Following are a collection of articles on Canberra and include Doris Todd's autograph book, Tourist Bureau tour of Canberra starting at the Hotel Canberra (early 1930s), War Memorial, Services Club, Wages & Allowances, Contracts, Australian Natives Association Omnibus travel for school children in the early 1940s, Canberra City Band, recorded deaths in ACT 1923-1932 (an undertaker applied for permission to set up business in the territory - refused).

The Todd family moved into 18 Westlake in the mid 1920s. Their daughter, Doris, was given an autograph book by George in 1925. Following are a few of the entries in the book.

Suggested Tours for Visitors.

Tour of Canberra on the South Side of the River:- From Hotel Canberra proceed via Capital Hill, Brisbane Avenue into Sydney Avenue (Telopea Park School), Wentworth Avenue, Forrest Street (Kingston Shops), Manuka Circle (Capitol Theatre), Arthur Circle, National Circle, Adelaide Avenue (Prime Minister’s Lodge), to the Uriarra Road, when will be seen on the right the Forestry School and the Afforestation Nursery. Return via Adelaide Avenue. A runt to the top of Red Hill is recommended, where a panoramic view may be obtained of the City. The road to the top of the hill leads off to Mugga Way. Three hours should be allowed for this trip.

Tour of Canberra on the North Side of the River:-

From Hotel Canberra cross over the low-level bridge on the Molonglo River passing Acton House, Canberra House, the Hospital, the Institute of Anatomy (with deviation to buildings of Council for Scientific and Industrial Research), and the City shops on London Circuit. Then proceed along the plantations turning towards Mount Ainslie until Corroboree Park (traditional aboriginal corroboree ground) is reached. Then turn south-west towards the Hotel Ainslie, after passing which the road turns to the left to Duntroon and Queanbeyan. Return via Anzac Park, St John the Baptist Church, Constitution Avenue and the Commonwealth Avenue Bridge. Two hours should be allowed for this trip and three hours if Duntroon is visited.

To Mount Stromlo (half day) - From Hotel Canberra proceed via Adelaide Avenue to Mount Stromlo (10 miles). There is a gate on the main road which leads into a large pine plantation, and a steep winding road ascends the mountain to the Observatory buildings.

To Cotter River (half day) - From Hotel Canberra drive along Adelaide Avenue and the Uriarra Road to the Murrumbidgee River (14 miles), and to the Cotter River (a mile further). If desired the trip may be continued on the Uriarra Road through the Conder Creek (23 miles) to Brindabella (16 miles).

To Tharwa (half day) - Drive along Brisbane and Wentworth Avenues and after leaving Kingston take the Jerrabomberra Avenue Road to Woden Station. Then turn to the right for Tharwa (20 miles), on the Murrumbidgee River. On the return journey turn off the main road to the left near the post for Mugga. From Tharwa the journey may be extended to Naas, an additional 7 miles through mountainous country.

Goodradigbee River - A delightful spot reached after 40 miles drive over majestic Brindabella Mountain and through the most picturesque scenery in the Territory...

Parliament House.- The interior may be inspected by the public when the house is not in Session.

Monday to Friday - 10 am to 12 noon, 2 pm to 3.30 pm.

Saturdays - 10 am till 11.30 am, 1 pm till 3.30 pm.

Sundays - 1 pm till 3.30 pm.

During Sessions - There is ample accommodation for visitors in the three public galleries.

Capital Hill - On the northwest face is the column commemorating the commencement of the City construction. On the top of the hill a stone was laid by HRH the Prince of Wales in 1920 marking the centre of the official zone of the City.

Acton House, Acton - Built by the first pioneer settler of Canberra - JJ Moore - in 1826 and now used as a Court House and Police Station.

School of Forestry (Yarralumla) - Containing a unique collection of Australia’s beautiful timbers.

St John’s Church - A bit of Old England in the Empire’s newest city. Built in 1841.

Site of The Australian War Memorial at the north end of Anzac Park, Ainslie.

The Laboratories of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research are situated at the foot of Black Mountain, where investigation into botanical entomological and tobacco problems are being undertaken.

Australian Institute of Anatomy, housing various anatomical and osteological collections. [Now the Film & Sound Archives.]

Government House, Yarralumla, originally the homestead of Frederick Campbell built in 1891 and remodelled in 1927 as a temporary Government House.

