Telegraph service. Telegraph service.
Second Telegraph line to Albany via Katanning.
Researcher: Kevin Porteous (Albany)
An alternative telegraph route is always considered as a desirable precaution in case of local disturbances which break lines or take down poles. This issue of interruptions was a much debated one in various places. For example, in Albany:
“At a meeting of the Political and Progress Association, held last night (4 February 1891), the question of the proposed telegraph extension from Beverley to Broome Hill was discussed. It was unanimously decided that the Government be urged to extend the line to Albany. It was pointed out that the settlers and business people south of Broome Hill must depend on the Land Company’s telephone, that all trade from Katanning comes to Albany and that a telegraph line is badly needed. It was also urged that the recent interruption on the line showed the necessity for duplicating the line, the existing one being in continual danger from bush fires and falling timber“.
The opportunity arose for this option to Albany soon after. The second session of the first Parliament under Responsible Government [2] was opened on Monday 7 December 1891 by His Excellency the Administrator and in his speech, he noted the construction of the telegraph line from Beverley to Broome Hill will be undertaken as soon as the material arrives.
Construction of the railway line between Beverley and Albany had begun in October 1886. There was therefore a great opportunity to duplicate the Perth to Albany telegraph line (28th December 1872 – connection of line Perth – Albany) by linking with the railway line.
In 1889, the Great Southern Railway created a railway station at Narrogin because it provided a safe, plentiful supply of water on the route from Perth to Albany. A town began to develop there, and Telegraph Offices were opened in 1893 at Narrogin and at Wagin, just down the railway line. The two towns were not however to be gazetted for another four years.
A Telegraph Office was also opened in 1893 on the telegraph line at Katanning – which was the centre of a major wheat belt – and the day after at Broomehill.
The Post & Telegraph Office at Katanning was opened on 4 August 1893.