Allora’s Past 50 years ago April 1959
ANNOUNCING SOMETHING NEW FOR ALLORA
A Pick-up and Delivery Dry Cleaning Service
by the ALLORA DRY CLEANERS
Collecting and delivery of all articles will be made
on Mondays and Thursdays of each week.
This Service is Free
Allora Dry Cleaners
Herbert Street, Allora   Phone 91
The Allora Dry Cleaners started business in September 1951 in Muir Street “opposite the Police Station”. As the Princess of Wales Hotel was there at the time I assume that they were in a shed at the back of the hotel. In November 1951 the Allora Dry Cleaners moved to Herbert Street “opposite the Commercial Hotel” (No. 80). The proprietor at the time was M. J. Dorrough. In February 1953 M. J. Dorrough sold the business to L. N. Howard. Mr. and Mrs. E. Denning bought the business in June 1955 and sold it to Arthur Haines in April 1958. The business closed down in February 1963.

Allora’s Past 75 years ago April 1934
Hendon Hotel
At the annual sitting of the Licensing Court in Warwick, application was made by Arthur Martin Masters for the renewal of the licence of the Railway Hotel, Hendon.
The licensing inspector stated that objection to the granting of the licence had been served on the licensee and the trustees of the estate. The ownership of the hotel was tied up with the estates of Mrs. Sarah Neylan and Mr. William Mitchener. Police interviewed Mr. Hubert Deacon, trustee of the estates, and he advised that the hotel would be put up for sale in early May. The inspector also stated that the public were complaining about the hotel and that letters had appeared in the press. Frequent disturbances requiring the attendance of the Allora police had taken place.
The hotel at Hendon was built in 1869 for Francis Kates when the railway reached Hendon during the construction of the line from Toowoomba to Warwick. The first licensee was Ewan McMillan, an ex-policeman and patriarch of the Allora family. The second licensee in 1870 was John O’Connell who was killed in a horse riding accident at the Warwick racecourse. Daniel Neylan took over the licence in 1871 and held it until his death in 1882. Sarah Neylan took over after her husband’s death and held the freehold until her death in 1926. The licence was held by M. Murphy from 1893 and Joseph Jackson, nephew of Sarah Neylan, from 1899. John Warfield was the licensee from 1908 to 1919 when it was transferred to T. H. Middleton. Arthur Masters took over in 1928 and was licensee until the estate of the late Sarah Elizabeth Neylan was finalised. Arthur Masters then bought the hotel and remained licensee until the building was demolished.

82 Herbert Street
100 years ago – Grimes & Elson, general store burns down.
75 years ago – Holmes Motor Supplies, Jack Holmes, manager.
50 years ago – Wilson & Rigby, K. E. Wilson & H. V. Smith.
25 years ago – Wilson & Rigby, K. E. & A. M. Wilson
Currently Wilson & Rigby, Peter Morton.
See Herbert Street 6 on web site.

Who was Rigby?
In Allora’s equivalent of “Where’s Wally?” everyone knows the Allora firm of Wilson & Rigby, everyone knows the Wilson’s so without worrying the Wilson family, “Who was Rigby?” The panel beating, motor trimming, and spray painting firm of Wilson & Rigby was started by Nev. Wilson with Rigby as a partner in March 1946. A local sage suggests that Rigby was a Warwick bus proprietor who was a silent partner in the business. In 1951 the firm were the sub-dealers for Hillman, Humber, and Sunbeam cars and Commer trucks. In 1953 they were sub-dealers for Ferguson tractors. In February 1956 Nev. Wilson left town and the business was carried on by his brother Ken with Hally Smith as a partner. Hally Smith sold his share to Ken and Alice Wilson in December 1967. Although Wilson & Rigby carried out oxy and electric welding from the 1950’s, in 1959 their advertisements emphasised welding and in the 1960’s and 70’s they diversified into steel fabrication. In the 1980’s they reverted to their core business of panel beating and spray painting. Following Ken’s sudden death in September 1988, the business was carried on by his son Bruce. The shop was rebuilt in the early 2000’s and Bruce and Sandra Wilson sold it to Peter and Ann Morton in November 2005.

Allora’s Past 50 years ago April 1959
A Pre-Wedding Evening
will be tendered Miss Phyllis Breeze
in the Nobby School of Arts Hall
on Friday, 17th April, in honour of her
approaching marriage to Keith Shooter.
Johnson’s Orchestra  Ladies please provide.

