The following are a number of articles published in The Canberra Times.  This was Canberra's second newspaper and it commenced publishing in 1926.  The first newspaper was The Federal Capital Pioneer.   The following articles are about housing in the territory, the arrival of public servants and the first ACT birth registration in the ACT (January, 1930). Another series of articles in the early 1930s report on a children’s pantomine.

In view of the conflicting statements regarding the future development of Canberra and the misapprehension under which many people labour regarding the manner of its development, "The Canberra Times" has secured by interview with the members of the Federal Capital Commission, some well defined statements regarding the future of the national capital.

Mr J H Butters, Chief Commissioner and Sir John Harrison and Mr C H Gorman, the Advisory Commissioners are unanimous regarding the policy for the development of Canberra which is to be carried on in the distant future.

Expansion in every manner away from the direction of Queanbeyan preference to ... residents in the FCT, comprehensive housing schemes for workmen and a study of Canberra’s every possible want for the next century, are cardinal features enunciated in the interview.

The attention of the Commission having been drawn to the impression which was gaining ground that the city was likely to spread from Eastlake towards the NSW boundary, Mr Butters pointed out that misunderstanding regarding Canberra’s future spread concerned the actual location of Canberra itself.

"The city of Canberra," said Mr Butters, "lies actually on the northern side of the Molonglo River. This is where the main trading centres, the centre of Civic administration and the great residential areas will be situated, and there is no part of NSW which is closer than nine miles. Any undue importance which may be attached to the southern centres will be only transitory. The present Eastlake [Kingston] and Manuka shopping centres are only suburban centres and will gradually take that shape. The southern side will be occupied in fact only by Government buildings housing the Commonwealth legislature and administration and a limited residential area embracing Government residences. The development of Canberra for many years to come will be pushed in a direction away from the present temporary railhead at Eastlake, and development in the direction of Queanbeyan or towards the eastern boundary of NSW and the FCT still to be the last phase of Canberra’s extension to be undertaken.

In connection with this belief which is being fostered that the Federal Capital Commission is likely to provide services between NSW and Canberra, Mr Butters said that the Commission had, under an agreement, made available to residents of NSW in Queanbeyan both water and electricity. "There is no obligation on the part of the Commission to provide any further service, and it will not provide transport."

It was pointed out that a large number of workmen engaged in building the Federal Capital were resident in Queanbeyan and that an effort was being made to induce them to purchase land and build houses in certain areas of NSW. The Commissioners could see no great inducement for men to adopt this course as the Commission had a definite policy in regard to housing its workmen and for preference to residents of the FCT.

"The first consideration of the Commission," said Mr Butters, "has been to tackle the problem of housing civil servants and preparing for the transfer of the seat of Government. That having been got underway, the problem of housing its workmen ... temporarily put aside, was considered. A start had been made by the Commission on housing proposals which will cater for every married man engaged in the building of Canberra and for almost every single man. The first evidence of this was the Westlake settlement and the next at Causeway followed by a large housing scheme which is still under construction on Canberra Avenue. In addition to this a comprehensive scheme is being finalised which will take the form of a subdivision at Eastlake, one at Westridge and a large subdivision at North East Ainslie. Permanent quarters are being erected for single men which the Commission expects to employ. The Commission intends building houses for every married man who will be permanently employed in connection with the development of Canberra."

"Other things being equal the Federal Capital Commission’s general policy is to give preference to the products of the territory and the same preference will be given in regard to employment."

"Regarding the prospect of number of workmen keeping at its present level," Mr Butters said that "a reduction of half the present workmen would occur within twelve months. The reduction would commence soon after the opening ceremony in May next, and would continue until the number of men employed would not be more than half what it is today."

The growth of Canberra during 1926 has been remarkable and seven suburbs have assumed definite shape during the year which ends in the midst of a fresh burst of activity.

Eastlake, Telopea Park, Blandfordia and Red Hill on the southern side of the river and Ainslie, North Ainslie and South Ainslie on the northern side have been pushed ahead, and about 400 residential buildings are in various stages from foundations to completion in these districts.

The business centres have received considerable attention and while Eastlake [Kingston] is seventy five percent completed, Manuka is attracting some attention and intense development is proceeding at Civil Centre.

The completion of building in hand will see a large increase in population and business and industry while a further sale of leases during the year and additional development of existing leases will furnish ground for rapid expansion.

