Rylstone Town

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Rylstone (Co. Roxburgh) 32°48’S. 149°58’E., 7 km N. of Kandos, on CudgegongR.; Ryalstone till с.1856; surveyed and laid out 1842 by Walker Rannie Davidson, village gaz. 1843; mining, wool, cattle, olives, agric.; airfield (4 km NE); ambulance station; Angl. C. (St James’s) b. 1858 by William Highfield, additions 1870; bridge over Cudgegong R.; one b. 1861, destroyed 1867, one b. 1899 by Edward William Fitzgerald, one b. 1948; bushfire 2009; butter factory (Rylstone Co-op. Dairy Co. Ltd.) 1906 d. by A. H. Hardwick, reused; carriage-works: George H. Johnston and John H. Neil; cemetery (2,585 graves 1854+) 1868, incl. columbarium; CH 1856, reused, new one 1873, additions 1901 by Rigby Bros.; concrete products plant (Jackson’s); cordial factories: Alan Fitzgerald Cameron, sen. 1913 and J. N. Collins 1880; dam 1953, 49 ft (15 m) high, on Cudgegong R.; diphtheria (13 died) 1880; electricity 1926; FB; fire 1927; flour mills; Andrews’, John Elgar and Skelton 1904, William Purvis 1872 (acquired and reused by E. H. Nash, fire 1922), J. H. Tee 1896-1901; freezing works (Sidney Phillip Paddison and Booth) 1913, leased 1922 to Francis Joseph Staff; granary; hailstorm 1897; hospital b. 1915-17, additions 1918 and 1928, additions and alterations 1935 by J. B. Simpkins; lock-up b. 1895 by Kidney and Corfield, closed; measles epidemic 1893; PO 1849, new one b. 1881 by Robert Thompson Highfield, closed, sold and reused; PS 1866, new one b. 1887 by J. F. Hill; rabbit boning works (Quinnel Bros) 1934; railway bridge (timber truss) 1884 d. by John Whitton, replaced 1924, over Cudgegong R.; reservoir; rifle range 1909; Rom. Cath. C. (St Malachy’s) b. 1873-76 by Michael Mealey, d. by Edward Gell, extended 1960; RS 1884, station b. by White and Coghill, closed 1992; sale-yards 1954; school 1857-62, reopened 1869, new one b. by Alf Doorey, d. by George Allen Mansfield, additions and renovations 1883, modernized 1909, repairs 1918 by F. L. Wurth, burnt down 1925, replaced 1926 by Philip James Killey, new one 1980; sewerage 1873; tanneries: Michael Allen Hayes and William Henry Hawkins; telegraph 1875, new office b. 1881 by Robert Thompson Highfield; TX 1914, automatic 1983; Unit. C. (orig. Wes. Meth.) b. 1884 by Billie Smith, demolished; watch-house 1871; water reticulation 1955, treatment plant, augmentation 1963 and 1987; Wes. Meth. C. (Zion) 1853, closed, sold and reused, later demolished; pop. 135 (1861), с.130 (1866), 239 (1871), 333 (1881), с.400 (1884), 592 (1891), 499 (1901), 765 (1911), 756 (1933), 740 (1947), 761 (1954), 799 (1961), 716 (1966), 695 (1971), 691 (1976), 651 (1981), 654 (1986), 721 (1991), 723 (1996), 654 (2001), 615 (2006), 624 (2011)1 .

1843

In the official records of the Executive Council Meeting No 45/9 of 30th May 1843, we read:
"His Excellency the Governor laid before the Council a letter from the Surveyor General transmitting a Design for a village at a place called "Tonbong: near Dabee. This village, His Excellency proposed should be called Rylstone. The Council saw no reason why the Design should not be approved."2

The reason for the Governor's choice of the name Rylstone is not clear; Rylstone, a sleepy village in Yorkshire, north of Skipton on a tributary of the River Wharf, made known by Wordsworth's "The Doe of Rylstone tells of a stand made by the Nortons of Rylstone Hall against reformers of Tudor times. We are unable to find any link between the Nortons and this district in Australia. The Yorkshire Rylstone is in close proximity to Rawdon where Edward King COx (son of Edward of "Fernhill Mulga and owner of Rawdon Station) went to improve his knowledge of wool and later imported stud stock from that district. E K Cox was only 14 years of age when Rylstone was named - hence it is unlikely that this Rawdon-Rylstone link played any part.3

1884

View of Rylstone 1884 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article71018807

