The Hampton Tragedy - the murder of the Cranstoun boys and Gladys Baylis

This pretty postcard, part of my collection (1), led me to a tragic tale of murder - the Hampton Tragedy, as  the newspapers referred to it. 

The text on the back of this postcard, which was sent in an envelope, as it it does not have a stamp or postmark reads -

Miss Bell Cranstoun
Dear Bell, just a card, hoping you are well and happy, also Mrs Goulden. I haven't heard from Dad since, I will write to you as soon as I hear from him. Willie's cold is a lot better and the rest are all well, all the neighbours wish to be remembered to you. I have not heard from Mrs Willis recently, no one has been about to see the house lately. Now I must close with love and kisses from all. Kind regards to Mr and Mrs Goulden, from Mother.

 Verso of postcard

I feel this note was  written much later than the postcard was originally produced, which I believe would have been in the heyday of postcard production from around 1904 to 1914. The 1937 and 1943 Electoral rolls have a Bell Cranstoun, a bank clerk, living at 33 Cromwell Road, South Yarra with a Margaret, a secretary and a Jessie, home duties. (2)  Bell was born in 1916 in Malvern and Margaret in 1909 in Buninyong  to George Elliott and Jessie (nee Haig) Cranstoun. In 1949, Bell was in the Electoral Roll at Red Cross Cottage, Lambell Terrace, Darwin, her occupation was a Secretary, so the card was possibly written to her in Darwin. (3)

I looked at the Indexes to the Births, Deaths and Marriages to see what other children George and Jessie had and found James Haig (1907-1922), unnamed son (1910-1910), Robert Stirling (1911-1922), Colin Campbell (1914-1922). So I thought that was weird, three boys dying the same year. Then I went to Trove (4) to check the newspapers of the time and discovered that tragedy struck the family on August 14, 1922 when the father, who was a doctor, poisoned his entire family with morphine, having told them he was testing out a new influenza vaccination. He died, along with the three boys and Gladys Baylis who was living in the house. Mrs Cranstoun, Margaret and Bell survived. Read the accounts of the Inquest here and here. (5)

The Age, September 13, 1922 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article205760109

The boys attended Hampton Higher Elementary School and The Herald published this tribute to them -

A Bright bunch of little fellows: the Master's Tribute  
Mr F. W. Allinson, the headmaster of the Higher Elementary School, Hampton, which the children attended, who was also a friend of the family, could not speak highly enough of his little pupils. "You could not get a brighter bunch of little fellows than those three lads," Mr Allinson said, speaking in a broken voice. "They expressed the joy of life in everything they did; whether at work or play, and were all popular with their school fellows.

"The children used to call on us at all times of the day." Mr Allinson proceeded, "and were here on Sunday. A brighter lot of youngsters could not be found. Mrs Cranstoun was also a very bright woman."

"Colin, the youngest boy, was in the third grade, one of the lower- classes, Bob in the sixth and Jack in the High School....Mr Allinson's grief was still poignant, and it was with difficulty that he was able to speak of the three boys to whom he apparently had been more than master. (6)

Jessie Cranstoun died at Cromwell Road, April 9, 1955, aged 71. Her death notice listed a brother, William, possibly the Will referred to in the postcard. The reference to Dad is possibly referring to her father.  Jessie is buried at the Brighton General Cemetery with her three sons and her husband.  (7)

Margaret's death notice

The Argus, April 11, 1955   http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article71875653

Her daughter, Margaret, died on July 9, 1972, aged 63, she had never married. Margaret was cremated at Springvale Botanical Cemetery and her ashes are interred under  a rose bush. (8) When I first came across this story, in 2021, Margaret's space at the Cemetery had expired as originally  she only had a 25-year tenure. I was so upset about this, that she might be dug up and put on a shelf, that I paid to have them interred for perpetuity. I just didn't want her moved.   Bell is listed as Mrs D. L. Meek in her mother's death notice. Her husband was Douglas Louis Meek, he died  on February 2, 1974 and Bell died October 1, 1982 both in Queensland. (9)

Margaret's plaque at the Springvale Botanical Cemetery.

Photographer: Heather Arnold

I found Margaret's death notice and she was a Deaconess of the Presbyterian Church and lived at Rolland House, 97 Rathdowne Street in Carlton.  At the time, that was the Deaconess Training College, and my aunty, Nancy Rouse (born in 1923) was also a Deaconess and trained there. It later became a hostel for girls from the country, who had to move to Melbourne to study and I stayed there in 1977 when I  came down to study Librarianship.  No wonder I feel such a connection to her. I hope she had some happiness in her life.

Margaret's death notice

The Age, July 10 1972. p. 13 from newspapers.com

Gladys Bayliss

Also buried at the Brighton Cemetery is 28 year old Gladys Baylis, another victim of Dr Cranstoun.

Gladys Victoria Baylis was born on October 9, 1893 at Omeo to William Baylis and Mary Angus who had married on January 29, 1889, at Lucknow, in a service conducted by the Reverend Charles Chambers, a Church of England minister. (10)  Gladys had two older siblings Stanley (who died as a baby) and Betsy and three younger brothers Vere, William and Aubrey. Sadly, William died on September 8, 1901 aged 42 in Ensay, leaving Mary with five young children. (11)

George and Jessie Cranstoun are listed in the Electoral rolls at Bruthen, East Gippsland from 1915 to 1919, and previous to this they had been in Parkville. It was at Bruthen that Gladys met Jessie Cranstoun and became her companion. Jessie was about ten years her senior and by then had five young children. 

The Herald of August 15, 1922 had the following obituary of Gladys -  

Miss Baylis: a girl of many attainments; bright, cheerful nature

 Miss Gladys Baylis, one of the victims of the Hampton tragedy, had very few friends in Geelong, but her mother, Mrs Mary Baylis, who lives at No. 11 Western street, Geelong West, is a well-known and highly respected resident. 

