KATANNING DAYS AT ALBANY

Katanning Days at Albany

Katanning Days at Albany was the brainwave of then Chairman of the Katanning Road Board, Mr Alec Thomson. The idea was to enable Katanning and districts folk, and towns between Katanning and Albany, to enjoy some time at Albany and our south coast..

Many local people had never seen Albany or the south coast so the trips became immensely popular. Following the success of the first excursion, it became an annual event for many years.

That first Katanning Days at Albany was well covered by our local newspaper, the Great Southern Herald and those reports appear below.

KATANNING DAY AT ALBANY.

Great Southern Herald
4 March, 1914 (p2)

The chairman and members of Katanning Road Board are to be congratulated on the success, already assured, of their project for a Katanning Day on the seaside at Albany. When first proposed by Mr. Thomson it was pronounced by his most knowing friends “right in sentiment, but no good from a financial point of view.” Indeed, it was confidently predicted that the promoters would get left with a gaping deficit.

Nothing daunted, the promoters ordered their train at a minimum charge of £70, and all the rest of the takings, £5, to be retained for expenses. They fixed the fares at the very low price of six shillings (return), with half rates for children. Tickets covering the amount were issued and speedily bought up. Additional cars were arranged for, and extra tickets for same were struck off, till at the general meeting of committee on Monday the secretary was able to report that the first £70 procured from ticket sales had been paid to the rail authorities, that extra tickets had been issued, and transit accommodation extended to ten cars to be drawn by two powerful engines.

The committee has so far made good, and may be relied upon for utmost attention to the comfort of the excursionists. The rest lies with the railway authorities, who have guaranteed suitable carriages, and ample engine power. Mr, Thomson has impressed upon those authorities that the making of Katanning Day at Albany now rests with them.

A smooth journey to and from the seaside in scheduled time will mean the establishment of the excursion as an annual festival, with a demand, probably, for two trains in place of one. As for other results, the health gains from a real change of air, and scene, and circumstance, will be, not lessened, but enhanced, by the cultivation of more friendly relations with our neighbours at the seaport of these Great Southern districts.

Katanning Day at Albany.
FINAL COMMITTEE MEETING

Great Southern Herald
4 March, 1914 (p2)

There was a large attendance at last Monday’s meeting of the Katanning Day committee, when final arrangements were made for the excursion to Albany next Monday. The chairman of the Road Board, Mr. A. Thomson, presided, and the following is a summary of the business transacted. The sports’ committees programme was affirmed. Train authorities to be asked to allow ten minutes at Mount Barker for refreshments. Mr. Biltoft to be asked to photograph train at Katanning before leaving, and the engines to be appropriately decorated.

Three compartments to be reserved for Broomehill and Tambellup excursionists. Excursionists to be notified that tickets must be obtained beforehand as no money can be taken at the train. The secretary reported having paid £70 to the railway authorities as agreed upon. The arrangements for programmes to be sold at 6d each was left in hands of Mr. Brunton.

The following stewards were appointed for the day: Messrs. W. Meharry, B. Reid, W. Leonard, E. M. White, J. Norman, J. Barkla, E. Gilbert, S. Kemble, C. Mitchell, and W. Brunton (go cart steward). The meeting closed with a vote of thanks to the chairman.

It may be mentioned that so great has been the demand for tickets that several additional lots have had to be procured, and the train accommodation correspondingly enlarged. The final provision is for ten carriages and two engines.

KATANNING DAT AT ALBANY.
A Complete Success.
RECORD TRAIN LOAD.
MAYOR OF ALBANY’S HOSPITALITY.

Great Southern Herald
11 March. 1914 (p2)

Katanning Day, Monday,
March 9, opened in clouds and other indications of a downpour, but never were clouds so philosophically regarded, nor could they have been more pleasantly lightened into a welcome toning down of climatic conditions, the result being a delightful day Katanning excursionists from far and near began to roll up at the Katanning station soon after 5 o’clock, and by the early hour of six, the station presented the busiest scene in its history!

Adults of all ages from the oldest inhabitant to the jolly young men escorting their delighted sisters, or still happier sisters of other people, children up to at least 14, and infants in arms or in prams made up a mighty assemblage of over 600, to be still further added to at Broomehill and Tambellup.

