HISTORY
A PAST IN BLACK AND WHITE
Foreword:
(Extracts from "Port Macquarie News" and "Wingham Chronicle)(this went on for a number of pages in very flowery text about the 'heroic striving for existence' and the hardships of pioneering- I haven't quoted it fully, just some of the more interesting stories)This is written in their words, not mine, including the now politically incorrect referring to aboriginals as " the blacks".
A Mrs. McMaugh opens the gates of memory, and inter alia describes the old pioneers, with "hearts of gold, who found time to help each other in sickness or sorrow, gladly sharing the last pound of tea or sugar with awaiting spasmodic supplies, women who had only each other to look to in the hour of need. The matter of clothing, a vital subject with the gentler sex in all ages, was often the cause of much concern, and ingenious device.
A young lady, bound to a distant party, but lacking the proud ownership of the necessary crinoline would run a stout vine through the hem of her underskirt, and sail away quite happy to her enjoyment.
This particular vine was much in use among the black ladies of the period, but not necessarily for purposes of dress.
(?)The men folk were less circumspect, and displayed an equally shameless disregard at social or other functions, to the decrees of fashion.
The narrative gives a vivid picture of a lady named Duffety who was left by her husband in sole charge of Towal Creek Station, and carried off by blacks. She was recovered, however, unharmed, after being hidden away in a gorge for three weeks
"It seemed a trying ordeal for a woman forced to live with wild blacks, but in those days most of the females were hardened and indifferent to what fate had in store for them. They were more like men. It was a common occurrence for stock men' to change their wives with one another, or sell them for a pound of tobacco or a bottle of rum. They were wonderful horsewomen, breaking in many a colt, and yarding beasts with the most expert stockmen of the day. They rode, as they ride today, astride"
Mrs. McMaugh, who with her husband (still active at 77) had spent 50 energetic years of home construction
(this being written in 1930 meant that the McMaughs had been in the Port Macquarie area since1880) was not free from the common danger that frequently assailed and often overcame her fellows.She calmly recalls one fateful afternoon when two naked blacks, armed with spears, suddenly besieged her, taking up strategic positions at front and back doors. Out-flanked, the resourceful lady backed to her bedroom for a gun. The intruders, guessing her intention, prepared to hurl sharp and speedy destruction. "Scotchie" who was enlisted as protector, was strangely and diligently absent. The imminent tragedy was averted by the crack of a stock-whip in the echoing silences, which the dusky menace mistook for a shot, and promptly evaporated. "Scotchie" thereupon materialised. The gallant defender had crawled under a bed, in search of an elusive
(collar) stud. He was handy for carrying mail, also rum and tobacco.
Picture title:
Let us inspect THE TOWN and feast our gaze with wonder at the progress and preservation so notable in contrast to..............
.......................it's first appearance
The anniversary celebrations of the centenary of Port Macquarie, March 30th 1921, featured a star performer in the person of Councillor John Coombes, He gained the applause of the multitude by driving through the town a fully-quipped old time bullock dray loaded to the hilt with wool. His age was 77 years.
Mr. R. Davidson was one of the speakers, "The young generation must realise that the days of pioneering were not yet over. New land was waiting to be opened up, new industries to be begun and vast areas to be populated. Port Macquarie was destined to become the sanatorium of the North Coast, and was fast becoming increasingly popular with those who sought rest and recreation"
Passing mention was made of some early historical facts:
About 1830 a sample of local cotton was sent to England for a verdict, and was pronounced good.
The extraordinary circumstances that surround the wreck of the "Wanderer" in attempting to cross the bar.
(what circumstances - have to look up this one!)In 1840 Dr. Fattorini, finding bullocks cheap and over plentiful, devised a scheme for candle making by submerging carcases in cedar cases until the obliging ocean reduced them to stearine. It is on record that the eminent doctor's first attempt in his inordinate search for more light was frustrated by the untimely intervention of a flood, which disposed of bullocks, crates and all, forever, and left the inventor to languish in the dark.
1854 - the first school on the Macleay.
Municipality of Port Macquarie incorporated in 1887.
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