Bardoc.

Bardoc was located about nine miles north of Broad Arrow. A Receiver of Mail Bags had been established there on 1 January 1895. On 3 April 1896, The Inquirer conveyed the news that "The Crown land within a radius of two miles of the Post Office at Bardoc has been proclaimed a State fores, and the cutting of timber within the area is prohibited".

The telegraph line was opened to Bardoc on Friday 10 July 1896 when delayed supplies finally arrived. It was downgraded to an Administrative Office on 1 August 1908.

The Kalgoorlie Western Argus of 16 July 1896 reported "The telegraph line to Bardoc was opened on (last) Friday morning for the transmission and receipt of messages. The operators' quarters are in a temporary building on the new townsite but a permanent Post and Telegraph Office will be erected without delay".

Bardoc is situated between Kalgoorlie and Menzies along the Goldfields Highway - about 45 kms (30 miles) from Kalgoorlie. The town's name is Aboriginal in origin and is taken from a hill close to town. The word barduk means near or close in the local dialect.

In August 1896, the Broad Arrow Standard described the place as follows: "Bardoc is looking up. The town site has been cleared and buildings are being ran up on all sides. The fact of there being a 200ft. bore within a mile of the town with 40 feet of water in it should ease the minds of residents as to the water supply in the coming summer, and lends one more attraction to a prettily situated and rising town".

Personnel:

July 1896: Mr. G. Fenaci was appointed Acting Post and Telegraph master at Bardoc.

December 1896: Mr. A. J. M. Cook was appointed as Linesman

Black Flag was located in the Broad Arrow Goldfields about 10 miles south west of Broad Arrow. "Between Broad Arrow and the 'Flag we have the Dead Finish and the Fag End. At both of these places, alluvial miners are making wages. Not later than last week a 60 oz. nugget was found at Fag End. Now we've come to the Black Flag — the largest district about here — that is if one can judge from the number of men employed and the amount of machinery in course of erection. Three hundred men are employed on one mine alone. " (W.A. Record 18 July 1896).

In January 1896, some rich specimens that had been recently found at the Devon Consols mine at Black Flag were on display in the window of the Commercial Bank in Coolgardie. The largest piece - named "The Joker" - was beautifully shaped and it weighed 303 ozsAbout 8.6 kgs!! - one of the largest ever found in W.A.. The "I had a dream" story of its find and the lead-up is told in the Norseman Esperance Guardian of 7 March 1896.

In March 1896, the Government divided the East Coolgardie gold field into two parts. Black Flag became the centre of the new North-East Coolgardie field which comprised the districts north from the Black Flag, north and east from the I.O.U. and up to Mount Margaret.

March was a busy month - almost equally as important as the above, Black Flag opened its own racecourse in March 1896 and, at the Jockey Club’s July meeting carried our under W.A.T.C. rules, the riders were ordered to wear their own colours.

"The Black Flag people are also complaining that, although the telegraph line has already reached and passed their town, they are as yet unprovided with a telegraph office and have to come to the 25-Mile in order to communicate with the outside world" (Western Australian Goldfields Courier 20 June 1896).

And still: "Much dissatisfaction is expressed by the residents of Black Flag on account of the delay caused in the opening of the local telegraph office. Strange as it may appear, the blame in this instance does not rest with the Telegraph Department, as the necessary material and instruments for the office were despatched from Perth several weeks ago. They have, however, been subjected to considerable delay in transit; hence the trouble"
(Coolgardie Miner 3 July 1896).

A second explanation which differs from the first of less than 2 weeks earlier: "It appears that a new telegraph line was constructed to Black Flag over a month ago, yet no office has been opened, although the district is a large one. The residents appealed to the Postmaster-General for an operator to be sent up and he, it is stated, replied that, if the residents would erect a temporary office, a man would be sent. An office at the expense of several people in the district was immediately erected and the Postmaster-General was immediately informed accordingly - but so far no reply of any kind has been sent to them. Meantime, an office has been opened at Bardoc, a smaller township further away on the same line of country"
(West Australian 15 July 1896).

On the same day, even further salt in the wound: "People at Black Flag are bitterly complaining of the neglect of the Telegraph Department to open communication with that place. As the line goes through the town, and the people of Bardoc and Broad Arrow have already been accommodated, the people very justly feel themselves aggrieved".

On 16 July, Mr, Sholl was asked by the West Australian about the Black Flag delay and replied that "the matter had already been attended to and an operator had been despatched to open the Office".

The W.A. Record of 18 July published the following: "in the Arrow and Bardoc we have neither telegraph offices nor operators. The men of the Flag have, by public subscription — the great sum of £15 was collected — built a hessian building (what must its size be?) to act as a Telegraph Office, and were bold enough to forward (their informant tells me) a wire to the Minister, informing him that a telegraph office had been erected by public subscription and further, humbly inquiring if they were expected to supply the operators and instruments".

18 July is the official date of opening of the Black Flag Office.

On 26 August 1896, the Broad Arrow Standard reported that "The new Post and Telegraph office at Black Flag is fast nearing completion, giving that township a settled look". And then, on 5 September 1896, the Western Australian Goldfields Courier published "Mr. Mercer, the local officer of the Public Works Department, notifies that the new Post and Telegraph Office at- the Black Flag township will be ready for occupation in a few days from the present. The structure is of wood and iron and presents no special features".

On 10 July 1897, the Government Gazette listed, amongst the reserves that had been set aside, 7 acres in Black Flag for Police, Post and Telegraph, Warden's Office, public utility and the Weslean Church. In the 1898 Christmas publication of the Post and Telegraph Department, Black Flag is credited (p.20) with "a Post and Telegraph Office, Police Station and six hotels for a population of 310 with about 400 within a radius of 3 miles".

The Telegraph Office was closed on 4 April 1907 but re-opened on 1 July 1907 but then closed permanently on 24 February 1908.

The two largest mines in the area - Black Flag and Lady Bountiful - had closed in 1906-1907 and so the town closed down soon after.

As an aside - but in the realm of philately (at least stamp duties) - the Coolgardie Mining Review of 11 January 1896 relates this remarkable historical fact:

"Parker and Parker on behalf of the Central Exploration Co. have bought 66 acres in the Black Flag district for £525,000. The stamp duty on the receipt amounted to £2,625. As there was no stamp of that size in stock, the Treasurer seized an ordinary penny stamp and a few strokes of his pen altered its face value to the needed sum. The feat was nothing in the way of a miracle — yet he is the only man in the province who could have performed it".

In July 1896, another Black Flag had an opportunity to shine.

Personnel:

July 1896: Mr. T. Coles was appointed Acting Post and Telegraph master at Black Flag.

Used: 29 August 1896.

Size: 30 × 49 mm (e = 0.79).

Rated: RRRR.

Number in the Census: 1

Bonnievale.

A Post & Telegraph Office was opened at Bonnievale on 23 December 1897. It was downgraded to an Allowance Office on 1 September 1909.

On 26 November 1897, the Coolgardie Miner informed its readers that "At the present time, Bonnievale township possesses one hotel. Lately, however, permission has been given to another publican to transfer his premises to the locality and five other applications for licenses are listed to be heard at the next sitting of the Court. This is the best sign of progress".

On 1 November 1902, the Coolgardie Miner commented that

"Great satisfaction has been expressed here that a J. P. has been appointed to the district, the honor having been received by Mr T T Rhys, the manager of the Vale of Coolgardie Gold Mines.

All that we want now is a telegraph messenger and an appointment to this post would be a great convenience".

Used in blue: 2 May 1899.

Size: 27 × 44 mm (e = 0.79).

Rated: RRRR.

Number in the Census: 1

Used in violet: 16 March 1907.

Size: 27 × 44 mm (e = 0.79).

Rated: RRRR.

Number in the Census: 1

Cover with the Bonnievale Oval - used 16 March 1907..

3d red-brown registration envelope (indicium on reverse flap) used from Bonnievale to Malhausen, Germany. Has 1d and 4d adhesives added on the front. On the reverse side, there is an oval "Registered/Perth, WA" date stamp in blue.

The Telegraph Office was opened on 24 September 1894. The Post & Telegraph Office was then opened in 1902.

Boorabbin is about 65 miles (100 kms) north west of Coolgardie and halfway between Southern Cross and Coolgardie. It was a stopping place for teams travelling from Southern Cross to Coolgardie. As a demonstration of the importance of Boorabbin to the communications for Coolgardie, the Coolgardie Miner of 21 April 1894 reported that "The weekly mail arrived here at the very early hour of one o'clock yesterday morning, doing the distance from Boorabbin in 9¼ hours. The total weight of the mails matter was 1½ tons".

In April 1894, the lack of water on the track severely impeded movements. The Coolgardie Miner of 12 April published the following: "We learn that all water has given out on the road from Boorabbin to here, thus enforcing the movements of the coaches which arrived here yesterday. Forty six teams have been stopped at Boorabbin and only one team is to be allowed to leave every 24 hours until rain falls, the traffic being regulated by the Government. As a consequence, the price of chaff has gone up 30 per cent. and it is very likely that other stocks will move in sympathy". Such a situation highlighted the need for telegraphic communication to such a place as Boorabbin.

As an example of the strategy which had to be used, The W.A. Record of 26 April noted "The Engineer-in-Chief received the following message by telegraph from Mr. C. Jobson. It is dated Borrabbin, April 22nd, 3:20 p m , and was sent on to Southern Cross by messenger: " Wells here practically dry, owing to number of teams watering. New well only yields about 159 gallons per day. This means that the road from Southern Cross to this place is not safe for more than four teams every twenty-four hours".

Personnel:

September 1894: Mr. Lambert, formerly of Adelaide, was appointed Post and Telegraph Master at Boorabbin.

June 1895: Mr. F. W. Foweraker was appointed Post and Telegraph Master.

December 1900: Mr. Ottaway, a "Telegraph Official", was transferred to Derby. The farewell function held before the adjournment "to enjoy themselves at the terpsichorean art" is reported elsewhere.

Used: 12 June 1906, 21 Dec 1912, 12 June 1914, 10 August 1914
and 27 Jan 1913.

Diameter: 30 mm.

Rated: RRRR.

Number in the census: 5.

12 June 1914.
Ace March 2021 Lot 1154.

The Post & Telegraph Office was opened on 12 April 1897.

1904?: Mr A. Thomson was transferred to Boulder to be Post and Telegraph Master from Coolgardie.

July 1906: Andrew Thomson, Postmaster, Boulder, Clerical Division, Class 3, transferred to be Postmaster, Kalgoorlie, Clerical Division, Class 2, as from 1st July, 1906.

The staff at the Boulder Post, Telegraph and Telephone Office in 1896.
Source: Souvenir of the Postal, Telegraph & Telephone Departments of Western Australia, Christmas 1896.

1. a rubber oval POST & TELEGRAPH OFFICE date stamp
   (RO6-P&TO).

Used in violet: 22 June 1904.

Size: 29 × 48 mm (e = 0.80).

Rating: RRRR.

Number in the Census: 1.

2. a rubber oval POST & TELEGRAPH OFFICE date stamp
   (RO7 - TO).
   Includes W.A.

Use: 18 January 1911 and 31 March 1914.

Size: 25 × 42 mm (e = 0.80).

Rated RRRR.

Number in the Census: 2.

3. a rubber oval TELEGRAPH OFFICE date stamp (RO7-TO).
   Excludes WA.

Used: 31 August 1916.

Size:

Rated RRRR.

Number in the Census: 1.

4. RO2-TO:

Used 1944-47.

5. RO2-T with postcode.

Used: about 1976.

The Broad Arrow Post & Telegraph Office was opened on 16 July 1896 - after delayed supplies for Bardoc, Black Flag and Broad Arrow finally arrived.

During 1897-98, Broad Arrow was officially known as Kurawa.

A most informative and direct description of Broad Arrow in 1896 is given elsewhere.

Personnel:

July 1896: Mr. F. Knight was appointed as Post and Telegraph Master at Broad Arrow.

September 1896: Mr. J. Purling was appointed as Telegraph Operator at Broad Arrow.

January 1897: Mr. J. G. B. Carr was appointed Telegraph Operator.

1. RO2 - P&TO.

Used: 1901 to 1 November 1902

Size: 26 × 41 mm (e = 0.77).

Rated: RRR.

Number in the Census: 1.

2. RO4 - P&TO.

Used: 6 April 1918.

Size: 25 ×

Rated: RRRR.

Number in the Census: 1.

Brown Hill.

The Kalgoorlie Western Argus of 4 March 1902 reported that:

"Mr. J. W. Kirwan, M.P., has received the following letter from the Postmaster-General's Department: Melbourne, 18th February, 1902.:

Sir, With reference to your representations urging that a new Post Office be erected at Brown Hill, W.A., I have the honor to inform you that £500 has been provided on the additional estimates of the Department of Home Affairs for the erection of a portable Post and Telegraph office at the place named.
I have the honor to be. etc., Robt. T. Scott, Secretary".

An Administrative Office was opened in October 1902.

As might be expected, there had been a gold mine at Brown Hill.

On 12 February 1897, the West Australian informed its readers "The Government contemplates establishing a Post and Telegraph office at Bullabulling and tenders will be invited at an early date for the construction of the building which will be of wood and iron and fitted with modern appliances. Attached to the premises will be the quarters of the Post and Telegraph master. The building will be in the form of a cottage, which will be erected on piles". In March 1897, a tender submitted by Mr. A. Cousins for £840 7s 5d was accepted. In November 1897, £150 was allocated in the Estimates for the Telegraph Office.

A Post Office had been opened on 1 January 1896 and it was upgraded to a Post & Telegraph Office on 10 July 1897. It was downgraded to an Allowance Office on 13 December 1904.

Bulla-Bulling is about 30 km (20 miles) west of Coolgardie and about 98 miles east of Southern Cross. Hence it was sometimes referred to as 98 mile.