Allora’s Past 75 years ago April 1934
Soldiers to Parade
In accordance with custom, returned sailors and soldiers of the Allora district will gather at the War Memorial on the Sunday morning preceding Anzac Day. From there, at 10.45 a.m., they will march to the Methodist Church where a memorial service will be conducted by Rev. A. S. Rothwell. This year the parade will be headed by a piper and side-drummer.
Council’s Melon Patch
Evidently the Allora Shire Council is not aware that they own a melon patch, otherwise the local authority may have taken steps to protect the 10 or 12 specimens on the vine growing on the old roadway on the town side of Roggenkamp’s Crossing. However, it is now too late to take action as during the weekend several youths, eager to be the first to sample the self-grown fruit, practically denuded the prolific vine. Now only a single small melon remains, but if carefully guarded, it may develop sufficiently to provide a repast for a councillor.

Holmes’ Hall
The Australian Joint Stock Bank was built in Allora in 1882. It became a focal point of the northern end of Herbert Street, and before the use of building numbers, the locations of business houses in that part of the town were described in relation to the A. J. S. Bank. One such building described as being “opposite the A. J. S. Bank” was built by John Holmes in 1890 for Samuel Bowley Player, Pharmaceutical Chemist and Surgeon Dentist. S. B. Player described the premises as the “Allora Medical Hall” and the building became known as Holmes’ Hall. Joseph Adie, a Laidley general storekeeper, operated an Allora branch of his store in part of the building in 1893 and 1894. Several other buildings occupied the present day site of 84 Herbert Street and they are listed under Herbert Street 6 on web site. None advertised in the Allora Guardian after 1911 so they must have been demolished and the present day residence built. I need some help on the early history of the house but Mrs. Bony Clarke lived there after her husband George Henry (Bony) Clarke died in 1954. They bought the house in September 1947 from Jack Marshall who had owned the garage at 82 Herbert Street.  George Henry (Bony) Clarke was the pound ranger on the Allora Shire Council. In more recent times Kiwi and Sue Stephens and Jim and Barbara Corby lived there.

John Holmes
John Holmes was born in Yorkshire, England, in 1832. He married Mary Ann Throupe in 1852 and they set out for Australia with their two infant sons, Isaac and Joseph in 1855. Unfortunately Joseph died on board the ship. John and Mary Ann came to Queensland in 1858, John following his job as a pit sawyer. For a man who started out in life at the bottom of the occupations barrel, and there wouldn’t be too many worse jobs than that of a pit sawyer, especially the man on the lower end of the saw who would have been smothered in sawdust, John Holmes did well for himself and ended up owning large amounts of land in the Allora and Pittsworth districts and businesses in Allora. John and Mary Ann had a family of thirteen children, nine of whom reached adulthood. Four sons settled in the Pittsworth area and four sons and only daughter Hannah Blanche (Siebenhausen) settled in the Allora district.

Allora’s Past 100 years ago April 1909
Euchre Party and Dance at Goomburra
A very successful euchre party and dance was held in the Goomburra Hall on Wednesday evening last, the proceeds being devoted to the hall funds. There was an attendance of about 25 couples including a contingent from Allora. In the euchre tournament the ladies prize was won by Mrs. F. Cocks, the gentlemen’s prize being captured by Mr. D. Phelan. Booby prizes were awarded to Mrs. Siebenhausen and Mr. J. Gwynne. Music for the dance was provided by Miss Flo Gordon, piano, and Mr. E. Ardron, accordion. Miss Anderson contributed a vocal item that elicited hearty applause. Tasty refreshments were provided in abundance by the ladies of Goomburra and a very enjoyable evening was brought to a close about midnight.

Museum Donations
Several items of interest have been recently donated to the Allora museum. Kathy Belfield (nee Neale) has donated the complete outfit in which she made her debut at St. David’s debutante ball in1961. May Frizzell has donated her late husband Colin’s R. A. N. uniform from when he served on H. M. A. S. Australia in the 1950’s. Lex Bailey, of the Toowoomba and Gatton firm of A. R. Bailey & Sons, great-grandson of A. R. Bailey who had a drapery shop in Allora in the early 1900’s, has kindly donated  male and  female store dummies to display the above outfits . Coincidently in 1929, Kathy’s grandparents Mr. and Mrs. Bill Cross took over the same shop that A. R. Bailey had occupied in Allora twenty one years earlier.

