Bowenville.

The Telegraph

The Telegraph Office was opened on 15 October 1861 as part of the first line.

The Darling Downs Post Office had been opened on 1 January 1846 by New South Wales in the Moreton Bay District. It changed its name to Drayton in 1848.

In 1880, 253 messages were sent including 36 OHMS messages. The telegraph staff consisted of 1 operator.

The North Australian of 6 September 1864 reported that "some dissatisfaction had been expressed at the reported intention to remove the telegraph office from Drayton and consequently it may be of interest to state what we believe to be the intentions of Government in this matter.

Mr. Cramp, along with his establishment, will be removed to one of the new Northern stations, when both his duties and his salary will be increased. A telegraphic apparatus, which cost £200, and an expensive establishment are considered unnecessary at Drayton, where there is no present probability that it will become a 'repeating' station. A number of instruments capable of being worked by any person able to read and write, have been ordered from London, and one of these will be sent to Drayton, and placed under the charge of some subordinate official in the employment of Government. Similar instructions will be sent to Laidley, Joindaryan and other intermediate places between the different district telegraph offices".

Grandchester.

Originally called Bigge's Camp, the name Grandchester become more common during the 1860s. The railway was opened in July 1865 as Grandchester and so the name was generally used thereafter.

The Telegraph Office opened in 1864 as Bigge's Camp. It is between Ipswich and Gatton.

The Telegraph Office had opened on 13 April 1861 in a temporary brick building in East Street built originally as a billiard's room for the Queen's Arms Hotel. It was subsequently moved to Brisbane Street partly to enable the Ipswich Municipal Council to hold its meetings there. The Council had begun in April 1860 with meetings in the present Court House before moving to Thorn's (Palais Royal Hotel) and then to East Street.

The Post Office had been opened on 2 January 1846 by New South Wales in the Moreton Bay District.

Mr. W. J. Cracknell was the Station Master until his promotion to General Superintendent of Telegraphs in Queensland in April 1863.

Plans for the erection of a permanent telegraph office at Ipswich were in the course of preparation by April 1861 in the Colonial Architect's office. It was publicised that "when the building was completed, it would present rather a handsome appearance, besides comprehending all the advantages of a permanent  telegraphic station".

The Courier of 17 July 1862 reported the completion of the Telegraph Office (in Brisbane Street) in the following terms: "The Ipswich Post Office, conjoined to which is the Telegraph Office, is all but finished, and will certainly not prove a contemptible addition to the street architecture of that town".

In 1880, 8,158 messages were sent including 407 OHMS messages. The telegraph staff consisted of an Electric Telegraph Station Master, 1 operator, 1 line repairer, 2 clerical assistants and 1 messenger.

In a sad footnote, the Queensland Times announced that, on the 13 December 1862, Isabella, the youngest daughter of W. J. Cracknell (then Station Master) died - aged 18 months. On a happier note, his (unnamed) wife gave birth to a son in December 1863.

A SEND A TELEGRAM slogan cancellation was used between
14 April 1939 and 9 May 1940.

Opened on 21 May 1874 and had only telegraphic services until 1915 when postal services were also incorporated. The office was closed in April 1928.

In 1880, 4,885 messages were sent including 3,791 OHMS messages. The telegraph staff consisted of 2 operators.

A circular steel Ipswich RTS date stamp was issued to the Railway Office for telegram use. It is seen used on postal items only after March 1915..

Use of the Ipswich RTS date stamp on a Telegram form is not recorded.

Used in violet: 11 March 1913 -
4 April 1915..

Diameter: 25 mm.

Rated: RRRR.

Number in the Census: 3.

Premier Postal Auctions
April 2012.

A note on the operation of this Office - and on many others - was published in the Queensland Times and in the Ipswich Herald of 2 September 1891:

THE IPSWICH RAILWAY TELEGRAPH OFFICE.
To the Editor of the Queensland Times:

Sir, With your permission, I would like to point out where a great improvement could be effected in the Railway Telegraph Office in Ipswich. Before doing so I will state my reasons.