Many public works - including Post and Telegraph Offices, Wardens Offices and Court Houses - Incorporated the high quality stone and granite from Bullabulling.

Used: 23 May 1898 - Feb 1899.

Size: 21 × 44 mm (e = 0.88).

Rated: RRRR.

Number in the Census: 3.

Bulong is about 40 kms east east of Kalgoorlie. The postal services had started in 1 January 1895. Mails closed at Hannans every Thursday evening at 10:00 pm for I.O.U. White Feather and Kurnalpi.

The Post & Telegraph Office opened in temporary quarters on Friday 31 January 1896 after tenders for the Post & Telegraph Office had been called in October 1895. In April 1896, Mr. H. Parker was named as the lowest tender to construct the Bulong Post Office

When gold was first found in the area in 1893, the group comprising 5 prospectors were granted a lease called I.O.U.. In 1894, Surveyor Hamiltion was assigned the task of surveying the area to design a township. He recommended that the name I.O.U. be changed to the indigenous name of a nearby spring called Bulong. It was mined until about 1908.

In 1978, WMC sold their holding in the Bulong mine to Resolution Mining for nickel mining. Environmental and financial disasters followed. The mine has ceased to exist although the environmental consequences are still extant.

.

Bulong Post & Telegraph Office 1898.
Scanned from Souvenir of the Postal, Telegraphic and Telephone Departments of Western Australia, GPO Perth Christmas 1898.

January 1896: Mr J. N. Hawkins was promoted from Assistant at Menzies to be in charge of the new Bulong (I.O.U.) office.

Used in blue: 31 May 1899.

Size: 29 × 45 mm (e = 0.76).

Rating: RRRR.

Number in Census: 1.

Used in violet: 3 July 1899.

Size: 29 × 45 mm (e = 0.76).

Rating: RRRR.

Number in Census: 1.

Burbanks (Londonderry).

A Receiver of Mail Bags operated from 1 September 1895. A Post and Telegraph Office was opened at Londonderry on 2 May 1896. On 23 March 1900, the name of the office was changed to Burbanks.

The name of the township was changed to Burbanks on 15 March 1901.

On 27 November 1897, the Coolgardie Miner reported "Burbanks is now one of the most progressive centres arcund Coolgardie. The proclamation of a townsite concentrated the population, and a thriving community is rapidly springing up ... Roads are required to be formed and a sanitary system was wanted, while the establishment of a post and telegraph office was declared indispensable ... Mr A. E. Simpson, the Secretary of the Progress Committee undertook to guarantee the particulars needed; and the information collected is sufficient argument it favor cf the claims of the new township. It was ascertained that the officials employed on the Burbanks Birthday Gift mine alone receive 1,200 letters a month, exclusive of parcels and a large number of private letters received by the miners and business people. Every fortnight postal orders amounting to £250 in value are despatched to the other olonies. Within a radius of a mile there is a population of 350, including 50 women and children. Less than three months ago only one small camp existed on the town site. Now there are five stores, three; boarding-houses, an hotel, a bakery, a butcher's, and twelve private residences".

Used in blue on blue paper: 13 May 1903.

Size: 51 mm × 24 mm.

Rating: RRRR.

Number in the Census: 1.

The Post & Telegraph Office opened on 22 July 1894. It does not however appear that the two offices were co-located.

The original location of the Post Office - opened in September 1893 - is not known.

The first section of Coolgardie's Public Buildings, which included both a Post and a Telegraph Office, was completed on 3 May 1895 at a cost of £7,060.

Details of the Coolgardie Telegraph Office can be found on various pages in relation to:

1. Construction of the Telegraph Office.

2. Working Conditions.

3. Disquiet at Coolgardie.

4. The 1894 (non-gold) strike at Coolgardie.

5. Operation of the Office at the end of 1896.

6. ... and beyond.

7. Personnel.

The construction and operation of the Telegraph Office(s).

The 1894 Office.

The Office which opened in 1894 appears to have been a shocker - both from its design and the ways in which it operated within its layout. Compounding the problems was the interference of Mr. Sholl, the Postmaster-General, and the inability of senior staff to be able to review work operations. Inappropriate skills and poor staff conditions and salaries compounded the problems.

There were many articles highlighting the underlying conditions. One article recounts "a curious example of the parsimony of the Government was witnessed on Monday at the Telegraph Office. There was a total absence of ink for public use, and one disgusted man thought to shame the Department by purchasing and using a little ostentatiously. The only result was that it was rushed by the mob, and the purchaser was ousted from the use of his own ink. After a struggle he secured the bottle, remarking in triumph— "You may keep the ink but, by gosh, I'll have the bottle". He is keeping it now as a monument of Government extravagance"
(Coolgardie Miner 20 December 1894).

Another article, which is well worth reading to understand the Coolgardie situation through to the end of 1895, was published by the West Australian on 28 December 1894 - after the Offices had been operating for just five months!! The article starts:

"The administration of the postal and other departments at Coolgardie has been pretty generally condemned, but the complaints so frequently came from t'otherslders that for time it looked as if the sweeping statements made were merely used with a view to showing how much better things are done in the eastern colonies. This, I am sorry to say, is not the case. As the result of careful observation during a stay of some weeks in Coolgardie and surrounding district, I am satisfied that complaints are more than justified, while the gross disregard for the convenience of the public displayed in some departments is such that it would not for one hour be tolerated in Perth or any of the old towns of the colonies. It is not owing to the economy or niggardliness of the Government that these abuses exist, but so far as I could learn they are chiefly traceable to the neglect or incapacity of the departmental heads" ...

It is a very informative and reasonable read which suggests approaches to problem solving.

On 30 October 1895, the Coolgardie Pioneer wrote:

"The town or city (as its inhabitants love to call it) of Coolgardie is one which strikes the stranger with considerable surprise. Where three short years ago there existed only the lonely and dreary bush, varied by a very occasional native camp, there is now a large and opulent community, possessed of buildings and streets which would do infinite credit to many an elder settlement. The surveyors who planned out the town were wise in their generation, and as a result the streets are broad, and show to advantage the many handsome buildings ...

The greatest handicap which Coolgardie has to endure at the present moment is the miserable inadequacy of the telegraphic service to cope with the incessant strain which is put upon it. When stockbrokers and financial agents are reduced to idleness, because they are unable to get telegrams through in time, it can readily be imagined what a source of loss, disaster and inconvenience, and what a check to progress is the present condition of the telegraph system".

So nothing much had changed since 1894!!

The Coolgardie Miner of 31 December 1895 noted:

"Nothing phenomenal really occurred during the year, if we except the two disastrous fires which tore down large sections of Bayley Street. The black gaps are being covered with elegant buildings, which now adorn the main street and altogether the town has mightily improved in many respects, thanks to the town council. Taking everything into consideration, Coolgardie is now a clean, fairly healthy town.

One public building is nearing completion—tbe Post Office—but it is such a ghastly structure that we wish old 1895 would cart it off to the limbo of the past. All round, the year of 1895 has been a good one for Coolgardie and has had more sunshine than gloom in its 365 pages".

On 22 February 1896, a progress report in the 22 February 1896 Western Australian Goldfields Courier noted "The new Post and Telegraph Office, in course of erection, promises to be an ornament to the street. Mr. Riley, the contractor, is pushing on the work as speedily as possible".

There were mixed opinions of the design - the Coolgardie Miner of 31 March 1896 noting as follows:

"We have with amused interest watched the erection of the ghastly structure, and frequently speculated as to the purpose for which it was erected. Externally and internally, it is conceivably ugly, atrociously so, and reminds us of a very bad cross between a second-rate stable and an ancient West Australian gaol. It does not possess one solitary redeeming feature, and if it went off to Woolgangie through the exertions of a willy-willy, or suddenly disappeared into the earth, there would be tumultuous rejoicing".

The 1896 Post and Telegraph Office.

"The new Post and Telegraph Office has been opened for public business and is an ornament to the street, being one of the best buildings in the outlying districts" (The Golden Age, Calgoorlie, 12 May 1896). Clearly that office was not fitted out by May because, in the Western Australian Goldfields Courier of 6 June 1896, it is mentioned that "it is about time the new telegraph office was occupied".

Coolgardie Post Office 1897.
Scanned from Souvenir of the Postal, Telegraphic and Telephone Departments of Western Australia, GPO Perth Christmas 1898.

The Coolgardie Telegraph Office building in about 1950.

Finally, in August 1896, the telegraph office at last moved into its own building. The Inquirer of 21 August 1896 described the situation as follows:

"Our Coolgardie correspondent reported August 16:
On Monday, the telegraph department removed to the new quarters between the post office and the police-station, the work of removing being expeditiously carried out under the superintendence of Mr. Davey.

The suite of apartments is spacious and well lighted, and is fitted with every modern convenience. The operating-room is 35ft. square and, like the receiving room, is the largest in Western Australia. In the operating-room accommodation is provided for 30 or 40 operators. The transmitting and receiving instruments are the finest that can be procured, the troughing for the wires being of the most approved pattern.

The whole of the work has been done by day labor under the supervision of Mr. Mercer of the Public Works Department. No expense has been spared by the Government.

The old building will, for the present, be used as quarters by the officials until some understanding is arrived at between the Postal Department and the Public Works Department, the land being in dispute".

New offices were becoming a frequent event!!

As a postscript to the construction of the new building, The Inquirer reported on 3 April 1896 that:

"The public has wondered lately for what purpose a galvanised-iron building was being erected at the western end of the Supreme Court (in Perth). It appears that it is to be used as a Government office, and will accommodate a number of clerks who have been crowded out of some of the main buildings. The material with which the structure was built was, we understand, brought by the Government from Cue, where at one time it constituted the temporary Post Office. The Government was offered £650 for the material but declined to accept it. It, however, preferred to have it sent on to Perth at a cost considerably larger than the amount offered".

Disquiet at Coolgardie.

The West Australian of 17 September 1896 reported:

"Three additional telegraph operators for the Coolgardie station arrived to-day, and it is hoped this increase to the staff will do away with the delay and the public annoyance recently felt. Messages handed in at Perth on Friday afternoon were not delivered here until midday on Sunday, owing to the congested state of the line. The operators were kept working until five o'clock on Sunday morning, and when they knocked off they were thoroughly exhausted. The line between Coolgardie and Kalgoorlie is still very much congested, and delays are in consequence complained off.".

"The context of Coolgardie and the surrounding major places must be appreciated when viewing developments. Certainly the people in the Goldfields felt isolated and neglected, The description of a Public Indignation Meeting held at Coolgardie on 8 October 1895 gives a strong insight into the mood of the people and the reasons for their feelings. The incredible strike by the Operators and Clerks at Coolgardie one month later was, in part, a testament to that isolation and the little understanding or empathy on the part of the senior bureaucrats - especially Mr. Sholl.

The visit by the Premier Sir John Forrest began about one month later.

On 9 October 1895, a major fire broke out in Bayley Street and destroyed a whole block of offices and shops including the Courier Office and the Reuter's Office. More buildings would have been lost without the assistance of many of the townspeople and the Afghans. Thanks to them "the Post and Telegraph offices were saved. The instruments were taken out of the building and communication with Perth was established by means of field instruments which were erected in the Police paddock" (Daily News 10 October 1895).

The Geraldton Murchison Telegraph of 18 October 1895 reported as follows:

"About an hour before the recent disastrous fire broke out at Coolgardie, Mr. Sholl the Postmaster - who is anything but a persona gratia on the eastern goldfields - was burnt in effigy and, as this performance was conducted in close proximity to Mr. Hinde's chambers where the fire originated, there is a belief which has been gaining ground from day to day since the catastrophe that the conflagration which terminated so disastrously was due to a spark from Mr. Sholl's bonfire".

The Telegraph Office at the end of 1896.

Some disquiet was expressed by Coolgardians about the mail service about the middle of 1896 - so much so that they were agitating "for a coach mail in substitution for the camel service on the Coolgardie line".

In September 1896, Premier Sir John and Lady Forrest visited Coolgardie were catching a special Coolgardie-Perth train. ne of the others in the official party was Mr. E. W. Snook, the Chief Inspector. While being entertained by the Post and Telegraph officials, Mr. Thompson (Post and Telegraph Master) proposed a toast to Mr. Snook. In reply, he noted that "although the staff at Coolgardie now numbered 70, it would soon be doubled. The business during 1894 and 1895 had increased 50 per cent, and the Westralian cable business was now greater than that of any of the other colonies".

It is informative to obtain from the Coolgardie Mining Review of 26 December 1896, a review of the operation of the Coolgardie Telegraph Office:

"In Coolgardie alone, the Post and Telegraph Department pay in salaries £1,000 per month, and the men all round are poorly paid considering the duties they have to perform.

• operators get from £180 to £200 per annum;
• clerks from £160 to £190;
• messengers from £60 to £90.

The greatest number of messages ever transmitted from Coolgardie in one day was 900, the greatest number ever received was 950. The average number of messages transmitted per annum is 146,000, the average received is 182,000. The number of messages transmitted and received since the Coolgardie line was first opened is 975,000.There are now two simplex lines, three quadruplex and one duplex continually going. They use about 9 tons 12cwt.Converts to 9,610 kgs.of sulphate of copper per annum to keep the batteries going in the Coolgardie office.

They repeat for Menzies, Kalgoorlie, Broad Arrow, Black Flag, Niagara, Coonalion, Goongarrie, Norseman, Dundas, Londonderry, Kanowna and Bulong.

The fastest work done upon the Coolgardie line was prepared by J. J. O'Neil and C. Cutts, who topped all records with 70 messages and a Press in an hour.

People in the East should be more careful with their addresses when telegraphing as no less than 5,000 telegrams per annum are undelivered owing to defective addresses".

... And beyond 1896.

In their first meeting of the new century, the Coolgardie Municipal Council met on 18 January. One of the first issues discussed was that of the time at the Railway Station.

