Cairns is a tropical city in Far North Queensland. It was thoughtfully named after Governor William Cairns, a man who deplored hot climates, particularly those with added humidity. I’m sure that the colonial authorities wanted to honour the Governor, not troll the poor man.
The seafront and the Esplanade.
The town.
“Vampires have been spreading their wings over the Cairns Hospital, and their unclean spirits hare been busily engaged in hatching an egg in a mare’s nest of their own construction.“
Letter to the Editor of the Cairns Post, 1889. As far as it is possible to discern, the author was upset at something someone said in the press. Possibly about pay and pauper patient ratios. Potentially. This is one of the saner sentences in a long and blustery missive.
The tenders for the proposed new buildings, additions and alterations in connection with the Custom House will, it is expected, soon be out. The present offices will be turned into stores, and the new Custom House will have a frontage to Abbott-street. This will be a great convenience to businessmen and others.
Cairns Post, 1888.
DYNAMITING FISH. The Cairns Town Council have received the following letter from the Under Secretary to the Treasury:- “With reference to your letter of the 14th ult., stating that dynamite was being openly used for fishing purposes in your district, I have the honour to inform you, by direction, that after careful inquiry into the matter only two cases in which it has been used can be traced, and in both instances the men received serious bodily injury. The Harbour Master has been instructed to keep a good look out for any persons using explosives in the manner indicated, with a view to the prevention of the practice.
Cairns Post, 1909.
Homes.
When former Brisbane Lord Mayor Richard Ash Kingsford moved to Cairns in 1884, the Post welcomed him warmly:
We understand that Mr. Hill has disposed of his house on the Esplanade to Mr. Kingsford. We are glad to see that although Mr. Kingsford’s impressions of Cairns have been formed during the worst season, they are so favourable as to lead him to invest in property here, and that with the evident intention of passing some of his time in our midst. The residence here of Mr. and Mrs. Kingsford and their daughter would be a social addition most cordially to be welcomed.
In 1888, Kingsford entered politics. The Post amped up the warmth of its feelings:
The Kingsford party having transgressed the limits of courtesy and gentlemanly conduct throughout the present election, became so jubilant that they thought they could indulge still further in their unlicensed ribaldry, and accordingly ventured to encourage and sanction as flagrant an act of military insubordination as was ever committed in any law-abiding community, an act which in time of peace may or may not be sufficiently punished by a severe reprimand after a court-martial, if the alleged offender be found guilty, but which in time of active service in the British Army would certainly lead to the summary appointment of a general court-martial of thirteen commissioned officers, empowered to award death or transportation for life to the offending person, if decreed guilty.
It had something to do with the hire of a hall, or rather, a shed. Kingsford lost the election.
Recreation.
Despite all of the go-ahead activities in Cairns, there was still time to take a breather.
Cairns Post (Qld.: 1884 – 1893), Thursday 6 March 1884, page 2.
Cairns Post (Qld.: 1884 – 1893), Friday 4 May 1888, page 2.
Cairns Post (Qld.: 1884 – 1893), Tuesday 25 December 1888, page 2.
Cairns Post (Qld.: 1884 – 1893), Wednesday 27 February 1889, page 2.
The Cairns Post (Qld.: 1909-1965), Wednesday 15 December 1909, page 4.
All images are from the digital collection of the State Library of Queensland and are out of copyright. AI colourisation by CoPilot.
Moreton Bay and More 