Mount Stromlo, on which is located the Commonwealth Solar Physics Observatory. Over 1,000,000 trees have been planted on the mountain.

Uriarra Crossing on Murrumbidgee River (18 miles from Hotel Canberra). Trout, perch, cod etc.

Condor Creek (22 miles from Canberra picnic ground).

Gudgenby River via Tharwa (30 miles from Hotel Canberra) - Trout fishing.

Paddy’s River (Upper) via Tharwa (30 miles from Hotel Canberra) - Trout fishing.

Tidbinbilla River (38 miles from Hotel Canberra) Trout fishing.

Nurseries - Containing remarkable collection of Australian and imported trees, shrubs and flowers.

Duntroon - Site of the historic homestead of Robert Campbell and formerly location of Royal Military College.

Cotter River and Dam - Source of Canberra’s water supply. A delightful picnic spot. Fifteen miles from Canberra. One of the unforgettable sights of this show place is the lacy veil of water falling down the face of a 60 foot wall. The attractions of the Cotter include fishing, bathing, shady picnic spots on the banks of crystal clear streams. Picnikers have been specially catered for with rustic shelter and luncheon huts, fire places, refreshment kiosk. There are also ideally situated camping ground provided with cubicles which may be rented.

Tharwa - Swimming, fishing, shooting. Magnificent panoramic views of Mt Tenant (4,534 feet) and other tall mountains opening up on the trip.

1 Mitchell, S

2 Mitchell, WJ

4 Trevillian, T

5 Martin, HH

6 McNamee, WF

7 Cameron, AT

8 O’Sullivan, J

10 Northam, F

11 Roberts, A

13 Murray, AK

14 Daniels, H (moved to Westlake)

15 Corkhill, P

16 Pitcher, G

17 Lucas

18 May, C

19 Gerrard, H

20 Crowe, BS

21 Brown, W

2 Traynor, WJ

23 McCorkindale, D

24 Maloney, W

25 Grandfield, H

26 Fitzpatrick, CE

27 Boyd, W

28 Field

29 Douglas, PF (Fire Brigade Chief)

30 Murder, CM

31 Shannon, RS

New Hospital for Canberra, Foundation Stone Laid.

The foundation stone of the new Canberra Hospital at Acton, which is being built at a cost of 150,000 pounds was laid by the Minister for Health (Sir Frederick Stewart) yesterday...Sir Frederick performed the ceremony with a silver trowel presented to him by Concrete Constructions Pty Ltd, contractors for the building.

In 1998 the hospital was destroyed and on it’s site a new museum is being built. Many Canberrans wished that this hospital should continue to serve the people of the territory. During the process of construction of the Museum a number of historic trees will be destroyed.

The War Memorial

The stone to mark the site of the War Memorial was unveiled in 1929. The Museum was finally built in 1941 and opened officially on 11 November, 1941.

In the years prior to the opening of the War Memorial the annual ANZAC Day ceremony was held from 1928 in Parliament House. In 1941 Miss Lane-Poole of Westridge supplied the wreaths. Her father, Charles, was Principle of the Forestry School and her business was in part of the Nursery Grounds.

The story of the history of the war memorial is found in a number of books including Australian War Memorial Museum [15th impression, 1933 Sydney]. This book was first printed in 1922 and part of the foreword states the following:

By an Act of Parliament of the Commonwealth passed in 1925, the Australian War Museum was formally recognised as the Australian War Memorial. As such it is to be permanently housed in a suitable monumental building at Canberra where a magnificent site on the slopes of Mount Ainslie has been reserved. A design by Messrs J Crust and EL Sodersteen of Sydney has been adopted, the first installment of the building fund has been appropriated, and the War Memorial was formally inaugurated on Anzac Day, 1929, but the economic depression has prevented progress being made with the construction of the building.

Included in the building will be a Hall of Memory, on the walls of which will be inscribed the names of all Australians who died through the war, listed beneath the names of the towns or districts from which they came. The object is that, not only will our descendants during all time be able to come to this memorial and read the names of those men of their district who died through the war, but standing in that silent hall surrounded by the names of those who fell and a few of their most precious relicts, visitors may for all time be impressed with the sense that they are in the actual presence of the dead, and realise their larger responsibilities to their memory.