Herbert Street Businesses

86 Herbert Street

125 years ago Kennedy Bros. General Store.

100 years ago T. A. Margetts, surgeon dentist, and Ideal Furnishing Co.

75 years ago private residence, Jack and Agnes Holmes.

50 years ago Dalrymple Private Hospital.

25 years ago privately owned flats.

See Herbert Street 6 on web site for more details.

Kennedy Bros. General Store.

In 1871 Kennedy Bros. took over Francis Kates’ general store which stood on the site of the Commercial Hotel. Later in the 1870’s they moved to what was known as the “Bank Buildings” on the site of the present day No. 86 Herbert Street. Kennedy Bros. built a flour mill in Forde Street in 1883 and sold the general store to William Whitman in 1901. The old store was sold for removal in a mortgagee sale in 1917. Jack and Agnes Holmes built a new residence on the site. (Jack and Agnes were the grandparents of Warren Holmes, current resident of the Homestead). Jack Holmes died in 1944 and Mrs. Holmes later lived with her daughter in Brisbane until her death in 1967 at the age of 93. In 1950 the Allora and District Co-operative Hospital Society bought the building and in December 1950 the Dalrymple Private Hospital opened. Dr. Derek Sapsford was the doctor in charge and the nursing sisters were Christine Stewart (Chandler) and Alma Galley (Hoey). The new hospital opened in Darling Street in 1972 and Dr. R. Paterson (1972/73), Dr. Chabun (1974) and Dr. P. G. L. Williams (1974/79) had their surgeries at No. 86 until the building was sold and turned into flats.

Mr. and Mrs. William Whitman

Outback Queensland Pioneers

William Whitman was born at the Claridge Hotel in London, the property of his maternal grandfather, in 1840. He came to Australia with his father, brothers and sisters in 1852. With his brother, James, he came to Queensland in 1858. After stints on the Canoona goldfields and butchering at Copperfield, the brothers went hawking down the Barcoo River in 1862. They branched out into the mail contracting business with runs from Springsure to Blackall, Blackall to Bowen Downs and Tambo to Thargominda. With a string of 700 horses they were known as the “Cobb & Co. of the West”. They founded the township of Wittown now known as Isisford. In 1869 William Whitman married Elizabeth Tucker of the Rockhampton district. She had been born in Somerset, England, in 1842. After their wedding they set out the 400 miles to Wittown, over flooded roads, each leading a pack horse. Several of the creeks had to be negotiated by William swimming with Mrs. Whitman on his back. The brothers later bought the store at Windorah and built up large sheep and cattle herds causing them to take land in the Cloncurry district. Increasing fortunes allowed them to establish homes at Yeppoon where they retired from business, at the same time retaining the freeholds of stores at Tambo, Isisford, Windorah, Canterbury and Birdsville. The brothers had invested heavily in Mt. Morgan Mine shares and when the crash occurred causing them to lose a large portion of their money, James returned to the Isisford store and William to the Windorah store to rebuild their shattered fortunes. In 1901 with finances restored, William Whitman bought Kennedy Bros. store in Allora where they resided for the next 12 years. William was mayor of Allora in 1905/06. In 1913 Mr. and Mrs. Whitman retired to Taringa in Brisbane where they celebrated their golden wedding on 30^th December 1919.

Herbert Street Businesses
88 Herbert Street
100 years ago Allora Guardian Newspaper, J. E. Harvey.
75 years ago A.L. Ruhles cordial manufacturer.
50 years ago M. J. Larkin, cordial manufacturer.
25 years ago Allora Tyre Service, Graham and Shirley Masters.
Currently vacant
See Herbert Street 7 on web site for more details.

Allora’s Past 25 years ago May 1984
WATTLES SUPPORTERS
Thank you to Wattles players and supporters for your sponsorship of us in the Warwick and District Under 14 team. 
     Sean O’Grady and Greg Mason.

Allora’s Past 50 years ago May 1959
Allora Centenary Celebrations Committee
A meeting of the Centenary Celebrations Committee will be held on Tuesday, 12th May, at 7.45 p.m.
All members are requested to attend.
     Lex Ellwood, Secretary.

