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.”
Tag Archives: On This Day
The Latest News for March 20 (1847)
One event dominated the news on 20 March 1847 – the recent wreck of the steamer Sovereign, and the loss of 44 lives. The murders of Andrew Gregor and Mary Shannon six months earlier still haunted the Courier and its readers. Page 1 The front page was, as usual, the place for advertising. First, MrContinue reading “The Latest News for March 20 (1847)”
The Latest News for March 17 (1849)
The Moreton Bay Courier was published every Saturday in the 1840s, and on Saturday 17 March 1849, the edition gave readers all of the latest news (only three months late for overseas news!), letters and advertisements. As was the custom at the time, the first page was devoted to classified advertising. Readers were informed thatContinue reading “The Latest News for March 17 (1849)”
The Brisbane Flood Anniversary
On the tenth anniversary of the floods that drenched Brisbane, Ipswich, Toowoomba and the Lockyer Valley, let’s revisit the first flood to be widely photographed – the 1893 disaster. Views of the floods in Southern Queensland The water came up and the children came out… Of course, this sort of photo disturbs the modern viewer.Continue reading “The Brisbane Flood Anniversary”
November 14, 1842 – Captain John Clements Wickham appointed Police Magistrate at Moreton Bay.
Captain Wickham, whose name adorns streets, terraces and a park in Brisbane, held public office in Brisbane from 1842 until Separation in 1859, when he ceased duties as Government Resident and handed over to the Colony’s first Governor. Surviving photographs show a thoughtful-looking gent with an impressive set of white whiskers almost obscuring the lowerContinue reading “November 14, 1842 – Captain John Clements Wickham appointed Police Magistrate at Moreton Bay.”
February 15, 1851 – Patagonia survivors reach Brisbane
The Patagonia, a British Brig of 323 tons was on a routine cargo run from Sydney to Manilla in what was then the Spanish East Indies. There was a small crew and a cargo of coal on board. On February 05 1851, the vessel struck Bond’s Reef just off New Caledonia and could not beContinue reading “February 15, 1851 – Patagonia survivors reach Brisbane”
February 14, 1848 – Ludwig Leichhardt’s final visit to Brisbane.
He’d been away, presumed missing before. This was going to be the big one – Dr Leichhardt would cross the continent, to arrive in Western Australia in early 1850. As that year dawned, people began to prepare for his arrival in Western Australia. And waited, hopefully. Perhaps he had been delayed. Months became years. Expeditions set outContinue reading “February 14, 1848 – Ludwig Leichhardt’s final visit to Brisbane.”
February 13, 1863 – Fearful gales and wild weather
As the Severe Weather warnings roll across Queensland, a timely reminder that this is not unusual. At all. Throughout the whole of yesterday the wind blew strongly in fitful squalls from the eastward and south-east, and the rain fell without intermission, occasionally pouring down in drenching showers. As it had also rained through the previousContinue reading “February 13, 1863 – Fearful gales and wild weather”
February 12, 1860 – first same-day coach service between Brisbane and Ipswich begins.
MAIL AND PASSENGER COACH FOR IPSWICH.—Mr. James Collins, contractor for the daily mail between this place and Ipswich, has purchased a suitable four-wheeled carriage for the conveyance of mails and passengers. The vehicle is light in construction, admirably adapted for the use for which it is intended, and fitted with seats, which are ornamented withContinue reading “February 12, 1860 – first same-day coach service between Brisbane and Ipswich begins.”
February 10, 1862 – first land sales at Nanango
Although the first official Land Sale in Nanango took place on 10 February 1862, the area had a long history. Before white settlement, the area was an important stop on the ancient route taken by people from many far-flung indigenous nations to meet for the Bunya nut feasts, important in terms of diplomacy, trade andContinue reading “February 10, 1862 – first land sales at Nanango”
Moreton Bay and More 