18 October 1884
This quiet, clean-looking little town has now become settled to its normal condition, the temporary excitement occasioned by its short-lived importance as terminus of the railway from Sydney having disappeared, and the numerous navvies who used to frequent the township during the progress of the railway works, have become conspicuous by their absence, the line to Mudgee having been completed for some time previous to the formal opening. The township is an old established one, having a standing of some 38 years, and contains a few good public buildings; in fact, the whole of the town possesses a solid, substantial appearance, a result mainly due to the fact that most of the buildings are constructed of stone, which is abundantly found, of good quality; in the neighbourhood. The main street, owing to its peculiar formation, will never appear to the same advantage that it would have done had it been carried right through the town in a straight line. Of the public buildings, the post and telegraph office is one of the best, being well and solidly built of stone, and would do credit to many a far larger town. The court house dates from 1873. It is a plain, substantial-looking structure, with a verandah running along the entire front; and, so far as interior arrangements are concerned, they seem to fully answer local requirements. The old building formerly used for the same purposes was built in 1856, and is now converted into police barracks, &c. The Anglican church was commenced in 1857, and is erected on the summit of a hill in the town, from whence an excellent view of the surrounding district is obtainable. The Rev. R. J. Reed is the present rector. The Roman Catholic church has been built about five or six years, and is a handsome building, possessing a fine square tower. The services are conducted by members of the Roman Catholic clergy, who visit the township periodically from Mudgee. The new Wesleyan chapel, which is now nearly half completed, will when finished, form a great addition to the township, being a fine stone edifice. The old chapel was built about 1852.
The principal, if not the only, hope the inhabitants who number some 350, have of the local trade being stimulated is by the construction of the Colo Valley railway. Mr. Townsend, who has been surveying the proposed route, left Sydney on the beginning of last month, and states that he has already conclusively proved, to his own satisfaction, the practicability of connecting the flat country in the Capertee Valley with the Mudgee line near Rylstone, at about 156 miles 40 chains, by a line with easy gradients and curves, on which there will be no heavy works, excepting one tunnel about one and a half miles long, and no grade heavier than 1-100. The line has been staked and levelled for a distance of 12 miles 20 chains, which brings it into Capertee Valley, near Brymaer. Mr. Townsend is now trying a line by another gap, prior to running the line down the flat country to the Capertee Gorge, up to which point he says there will be no difficulties, the grades being all of an easy character. The distance from Sydney to Rylstone by the new main line would be less by nine or 10 miles than the present one.
A correspondent residing at Rylstone furnishes the following additional account of the township:- Rylstone, a picturesque township of near 400 inhabitants, is situated on the banks of the Cudgegong, about thirty-five miles from Mudgee, of which electorate it forms a part. The police district, including; Ilford, Capertee, Bylong, Glen Alice, and surrounding centres, numbers between 2000 and 3000 souls. Although by no means a newly-established district, inasmuch as there are many born in the neighbourhood who still continue residents, and who have attained the meridian of life, it is only within the past 10 or 12 years that it has, as a township, made any marked progress, but since that time it has advanced considerably, not only in appearance and population, but also in commercial importance. The first thing which strikes a stranger is the substantiality of the buildings, many of which would not be out of place in towns of far larger proportions, and being constructed for the most part of stone, they present a remarkably neat and attractive appearance. It may be mentioned that it is to the Bylong and quality of this material that Rylstone owes its name, and that whilst the district stood high at the late Sydney International Exhibition for the quality of several productions, for stone it took first prize. Amongst the leading public buildings is the court house, where a Court of Petty Sessions is held every Wednesday, and a Court of Requests the first Wednesday in each month. This structure is, considering its size, one of the neatest of the kind in the whole colony. The C.P.S., Mr. W. W.Armstrong, J.P., who also occupies the position of coroner, land agent, and general district registrar, is an old public officer, and one whose reputation stands high in the service, whilst Sergeant D'Arcy, who has charge of the local police force, has long been known far and wide for his intelligence and official acumen. The post and telegraph office is also a most substantial and elegant-building. The postmaster (Mr. Millard), who superintends both branches, is deservedly esteemed on account of his courtesy and attention. The churches are the Anglican (St. James's), Rev. R. J Read incumbent, assisted by Mr. R. Rook, catechist; the Roman Catholic (St. Malachi's), supplied periodically from Mudgee; and the Wesleyan. The latter body, under the strenuous exertions of their pastor, Rev. B. Lane, are at the present time erecting a new edifice, which bids fair to add greatly to the architectural appearance of the place. A tender has also been accepted for the erection of new police barracks, which, as the successful contractor is Mr. Miller, who has done full justice to his reputation as a builder in the erection of the railway station at Mudgee, may be expected to form another ornament to the town. Mr. G. A. Holland's Globe Hotel, owing to recent extensive alterations and additions, may be regarded as one of the most commodious places of its kind in the western district, while Mr. Farrar 's Rylstone Hotel, well known to visitors to this locality for many years past. Mr. J. Brown's Bridge, a substantially-built and well-cared-for hostelry; and Mr. Kishland's Shamrock, vie with each other in tempting the weary traveller to rest awhile. A branch of the A.J.S. Bank is established, under the able superintendence of E. B. Cotton, Esq., and amongst other places of business may be mentioned Messrs. Hayward and Benson's stores, a well patronised establishment of many