Chapter IV

Chapter IV. Watervale And Penwortham

A few miles north of Auburn is the charming little town of Watervale, the centre of an industrious community with adjacent homes of many well known publicmen. With a permanent fresh water creek, the Hutt River, running through it on its way to join the River Wakefield; the soil is of a deep red, rich texture, and, with, a good average rainfall, intense cultivation predominates. A bountiful response is the result.

The vine is especially in evidence. One has only to visit the famous 'Springvale Cellars' and adjoining vineyards, both small and great, within a short distance of the town, to be convinced of the district's fertility and great potentialities. Referring to the 'Springvale' property. I am reminded that long ago one Francis Treloar was its owner. He resided in the old homestead, still standing, but at present utilised as a stable. Later, Sir W. W. Hughes purchased the property, and had it planted with many kinds of choice grape vines. Then his nephew, Mr. J. M. Richman, became the owner. Subsequently it passed into the hands of its present owners, Buring & Sobels, who have most successfully catered for the public requirements, both in Australia and abroad.

A short distance westward is the 'Hughes Park' Estate, for many years the home of the late Sir J. J. Duncan. This property was named after its original owner, Sir W. W. Hughes, who resided on a property adjoining Springvale, and well-known as the 'Fairfleld' Estate. He it was who dis covered and developed the Wallaroo copper mines, and by a munificent gift of £20,000 founded the Adelaide University. His memory is perpetuated by an imposing statue, now adorning the front entrance to the University on North terrace, Adelaide. Referring to Sir J. J. Duncan, a nephew of Sir W. W. Hughes, he was an outstanding personality, a fine politician, and worked, at all times, for the general advancement of the State and Commonwealth. For many years he was the people's representative both in the House of Assembly and the Legislative Council. To quote from a learned writer—

He thought only of the State's behoof.
Not of the gains that lureth.

Effective Water Scheme

Knighthood was bestowed upon him in recognition of his many public works. One of these was the way he assisted the distressed settlers on the country westward from Hoyleton. Not far distant from 'Hughes Park' on the western hillside known as the Peake, was a splendid well of water It occurred to him that if the well were enlarged and the spring opened up, sufficient water would be available to meet the wants of the settlers. A scheme was submitted to the South Australian Government and approved. Two 12-ft. drives were made from the bottom of the well, resulting in a continuous daily supply of from 20,000 to 30,000 gallons being obtained. The water was syphoned into a large reservoir known as Tiller's Dam, several miles distant. En route were several standpipes for the convenience of the settlers. From Tiller's Dam pipes were laid on to what was then known as Shrubsole's Corner, near the town of Halbury, and water was reticulated in many directions. The generous contributor to this water scheme will not be forgotten by many of the old residents, who declared at the time that the previous want of a supply had almost led to their holdings being abandoned.

Marooned Four Days In Tree

Of course, one can suffer from a too plentiful supply. It is on record that the owner of Hughes Park in 1877 had a thrilling experience. Sir (then Mr.) J. J. Duncan, together with Mr. Francis Treloar and another, were visiting a distant station near Macumba. A torrential flood overtook them. The current was so strong that to save being washed away, they were compelled to climb up into a tree, and there to remain marooned for four days and five nights, with little or no food, until the floodwaters had sufficiently abated to enable them to descend and continue their journey. These were the days of pioneering. The incident was an excellent test of physical endurance.

The name of Duncan will not readily be effaced from the public records, for Sir John's two eldest sons are following closely in their father's footsteps. The eldest, Mr. J. G. Duncan-Hughes, M.A., has had a distinguished war record, was awarded the Military Cross, and also the Belgian Croix de Guerre. He is at present an active member of the Commonwealth Senate.

Mr. Walter G. Duncan, the present leader of his party in the South Australian Legislative Council, is about as good a political fighter as was his father. He, too, holds many important positions in the State, among them chairman of the local board of the AMP Society, and chairman of the board of directors of Messrs Goldsbrough, Mort & Co., Adelaide.

One must not omit the names of many others who were associated with Watervale, and its neighborhood, and who blazed the track in days past, such as Treloar, Richman, Sobels, King, Solly, Badcock, Mayr, Castine, Perrin Ward Beck, Pope, and many others I have forgotten. Nor must I omit J. St. Carlyon Cole, who for many years successfully conducted the 'Stanley Grammar School,' at Watervale. He was a fine scholar, and some of the leading public men today— including the present President of the Legislative Council, Sir David Gordon — are not slow in recognising the value of their early education under that masterful pedagogue.

I have before me a copy of a fine speech Mr. Cole delivered in 1901 at the end of the Boer War. It is full of patriotic inspiration and historical facts. 'Civis Britannicus Sum' was the title he gave to it. In the years gone by, prior to his scholastic successes, he held a position as clerk to the Upper Wakefleld District Council, whose office was at Auburn, and he regularly walked from Watervale to Auburn, some five miles, and back to attend to his official duties.