"Cr Vance commented upon the glaring differences which were frequently shown between the times displayed by the clocks on the railway station and the clock at the post office. On one occasion lately, the railway time had been eight minutes in advance of the Post Office time which was the recognised standard time in the town and, in consequence of this discrepancy, several persons had been put to serious inconvenience.

He had spoken to the Postmaster, Mr Thomson, on the subject and Mr Thomson had told him that he had, until recently, been in the habit of telegraphing the correct time to the railway station, but he had discontinued the practice when the officials at the Railway Station evinced a disinclination to take the trouble to receive his time message.

Cr Vance moved that the engineer in charge of the local branch of the railways be asked to take the railway time from the Post Office in order that the public might not be misled".

The West Australian of 16 April 1900 reported that on the previous day :

"About 4.30 this morning a fire broke out in the despatch room at the telegraph office and extended to the operating room. The latter was completely gutted. Two instruments out of ten were slightly damaged, the others being uninjured. The whole of the operating plant has been removed to the police court house, which is now being utilised as an operating room. Messages are being transmitted as usual. The cause of the fire is unknown, but it apparently originated among a quantity of papers stored under the stairway leading from the despatch room to the operating room. The watchman on the fire brigade tower failed to notice the flames until notified by Mr. Thomson, the Postmaster, who was awakened by the crackling sound, apparently some time after the outbreak. The fire was confined to the despatch and operating rooms, and the damage, which is estimated at £500, was insured with the British Marine and Commercial Union. The total loss to the department was about £2,000. ...The cause of the fire is put down to the habit of men smoking. It is thought that someone must have thrown down a wax match and that the rats, with which the building is infested, set fire to it, igniting some telegraph forms under the staircase, where the fire started. The authorities consider that there are no suspicious circumstances and that an inquest is not necessary".

Personnel.

In 1894, the staff at the Coolgardie Post and Telegraph Office comprised:

• the Post and Telegraph Master;
• a senior assistant;
• 14 assistants (5 of whom were appointed during the year);
• 2 booking clerks; and
• a receiving clerk (also appointed during the year);
• 1 letter carrier and four messengers.

It was proposed to increase this staff by 4 assistants to bring the total number of employees to 28.

1 September 1894: "Yesterday afternoon, just prior to the departure of the coach for Southern Cross, Mr. Frank Inkpen, the first postmaster of Coolgardie, was made the subject of the grateful recognition of the town of the manner in which he has conducted the postal arrangements of the field during the last ten months. Mr. Inkpen came here about ten months ago and, for some time, ran the postal service unaided as capably and successfully as could be expected under the unfavorable circumstances ...". The story continues in the Coolgardie Miner.

September 1894: Mr. A. Barclay was appointed Senior Assistant. After about 12 months, on 23 November 1895, the Coolgardie Miner reported:
"The many friends of Mr. Angus Barclay, the well-known telegraphist, will be pleased to learn that he has at last earned a well-deserved promotion by being appointed to the head office, Perth. Mr. Barclay may be termed the pioneer operator of Coolgardie goldfields as, five weeks after the inception of telegraphing, he was appointed to fulfil the duties of operating, which at that time was simply the Morse instrument. Since then he has had charge of the operating staff and on two occasions has had contro1 of the duplex and quadruplex systems performing his duties in a capable manner. Knowing Mr. Barclay to be an operator of the highest calibre, we are sorry to lose his services but, at the same time, a change of climate is necessary for a man who has performed official duty here for such a lengthy period. Ineaving Coolgardie, Mr. Barclay carries the best wishes of all for his future prosperity. Already a movement is on foot to give Mr. Barclay a good send-off and we have no doubt, in view of his invariable courtesy during his long term of office here, that the gathering will be a monster one".

September 1894 (also): Mr. T Bruce was appointed Junior Telegraph Operator;
Mr. A. H, BeilbyIn June 1908, Mr. A. H. Beilby, then the Postmaster at Kanowna, was promoted to be Postmaster at Collie.. was appointed Junior Assistant;

Coolgardie Post and Telegraph staff in 1894.
Mr. Thomson and Mr. Davey can be easily seen in the middle row.

January 1895: Mr. E. J. Hackett of the Coolgardie office was promoted to take charge of the new office at White Feather.

At the same time, Mr. Frank Peacock, an Operator at the Coolgardie Telegraph Office, was transferred to Perth. The Coolgardie Miner of 9 January 1895 applauds his service and suggests a reason for these staff changes.

February 1895: W. Pleydell, J. F. G. Auricht and W. Doran were appointed as telegraph operators.

March 1895: Mr. J. F. G. Auricht, Chief Operator at the Coolgardie Telegraph Office died suddenly at the Coolgardie Hospital this afternoon. He had only been a month here. He developed fever symptoms last week and went to the hospital three days ago. To-day, the Postmaster, Mr. Thompson, went to see him, when he said that he felt much better. While he was talking, he dropped back on his bed foaming at the mouth and died in a few minutes. Dr. McNeil was in attendance and pronounced the cause of death to be heart disease. Mr. Auricht was a very assiduous officer. He came from South Australia two months ago and was highly recommended by Sir Charles Todd. He became much respected during his short stay here (West Australian, 29 March 1895).

It is interesting to note at this stage the comment by the Coolgardie Pioneer in August 1895 about Mr. Sholl, the Postmaster-General.

(June?) 1895: Mr John Gerrans was transferred from Perth to Coolgardie as Operator and in February 1896, he was transferred as Post and Telegraph Manager to open the new office at Niagara.

September 1895: Mr. T. Roberts, Telegraph Operator at Bunbury was transferred to take charge of the Coolgardie Telegraph Office.

Beginning of November 1895: "Mr. T. H. C. Hill, who has just arrived from Perth to assist in the telegraph department here is the well-known baritone singer and Coolgardie musical circles will be stronger for his advent. He makes his debut on Sunday night at the Theatre Royal where, it is hoped, he will receive the welcome his reputation merits" (Coolgardie Pioneer 13 November 1895).

In Mr. T. G. Davey however, the department has a worthy and able chief operator — one who is endowed with a remarkable amount of energy, and who discharges his responsibilities satisfactori]y and with uniform courtesy to everyone.

Mr. Frayne at Kalgoorlie and Mr. Knight at Kanowna are likewise in their right places, being typical stamps of men for pioneer telegraphic work" (Inquirer 3 January 1896).

1 January 1897: the Coolgardie Miner reported that "Mr. T. G. Davey, the Chief of the local Telegraph department, who has also been down with fever is now on a fair way to recovery".

October 1896: "Mr Andrew Thomson, Postmaster, is about to take leave of absence for two months. He has been two years in his present position without a holiday, and well deserves a short respite from duty. It is expected that his duties will be temporarily fulfilled by Mr. Leach of Kalgoorlie".

On 30 October 1897, a number of newspapers ran the following sad account:

"The wife of Mr Andrew Thomson, Postmaster here, died this morning (29th) at 8:40. Her demise was somewhat sudden. She was only taken ill last Saturday with influenza, which rapidly turned into pneumonia. Mr Thomson was married to the deceased last January. She was a native of Rutherglen, Victoria, and was for years in the Post and Telegraph service of that colony. To-day Mr Thomson, received a number of messages from the Heads of Departments and friends in this colony and each expressed sympathy".

THEN THE STRIKE OF NOVEMBER 1895.

On 30 November 1895, the Coolgardie Miner reported the following comments made during Sir John Forrest's visit to the Goldfields:

"Mayor Cohn, of Southern Cross, is a goodhearted fellow. This is what he said to the Premier at his reception in that collapsed mining centre:

He was sorry that the postal and telegraphic officials had taken the stand they had in Coolgardie and the blame was not altogether on their shoulders, but it was due to certain political agitators that those servants of the Government had acted as they had done. It was an unheard of thing for Government servants to go out on strike.

He hoped the Government would remember these men and, when they had capable men to fill their places, let them be told, as anyone would be in private employ, "We've had enough of you, now you can go".

The Coolgardie staff who signed the letter requesting improved pay and conditions were:

A. H. Bilbey, G. Chadwick, F. Rouston, F. H. Knight, T. Burton, F. Peacock, G. Ferguson, T. Roberts, H. Conder, H. H. A Woodgate, W. W. Williams, W. G. Hillhouse, J. M. Gowan, P. Sutcliffe, H. G. Phillips, A. F. Cahill, T. Swan, W. Sparrow and T. Lobb.

January 1896 - (the nights of the long knives): "A presentation of a very pleasing character took place at the local telegraph office on Saturday evening when Mr. J. McGowan, the well-known telegraphist, was presented with a beautiful go/den souvenir and an address which read as follows:

"Coolgardie, January, 1896. To Mr. Jas. McGowan. Dear Sir,—We, the officials of the post and telegraph offices at Coolgardie, Kalgoorlie, Kanowna, Menzies, and Coonalion, beg your acceptance of this slight token of respect in recognition of the valuable services you rendered to us daring the late trouble in our department and we trust that, in your new sphere, you will achieve that success which you richly merit. Again begging your acceptance, we remain, sir, yours faithfully, signed on behalf of staffs, S. Chadwick, W. H. Hodges, J. P. Cahill, T. Bruce".

Mr. McGowan was President of tbe association during the late trouble which terminated in favor of the officials. He has, however, since that period, retired from the service on principle and the department thereby lost an able and valuable servant. Mr. McGowan, who left Coolgardie yesterday, takes with him the best wishes of many friends here for his success" Coolgardie Pioneer 13 January 1896).

July 1896: Mr. T. H. Vallis was appointed as Telegraph Assistant;
Mr. J. E. Leeming and Mr. A Donaldson were appointed Assistants;
Me. A. E. Clarke was appointed as a Junior Assistant.

August 1896: Messrs J. Middleton, E. Laker and W. H.Tucker were appointed Telegraph Operators.

December 1896: the staff at the Coolgardie Post and Telegraph Office comprised:

• the Post and Telegraph Master;
• 32 telegraph operators;
• 14 telegraph clerks;
• 19 Messengers;
• 2 cadets;
• 2 battery men.

Also see above for salaries, performances, etc.

December 1896: Mr. F. J. Heagney was appointed as a Telegraph Operator.

June 1897: Mr. J. J. O'Neill, Telegraph Operator, resigned.

October 1897: Mr. Francis Davison of the Telegraph Office was hospitalised with influenza.

February 1898: "Mr K. H. Innes, formerly Postmaster at Geraldton, and lately appointed to the important position of Inspector of Posts and Telegraphs in Coolgardie, has now taken up his residence in the new quarters provided in the Post Office buildings and entered upon his duties. Mr Innes is an old and valued officer of the department, having served 26 years. His family at present are at Albany, but will come to reside permanently in Coolgardie as soon as the temperature becomes milder".

September 1902: "At a well attended meeting of the Post and Telegraph cricket club, held in the club rooms last week, the following officers were elected:—Patrons : Messrs G P Stevens and J J Lloyd, President: Mr A Thomson. Vice Presidents: Messrs T G Davey, J Leslie, and H Butler. Secretary : Mr A Coulton. Treasurer; Mr C Cutt. Delegates to Association: Messrs C Field and P Jones, Mr Nelson has kindly donated a gold medal to the best all round player (P and TCC) should a Wednesday or Saturday Association be formed. The list of members is a lengthy one and, with the advent of new blood recently transferred to the Coolgardie office, the season promises to be highly successful".

April 1903: "The Coolgardie Recreation Reserve presented an animated scene yesterday, on the occasiion of the sports gathering of the local postal and telegraph officials. Almost the whole of the staff were present and took part in the various racing events which were run. The success of yesterdy'a gathering was of such a nature as to stimulate the officers to make the affair an annual one. Last evening a smoke social was held at the club rooms, at the rear of the Post Office, and a splendid evening's amusement was carried out. The postmaster (Mr A Thomson) presided, and the whole musical and elocutionary talent of the Post and Telegraph Office was displayed to the manifest pleasure of visitors" (Coolgardie Miner 11 April 1903).

5 August 1926: The position of Messenger at the Coolgardie Telegraph Office (held by Mr. E. C. Harper) was abolished and gazetted.

Coolgardie Telegraph datestamps.

The Coolgardie Telegraph Office was issued with four types of rubber oval office date stamp which were used on telegrams and covers between the early 1900s and the 1940s:

RO7-??

Used in violet: October 1904 (2 letter month).

Size: ??

Rated: RRRR.

Number in the Census: 1.

RO6 - TO used about 1906 (rated RRR);

RO4 - P&TO:

Used in violet: 27 May 1916 .

Size: 29 × 43 mm (e = 0.74).

Rated RRR.

Number in the Census: 1.

Coolgardie Railway Station.

The Telegraph Office at the Coolgardie Railway station was also issued with an oval date stamp The Office opened in September 1895 and closed on 19 May 1896.

The Western Mail of 13 March 1896 reported:

"The new railway station is rapidly approaching completion, and has a striking appearance. The best endeavours have apparently been made to make the extension and station buildings as convenient as possible. One omission, however, from the station is a verandah, which will be much required during both winter and summer. Let us hope that the Works Department will cause this error to be rectified, and the very necessary addition made before the completion of the contract.

It is a great pity that the much desired extension could not have been carried out without so great a disfigurement to our main street. I allude to the huge banks of earth standing in the railway yard, obstructing the view and proving decidedly unsightly. From a first view, the station building presents a rather a pretty and inviting appearance, certainly much more so than the old shanty that does service as a station at the present time, and which I feel has been the cause of so much adverse criticism on the town, giving visitors at once a bad impression".

There are five recorded examples of the date stamp RO6 - P&TO - all used in early 1896 (rated RRRR) before the opening of the Railway Station.

Coolgardie Railway Post & Telegraph Office.
2 January 1896.

Prestige Philately August 2010 Lot 506.
ACE Auctions, July 2018 Lot 898.

Coolgardie Railway Post & Telegraph Office.
9 January 1896.