Pending the provision of a permanent home, the collections were exhibited in temporary accommodation in Melbourne in 1922-24, and were there inspected by 776,810 visitors. Early in 1925 they were transferred to Sydney, where they were officially opened to the public on the 3rd April by his Excellency the Governor General. Up to 31st March, 1933, the attendance totalled 2,129,62.

A total of 331,781 men and women served overseas. Deaths in the army were 39,880 (KIA or missing presumed dead), 14,113 died of wounds, 6,291 non battle deaths - the total deaths were 60,284. Wounded in action were 137,013 were wounded in action. (These numbers do not include those who committed suicide after returning home and those whose lives were shattered by their experiences.) In the Gallipoli Battle alone 5,833 were killed in action and 1,985 died as a result of wounds. The total population of Australia in 1913 was 2,536,530. One poem written by Laurence Binyon is repeated every year at ANZAC day ceremonies -
 

Following the end of the war the Returned Soldiers & Sailors Imperial League of Australia was formed - RSSILA. Today it’s name has been shortened to Returned Servicemen’s League - RSL. A branch was formed in Canberra in 1927 and its first President was Albert Edward Jackson and first Secretary, Roy Rowe.

There were a number of sub-branches formed in the early years. They included Westlake, Ainslie and Causeway. Regular male only Smokoes were held. Vic Samuels who later moved from Westlake to Acton and was responsible for enlisting many of the territories men for the second world conflict. He was responsible for putting into The Canberra Times lists of ACT men who enlisted. These lists may be the only ones to name our local lads who were included in with NSW. When war broke out in 1939 Vic was head of a gang of men working in the pine plantations. He inspired the lot to drop tools and enlist. One was Bob Lowe who was one of the Rats of Toobruk.

During the war years Service Men and Women visited the Services’ Hut at Manuka. In 1947 this venue which was opened by Lady Gowrie in 1941 was the first local club to be licensed. Descriptions of the planning, building and opening of the Club are found in The Canberra Times - excerpts follow:

October, 1940:

Rest Huts. Plans Completed. Kingston Site Approved. Plans have been completed by the Canberra Volunteers’ Welfare Association for erecting a rest hut to meet the needs of members of the fighting services. The site selected is in Jardine Street, Kingston, adjacent to the shopping centre. This has been approved by the Minister for the Interior (Senator Foll) and will be made available free of expense, and the department will also supply materials for the foundations as well as bricks for the chimney and fire places...

The site was changed to Manuka Circle and The Canberra Times dated 14.3.1941 reported - Her Excellency the Lady Gowrie turned the key in the door of the Welfare Hut at Manuka yesterday and officially opened the building for the use by members of the fighting services. The ceremony was attended by more than 55 people including representatives of all fighting services. The official party consisted of Lord & Lady Gowrie, Mrs RG Menzies, Mrs LS Bracegirldle, Sen HS & Mrs Foll, Brigadier & Mrs EF Harrison (RMC), Lieut Telegraphist, J McLaghlan (RAN) and Captain LS Bracegirdle (ADC to his Excellency).

Mr WG Piper (President of the Canberra Welfare Association) conducted the official party to the raised dais before the hut. In a short introductory speech Mr Piper traced the history and the beginning of the Hut. He said that the idea had first been inspired by the Ven Archdeacon CS Robertson, but it was left to Her Excellency to supply the necessary drive to make the hut a reality...

It should be mentioned that a number of clubs were licensed in the early post war years. They were Royal Canberra Golf Club, City & Forrest Bowling Clubs and the Canberra Returned Soldiers’ Club.

In the early post war years the returned working class men got together to form the Workers’ Club which for a number of years until their permanent building was erected at Civic used the old Acton Hall. The Club was formed in 1949 and details of it’s history are found in a book entitled, From Workmen to Workers by AJ Phillips, I Warden and JH Coombe. The first formal meeting of the club was held at Claude Fisher’s home, 43 Forveaux St, Ainslie on 4.3.1949. Those present formed the first office bearers. H Blair was elected President and the others were Messrs K Hines, WL Dunshea, W Thomas, R Beadman and K Fisher. The official opening was described in The Canberra Times February 10, 1950. Ben Chifley did the honours. In the same year Mr Fisher spoke to his wife about organising food for the members and the Ladies Auxilary was formed with Mrs Fisher its first president.

