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Significant Items from Mt Barker Courier in the 1900s  Information compiled by Dick Mills and obtained from Don Goldney, Mt Barker branch NTSA ]

During 1900

• January 5  -  New year ushered in with old pagehead date.
• February 2  -  Big fires at Mt Barker.  Report attached.
• October 19  -  A Southern Flying Machine.  Trial flight of machine by Ayers Bros of Meningie (probably motorless).

During 1901

• March 15  -  Southern Districts, Baptist Manse completed.
• April 12  -  Electric Clock in Dunn Memorial.  The only one of its kind in the State.

During 1902

• April 25 - On Monday last 4 sisters Of Mercy arrived in Mt Barker with a view of opening a high school for girls.
• May 16 - Mrs McKenzie sell out to David Bell & Co.

During 1903

• January 23 - Memorial to Capt Barker Unveiled 21/1/1903.
• July 10 - Mention of sale of 1800 wethers at Grays Inn yards.
• August 7 - New Balcony On Barker Hotel.

During 1905

• February 3 - Southern Districts Fairfield destroyed by fire.
• May 5 - A telephone for Mt Barker. (It was a public phone within office at corner).

During 1906

• August 17 - p3: Adlooka, until recently the residence of Mr Harry Paltridge has been purchased by Mr William Atkins.

During 1907

• October 18 - Desastrous Fire. Mr B tannery and bark mills reduced to ashes.

During 1908

• May 12 - Mt B Tannery Complete Plant At Work Again.

During 1910

• August 19 - p3: The buildings, property & plant of the Blakiston Cheese, Butter & Produce Co will be sold by auction at Mt B on Fri 26th inst.
• October 14 - Messrs W Salman & Co's new premises at Mt B. (Photo?)

During 1912

• January 3 - Beautiful Mt B.
• March 15 - The Mt B Telephone. New larger switchboard from 25 to 50 subscribers.
• July 26 - Footbridge from Mt B RS near completion.
• October 11 - Rifle Range for Mt B. at rear of Catholic Cemetery at end of year.

During 1913

• September 26 - Jacobs is shifting to premises formerly Mt B Butter factory.

During 1914

• It is believed that the HS opened early in the year but can't find a report as the first 6 months are missing. The new PO also.

During 1918

• May 31 - Mr Jacobs has Delco electric plant installed in factory.

During 1919

• Death at Mt B Isolation Hospital.
• August 22 - Board for SM Hospital to be elected on Sp 4th.

During 1921

• January 21 - Editor calls for attention to shamefully overgrown hedges. (war took hedge trimmers) 9 compare 3/1/1912.
• June 10 - Govt at last clears catchment of timber (for reservoir).

During 1922

• October 6 - Opening of the Rest Home. Sept 30th.

During 1923

• January 5 - Soldiers Memorial unveiled by the Governor, Sir Tom Bridges.
• July 27 - Opening of new wing at Mt B SM Hospital (July 21st) by Sir J Bice.
• August 3 - Butcher Herb Chapman instals electric motor driven machine. 1st use of power after connection to Jacobs power.

During 1925

• February 6 - Special attention to meet competition from motor buses.
• February 27 - Mt B opulation within 10 miles now 9000.
• March 6 - Ratepayers poll overwhelmingly in favour of AEC Power.
• June 5 - The destruction of Trees. Letter by AW Howard Sen.
• August 7 - Motor Cycle Club formed at Mt B.

During 1928

• March 23 - New library at Mt B. Work has commenced on foundations alongside the hall.
• April 4 - New bridge at Teakletown.

During 1929

• January 18 - The bathing hole: Article.

During 1932

• September 2 - The tobacco sale in Ag. Soc. Pavilion. 403 bales (26 tons) benched.

During 1933

• March 31 - Mt B Institute. Impressive gathering at the opening of the Founders Room (this was above the Library giving the building a broad, square front).
• December 15 - Opening of the Pres Manse Saturday afternoon (8th) by the Moderator.

During 1935

• January 18 - Home being built for Mr Roy Gilbert.
• February 1 - Death of WH Dutch, inventor of the clover thresher.
• February 20 - Death of CMR Dumas.
• May 24 - Gilberts Garage advertised in space previously used by Humphris for Ford.
• August 15 - Pioneers of the dairy industry.
• August 23 - Obituary WJ Wylie.

During 1936

• March 5 - Gum Tree Plaque placed by the Council (commemorating 1842 worship).

During 1937

• November 4 - Further action against alienation of Mount (some of the Mt B scrub was subsequently sold to Mr Emmerson 7. Council recently refused to buy it back).

During 1938

• April 7 - Mat B Council activities: many miles of road put down by new plant. These high crown, narrow, bumpy bituminised strips were attributed to Councillor Fry.

During 1939

• January 19 - Centenary Celebrations. Opening day attendance marred by bush fires.
• January 19 - The Mt Summit (Thurs 1st). The opening of the new road to the top of Mt B was performed at 11.30 this morning by Miss E Dobson, the only surviving member now in Australia of Capt Barker (I have photo).
• January 19 - Further disastrous fires. Flaxley, Echunga, Meadows, Strathalbyn devastated.

During 1940

• June 6 - Opening of new Rifle Range. Brig Gen Deane fires first shot.

During 1941

• July 17 - Miniature rifle range opened Saturday afternoon in Showground.
• April 9 - Exit the Rest Home. Has been taken over by the military authorities.

During 1942

• May 31 - Number of Mt B homes now 1395, population 4906l

During 1945

• May 11 - Boot factory established. The old betting shop.

During 1946

• May 9 - Gambling shops dens of iniquity. Deputation to Council to oppose re-establishing.
• August 29 - Clearing sale Dalmaney Park.
• September 26 - Methodist Tennis Club reformed.

During 1947

• August 31 - Foundry for Mt B.

During 1948

• November 18 - Tannery fire savage blow to Mt B.
• December 2 - New Australian car, the Holden, previewed at Gilbert's tomorrow.

During 1949

• February 10 - Tannery request for road granted (now BiLo car-park).
• August 18 - Production commenced at Mt B Foundry.

During 1951

• June 3 - 4 spills in Mt B Hunt Club run. 300 guests entertained at The Laurels.

During 1952

• April 24 - Memorial Wing Foundation Stone laid (at hospital) by Miss V Doussa.

During 1953

• February 18 - 1000 see opening of wing.
• October 7 - Children plant trees at new school. Mount Barker Primary School.

During 1954

• March 31 - Swimming pool hole extended to 100 feet.
• May 26 - New Courier management. FT Marston Pty Ltd.
• June 9 - Common battery exchange for Mt B on June 13th.
• November 3 - Ambulance Committee formed. Early purchase seems certain.

During 1955

• February 7 - Hon. T Playford opens pool Cost 2900 pounds.
• June 20 - Dunn Park Trust to help Scout Group.

During 1956

• March 7 - Centenary porch for Mt B Institute.

March 28 - New electricity scheme adopted (resulting from Playford takeover).

During 1958

• June 18 - New holiday home for Mt B. Will accommodate more than 60 girls at once. (The Chalet at "Cherington").
• July 16 - Institute supper room completed.
• October 1 - First Restricted Income Home at Mt B. Housing Trust project.

During 1960

• Memorial for clover founder. Howard Memorial Gates for showground.