Previously considered that only this part strike existed.

Prestige Philately August 2011 Lot 535.

Prestige Philately December 2010 Lot 542.

Coonanalion or Coonalion.

See Kunanalling.

Diorite King.

The mine is located about 30 kms north of Leonora. The town was later renamed Kurrajong.

The Western Australian Goldfields Courier of 19 June 1897 reported "Two teams passed through here last week with timber for the Diorite King Post Office. It is around this district that the blacks have been so troublesome, - spearing horses and stealing "tucker" besides going as far as to tap a white on the head with a nulla-nulla".

The Post & Telegraph Office opened on 15 July 1897 - three days after the line from Leonora had been completed. It was closed on 31 May 1901 but reopened as a Receiving Office on 17 June 1907.

On 8 September 1897, the party who constructed the telegraph line to Lawlers (via Diorite King) passed through on their return to Coolgardie. Three hundred camels were expected through the following day on their return after taking loading to Lawlers. Snell Brothers of Menzies had commenced the erection of a store - making the third in the town.

Personnel:

July 1897: Mr. Bleeck was promoted to be the first Post and Telegraph Master after having served three months relieving at Bulong for Mr. Hankin who had been ill.

The office was issued with a rubber oval POST & TELEGRAPH OFFICE date stamp (RO7-P&TO):

Used: in 1901.

Size:

Rated: RRRR.

Number in the Census: 0.

Dundas.

A Post & Telegraph Office was opened at Dundas (below Norseman) on 3 June 1896. Unfortunately the Office was destroyed by fire on 19 May 1895.

A straight line DUNDAS handstamp is recorded but the date stamp was presumably destroyed in the fire.

At the fortnightly meeting of the Kalgoorlie Roads Board on 16 January 1899, the Board was requested to support a recommendation that the name of the areas near the Perserverance Mine be called Fimiston.

Fimiston was located just to the east of Boulder and next to Trafalgar (aka Lake View). Indeed it was sometimes referred to as "Old Boulder". There was a major fire in the township in December 1900.

The Kalgoorlie Miner of 22 August 1899 reported:

"Yesterday afternoon a deputation consisting of Messrs H. A. Irwin, J. W. Fimister, T. Powell, and H. A. Judd, and Mr G. N. Dancker of the Roads Board, waited upon Mr Innes, Inspector of Post and Telegraphs, who is here on a visit, with reference to the large petition recently sent down for the establishment of a Post Office at Fimiston (Old Boulder). The secretary of the Board had previously driven around the Boulder district with Mr. Innes, and the visitor after the drive, had a bird's eye view from the top of the Associated poppet legs.

Mr. Irwin said that the necessity of a Post Office was undoubted and more so a Telegraph Office. Great inconvenience was suffered by the principal mines of the district by reason of their having to send to the Post Offices for wires. At present the letters were bundled out into a box at the mercy of the general public. On account of the delay in wires for the company getting mixed up with these letters, he was inclined to stop receiving the letters altogether. This would mean that the men would have to go to Kalgoorlie or the Boulder for their mails.

Mr Fimister, as a large owner of property in the vicinity, strongly urged the necessity of postal convenience being provided so as to do away with the manner in which letters were dealt with at present. The business centre at Fimiston, where the large majority of the campers on leases congregated, was the most central point for the convenience of that part of the district. Mr Innes interpolated that a deal of objection was being shown by the representatives of the people of the Boulder. Mr Judd said he was convinced that the Boulder Block was the best position for the proposed Post Office. It was the business centre of that portion of the district where the majority of the men obtained their supplies and where those who had not their families on the field usually boarded. He also dwelt upon the importance of a Telegraph Office being supplied to conconvenience the principal mines.

Mr Dancker pointed out that, so far as Brown Hill was concerned, a large number in that vicinity had signed the large petition for an office to be opened at Fimiston. He thought it the most desirable place. Mr. Powell urged the necessity of some arrangement being come to. Mr Innes, in reply, said he was perfectly convinced the department would be justified in providing an office but the deputation had to contend against adverse Boulder influence. He would recommend that postal facilities be provided and, if the deputation would arrange to supply a suitable piece of land, he had no doubt the request would be complied with".

In May 1900, 24 perches of land were set aside in Boulder (Fimiston) for a Post Office. By August, little progress had been made and so a public meeting was held to point out to the Government "the present requirements for this district viz, a direct mall service from Cane Grass to Mt Higgins via Siberia, Wangine Soak and Davyhurst. This is the natural route and the public travelling from Coolgardie and Kalgogrlie would find it the shortest route going to this now prosperous district. A telegraph line through Siberia, a post office and a public battery and probably the Government may see their way clear to grant what is required. If they would only grant the mail service and a public battery, probably the public in this district would be satisfied for a while".

The Post & Telegraph Office is reported in some sources as having opened in 1902.

To confuse the issue, the Kalgoorlie Western Miner of 1 December 1903 reported the local Member Mr. Kirwan had raised the issue with the Secretary of the P.M/G. Department and received notification that "An inquiry is being made, and you will be advised as to result". Then the Kalgoorlie Miner of 13 May 1904 reported "The Postmaster-General has sanctioned the establishment, in leased buildings, of a Post Office at Fimiston". Finally the West Australian of 17 May 1904 reported "The Post and Telegraph office which has been established at Fimiston was opened for business yesterday".

Fimiston Post & Telegraph Office about 1940.

1. has WA at base.

Used: 15 (2) and 16 December 1905.

Size: 26 × 48 mm (e = 0.84).

Rating: RRRR.

Number in Census: 3.

16 December 1905.

2. has WA at base.

Size:

Use: about 1931-33.

Rating: RRRR.

Goongarrie (90 mile).

Tenders for the Post & Telegraph Office were called in October 1895.

"The Ninety-Mile, or the Roaring Gimlet as it was formerly styled, now blessed with tbe euphonious title of Goongarrie, is rather a picturesque locality. The township, at present, consists of one hotel and two or three stores which front upon a scrubby thoroughfare of loamy soil, invariably about six inches or a foot deep in dust and decidedly unpleasant to the pedestrian as well as providing severe tax upon cattle. The hotel itself is one of the finest on the field outside Coolgardie" (Coolgardie Pioneer, 9 October 1895).

The Post & Telegraph Office opened in temporary offices on 26 November 1895 when 90 Mile changed name to Goongarrie. It had originally been named 90 mile because of its distance from Coolgardie. The opening was at the time the Premier John Forrest was making his special visit to the Goldfields following the Coolgardie strike. The Inquirer of 3 January 1896 reported "The Goongarrie operator, who opened the office for business just as the Premier arrived, was quartered in a tent which afforded him but little shelter from the heat of the sun, and certainly no protection from the dust and flies".

In December 1896, there were two operators assigned to the Telegraph Office.

In November 1897, Mr. H. Gregory, the Member for North Coolgardie asked the Postmaster-General to open a Money Order Office at Goongarrie.

Gold had been discovered in May 1893 by a prospector named Frost. The townsite was proclaimed in June 1895.

1. with a RO6 - TO format and stars at both ends:

Used in violet: 5 March 1896 - 30 January 1897;

Size: 28 × 44 mm (e = 0.77).

Rated: RRRR.

Number in the Census: 3.

2. with a RO2 - P&TO.
   Two digit year.
   Separation dots at both ends.

Used in red: 17 March (19)02.

Size: 27 × 45 mm (e = 0.80).

Rated: RRRRR.

Number in the Census: 1.

The Telegraph Office opened between 1903 and 1915.

Gwalia is located just below Leonora (see article below).

The name is taken from the ancient poetic name for Wales - from whence Thomas Tobias (who registered the lease for the Sons of Gwalia in 1896) had originated.

Further details of the mine (including the remarkable work of the future U.S. President Herbert Hoover (1929-1933)) are included on the Shire of Leonora website.

Size: 25 × 42 mm (e = 0.80).
Rated: RRRR.

Only one recorded use.

The Post & Telegraph Office was established (in a temporary location) with the name of Kalgoorlie on 21 August 1894.

Previously, a Post Office with the name of Hannan's had been opened on 11 February 1894 but it changed name to Kalgoorlie on 18 June 1894.

The first Post & Telegraph Office in Kalgoorlie - as shown by the sign above the men.
It was one of the hessian bags constructions - see below.
Scanned from a Postcard used at Kalgoorlie in March 1907.

Hannan Street, Kalgoorlie showing the extensive use of telegraph wires.
The Post & Telegraph Office can be seen to the right of centre.
In November 1901, the newspapers were reporting that "Poles have been placed in position from Fimiston Block to George Street, while the central pole construction in Hannan Street is well forward".

Steps to raise that low standard for Kalgoorlie buildings began to be taken. In September 1895, tenders were called for the construction of a "wood and iron" Post & Telegraph Office at Kalgoorlie (Hannans). The following month, Mr C. Jobson and a staff were engaged to take levels and to mark out a site for the new buildings.

Improvements were also being considered to other public buildings at that time. For example, the West Australian of 12 March 1896, reported an interview with the 28 year old Mayor of Kalgoorlie Mr, John Wilson. In part: "the most urgent requirement at Kalgoorlie is a commodious public hospital. At present the hospital work is carried on in Hessian tents which are wholly inadequate in every sense ...

The next most pressing matter in the way of public buildings is the erection of a lock-up. The present mode of retaining persons who are arrested by chaining them to a tree is a barbarous one and should not be continued... On several occasions, the Police Court Bench has strongly commented upon the practice which has had to be adopted. To illustrate the hardship which this want entails, I should like to give the case of a man who was arrested recently as being of unsound mind and in whose case the Bench had no other course to adopt but remand the man to Coolgardie for confinement as the Magistrates considered it would be inhuman to chain him to the tree as is mostly done."

A contract was called for erecting a temporary Warden's office, but the lowest tenderer refused to sign the contract and the second also was disinclined to carry out the work he had competed for.

On 3 January 1896, the Inquirer updated its readers by noting that "the Kalgoorlie (Telegraph Office) officials work in a tent under very trying conditions indeed".

On 21 May 1896, the Kalgoorlie Western Argus noted improvements in the town as follows:

"Very extensive additions to the temporary Post Office are about to be made and it is quite time. The business being done in the present small structure is enormous.

The money orders alone issued every month amount to £80.000 while the telgraph business is the greatest outside Perth. The mails received and despatched every day are enormous while the staff, despite their being all good men, is quite insufficient to cope with the work. Two or three additional assistants for the Post Office are on the road from Perth, while the additions to the temporary office are to be put in hand at once.

All day long a string of men block the entrance to the delivery office while waiting their turn to obtain letters from home and, on mail nights, the immense queue which forms in front of the delivery windows stretches into the street.

It is high time a start was made to erect a big two story stone Post Office, as the immense sums of money and quantities of valuables passing through the post render it inadvisable to risk them in a temporary building. It is to he hoped a scheme of building which will make the most of the land at the disposal of the department will be devised as very little footage has been reserved for public purposes and, within a few months, the whole of it will be required.

It is a noticeable fact that since the new splendid quarters have been occupied by the Post and Telegraph officials and the old bag shanties done away with, no cases of sickness have occurred among the members of the staff".

In the WA Record of 18 July 1896 p.13

"These remarks bring the writer to the amazing rate at which Kalgoorlie for some time has been progressing. Seven or eight months ago the town was little better than a miserable collection of bag shanties. The warden's court and offices, the Post and Telegraph offices, the police quarters and many of the leading business establishments were of hessian.

Since then a wonderful metamorphosis has been effected and Hannan's has now grown into a town which its inhabitants view with pardonable pride. The bag shanties have long since all disappeared, the presence of hessian in buildings being condemned by a by-law of the Municipal Council.

Many magnificent hotels have been erected, and a visitor may now be as well accommodated in Kalgoorlie as in almost any city in Australia. The business places would not discredit any goldfields town in the colonies and the Government buildings, though a considerable advance on the bag shanties, are perhaps the only institutions that have not kept pace with the town's progress.

The Post Office, for instance, when commenced was considered much too large for the business ever likely to be done in the town, but the number of letters, telegrams and money orders passing through the establishment at present exceeds that of any other office outside of the metropolis, with the result that the buildings are not nearly sufficiently commodious ...

The same remarks apply to the warden's court and offices, and the Government buildings, all of which should be substituted by substantial and roomy structures of stone, not alone for the convenience of the public, but for the health and comfort of the officials. A stone lock-up is only now in course of erection, to replace the chain attached to a tree, which formerly served for the safe keeping of prisoners".

In December 1896, there were 8 telegraph operators.

In July 1897, extensive alterations to the Post Office in particular were announced.

Personnel:

The Kalgoorlie Post and Telegraph Staff, December 1895.
Scanned from Souvenir of the Postal, Telegraphic and Telephone Departments of Western Australia, GPO Perth Christmas 1898.

The Kalgoorlie Western Argus of 26 September 1895 reported "An indignation meeting attended by about twenty-five persons, was held at the Australia Hotel last night to protest against the treatment received by Kalgoorlie at the hands of the Post and Telegraph Department. Speeches were made by the chairman and Messrs McDonough, Hargan, Fox, Linton, Parsons, Brown and White, condemnatory of the action of the Government in not providing enough officials at the Post and Telegraph Office and at the Warden's Court, nor enough office accomodation".

1896: Mr. J. H. Leach was Post and Telegraph Master. In October, he left Kalgoorlie to make an official visit to Kanowna, Kurnalpi, Bulong, Ballagundi and some other centres.

February 1896: Mr. Charles Lamplough, aged 24 - an Operator at the Kalgoorlie Telegraph Office - died at the hospital from dysentery from which he had suffered for two weeks. He had been in the service for six months. One is reminded of the situation for operators at Coolgardie Telegraph Office.

July 1896: Mr P. G.Hood was appointed as Junior assistant and Mr. A. Sholl was appointed as Assistant.