Miss Baylis occasionally spent her holidays in Geelong, and had a few very intimate friends here. Prior to coming to Geelong Mrs Bayils, who is a widow, lived at Ensay, in Gippsland, and it was there that the young woman became a friend of Mrs. Cranstoun. Miss Baylis had been a companion to Mrs Cranstoun for about three years.

The Baylis family was much respected in the Gippsland district. Miss Baylis was a companion to Mrs Cranstoun in Gippsland, and when the doctor moved to Melbourne she went with the family. She was musically inclined, was exceptionally well educated, and had many other attainments which would make her most suitable as a companion. She was very popular with her girl friends, and was of a bright and cheerful disposition.

Two of her brothers were killed in the war. Another brother is living at Sunbury, and a sister is employed at the railway refreshment rooms at Geelong. Although Miss Baylis was not in the habit of talking much about the home life in the Cranstoun family, her friends here were aware that the doctor was a morphia victim. The task of breaking the news to Mrs Baylis last night was a pathetic one. She was completely overcome. Mrs Baylis and her daughter went to Melbourne this morning to identify the body.

Funeral at Brighton

The remains of Miss Gladys Baylis were buried this afternoon in the Brighton Cemetery. The funeral was of a private character and the Church of England service was conducted, by the Rev. Perry Martin. The mortuary arrangements were carried out by B. Matthews Pty. Ltd.  (12)

Gladys' grave at the Brighton General Cemetery. 

Image: Brighton Cemetorians database https://www.brightoncemetorians.org.au/

Gladys' uncle, James Baylis, a retired grazier, of 36 Brighton road, St. Kilda, gave evidence at the Inquest and said that Gladys had been employed as a ladies companion with the Cranstouns since 1917. He had seen her a fortnight before and she was quite healthy. (13)

Gladys' mother, Mary Baylis, suffered much tragedy in her life - her first born son died young; her husband died leaving her with five children between the ages of one and ten; two of her sons enlisted to serve in the First World War - William,  who died of Pneumonia on August 11, 1916 and is buried in England and  Vere, who died of wounds in France on October 22, 1918. (14) No wonder the poor woman was completely overcome with the news of Gladys' awful death. Mary actually lived until  she was 95 and died on February 4, 1958, and is buried in the Western Cemetery Geelong.  Of Gladys' two surviving siblings, Betsy died in 1973 and is buried with her mother in Geelong; and Aubrey died in 1981 and is also buried in Geelong. (15)

James, Robert and Colin Cranstoun - a bright bunch of little fellows - and Gladys Baylis - bright, cheerful, well educated and talented - died in the most senseless way, murdered by someone they should have been able to trust.

Footnotes

(1) I have a collection of these postcards with the forget-me-not horseshoes - see the others here 

https://victoriaspast.blogspot.com/2021/06/forget-me-not-flower-decorated.html

(2) Electoral rolls on Ancestry.com

(3) Indexes to the Victorian Births, Deaths and Marriages; Electoral rolls on Ancestry.com

(4) Trove https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/

(5) The Herald, September 12, 1922, see here; The Age, September 13, 1922, see here. You can read their Inquest at the Public Records Office of Victoria, here.  

(6) The Herald, August 15, 1922, see here.

(7) The Argus, April 11, 1955, see here; Brighton Cemetorians database https://www.brightoncemetorians.org.au/
(8) Margaret death notice: The Age, July 10 1972. p. 13 from newspapers.com; Southern Metropolitan Cemetery Trust database https://www.smct.org.au/deceased-search

(9) Indexes to the Queensland Births, Deaths and Marriage.

(10) Gladys Baylis  - Birth certificate; William Baylis and Mary Angus - marriage certificate.

(11) William Baylis - death certificate; Indexes to the Victorian Births, Deaths and Marriages.

(12) The Herald, August 15, 1922, see here.

(13) Inquest at the Public Records Office of Victoria 

https://prov.vic.gov.au/archive/2D4BDD7C-F1B2-11E9-AE98-95616113C001?image=1

(14) William Ormond Baylis (SN 1117)  - Service record at the National Archives of Australia   https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=3062921

Vere Neville Baylis (SN 22304) -  - Service record at the National Archives of Australia 

https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=3059480

(15) Mary Baylis - death certificate; Geelong Cemeteries Trust database

 https://gct.net.au/family-history-search

The Gardiner brothers of Berwick and their nephews, the Sibert boys

Four brothers from the Gardiner family of Berwick served in the Great War. They all returned, however, two grandsons, who also served in the War did not return. The Gardiner boys were the sons of James and Mary (nee Church) Gardiner of Brisbane Street, Berwick. Mary was the daughter of Isaac Church, she died on April 1, 1920, aged 71, and as noted in  her obituary she had been a resident of Berwick for 53 years, hence since 1867. James died on December 22, 1923 at the age of 77, and his death notice said that he had been a resident of Berwick for 60 years, thus since 1863. (1)

Brisbane Street, Berwick, c. 1880

This is a great photo - seated on the wagon is John Gardiner, who served in the Boer War and the Great War; his father James Gardiner; E. Sibert, who I assume is Edward Sibert, the husband of Amelia Gardiner. Standing is G. Church, who is probably Mary Gardiner's brother.