Allora’s Past 75 years ago May 1934
Soldier’s Club
Building Fund Opened
Considering that it is vitally necessary for the future welfare of the organization in the district, members of the Allora Sub-Branch of the R. S. S. I. L. A. at their monthly meeting, launched a fund for the purpose. In making a donation of 10 guineas from the general revenue, members believe that within a short time public subscriptions will enable the work to commence.
Some years ago the Digger’s Tennis Club was formed, and ½ acre of land was purchased in Forde Street by the Sub-Branch. The court was constructed on the western side of the allotment allowing a large street frontage for the club house.
It would be over twenty years before the R. S. L. Hall would be finally built on part of the War Memorial Reserve in Warwick Street. The hall was officially opened on Friday night, 10th December, 1954, after the last of the necessary funds were raised in a Queen Competition organized by Mr. Jack Hilton. It was a big weekend for Allora, because on the very next night, after record takings because of its proximity to the    R. S. L. Hall, the Princess of Wales Hotel burned down.

Allora’s Past 100 years ago May 1909
Supposed Poisoning
A Sensational Happening
A young man named Spreadborough, formerly in the employ of Mr. L. V. Vincent, Allora, as a cabinet maker was found in the early hours of yesterday morning suffering from the effects of strychnine poisoning and it is alleged that the dose was self inflicted. Mr. Spreadborough was found in his room in Mrs. Munro’s Boarding House in Drayton Street suffering great pain and calling loudly for help. Assistance was quickly summonsed and Dr. Pain applied the usual remedies with the result that the patient will probably pull through although his condition was still precarious yesterday.

Herbert Street Businesses
 92 Herbert Street
125 years ago  Criterion Hotel, Patrick Cranitch.           
100 years ago  Club Hotel, James Coll.
75 years ago   Cattle Saleyards, Deacon & Co. and Donovan & Son.
50 years ago   Cattle Saleyards, Deacon & Co. and Donovan & Son.
25 years ago   Jubilee Gardens.
Currently  Jubilee Gardens.
See Herbert Street 7 on web site for more details.

Four C’s Hotel
Before you all contact me and tell me that there was no Four C’s Hotel in Allora, there was a hotel which had four names beginning with the letter C.
The allotment now occupied by Jubilee Gardens at No. 92 Herbert Street was the original site of the Crown Inn opened by John Holmes in 1867. In the 1870’s and early 1880’s the hotel was leased by Patrick Cranitch and renamed the Criterion Hotel. For a short time in the 1880’s the licensee of the hotel was Mary Wallis and it was known as the Commercial Hotel. In 1890 James Henry Gwynne, grandfather of Harry and Les and great-grandfather of Ron, bought the hotel and it was renamed the Club Hotel. In 1903 Thomas Collins bought the hotel and the Collins family held the freehold until it was destroyed by fire on 18th April 1916. Thomas Collins was the great grandfather of the Cowley family of Talgai and Zeta Dwan from Allora News. The license of the Club Hotel was held by James Coll from May 1909. Mrs. E. E. Coughlin was the licensee when the hotel burned down in 1916.

Allora’s Past 50 years ago May 1959
Young Allora Representatives
The Allora Centenary Celebrations Committee was invited to select two representatives to attend the Queensland Centenary “Gundoo” Festival in Brisbane. They were required to be between the age limit of 17 and 25 years, preferably with some community, youth, church, or charity interests, and be interested in attending the festival. The two young people selected to represent the Allora Shire were Miss Jan Neale (Hoey) and Mr. Ted Cowley.

Allora’s Past 75 years ago May 1934
Obituary
A very old pioneer of the Allora district died at the age of 93. He was Mr. James Dougall of “Killburnie”, South Street, Allora. Mr. Dougall was born in Perthshire, Scotland on 10th March 1841 and after completing school was apprenticed as a carpenter. After qualification he embarked on the sailing ship “Flying Cloud” arriving at Moreton Bay on 1st February 1864. After gaining employment in Brisbane for a short time he removed to Allora and commenced business as a building contractor in 1866. He built the first court house (now the Historical Society museum), the school house and residence, the original Presbyterian Church and many other early structures. In 1871 he joined Francis Kates and Robert Cooke in the building of a flour mill in Drayton Street. He acted as mill manager before leaving to take up farming pursuits. Mr. Dougall served as an alderman on the Allora Municipal Council and was Mayor from 1888 to 1890. He was a director of the Allora Butter Factory and took a keen interest in the Central Downs Agricultural and Horticultural Society. He was also one of the four guarantors for the building of the new Presbyterian Church in 1906 and acted as an Elder for many years. Mr. Dougall was predeceased by his wife and two daughters and is survived by six sons and two daughters.