During their years at Acton the Club applied for a liquor license. There were many objections including proximity to the hospital, safeguarding the peace and quiet of the hospital, future safety of the nursing staff and so on. The club was granted its license and on 1 February, 1958 opened their new club rooms at Civic.

The foundation members were, J Armstrong, JH Angus, W Angus, HT Blair, H Blewitt, RJ Booth, RH Beadman, WW Butt, D Borley, H Barrie, GG Burgoyne, JW Connelly, G Cottle, G Campbell, WL Dunshea, HT Dawes, JW Donnelly, E Dunshea, J Dunn, VR D’Oultree, NC Ellis, D Evans, J Edwards Snr, C Fisher, GT Fulton, AD Fraser, W Gibbons, C Gallagher, K Hines, W Hobson, KE Hacket, E J Heath, J Harrington, R Jenkins, LJ Kestel, JA Kelly, V Kearney, Lane St Clair, RK Larcombe, CP Morton, H Moloney, DGH Moore, JJ McDonald, JC McKie, A McKissock, WJ McIntyre, P Naylor, AS Oldfield, JS O’Brien, J Quinnane, AG Russell, V Styles, H Sandilands, JG Skerry, H Shoebridge, T Stuart, WN Thomas, J Turnbull, A Thornton, M K Wein, J Wilson W Young.

Those who were transferred to the territory to live in the new permanent hostels and houses with the jobs of running the business of government received allowances. This caused some problems - eg. Library Cleaner, Bradley. He received a salary of 229 pounds and received a rent allowance of 54 pounds per annum. His rent was 34/4d per week - ie 91 pounds per annum. This left the man 192 pounds per annum on which to live which was a wage less than a builder’s labourer (before rent removed). The First Commissioner wrote to the authorities on the man’s behalf and received a reply that Bradley’s wage with allowances was 305 pounds per annum as against a local cleaner who received 276 pounds per annum. It was unlikely that the local cleaner lived in a brick cottage or hotel and if a bread winner living at say, Westlake, paid between 12/6d to 15/- per week rent.

Archival documents in Canberra contain numerous lists of wages paid to all levels. For example in the 1924-25 period:

Occupation Per Week,  Per Annum

Surface Labourer 5 pounds 260

Driver/ one horse 5 pounds 6/- 276

Driver/ two horses 5 pounds 9/- 284

Assis Storeman 5 pounds 6/- 276

Crane Attendant 5 pounds 6/- 276

Timber Stacker/

Loader & unloader 5 pounds 6/- 276

Watchman store 5 pounds 9/- 284

Watchman performing

other duties including

cleaning 5 pounds 6/- 276

Watchman 5 pounds 3/- 268

Cleaner 5 pounds 6/- 276

Labourer assisting

Linesman 5 pounds 7/4d 279

Driving motor car/

motor lorry/horse 5 pounds 7/4d 279

Adult bus conductor 5 pounds 260

In contrast the wages of some of those who transferred to Canberra 4.3.1925 give an indication of range of salaries and differences.

L Trumble Sec to Dept of Defence 1350

WA Newman Chief Clerk 730

GR Galbraith Clerk, 3rd Class 487

Archival documents also contain the amounts of allowances given to each individual during the period 3.9.1927 - 1947. They range from around 85 pounds pa to JG McLaren, Secretary to around 19 pounds per annum for typistes at Gorman House. Some of the allowances were reduced as the years passed. An article in The Argus 18.11.1933 stated that it was time that the Canberra allowances were stopped. The married men who received 39 pounds pa allowances had it reduced to 26 on 1.7.1932 and to 13 pounds by 1.7.1933. Officers at boarding houses and hotels, however continued to received allowances which ranged from 12 to 29 pounds. Some allowances were still in operation in 1947.

Another difference in treatment between those living in the temporary suburbs and the permanent was that those living in the latter could purchase their homes for the price of construction. Any rent paid prior to purchase was taken off the full price when the person decided to buy. This was not available to those living in the temporary suburbs.

Contracts

Again, the Australian Archives are a wealth of information about contracts. During the 1920s preference was given to workmen who had served in the armed forces during the first world war. This restriction on employment was still in force during the thirties and after the second world war. An example of this is found on a contract dated 6.4.1938:

In the engagement of workmen under this contract the contractor shall give preference, firstly to Returned Soldier and Sailors who are domiciled and registered in Canberra and who are capable of effectively performing the duties required and secondly to other competent workmen domiciled and registered in Canberra. Provided that all workmen required in connection with the contract shall be selected from the Registrar of Persons available for employment kept at the office of the Works & Services Branch of the Department of the Interior. If the contractor considers any of the workmen available for selection to be unsuitable for his requirements, he shall state his objections at the time.