Image and caption information: Early Days of Berwick (2)

The couple, who married in 1870,  had the following children, all born in Berwick -

• John James (1870, married Matilda Ann McCann in 1903 and died 1946)
• Amelia Jane (1872, married Justin Edward Sibert in 1890, died 1941 in Western Australia) It was Amelia's two sons, Frederick and Edward, who died in the War.
• Isaac Henry (1874 - 1875)
• Mary Anna (1876, married Francis Henry Montgomery Marsh in New Zealand in 1902, died 1962 in Queensland)
• George Peter (1878 - 1968, never married)
• Walter Israel (1880 - 1881)
• Joseph Arthur (1882, married Martha Elizabeth Glenn in 1908, died 1924)
• Albert Charles (1884, married Ruth Sherriff in 1909, died 1961)
• Clyde (born and died 1886)
• Alexander (born and died 1886)
• Ernest Edward (1887, married Daisy Campbell in 1925, died 1967)
• Emily Edith (1890 - 1970, never married)
• Clarence Eustace (1892, married Margaret Fogarty in 1918, died 1965) (3)

The four Gardiner boys enlist.

Berwick Shire News, May 10, 1916 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article92090768

Here are the details of war service of the Gardiner Boys. I have included their Service number (SN), so you can look up their full record on the National Archives, www.naa.gov.au

Gardiner, John James (SN 1651) John enlisted at the age of 44 on May 11, 1916. His occupation was Civil Engineer and Surveyor and his next of kin was his wife, Mary Ann, of Berwick. Mary is called Matilda and Moya in some sources. John Returned to Australia August 24, 1918. John had also served in the Boer War, he was part of the 2nd Tasmanian Imperial Bushmen and was Mentioned in Commander-in-Chief's Despatches on April 2, 1901. John was a Shire Engineer in New South Wales and Queensland and after his retirement in 1935 he returned to Berwick and was elected as a Shire of Berwick Councillor. (4) You can read his obituary in the Dandenong Journal of January 9, 1946, here.

Gardiner, George Peter (SN 4401) George enlisted on January 5, 1916. He was 37 years old, his occupation was Slaughterman and his address was Cockatoo Creek, a previous name for Cockatoo. George's next of kin was his father, James, and he Returned to Australia April 10, 1919.

Gardiner, Ernest Edward (SN 48) Ernest enlisted on August 22, 1914 at the age of 27. He was a farmer and he enlisted in New South Wales. He was reported as being 'dangerously ill' and invalided to Australia July 31, 1915 and medically discharged June 6, 1916. Ernest is incorrectly listed on the Embarkation Roll at the Australian War Memorial as Gardener.

Gardiner, Clarence Eustace (SN 4707) Clarence enlisted on August 7, 1915. He was a 23 year old fireman, working for the Victorian Railways. His father was his next of kin. Clarence was Wounded in Action - gun shot wound left ankle and compound fracture right thigh. Clarence was discharged on medical grounds on April 9, 1918.

Sadly, for James and Mary Gardiner, even though their four sons survived, two of their grandsons did not, Frederick and Edward, who were the sons of Amelia Gardiner and her husband, Justin Sibert.

Sibert, Frederick John (SN 3482) Frederick was born in Berwick and living in Blackbutt in Queensland when he enlisted at the age of 22 on October 18, 1916. He was a timber-getter. His next of kin was his mother, Amelia, of Yarloop in Western Australia. Frederick Died of Wounds received whilst fighting in France, on October 10, 1917.

Death of Frederick Sibert

Pakenham Gazette, December 7, 1917 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article92152769

Sibert, Edward Justin (SN 4551, listed in NAA as 4557) Edward was born in Collie in Western Australia and was 18 when he enlisted on March 1, 1916. His mother was his next of kin. Edward was Killed in Action, sometime between November 3 and November 6, 1916.

Edward Sibert's death notice

West Australian, April 27, 1917 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article27296914

The Pakenham Gazette  of May 11,  1917 reported on the death of Edward Sibert and provided information about his uncles.

The report on Edward Sibert's death;  it is transcribed, below.
Pakenham Gazette May 11, 1917 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article92152744

News has been received of the death of Private Sibert, an old Berwick school boy, and grandson of Mr and Mrs Jas. Gardiner. He was 18 years of age, enlisted from Western Australia, and sailed for the Front early last year. He was killed in France on 5th Nov. last when charging across " No Man's Land," when the Australians took Baupaume. He has a brother still in the fighting line, and also three uncles -Sergeant C. Gardiner, Sergeant major J. Gardiner and Private George Gardiner. Another uncle - Sergeant E. E. Gardiner who is now with us, took part in the memorable landing at Gallipolli and was severely wounded. Trooper Arthur Gardiner was at the South African war, where his brother, now sergeant-major, was twice mentioned in despatches by Lord Roberts. (5)

Footnotes

(1) The Age, April 6, 1920, see here; South Bourke & Mornington Journal, April 8, 1920, see here; The Age, December 24, 1923, see here.

(2) Early Days of Berwick and its surrounding districts, compiled by Norman E. Beaumont, James F. Curran and R.H. Hughes (3rd edition published by Rotary, 1979), opp p. 17. The book was originally published in 1948.

(3) Indexes to the Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia and New Zealand Births, Deaths and Marriages.

(4) Boer War Service - https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/R1446387;  Dandenong Journal, January 9, 1946, see here.

(5) Pakenham Gazette May 11, 1917, see here.

This is a revised and expanded version of a post, which I wrote and researched, that appears on my work blog, Casey Cardinia Commemorates: Our War Years. I wrote this originally as I am interested in stories of Brothers who Served in World War One and Two, because I just feel for their families, having many sons away overseas. I have written about the McDonald Brothers of Yannathan here; the Gay Brothers of Lang Lang, here; the Dawes Brothers of Iona, here - five of them are listed on the Iona Honor Board; the Fisher Brothers of Bunyip and Footscray, here; the Carter Brothers of Bunyip, here, in my post about the Bunyip War Memorial; the Campigli Brothers of Bunyip, who I wrote about in the my post on the Bunyip Methodist Honour Board, here; the Gabbett brothers of Pakenham, here;  the Maher Brothers of Pakenham, here. From the Second World War, I have written about the Frawley brothers, of the Iona Hotel in Garfield, here; three of their uncles, the Bannan Brothers were killed or died during World War One.