years' standing; Mr. J. W. Hardwick's stores, near the railway station, the reputation of which is antecedent to that of any other business carried on in the place; Mr. W. Purvis's mill and stores, the only flour mill in the district; Mr. J. W. Jackson's Exchange stores and saddlery establishment, commanding the best position in the town; and Mr. H. K. White's dispensary and fancy goods emporium, which is also the agency for the TOWN AND COUNTRY JOURNAL and EVENING NEWS, and for which a new and handsome building has recently been erected in a most central position. The various trades connected with all colonial communities of any importance are carried on here with more or less competition in every instance, and with such it would be invidious to particularise; but it would be unfair not to mention Mr. W. Hawkin's tannery, where an extensive business is transacted. The health of the town is well cared for under the watchful eyes of Dr. A. W. Bateman and Mr. J. Perricles, while the training of the young idea is left to Mr. R. E. Vick and his assistants. The public school has recently received extensive additions and attractions. Among other buildings requiring mention is the Temperance Hall, a neat and commodious structure, where the Sons of Temperance, Masons, Oddfellows, Good Templars, and other kindred societies hold their meetings. An active and vigilant progress committee is also in existence, from which, through the secretary, the various Government departments receive frequent applications. Another feature adding to the attractive appearance of the township, is the pretty recreation ground situated at the entrance to the town from the Mudgee end, and which, under the direction of the trustees, has been tastefully laid out and planted with shrubs. The general cemetery is about two miles distant from the town. The material prosperity of the place is considerably enhanced by the proximity of the stations of Dabee (R. M. Fitzgerald, Esq., J. P., proprietor), Rawden, formerly in the possession of the late Hon. E. K. Cox, M.L.C. (now Cox Bros.), and where the far-famed wool was produced which obtained the Grand Prix at the Paris International Exhibition; Lue, the property of V. Dowling, Esq., J.P., and Bylong, where are situated the estates of John Lee, Esq., and A. Tindale, Esq., and which is so noted for its breed of horses. Nor would it be right to omit mention of the homesteads of Carwell, Woodlawn, Fernside, Narrango, Bogie, Glen Alice, Growie, and others, all of which are remarkably fertile, while the surrounding scenery is in many instances extremely romantic. It is at Carwell where exist the remarkable caves, which are a source of great interest to visitors to this locality, and from which the surrounding residents frequently improvise an apothecary's shop, as they abound in sulphate of magnesia, or something in every way similar to that article. Near Fernside and elsewhere in the neighbourhood other peculiar caves are found, on the sides of which the impression may be seen of hundreds of human hands of a reddish hue, and much controversy has been occasioned aa to the original cause of the same. The mineral resources of this district are both varied and abundant. That gold exists for many miles around has long been an ascertained fact, and that more has not been done in the search for the precious metal can only be attributed to the fact that the land in which it is found is in the hands of private proprietors. Antimony, copper, plumbago, cobalt, and other minerals also abound; whilst marble has been discovered, and a cinnabar mine was in operation some few years since, being abandoned only through the overflow of water, and other causes. Coal likewise exists in such quantities on all sides as to create a well-founded impression that it must prove one of the future resources of the district, and companies are now being formed to promote the development of the same. In fact, there is every reason to believe that the mineral wealth of this district is so vast that, with the construction of the projected Colo Valley line of railway, which must inevitably tend to disclose it to its full extent, and which will junction to the Mudgee line at Rylstone, it is not easy to predict the bright future which is lying in store for the district. The construction of the line alluded to is regarded by the inhabitants the greatest permanent boon which could be conferred upon the locality. It is also thought that by the connection of the two lines at this place, Rylstone will ultimately become a kind of sanatorium for the residents of Sydney, as visitors from the metropolis visiting the neighbourhood would not only receive the benefit of its salubrious climate, but by travelling to the place on the one line and returning on the other, they would have the opportunity of viewing some of the most remarkable and romantic scenery in the colony. At the present time the district, like many others, is suffering somewhat from a temporary depression. The dry seasons, of which Rylstone has not escaped its share, have certainly had their disastrous effects, and this is the more felt just now owing to the completion of the works on the Mudgee line of railroad, as it was here that the contractors for that line, Messrs. Fishburn and Motton, for a considerable time had their headquarters; but the opening of its resources by the Mudgee extension, together with the hoped for construction of the Colo line, the luxuriant fertility of many portions of the district, together with its well-known, although as yet undeveloped mineral deposits, must inevitably tend to a future bright in the extreme. With so much of good to be told, and yet more to be predicted, it seems hard to complain; but the fact remains that Rylstone for some time past has not had its share of Government favours. The want of a proper water supply, an in adequate expenditure upon its roads, and other matters have militated so far against its advancement; and, in regard to these matters, the inhabitants very naturally complain of the supineness of the Government, which is evidenced to some extent by the railway station, for this, although a neat building, is merely a weatherboard structure, and the complaint is very justly made that this is neither in keeping with the importance of the district nor with the substantial character of the other public buildings in the town. The people, however, through the progress committee, are ever on the alert; and therefore, although these matters may be allowed to sleep for a time, there is little doubt but that the place will before long have its importance and requirements recognised by those in whose power it lies to effect the necessary and called for improvements4 .

