North Queensland History: Bowen

Showing posts with label Bowen. Show all posts

Saturday, 23 January 2021

Why did John Melton Black abandon Townsville?

On the 10^thof May 1867, the S.S. Boomerang sailed from Bowen, bound for Sydney. It was loaded up with gold, wool, sheepskins, animal hides, tallow and other goods, and 28 passengers. One of those passengers was John Melton Black, the man who had founded the settlement of Townsville just a few years earlier. Black would never return to the town he built, but it would be almost six months before the people of Townsville had any idea that he wasn’t coming back. So what happened?

Why did Black abandon the town he had built from the ground up? Over the years, a number of possible answers to this question have been put forward (by both historians and journalists alike) but after critically evaluating primary source documents about Black and his family, I think I have found the real reason. And it’s a very simple reason that no one seems to have considered before now.

John Melton Black, pictured in the Townsville Jubilee Carnival Programme, 1913.

But who was John Melton Black?

John Black[1] was born in Bolton, Lancashire, in 1831[2] and by the mid 1850s, was involved in the theatre business in Melbourne, Victoria. He built and ran the Theatre Royal in Bourke Street, which opened on 16 July 1855. The theatre could seat 3,500[3] people and reportedly cost Black £60,000.[4] Such an expensive venture is said to have bankrupted him.[5]

Theatre Royal, Melbourne. Photo: State Library of Victoria

In 1858 he was managing the Princess Theatre in Spring Street, Melbourne[6] but by early 1861 Black was in Port Denison (now Bowen), scrambling to secure as many pastoral leases in North Queensland as he could get his hands on. He then set out to find a site for a port along the northern coast that would provide him with more convenient access than the port at Bowen. It’s not known why Black decided to come north, but the death of his brother, James Black, in Melbourne in 1859[7] may have prompted him to leave Victoria.

Black’s involvement in establishing a new port in North Queensland

The story of white settlement in Townsville has been well documented, so it’s sufficient to note here that John Melton Black was instrumental in establishing the town. From the very beginning Black had ‘boots on the ground’, and worked hard physically to build the new port town. He was an industrious, ambitious man whose primary motive was undoubtedly to make money — so he threw himself into the venture unreservedly.

View of early Townsville, 1867. Photo: State Library of Queensland

Black was highly regarded in the town and was to become its first mayor, holding that office 1866-1867. In the book Frontier Town: a History of Early Townsville and Hinterland 1864-1884, Helga Griffin gives a useful summary of Black’s contributions to Townsville:

‘He had virtually carved the original foundations out of mangroves beside a swampy creek, had personally supervised the construction and improvement of harbour facilities, and had initiated the first trading links with merchants from Bowen and pastoralists in the hinterland for whom his harbour stores and boiling-down facilities became a focus for industrial activity. He had been more responsible than any other community leader for giving the settlement an urban character, facilitating the first sales of land and negotiating the introduction of local government. His efforts attracted government personnel and funds to the town.’[8]

In early May 1867, Black left Townsville for Sydney.[9] The trip was probably to personally oversee the winding-up of his partnership with his financial backer — Robert Towns — which had expired on the 1st May that year.[10] Towns was a notorious penny-pincher and Black may have felt the need to deal with Towns in person, in order to finalise the dissolution of the partnership.

Notice of expiration of the partnership J.M. Black & Co., from New South Wales Government Gazette, 18 June 1867.

It seems doubtful that when Black left Townsville he intended never to return. Among his many business ventures, he had just overseen the resurrection of the newspaper Cleveland Bay Express into a limited liability company. At a meeting held on 30 April 1867, Black reportedly gave an ‘elegant speech’ that detailed the advantages for Townsville in maintaining a local newspaper. As well as being an instrument of influence on the general public, he also thought it would attract southern merchants by informing them of ‘the trade and general prosperity of our Northern Ports’.[11] Black was also to be appointed as a trustee of the Townsville Hospital[12] although that didn’t officially happen until some months after he had left Townsville (and Australia).

Why did Black abandon Townsville?

Some sources have suggested Black was suffering from ill-health, or was disheartened after a cyclone ripped through the town, destroying much of his hard work, or had simply tired of the partnership with Robert Towns; and even a combination of all three.[13]. One story that has proved enduring, which was circulating from as long ago as the same year that Black left Townsville (1867), was that he became the beneficiary of an inheritance.[14]

This last theory may hold a grain of truth, but I think the real reason Black left Australia, never to return, was because his father had just died. Dr James Black, who had been a surgeon in the Royal Navy, died on 30th April 1867 in Edinburgh, Scotland, aged 78 years.[15]

Black may have already been on his way to Sydney when he received this news. Then as soon as he had wrapped up his financial affairs, John Melton Black went straight home to his family. He departed Sydney on the 31st August 1867, aboard the R.M.S. Mataura (a mail ship).[16] Black did not, as one historian has suggested, embark on an extensive tour of Europe before returning home.[17]

It’s hard to say whether Black went home just because he thought he stood to inherit money, or whether he wanted to support his mother after the death of his father. For the reasons I outline below, I am inclined to think it was the latter.