Snakes and Mechanics' Institutes

I wrote this for the Mechanics' Institutes of Victoria newsletter, Useful Knowledge. (1)  The post looks at lectures on snake bite cures held in Mechanics' Institutes and their interstate counterparts, Schools of Arts and stories about snakes found in or near these buildings.

Snake Tales: Cures for Snake Bites
Mechanics’ Institutes and  Schools of Arts have been the venue for lectures on a whole range of  subjects over the years. These are some accounts of lectures on Snake Bites. Please note, that the I do note endorse the ‘cures’ put forward and urge you to seek medical help in the case of snake bite.

In December 1863, Dr Berncastle have a lecture in snakes in Kiama -
On last Wednesday evening, Dr. Berncastle of Sydney, gave a lecture to the members of the School of Arts here on Snake Bites, and their antidotes. The admission to the lecture was free to the public, and we regret that not withstanding this, the attendance was very small. The lecturer has evidently given a great deal of attention to the treatment of Snakebites, and he has come to the conclusion that the best antidote is a pint of pure spirits. He recommends the patient to take the spirits as soon as the feeling of faintness comes on, and relief will speedily be felt. In addition to the spirits, the lecturer recommends a tight bandage close to the wound to stop the circulation of the blood, and that the wound be well sucked. He says that there is not the least danger likely to result to the one who sucks the wound. The snake's poison he says, proceeds from two fangs situated, one in each jaw, about a quarter of an inch back from the front of the mouth. The poisonous fangs are short and hidden from casual inspection by a little loose flesh which lies along the upper jaw. All the snakes in this colony have not the poisonous fangs, and therefore their bite is not dangerous to life. The handsome carpet snake has not the poisonous fangs, and its bite is consequently quite harmless. The brown and black snakes have the poisonous fangs, and their bite is poisonous. The lecture was an interesting one, and well fitted to remove a great deal of the needless fear with which many regard the snakes of this country.  (2)

By 1868 Dr Berncastle was in Victoria giving the same lecture and we can place him at the Melbourne Mechanics’ Institute (The Athenaeum), Bendigo, Emerald Hill (South Melbourne) as well as the Hobart Mechanics’ Institute. (3) 

Dr Berncastle at the Melbourne Mechanics’ Institution

The Herald, February 7, 1868  http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article244956586

In fact, on June 20, 1868 The Herald published the following letter from him - 
Snake Bites and their cure. To the Editor of The Herald.
Sir,  Considering, after the late trial, that the public must be sorely puzzled to know, what to do to save their lives in case of snake-bite and having devoted, for a number of years, much time to the practical part of the question, I shall be willing to give my lecture on the cure of all snake-bites, with illustrations, etc., free, to any institution, society, or mechanics' institute in or near Melbourne, on any evening that I may be asked to do so during the year. I am,
Sir, yours obediently, 

J. Berncastle, M.R.C.P.L.. Etc. 127 Collins street east, 19th June. (4)

Dr Berncastle's letter

The Herald, June 20, 1868 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article244955653

The case Dr Berncastle referred to was that of Joseph Shires who was charged with manslaughter. Shires claimed his antidote would be effective against snake bite and William Drummond permitted himself to be bitten by a snake which Shires had with him. Needless to say the antidote did not work and Mr Drummond died. Shires was found not guilty. Dr Berncastle gave evidence at the trial. (5)

Twenty years later, Dr Ellison was doing the rounds of Schools of Arts in Queensland. He advocated the following treatment, in 1885, when he gave a lecture at the Brisbane School of Arts -
He said there was no perfect cure for snakebite. The best plan when a person had been bitten was to tie a ligature as tightly as possible a little above the wound. The ligature should be tightened until it was almost unbearable. Another ligature should be placed about a couple of inches, above the first one. The wound should then be pinched up with the fingers and cut out with a pair of scissors or a knife. Probably two small drops of poison would be found lying on the wound, and these should be washed away with water or Condy's fluid. (6)  The author of the article reminded the readers also noted how essential this liquid was  - Condy's fluid, without a supply of which no man should go into the bush. (7)

In 1909 and 1910 Professor Morrissey gave some graphic lectures on the same subject in New South Wales - 
Professor Morrissey of snake fame lectured in the Literary Institute, Uralla, to a crowded audience. In the presence of a number of reliable residents, Morrisey gave a demonstration of the efficacy of his method of treating snakebite. Two fowls were bitten by two tiger snakes. A person held the fowls while Morrissey applied the snakes. The fowl untreated was found to be dead in 90 seconds after being bitten on the leg. When the second fowl had also been bitten on the leg, Morrissey fixed a ligature, scarified the wound, and applied his antidote. The bird was no worse when the ligature was removed at the close of the proceedings. The demonstration was entirely beyond suspicion, Morrissey leaving to those present to decide which snake was to bite either fowl, and which fowl was to be treated. Morrissey declares that there is sufficient herb from which he extracts his antidote growing in the Uralla district to make enough antidote for all parts of the State. (8)

The next year he repeated the lecture at the Tenterfield School of Arts, where again two fowls were bitten, and the one give the antidote survived. At this lecture - As a final demonstration Professor Morrissey allowed the tiger snake to bite him on the finger, when the same routine was gone through, ;and a complete cure was accomplished, thus demonstrating the efficiency of the antidote as prepared by the Professor. During the lecture, Professor Morrissey imparted some valuable information with regard to the treatment of snake bites, which was most attentively listened to and appreciated. (9)