1905

Railway bridge at Rylstone 1905 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article71534988

27 September 1905

Rylstone Town 1905 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article71535000

Bridge over Cudgegong River at Rylstone 1905

1923

16 July 1923
Reminiscences of Rylstone and District. Forty Years Ago and Now. BY M. J. STOLLERY. It is quite forty years since I first entered Rylstone, and your call for true stories of happening's of long ago has awakened in my mind many old memories, the placing on paper of which, may prove of interest to many of your readers. To look back over twenty or twenty-five years seems a very brief span, but when we analyse the time what changes are noted! The greater majority of the old hands who moved about dear, sleepy old Rylstone when I was a lad have long since passed over to their eternal rest, and many of the old landmarks have entirely vanished. It really seems a pity to allow the old hands to die right out, so let's go back a bit and resurrect their memories. We will look at Rylstone just after the railway was carried on to Mudgee. And speaking of the railway will remind us of some of the old places and tenants handy to the line. In one small space no fewer than seven old houses have entirely disappeared. There was the Shamrock Hotel, just down from Rylstone Station now Micky Hayes' place next door, which did service as a pub in the days, when the bushrangers knocked about the country: Mrs. Biddy Fitzpatrick's house, over the river: Hazeltine's residence, between the gate house and the traffic bridge: old Ah Sue's crib and his fine market garden, opposite Mulholland's place; a house at Horner's gates: and a slab and shingle house a bit up, from it, right opposite the stone house occupied by Mr. Jim Thompson (owner of the great horse Lochiel) some years ago. There is scarcely a brick or bit of timber left to indicate that residences ever existed on the spots. But where are the people? Jim Hazeltine met his death at Brogan's Creek. In those days Brogan's was a treacherous bit of track, and a pilot on a trolly or tricycle went ahead of the mail trains to make sure that the line was clear. Jim was engaged in this work for some time, but one night the mail caught him, and he was horribly mangled, and his remains brought on to Rylstone and interred in the cemetery there. Two or three others met a similar fate at that place. Micky Hayes will be remembered as the singing cobbler. He was one of the happiest men. Much like the genial Pickwick, he was beloved by all. He reared quite a large and respectable family, not one of whom remains in the district. When business slackened, it was Micky's wont to take his dish and tools and go into the bed of the Cudgegong to look for gold. And he was not without success, for there was gold to be got all along the river. Another who used to do fairly well at the game was old Jack Green. Mrs. Hayes was a dear old lady, a born nurse, and in those days was always to be found in the sick room of neighbors. Both have passed over. On the other side of the river there was Mrs. Fitzpatrick and her three cherry trees. The trees were a great attraction to the lads attending school in those days, and the old lady had her time taken up in clearing the trees of the laddies. Many a boy has been hauled down by a hook attached to the end of a long rod. She had three children, George, Mary, and Nellie. The old lady died many years ago, and the children have removed from the old town. Then there was the old Chow, Sue. His garden was a picture, but the river overflowed on one occasion and washed him out. The same flood threatened the Haves', and most of the furniture was removed from the house and stacked in the street. The stream stretched from the gate-house on the one side to more than half-way up the hill on the other. The Tong Bong Creek banked up with the river, and cut off all communication with Rawden, Camboon, and those places, and fettlers were on the railway bridge night and day harpooning huge logs as they came down the stream and steering them clear of the bridge piles. It was feared that the bridge would be washed away. The water on that occasion washed over the bed of the traffic bridge, lower down the river. Dick Hutchison had the gate house in those days and he and his family are away from Rylstone. George went through the University in Sydney, and the last time I saw him was in an undergrad procession. George will be remembered by the school boys of that time. He was prepared to fight anything that came his way although he could not be considered good at the business. He possessed great pluck. Another interesting identity at that time was Mr. Tanner, the stationmaster, and many of the Rylstone folk will still remember the boys - Frank, Paul, and Roddie. Frank is a solicitor in Sydney, Thomas, a Yankee chap, was in charge for a while after Mr. Tanner retired, and it was after him that the late Mr. Foody took over the station. There was a goods-shed clerk at Rylstone in those days who was considered a bit of a trick. His name was Hayes, and he had a great fancy for horses. His pony and sulky were admired by all. He drove from work each day, but walked from the goods-shed to the station. He would walk ahead and the pony and sulky followed. On the way to the station he invariably talked nicely to his horse. "Come along, my boy," and such like terms were used. I remember on one afternoon the pony took a bad notion into his head. Instead of following his master he wheeled around and made off in the direction of Benny McLeod's place. Benny and the place he lived in have both disappeared. That was perhaps the last time Allan walked to the station. What a number of the old hands who lived just about the station 40 years ago have passed over to the great majority! Micky Hayes and his wife, Mrs. B. Fitzpatrick, Jack Mulholland, Bob Horner and his wife, Roley Purvis, Tanner, George Hardwick, his father, George Howe, Granny Brown (who was 80 when she passed away), old Clarke (the dear old school teacher), old Dr. Perecles (who lived in a cottage in Mudgee-street which now does duty as a store for Mr. Crewdson), old Bill Harvey, and Dabee, the Chinaman, who had a shop opposite the Dry Goods Store some 30 years ago. The mention of Mr. Clarke, the schoolmaster, recalls many old boys - Big Doodah, and Little Doodah Highfield, George Nash, Os Jackson, George, Percy and Tom Love, Benny McLeod, Reg Hardwick, Lander Featherstone, Sam Ferguson, Clarry and Welly Taylor, "Weelie" and Alf Fuller, Pop Brown, Bob and Fred Horner, Dan Kearney, "Dangler" Perecles, "Copy" Howe, Peter Mulholland, Billy Martin, Ted Johnston, Charlie, Fred and "Button" Wilton, Charlie and Will Matthews, Ted Hawkins, George and Charlie Howe, Will Abbott, and many others. Will Abbott was killed in the terrible boiler explosion which took place, at the old mill bordering on 30 years ago. He was employed as fireman and attendant. Shortly after eight o'clock on the morning of the explosion, Will was shovelling coal into the boiler. Mrs. Purvis, the Elgars, and the draper at the store beside the mill were taking breakfast. Without the slightest warning the boiler burst. It blew the southern side of the engine room out, and the steam carried poor Will (shovel in hand) for a distance of twenty yards. He was scalded horribly, and lingered on till about six that evening. Mr. Scott, who was baking at the old bakehouse behind Wilton's saddler's shop at the time, heard the rumbling, and almost immediately after that a fire iron, weighing about a quarter of a hundredweight, came through the roof of the building and landed in the trough where he was working his dough. He deemed discretion the better part of valor and made a rush for the capacious fireplace. He had scarcely stacked himself away in the chimney when the steam staved the side of the bakehouse in. The whole show was wrecked, notwithstanding that it was at least 50 yards from where the explosion took place. Jim Honeysette, senr., who is still going strong at Rylstone, was stitching harness in the shop at the time. The steam whizzed into the shop, banged the glass doors, breaking every pane of glass, and upset things generally. Great damage was done on the other side of the mill. Purvis' shop was then only half the size of ? Nash's place, and was perhaps 40 feet from the mill. The boiler got up from its bed, went through a corrugated iron wall, hit the ground twice, crashed through an 18-inch stone wall into the room where Mrs. Purvis and the others were breakfasting, carried Mrs. Purvis, the table, and every-thing else before it, and stopped with its nose just through the second 18-inch wall. The Probert family lived in the house at present occupied by Jim Honeysette and Mr. Sly the photographer and his wife had just left the room on a line with Purvis' dining-room and gone to breakfast when the steam from the boiler forced in the wall of the bedroom, much of the debris falling on the bed so recently vacated. Mrs. Purvis was reduced to a pulp. Jack Elgar was shot from the room and rendered unconscious, and when the rescue party found him he was in a grape vine between Probert's and the shop. If my memory serves me right, he had two fingers broken. The, other people