Black’s father, Dr James Black, left all his money and possessions to his ‘beloved and dearly affectionate wife Jane Black her heirs executors administrators and assignees’.[18] But it’s not actually clear whether John or his brother William Thomas Black — the only two surviving issue from the marriage — received anything at all upon the death of their father. In fact when Jane Black died in 1879, her estate was worth £8,954.[19]. This was a lot of money. Her executors were her sons William Thomas Black and John Black.[20] It is possible that Black only inherited money after the passing of his mother Jane, 12 years after he had left Australia.

In the 1881 England Census, John Melton Black’s ‘rank, profession or occupation’ is listed as ‘annuitant’.[21] The term annuitant is not strictly an occupation or a profession, but rather a term indicating financial status. It indicates that the person supported themselves financially through their own savings or investments. In Black’s case, this may well have been from his shares in the Bell Punch and Printing Company. But by that time his mother had also died and he would have inherited a share in her estate. In any case, when Black died in 1919, his estate was valued at £25,415.[22] (According to one calculator online, £1 in 1919 would be worth £52 in 2020, so that would make Black’s fortune around £1.3million in today’s money!).

A question that remains unanswered, is why it took so long for people in Townsville to know that Black wasn’t coming back? According to a newspaper report, news of Black’s departure was only received in late October 1867 — months after Black left Townsville for Sydney.[23]

Black remained popular in the eyes of the citizens of Townsville though, and the following year they commissioned a gold cup as a farewell gift to him. The cup, made by Messrs Cooke and Robin, of Pitt Street, Sydney, weighed close to 780grams, and was apparently sent to Black in England, via steamship.[24]

Perhaps that’s the reason Black was so tardy about telling the people of Townsville that he was going home — maybe he expected one day to return to the town he’d built?

Sources:

[1]At some time while he was in Victoria, Black added the ‘Melton’ to his name.

[2]Baptism register for 1831 for the parish of Bolton le Moors, in the county of Lancaster, records the baptism of John Black, son of James and Jane Black (born 30^thJune 1831), Great Bolton.

[3]The Argus [Melbourne], 11 July 1855, p. 8

[4]The Argus [Melbourne], 10 July 1855, p. 5

[5]Theatre Royal Entry – eMelbourne, the Encyclopedia of Melbourne Online, https://www.emelbourne.net.au/biogs/EM01488b.htm

[6]The Age[Melbourne], 5 July 1858, p. 6

[7]‘Inquest on James Black’, The Age [Melbourne], 1 October 1859, p. 5; see also Empire [Sydney], 3 October 1859, p. 1

[8]Helga Griffin, Frontier Town: a History of Early Townsville and Hinterland 1864-1884, p. 59

[9]Port Denison Times, 11 May 1867

[10]New South Wales Government Gazette, 18 June 1867, Issue no. 99, p. 1467

[11]Port Denison Times, 11 May 1867

[12]Brisbane Courier, 14 October 1867, p. 3

[13]See Helga Griffin, Frontier Town; Cummins & Campbell’s Monthly MagazineNovember 1932, p. 86; or see the work of Dorothy Gibson-Wilde

[14]Cleveland Bay Express, quoted in Queensland Times, Ipswich Herald and General Advertiser, 24 October 1867, p. 3

[15]Registration of Death of James Black, died 30 April 1867, 2 George Square, Edinburgh

[16]The Argus [Melbourne], 3 September 1867, p. 4

[17]Undoubtedly this statement about Black originally came from an unreliable source – W.J. Doherty (also known as Viator) who wrote of Black, that: “From Sydney he proceeded to Europe, where he made an extensive tour before settling down in London.” This was published in the Townsville Daily Bulletin in 1934

[18]Last Will and Testament of Dr James Black, dated 24 July 1867

[19]Registration of Death of Jane Black, died 13 August 1879, aged 87, place of death: Mauldslie Cottage, Eskbank, Dalkeith

[20]England and Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills & Administration) 1879, for Jane Galt Black

[21]1881 England Census, Black is listed as living with his family at 30 Tavistock Square, London

[22]England and Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills & Administration) 1919, for John Melton Black

[23]Cleveland Bay Express, quoted in Queensland Times, Ipswich Herald and General Advertiser, 24 October 1867, p. 3

[24]Sydney Morning Herald, 9 September 1868, p. 9

Monday, 1 August 2016

Queensland Railway Ambulance Corps

The Queensland Railway Ambulance Corps was established in 1892 to train railway employees in first aid. It was considered that railway employees, because of the nature of their employment, were “especially liable to accident, and that the knowledge of the elementary rules of the treatment to be followed to preserve life and prevent undue suffering,” was likely to be of great value to them, as they were often situated far from medical assistance.