If you are wondering what qualifications Professor Morrisey had, it seems they were more in the lines of showmanship rather than academia as this report attests - Morrisey is 57 years of age, and a stonemason by trade. He took to snake charming since the death of his wife some years ago. He says he rather likes the life of snake hunting; it affords him some recreation and amusement. Once he was showing a lot of snakes to a crowd where he pinched a somewhat timid man. This man, thinking he had been bitten by a snake, showed all the symptoms of snake poisoning! He occasionally gives lectures - private and public - and earns considerable sums in showing his powers with reptiles before parties who engage him for that purpose. (10)

Snake Tales: Snakes in the building
I found these accounts of snakes in Mechanics’ Institutes. They are from the time when the solution to snakes inside was to capture them and destroy them. Snakes are now a protected species, so remember, if you see a snake in your Mechanics’ Institute, be kind and call a snake catcher.

Bendigo, 1887
A Snake at the Mechanics' Institute. - Last evening a gentleman coming out of the Mechanics' Institute observed a small black snake about 15 inches long crawling up the steps just at the front door. Assistance was procured, and the visitor was "run in" to a glass bottle and secured. It will be handed over to the director of the School of Mines this morning. The snake being a young one, the inference is that there are some more of the family about, probably in the garden in front. Some facetious individuals suggest that the snake was entering the institute in pursuit of knowledge, or perhaps that it was making his way to the museum upstairs to "give himself up," or to visit some of his relatives imprisoned in bottles in that portion of the building. (11)

Mount Magnet, W.A., 1899
On Sunday evening, during the church service in the Mechanics' Institute, the congregation was startled by asnake, about three feet in length, making its appearancefrom below the piano, on which the Rev. B. G. Richardson was playing a hymn. Several gentlemen in thecongregation made an attack on the reptile, but itescaped. Mr. Richardson had a narrow escape, as, intaking his foot from the pedestal, he almost trod on thereptile. Consternation prevailed among the female worshippers, who clambered on the seats. After its retirement the reverend gentleman resumed the service. (12)

Burra, S.A., 1905
Though the weather is not what can be called hot for this time of the year snakes are making their appearance in the hills, and several have been also seen within the municipality. On Saturday Cr. West noticed one, measuring 4ft, strolling from towards the Institute to the avenue. Assistance was called and His Snakeship despatched. It is not known whether Mr. Snake had been on a mission of inspection to the library, or inspecting the Corporation public works, of which Cr. West is chairman. Any how, he lost his life in the venture, and will therefore never trespass again. (13)

Victor Harbour, S.A., 1917
On Tuesday afternoon a snake was discovered coiled up on the steps of the Institute. After the shock of the discovery was got over the hero, in the person of Mr Geo. Woodard, turned up, and with the aid of a couple of large stones (found lying on the side of the road evidently for the purpose) put the reptile out of existence. (14)

Walhalla, 1921
On Thursday, a black snake nearly 3ft. long was discovered and quickly despatched in the vestibule of the Mechanics' Institute; and, on Sunday last, Mr Cliff Gerrard killed a "copper-head" on the river cutting - at the back of the railway station. The reptile measured 5ft. 8in. (15)

 Mooroopna, 1923

A tiger snake was killed at the front door of the Mechanics’ Institute a few evenings ago by Sen. Constable Tatchell. The reptile showed fight at first, but a swift stroke on his backbone settled him. (16)

Frankston, 1923
Snake Despatched. A black snake, over three feet long, was destroyed a few days ago in the grounds of the Mechanics' Institute, Frankston. It is said that snakes are susceptible to music. By the irony of fate, it was a lady musician whose keen eye brought about the downfall of this latest victim to man's vengeance! (17)

Dangerous snakes of Victoria, indicated by Professor McCoy.
Printed by John Ferres, Government Printer, for the Education Department, Melbourne, Victoria, 1877.
State Library of Victoria Image H99.24/1-2 http://handle.slv.vic.gov.au/10381/459295

Wingham, NSW, 1954
Encounter with Snake. Excitement At School Of Arts. Mr. A. C. Beal had a startling experience yesterday afternoon. Going through some papers on his shelf at his office in the Wingham School of Arts, he was suddenly confronted by a 5 ft black snake, which had evidently sought a quiet spot in the box containing the papers....Mr Beal sought the assistance of postal employers next door, and Constable Manley, and between them the unwelcome intruder was carefully carried in the box to a suitable site for execution - which was quite naturally not very far away - and the snake was killed. (18)

Trove list  - I have created a list of article on Snakes and Mechanics' Institutes - access it here. 

Footnotes

(1)  You can read Useful Knowledge here, https://mivic.org.au/newsletter/. I have been editor since issue 56.

(2) Illawarra Mercury, January 5, 1864, see here.

(3) The Herald, February 7, 1869, see here;  Bendigo Advertiser, May 23, 1868, see here;  The Argus, May 3, 1870, see here; Tasmanian Times, November 28, 1968, see here.

(4) The Herald, June 20, 1868, see here.

(5) The Leader, June 20, 1868, see here. 

(6) Brisbane Telegraph, July 27, 1885, see here.

(7) Brisbane Courier, July 25, 1885, see here.

(8) Wagga Wagga Express, January 23, 1909, see here.

(9) Tenterfield Intercolonial Courier, September 20, 1910, see here.

(10) Cessnock Express, August 28, 1909, see here.

(11) Bendigo Advertiser, December 19, 1887, see here.

(12) Perth Inquirer, January 20, 1899, see here.

(13) Burra Record, October 25, 1905, see here.

(14) Victor Harbour Times, October 5, 1917, see here.

(15) Narracan Shire Advocate, March 2, 1921, see here.

(16) Shepparton Advertiser, January 8, 1923, see here.