September 1902: Mr. J. C. Muir, the Officer in Charge of the Electric Telegraph Office at Kalgoorlie exchanged with Mr. Richardson at Fremantle for a short time but then both returned to their official positions.

July 1906: Andrew Thomson, Postmaster, Boulder, Clerical Division, Class 3, to be Postmaster, Kalgoorlie, Clerical Division, Class 2, as from 1st July, 1906.

The Kalgoorlie Post & Telegraph Annual Picnic Committee.

Back Row.—Tom Mulqueeny. A. Kevan, J. Mclnerney, J. Wescott, W. Wise.
Second Row.—B. Rose. L. Jobe, T. O'Brien, W. Harvey, W. Farrell, B. Seymour.
Third Row.—W. Brown, T. Henderson, W. O. Harris, C. Owens, E. Toombs. A. Conlon, A. McHugh.
Front Row.— W. Wintle, young Henderson, young Conlon, T. Davis.

Source: Truth (11 April 1914).

Reference kindly provided by Ingrid Flood (Victoria).

Four rubber oval date stamps appear to have been issued to the Kalgoorlie Telegraph Office:

1. A RO2 - P&TO.

Used in violet: September 1899.

Size: 26 × 41 mm (e = 0.77).

Rated: RRRR.

Number in the Census: 2 (both doubled).

Double strike on a block of 6 1d red Swans.

2. A RO2 - TO.

Used in red: 29 June 1903.

Size: 26 × 54 mm (e = 0.88).

Rated: RRRR.

Number in the Census: 1
(only one example recorded).

3. A RO6 - P and TO.

Used in red: 4 September 1903.

Size: 29 × 49 mm (e = 0.81).

Rated: RRRR

Number in the Census 1:
(only one recorded in red).

4. A RO6 - P & TO.

Used in blue: 18 January 1904.

Size: 29 × 49 mm (e = 0.81).

Rated: RRRR

Number in the Census 1:
(only one recorded in blue).

Used on a Postal & Electric Telegraph Department receipt for telephone rental.
ACE Auctions, July 2018, Lot 934.

5. A RO4 - TO.
   Has separation dots at each end.

Used in violet: 18 October 1905.

Size: × mm (e = 0.).

Rated: RRRR

Number in the Census 1:
(Not listed elsewhere).

6. A RO4 - P & TO.
   Has separation dots at each end.

Used in violet: 3 October 1912.

Size: 24 × 46 mm (e = 0.85).

Rated: RRRR

Number in the Census 1:
(Not listed elsewhere).

7. A RO4 - P & TO.
   Has no separation decorations.

Used in violet: 30 June 1914.

Size: 25 × 42 mm (e = 0.80).

Rated: RRRR

Number in the Census 1:
(Not listed elsewhere).

A very rare date stamp is from North Kalgoorlie but with NORTH removed.

That Post Office had operated in Ward Street and then in Campbell but closed on 21 June 1920. The date stamp had been used from 6 June 1906.

The 28 mm diameter date stamp is known only on two early telegrams (Rated RRRR).

Kalgoorlie with North removed.
11 May 1927.

Used on AE-DO-1Eb (printed on the scarce brown paper instead of green).
Also used on AE-DO-1Ea but it is a very smudged example.

Kanowna (White Feather).

Kanowna was originally known as White Feather after the gold mine which operated in that place. "Speaking of the Feather reminds me that at the last meeting of the Progress Committee, exception was taken to the name the authorities have given the Feather. "Kanowna" is the name of one of the leases here, and why it should be tacked on the place no-one appears to know. If the name had to be changed, and no good reason has been shown why it should, why should they neglect the native name, which is "Cowallillie". However, the committee decided to retain the old name, and have memorialised the authorities to that effect"
(Western Australian Goldfields Courier, 12 January 1895).

Gold had been found in 1893. The White Feather Main Reef Company was formed in 1894. It was one of the richest mines outside the general Kalgoorlie-Boulder area.

A Post Office had opened in October 1894 and closed in the 1930s.

"I believe that the telegraph line is to be finished this week, and I have not the slightest doubt but what full advantage will be taken of it. We only hope that the office will be opened right away, and not wait for the sale of the township, which appears as far off as ever" (Coninuation of above Courier reference). Various newspapers noted that "The telegraph line is about to be extended to White Feather so as to place it in communication with Coolgardie" about the beginning of November 1894.

A Post and Telegraph Office opened at Kanowna on 22 January 1895:

"The White Feather Telegraph Office was opened to the public for the first time on Tuesday and Mr. S. A. Mott had the pleasure of sending the first message through the wires - the recipient being his brother at the Western Argus office, Hannans. Mr. Hackett, from Coolardie, has been placed in charge of the Post and Telegraph Office". (Western Argus, Kalgoorlie, 26 January 1895).

"Without a doubt, the opening of the Post and Telegraph office here is a valuable acquisition and I am given to understand the takings in the telegraph office are very satisfactory up to date. There is a considerable amount of inconvenience caused through the want of a telegraph messenger for delivery of telegrams; another little item which is badly wanted is a Money Order Office. Perhaps your Progress Committee will take this up and be the means of these two little wants being granted" (Western Argus, 16 February 1895).

"at Kanowna, the Post and Telegraph office, save the mark, is absolutely the worst structure in that somewhat substantially erected centre".

In 1905 there were 12,000 living at Kanowna - and there were 16 Hotels and two Breweries.

Finding gold was the penultimate prize. The website Aussie Towns relates the story "At one point a man named Tom O'Connor found a staggering £15,000 worth of gold nuggets right next to the cemetery. Instead of respecting the dead, the local community decided the cemetery was a good place for prospectors. Amusingly the Methodist section was soft clay and easy to dig where the the Catholic section was quartz and needed to be blasted".

Between 2006 and 2014, the Kanowna Belle Gold Mine was operated by Barrick Gold. In 2014, Northern Star Resources purchased the mine.

January 1895: Mr. E. J. Hackett of the Coolgardie office was promoted to take charge of the new office at the Feather.

Kookynie is south-east of Leonora and east of Menzies. The name is believed to be an aboriginal word meaning 'water hole' or 'spring. It was established after gold had been discovered there in 1895. The town was gazetted in 1900.

In a meeting with the Postmaster-General in September 1900, a delegation emphasised the growing importance of Kookynie and elicited a promise that a telegraph office would be opened at that place. The Niagara Post and Telegraph Office was dismantled and brought to Kookynie in February. The Post & Telegraph Office was opened on 28 February 1901.

Previously there had been a Receiver of Mail Bags (RMB). Perhaps the request made by the Progress Committee earlier in that month resounded with the Postmaster-General.

By 1907, the town had 3,500 inhabitants and its facilities included 11 hotels and a brewery. It was an important distribution centre for surrounding towns in the area including to Yerilla.

Personnel:

December 1906: "Mr. John Gerrans, Post and Telegraph Master, who was tendered a hearty send-off last night in the own Hall prior to his departure for Katanning, where he takes up a similar position, is a native of Jamieson, Victoria. After 6½ years in the Post and Telegraph Department in that State, he resigned, and entered the service in W. A. as an operator in Perth where, after a month's service, he was transferred to Coolgardie in 1895, and eight months later was promoted to the position of Post and Telegraph Master at Niagara when that office was opened. During Mr. Gerrans' term of office, Niagara was the distributing office for all northern centres, and five officials were fully employed to cope with the rapidly extending business. After four years' service in Niagara and Kookynie becoming the principal centre of the district, Mr. Gerrans opened the Kookynie office on February 8, 1900, and has held the position of Postmaster since. Kookynie ranks under the Federal classifications as the seventh office in importance in the State".

A rubber oval date stamp (RO2 - P&TO2) was issued to the Office:

Used in red: July 1902.

Size: ??

Rated: RRRR.

Number in the Census: 1.

Kunanalling (Coonalion or 25 mile).

A Receiving Office was opened on 1 January 1895 about 25 miles from Kalgoorlie - and hence became known as 25 Mile. About the same time, a valuable discovery of gold was made at 25 Mile in January 1895. The Inquirer of 11 January 1895 reported "The 25-Mile is coming to the fore, the Premier line of reef being proved to be goldbearing for five or six miles. The last show there is from the lease held by a Fremantle company. The stone brought in from this property is simply splendid. It is solid reef quartz thickly studded with coarse gold, and it looks like one of the most important finds since the Wealth of Nations". Water and a large quantity of cement were also found in the general area.

It had been intended that the Receiving Office would be renamed Coonalion but instead it was upgraded to a Post and Telegraph Office named the 25 Mile and opened on Monday 18 November 1895. A Township was declared in 1895 and called Coolalion although the name 25 mile persisted. In 1896, the town was gazetted and the offices were renamed Kunanalling.

For further discussion and history of 25 Mile, see both Mining at the 25 Mile and 25 Miles Mines.

A personal note written by Robin Goulder indicates that the Postmaster General's Annual Report for 1895 shows the spelling as Coonalion and that this spelling was also used in PMI. The 1896 Report shows the spelling as "Kunanalling (late Coonalion)". These descriptions fit with the above. The Western Australian Study Group - 1979 (edited by Pope) does not list a Telegraph Office operating at Kunanalling (pp. 382, 392)

The Inquirer on 3 January 1895, in its review of condirions of the Telegraph Office which had been opened in the general area, noted "At the 25 Mile, the officer was far better off than his conferes (in surrounding Telegraph Offices) in the matter of accommodation, but he appeared to be overworked, having to despatch and deliver the mails and do the whole of the telegraphing as well".

In December 1896, there were four operators assigned to the Telegraph Office at the 25 Mile.

Kunanalling is now a ghost town. See the YouTube video on Kunanalling, Kanowna, Bulong and Kurnalpi prepared under the auspices of WA Here and Now..

Personnel:

July 1896: Mr. Wm. Alfred Alt was appointed Assistant in the Telegraph Office at Kunanalling.

Used in violet: 1895 (?).

Size: ??

Rated: RRRRR.
PMI states "no marking known".

Number in the Census: 1.

Kurnalpi.

In early July 1894, many newspapers carried the story that "To heighten the excited feeling, news from Kurnalpi has come in to the effect that a 250-ounce nugget had been found at that field".

Tenders for the Post & Telegraph Office had been called in October 1895. In April 1896, Mr. R. Tighe was named as the lowest tender to construct the Kurnalpi Post and Telegraph Office.

The telegraph line to Kurnalpi was completed on 8 February 1896.

The Premier received the first message sent from the Telegraph Office in the shape of a congratulatory message from the chairman of the Kurnalpi Progress Association.

On Monday 24 February 1896, the Post and Telegraph Office opened in a temporary location.

On 15 August 1912, the postal arrangements were downgraded to an Administrative Office.

The West Australian of 6 May 1896, described the town as follows:

"This field is situated about 80 miles N.E. from Coolgardie, 56 from Kalgoorlie and 42 miles from Kanowna ... The town at present consists of a store (Messrs. Cable, Lardner & Jones), hotel (Mrs. Ames), Warden's office, Post and Telegraph office. Attached to the store are a baker's, a butcher's and a chemist's shop.

This field was about two years ago the scene of an immense rush, and the heaviest alluvial gold found on the Coolgardie fields was picked up here.

The population at the present is estimated at between three and four hundred, steadily increasing ...

The opening of the telegraph line has been a great boon to the field and it is largely utilised. The Progress Committee meet once a week and, up to the present, have been fairly successful in obtaining a grant from the Government for public purposes.

A new Post and Telegraph office, Police barracks, and Miners' Institute have been approved and tenders called for".

Some type of oval date stamp was issued to the Office but it may have just been for the Post Office.

June 1896: Mr. H. B. Loughery was appointed as Assistant.

Lake View.

An Official Office was opened on 19 February 1904 when the office was transferred from Trafalgar which had been opened on 6 December 1902. The Office was transferred back to Trafalgar in 1909.

The Lake View and the Star Mine - as well as Fimiston - are located about 6 kms from Kalgoorlie and adjacent to Boulder. Good gold was struck at Lake View at about the end of August 1894.

Used in mauve: 18 August 1904.

Size:

Rated: RRRR (especially given it operated for only 5 years).

Census: 1 (only recorded example).

18 August 1904.

ACE Auctions, July 2018.

Laverton (British Flag).

The site was originally known as British Flag. Gold was discovered there in 1896. Dr. Charles Laver was a leader in the area and so, when the town was approved in 1898, the name was changed to Laverton.

The Post & Telegraph Office opened at Laverton on 12 August 1899 on the closure of the office at Mount Margaret. A tri-weekly mail service between Malcolm and Lavertoon also commencd at about the same time.

The newly created Laverton (and Beria) Mercury provided ((on 14 October 1899) a strong comment on the Laverton Post and Telegraph Office (which had been moved from Mount Margaret):

"The authorities appear to be very long-winded in effecting the removal of the Post and Telegraph Office from Mt. Margaret to Laverton. There cannot be any reasonable excuse for this delay.

The present temporary building in which the postal and telegraphic business is being conducted is altogether inadequate for the purpose for which it is being utilised and is simply a disgrace to the postal department. The building, which is a small hessian structure, evidently designed in the first place for a dog kennel is, irrespective of its incapaciousness and altogether unsuitableness, liable to be taken away at any time during the occurrence of strong willy willy.

Nobody envies Mr T. McGladdery, the Postmaster, his position, which is attended, in addition to those already mentioned, by numerous other inconveniences which are too obvious to necessitate particularising".

On 7 November the Laverton Board of Health resolved to write to the Postmaster-General "pointing out the existing inadequate facilities at the local Post and Telegraph office and asking him to appoint an assistant to the postmaster; also a telegraph messenger" (Laverton and Beria Mercury). A month later, on 9 December 1899, the Menzies Miner reported "A Money Order office opens at Laverton (12 December) and a branch of the Savings Bank will be opened within a few weeks".

