending. As a matter of fact, we understand now, that though the boy’s left lung was pierced (the knife entering through the left lapel of his coat), there is every chance of a complete recovery.
The boy proved to be Frank Keirle aged 14, son of Mr. Alfred Keirle, of Katanning, and in his deposition, he said that Frederick Sparling, employed at the Katanning Hotel, had stabbed him quite suddenly and for no reason so far as he knew.
It appears that earlier in the evening Frederick Sparling met Frank Keirle at Teachnau’s, the baker, in Albion Street, and offered to accompany him home. The boy had gone to Teachnau’s to buy a loaf of bread to take home and it was no unusual thing for them to walk about together, as they were quite friendly.
The police speedily arrested the accused man, whom they found washing in his bedroom at the Katanning Hotel. It is understood that he at once acknowledged his guilt, saying only that he could not imagine why he had done it.
ACCUSED’S CAREER.
Frederick Sparling, age 25, arrived in this country from Bristol, England, about four years ago and his antecedents seem to have been perfectly satisfactory. He served in the British Army from 6th February 1917 in the Warwickshire Regiment and afterwards in the Somerset Light Infantry, until 26th September 1919 when he was discharged with a clean conduct sheet and a medical certificate as Category A 1.
He appears to have had some months active service in France. No blame can therefore be attached to the immigration authorities in this case. He arrived in the Katanning district in 1920 and worked for a time on the roads and subsequently on Mrs. Sheridan’s farm, where in February 1922, he had his leg broken by a kick from a horse. This occasioned a six weeks’ stay In the Tambellup Hospital and, on recovery, he was put by Mrs. Sheridan on to her dairy farm where he stayed until June 1923. From then on he was employed at the Katanning Hotel.
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HEATWAVE
THE HEAT WAVE
RECORD READINGS AT KATANNING.
110 DEGREES ON SUNDAY.
Great Southern Herald
26 January 1910 – P4
The extraordinary heat wave experienced throughout the State during the latter half of last week reached its climax on Saturday and Sunday, when the official readings of the thermometer at Katanning Post Office were 109 (42.8c) and 110 (43.3c) degrees respectively.
On Friday the glass rose to 104 (40c), which was the highest recorded temperature this year, but with a rise of five degrees on Saturday and still another point on Sunday, the weather became almost unbearable. To make matters worse, the nights were little better than the heat of day. Scarce the slightest breeze was discernable on those evenings, and whilst the conditions outside naturally grew cooler as the night wore on, yet indoors they were such as to render sleeping almost an impossibility.
The abnormal conditions on Sunday were rendered much worse by a strong wind from the south-west, which blew like the heat from a furnace-mouth and parched and withered the orchards and gardens to such an extent as to cause considerable damage. Specimens of grapes were brought to this office on Monday which bore evidence of the sad havoc wrought on this year’s vintage by the extraordinary heat and its accompanying hot blasts. Beautiful luscious fruit that withstood the heat of Saturday, and wanted but a few days to ripen for market, on Sunday completely withered before the scorching blasts from the south-west.
Some of the oldest residents of the district state they have never before experienced anything like the conditions that prevailed on Saturday and Sunday.
Bush fires were numerous in the surrounding districts and, in some instances, considerable damage has been caused. A report has come in to the effect that one settler out east lost 150 tons of bark, but the news lacks confirmation. However, the thick veil of smoke that hung over the district during the days mentioned testified to considerable areas being traversed by the flames. A report from Kojonup states that two settlers from Kojonup have been burnt out there, whilst east and south have also suffered in this respect to a lesser degree.
The weather changed on Monday morning when a welcome cool breeze sprung up from the south, much to the relief of residents of this district.
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LONG WALK
Little Boy’s Long Walk
Great Southern Herald
19 January 1910 – P2
A little boy named Charlie Keirle, son of Mr. A. Keirle, storekeeper of Woodanilling, had rather a wearisome journey on Monday, causing no little sensation amongst the residents of that quiet little township. The little fellow was out with his father rounding up some sheep about 8.30 a.m., and seems to have started for home.
On the father’s return later in the morning, expecting to meet the little chap, he found that he had not been seen.
Securing the assistance of Mr. Fidock and other neighbors, Mr. Keirle picked up the little fellow’s tracks and found that he had taken the wrong turning and headed away from home. The search party was joined by Mounted Constable O’Connor during the afternoon, and about 5 o’clock the little fellow was overtaken about 18 miles (29km) from his home, and little the worse for his long walk.
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OLD SELECTORS OF THE WEST
We tend to forget that our farms, towns and communities were created off the backs and hard toil of our early pioneers. Possibly your ancestors. We simply do not understand what these brave souls had to face. What they had to endure to develop their farms and communities.
There was no hospitals; no doctors or nurses. There were no shops or supermarkets or chemists. There was no running fresh water on tap, no electricity. The ground had to be cleared by hand and hard work morning til night. Homes and shelters had to be built from whatever these hardy pioneers could find. No schools, transport (except horse and cart), television or internet. Nothing at all. Yet survive they did, and did so without complaint. They just got on with life – unlike today where we seem to complain about every little thing, yet compared to our pioneers, we have everything!
This poem was written in 1904 and sums up life of the day…
Great Southern Herald
2 January 1904 – P2
Written for the Great Southern Herald
By Horace B. Martin, Williams.
I was travelling to Katanning
From the goldfields, in the train
When the farms were looking splendid
With their wealth of golden grain
I was thinking of the progress
That selection here had made
As 1 view’d the cosy homesteads
While we sped along the grade
Thinking, too, of how men battled
How they stood the trying test
When they started on selections
In the lonely bush out West.