The most rapid development of all the suburbs has occurred in Eastlake where within a few months there will be more than 40 shops open for business.

At the first sale of leases 71 leases were sold at Eastlake including twelve shopping blocks. Building has been commenced on December 12 on the whole of the residential sites. On the two business sites extensions had been granted by the Commission pending the completion of plans and the letting of building contracts. At present there are more than 70 houses in occupation including 31 cottages erected by contract for the Federal Capital Commission.

The whole of the leases remaining unsold after the first sale have since been taken up and will be developed within the next few months. The residences contained in Eastlake proper on the completion of the present programme will number about 100 and the population of the suburb is further enhanced by Printers Quarters, a group of semi-detached cottages which are at present fully occupied. Nearby to Eastlake are 118 cottages built for workmen in a locality known as Causeway, and this lends a compact suburban atmosphere to Eastlake.

There being no further leases available at Eastlake, it is understood that the subdivision may be made on the western side of the shopping centre in the near future which will balance the present development and place the shopping centre in the midst of a residential area.

Although the whole of the 23 leases available at Manuka Circle in the first subdivision were purchased immediately the development of the centre has been retarded through delay occasioned in the definite announcement of the Government’s intentions to transfer the seat of government to Canberra. Since this has been announced to occur in May next, there has been a statement that the staffs of the departments will not be transferred until next spring. This affects Manuka as it is this class of population which will fill the suburb of Blandfordia [Forrest] which surrounds Manuka.

The whole of Manuka however, is at present under development and although building has now been commenced on a few leases, plans are in hand and the building operations will be in full scale early in the new year. Three shops have been opened for business already at Manuka, but within two months seven others will be available for occupation and on the completion of the whole centre more than 40 shops will be opened, and the centre will have the additional features of numerous second floor offices.

Blandfordia is the suburb of greater extent on the southern side of the city and development has proceeded in three distinct centres. During the year 50 large residences were completed in the northern portion of the suburb and in the southern section a contract was let for the erection of 50 concrete cottages. A further section of activity is the portion of Blandfordia adjoining the Manuka centre where about 60 cottages were being commenced. Private enterprise has added here and there to the cottage development and this will be at a faster rate early in the new year, work on several leases having commenced in the last weeks of the year, and plans for other edifices being in preparation.

The most western of the southern suburbs and seated at the foot of the Red Hill whence it derives the name. Red Hill is a suburb held entirely by private owners but a number of Commonwealth officials have acquired leases there for residential purposes. Development has been slow to date but a number of leases were under development by the end of the year and a large number of plans are ready for the builders. Twenty five leases were sold in this suburb at the first sale and seven were disposed of to June 30, 1925.

A new suburb which has come into existence within the last few months is Telopea Park, which is the nearest residential area to Parliament House. A sale of leases conducted on May 29 last, but only seven were reserved for the public. On the remaining 48 leases building is being carried on for the Federal Capital Commission and 17 cottages were practically completed at the end of November.

The Civic Centre of Canberra has been receiving considerable attention during the last few months and has come very much into favour as a seat for new businesses to be opened in the new year. At the first sale only six leases were sold at Civic Centre but 14 were sold to June 30, 1925 and before May last the whole 23 comprised in the first sub-division had been disposed of together with two reserved sites. A second portion of Civic Centre comprising 13 sites was offered in May last and the sale revealed a tremendous difference in estimation of Civic Centre. The remaining twelve sites will be offered in the new year and are expected to bring higher prices still.

Building is proceeding on Civic Centre and contracts have been let for buildings on 21 of the leases while plans have been prepared and tenders have been called for additional sites. By the end of January building is expected to be in progress on more than 30 leases in this centre.

Provision is being made also for large shopping space in the centre which will serve the Ainslie suburbs and the new settlement which will be made in the new year on the western side of Northbourne Avenue.

The Ainslie leases offered at the fist sale were not bought extensively and only 13 were disposed of from the rostrum, but 30 were purchased privately by June 30, 1925. These included leases for industrial purposes. The Federal Capital Commission took over the balance and has utilized them for residences. Building has been undertaken and completed on six industrial leases and at present the cottage development of Ainslie amounts to about 60 cottages some of which are houses nearing completion.