Laverton declined because of the low price of gold in the 1960s. But in 1968, Ken Shirley discovered nickel-bearig rocks about 24 kms north west of Laverton. That began the adventurous but disasterous Poseidon share boom and crash. There are still two gold minesOne mine is operated by Gold Fields and the other by AngloGold Ashanti. operating in the area.

Personnel:

December 1899: "Mr. J. Scott took up his duties at the local Post and Telegraph Office last week as assistant to Mr T. McGladdery, Postmaster Laverton. Although Mr. Scott is a stranger, who will doubtless eventually prove to be a popular resident, his appointment here is not only gladly felt by Mr. McGladdery, whose duties in the past have been altogether too laborious, but by townspeople and others".

1. a rubber oval date stamp (RO2-TS).
   The inscription of TELEGRAPH STATION is rare - Port Hedland being the only other station to use this inscription.

Used in violet: June/July 1900.

Size: 25 × 49 mm (e = 0.86).

Rated: RRRR.

Number in the Census: 3.

2. a rubber oval date stamp (RO2-P&TO).
   The inscription is Post & Telegraph Office.

Used: 26 September 1899 and 17 - 19 July 1900.

Size: 26 × 41 mm (e = 0.77).

Rated: RRRR.

Number in Census: 3.

Lawlers.

The Post & Telegraph Office was opened on 30 August 1897. A Post Office had been opened during the previous year on 16 August 1896.

In a review of the township, a correspondent for the Mount Magnet Miner of 17 July 1897 reported "The Post Office is a most commodious building of wood and iron and is now equipped with telegraph operating room and instruments".

At its peak, Lawlers was the third largest town in Western Australia, It is now a ghost town.
The site is about 25 kms south west of Leinster (which sadly has never had a Telegraph Station).

Lawlers Post and Telegraph Office.
Celebrating the Telegraph Line to Lawlers W.A. 30.8.97.
Scanned from Souvenir of the Postal, Telegraphic and Telephone Departments of Western Australia, GPO Perth Christmas 1898.

Two rubber oval date stamps were issued to Lawlers for use with telegraphic business:

1. a rubber oval TELEGRAPH OFFICE date stamp (RO2-TO):

Used: about 1898.

Size:

Rated: RRRR.

Number in the Census: 0.

2. a rubber oval POST & TELEGRAPH OFFICE date stamp (RO2-P&TO):

Used: about 1912.

Size:

Rated: RRRR.

Number in the Census: 0.

Menzies lies 92 miles north-west of Kalgoorlie and was the main town of the North Coolgardie goldfields.

Gold was discovered in 1894 by Charles Hall. Mr. Leslie Menzie was the first to take out a lease beyond the 90 mile and called the mine the Lady ShentonThe Lady Shenton was owned by Menzie who represented a Perth syndicate plus other individuals including Sir George Shenton, H. Darlot and R. F. Sholl (the younger brother by one year of Postmaster-General Sholl).. He had formerly discovered and then became Manager of the Star of the East mine at the Murchison. In the mid-1890s, The town was gazetted as Menzies in 1895. Menzies was the terminus of the railway line.

In 1896, there was a population of about 2,000 people but it would soon cater to over 6,000 people living within 2 mile radius. The town had 10 hotels, four churches and three banks.

The first Post Office at Menzies - 1895.
As was common, the Post Office was located in the local store.
(from Western Australian Goldfields Courier 10 October 1896, p. 18).

Tenders to construct the Post & Telegraph Office were called in September/October 1895. The telegraph line reached Menzies on 3 December 1895 when the Post & Telegraph office was nearing completion.

"The people of Menzies were taken by surprise on Tuesday, 3rd instant, when it was announced that the telegraph line connecting with Coolgardie and the world generally had been completed and a congratulatory telegram from the Premier had been received. A number of other congratulatory telegrams were also transmitted.

Some of the people here have not been slow to abuse the Ministry for being apathetic but, if the Government carry out their other promises with the same spirit as the telegraph extension, no one here will have cause to complain. That the line will pay and be a great convenience to the public is vouchsafed by over 450 telegrams having been received for the five days.

There is still, however, another small matter requiring the attention of the Postmaster-General, viz: to provide a lad to deliver the telegrams within a radius of two miles. It is difficult for people to know when they arrive and, those outside the mile, would only be only too glad to pay 2s. each for their delivery rather than lose time in running to and fro. Lads, however, are not to be procured in Menzies, probably one from Coolgardie would be available" (Coolgardie Miner 13 December 1895).

During the visit of Premier Forrest to Menzies on 27 November 1895, the deputation was tasked "To point out to him the unsuitability of the building now being erected to do duty for a Post and Telegraph station".

In January 1896, residents were angry at the great inconvenience caused by the lack of stamps at the local Post Office. No stamps at all were obtainable and the inexcusable negligence on the part of the Department was resented here.

On 20 April 1896, the West Australian repprted the following critical news:

"Illness of Post Office Officials at Menzies.

Owing, it is said, to the insanitary state of Menzies, there has been considerable illness among the Post and Telegraph officers there. At one time no less than four men were down with typhoid fever. These were removed as soon as possible but still reports of cases continue to come in to the Postmaster-General who is afraid that if something is not done at once to render Menzies more healthy, he will be unable to get men to go there.

Early on Saturday morning he received a telegram to say that the young man Johnson, who had contracted fever and had been suffering for some time, had died at 7.30. The Postmaster at Menzies, in notifying his chief of this sad event, remarked that he was getting disheartened in his endeavours to keep the business of the place going under such trying circumstances".

On 11 August, 1896, duplex telegraph instruments were received at Menzies and an officer of the Telegraph Department arrived to install them at the Telegraph Office. Two additional operators also arrived (see below) bringing the total to 6 by December 1896.

"The additions to the Menzies telegraph office have just been completed by the contractors Messrs. Hayward and Gray, and as a result the receiving operators were last night more comfortably situated. Instead of the postal and telegraphic work having to be done in one apartment, separate rooms have been provided in which the work of the different branches of the service can be carried out. This will undoubtedly prove advantageous to the public as well as the staff". (The Menzies Miner, 10 April, 1897).

By 1897, there were five main gold mines around Menzies:

• Lady Shenton (24,237 ozs of gold);
• Queensland Menzies (16, 138 ozs),
• Menzies Gold Reefs (7, 019 ozs),
• Menzies Consolidated (6, 119); and
• Florence (706 ozs)

Personnel:

October 1895: Mr. S. R. Roberts was appointed Postmaster at Menzies.

March 1896: Mr Johnson, an operator in the Menzies telegraph office, unfortunately died from typhoid fever. He had only arrived in Menzies on 29 January and developed fever in early March. Two other operators from the same office, Messrs Shaw and Thornton, had to be taken to the Coolgardie hospital suffering from the same disease (see story above).

September 1896: Mr. A. J. Parsons and Mr. T. Cain were appointed as Telegraph Operators at Menzies.

December 1896: A. E. Greaves and E. J. Pearce were appointed as Operator and Assistant respectively.

June 1897: "Mr. Perkins, who has been connected with the local Post and Telegraph office for the past 12 months, and who has been promoted to the Post Mastership at Mount Malcolm, was last night made the receipient of a handsome gold pencil case and set of gold sleeve links bv his ellow-employees as a token of the steem in which he is held.

Mr. Fisher, the Postmaster, in making the presentation, expressed his regret at losing Mr. Perkins, who had always proved himself to be a competent and obliging officer, and he was sure the residents of Mount Malcolm would benefit by his presence amongst them.

Mr. Perkins feelingly thanked the staff for their handsome presents. He would always value them, not alone for their intrinsic value, but also as mementoes of the happy time he had spent in the Menzies office. Mr. Perkins, who leaves by this morning's coach for his new sphere, carries with him the best wishes of all who knew him"
(Miners Daily 11 June 1897).

May 1899: After a spell of nearly three years in Menzies, Mr T. Cane, one of the operators in the telegraph office, was proceeding to Perth. Mr Cane has, at his own wish, been transferred to Perth for three months, and during his absence, his place was filled by Mr McCabe, who was from the Perth office.

1. a rubber oval POST & TELEGRAPH OFFICE date stamp (RO6 - P&TO).
   A 2 mm dash at each end to separate the top & lower inscriptions.
   4 digit year.

Used in violet: 5 & 16 September 1904.

Size: 26 × 45 mm.

Rated: RRRR.

Number in the Census: 2.

Has two complete strikes of the Post & Telegraph Office oval date stamp (RO6 - P&TO).

2. a rubber oval TELEGRAPH OFFICE date stamp (RO6 - TO)
   No separation marking at the ends between the top and bottom inscriptions.
   Two digit year.

Used: 19 July 0?.

Size: 27 × 45 mm (e = 0.80).

Rated: RRRR.

Number in the Census: 1.

3. a rubber oval TELEGRAPH OFFICE date stamp (RO6 - TO).
   Has separation markings at either end between top and bottom inscriptions.
   Four digit year.

Used: 29 July 1904.

Size: 27 × 45 mm (e = 0.80).

Rated: RRRR.

Number in the Census: 1.

4. a rubber oval TELEGRAPH OFFICE date stamp (RO7 - TO).
   Has separation stars at either end between the top and bottom inscriptions.
   Four digit year.
   
   The W.A. inscription has been removed.

Used: 1 July 1915.

Size: 24 × ?? mm (e = ??).

Rated: RRRR.

Number in the Census: 1.

The township of Leonora was only surveyed at the end of 1896. It is about 237 kms north of Kalgoorlie.

The Mount Leonora area was very rich. Crushing had started at the Sons of Gwalia mine on 1 May 1896 and, by 9 September 1897, 2,l51 tons had yielded 3,456 oz of gold.

Developments happened quickly. In May 1897, the Postmaster-General wrote to the Mayor stating that the Government intended to shortly erect a Telegraph Office at Mount Leonora.

The tender to construct the Post and Telegraph Office had been agreed with Messrs. Muir and Wright in August for £575. In November 1897, £650 was recorded in the Estimates for the Telegraph Office.

Leonora P&T in 1905.
Kalgoorlie Western Argus, 13 June 1905.

The people on the Leonora Progress Committee always felt they were ignored by the Government (and it seems that their feeling was often justified). The North Coolgardie Herald of 30 September 1897 gave another example: "The new Post and Telegraph office is completed and, although not officially opened, we are able to use the telegraph which is a great boon though we will be unable to obtain such a small item as a money order, and will still have to travel to Malcolm, a distance of 14 miles for that purpose".

On 22 October 1897, the Telegraph Office did (officially) open at Mount. Leonora together with the Post Office.

In February 189, a deputation met Mr. Lefroy, Minister of Mines and asked him for several advances - one of which was a Telegraph Messenger!!! On 7 April 1899, a deputation from the town waited on the Premier. They had three requests:

1. the appointment of a Telegraph Messenger;
2. the establishment of a public school;
3. the appointment of a Mining Registrar.

On 10 July 1908, the official name changed to Leonora although it had been referred to as tht for many years (see the RO7 date stamps below).

An interesting article appeared in The Evening Star (Boulder) on 3 September 1908:

For the Leonora electorate the nominations of Messrs. Semken, Gourlev, Carr and J. Jones were received. The nomination of Julian Stuart was invalid.

He telegraphed his nomination from Leonora shortly after 10 o'clock this morning which did not reach the returning officer at Malcolm at the closing hour of nominations.

The West Australian of 27 November 1908 reported:

THE LEONORA ELECTION. SUSPENDED OFFICIALS REINSTATED. Mr. Barwick, the postmaster and Mr. Toomey, telegraph operator, who have been under suspension for nearly two months in connection with an alleged delay in the transmission of Mr. Julian Stuart's nomination as a candidate for Parliament at the recent elections, have, after a thorough investigation, been reinstated. Both officers resumed duty to-day.

Five formats for the oval date stamps issued to the Mount Leonora Telegraph Office are known. The first date stamp was inscribed Mount Leonora while the others (from 1900 onward) had the word MOUNT either removed or were produced as Leonora.

All had the inscription Post & Telegraph Office:

1. RO6 - P&TO.

Used in violet:
10 March to 18 October 1899.

Size: 27 × 44 mm (e = 0.79).

Rated RRR.

Number in the Census: 5.

2. RO2 - P&TO.

Used in violet:
17 January 1903.

Size: 27 × 41 mm (e = 0.75).

Rating: RRRR.

Number in the Census: 1.

Not recorded elsewhere.

3. RO7 - P&TO.
   Name changed to LEONORA.

Used in blue:
10 September 1900.

Size: 30 × 43 mm (e = 0.72).

Rating: RRRR.

Number in the Census: 1.

4. RO7 - P&TO.
   Name changed to LEONORA.

Used in violet:
13 August 1901.

Size: 30 × 43 mm (e = 0.72).

Rating: RRRR.

Number in the Census: 1.

5. RO7 - P&TO.
   Name changed to LEONORA.

Used in violet:
13 January 1914(?).

Size: .

Rating: RRRR.

Number in the Census: 1.

In his 1869 exploration, John Forrest (later Premier Sir John) named the place for the town after the nearby mountain. It is about halfway between the 90 Mile (Goongarrie) and Lake Darlot.

A Receiving Office was opened at Mt. Malcolm on 1 March 1897. Soon after, the Post & Telegraph Office was opened on 15 June 1897 - also as Mount Malcolm. "The completion of the telegraph line to Mt. Malcolm was effected at 10 o'clock this morning (15th), when the following congratulatory wires were transmitted to the acting-Premier and Postmaster-General, Perth: — "The mining and business community of this centre congratulate the Telegraph Department on the completion of the telegraph line here, and also in the speedy erection of Post Office buildings. The extension of the tri-weekly mail service from Niagara to Mount Malcolm would prove of further benefit, and is greatly needed"
(Coolgardie Miner 16 June 1897).

In September 1897, approval of a public reserve in Malcolm was finally listed in the Gazette for the Post and Telegraph Office at Malcolm.

