Goolwa.
The Telegraph Office opened in 1857 in its own building (which is now the Goolwa Visitor Information Centre). The Post Office had opened in 1854 and the original building is still used as the Post Office. It is the oldest Post Office building in the State still is use. It was made from travertine limestone with a hipped shingle roof. |
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Also in 1854, a horse-drawn tramway to Port Elliot began operation which, from 1859, used the verandah of the Post Office as the tram stop. That was an obvious place because the tram had to collect and deposit mail. See complete details in the excellent report written by Carol Cosgrave. |
The Telegraph Office opened on 2 October 1867. On 16 April 1864, the Adelaide Observer reported that "Some dissatisfaction is felt at the non-acknowledgment of a memorial to the Governor praying for the establishment of a telegraphic station which was forwarded from the Bay to head-quarters some time ago". Finally, in the 1866 Estimates, £2,000 was allocated for a Telegraph Station and Post Office. The new building was soon regarded as being a "superior Post & Telegraph Office".In addition to the features noted above (see Guichen Bay), Kingston also attracted the interests of Victorians as Horsham was only 60 miles to the east and the area around Kingston was freer of mallee scrub and more resembled the Wimmera lands. |
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No special date stamp was issued to the Office for use with telegraphic matters. Instead the usual postal date stam was used for telegrams.
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4 February 1884. Used on SC-DO-6Ac |
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The Telegraph Office opened on 20 January 1862 (as MacGrath's Flat) but closed on 29 November 1873. The Post Office had opened in 1858. |
A Telegraph Office was opened on 29 November 1873. |
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An incident at Meningie in November 1868 underlined the situation in many remote communities and their need for a telegraph station. The South Australian Chronicle for 7 November reported:
"MEN1NGIE, November 2. An accident of a serious nature occurred to a Mr. Freeman, Overseer of the Road Works near this township, on Wednesday afternoon, the 28th ult. While he was in the act of placing one of the traces to a dray, the horse kicked at him and broke his leg just below the knee. As quickly as possible he was removed to the Meningie Hotel, where every necessary attention was paid to the sufferer but unfortunately a distance of 15 miles had to be ridden to McGrath's Flat before a doctor could be telegraphed to at Langhorne's Bridge, a distance from thence of some 60 miles. At the latter part of the following day, the medical man arrived and reduced the fracture. This occurrence, with others that have previously happened, shows clearly that, as the telegraph wires pass through the (Meningie) township, and the population of late having increased - and may further increase - it is only right that we should have a telegraph office here". |
Millicent.
The Telegraph Office opened on 7 June 1876. |
Used on AW-DO-10F (45). |
Mount Gambier.
The Telegraph Office opened in 1858. The Post Office had opened on 22 September 1846. The early mails were carried and delivered by the police. It was notified that, as from 3 August 1867, the Post Office business would be conducted in the old telegraph building. (Border Watch). However, on 4 August 1877, the Minister of Agriculture stated in the House that "nothing would be gained by amalgamating the Post and Telegraph offices at Mount Gambier". |
Mount Gambier Telegraph Office in 1860. Source: Museum Victoria B27047. |
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Mount Gambier Telegraph Station in 1870. | Mount Gambier in 1880. Source: Museum Victoria B21766-41. |
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(Right): The garden reserve in front of the Mount Gambier Post and Telegraph Office. The stairs leading down can be seen in the centre. It is uncertain - but suspected - that it was in this garden that the sparrows were released by Mr Stapleton on 13 May 1868. |
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In the new Australian Parliament, on 30 October 1902, the question was asked that, when the new telegraph rates came into force, would the name "Mount Gambier" be counted as one word or two. The Chief Secretary did not know the answer but said the problem would be overcome by simply calling it "Gambier". A more detailed history of the Mount Gambier Telegraph Office is contained elsewhere. |
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A steel date stamp was issued to the Mount Gambier Telegraph Office for use with telegraphic matters (SC1-TO). The inscription at the top is: T.O. MOUNT GAMBIER.
Although Mount Gambier was allocated a post code in September 1967, the code of 5291 does not appear on this date stamp. Possibly the date stamp was made earlier but there is no record of earlier use. |
19 January 1970. Used on Confirmatory Delivery envelope AA-EC-3Ae (68). |
Narracoorte.
The Telegraph Office opened in July 1863. Until 1861, it had been known as Mosquito Plains. The town was spelt as either Narracoorte or Naracoorte. The Border Watch of 22 November 1882 noted "on this year's Parliamentary estimates was a line of £750 for building a new post and telegraph office in Narracoorte ... the money passed will not do Narracoorte much good if it remains in the Treasury... Mr. Wicken and his assistants do their work in the present office very well as far as the public is concerned, but not with much ease or comfort to themselves as the one room of the post-office is very small and the telegraph room is nearly as cramped. As rent has to be paid for the present office, the Government would save money by building a new office as well as adding to the convenience of the postal officials and the public". The editor added - I need only say "That's so." |
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Narracoorte unframed date stamp. Also a SL name stamp used on the same telegram delivery form |
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Penola.
The Telegraph Office opened in 1860. On September 1873, £450 was to be place on the estimates for the additions to the Telegraph Office and the Post Office in Penola. On 10 October, 1875, the House of Assembly was requested to allocate £500 for the construction of a new Post & Telegraph office at Penola. Mt. Gambier Border Watch: 12 June 1876 - "The new Post and Telegraph Office (at Penola) has been commenced. The foundations are in. In the internal arrangements a great mistake has been made. The corner of the street, and the most frequented, is apportioned to the Telegraph Department, and round the back slums to the Post-Office. Now it should be just vice versa. The postal department should be at the corner and the department round at the back. As it is, all the small children, and a great many grown up ones too, will be going into the telegraph lobby asking for letters, to the great inconvenience of person's sending messages". |
The 1876 Penola Post & Telegraph Office about 1900 showing the mail stage coach outside. |
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The Hotel is on the other side (at center) with Robe Street running between them away from Main Street. |