Herbert Street Businesses
 94 Herbert Street
150 years ago “Remains of Jubb’s Inn”.            .
75 years ago   H. W. Stay & Sons, saleyards.
50 years ago   H. W. Stay & Sons, saleyards.
25 years ago   Eric and Val Ireland’s private residence.
Currently  Val Ireland’s private residence.
See Herbert Street 7 on web site for more details.
Jubb’s Inn
Apart from the Shepherd’s Crossing, the present day 94 Herbert Street would be Allora’s most historic site. The 1859 N. S. W. Surveyor General’s Department Map No. 6640 is marked “Remains of Jubb’s Inn”.  While there is no other evidence of Jubb having an inn in Allora, he may well have dispensed the odd noggin or two from a hog’s head of rum stored in the back room. William Jubb was a blacksmith who set up shop on what was then part of Goomburra Station in the 1840’s. Spencer Briggs in his writings as “The Angel” in the Allora Guardian said that the real reason that Allora developed as a town was the fact that Jubb had become bogged in the black mud, had thrown his tools off the dray and set up shop. In 1846 Jubb twice applied to the Darling Downs Commissioner of Crown Lands, Christopher Rolleston, for a permit to build but this was apparently refused because Commissioner Rolleston did not have the authority to issue building permits for Crown land. The Rev. Benjamin Glennie records in his diary in 1848 that he conducted a church service in “Jubb’s of Goomburra”.
Neil Ross, a shepherd employed on Goomburra Station, and his family lived on the northern side of Dalrymple Creek on what is now the golf course. Although this was situated on the future Town Reserve it was not in the town proper. Jacob Bleaker lived in a shepherd’s hut near what is now the western end of Drayton Street. Jubb’s house probably was the first house built in the later central part of the town. It was certainly the first business. He was there at least fourteen years before the Dalrymple Hotel was built. In 1850 William Jubb set up in the “Woolpack Inn” near Cunningham’s Gap and his Allora’s house fell into ruins.

Allora’s Past 100 years ago May 1909
Remarkable Occurrence at Goomburra
Mr. William Winfield whilst engaged at corn pulling at Inveramsay removed his pocket watch with bar guard attached and laid it on a prominent stone in the corn paddock. Subsequently he went to retrieve his belongings and found them missing. He searched extensively and they were no where to be found. Later while shooting cockatoos he saw a number of crows perched in a tree. They all flew away except one which Mr. Winfield thought was trying to swallow a small snake. He shot the crow and to his great surprise found that the dead crow was the watch thief. It appears that the crow in attempting to swallow the watch got the silver bar caught crossways in its beak.
This may seem too fictitious to be true but nevertheless is perfectly true.

Herbert Street Businesses
 We will pause at the northern end of Herbert Street while we fill in a gap on the web site. We will then resume describing the businesses on the eastern side of the street. For a description of the Herbert and Warwick Street’s corner see "Herbert Street"on the web site.

Allora’s Past 75 years ago May 1934
Mates Re-united
When Mr. R. S. “Dick” Harvey, an Allora returned soldier, gave his version of the Manfred Von Richthofen affair to a newspaper reporter, he little realized that the published story of the German air ace’s crash to earth near Sailly-le-Sec, would renew a war-time acquaintance that was severed 15 years ago. Published in the Allora Guardian, his remarks were later reprinted in the Warwick Daily News where they were read by a comrade of those muddy days in France. When he opened his mail on Monday, Mr. Harvey found a letter from Ted Shearman with reminisces of doings behind the lines. Both were members of 5 Platoon, D Coy., 41st Battalion, and although firm friends, lost contact after being demobbed in March 1919. Mr. Shearman, a native of Townsville, came to live in Warwick 12 months ago and it was not until he read the article that he realized that they were living only 15 miles apart. Mr. Harvey intends visiting Warwick at the earliest opportunity to renew the broken comradeship.