(17) Frankston & Somerville Standard, April 6, 1923, see here.

(18) Wingham Chronicle, December 14, 1954, see here.

Mechanics' Institutes and the importance of a good dance floor

Good timber floors, suitable for dancing were important back in the days when Mechanics’ Institutes (and their interstate counterpart - Schools of Arts (1))  hosted dances and balls on a regular basis. 

This report from 1913 tells us the importance of a good floor not just for dancers but to the broader community. The article, from Penshurst, was about proposed improvements to the Mechanics’ Institute –
In spite of all that can be and has been said in support of the laying of a new floor, this most essential improvement has been passed over - as far as the general committee is concerned at any rate - without so much as brief mention. To say that the dancing public who have been supporting the Institute for years are indignant at this step is only expressing one of many feelings. Throughout the winter there is not another form of amusement which contributes a sum to the hall rental to be compared to that secured from the dancing public. Nearly every week - indeed sometimes twice in one week - a euchre party and dance or dance straight out is taking place in the hall, and that the floor that the patrons are asked to dance on, is sufficient to bring disfavour on the town's prosperity. (2)

Kolor South State School Euchre and Dance at the Penshurst Mechanics' Institute.

Penshurst Free Press, August 3, 1912 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article165016157

What type of timber was used in floors?
Kauri Pine seemed very popular – it was used in Mechanics’ Institutes in Cowwarr in 1898; Morwell, Rosebud and Smeaton in 1905; Toongabbie in 1911; Gormandale in 1914 and Melton in 1951. In 1917 Tooradin installed a floor of Tasmanian Blue Gum and in 1888 at Blackwood and 1935 at Horsham floors of a Tasmanian hardwood were laid. In 1932 the new floor at Corryong was Murray Pine. In 1912 the new floor at Corowa in New South Wales was Jarrah and this was also used in 1939 at Bruthen. In 1954 Springvale installed a Tallow Wood floor. (3)

Tallow Wood was also used in New South Wales and it was used for floors at Gosford in 1924 and Bowral in 1949. (4) Crow’s Ash floors were installed in Gatton in 1926; Beaudesert in 1936 and Woombye in 1944 – all towns in Queensland. Brush Box hardwood was used in Epping in New South Wales in 1931.  In 1952 in Tasmania, the Scottsdale Mechanics' Institute had a Myrtle floor installed. (5) This is not an exhaustive list, of course, it is just some of the references I have found. 

Installation of floors
There were two parts to having a good floor for dancing – the installation and the preparation or maintenance. In 1905 the new floor at Rosebud was of the best kauri boards and is to be laid down in the most approved manner for dancing. (6) To be honest, I don't know what the approved manner was.

Rosebud Mechanics' Institute. I would guess this is the 1890s.

Image: Mechanics' Institutes Resource Centre, from the Dromana & District Historical Society

Even the best installation did not protect a floor. At Scottsdale, in Tasmania, in 1953,  some of the myrtle floor boards began shrinking less than six months after installation. At the local council meeting it was reported that -  The  Warden and Councillors were amazed at the fact that the floor needed treatment, as no expense had been spared in the laying down of the floor, and from the outset of the scheme, they had acted on the best advice procurable in the district. The floor has only been completed for a few months, and Councillors said that it seemed ridiculous that it needed attention so soon. The Warden said that the timber had been racked according to the advice of one of the prominent timber men in the district, the Council had been told by several that the timber was ready to be used and not to delay, and finally, the floor had been laid down by the most skilled labour offering in this area.

Councillors said that they could not understand where the scheme had fallen down, and decided that the faults must be remedied as soon as possible. Cr. Salier suggested that the C.S.I.R.O. be approached as to a suitable filling agent for the floor, and that the job be undertaken as soon as possible. The Clerk informed the meeting that a C.S.I.R.O. inspector would be in the district this week, and stated that he would take the matter up with him then. (7)

Preparation of Floors
The floor, once installed, had to be maintained to be optimum for dancing. Apparently highly polished floors could be 'too fast' and thus slippery, so sometimes sawdust was sprinkled on them to create some friction. Thus in 1898 we have this report from Cowwaar - Thanks to the committee of the Mechanics Institute a new floor of Kauri pine, 4 x 1¼ has recently been put down in excellent style by Mr Edgar Hawes, and it was a treat to dance on. At the same time no liberties could be taken with the floor, as it was as smooth and even as a mirror. It was amusing to see with what a degree of caution those who essayed their first dance waltzed and swung. The new floor is certainly a change in the right direction, and we have been very patient in putting up with the old and knotty one so long. (8)

In 1936 in the Beaudesert School of Arts it was reported that - The floor had received its final treatment by Mr. R. J. Fuller, and was in first-class condition. It was so fast that at the beginning dancers went very warily, and the first fall was recorded by the genial vice-president, Mr. J. V. Shay. (9)

On the other hand a floor could be too 'sticky' and slow.  In 1933 the floor at Bairnsdale had become very rough and heavy for dancing, so it was being replaced. (10)

In 1931 in Epping, New South Wales, at the School of Arts it was reported that -
During the holiday season, whilst the demand for the hall was slack, the committee of Epping School of Arts decided to remove the complaint that the dancing floor was not up to date. They have had it relaid with thoroughly seasoned Brush Box hardwood, which has the reputation of being the best procurable description of timber for the purpose. With the floor sand-dressed and waxed, there should not be any excuse for local residents going elsewhere for their terpsichorean exercise. (11)

The floor was so important that we find the following sorts of references when balls or dances were advertised -
carefully prepared floor;  floor in excellent condition for dancing; in describing the new floor – should be fast enough for dancing; the floor has received special attention; floor prepared to state of excellence; new floor is equal to any in the district for dancing. (12)