A new suburb on the northern side of the river has come into existence at South Ainslie since April last. A contract for 100 cottages has been followed by another order for ten houses and additional residences are being built by private enterprise. By June next year about 120 houses will be in occupation at South Ainslie

Within the last few weeks of the year, the term of two years has expired from the commencement of building on leases which were purchased at the first sale help on December 12, 1924.

In the great majority of cases the lessees have compiled with the conditions of the lease. In many cases the buildings have been completed thus removing the only restriction on transfer of leases which exist in Canberra, namely that the lessee must complete a building on his lease before effecting a sale unless special permission is obtained. A number of cases where good and sufficient reason has been shown the Federal Capital Commission has granted an extension of the time in which to commence building. In a few cases where building has not been commenced and where permission for extension has not been sought and secured, the position will be considered by the Federal Capital Commission in the immediate future. It is understood that there will be no determination of leases by the Commission on account of failure to commence building within the specified time, unless the lessee does not intend to build, and is thereby obstructing the development of the city.

One of the most significant features of the business development of Canberra has been the interest displayed during the last few months by large financial institutions. Within a few months there will be seven banks and two insurance houses operating in Canberra from their own premises.

As the year ends the premises have been commenced of three banks and one insurance house, but immediate commencement is to be undertaken of the premises of the other institutions. Banking facilities in Canberra for some years have been afforded entirely by the Commonwealth Bank of Australia which with its temporary premises at Acton has looked after the requirements of the Commonwealth Government, the Federal Commission and private enterprise. It pioneered advances on properties erected on Canberra leases and its practice of advancing up to sixty percent of the value of private residences had been an important factor in development to date.

The first private bank to operate in the Territory has been the Bank of NSW, which housed in temporary premises at Eastlake, has relieved the needs of the shopping and residential community in the southern suburbs.

Permanent banking premised are, however, being erected at Civic Centre and by May next several banks will have opened their doors there. The first premises to reach completion will be those of the Queensland National Bank, which meanwhile is opening in temporary premises in Ainslie. The importance which this bank attaches to Canberra is indicated by the fact that Canberra has the only branch of the bank between Sydney and Melbourne.

The Commercial Banking Company of Sydney has premises under construction on lease secured at the first sale in December 1924 and the Bank of Australasia, which also on that occasion is to have its premises commenced at an early date.

On the lease which realised the highest price yet paid in Canberra for business purposes the Commonwealth Bank of Australia is having its premises erected and these will be completed by May next. The bank has a corner site on Northbourne Avenue and City Circuit [London Circuit]. Another corner site is that of the Bank of NSW which will commence building towards the end of January. The Commercial Bank of Australia has let a contract for the erection of its banking premises facing City Circuit.

The Government Savings Bank of NSW is also entering the Federal Capital Territory and plans have been prepared for its premises which are to be situated on the corner of Northbourne Avenue and Road A4.

Two insurance houses will be established in Canberra at an early date. Building has been commenced of the premises of the Royal Insurance and the Australian Provincial Assurance Associations Ltd, which has two leases, will have large premises commenced early in the new year.

Notable progress has been made in industry at Canberra this year. During the year there has been established in the minor industrial area at Ainslie, two bakeries, a motor garage, and engineering works, a steam laundry, ice works and a newspaper and printing establishment. The industries established hitherto have been of an essential utilitarian character.

Plans in the new year embrace the inauguration of other businesses. The importance of road transport to Canberra and the FCT stresses the great field open to the motor business in the Territory. Canberra Garage Ltd is the pioneer establishment and will be followed by a garden garage which is to be erected on a lease close to Civic Centre. Sneddons Motor Ltd of Sydney has also plans for opening a business in Canberra. Moore Bros of Queanbeyan who are agents for the Ford Car have secured a lease as a preliminary to opening in Canberra. Mr WB Freebody of Queanbeyan has also proposed to commence operations in Canberra. Another lease is held by Bartons Motor Bus Service and will, when developed, form the depot for the omnibuses at present carrying on services between Canberra and Queanbeyan.

The Canberra Steam Laundry is claimed to be the most modern enterprise of its kind in Australia, and it is...that Metropolitan laundries may surpass it.
 

The new Post Office near Parliament House will be opened on Monday morning and will mark a new era in the postal facilities of Canberra.

Acton Post Office which has served Canberra from its early stages as a Commonwealth settlement, will cease to be a post office.