Some examples of contracts follow:

6.4.1938 - to Cement Lining & Co 1-7 Bent St Sydney - cement lining of water mains

14.8.1930 - Francis F Smith, 11 Queen St, Sydney -tile lining of Manuka Pool

4.3.1939 - Concrete Constructions Co, 47 King St, Sydney - to erect Patients Office & Store

13.3.1939 - Thompson Engineering & Pipe Co, Castlemaine Vic, Supply, deliver & install electrically driven water pumping plant at the Cotter River

7.2.1946 - Messrs Simmie & Co - erect 10 brick cottages Section 51 Griffith bounded by Stuart, Barrllieu, Mitchell & Blaxland Streets.

21.4.1947 - Welch Brothers Pty Ltd, 10 Mitchell St, Sydney - demolition and removal of hostel at Mulwala NSW and removal and re-erection at Parkes ACT.

A band was formed in the early 1920s and is the one probably known as Vice Regal Band. The names of a few are known who were in this band - WT White of Westlake, Francis and Thompson of Acton. The band was plagued with problems from the beginning. It was always short of uniforms and instruments.

Particularly during the 1930s at which time there appears to have been a subsidy of 250 pounds per annum there seem to have been a shortage of moneys for new uniforms and instruments. Moral was low. On 4 March, 1937 the band members refused to play on Armistice Day ceremonies At this time a list of the men in the band was handed to the authorities.

H James, single relief work

H Seton, married, relief work

A Hobbs, single, now employed at Kingston Guest House

A Savage, married, relief work and constantly employed at Parliament House during sessions

T Cross, youth age 17

R McEwan, single, shop assistant

J Mallinson, married, carpenter looking for work, Sydney

J Lawler, unlicensed plumber

F Lawler, no particulars

R Mallison, , bricklayer, employed by contractor

F Foster, painter

W Barry, shop assistant, It is stated that his pay is unsatisfactory

W Yates, employed as a cleaner by Dept for many years

E Smith, mechanic employed by Dept for many years

H Spratt, employed by Dept last 2 years

J Moore, employed by Parks & Gardens many years

P Byron, as above

CN Stanford, employed by Dept Elect Sec many yrs

A Britson, employed by Dept motor mechanic

G Creaney, 26 single, journeyman carpenter employed by Dept, Solo Coronet, member of band for 9 yrs.

H James, 29 single, kitchenman, starts work at 5 am and is then off during the day until 7.30 pm. He also works 6 hours per day 6 days per week and is unable to attend band practice and the performances because of his work. Has been resident of Canberra for 7 years.

RA McEwen, 20 years, unemployed can do office wk

R McEwen, 18, Grocer’s assistant 30/- pw. Works Friday nights and Saturdays. Has 7 months experience plumbing and has passed the PS exam but is now too old to get a call. He is registered for a bus conductor’s job.

W Barrie, 19 yrs, single, shop assistant 35/- pw. Registered as a bus conductor but was refused owing to being a resident for 1 yr 10 months. Intermediate Certificate, can do office work.

H Seton, 27, mother dependent, Relief work has done motor driving work for the department 3 yrs ago

T Cross, 17 yrs, single. Has been to Trade School at plumbing 2 yrs. QC Standard, passed Railway Exam for junior porter.

E Robertson, 33 yrs, single, relief -experienced curb & gutter man

R Mallison, 27, single mother dependent. 1st Class bricklayer intends leaving for Sydney Friday 17th to seek permanent employment.

J Mallison, 32 married foreman carpenter for Hungerford until recently - at present in Sydney seeking employment.

J Lawless, 30 single, plumber unlicensed, not employed

F Lawless, 28, married, breadcarter

F Foster, 35, married painter, casual work

By 1938 the band had disbanded and the uniforms stored in the basement of the Stores Department at Kingston. In June 1941 the RAAF borrowed the equipment intending to form a band but this was not done. In 1946 there was another attempt to form a Canberra City Band.