At Don Mechanics' Institute in Tasmania they made the following claim in 1900 - The Mechanics' Institute is undergoing a thorough overhaul at the hands of Mr H. P. Fannon, of Devonport. The building probably ranks as one of the oldest halls on the Coast, and the floors, etc., are just as good as the first day they were put down. The floor is considered for dancing purposes second to none out of the cities in the colony. (13)

At the Corryong Athenaeum in 1932 the following decision was made regarding the preparation of the floor for a dance –
The only major improvement effected during the year was the laying of a new floor, which was made possible by the liberal offer of Mr Keays. The timber selected was Murray Pine and in spite of croakings and an inauspicious start the small brook of criticism has now ceased to flow, overcome by a large stream of praise. Guided by the experience of the first two dances held after the laying of the floor for which the preparation of the floor was left to the users, the Committee decided that the Caretaker only should be allowed to prepare the floor and that all users should pay him a fixed charge for his material and labor. Since this arrangement the floor has steadily improved and is better for each dance. The attendances have shown that the public appreciate the better dancing conditions. The Caretaker deserves great credit for the pains he has, and is taking to preserve the floor in good condition. (14)

For a ball at Frankston in 1939 it was reported that -  The dance floor at the Mechanics' will be specially planed and polished by a Melbourne firm, so that patrons will be assured of a perfect floor. (15) 

In 1944 at Woombye School of Arts - the work of laying a new floor in the School of Arts hall was completed this week by Mr. V. Batt. The flooring is crows ash and is finished with a highly polished surface…The committee is confident that the floor will prove one of the best on the North Coast. (16)

Frankston Mechanics' Institute

Volunteer Motor Corp trip to Frankston, outside the Mechanics Institute, c. 1917. 

Photographer: Herbert Bishop. State Library of Victoria image H87.34/249

What were some of the reactions from dancers of new or well prepared floors?
In 1929, at the Mechanic’ Institute in Singleton in New South Wales -The new floor put down for dancing was used for the first time, and dancers classed it as perfect. (17) It may have been perfect but another local paper had this report –
The new floor in the hall of the Mechanics' Institute, which found great favour with dancers on the opening night, March 18th, should afford much more pleasure and satisfaction on the occasion of the next dance function. On Monday afternoon the floor was specially treated, and its present well polished surface is an index of what can be accomplished by up-to-date methods. Representatives of the American Floor Surfacing Machine Company, from the Sydney factory of Burrows, Crawford, Ltd., were present with an electric polishing machine, and after the floor had been treated with a liberal application of wax, the machine was run over it, with the result that a beautiful finish was given to the floor. (18)

In another report from New South Wales, this time from Robertson in 1939 -
The dance floor of the new School of Arts Hall at Robertson was tried out for the first time on Wednesday night of last week when about three hundred dancers were in attendance at the opening ball. They were loud in their praises of the specially constructed floor and classed it as one of the best they had ever danced on. (19)  Of interest is the fact that 300 people in a country town attended a ball in the middle of the week.

In 1945, at the Mornington, the dancers were also loud in their praises  –
The new floor laid down by the Council in the Mechanics' Hall building was in use last Saturday night, when the usual Fire Brigade dance was held. Dancers were loud in their praise at the big improvement. (20)

In 1949 at Bowral in New South  Wales -  The new floor at Bowral School of Arts was used for the first time at the Scottish Association dance on Saturday night. Constructed of tallow-wood, its good surface was greatly appreciated by the dancers. (21)

In 1951 at Melton - The new kauri floor installed in Melton Mechanics' Hall was voted all that could be desired when dancers tested it at the Re-opening Ball last Monday night. A splendid gathering of over 250 people was very encouraging to the Hall Committee. (22)  Once again, the number of people attending is of interest - this ball took place on a Monday night, in a small country town, when the population of Melton was around 450. It shows a good community spirit. (23)

Melton Mechanics' Institute

Image: Baragwanath Collection, Mechanics' Institutes Resource Centre

We will end this post with this 'uplifting' floor story from 1927 - 

Explosion Under Dance Hall. Poowong Sensation floor lifted under feet of couples.
While a dance was going on in the Poowong Athenaeum Hall, South Gippsland, at 12.45 a.m. to day, there, was a severe explosion under the floor. None of the 50 couples on the floor at the time was injured, but the greater part of the floor was lifted over half an inch from the blocks. Apparently the cause of the explosion was gelignite, which had been placed in a tin. A few minutes before the explosion, a man, who hid his face, was seen crawling out from underneath the hall. Minute pieces of tin were found embedded in the underneath part of the dance floor, several boards of which were splintered. Police are investigating. (24)

It appears that the culprit was a man who was jilted by his former sweetheart, who refused to accompany him to the dance. On Wednesday night she danced with a man, who it is said, had been a rival of the suspect for some months. (25) They were very lucky there were no major injuries. 

Trove list

I have created a list of newspapers articled related to this topic, you can access it here. 

Footnotes

(1) I wrote this article for the Mechanics' Institutes of Victoria newsletter, Useful Knowledge, which is why I have included references to Interstate establishments. You can read Useful Knowledge here, https://mivic.org.au/newsletter/. I have been editor since issue 56.

(2) Penshurst Free Press, June 28, 1913, see here.

(3) See References in my Trove list, here.

(4) Gosford Times, February 7, 1924, see here; Bowral Southern Mail, September 16, 1949, see here.

(5) See References in my Trove list, here.

(6) Mornington Standard, July 8, 1905, see here.

(7) Scottsdale North Eastern Advertiser, March 13, 1953, see here.

(8) Gippsland Farmers' Journal, October 25, 1898, see here.

(9) Beaudesert Times, April 24, 1936, see here.