With the transfer to the Secretariat building the telephone system will also be changed and the whole of Canberra’s telephones will be switched over to automatic systems at 2 pm on Saturday...The automatic service will operate for the present on what is known as the "3" figure system, that is, all the subscribers numbers will contain three figures involving three movements of the dial when calling another subscriber...

It was announced by the Minister for Home Territories yesterday that it is probable that a modified lake scheme for Canberra will be submitted to Parliament for approval. The Minister expressed the opinion that construction of the lake would not be delayed long...

Tuesday, February 7, 1928

The Chairman of the Canberra Division of the Institution and the Deputy Chairman of the Development Committee, Colonel PT Owen, addressed the meeting on the engineering difficulties that been overcome in the initial stages of construction at Canberra.

"The creation of a Federal Capital City," said Colonel Owen, "was definite objective calling for action in many essential directions, but the first steps of its development devolved upon Engineers. No better example of the importance of our profession in providing for the needs of civilized man can be found than the building of a modern town. The Engineers must work in co-ordination with many professions, arts and crafts, thus besides him there are the surveyor, architect, the builder, the Doctor, the chemist, the physicist, the geologist, lawyer, clerk and accountant.

The engineer with his cousins of meteorology and geology were called on to advise. Other considerations were the exonomica [sic] in relation to this development of New South Wales.

For water supply and sewerage the engineer was an important man, and so with electric supply, including the possibilities of hydroelectric development. All the time the engineer was to use the wealth of knowledge built up by his own profession and by his friends in most sciences and antecedents in arts and crafts.

The scheme for the construction of the Federal City was arbitrary divided into three initial stages of enabling works, of which the most important were:-

Access, Water Supply, Sewerage and Surveys, Electric Supply, Railway and Road Development, and Materials for some construction in advance.

These stages were not necessarily successive but overlapped or interlaced. Carrying out the stages involved subsidiary works for instance - preliminary water supply, steam power, temporary sewerage disposal, camps and accommodation for workmen, supplies of plant for the works in view, transport and so on.

Water supply almost failed in the period between 1912 and 1914. It is unnecessary to enlarge on these difficulties which were real to the Engineers at that time, because many here tonight will have encountered them.

The base for construction was first at Queanbeyan as a rail head, in which town the first plant, tool and material depot was founded. The construction of the railway to Canberra came at a later stage as an enabling work.

One of the enabling works was water supply. Prior to the selection of Canberra the Department of Public Works of NSW and with it associated the names of the late LAB Wade, Mr EM Deburgh and Mr Pridham, remain particularly in mind.

There were three sources from which supply might be taken:-

The Queanbeyan River Catchment Area.

The Cudgenby-Nass Catchment Area.

The Cotter Catchment Area.

Each presented advantages and disadvantages. The Cotter area found to be the source of the purest water supply and the best catchment area for conservation and was a tract practically unalienated by the Crown.

The behaviour of the Gudgenby-Naas Catchment area in comparison with Cotter Catchment area after prolonged drought was remarkable and in favour of the Cotter area.

On the other hand the Cotter presented difficulties for service to Canberra as it involved a pumping scheme unless three times the capital outlay was to be spent for gravitation scheme.

Weighing all the pros and cons the Cotter Catchment was accepted as the source of water supply.

The construction of the dam presented no great engineering difficulty beyond dealing with water during river floods. One of the floods carried away part of the construction plant which had been occupying the river bank as there was no space for it on the steep slopes of the gorge. The dam was designed and construction begun with a gravity section with crest about 40 foot higher than the present crest level. It would be as designed have impounded about three times the volume of water at present impounded and have improved the safe draft from seven millions of gallons per day to eleven millions of water per day. The alteration of height of the dam was against my advice.

The dam raised about 40 ft higher would have warranted the construction of a Power House and the installation of turbines to develop 1000 kilowatts using the surplus discharge of the Cotter River. Such a hydroelectric development would have been relied upon for the city electric supply, but would have been a useful auxiliary for pumping and to augment power generated at the City Power House.

The main question whether water supply to the city should be by gravity instead of pumping was considered, but pumping was decided upon. It had been suggested that when the population of Canberra should reach 100,000 people a gravity scheme might be warranted but again contemplating the large sum involved to construct the dam many mile by river above the present dam, the pipe line and other works and regarding some certain future of hydro-electrical development in this part of NSW, and presumably low cost of current for pumping it may be that pumping will always hold its own.