On Thursday last, at midnight, a message was transmitted from here to the Ipswich Railway Telegraph Office for a medical gentlemen of your town. This message it appears, was duly delivered to the gentleman referred to, by a constable, who I presume was then on duty at the Railway Station. The doctor wired a reply to the effect that he was unable to start then, but, if still required, he would be ready to start at 6 a.m. on Friday. To this a reply was at once sent, that be was to start at the hour named. This last message to the doctor was not delivered to him till 9 a.m,, thus causing a loss of three hours.

I wish it to be distinctly understood that, in this delay, no blame can be attached to any of the officials concerned, as they did all that was required of them. Too much praise cannot be given to our station-master, Mr. Mullvihill, who got up without a murmur and opened his office, sent the messages, and waited for the reply.

Now, what I wish to point out is this: There are several night porters always on duty at the railway station. One of these could surely be spared to deliver any message such as the one I refer to, and that without any extra expense to the Railway Department. I am sure anyone requiring a doctor would readily pay any extra charge that would be made.

As the above concerns the whole of West Moreton, I hope some abler pen than mine will take the matter up, and not rest until this boon is granted. I may mention that the woman requiring the doctor's aid died within a very short time after the doctor's arrival. Now, it is just possible that the woman's life might have been saved had the above delay not occurred.

I sincerely trust that one of the members for Ipswich or West Moreton will call the attention of our Railway Commissioners to this  state of affairs. I feel confident they would have the matter remedied without delay. As I pointed out before, it would cause no extra expense to the railway department, and would very often prevent much unnecessary delays, and, perhaps, be the means of saving life. In the case referred to above, all the officials acted in a very obliging manner, and are is no way to blame. Trusting you will insert this in your valuable columns.

I am, yours truly, G. SPRESSER Lowood; September 1.

Opened: 1 January 1858 by New South Wales in the Moreton Bay District. It was classified as one of the 26 Official Post & Telegraph offices before 1892.

In 1880, 12,800 messages were sent including 1,579 OHMS messages. The telegraph staff consisted of an Electric Telegraph Station Master, 2 operators, 1 line repairer, 2 clerical assistants and 1 messenger.

Picture taken about 1910 - P&T office at right.
Source: Australian National Archives - J2879 QTH102.

Two formats for a steel TELEGRAPH date stamp were used at Toowoomba:

1. TELEGRAPH OFFICE

Used in violet: 29 August 1906.
Used in blue: 6 February 1914.

Diameter: 25 mm.

Rated: RR.

29 August 1906.

Used on QC-EO-5.

6 February 1914.

On 2d grey Kangaroo perfin McP.

2. TELEGRAPH TOOWOOMBA (SC1-T).

Used in black: 16 March 1968 to 15 January 1970.

Diameter: 30 mm.

Rated: RR.

16 March 1968.

Used on AA-EC-3Ad (67).

A SEND A TELEGRAM slogan cancellation was used at Toowoomba:

Datestamp: Circle.

Base inscription:
QLD. AUST.

Earliest date of this format:
13 April 1938 (?) -or 4 January 1939.

Latest date of this format:
9 October 1940.

Characteristics: Die 4A - A over G (only) of TELEGRAM.

The first telegraph office opened in 1861 at Albion Street. The Post Office had been opened on 1 January 1848 as a receiving office by New South Wales in the Moreton Bay District. The first Post Office operated from W. H. Brown's store at the corner of Albion and Albert Streets.

In 1880, 8,016 messages were sent including 933 OHMS messages. The telegraph staff consisted of an Electric Telegraph Station Master, 1 line repairer, 1 clerical assistant and 1 messenger.

Caption for Warwick 1884: Buildings in Albion street include the Lands Office on the right, the Post & Telegraph Office in the centre and Russell Wilkins & Co., on the left.

A SEND A TELEGRAM slogan cancellation was used at Warwick.

Datestamp: Circle.

Base inscription:
QLD. AUST.

Earliest date of this format:
4 January 1939.

Latest date of this format:
9 October 1940.

Characteristics: Die 4A - A over G (only) of TELEGRAM.