(10) Bairnsdale Advertiser, June 16, 1933, see here.

(11) Cumberland Argus, February 12, 1931, see here.

(12) See References in my Trove list, here.

(13) North Western Advocate, September 8, 1900, see here.

(14) Corryong Courier, September 29, 1932, see here.

(15) Frankston Standard, August 18, 1939, see here.

(16) Nambour Chronicle, August 18, 1944, see here.

(17) Maitland Weekly, March 23, 1929, see here.

(18) Singleton Argus, March 27, 1929, see here.

(19) Bowral Southern Mail, December 8, 1939, see here.

(20) Frankston Standard, May 3, 1945, see here.

(21) Bowral Southern Mail, September 16, 1949, see here.

(22) Melton Express, October 13, 1951, see here.

(23) Victorian Places - https://www.victorianplaces.com.au/melton

(24) The Herald, March 24, 1927, see here.

(25) Sun News-Pictorial, March 25, 1927, see here.

A holiday at the Bonny Dell Guest House, Oilnda

In 1936, William and Leah Elsie Brann, and their two children Marjorie and Geoffrey,  moved from Mills Street, Hampton to Olinda, where they operated the Bonny Dell Guest House.

Bonny Dell advertisement

The Age, September 23, 1936 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article205908081

Bonny Dell, Olinda

Photographer: Rose Stereograph Co. State Library of Victoria H32492/803

Over the Christmas - New Year period of 1938-1939, Mrs Meyers and her son Gordon were amongst the guests at Bonny Dell.  Young Gordon looks like he is about 4-years old, so would have been born around 1934. Mrs Meyers, or perhaps Mr Meyers (who does not feature in any photos) took the following 15 photos of their time at Bonny Dell.  They have remained as a set with the negatives all these years, in their original paper packet and were discovered by my research colleague, Isaac Hermann, in an Opp shop in St Kilda recently.  I have scanned them all here, so we can all enjoy a few weeks at Bonny Dell, and as the photographs are labelled in a very informative manner, I have scanned the verso as well. This collection of photos will be passed on to the local Historical Society.

Bonny Dell Guest House Olinda, Xmas 1938-39

Guest's (Bonny Dell) Olinda Xmas 1938-39.

Mr +Mrs Anderson + Daughter; Mr + Mrs McAuley + Daughter; Miss Powell; Mrs Langford; Mr Sellars; Mr Lynch (Les); Mr Keith Kemp; Miss P. Futcher; Mrs Meyers; Gordon Meyers; Jean Walker.

Gordon Meyers (Bonny Dell) Xmas 1938-39 (Olinda). 

I wonder if Gordon received this Red Indian (as it would have been called in 1938) outfit for Christmas?

View from Bedroom door (Bonny Dell) Olinda 1938-39

Water dam Bonny Dell Olinda 1938-39

Ferns Bonny Dell Olinda 1938-39

Guest's Bonny Dell on hike Xmas 1938-39 Olinda

Olinda Bush Xmas 1938-39

Olinda Bush Xmas 1938-39

Mt Dandenong Bourke's Lookout Xmas 1938-39

Bourke's Look out Mt Dandenong Xmas 1938-39

Silvan Dam in the distance partly hidden by smoke from the Great Bush Fires  Jan 1939. Taken from Bourke's Look out Mt Dandenong.  

[The Great Bush Fires were the Black Friday fires of January 13, 1939. Read more here]

Mt Dandenong  Scene of the Great air crash, 14 killed, 1938. Taken Xmas 1938-39. 

[This was the crash of the Kyeema, October 25, 1938. Read more here.]

Silvan Dam Xmas 1938-39. 

Resting after inspecting dam - Mrs Meyers, Gordon Meyers, Miss Powell, Mrs McAuley.

Silvan Dam Xmas 1938-39.

Length 2 ¾ Miles; Height above sea level 810 ft; Crest width 20 ft; Earth fill 1679000 Tons; Water stored 8853 Million Gals; 822 acres. Reservoir Margin 8 ¼ Miles. 

The photographs were still in their original packet, together with the negatives. You can see the name Meyers written on the packet. 

The Brann family

William Edward Brann (born in 1891) married Leah Elsie Durham  (born in 1897) in 1927. They had three children Marjorie, Donald (died in 1931, aged 13 months) and Geoffrey. The Electoral Rolls show they lived at 66 Mills Street, Hampton from 1928 until 1936, when they moved to Bonny Dell. The first advertisment I can find of the Branns at Bonny Dell is the one from September 1936, at the top of this post.  The Branns were at Bonny Dell until 1954, when they sold Bonny Dell and moved to England.

Fern Tree Gully & District Times, July 29, 1954 

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article264223314

However, at some time they moved back to Victoria as William died here on July 9, 1977. Elsie (as she was known rather than Leah) died on September 5, 1986. They were both cremated at Springvale Cemetery (https://www.smct.org.au/deceased-search)

The Age, July 11, 1977, p. 22 from newspapers.com

The Meyers Family

Apart from little Gordon being born around 1934, I currently have no information about the Meyers family.

Other guests

These are the other guests -  Mr and Mrs Anderson and  daughter

Mr and Mrs McAuley and  daughter

Miss Powell

Mrs Langford

Jean Walker

Mr Sellars

Mr Lynch (Les)

Mr Keith Kemp

Miss P. Futcher

I have discovered that Keith Kemp married Phyllis Margaret Futcher in 1941; they had a son Ronald in October 1942 (see birth notice in The Herald here) and a daughter Barbara in October 1945 (see birth notice in The Age, here) and also a son Geoff. Phyllis (born in 1918) died in 2010.

https://www.mytributes.com.au/notice/death-notices/kemp-phyllis-margaret/3787459/

This is all I know at the moment about the other guests.