The early stages before the electric generating station could be equipped portable steam engines were used, for instance, Cotter River water supply works, for stone crushing for road making for pipe making and in other directions. It was known however, that power would soon be required for larger works, for instance, sewer construction, brick making and for pumping water: thus the question of electric supply for the future city was considered at a very early stage. Naturally as the generating station had in the future to supply the city, the Molonglo River flowing through the city site was accepted for condensing ‘water’. In due course, electric supply was established for brick making, pipe making, quarrying, joinery works and all other sources of demand.

One of the enabling works referred to earlier in this address was the disposal of sewerage. The region presented difficulties in topography because the general slope from Canberra to the only area which could be used for sewerage treatment was roughly two foot to the mile. Another difficulty was the necessity for safe guarding the purity of the Molonglo River discharges into the Burrunjuck Dam. Although at the present time and for years to come the amount of effluent can be easily dealt with, but a long view into the future had to be taken in regard to the effluent discharged from a city of larger population say a century hence.

The only areas which could be used was that of Western Creek beyond which the country again rises to the west, precluding a discharge from the Outfall Sewer near the surface. The country along the course of the Molonglo River towards the Murrumbidgee through which the gradient of three foot to the mile could have been continued, did not afford any possibility of sewerage treatment, combined with final disposal of effluent over the land.

Even the Western Creek areas below the invert of the Outfall Sewer and the space was too limited for land treatment of effluent to any extent by gravitation thus the early scheme for treatment was to either pump crude sewerage to the treatment tanks on a higher level or to sink the treatment tank and pump the effluent. The only possible gravitation scheme having been decided upon the method of treatment, and knowing that some years might be allowed before a scheme should be definitely determined.

It was known that bricks made at Canberra were in Scotch kilns and the shale was ground by steam operated plant. Sufficient bricks were thus made by dry process to built the Staffordshire Kiln now operating. Naturally because the plant producing bricks was the seli-plastic process was more expensive to install and operate, and further as it was known that it would be necessary to make tiles as well as bricks the Staffordshire Kiln was decided upon. It afforded means for either down draft or ordinary draft.

Law courts are to be established in Canberra at an early date and preparations are in hand for the housing of the court in the old Commonwealth Bank building at Acton.

General alterations are being made to the western wing of the Commission offices in order to improve its appearance by making the wings of the building symmetrical.

These alterations will also have the effect of providing greater and more satisfactory accommodation for the engineer’s department particularly by the electrical section which is unnecessarily cramped. This is all the more necessary as the engineering staff is to be slightly enlarged.

The lands department at present in the old bank building will be housed in part of the new section of the building.

By special ordinance which came into operation on January 1 all marriages, births and deaths taking place in the Federal Capital Territory have to be registered in Canberra instead of as formerly in Queanbeyan or elsewhere in New South Wales.

Isobel Joyce Hollins of Forrest who was born at the Canberra Hospital on January 2, has the honour of being the first baby registered in the Federal Territory.

So far there have been no marriages or deaths registered. Last year there were 154 births in the territory, 40 deaths and 48 marriages.

The reason why there has been only one registration so far this year is the fact that 21 days are allowed from the time of a birth to the registration, and in the case of deaths, 14 days and in the case of marriages, a month.

Friday, July 22, 1927

Plans have been completed for a series of public welcomes on the part of present residents of Canberra to the large influx of citizens which is to take place during the next few months.

More than 1,000 new citizens are to be welcomed together with those who have arrived but recently. The actual number of public servants to arrive is 518 and dependents, while about 200 new citizens have been involved in the transfers of the Parliamentary Staff and Government Printing Office.

The first functions will be welcomes at Hotel Kurrajong on July 29 and August 10 to the respective staffs of Parliament and the Government Printer...

Mr Honeysett [Secretary of Social Service Association] stated that information supplied to him showed that 518 public servants would arrive in Canberra starting from August 12 while 70 members of the printing staff had already arrived... The only suitable place for the functions outside the Causeway Hall was the Hotel Kurrajong. This hotel had been placed at the Council’s disposal without cost, together with necessary gear and lighting by the Federal Capital Commission...

The plans of the Federal Capital Commission for eight hostels and boarding houses in the city are speeding on towards completion.