who were dining when the boiler entered the room were more or less scalded, but escaped serious injury. Every article of furniture in the room was reduced to splinters. Pictures were hurled from the walls and smashed to pieces, and the only thing left intact was the clock on the shelf - it ticked on as though nothing untoward had happened. Clem Abbots (Will's brother) had a miraculous escape. He had arrived at the mill with his brother's breakfast and had just placed his foot on the step in front of the verandah when the explosion took place, and he saw his brother hurled through the air. Clem also met with a tragic death at Kandos some time back. I understand he touched a live wire, received a shock, fell to the ground, and was killed. The older hands about Rylstone will remember the fine lot of chaps who were always knocking about together many years ago. There was quite a school of them, and they enjoyed themselves and were amusement for those about them. Amongst these were Frank Farrar (Will Farrar's brother), who passed away many years ago, George Fitzpatrick, Ern and Charlie Robbins (the whistlers), Mick Kearney, Charlie Howe, Billy Francis, and Alf Coxon. There was a number of rather nice fellows out Camboon and Bylong way who used to "blow in" to Rylstone in those days - the Keeches and Walkers. Mr. Walker, senr., met a sudden death on the Rylstone racecourse many years ago. There was a race meeting on, and in those days the course was a rather rough affair. As the horses came into the straight, one ran off the course and dashed in amongst the people. It hit the poor old man with terrific force, and he died from injuries received. Later on, the centre of the course was cleared off, and many good coursing matches were decided there, with Ted Nash as judge. The sport was then very popular, and hares were in plenty. Many people came from Mudgee to the coursing at Rylstone, and on one occasion Tom Upton (now doing business in Lithgow, and still going strong) pulled off the double with his dogs. George Cohen, of the "Guardian," George Martin, and quite a number of Mudgee chaps were great enthusiasts. The above mentioned men were then young identities, but there were several who used to come to town for a real "blow out" periodically, and the mere mention of their names will be sufficient to enable Rylstonians to see them moving about in spirit. There was "Red Peter," from out Dabee. He was a shaggy-looking chap, and put fear in the hearts of many of the young fry. Speaking with a man one time who had been mates with Peter gold digging, he told me that Peter was too "fly" for him. It appears that there are tricks in gold-digging as well as in everything else. This man performed most of the picking and shovelling and Peter the panning out and finer work. They were getting gold, certainly, but not in very payable quantities, and all the gold won was rather fine. When it came to selling the gold the dividends were not very handsome; it appeared to him that Peter's money went further than his own, yet Peter had a good deal more fun. So he decided to keep an eye on his partner. Peter was an artist at the work, and it was some time before his suspicious mate got a clue. One day he noticed a ball of mud about the size of a teacup, lying close to where his mate was panning off. Getting Peter away for a few minutes, he examined it and made the discovery which led to a dissolution of partnership. He alleged that when Peter noticed any nuggets or coarse stuff, he picked them out, and with his finger poked them into the mud ball. When the coast was clear he broke open the ball and extracted the gold. Many will remember Barrigan Jack, Blue Peter, and Kerry Jim. George Hobby was another old sport who used to come in for a "jollo" occasionally. George had two splendid mares. They were well bred and fine jumpers. I recollect he started for home on one occasion. He lived out Narrango way, but instead of going out by Schofield's gates, he (three sheets in the Wind) turned Myrtle's head towards the fence around Farrar's paddock, applied his spurs, and sailed home across the fences. Those were the days of Freetrade and Protection - the days when a very keen interest was manifested in the affairs of the company. Rylstone was not without its political enthusiasts and although quite a lad at the time. I can well remember many exciting and amusing incidents. H. K. White, the chemist, was a very keen Freetrader and although he never indulged in argument at the political meetings, he was very busy with his pen. "Stonewall" Jackson, the store keeper, was an out and out Protectionist, and was ready to tread on the tail of any Freetrader's coat. George Holland, who kept the Globe Hotel, was another rabid Protectionist, but on one occasion only can I remember George getting into hot water. It was at a meeting addressed by the late John Haynes. Haynes had a cutting tongue, and rather relished interjections at his meetings, George Holland interjected, and Haynes turned towards him. "Get away with you," he said, "you are like a beer keg with the bung out." George was rather thin-skinned, and Haynes' remark stung him to the quick. He subsided and got away home. "Billy" Wall, the Protectionist member of Parliament, was at his zenith in those days, and had it not been for a statement he was alleged to have made, he might have continued member for the district until he turned it in on his own. A tale went the rounds that when opposition was mentioned "Billy" said, "Oh, the people of Rylstone would never turn me down. All I need to do is to send my old boots along, and they would vote for me." It seems a rather unlikely tale, I admit, but they made capital out of it, and a big committee decided to work to "out" him. Sir W. F. Johnson, M.H.R., was at that time a single taxer, and as Sir George Reid and many other prominent politicians had taken kindly to Henry George's theory, it was decided to ask W. F. to contest the electorate on the single tax ticket. He consented, and brought with him V. P. I. Lesina (the boy politician) to help in the campaign. W. F. was doing well, and looked like a winner, but "squibbed" at the eleventh hour, leaving the committee in a deuce of a fix. Free-traders of importance in Sydney were communicated with and asked if they could dig up a candidate strong enough to put Wall out. T. C. L. Fitzpatrick was mentioned. He was then running the Windsor and Richmond "Gazette," and the committee got in touch with him. Not without some reluctance, and afterwards with a deep-rooted belief that he was not likely to prove successful. T. C. L. took it on - and won. His victory came as a great surprise to all. A man named Hungerford, from up west, was a candidate at that time. He was running as a Protectionist, and was reputed to be rather wealthy, and was a very poor speaker. On one occasion he was billed to speak, and at the hour appointed for the meeting, it was mentioned that he could not go on, as he had mislaid his speech. He was holding forth from Holland's verandah one night, when a joke was played upon him. During the day Joe Lesina had primed young "Boston" Wilton, who at that time was a very diminutive lad, to put a question to Mr. Hungerford. "Button" was very anxious to rid himself of his question, and at length the opportunity came, and he fired this off at the would-be member: "Mr. Hungerford, you say you are a Protectionist?" "Yes," came the reply. "Then, are you in favor of protecting the native born Australian sausage against the degrading competition of the pauper-made sausage of Germany?" The only reply he received from Hungerford, who appeared flabbergasted at the youngster's effrontery, was "Well done, young Australia." Another old identity who caused some amusement at a political meeting was old Jimmy Taylor. He had been driving Frank Dunn's butcher's cart for a long time, and as an election was brewing Jimmy needed to save his country. He mentioned the matter to a friend and the thing was done. This friend went to others, and it was decided to nominate Jimmy. He was billed to deliver his maiden speech from the balcony of the old Bridge Hotel. At the back Jimmy was "honest," and at 8.15, the rather large crowd in front of the building grew impatient. "Where is Jimmy?" they yelled, and a couple were sent in search of the candidate. lie was located at the rear of the hotel, fairly overcome with nervousness. After a good whisky (to which he was unaccustomed) he plucked up Dutch courage, and faced the crowd. "Ladies and Gentlemen," he started, "I am like Sir John Robertson. He received a call, turned his back to his plough, and came forth to save his country." The thought of honest Jimmy saving New South Wales was really too funny for "Scraps." He plodded on for about a quarter of an hour, when he intimated that he had nothing more to say, and invited questions. That he was truly honest may be gathered from his reply to the first and last question put to him. "Mr. Taylor," shouted a man in the crowd, "are you in favor of the income tax." "To tell you the truth, I am more in favor of the income at present," was the reply, and everybody believed him. Jimmy went to the poll, and received something like two votes - his own and someone else's. (To be Continued)6

