Qld TO East Coast via Maryborough

Queensland:
Telegraph Offices on the East Coast line via Maryborough.

The Telegraph Offices included here are those forming the sea coast line from Brisbane via Maryborough to Rockhamption. It also includes Telegraph Offices slightly inland from the coast

Telegraph Offices further inland from Dalby via Hawkwood to Rockhampton are included elsewhere.

Boynedale.

South of Gladstone and near Lake Awoonga.

Bundaberg

The Telegraph Office opened

In 1880, 6,189 messages were sent including 1,081 OHMS messages. The staff consisted of an Electric Telegraph Station Master, a line repairer and a messenger.

Bundaberg P&T Office on a postcard posted in 1909 with the message
"This is a good picture of the Post Office - a good structure for
a country town".

Bundaberg P&T Office 1905 showing some of the surrounds.

No special date stamp for use with telegraph work appears to have been issued for Bundaberg.

One slogan postmark advertising Telegrams is recorded as being used at Bundaberg - SEND A TELEGRAM.

Childers. The Telegraph Office opened in 1873.	The Childers Post & Telegraph Office.

Dakabin.

Dakabin is about 26m north of Brisbane in the Moreton Bay region. A Receiving Office opened in February 1902 and the Post Office as established on 1 July 1927. The Telegraph Office probably opened at the same time as the Post Office.

1 August 1933.

An Electric Telegraph Office oval date stamp
(RO3 - ETO type 3) was issued to Dakabin.

Used in violet: 1 August 1933 to 28 August 1935.

Size: 26 × 40 mm (e = 0.76).

Rated: RR.

Why an old ETO oval date stamp was introduced so late is a puzzle.

Five examples of the Dakabin date stamp have been sighted. All were used in violet and all have a manuscript date cancellation.

The dates recorded are:

1 August 1933 (on piece);
29 May 1935 (on cover);
19 August 1935 (on cover);
23 August 1935 (on piece);
28 August 1935 (on cover).

29 May 1935.
Cover from Dakabin to Brisbane 2d Anzac cancelled with a Dakabin ETO Oval in black.

Gladstone

The Telegraph Office opened on 16 November 1864.

In 1880, 3,230 messages were sent including 379 OHMS messages. The telegraph staff consisted of an Electric Telegraph Station Master and a line repairer.

In 1869 a purpose-designed Post and Telegraph Offices and Customs House was erected on the Customs Reserve at the corner of Lord and Goondoon Streets, Gladstone. It had attached residences for the post master and the telegraph master.

For a short time, post, telegraph and customs shared this building before it was designated as Gladstone Customs House. The post and telegraph departments were then moved to temporary premises until a large timber building with separate offices and residences for the post and the telegraph were constructed in 1877-1878. This new building was erected in Goondoon Street, at the intersection with Yarroon Street. That area was later to be gazetted as a Post and Telegraph Reserve.

Both pictures of Gladstone taken about 1900.

Source: Australian National Archives J2879 Q230.

Gympie.

The Telegraph Office was opened on 9 December 1868.

In 1880, 8,016 messages were sent including 441 OHMS messages. The telegraph staff consisted of an Electric Telegraph Station Master, 1 line repairer and 1 messenger.

No special date stamp for use with telegraph work appears to have been issued at Gympie.

A SEND A TELEGRAM slogan cancellation was used on
29 December 1938.

Only recorded example.

Die 2: A over GR.

29 December 1938.

Maryborough.

Maryborough was a designated repairing station.

In 1880, 25,111 messages were sent including 1,947 OHMS messages. The telegraph staff consisted of an Electric Telegraph Station Master, 3 operators, 1 line repairer, 3 clerical assistants and 2 messengers.

Maryborough P&T office about 1865 - with the new Telegraph pole.
Source: Australian National Archives J2879 QTH191.

Maryborough P&T office (circa 1910).

An advertisement appeared in the Brisbane Courier of 2 May 1872 for a clearance sale of the stock held by a Mr. Cochran. The first item listed was "a large Turret Clock, 5 foot dial, gilt figures, made to order for the Post and Telegraph office, Maryborough, at cost of £40. This Clock is in perfect going order, and is suited for a public building". No other aspect of this advertisement can be found.

No special date stamp for use with telegraph work appears to have been issued at Maryborough.

A SEND A TELEGRAM slogan cancellation was used between 14 April 1939 and 20 November 1939.

Die 2: A over EG.

Murgon.

Murgon is west of Gympie and north of Kingaroy.

Woody Island.

This Woody Island is in Harvey Bay east of Maryborough. A much smaller island of the same name is off Port Douglas - a long way to the north.

The Telegraph Office was opened on 9 March 1869. A narrative of the laying of the cable to Woody Island is provided elsewhere.

The pier at Woody Point on Woody Island.
Postcard used in 1912.