Allora’s Past 100 years ago May 1909
Roller Skating in Allora
The roller skating syndicate who are exploiting this popular craze in Allora, commenced operations successfully in O’Callaghan’s Hall on Tuesday night. The attendance was good and the skaters and onlookers appeared to be enjoying themselves highly. Many of the old hands who skated years ago got into fine trim almost immediately and excited the envy of the learners who themselves tickled the onlookers with their frequent and violent descents to terra firma. It is evident that skating will boom in Allora as elsewhere. On the night the Hibernian Band enlivened proceedings by their spirited rendition of popular airs. A goodly supply of skates is available and the arrangements for next Tuesday are 2.30 – 5 p.m. ladies only; 7 – 10 p.m. all and sundry.

Historical Display
Members of the Allora and District Historical Society will this week set up an historical display in a window of Allora Pharmacy provided courtesy of Jon Constable. The aim of the display is to publicise the aims of the Society and to highlight the fact that it is 150 years this year, since the town of Allora was surveyed. 2009 also marks the 40th year of the Society’s formation.
The display will feature various items of historical interest including those relevant to local schools. The Society would be interested to hear the school experiences of anyone, young or old, at any of the Allora and district schools. If you are interested in sharing your school experiences or photos contact Lyn Wright on 46663098, 0408753085 or write to her at 42 Drayton Street, Allora. Of special interest are experiences from either of the Spring Creek Schools as a book is being written on their histories.

Herbert Street Businesses
 For details of the history of Rickert’s Corner see Herbert Street 2 on the web site.

Allora’s Past 25 years ago June 1984
ALLORA MOTEL-CARAVAN PARK
NEW OWNERS!
WAYNE & CINDY ANDERSON advise that they have taken over from Gary and Kay Norman at the Allora Motel-Caravan Park and look forward to meeting and serving old and new customers for all needs in BP Driveway Service, and Bread, Groceries and Smallgoods supplies after hours and weekends. Also Video recorders and Tape Hire. Business hours remain the same.

Allora’s Past 50 years ago June 1959
Allora and District Tennis Assn.
The following teams will represent the above Association against Pittsworth and District Tennis Association in the “Don Newborn Cup” Competition on Sunday, 28th June.
No. 1 Team – K. Jensen (Capt.), K. Geaney, P. Chandler, C. Bishoff, J. Penhaligon, M. Robin, M. Butler, Mrs. L. May, Mrs. K. Geaney, Mrs. J. Penhaligon.
Junior Team – K. May (Capt.), R. May, D. Sprott, R. Black, G. Hoey, M. Dalton, Miss L. Bishoff, Miss M. Morrish, Miss P. Gilmore, Miss B. Telford.

Allora’s Past 75 years ago June 1934
Is This the Record?
Some weeks ago the “Guardian” published a report that the best maize yield in the district to that time belonged to Mr. D. O’Leary (Berat) who obtained 626 bags from a 24 acre paddock of Red Nib, the average being a little better that 26 bags to the acre. This fine yield has now been bettered, a 14 acre paddock on the Goomburra Road about a mile from town, threshing 430 bags, or 30 ½ bags to the acre. The property is owned by Mr. R. W. Gordon and worked on the share system by Mr. C. Kelly. The variety in this instance was U. S.

Allora’s past 100 years ago June 1909
Upper Forest Springs
Fund to build a Public Hall
In common with the other component parts of our progressive and prosperous district, the locality of Upper Forest Springs has many times of late felt the necessity of a public hall or meeting place for the convenience of the residents. A fund has been established to advance this worthy objective, the nucleus of which was derived from half the proceeds of the sale of the old Goomburra Hall. A dance inaugurated by the bachelors of the district resulted in the further sum of ₤3/11/0 being added to the balance. The ladies did better after the organization of a similar function, raising a total of ₤5. The ball organized by the ladies was got up in Mr. P. H. Imhoff’s spacious barn, 50 couples gracing the floor. Music was provided by Mr. Harry Muller manipulating the double keyed accordion. Mr. Jack Dougall acted as M. C.
Mr. W. Gilmore is president and secretary of the Building Fund Committee while Mr. P. H. Imhoff serves as treasurer.

Please continue on Looking Back 8.