Ten long cars, all fitted with lavatory accommodation, received the crowd without confusion of any kind. Each car had its capable steward. The president and secretary of the committee, Messrs. A. Thomson and J. W. Hewson, were at all times just where they were wanted, and over all the arrangements District Superintendent Jefferson held efficient control. Katanning Band, under direction of Mr. E. Saggers, discoursed inspiring music before the start and at each stop on the journey.

After brief calls, as per programme, at Broomehill and Tambellup to pick up passengers, and unlisted stops (fortunately of no serious nature) at Cranbrook and Lake Matilda, the train reached Mt. Barker only ten minutes after schedule. The licensee of the refreshment rooms and his assistants had made extra provision, but seemed never to have dreamt of hungry and, thirsty people being there in hundreds. However, it was a good-tempered crowd, and quite a number of people managed to get refreshments in one kind if not in both.

Albany was reached only a few minutes after time, and the excursionists were met on the platform by the Mayor and Mayoress Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Robinson; the president of the Chamber of Commerce, Mr. T. Barnett; Mr. A. H. Dickson, Mr. A. Catling, and other representative citizens. In front of the station photographers were busy for a time, and then, headed by the Mayor of Albany, Mr. Thomson, chairman of Katanning Road Board, Messrs. C. McKenzie and J. F. Cullen, M’s.L.C., and the Albany and Katanning bands playing lively airs, the whole company marched to the town jetty and boarded the three launches which had been kindly provided by the Mayor.

As the launches moved slowly out, for the benefit of the photographers, the Mayor drew attention to three of the vessels in port which were taking part of their loading in wheat – one 14,000 bags, another 25,000, and another 65,000. Loading on the last mentioned was proceeding at the time by the slow process of winches and slings. One naturally looked forward to the revolution that might so easily be wrought by proper export facilities at this important port, and hoped that Government and Parliament would hasten the long delayed development.

A smooth quarter hour trip brought the excursionists round the north headland of the harbor, and all were delighted with the attractions of Middleton Beach, with its expanse of sands, clear water, fine hotel, and magnificent background of hill and glen. Many of the excursionists had never before seen this beautiful spot, and some of them were on their first ocean voyage.

Once ashore, the problem of entertaining the crowd was solved as if by magic. Some went strolling in groups along the beach, whilst others seemed naturally to fall into the historic grouping of two by two. At 2.30 p.m. a little bell was rung at the base of the hill at the southern end of the beach, and all who were not too happily engaged otherwise assembled for a formal welcome on behalf of the people of Albany.

The Mayor, mounted on a rock, made a brief speech. He said that when Mr. Thomson first proposed the idea of a Katanning Day at Albany, he had gladly responded in the warmest terms of welcome he could command. He thought the idea an excellent one.

Albany and the Great Southern districts were inter-dependent, and every movement that tended to their better acquaintance must be for their common good. It afforded him real pleasure to contribute in every way in his power to the enjoyment of their Katanning visitors on their newly instituted Katanning Day. (Applause).

Mr. C. McKenzie M.L C., said he had much pleasure in supporting the welcome tendered by the Mayor to their Katanning friends. There was a great future for the Southern Port, and in the making of that future Katanning and the other Southern districts would have a large share. (Applause).

Mr. Thomson said he warmly reciprocated the kind remarks of of Mr. Robinson and Mr. C. McKenzie. The proposal of a Katanning Day at their own port might have been received with misgivings, by some, but he had faith that it would catch on. The result amply justified that faith. (Applause). The day would no doubt become an annual fixture with the greatest benefits to all concerned. (Applause).

Mr. J. F. Cullen, M.L.C., said the people of Katanning were certainly with the people of Albany in all that tended to the developing of the State’s Great Southern port. (Applause). He joined with Mr. Thomson in thanking the Mayor and people of Albany for the generous welcome extended to the visitors that day, and at the same time he desired to congratulate Mr. Thomson and his committee on the success of Katanning Day.

Cheers were then given for the Mayor and Mayoress of Albany, and for Mr. and Mrs. Thomson, and the sports’ programme was immediately put in hand. The Mayor of Albany won the Road Board Race, and Mr. E. Saggers secured the prize for old buffers. Numerous other events were contested to the delight and amusement of all concerned.