23 July 1923
Reminiscences of Rylstone and District. Forty Years Ago and Now. BY M. J. STOLLERY. Before I left Rylstone quite a number of the old hands had died off, and two at least of them will never be forgotten whilst any of the Rylstone people who lived in their day are still on the surface. I refer to Jim and Goody Hall. They were the principal actors in a little "drama" which took place at the entrance to the Church of England grounds. I need only mention Jim Hall's warning to his brother ("Stand back, Goodwin") to refresh the memories of old timers. Both were fine old Englishmen, and very popular. Jim ran a billiard room at the corner where Jack Porter has his saddler's shop now. His brother Goody, if I am not mistaken, ran the Bridge Hotel in the earlier days. Mrs. Goody Hall will be remembered by old hands. She was paralysed down one side, but managed to get about with a stick. Her husband predeceased her by some years. The latter part of her life was spent with her daughter. Mrs. Johnny Brown, who died in Rylstone about three years ago. Old Johnny Brown kept the Bridge Hotel for a while. After that he started a fish shop in the billiard room near the hotel. He died of cancer in the tongue shortly afterwards. "Populary" and Jack are sons of Johnny. Many old hands, will remember ami' ?? proprietor ?? t'i 'miw Hill ,ili»e and well in ilylsi..i h.i--inif attained a great age. Afterwards the Bridge Hotel, Tommy was put on to prepare the racecourse for a race meeting. It had to be harrowed. Tommy had followed his harrow for a couple of laps when the idea occurred to him it was a fool's game. He decided to ride on the harrow, and relished the change until about half-way round. The harrow struck a covered root, and shot into the air - Tommy landed on his head, and narrowly escaped serious injury, a rather amusing story is told of an incident that occurred when Tommy was a special constable and set to watch a thief who was setting away with a neighbor's hay. Johnny Kearney, the bootmaker, who had a little shop in the corner of the church ground in Lue street, is another old inhabitant who will be remembered. Likewise Mr. Wilton, who had the saddler's shop opposite where Frank Dunn has his shop today. Wilton was a comparatively young man when he died of Bright's disease. His wife carried on the business for many years after his death, but later removed to Mudgee. Her brother (Jim Honeysette), who worked for her, has now a similar business in the same street, but lower down. Jim is a marvel for his age. In his younger days he was a great sport, and took a keen interest in coursing and pigeon shooting. His love of dogs still remains and, I noticed a rather good kangaroo dog at his place when last in Rylstone. Jack Croskery, who had a place at Pinnacle Swamp, and for a time had the license of the Bridge Hotel, was also a keen sport, and shot against Jim Honeysette on more than one occasion. Bill Farrer was another enthusiast in that sport. The matches were shot off in Farrar's paddock opposite the Rylstone station, and occasioned much excitement. The late George Staff - that very fine old man for whom everyone had a good word - was another man interested in dogs and pigeon-shooting. George's wife - a gentle, loving old lady - went to her reward less than 12 months ago. George Staff was the only carter about the town in the early days, and was kept very busy drawing wood and water and stuff from the station. Later on - Johnny Sheumack came on the scene and took up carting also. He has been in business for many years, and 1888 was one of the many who met with gun accidents in that year. His gun went off accidentally, and the charge entered under the arm. It was thought at the time that he would be disabled from the shoulder, but he made a marvellous recovery. George Tanks, who lived out Tong Bong way, and was well known about Rylstone, was accidentally shot, and died just about the time when Johnny Sheumack met with his accident, if I am not mistaken Tom Mow, also of Tong Bong, had portion of his hand blown off just about then. Years ago the building up from Dunn's store, did service as the Australian Joint Stock Bank, and Mr. Greig was manager there at the time of the hank smash. Up till that time everybody - almost without exception - pulled a poor month. But after the news spread around the town that the bank had closed pending reconstruction, howls went up and the howl was quite justified from many who were really believed to be as poor as the church mouse we have heard so much about. On the morning the bank closed, old Mr. Keech, who used to sell fruit in Rylstone in those days, came to town. One of his sons had that day attained his property and to show his love for him and to give him a start in life, he went to the bank and placed something like £100 to the son's credit. He made the deposit shortly after ten o'clock, and went on his rounds with his fruit. Towards the end of day the old man was passing the bank when he noticed ??? and read the notice, which was as follows: closed pending construction. It's not hard to imagine the shock the old man received. Two old identities (in fact three) bvr- prom.1' from Dabee- street. The first, John Love, a blacksmith, was found dead near George Hardwick's shop one morning. Some years afterwards James Nash, another blacksmith in the same street passed away. His wife died late last year. The corner, where Will McKenna had his shop, was a rendezvous for all the young hopes in days gone by. Will Johnston had a skating rink right on the corner at one time. Adjoining it was his barber's and fruit shop. It was there that Archie Broeze, who was operator at the railway station at that time, made a point to take dessert after his lunch. Archie was a whale on passion fruit, and experience no difficulty in disposing of three or four dozen. Lander Featherstone challenged him to a passion fruit eating competition one day. The condition was that it was to take place after lunch. Young Billy Slapp was working for Will Johnson at the time, and supplied the fruit - a dozen at a time. Lander sat at one end of the counter (tailor fashion), and Archie at the other They polished off about 12 dozen each. Will Johnston was an even tempered chap, and took every joke cracked at his expense good humoredly. On one occasion he was busy on a very hard dial and put the usual