The ABERDEEN COMPANY (North British Australian Coy. or NBA.)
The NBA employed John Deuchar as manager of Goomburra Station. (He was thought to be E.Dalrymples ex-manager). Deuchar built quarters for management and staff, plus a wool washpool. (Sheep had to be washed before they were blade shorn. Shepherd's huts again dotted the countryside around the run. There was Forest Springs, Sugarloaf, Teapot and the Allora Hut. (Allora is thought to have been named after the Aboriginal word 'Gnallorah' meaning 'swampy land'). The company grazed 13,000 sheep and when the wool was sold, after costs were deducted, the profit's were paid in dividends to shareholders in the company.
The shepherds hut known as the 'Allora Hut' was on the southern slope of Allora Mountain and manned by Samual Gordon. As the crossing of Dalrymple creek was popular with teamsters carting supplies between Ipswich-Warwick and Drayton, the crossing became known as 'Shepherds Crossing'. Eventually a bark hut appeared built by a blacksmith named William Jubb. He also availed himself of supplies from passing wagons, and took advantage of the fact weary travellers who camped at the crossing overnight may need refreshments . Thus began Jubb's Blacksmith shop and Inn.
Whilst John Deuchar managed the property well, there were problems with the Aberdeen Company. Despite effects of drought and a fall in the the price of wool sales. Other investments performed poorly. Shareholders started to complain when dividends became lower, and the Aberdeen Company was forced to put the property "Goomburra Station" up for sale. At this point I would like to declare that I am not a writer nor historian, because of all the books I have read there is a lot of conjecture about what actually occurs from here on in. Firstly Patrick Leslie diaries claim he bought Goomburra Station on 1-2-1848. But at that time he was bankrupt and had creditors barking at his heels. If he bought the station his creditor's may have resumed the property and had it auctioned for dispersal to repay debts. Yet in 1847 at the request of the N.S.W. government, Patrick Leslie was asked to select the site for the town of Warwick, which he chose "The Pocket" which was part of Canning Downs. It was surveyed in 1849 and received approval in the Government "Gazette"-Folio 1708.
So back to the story. On the 1st. February 1848 George Leslie bought "Goomburra Station" from the Aberdeen Company. The transfer of sale states that the property transferred to G.W. Leslie on that date including all stock for £1,200.
The 3rd. Owner's of Goomburra Station.
George Leslie with his brother Walter took over the station 1st February 1848, both with the intention of buying it for older brother Patrick as stated above. Patrick began building a "cottage" for himself and family. He retained the services of John Deuchar as manager. So it is probable that he erected a new building although his diary states he "renovated the old cottage." Patrick and his wife Catherine (Kate) moved into their new homestead in July 1848. Commissioner Rolleston inspected the property on 21 March 1848 and stated Patrick Leslie was in occupation. The property Lists of 'Persons Licensed to Depasture Stock', states Leslie, G&W. tfd to G.F.Leslie 1849. G.F.Leslie tfd to Patrick Leslie 1853. Leslie, Patrick 1853-1860. So Patrick left Goomburra in 1860 after selling the property to a Messrs R&E Tooth of brewing fame.
It should be mentioned here that on 6th. June 1859, after many years of debate, what is now called "The Separation of States" took place. No longer was N.S.W. the controller of all lands to Cape York. The Colony of Queensland came into being on the Letters Patent of Queen Victoria. With the State boundary being 29th. Degree latitude and to the east of the 141st. meridian, or east longitude. The Governor of Queensland appointed was Sir George Ferguson Bowen. The Governor arrived in Brisbane December 10 1859 and at once an Executive Council was formed to assist him until a Legislative Assembly and Legislative Council were assembled.
("Goomburra Station" changed hands several times up until 1897 when F.W. Donkin was the owner. It was thrown open for selection on May 1st. 1902 and within days the entire Goomburra valley was owned by many small farmers, rather than one large squatter. These blocks were sold for an average £4 per acre.)
Back to Allora. Whilst in occupancy of "Goomburra Station", either the Government resumed a square mile of land from the station, or P.Leslie surrendered about a square mile of his property, for the establishment of a township. The town was surveyed in 1859 and the first land sale of 1 acre lots was sold in 1860. Samual Gordon the shepherd being within the town boundary became the first resident of Allora. By 1862 there were several bark hut's and cottages and the town expanded rapidly. More blacksmith's arrived, more hotel's and supply stores grew to accomodate the new arrivals. A Doctor, Dr. Ramsdale. Andreas Rickert and his son's who were talented blacksmith's, and of immense value to the farmer's. And James Gwynne and his wife started the first school in a tent.
In the Government Gazette dated 24th. July 1869. Allora was constituted a Municipality as of 21st. June that year. Signed by the Governor at that time Samual Wensley Blackall. Local councillors were duly elected and the mayor, Frances Kates was installed at the first council meeting September 18 1869.
Whilst Allora was installing itself on the map of the Darling Downs, Queensland. Warwick and Toowoomba were stabilising as Municipalities. The first railway connection was made between Brisbane and Toowoomba on 30 April 1867. In 1868 a line had been extended to Jondaryan, HRH Prince Alfred rode on the first train.
Allora's hopes soared when a line was proposed between Toowoomba and Warwick, as Allora intended being 'the central hub' of the Darling Downs. However these hopes were dashed when the railway surveyer's decided to by-pass Allora for a more direct line between Clifton and Warwick, through Hendon. 6 miles to the West of the town. The line to Hendon opened on 10 March 1869 and Allora businesses had to ferry goods back and forth to the Hendon station over a black soil road, impassable in wet weather. Then the road was made more trustworthy when logs were laid across the muddy patches. Eventually after many debates it was decided to put a branch rail line through from Hendon to Allora. This was achieved in 1897 and this in a small way appeased the discontent of the Allora residents about no direct rail line. The Goomburra farmers now being on smaller allotments, had moved from raising sheep to growing crops. Carting grain from Goomburra to the railhead at Allora was a tedious task. Once again black soil plains made things difficult in wet weather. Eventually on 24 August 1912 a branch line from Allora to Goomburra was opened. This facilitated getting grain to a market for the Goomburra farmers. But once again the train had to cross black soil plains too, and the train often had to be dug out and pulled from boggy patches. The Goomburra branch line finally closed on 24 June 1961 when it was no longer a viable proposition. The Hendon-Allora line still exists today. The last Allora resident Station Master and Area Supervisor was Leo Cronin who retired 30 June 1998. Then the line was rarely used until a group of enthusiasts called the "Southern Downs Steam Railway" Group, voluntarily renovated the station and branch line for a possible later tourist venture.
Allora was connected to electric power January 1933. On 1 July 1994, Allora, Rosenthal and Glengallon Shires were amalgamated into the hands of Warwick Shire Council.
Any proven corrections to what I have written can be directed to me rowenboat@yahoo.com .