A Branch of the ANA was established in the FCT (now ACT) in 1927. This group was pro-Canberra and particularly during the early depression years when there was again a strong move to stop the building of the city of Canberra this group spoke out strongly for continuation. The first president was Charles Francis, controller of stores in Canberra. Details of the ANA tree planting in Limestone Avenue are found in A Centenary History of the Australian Natives Association 1871-1971 by JE Menadue which in part reads:

The ANA planted 377 trees (179 Kurrajongs, 82 Eucalypts and 166 wattles). Mr CE Francis, first President of the Canberra Branch planted the first tree. The Canberra Branch of the ANA prepared a brochure of the plantations and to provide a finish for the avenue, ornamental seats were conveniently placed and a marble plaque inserted on the back of each seat to signify that they had been erected by the ANA. The planting was completed in August 1927...

In 1933 there was a proposed conference of the ANA. It was planned to take place over three days with an attendance of 330 members and an additional 100 visitors.

Following the opening of Telopea Park (1923), St Christopher’s Convent School (1928) and Ainslie Primary School (1927), Canberra High (1938/39) school buses were provided to pick up children and return them to the suburbs including Westridge. Westlake children were dropped off at State Circle until around 1954 when a school bus came into the settlement. The cost of each ride was one penny. High School Sport’s Day was held each Wednesday and buses were used to convey students to sporting venues for interschool meets.

As the new suburbs were constructed school buses were required but not automatically provided. On 15 March, 1941 eg a number of Griffith residents wrote to the Department requesting a bus. They were:

Gregory Street: V Styles, CJ Wellington, D Lamond, AE Ladd Roy Knight, M Coggins, RW Parish

Barralier Street: McGee

Canberra Avenue: Mrs R Miller, J Hillyer, MB Day, WH Webb, E Saint, EH Harley, EJ Green, LM Brown

Cunningham Street: M Sykes, EA Boag,

Hann Street: AB Kavanagh, W Phillips, E Driver.

Lefroy Street: M Dunshea, WL O’Connor

Leichhardt Street LH Marriott, EL Tindale, S Brown, CE deSmet, J Adamson

Lockyer St: Mrs A Smith

St Paul’s Church: Thomas A Whiting,

Stuart Street: D Selevcay.

Turner residents also wrote in around the same time requesting a bus. The result was on 30.4.1941 - Griffith: Special bus left Kingston 8.55 am via Canberra Avenue, Lefroy St, Lockyer St, Captain Cook Avenue and Manuka to St Christophers and Telopea Park and reverse in the afternoon.

Turner: Special bus left Molonglo at 8.10 am for the High School (Canberra), arrives 8.50 and instead of returning to the depot it continued through Turner by the most central route to St Patrick’s and Ainslie Schools. In the afternoon the ordinary bus left Ainslie Terminus at 3.20, called at Ainslie School then the Laundry corner to pick up the children from St Patricks and thence to Turner via the morning route.

Great concern was voiced by parents in the outlying areas about getting their children to school. On 3.1.1941 William John Smith, groundsman at the Canberra Public Cemetery wrote in to say that he had to drive his child/children a distance of three miles to catch the Cotter Bus. His children attended St Christopher’s School. He listed his children: Emily, Blanche Elizabeth 9, Helen Rita 8, Francis Henry 6, Lorna Mary 4 and William John 16. He also noted that Gordon Patrick Smith was born at Bungendore 15.2.1929, Blanche Elizabeth born Bungendore 14.4.1932, Helen Rita born Bungendore 26.2.1939 and Francis Henry was born in Sydney 29.12.1934.

On 9 April, 1952 KF Bowkett of 1 Lilley St O’Connor wrote to the Department suggesting a change to the O’Connor Bus Service. A number of people signed the petition:

TA Lutsehis ? 4 Lilley St

V Hat 40 Macpherson St

J Norman 38 Macpherson St

F Reynolds 30 Macpherston St

L Marks 3 Lilley St

LJ MacSpadden 32 Macpherson St

FR Anderson 28 Macpherson St

Mrs Trelow 1 Peel St

TJ Harding 11 Quinn St

M Ridgewell 4 Quinn St

E Colthard Scrivener St

Another list of Kowen children 29.4.1954 who required to be bused to school:

Paul Jene Thomas (b 1.12.1948), Elaine Beryl Bateup (b 13.7.1949), Christine Janette Hackett (b 12.5.1945), Peter John Welch (b13.7.1946), John Tarlo-Jautalas (b 15.8.1946).