The Malcolm Chronicls of 1 April 1889 reported the steady progress made at the Malcolm Post and Telegraph Office. There had been a steady increase in the Money Order business and a similar improvement in the telegraph department - with a 33% increase in business over previous reords.,

The Office was renamed Malcolm in 1904. It closed on 20 December 1950.

The evolution of Malcolm can be summarised as follows:

• 1896: six stores, three hotels and two bakeries;
• 1903: 200 buildings and a population of 450;
• 1904: population of 400, six hotels and a brewery.

Malcolm is now a ghost town.

Personnel:

June 1897: Mr. Perkins of the Menzies Post and Telegraph Office was promoted to be the first Post and Telegraph Master at Mount Malcolm (see Menzies entry).

Malcolm had been the centre of the Mount Margaret goldfields. The North Star Mine is near where Malcolm used to be (next to Leonora) and is now operated by Fortescue Metals Group .

1. RO6-TO - Mt. Malcolm.

Used in blue: 13 July - 15 December 1897.
(only known used in 1897).

Size: 26 × 43 mm (e = 0.80).

Rated: RRRR.

Number in the Census: 4.

 

Used in violet: 15 December 1897.

Size: 26 × 43 mm (e = 0.80).

Rated: RRRR.

Number in the Census: 1.

2. RO6 - TO - inscribed MALCOLM.

Used in violet: 15 December 1897.

Size: 25 × 42 mm (e = 80).

Rated: RRRRR.

Number in the Census: 1.
(not previously recorded)

10 July 1913.

Used on the reverse side of a registered OHMS envelope sent from Perth to Coolgardie and redirected to Murrin Murrin and then to the Dead Letter Office in Perth.

On 7 March 1896, the Kalgoorlie Miner reported that "Further results of crushings from the Little Wonder are to hand. The mine is situated about 15 miles from Doyles' Well, near Mount Malcolm. The first crushing of half a ton from the surface yielded 970 ounces of gold. A second crushing of 8cwt from the 70ft level gave 423 oz, and a third crushing from the 90ft level of 23cwt returned 1310 oz. The last crushing, which was from the 160 ft level, gave 250 oz from 48 cwt. Mount Malcolm is situated half-way between Ninety Mile and Lake Darlot or Lake Carey".

The Menzies Miner of 13 February 1897, noted that "The Postmaster-General will open a money order office as soon as a bank opens and has ordered a building for a Post and Telegraph office to be erected in Malcolm forthwith. Unfortunately Mr. Beasley's survey has not yet been received here and the location of the Post Office is unknown".

On 19 March 1897, the Daily News reported that "A public meeting, attended by 700 persons in and around Mt. Malcolm, was held in front of the Mt. Malcolm Hotel in Star Street on Monday evening the 15th March ... (amongst other matters, the meeting urged) that the Government erect and open a Post and Telegraph office forthwith and that a bi-weekly mail service be established at once to this township".

Mount Margaret.

A Post and Telegraph Office opened at Mount Margaret on 17 May 1897. In November 1897, Mr. H. Gregory, the Member for North Coolgardie asked the Postmaster-General to open a Money Order Office at Mount Margaret.

Records show that a Receiver of Mail Bags had been established at Mount Margaret in August 1896. In the folowing month, the Western Australian Goldfields Courier of 12 September reported "The residents of Mt. Margaret have requested the Menzies MINER to draw the attention of the Government to the fact that great inconvenience has been caused by the distance of the Post Office from the townsite chosen by the residents and approved by the Warden. The Post Office at present is located in a store belonging to the Mt. Margaret Reward Company. The residents assert that this is over a mile from the townsite, and protest in a body against the continuance of the Post Office in the present locality". There is confusion with dates and services there but it cannot be sirted out at this time. HELP???

The Office closed on 7 September 1899. See elsewhere for some observations.

Used: 13 Ju__??

Size: ??

Rated: RRRR.

Number in the Census: 1.

Mount Morgan.

Morgans (Mount Morgan) is east of Leonara on the way to Laverton. Gold had been discovered in 1896 and the township evolved nearby. A most wonderful recounting of the establishment of Morgans with the survey of the land and the organised rush of people wanting to peg claims for mining and for houses is given in the Coolgardie Miner of 7 March 1899 - The Battle of Morgansville.

Gold has been produced at that place through four distinct periods up until 2020.

A Post & Telegraph Office was opened at Mount Morgan on 10 August 1899 - fairly soon after the above-referenced Battle. The Menzies Miner of 26 August 1899 noted this development as follows:

"We have at last the telegraph line — a great boon to the town. The temporary office is opposite the National Bank and the Post Office. The present position could not be more convenient to the people".

The North Coolgardie Herald of 28 September 1899 - seven weeks after the P&TO had opened - gave its editorial description of events as follows:

"It is marvellous how Government money is unnecessarily wasted in many of the branches of the Government Departments.

Take the Post and Telegraph Office here for example. It was erected in the first place at a retired restaurant keeper's house at a rental of, I believe, a pound. Think of a Government renting a place when it, or its Representative, had the first grab to secure or reserve a few blocks for public purposes when laying out the town site!

But the Representative, or more properly speaking the servant of the public, and more particularly the servant of the people of Mt. Margaret district did not, or perhaps does not, possess that amount of wisdom or forethought that he should show by having prominent and central areas Reserved for public conveniences.

After having the said hash-house renovated, the telegraph wire laid on, the office furniture, etc fixed up and business put in full swing for a week or so, the the whole paraphernalia was shifted to a bough shed at the east end of the town and quite outside of the town site! The humpy is very conspicuous for insignificance and, if any person wants to find it, he has to ask a policeman.

Now the time and expense taken up and wasted in fitting up the office and then pulling it down again and shifting it from one place to another, would have been ample to put up a live Post and Telegraph Office but not a hot-house shanty; and as the place at present stands, it is anything but convenient to the majority of the people residing on the town areas. Then, if the town should extend, which is very probable, it will not go the way the Post Office humpy indicates.

Whilst writing on this matter, the public are greatly inconvenienced in not having a Money Order office in connection with the Post Office, also a savings bank. People find it very awkward when they wish to remit money through not having the office in question. It would therefore be a great boon to the public generally if the Government would grant us this little concession. We are justly entitled to it for obvious reasons.

There is another little matter of oversight, or want of foresight, on the part of that slow-moving individual who has the looking after the comforts and accommodation of the Police in this district. We have here a good officer in charge, Constable John O'Loughlin, but he has not even a mulga bush to chain his captives to let alone the necessary statutes and forms to enable him to administer the law properly and expeditiously. Yet further, he has not even a house to camp in. Only for the hospitality of Mr. George Davis, he would be compelled to take the sky for a roof and mother earth for a mattress".

On 9 December 1899, the Menzies Miner reported that "Mr Sholl states that a Money Order office and savings bank cannot be opened at Mt. Morgans until a suitable building is erected. The present building being wholly inadequate. However, the Works' Department is pushing on with the erection of a building as quickly as possible and, as soon as a suitable office is ready, the conveniences referred to will be provided".

The town was renamed Morgans in 1909. It is now a ghost town.

Used: November 1899.

Size: ??

Rated: RRRR.

Number in the Census: 1.

Mulline and Mulwarrie

Mulline is located north-west of Kalgoorlie and west of Menzies. Mulwarrie is about 90 miles (125 km) north-west of Kalgoorlie between Mulline and Davyhurst.

In November 1897, Mr. H. Gregory, the Member of North Coolgardie asked the Postmaster General for telegraphic communication with Mulline. In May 1899, the Warden commented in his Report: "A place with no telegraph communication and only one mail a week must not be expected to occupy any but a third rate position".

In August 1899, the Government started that they would "refuse to place a sum of money on the Estimates for an extemsion of the telegraph line to Mulline". The telegraph line was however completed on or before March 1901 to both Mulline and Mulwarrie and to Davyhurst. Mr. Sholl (the Postmaster-General) said the Department was in the process of renting premises at both the first two locations. He hoped they would both be open very shortly and so operators would be appointed by that time (The Menzies Miner 6 April 1901). The office at Davyhurst would be deferred pending the receipt of a report.

Mulline is now a ghost town.

Murrin Murrin (Redcastle).

A Telegraph Office opened at Redcastle on 1 May 1897 and that office was upgraded to a Post and Telegraph Office on 1 October 1897. On 30 November 1898, the Redcastle P&TO was closed.

"The Progress Committee held their usual fortnightly meeting at Barton's Hotel (Murrin Murrin), last Saturday. A reply was received from the Postmaster-General, refusing a Post and Telegraph Office, on account of there already being one at Redcastle, nine miles away. This is rather rough on the district, which has a large population and three registered companies with machinery erected or in course of erection. The absence of an office causes an immense amount of inconvenience. Moreover, the Acting-Premier distinctly promised one" (Goldfields Morning Chronicle, 14 July 1897).

On 21 September 1897, "The Progress Committee (for Murrin Murrin) held a meeting at Barton's Hotel to frame rules, etc. It was decided to present a strong petition to the Minister for the erection of a Post and Telegraph office and a wire was sent to the Postmaster-General, reminding him of a former promise. There are now 250 people in the district and three mining companies have batteries in course of construction, so that a Post Office is sorely needed".

A Receiver of Mail Bags was opened at Murrin Murrin in November 1897. In November 1897, Mr. H. Gregory, the Member for North Coolgardie asked the Postmaster-General to open telegraphic communication to Murrin Murrin. At some time after that, the "Murrin Murrinites" were promised a Post and Telegraph Office but, as was the custom, residents who were promised a Post and Telegraph Office to accompany their Telegraph line were, in January 1898, still waiting for news of the building and were being considerably inconvenienced. and that was upgraded to the Murrin Murrin Post & Telegraph on (on about) 18 March 1898.

On 30 November 1898, the Redcastle P&T Office was closed and work was transferred to nearby Murrin Murrin. which was about 25 miles north-east of Mount Malcolm. It was downgraded to an Allowance Office on 23 October 1913.

A year after the P&T Office had been established, the Coolgardie Herald on 22 September 1899 noted "The increase in the business of the Post and Telegraph office justifies more accommodation for the employees. With the exception of the operating room, they have only one small room, which they have to use as a dining room and bedroom".

Murrin Murrin the town is now a ghost town.

Nickel was discovered in the 1960s about 20 kms north-west of the old township's Telegraph Station (an important place marker)!!. The Murrin Murrin mine has since been owned and solely operated by the large world wide Glencore company since 2011 to mine nickel and cobalt.

1. RO7-P&TO.

Size: 30 × 49 mm (e = 0.79).

Used: 2 October 1899.

Rated: RRRR.

Number in the Census: 1.

2. RO4-P&TO.

This format had been referenced in several sources but no example has been seen until this one.

Used in green: 12 July 1913.

Size: 25 × 42 mm (e = 0.80).

Rated: RRRRR.

Number in the Census: 1.

12 July 1913.
Used on the reverse side of a registered OHMS envelope sent from Perth to Coolgardie and redirected to Murrin Murrin and then to the Dead Letter Office in Perth.

The Post & Telegraph Office opened on 13 July 1896 after a Receiving Office had opened in January 1896.

The Coolgardie Pioneer of 29 April 1896 reported on a dinner to Mr. Cohn The Chairman of the Progress Committee noted in his speech that "It was through Mr. Cohn that the present telegraph line was about to be constructed and, when that was completed, they would have a post office which would be a credit to Niagara".

"The telegraph line apparently reached Niagara before 15 August 1896. A public meeting was held on that day and the Western Australian Goldfields Courier of the following Saturday reported "Although the telegraph office has only been open a week, the number of messages sent and received daily is about 90, and the business of the post office, now that Niagara has three mails a week, is largely augmented".

The Office was downgraded:

• to an Allowance Office in 1907; and
• to a Receiving Office in 1912;
• the office was closed on 7 July 1913.

On 7 April 1896, the Coolgardie Miner reported "There has been five new public house licenses granted, making ten in all, and I hear that we are going to have police protection. Business people are coming here, and Jas. McHenry Clark, Lissiman and Co. of Coolgardie, have opened a general store, a thing that has been very much needed. We are badly wanting a post office. I believe that we are to have a telegraph office shortly. The surveyors are pushing on with the survey of the new dam. It is estimated that during tbe last rain millions of gallons went ever the Niagara Falls. There is plenty of feed and water on the whole of the back country".

On 16 July 1896, the Coolgardie Miner had noted (at the time of opening of the lines) that "Another pressing need here is assistance for the local postmaster. A big mail comes in and it is the despatch office for four lines — altogether too much for one man. A decent post and telegraph office should also at once be erected, as a fair-sized mail bag and a small boy would just about crowd the present building".

Niagara Post, Telegraph and Telephone Office in 1898.
The window at the right is marked "TELEGRAPH OFFICE".
Scanned from Souvenir of the Postal, Telegraphic and Telephone Departments of Western Australia, GPO Perth Christmas 1898.

Personnel:

(February?) 1895: Mr. John Gerrans was transferred to Coolgardie from Perth as Operator. Eight months later, he was promoted to the position of Post and Telegraph Master at Niagara when that office opened and he remained there for four years before being transfered to Kookynie.

April 1897: Mr. D. H. Mundie was appointed letter carrier and Telegraph Messenger.

The Office was issued with a rubber oval POST & TELEGRAPH OFFICE date stamp (RO1-P&TO):

Used: 26 March (about 1904 (?)).

Size: ??

Rated: RRRR.

Number in the Census: 1.

Lawrence Sinclair together with his brother George Sinclair and Jack Alsopp discovered a rich gold reef in August 1894 which Sinclair named after his horse, Hardy Norseman. 

On 25 January 1896, the Norseman Esperance Guardian addressed "The Wants of Norseman". Inter-alia, the piece addressed:

"The Post Office arrangements on this field are far from satisfactory. The present Postmaster does more than can reasonably be expected of him and, in urging for a substantial alteration in this matter, we have the good wishes of Mr. Roberts and his staff.