question to his customer "How's the razor going?" Well said the wag. "If you are skinning me, Billy, it's easy; but if you're merely shaving me. well, its -rough." It was at Will Johnston's corner that a fatal accident occurred one night. A chap named Tommy Mason, from out the back of the Coomber Mountain, had a drop too much and fell, bumping his head against the wall of the skating rink. Constable J. Kearns happened along shortly afterwards, picked him up and carted him along to the lock-up. Next morning, when he entered the cell to attend to his prisoner, he found Mason dead. Dr. Struthers, who was medico at Rylstone at the time, made a postmortem examination, when it was discovered that Mason's skull had been fractured. Tom Mason was the son of Harry and Mrs. Bridget Mason, two well-known old hands. Harry had a farm out Coomber way, and carted wattle bark to Hawkins' tannery. Speaking of the tannery reminds me - all the Hawkinses have left Rylstone. Mrs. Hawkins, although a resident of the town for many years, boasted that she had never been to the post-office. She was never seen away from her home. She was a very heavy person, and that fact may account for her sedentary life. Everyone will remember sen-sergeant D'Arcy. He (together with his colleague, the late John Kearns) was identified with Rylstone, for very many years. They were two good police officers, that is to say they were not guilty of those petty actions which earn for many of our present-day police such an opprobrious name. In those days the drunk was not bundled into the cold unless under extraordinary circumstances. On the contrary, many a man the worse for drink, has been helped home. Both officers reared large and good families and many of them have done remarkably well in life. Most of the D'Arcy boys followed in their father's footsteps, that is to say, were connected in some way or other with the police or Government service. Dr. Constance D'Arcy was one of the first lady doctors in Australia. She is now high in the profession. The sergeant died in Sydney, and his remains rest in the Waverly Cemetery. Constable Kearns had a long connection with Rylstone, being there continuously (save for a brief term at Blackheath) for about 38 years. Most of his family were born there. Pat, his second eldest son, has done credit to himself, his school, and town by the manner in which he has worked himself up in the Government service. But most of the lads who passed through the hands of Johnny Walker and W. T. Anderson, the school masters have done well. Some are doctors, others solicitors, more in business for themselves, but few apply to say down and out. I remember the best day Johnson came to the school. 'i'lien, was much speculation as to what sort of "cove" he was - whether he would use the stick freely or not. The boys had not long to wait. In the afternoon of the first day, he fell foul of Dan Kearney. Dan was called out and rather severely dealt with, and Johnny's shares depreciated very materially. There were some rather big fellows at ending school in those days, and several plots to "deal it out" to the master never came to maturity. Ha was certainly very strict, but those of us who could have eaten him without salt years ago, now realise that we have much to thank our old master for. Mr. Anderson took up the work where Mr. Walker left off, and put the finishing touches to Connie D'Arcy and many others. Anderson was very fond of the amateur stage, and had quite a good dramatic club going. "Our Boys" was one of the pieces staged. I have a strong notion that Goody Hall took the part of Middlewick (the retired butterman) in that play. I fancy I see Anderson getting rid of the lines: "Batter the keg as much as you will, The smell of the butler will hang by it still." But there is no dramatic club in Rylstone now. The Horticultural Hall, which did service as a theatre, and show hall has entirely disappeared. Rylstone has grown sleepy - very sleepy. Once upon a time, when Mr. and Mrs. Willis were alive, great interest was taken in horticulture. Chrysanthemums were specialities, and the shows held then attracted many entries from Mudgee and elsewhere. Mrs. Ted Nash is very fond of gardening, and her garden is a credit to her. It seems a pity that others do not go in for growing flowers. What the men and women of 30 years ago could do, those of today should be able to do also. Sport too, appears to have waned a great deal of late years. Horse racing, coursing, pigeon-shooting, quoit matches, cricket, football, skittles, and quite a number of the old English games were indulged in in the good old days, and were thoroughly enjoyed. Will Farrar, Billy Jones, Charlie Matthews, and the Highfields and Wiltons were top-notchers at cricket in those days. Will Farrar always carried a superabundance of adipose tissue, but his "lorporation" did not appear to interfere with his run-getting. The recreation ground then was a perfect picture. The clover was green and plentiful, and the willows overhanging the Cudgegong River from the traffic bridge down beyond Armstrong's garden were delightful. What a change was noted after an absence from the town of over 25 years - the recreation ground converted into a sheep run, and the willows cut down. Rylstone is a pretty town, but by turning sheep on to its park and destroying the willows a deal of its beauty has been taken away. The mention of Armstrong's garage reminds me of a rather amusing incident, Mr. Armstrong was the C.P.S. there. At the time under notice there was an outbreak of measles - everybody had them. Arm strong was terrified, and took every precaution against catching them. It was during the time set apart for the registration of dogs, and when the dog owners and others entered the C.P.S. office, the Clerk of Petty Sessions invariably started up a conversation which led up to the question "Have they escaped the measles at your place?" If the reply was in the negative, the person so addressed was requested to place his money on a piece of paper on the counter and the money was shot into the till without being handled. Armstrong was immune from attack for a very long time, and it was only after everyone else had finished with the measles that Armstrong caught them. The shock almost killed him, but caused much amusement to others about the town who know how terrified he had been. What