Or, an exercise in translating from the original Moreton Bay Courier into plain English. 19th century journalists were prone to wordiness. They could use that tendency to create wildly amusing observations that bring that time and its people vividly to life. They could also use that tendency to expand a small incident into, well, this.Continue reading “The Mistakes of a Night.”
Tag Archives: Old Brisbane Town
”I do not know how to describe to you the beauty of this place.”
On this day – January 27, 1842. Word reaches Moreton Bay that it is to be thrown open for free settlement. On this day in 1842, the inhabitants of Moreton Bay found out that the area was to become a free settlement. The convict settlement had been gradually dismantled with this end in mind. OnlyContinue reading “”I do not know how to describe to you the beauty of this place.””
On this day, 8 November 1885: the Death of Old Tom
The Late Mr. Dowse. BY AN OLD FRIEND “Yesterday, in early morning, at his residence, Milton, there quietly passed away from amongst us, at the ripe age of 76, Mr. Thomas Dowse. When the present Queensland was Moreton Bay, he was always in the front of every political movement, and indefatigable in co-operating to achieveContinue reading “On this day, 8 November 1885: the Death of Old Tom”
On This Day, 6 November 1852: Death of Richard Jones, Esq.
On Wednesday 10 November 1852, the Moreton Bay Courier published a Supplement to its usual Saturday publications. The first item was this black-bordered notice: This wasn’t just the death of a member of the legislature. The passing of Richard Jones, Esq., brought to end an astonishing career that began with his arrival in Australia inContinue reading “On This Day, 6 November 1852: Death of Richard Jones, Esq.”
Salt Beef, Suet and Dyspepsia
Cooking in the EARLY YEARS OF THE colony 1840-1844 When the Moreton Bay establishment was first thrown open for free settlers, it was a rather grim prospect for those accustomed to shopping and cooking at Home or in Sydney. Here’s Tom Dowse on the state of Queen Street (the one real thoroughfare of Brisbane Town),Continue reading “Salt Beef, Suet and Dyspepsia”
The Further Hazards of Old Brisbane
More threats to public safety and happiness from the early days of European settlement in Brisbane. Termagants The Victoria Hall seemed to be the only part of Brisbane that welcomed termagants, and that was for theatrical purposes only. The idea that women might get drunk and/or fight was simply too much for the Courier. InContinue reading “The Further Hazards of Old Brisbane”
The Hazards of Life in Old Brisbane
It’s quite comforting to look back on old Brisbane and find that many of the hazards of life these days also troubled our forebears. The river still has its surprises for the unwary. Pet ownership attracts all manner of official scrutiny, not to mention revenue-raising. Traffic is still appalling and drunks still populate our watchhouses.Continue reading “The Hazards of Life in Old Brisbane”
A Polite, English Education
Education from the convict era to Separation The Convict Era The first European school in Queensland was free, open to all, and had a very low student-to-teacher ratio – just what parents would hope for in a State School today. It was the Moreton Bay penal settlement free school, which opened in 1826. It cateredContinue reading “A Polite, English Education”
Coaches, Railways, Cabs and New-Fangled Automobiles
How we got from A to B in old Queensland. Cobb & Co. Cobb & Co was founded in Victoria in 1853, by an American with a splendidly American name, Freeman Cobb. It was a version of the pony express at first, trading as “American Telegraph Line of Coaches.” Horses were changed regularly, and speedContinue reading “Coaches, Railways, Cabs and New-Fangled Automobiles”
Strange Trick of the Imagination
(From our Windmill Reporter.) On Wednesday last, the Tide Surveyor of Customs* happened to be strolling down Queen Street, pondering probably on the great degeneracy of the present age, so far as regards the desire to drink grog without paying the duty, and whistling to himself the popular air of “Will Watch, the bold smuggler,Continue reading “Strange Trick of the Imagination”
Moreton Bay and More 