It is possible, if not probable, that the telegraph line will reach Norseman from Coolgardie in early February. This will necessitate the erection of suitable premises for a telegraph station. It is therefore an appropriate time to urge the authorities to make provision for a Post combined with a Telegraph office. The site is reserved, but as far as we can ascertain, nothing has been done to provide for the erection of offices and it will be well within the duties of the Progress League to give prompt attention to this matter".

Telegraphic communication was established on 7 May 1896 - about three months after a Post Office had been opened. Complimentary messages were exchanged using the new telegraph line by representatives of the town and the Premier. As was the custom when unexpected events such as the opening of postal and telegraphic communication occur, tenders were then called for the construction of a Post and Telegraph Office closing on 9 June - see below.

Co-incidently on the same day, the first Norseman dividend was paid by the Ophir Syndicate - £26 per share.

In the first month of operation after the connection was made (and way before an office was able to be used), the Norseman Telegraph Office received 1,244 messages and despatched 1,733. The Western Mail of 12 June noted "The additional clerks employed at the post and telegraph office are giving great satisfaction in the execution of their work". No other details behind this statement are presently known.

In a different interpretation, the Miner of 16 May 1896 saw that the advent of the telegraph line to Norseman made it more difficult for the Government "to realise that there was such a place as Norseman" and so requests for assistance (e.g. clearing the streets and attending to the most pressing sanitary requirements) could no longer be ignored.

The plan for the new Post and Telegraph Building was described in The Miner of 3 June 1896 (before tenders had closed):

"It seems that the Minister is now seized of the fact that Norseman is not a small place, and really does require some permanent postal facilities. We clip the following from the West Australian of the 25th May last:

"The new post and telegraph offices to be erected at Norseman will occupy a site at the corner of Prinsep and Ramsay Streets. The public entrance will be at the corner. The office will be provided with a circular counter, with divisions for the different departments of postal work. From the office, communication is readily gained with the mail room and telegraph room which, with the sorting room, telegraph operators and other rooms, will be of a commodious character and suited to the requirements of a growing township.

The Post and Telegraph Master's residence, which is under the same roof, will face Prinsep Street. This portion of the building will comprise an entrance hall and three rooms in addition to pantry, bathroom and the usual etceteras. There will be a verandah at the rear.

The building will be level with the street with an awning over the footpath on both frontages. The building is to be of stone with an iron roof and will contain 15 rooms. The plans also include an underground tank with a holding capacity of 10,000 gallons".

In December 1896, there was only one operator assigned to the Telegraph Office.

An insight into life about that time is given by comments about contemporaneous developments in December 1906 by the West Australian: "At the Norseman Hospital "Out-patients numbered 130 (for the year), and the number of attendances totalled 485, exclusive of a large number of aboriginals who were supplied with medicine. The tax on the resources of the dispensary in this connection was so great that special applications were made to the Aborigines Department for aid and £20 worth of drugs were forwarded by that department. It would be necessary to make a further application to the Department for the same purpose. A good many necessary improvements had been effected during the year. An operating table had been procured, but no special room had been set apart for operative purposes, and facilities were not available in the case of grave surgical emergencies. The local hotel was used for major cases. Besides this, the institution was sadly deficient in surgical instruments and appliances".

Personnel:

June 1896: Mr Ranking, Postmaster, had a successful send-off and was presented with a purse of Sovereigns.

The Norseman Gold Mine is Australia's longest continuously running gold mining operation. It was operated by the Western Mining Corporation which changed name to WMC Resources in 2002. In 2005, that company was taken over by BHP Billiton.

Paddington (Sore Foot Rush then Gudarra).

Paddington was located about six miles north of Broad Arrow. It was called Sore Foot Rush until 4 February 18997 when the town was gazetted. It later changed name again to Gudarra in 1912 in the Commonwealth's attempts to avoid duplication of names.

A RMB was opened in November 1896 and this was converted to a Post & Telegraph Office on 15 November 1897. The Office was closed on 30 November 1911.

The gold mine was located about half way between Kalgoorlie and Menzies.

A rubber oval POST & TELEGRAPH OFFICE date stamp (RO2-P&TO) was issued to the office:

Used: ??

Size:

Rated:

Number in the Census: 1.

Pindinnie.

A Post and Telegraph Office was opened at Pindinnie on 1 April 1897.
A delegation from the general Kookynie district met with the Postmaster-General in September 1900. It was agreed that the Post and Telegraph Office at Pindinnie should be closed and removed to the Granites. The Office was closed on 10 December 1900 (just before Federation).

There is no record of a date stamp being issued to Pindinnie for use with the telegraph network.

Redcastle.

A Telegraph Office was opened on 1 May 1897. Five months later, it was upgraded to a Post and Telegraph Office in October.

The Office was closed on 30 November 1899 and replaced by Murrin Murrin.

A gold mine near Kalgoorlie and Coolgardie was named Lake View and soon became a small township. One of the main hotels in the town was the Trafalgar Hotel.

On 6 December 1902, an Administrative Office was opened in Trafalgar - it is not known whether that office was in the Hotel (but it is highly probable). On 19 February 1904, this office was renamed Lake View but in 1909, the name reverted to Trafalgar.

A number of 21 mm date stamps are known for Trafalgar (between 1904 and 1906) - yes confusing.

Used: 1 July 1914 (not 1915 as reported elsewhere);

Size: ??

Rated: RRRR.

Number in the Census: 1.

1 July (1914).
Provenance: Creaser.

The Oval is on an O.H.M.S Savings Bank envelope.
The block of 1d Kangaroos was affixed over the top of the oval date stamp and the block was cancelled the day after the Trafalgar date stamp was applied.

Waverley was situated between Kalgoorlie and Leonora (about 80 km north west from Kalgoorlie). Gold was discovered in the area in late 1893 by two prospectors Billy Frost and Bob Bonner.

Initially the town was to be called Siberia but the local Progress Association wanted it to called Waverley after the name of a local mine.

A Post Office was established as Siberia on 1 April 1896. That Office was renamed Waverley in July 1899 after the town was gazetted as Waverley in 1898. The Telegraph Office was opened in 1901.

In 1911, the Postmaster-General was concerned about the duplication of town names and so the town was renamed Siberia in 1914 after the name of a local water supply.

It is now a ghost town - the last resident having left in 1954.

Used: 30 April 1912.

Size: ? × 30 mm.

Rated: RRRR.

No. in the Census: 2

Widgemooltha (or Widgiemooltha or Widgiemoola).

Widgemooltha is about 55 miles (80 kms) south of Coolgardie on the Coolgardie - Dundas - Esperance line.

The Coolgardie Pioneer of 29 July 1896 reported "The small township of Widgiemoola now presents an active appearance, being the rendezvous for speculators and others passing through to the Norseman. A progress committee is in the course of initiation, and correspondence is proceeding with a view to obtaining a telegraph station — a matter of importance to the district".

The West Australian of 29 September 1896 placed the request in a fuller context: "Now that two new public house licenses have been granted for Widgemoola and that the buildings are to be started immediately, a general move is being made to the surveyed township. It is hoped by many that a Post and Telegraph Office will shortly be granted. The establishment of such premises would, it is pointed out, be very beneficial to the district and has been anxiously looked forward to by the residents".

The Telegraph Office opened on Monday 18 October 1896.

Personnel:

October 1896: Mr G. Ferguson was appointed as the first Post & Telegraph Master.

16 October ??
In purple.

Wiluna.

A Receiver of Mail Bgs was established at Lake Way in January 1898.

The place was renamed Wiluna on 5 November 1900 and the Post and Telegraph Office was opened on the same day.

Used in violet: 31 January 1912.

Size: 25 × 42 mm (e = 0.80).

Rated: RRRRR.

Number in the Census: 1.

Yerilla.

Yerilla is just north east of Niagara.

Gold was discovered there at the Mount Catherine mine in January 1895.

A Receiver of Mail Bags was opened in February 1896. The telegraph line was connected at Yerilla on Tuesday night (16th) and so the Post & Telegraph Office was opened on 17 February 1897 In a temporary location). Materials with which to build the Post & Telegraph Office arrived on 15 March 1897 and construction started on the following day. It was anticipated that the building would be completed before the end of April. BUT, in July 1897, a tender was accepted from Mr. McInnes for the sum of £460 to construct a Post and Telegraph Office.

The North Coolgardie Herald of 11 January 1897 recorded for its readers "It is to be hoped that the Postmaster-General will open a Money Order Office at Yerilla soon after the telegraph line reaches us. A bank is very much needed here too as there is a large district to serve, and great inconvenience is experienced by business people on account of having to send cheques to Coolgardie and Menzies to be cashed". In November 1897, Mr. H. Gregory, the Member for North Coolgardie asked the Postmaster-General to open a Money Order Office at Yerilla.

That office was closed on 31 December 1899 - mainly due to the depression and the consequent migration of miners to other areas and hence the lack of support for the public battery which had been installed for gold processing. It must have reopened at a later date because date stamps are known for 28 August 1907 and 1 May 1913.

Yerilla is now a Ghost Town.

The Office was issued with a Post & Telegraph rubber oval date stamp.

Used in purple: 8 September 1899.

Size:Size: 29 × 45 mm (e = 0.76).

Rated: RRRR.

Number in the Census: 1.

Yundamindera (The Granites).

Yundamindera is close and south west of Mount Margaret.

During the visit of the Warden on 3 December 1900, it was agreed that the name The Granites was not sufficiently reassuring for a gold mining centre and so it should be changed. The Warden suggested that, if a local aboriginal name could be found, bearing a suitable English interpretation it would help the local nomenclature and prove acceptable in many other ways. After several suggestions, the name Yundamindera was selected and gazetted in 1903. Nevertheless, the aboriginal name was used from at least June 1901 when town lot 21 was gazetted for the Amalgamated Workers Association. In November 1901, townsite boundaries of Yundamindera (The Granites) were extended. Hence the commonly referred to 1903 date for the change of name may be incorrect.

A contract to construct the Post and Telegraph Office at Yundamindera was let about mid 1900. By 1 December - good and bad news in the Menzies Miner:

"The contractor for the erection of the Post and Telegraph offices has made rapid progress with the work up to date and it was expected that the buildings would be ready for transaction of public business this day week but, on Saturday last, word was received to stop the work.

The trouble is all about the buildings having been removed on to the wrong block of land. This block was reserved for a resident in lieu of an area granted for business in the earlier days of the Granites, and some distance away from the subsequently selected townsite. Though the reserved ground was not occupied by the person entitled to it, still someone has blundered in inducing the Department to occupy it before securing absolute control over it. To again shift the building would entail an expense that is not justifiable.

It is said that the Lands Department had notice of the surrender of the block, then what is the matter with completing the building where it is and let us have the facilities for postal business without further delay".

A Post & Telegraph Office was first opened at The Granites on 10 December 1900. The Telegraph office was renamed Yundamindera from The Granites soon after. The article in the North Coolgardie Herald of 13 December 1900 reported that "The Post and Telegraph Offices shall remain upon the site where they were started to be erected. The work has gone on rapidly since instructions to that effect were received and we expect to be able to do business in the building by the end of the current week".

On 13 June 1903, the Laverton & Beria Mercury reported that "Mr. C. Cooper, of the local Post and Telegraph Office, who recently spent a week or two in the Laverton Hospital suffering from pneumonia and who is at present recuperating his health at Mandurah, has received instructions to proceed to Yundamindera at the termination of his vacation to take charge of the Post and Telegraph Office at that place. His many friends in Laverton wish him every success".

Used in violet: 1 May 190(3)?.

Size: ??

Rated: RRRRR.

Number in the Census: 1.

Used in green: 24 July 1902.

Size: ??

Rated: RRRRR.

Number in the Census: 1.

Opening hours for Telegraph Offices in the Goldfields.
(The Menzies Miner 14 September 1901).

"The idiosyncrasies of the Telegraph Department surpass the understanding. The anomalies which it allows to exist, and the extravagance for which it is responsible, are something wonderful to contemplate.

It might be reasonable to suppose that uniform hours would be observed in the telegraph offices of the State, but we have not to go beyond the towns of the northern districts for instances of the most senseless lack of uniformity.

At Malcolm, Leonora, Murrin, Kookynie and the Granites, the telegraph offices are open from 8 a.m. to 7 pm. daily, but from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm are the hours observed at Niagara, Laverton, Mt Morgans, Wiluna and Sir Samuel. To take two examples, why should the important towns of Morgans and Laverton have their offices open for two hours less daily than the much less important townships of Murrin and the Granites?

There is one all-sufficient reason. That reason is departmental stupidity. But if the department ordains that the office at Mt Morgans shall be open for short hours, it seeks to make some recompense by the most lavish extravagance in another direction. It requires that a score — nay two or three score — of messengers shall be employed to dance attendance upon the residents of the town and see that they get their messages at some time or other.

But the department is not extravagant with its own money. It is extravagant with the residents' money in requiring them to employ their own messengers or to devote much of their valuable time in going for their own messages. There are just as many telegraph messengers in Mt Morgans as there are persons who receive telegrams but the fact is that the department has not employed a messenger for the past couple of months and business people have to make a practice of calling frequently to ascertain if there are any wires for them.

One messenger, who was formerly employed, obtained a position on a mine at £2 10s per week and a notice was posted at the telegraph office invitiug applications for the position of messenger at a salary of £l per week. It goes without saying that no boy was anxious to work for this princely salary; and until a sufficient wage is offered, the people must continue to be their own messengers.

This is not the only complaint that is made. In addition to the hours being short through the late opening and early closing, the  telegraph office is practically closed from 10.30 to 11 a.m., and from 1.45 to 2.30 p.m. daily while mails are being sorted.

To sum up: the department shows a shameful disregard for the convenience of the people of Mt Morgans, who have submitted too long and too tamely to their shabby treatment".