The original plans embraced four hostels and four boarding houses, and of these the Hotels Canberra, Kurrajong and Ainslie [later named Gorman House] are now in use, white the Hotel Acton is receiving its finishing touches and the boarding houses are in an advanced stage.

In addition to these structures, Printers Quarters and Bachelors’ Quarters afford accommodation for a large number of the staff of the Commission and Commonwealth Departments, while the present Hotel Ainslie is being converted into an accommodation house for the female members of the staffs.

The four boarding houses now under construction are from the designs of two Melbourne and two Sydney architects. Two of these boarding houses are on the southern side and two on the northern side of the Molonglo River.

One of the most picturesque structures is the Blandfordia Hostel [Hotel Wellington] which is placed at the junction of Wellington Avenue and National Circuit and is the work of Messrs Stephenson and Meldrum of Melbourne. It is a two storey building consisting of a central dining and kitchen block, with staff rooms above, flanked on either side by wings containing the bedroom accommodation on both floors. Balconies are provided at ends of these blocks and flat roofs will afford cool sitting out space on the bedroom floor levels. It is being finished in light coloured cement with a tile roof. The building provides for an accommodation of 40 persons exclusive of staff. The builder is Mr JG Taylor.

The second building known as the Telopea Park Hostel [Brassey House - now Hotel Brassey] on the south side of the city is designed by Messrs Budden and Hood, architects of Sydney and is situated on State Circuit.

The building which is being erected by Col Walker affords and interesting variation in solving the problems of planning. The billiard room, lounge, dining and kitchen block is one storey only for its greater part while a two storeyed wing on either side extends at an angle of 40 degrees from the back of the building. This building will introduce a marked variation from the usual colour of Canberra’s larger buildings by being finished in blue brick with a slate roof. The accommodation is for 40 persons apart from staff.

On the northern side of the city a reinforced concrete accommodation house is being erected in University Avenue close to the present Hotel Acton. [Beauchamp House - now called Ian Potter House] The design is by Messrs Anketell and K Henderson architects of Melbourne. It is another example of a rectilinear solution to the plan problem. The dining room and smoking room are in the centre block, the kitchen being the left wing and not as in the other designs on the centre lines of the building. The remaining problem of the left wing and the whole of the right wing provide the bedroom accommodation downstairs, the whole of the space on the first floor being devoted to bedrooms accommodating 40 patrons. The building is constructed in reinforced concrete throughout and will have the external walls finished in rough cast and the roof covered with red tiles.

The fourth building is situated on the intersection of Canberra and Ainslie Avenue and is designed by Messrs Burchyam Clamp and Finch of Sydney. [Hotel Ainslie - now Olems] This building affords yet another example of variation of plan and external design. The comparatively high pitched roof gives this building a distinction of its own. In plan the rectangular outline is again departed from and the bedroom wings spring obliquely from the central dining and kitchen block. This building will be finished externally in rough cast with brick trimmings and a dark tile roof. The building also provides for an accommodation of 40 persons exclusively of requirements for staff.

Considerable discussion took place in Canberra yesterday regarding the decision of the Federal Ministry to transfer from Melbourne to Canberra the Auditor-General’s Department and the Patents and Copyright Department. The Auditor General (Mr CJ Cerruty) was also in Canberra and visited the Ministers.

It is very probable that the Hotel Acton will be utilized for the Patents and Copyright Department and that some of the offices of the Works Department in Civic Centre will be utilized for the Auditor-General’s Department...

Tuesday August 9, 1927

Beauchamp House will be the future home of the female officers employed by the Federal Capital Commission. The removal from Gorman House will be effected early next week.

Gorman House [formerly Hotel Ainslie - opened in 1925] will be extensively renovated in preparation for female officers of the various Commonwealth Departments to be transferred within the next few months.

It is proposed to accommodate at Brassey House the female school teachers at present residing at Gorman House. It is probable however, that they will not be transferred until about the middle of the month.

The local paper, The Canberra Times, reported the details of the Grand Pantomime which took place in the Capitol Theatre on Tuesday 22nd August, 1933. The entrance prices were 3/3d (Reserved), 2/5d and 1/6d. The Programme cost 2d. The event was supported by a number of advertisers who included, JB Young Ltd of Queanbeyan, Kingston and Civic, WM Fogarty, Chemist & Optometrist of Kingston, The Chic Salon, exclusive ladies’ hairdresser of Kingston - Principal J Fogarty, PW Hammond, Jeweller & Optometrist, Kingston and Queanbeyan. The players were the pupils of Vera Sutton-Murray. The article in the paper in part reads:

The manner in which the performance was presented reflected credit on the ability of Miss Sutton-Murray and many hours of patent work were evidenced in the pleasing style in which even the youngest performers rendered their respective items.
 