Amongst the pleasures of the day perhaps the keenest was that of the surf bathers, who constituted a large section of all ages, on the beach. Then there was more scientific swimming within the baths enclosure, and boating for those who preferred to go further out.

At lunch hour the Mayor of Albany entertained a number of guests at Mrs. Matson’s fine hotel, and Mr. Thomson returned the compliment by a dinner at the same place at 5.30. The return journey by launches to Albany and by rail to Katanning was accomplished without a hitch. The scheduled time was slightly exceeded, but all were carried in comfort and landed safely. The railway officials are to be complimented on such a satisfactory handling of the largest train load of passengers that has ever travelled on the Great Southern line.

A pleasant feature of Albany’s welcome to Katanning on Monday was the dressing of a large number of windows in honor of the visitors. From the top of the Town Hall, and at the Mayor’s residence and railway station were displayed the word “Welcome” in coded flags.

In addition to the enjoyment of a really delightful excursion, Monday’s innovation means a great deal. Katanning and Albany have been brought nearer to each other in acquaintance and sentiment, and it is practically certain that (in future) amongst the most influential, anniversaries of the district, will be reckoned Katanning Day at Albany.

ALBANY AND KATANNING.

Great Southern Herald
11 March, 1914 (p2)

IT is neither extravagance nor optimism to say that the festivities carried out by Katanning people at Albany on Monday last mark an epoch in the relations of these two important portions of the Great Southern Province.

There was a period in the history of the Slate when Albany ranked as the place of first importance. It was the port of Western Australia. During that period it was entirely natural, and therefore pardonable, that Albany should look upon the whole State as hinterland.

The inevitable change came. Western Australia, like other States had to build and equip a central capital. Fremantle harbor was made at immense cost, and for some time all the people except those in Albany turned their trade as well as their eyes to the port of the capital city. Pecuniary losses not only caused the sense of actual injustice to wrankle in the minds of Albany people, but warped their judgment to the extent of charging many inevitable consequences of State growth as wrongs wilfully perpetrated by the administrators against the southern port.

In this way must be explained the Ishmaelitish feeling indulged by many of the people of Albany for two decades past toward the State administration, and their consequent unpreparedness for united action amongst themselves, or to appreciate the friendliness of their neighbours in the Great Southern districts.

Well, Albany’s renaissance as a port began some years ago, and whatever may be Albany’s present reading of the source of that renaissance, it will be recognised later on that the new life came largely through her inland neighbours making for her both inward and outward trade.

A port is principally made by such commerce. The most magnificent wharves in the world, equipped with the most modern appliances for handling freights, would be useless if there were not producers of freights to be sent out and consumers of goods to be brought in over such wharves.

While Albany has been fulminating charges, well or ill grounded, against the State administrations, thoughtlessly leaving her immediate neighbours’ very much out of count, and indulging in the utmost freedom of disagreement at home, the people of her hinterland – from Mt. Barker to Wagin – have been taking up and settling the land, clearing, cultivating, growing wheat, fruit, wool, mutton and lambs. In one word, they have been making the argument for railway and harbor improvements. The argument could not be made in any other way.

All the language, however strong or lurid, that residents at the port could fulminate, would be so much wasted breath, if the producers out in the back country had not got to work and thus placed themselves in the position to say to the administrators of the country “get your railways and your harbors ready to cope with the produce we have to send out, and the goods we want to bring in.”

Now, Albany Day is Katanning’s nicest way of drawing Albany’s attention to these home truths. Albany people live at the port as its nearest guardians. Of course, they contribute some thing to the traffic outwards, and a great deal more to the volume of imports; but the people of the Great Southern Province are in all respects just as much concerned, and in some respects, much more concerned in the development and good management of the port. Will the people of Albany take in good part the real message of Katanning Day?

It is a message which Mt. Barker, Wagin, and all the other districts up to Wagin, are voicing, and it is this: The time has come for Albany to drop dissensions at home, and to welcome not only the friendship but the practical co-operation of her neighbours of the Great Southern districts. United Albany, backed by the united province, will steadily and successfully work out the great destiny of the southern port.

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