1955 list of children in or Scrivener Street requiring transport: The list was written by a parent.

Bruce & Pam Crighton, Boronia Drive

Juris Davie, Scrivener St

Larisa....(New Australian) Boronia Drive

Stenna...(New Australian) Boronia Drive

Janice Allen, Brigalow St

Elizabeth Martin, Scrivener St

James Hardie, Scrivener St

Glen Kirkwood, Brigalow St

Brian Rating?, Brigalow St

Maltese Boy (name unpronounceable) Wattle St

Beverley Kirk, Boronia St

Denis Pederson, Scrivener St

Enid Love, Hovea St

2 new boys (names unknown) Scrivener St

Maryly Pederson, Scrivener St.

The driver of the Cotter River Bus lived in cubicles at the Cotter. The garage in which his vehicle sat is still in situ at the Cotter just above the kiosk/hotel. Many children including the Tuson children, walked each day from Pierce’s Creek to catch the bus at the Cotter. In 1951 Mr Tuson along with others was asked to sign a petition to request a one teacher school be opened at Cotter. He refused because he wanted more than one teacher to look after the educational needs of his children.

In the 1940s a petition from people who lived at Ainslie and worked as cleaning staff. They required a bus at 5.45 am. The people who signed were:- J McAllen of 24 O’Connell St, CS Munro, EP Corey, F Gibson, J Summerill, B Hurley, N Dempster, VC Bourke, EC Hall, E Crampin, Dudley, W Hall, JE Blomfield, RW Rowley, D Cooney, HJ Pointer, AS Donaldson, AA Chapman, W Yeoman, E Jurd, A Donaldson, M Hickett, J King, HH Foster, Mrs Letter.

19.3.1947: Cost of Transport from outlying areas

Each of the following is listed Canberra to, Average number People, Date Service Commenced & Cost pa.

Royala 9 in 7 seater car 23.4.1946 605 pounds

Tharwa " " " 5.6.1946 786 pounds

N’bundah 23 in bus 30.1.1945 242 pounds

Mt Stromlo/

Cotter River 25 in bus 1.10.1922 539 pounds

Hall via Belconnen 50 in bus 3.7.1944 1,183 pounds

to Federal Highway

Weetangera 9 in 7 seater bus 25.9.1944 499 pounds

Fyshwick via Duntroon 40 in bus 15.4.1946 423 pds

The total number of children from outlying areas transported by school bus or car = 365 at an annual cost of 4,277 pounds.

The first FCC bus started on No 1 Route towards the end of September, 1926. It replaced a number of charabancs which had been used earlier. Mrs Barton in 1925 started a bus run between Queanbeyan and Canberra. However there were suburbs which missed out - Westridge for example had a bus call twice a week for adults to travel into shopping areas. If they missed either bus they could travel on the school bus which did call daily. Westlake until 1953/54 when the school bus came into the suburb had no bus. Oaks Estate and Russell Hill never had a bus. In the case of Oaks Estate this meant catching the morning or afternoon train when available or riding a bike, walking, horse drawn vehicle or if lucky enough to own a motorised vehicle (car, bike or lorry) by that means of transport.

Friday night shopping commenced in 1925 when JB Young, Hayes & Russell and other shops opened in Eastlake (Kingston). Buses were arranged for people to travel to the centres. Those who lived at Molonglo had one bus - from the suburb to the shops - but had to walk on the return journey.

In October 1928 The Canberra Times stated that 1116 motor cars, 215 lorries and 148 motor cycles had been registered in the territory. There were taxis (first owned and driven by George & Gay Sykes) and hire cars (first owned and driven by Horrie Cleaver).

The majority of roads in the in the 1920s and 1930s were unsealed including the ones connecting Canberra and Queanbeyan. Accidents were not uncommon. Several concrete roads - or sections thereof - were put down. They included Wentworth Avenue and Commonwealth Avenue (near the Hotel Canberra).

On 21 July, 1933 an application was made to allow an undertaker to set up business in the territory. The application was refused. The document noted the numbers of deaths in the territory from 1923 - 1932.

1923 - 10, 1924 - 15, 1925 - 12, 1926 - 41,

1927 - 52, 1928 - 47, 1929 - 37, 1930 - 32,

1931 - 36, 1932 - 29