In the heavy timber’d country
Stout of heart, and strong of hand
While the axe blade woke the echoes
In the silent, lonely land
How the big fires showed up lurid
‘Gainst the background of the night
Till the giant trees were ashes
And clearing loomed in sight
For the early pioneering
Was a dreary life at best
And it took some work and planning
In starting farms out West.
Hunting wild and bucking brumbies,
And the wily kangaroo
While the rounds of social pleasures
Were so far between and few
Meeting too, with many drawbacks
Ere the real success was struck
But they work’d with hope and purpose
Backed up by grit and pluck
Fighting ‘gainst the roaring bush fire,
Also poison weed and pest
Threatening danger on selections
Of the hardy men put West
Right along the Southern Railway
}Where the timber used to stand
Pleasant farms and lovely gardens
Can be seen on either hand
While the towns are growing quickly
With a large improving trade
And the people clamour loudly
For the railways to be made
When we talk of rapid progress
Giving credit and the rest
Don’t forget the men who battled
In starting farms out West.
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A TRIP TO LANGAWEIRA
Great Southern Herald
12 December 1908 – P2
By One Who Went.
On Wednesday evening last the anniversary tea and concert in connection with the Methodist Church at Langaweira took place at the homestead on Mr. Arnold Piesse’s Langaweira property. The day was ideal; the moonlight night’ perfect; and a happy combination of circumstances made the outing most enjoyable.
Katanning Methodists turned out in force and, with friends, some 40 or 50 made the journey during the afternoon. This number was added to by about an equal number of settlers and their families, and all were hospitably entertained by Mr and Mrs. Warren, who worked most arduously for the success of the celebration.
I happened to be one of 12 unlucky ones who travelled in a conveyance that was originally built for six, to which were hooked two noble steeds. Alas! Sandy roads and a heavy load proved too much for the ill-matched quadrupeds, and the 23 miles took just about twice as long as they ought, a considerable portion of which was traversed by the male passengers and, at one stage by the ladies also, on “shanks’ ponies.” Needless to say we did justice to the good things provided which were served in relays, Then, after a look round the immediate vicinity of the Langaweira homestead, which shows signs of thorough attention and advancement, joined in making merry till the hour of the concert, by diverse games.
The concert was a huge success. The Katanning Methodist choir, assisted by a number of friends, provided an excellent programme. But the concert hall! People of Katanning who know Langaweira might well ask where seating accommodation was to be found for upwards of a hundred people. Well, I’ll tell them. The extensive wool shed, airy enough in itself, but rather ‘fleecy’ was transformed into a concert hall. Three students of Sandew carried the organ some hundred yards to the shed and punctually, at a time not fixed, the concert began, Mr. Scadden acting as chairman.
It would take too much of your valuable space to describe the concert in detail, but the undermentioned took part and, judging by the applause, each contribution was much appreciated. Songs were rendered by Misses Head and Garrity, Mrs, Mittter, Messrs. Thomas (2), Hoglin, and E. Gilbert; duets by Miss Head and Mr. Thomas, and Mrs. Mitter and Mr. Howe (encored); a quartette by Mrs. Mitter, Miss Gilbert, Mr. Thomas, and Mr. Hoglin; recitations by Misses, Isabell and Ellie Ogden, Rev. R. Fleming (encored), and Mr. Rowe; and the choir rendered four anthems under direction of Mr. Rowe.
A vote of thanks to Mr. and Mrs. Warren and their daughters for their kindness in catering for the comfort and pleasure of the visitors, and to Mrs. King for officiating at the organ, and to all workers, brought this part of the proceedings to a close.
After this came the concluding supper, but not the concluding scene. Excitement amongst the ladies grew intense when someone reported the presence of a descendant of Eve’s tempster. But a small log from the wood heap soon ended the reptile’s existence. Just as well it was after the concert, else the ladies would have seen snakes everywhere. The lights of Katanning showed up between 12.30 and 3 o’clock on Thursday morning, after various experiences on the homeward journey, and a thoroughly enjoyable time.
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WORLD WAR ONE FIELD GUN
FIELD GUN FOR KATANNING
Southern Districts Advocate
3 January 1921 – P2
Recently the local branch of the R.S.L. added its protest to those of the other district bodies in regard to the allocation of such poor war trophy to Katanning. They have now received the following intimation from the authorities in Melbourne —
“The distribution is now being proceeded with, and under it Katanning will receive one Field Gun, while the other towns mentioned, i.e., Kojonup, Tambellup, Broomehill, Woodanilling, Badgebup, Nyabing, Gnowangerup, will each receive a machine gun, subject to there being sufficient trophies available, and to their having applied for them.”
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KRIBS KRACKED
KRIBS KRACKED.
BY KATANNING’S KROOKED KIDS.
BOY BURGLARS BOOBED.
CHECKING CAREER OF CRIME.
From the Southern Districts Advocate‘s 16 January 1928 edition
Most big cities have their gangs of “bad eggs,” but Katanning, though of some pretensions in the way of population, has managed to bear a quite unblemished record, at least so far as could be seen on the surface.
However, if the grown-up members of the community have been able to refrain for their fair town an atmosphere of almost ultra-respectability, members of the rising generation have not been so fortunate, or perhaps we should say goody good. Whether it be the desire for adventure so inherent in the boyish breast, or the evil teachings of some of these film features that make heroes of clever crooks of the underworld of New York and other Yankee cities, we are not at liberty to stipulate. But certain it is that of late a wave of ambition in the direction of outlawry has apparently overtaken quite a number of the youth of Katanning. Continue reading
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CAN YOU HELP?
SUBMIT YOUR STORY
Do you have any interesting news snippets or stories about Katanning’s past?
If so, I would love to hear from you.
You can contact me via email: admin@lostkatanning.au
or you can complete and submit the form below.
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Bits n pieces. Bits n pieces. Bits n pieces. Bits n pieces. Bits n Pieces.