changes have taken place in the vicinity of the old court house during the last 30 years or so. Millard, the postmaster, and his family have all gone; Will Farrar, Jim, Sophie, and the other members of that family have also severed their connection with the town: Mr. Sammy Benson and Tom Yabsley gone aloft, and perhaps William Matthews (the father of Charley and Jim and May) who worked at Hayward and Benson's store for many years, has gone the same way. Further up the street Jim France had his cobbler's shop. Around the corner there was the residence of old Joe Taylor and his wife. Both have joined the great majority. All old hands will remember Will Matthews' brother Al. - self-styled the "Bawldy Dog." The brothers came in for a decent bit of money at the death of their father, and we all know how the Bawldy Dog made his share fly. Al. was down at the Shamrock Hotel one night, together with Jim Leighton, from Bylong, Billy Redford, from out Ilford way, and a couple of others, when there was a bit of a sensation, worked up by four Chows. The Chows came to the hotel just after lunch and commenced drinking. They were all dressed in their best apparel, and were, apparently out on a birthday spree. They were drinking during the afternoon, and shouting for all and sundry. By tea time they were more than half corned. However, they were given their meal, and shortly afterwards told to go upstairs to bed. The old Shamrock Hotel was in two sections. The front portion was a typical wayside pub - long, and one storey only. The kitchen and dining room were at the back, about five paces away from the front building. Above the kitchen and dining-room were two large rooms fitted up with several beds. The beds were placed there merely to meet the Licensing Act, for as the rooms upstairs were said to be haunted they were never occupied. I remember on one occasion a young chap came in from the Flatlands and asked to be put up for the night. The other beds were all occupied, so there was no alternative but to put him upstairs, he retired at an early hour, but towards midnight knocked the people up and asked the dad to put him somewhere else, as ghosts are busy up above. Without any apparent reason, he explained, the door of his room flew open. He got out of bed and closed it again. Scarcely had he got back when the same thing occurred. His scalp began to creep, and his hair to stand on end, and unearthly sounds proceeded from the room opposite. He picked up his belongings, rushed downstairs, and declared with ruddy language that he would not attempt to sleep in that room again for fifty blankety quid. He was the only one to sleep - or rather, who had tried to sleep in those rooms before the Chows were sent aloft. The Chows settled down very quietly, and not a sound was heard until after the hotel was closed for the night. The dad, Redford, Leighton, and Alf. Matthews, were having a game of euchre in the bar parlor, when an awful row went up from the other building. Chows' gibberish went up in large lumps. Thinking someone was being murdered, they left their cards and went out to investigate. Will Redford was the first to gain the kitchen, and as he turned the handle of the door and entered, one of the visitors came at the men with a carving knife. Redford was a big man of 10 stone or more, and handy with his fists besides. He grabbed the Chow, took the knife, and delivered a few well directed punches which put John to sleep for quite a while. Whilst he was dishing up Chow No. 1 the dad had entered the dining room, when another Chinaman made a stab at him. This one was grabbed by the neck, twisted round. and his head dumped into a bag of flour which stood on the end of a table in the dining room. Between them they cleared the place of the cabbage gardeners, and returned to the parlor to take up their game of cards. They were playing away when one of the company remarked that he thought he heard a step on the front verandah. Father went out to investigate, but scarcely had he opened the door when half a brick crashed into the beading of the door frame, fairly splintering it. The door was slammed to immediately, and locked. Again they took up the cards, but the game had not proceeded far when an other half brick whizzed through the window, carrying with it the blind and curtains. The heads of the card players were missed by the narrowest of margins. Like one man they arose, opened the door, and made after the China man, he was too smart for them and escaped in the darkness. They returned to the hotel, and an hour later there was a knock at the front door. It was Sergeant D'Arcy. who had come along to see what the stir was about. The old Chow, attired only in his shirt, had gone along, knocked the sergeant up and laid an information. The sergeant bundled him into the cell, and came along to the hotel. "Oh is that it," he said, after hearing the tale. "Well, if you give me his pants and things I will take them along to him. He will surely need them in the morning." Yes many changes have taken place during the last 30 years or so and many of the old hands, and indeed some of the younger ones, have gone over. But one thing remains the same, and will continue to do so until the people of Rylstone, Mudgee, and other important centres, get a move on and kick with both feet. I refer to the wretched train service on the Mudgee line, which is practically the same inadequate service today that it was when I was a lad7 .

1924

6 June 1924
Rylstone changes but little; a goodly number of folk, whom I met when I first sought the suffrages of the Constituency of that name, over thirty years ago, and still reside within its classic shades; many descendants are there, anyhow, if they are not. The township is the headquarters of a Shire, and its streets are a marvel of tidiness and cleanliness, to which Nature contributes not a little by reason of the gravelly nature of the soil hereabouts. One misses some faces familiar to the visitor of a quarter-century ago - to wit, Sam Benson, John Love, Murty D'Arcy (Sergeant of Police), George Holland, Will Farrar (connected with the family of the great British Churchman of that name), Nash, Senr., Bill Foody, the Nevells, the Taylors, John Croskery, and others whose friendship is cherished, so true and hearty was it in those good old times which have gone, to return no more8 .

References