Annual competitions to test the first aid skills of members of the Corps were held from 1914. Teams from all over Queensland proudly represented their region. One north Queensland team – the Bowen team - was extremely successful in the annual first aid competitions in the late 1930s.

In September 1939, the Bowen team defeated Charters Towers, Hughenden and Townsville at Rollingstone, before going on to defeat Cairns, Innisfail, Kuranda and Alma Den at the regional final in Cairns. The team members consisted of Messrs E. Moore (Captain), I.A. Fielding, F.R. Andrews, P. Herlihy and R. Ryan (patient). Team member Ivan Fielding won the individual contest, with 53 points, over W. Ross of Alma Den, and G.A. Bell, of Cairns.

The Bowen team then went on to compete against four other teams for the Commissioner’s Shield, in Brisbane, in October. The competition involved a number of set tasks, including making improvised stretchers from whatever material could be obtained. Each team member was allowed one pocket-knife, and each team was allowed one tomahawk (to be used for splitting saplings). Team members could also use their own items of clothing.

Members of the Queensland Railway Ambulance Corps (Bowen team) competing for the Commissioner's Shield in the State Final of the annual first aid competition, Brisbane, October 1939. Second from right is Ivan Fielding, who won the individual award, the St. John's Ambulance Silver Cup.
Photo: Private Collection.

You can see in the photograph above that the patient’s legs are strapped down using belts and neck ties, and that the bandaging has been made from the team members’ shirts. Even shoelaces could be used, provided they complied with the competition’s regulation length. Challenges for competitors also included an oral examination on anatomy, and carrying a “casualty” over obstacles on an improvised stretcher.

Members of the Queensland Railway Ambulance Corps (Bowen team) competing for the Commissioner's Shield in the State Final of the annual first aid competition, Brisbane, October 1939. Watching on with interest, are members of the Australian Army Medical Corps Militia, and the pipers of the 61^st Battalion Queensland Cameron Highlanders, who in time of war were regimental stretcher-bearers.
Photo: Private Collection.

Rockhampton won the shield that year, with 448 points out of a possible 530. Bowen came second, with 419 points, and Mayne Junction came third, with 410 points. But it was Bowen’s Ivan Fielding who excelled again, winning the St. John’s Ambulance Silver Cup.

Sources:

Bowen Independent, 15 September 1939; 16 October 1939.

Cairns Post, 14 September 1939.

Brisbane Telegraph, 12 October 1939.

Macno, V., Buchanan, R., and Blake, T., 'More than work', Memoirs of the Queensland Museum – Culture 5 (1), 2011, pp. 107-120.

Tuesday, 10 May 2016

NQ Midwives - "Invisible Heroines"

Hi lovely readers, I'm no longer collating information on midwives, as I published my book about this topic - Neither Mischievous nor Meddlesome - in 2019. Thank you so very much to everyone who contacted me with information, both during the research and writing phase, and since publication. I'm so grateful for the help.

I’ve been researching and writing about midwives who lived and worked in North Queensland in the early twentieth century for a number of years now, and I have grown to have so much respect for the service and support these women provided to other women, and for their incredible work ethic.

Nurse Field, of Bowen, who ran a private hospital called Palm Cottage, c. 1916.
Photo: State Library of Queensland.

In the early 1900s, and long before giving birth in a public hospital was commonplace, many women chose to attend a “lying-in” hospital, which was a facility run by a private midwife in her own home, where a pregnant woman could go just before the baby was due to be born and remain there throughout her labour and for several days afterwards.

Many of these private midwives lacked any formal training, either in nursing or midwifery, but they were nonetheless highly respected within their communities, performing as they did, a vital, though mostly unseen, service.

There is considerable evidence to suggest that many of the women who ran these lying-in hospitals worked most of their lives as midwives. Charlotte Sherlaw ran the Garvald House Maternity Home in Cook Street, North Ward and was referred to as “Granny Sherlaw”, because of her age. Another private midwife from Townsville, Mercy Flowers, was referred to as “Granny Flowers” throughout her life, even though she had remarried after her first husband’s death, and had taken a different surname. Janet Veitch, who ran the Southesk Private Hospital in North Street, West End, appears to have been delivering babies right up until just before she died in 1927, at the age of 65. Margaret Walsh, who ran a lying-in hospital at her home in McIlwraith Street, South Townsville, only retired from her profession at the age of 74, due to ill-health.

With a population of roughly 20,000 during the years 1915 – 1918, Townsville’s private midwives were kept very busy as the city’s birth rate was high. From the reports of the city’s medical officer, it is possible to ascertain that 643 babies were born in 1915, 605 in 1916, 700 in 1917, and 780 in 1918. The 1917 birth rate for Townsville was considered to be “exceptionally high”, at 35 per thousand living. In comparison, Queensland’s birth rate for 1917 was 29 per thousand living.