 

Prominent in the cast were Miss May Heffernan as Maid Marion as Maid Marion and Nanette Day and Maurice Wilson as the Babes. The tiny children never failed to delight the audience with the naively of their acting, while Miss Heffernan’s performance was particularly pleasing. Capable assistance was rendered by Miss Sutton-Murray as Robin Hood, Reg Frazer and Tom Wall (Robbers), Joyce Blewitt (Will Scarlett), Marie Gardiner (Herne the Hunter), Eva Charlton (Sir Rowland the bad Baron), and Doris Charlton (Fairy Silver Star).
 
 

Much humour was provided by Violet Bradley as Dame Do-Little who with clever acting and witty dialogue evoked much applause, particularly in the Finale entitled "Annie Laurie" in which she headed a ballet of Highlanders. Numerous gaily-costumed ballets provided bright backgrounds for songs and clever dances by Alice Lovelace (the Baron’s niece), Herne the Hunter and Master of the Hounds (Gwen Peters), while a toe solo, "Bacchante", by little Nanette Day and comedy song and dance, "Dick Turpin", by the Dame were outstanding.

A boxing competition featuring Primo Carnera (Gwen Keane) and Ambrose Palmer (Shirley Keane) revealed some clever footwork and a duet, "The Flies Crawled Up the Window" by the bold bad robbers provided great amusement. Other outstanding items included a Russian songs and dance by little Sheila Carroll who is only four years of age; La Dance Apache a dance of the underworld of Paris performed by Beryl and Reg Frazer; and "Marble Arch", a clever military ballet by Maurice Wilson and his Grenadier Guards. A special attraction was "the Webbing Girls" a number similar to that done by Gertrude Heffmann girls at the Follies Bergere, Paris. This is the first time that anything of this nature has been attempted in Australia by junior performers.

The cast included Miss Nellie O’Nell, who made her farewell appearance before Canberra audiences prior to leaving for Sydney where she will take part in the production of a similar act. Not the least important factor contributing to the success of the show was the effective scenery which was specially brought from Sydney for the performance, while the costuming left nothing to be desired.

Incidental music and overtures were rendered by Pogson’s orchestra and Miss Recca Johnson at the piano accompanied the singers.

The following children took part in the performance. Eileen Baker, Joyce Blewitt, Violet Bradley, Sheila Carroll, Eva Charlton, Marcelle Cole, Nanette Day, Noreen Eagleton, Marjorie Faulls, Topsy Faulls, Beryl Fraser, Reg Fraser, Merle Gardiner, Edna Jeanette, Marie Kaye, Gwen Keane, Shirley Keane, June Law, Yvonne Lawler, Valmai Luton, Vinnie Luton, Betty Mabbott, Gwen Moore, Lorna Murphy, Lily O’Neill, Dorothy Perkins, Peggy Perkins, Gwen Peters, Norma Rose, Hazel Rowley, Howard Sellar, Edie Skerry, Marie Skerry, Jean Strachan, Hazel Thomas, Yvonne Thomas, Ted Wall and Maurice Wilson.

Another article cut from The Canberra Times:

A most successful children’s party organised by Mesdames Mills and Shoobridge was held in the kindergarten hall Reid on Saturday afternoon. It took the form of a handkerchief shower, and was held in aid of the Handkerchief Stall at the forthcoming Bazaar. Over one hundred children were present and many parents. A very enjoyable programme was given by the children. Those contributing included Norma Rose, Maurice Wilson, Eileen Baker (by the kind courtesy of Miss Sutton-Murray), Audrey Perriman, Margaret Eldridge, Valma Conron, Lorraine Siggins, Alice Nicholls, Edna Robinson, Mary Cochrane and Laurel Baker. Afternoon tea brought to a conclusion a happy afternoon. Mrs Kaye acted as accompanist.

Another benefit concert Alice in Wonderland Revue was held at the Albert Hall on December 10 and 14, 1931. The proceeds went to the Canberra Relief Society.