Some women turned to private midwifery as a way to earn a living after being widowed. Rose Blaxland was widowed soon after marrying Colonel George Glendower Blaxland, the first paid Commandant of the Queensland Volunteer (Defence) Force, in 1899. Records show that in 1920, Rose was operating a lying-in hospital in her own home, at 24 Flinders Street, where she had lived since 1900. Rose outlived her husband by 42 years, so she used her skills as a midwife to make ends meet. Most often referred to as Nurse Blaxland, she too was later affectionately dubbed “Granny” Blaxland.

Rose Blaxland is listed on this page from the 'Register of Midwifery Nurses', held by Queensland State Archives.
Photo: Trisha Fielding.

At the same time as they made their homes available to expectant mothers, many private midwives also raised large families of their own, skilfully juggling their commitments as a wife and mother with those of a professional midwife. South Townsville midwife Margaret Walsh raised a large family while at the same time running a private lying-in hospital. Between 1887 and 1911, Margaret and her husband William, had 13 children.

During their lives, the work of private midwives went relatively unnoticed, performed, as it was, with quiet devotion and discretion. In death, these women were remembered for their enormous contribution to so many families, in newspaper obituaries that illustrate the high regard in which they were held. Rose Blaxland’s obituary from the Townsville Daily Bulletin, Friday 16 October, 1942, read:

“An old resident, Nurse Rose Isabell Blaxland, late of 24 Flinders Street West End, passed away at an early hour on Wednesday morning last, at the age of 88 years. She was born in Kent, England, in 1854, and landed in Brisbane in 1874, where she joined the nursing staff of one of the hospitals, and later became associated with the Lady Bowen Hospital and obtained her certificate for midwifery. Deceased came to Townsville in 1884 and for the last 40 years resided at 24 Flinders Street West. During her life she practised her profession and often had to travel by stage coach to carry out her duties. Many a mother can testify to her unswerving devotion to duty and her gentle and tender kindness.”

Nurse Amy Field – Bowen

Born in Bowen in 1870, Amy Louisa Wilcox Field (see photo at top of post) trained as a nurse in Warwick for three years under Matron McNamara and later nursed in private homes in Bowen and Proserpine. She would travel to Proserpine by coach, and on at least one occasion travelled there on a railway pumper. In 1908 she opened a private hospital in Bowen called Palm Cottage, where, by the time of her retirement in 1936, more than 2,000 children had been born.

Known as “the Lady with the lamp”, this excerpt from Nurse Field’s obituary in the Mackay Daily Mercury, speaks of the high esteem in which she was held, especially by the women she nursed.

“Every one of those mothers must retain in her heart a deep feeling of gratitude - gratitude for the efficiency that gave them safety in their time of travail; for the devoted attention that she gave to them all, regardless of position; and for that loving-kindness that only the born nurse can give to her patients. Many of those mothers could tell of acts of unselfishness performed by Nurse Field on their behalf; of sleepless nights spent at their bedsides, asking no thanks; of the occasion when she rode, on a railway hand-driven tricycle to Proserpine to give her professional services. What a pity that those many kind works cannot be put into the printed word and set forth for the whole world to see, as an outstanding example of her profession. She was a true friend to all of her patients.”

Nurse Field died in August 1939, at the age of 68, only three years after retiring from nursing.

Nurse Janet Herries – Cairns

Herries Hospital, Cairns, taken sometime before 1927.
Photo: Cairns Historical Society.

Herries Private Hospital was a hospital in Cairns that catered for both maternity and general patients. Situated at 180 McLeod Street, it was run by Nurse Janet Abercrombie Herries between 1921 and 1939. Janet was born in Glasgow, Scotland in 1869, to parents Elizabeth Drew Lang and John Mackie. In August 1900, at the age of 30, she emigrated to Australia, arriving in Rockhampton aboard the Duke of Norfolk. In 1902 she married Robert Herries (a fellow Scotsman) in Mossman and by about 1915 they were living in Bunda Street, in Cairns, with their four sons.

As well as being an experienced and caring nurse and midwife, Janet also appears to have been a tenacious businesswoman who was not afraid to stand up for herself. In 1920, Janet sued a Mt Garnet man named Frederick Christensen for his daughter’s debt. Clara Christensen had a baby at Nurse Herries' hospital but the bill went unpaid. Christensen claimed that Clara was not his daughter, and that he had only “lived with her mother”.

For more on this story, see: http://northqueenslandhistory.blogspot.com.au/2015/01/herries-private-hospital-cairns.html

Interestingly, despite her long career as a nurse, Janet’s profession was only ever listed on electoral rolls as “home duties”, though she worked right up until the age of 70.