Agricultural and horticultural shows were frequently held at Watervale, and became most popular. Members of Parliament from both Houses usually honored the meetings with their attendance. I remember at one February show the rain descended in torrents, and many of us took refuge at the hotel. One of the legislators remarked, 'Happy is the man who has no home to go to.' He was invited to give a reason for such a remark. His reply was 'Because he is at home.'

On the slope of a hill between Watervale and Leasingham lies 'Penobscot,' the home of Mr. E. W. Castine, M.L.C, [Ernest William Castine (1869-1955), the writer's son] who some thirty years ago purchased the property, then known as 'Kingswood' from Mr. J. M. Richman. In the very early days this property was owned by Mr. Gavin Young, then by Mr. Arthur King, who conducted an extensive auctioneering business throughout the district. He it was who from time to time imported for sale a well-known breed of Tasmanian draught horses. Settlers from far and near attended these sales and record prices were realised. Mr. Castine has rebuilt the house, and greatly added to and improved the surroundings.

The hills on the north and west of the town are known to be metalliferous. At one time a syndicate was formed to search for payable deposits, but they were not successful. Penwortham A few miles north of Watervale is Penwortham, named after the parish of Penwortham in Lancashire, England. The public records state, amongst other items, that John Ainsworth Horrocks was practically the first to reside there, and both he and a John Jacob owned much of the land in and around Penwortham. J. A. Horrocks was born at Penwortham, Lancashire, in 1818, and arrived in South Australia in 1839. He was the first to use camels for exploration in South Australia. More than once he travelled into and explored parts of the interior hitherto unknown. When away to the west of Lake Torrens in 1846, now known as Lake Dutton, he was accidentally wounded by the discharge of a gun. He lived to reach his home at Penwortham, but died three days later. Gulnare Plains was discovered by him in 1841, and named after a beautiful dog he owned. The name 'Gulnare' is said to be Moorish for the pomegranate flower. It also occurs in one of Byron's poems, 'The Corsair.'

From a valuable report on this district, written by the daughter of the late Canon R. B. Webb, who was rector of the parish for some thirty-four years, I find that both J. A. Horrocks and John Jacob were ardent church men, and generously contributed to wards the erection of both the Anglican church and the rectory. The rectory was built in 1856, just prior to the erection of the church.

Some years ago a new rectory was built at Clare, as being more central in the parish, and the old Penwortham rectory was sold by auction. The purchaser removed much of the material, which today may be seen at Mr. E. W. Castine's homestead near Watervale. It includes the stone lintel of the front door, with a carving on it by one of Mr. Horrocks's men at Hope Farm. The church was erected in 1851. and was formally opened by Bishop Short, D.D. It was, however, not until 1910 that it was consecrated by the present Bishop (Dr. Thomas). The late Sir J. J. Duncan and Lady Duncan were generous contributors to the church and its surroundings. They and many other well-known residents of the district lie peacefully in the pretty little cemetery adjoining the church, and their names are still held in loving remembrance — For their good works do follow them.

The first recorded marriage in the church register is that of John Jacob, of Woodlands, with Mary Cowle, of 'Kercoonda.' The marriage was celebrated in the drawing-room of that house, and the officiating clergyman was the Venerable Archdeacon Hale, of Adelaide. The very old homestead referred to is, presumably, that owned by Lieutenant Lambert, R.N., situated about two miles from Auburn, where he and his family were for many years resident. At one time he was the owner of some 17 sections of land (in all 1,324 acres), extending along the River Wakefleld north and south of the Kercoonda house. A grandson, R. L. Lambert, is now the owner of a limited area nearby, including the old home.

So much has been written about the town, the church, and its clergymen in the daily papers, including Miss Webb's report published in the 'Adelaide Church Guardian' of April, 1910, that it becomes unnecessary to recapitulate. The town is situated between wooded hills, and trees that were planted over 80 years ago are still luxuriantly growing. A fresh water creek runs through the valley.

Sevenhills

Some three miles beyond Penwortham is a small town named Sevenhills. It is said that the seven hills in the vicinity so much resembled the seven hills on which the ancient City of Rome was built that the town was named accordingly. Early in the '50's the Jesuit Fathers settled there, and were instrumental in erecting nearby a large and well-ordered church, college, garden, and vineyard. Time has, however, worked havoc amongst the brothers; who, since 1851 had made it their home. Some 37 Monks now peacefully sleep along the narrow passage of the crypt beneath the church. At each vault there is a marble slab, giving particulars of the departed brother resting there.

In the cemetery nearby lie the remains of the late Mr. P. P. Gillen, a member of the Kingston Cabinet, who met a tragic death in 1896. The inscription on the monument erected over the grave describes him as 'A most affectionate, faithful, and generous friend, a man of purity, and honor, and withal, a humble Christian.' As a dear and intimate friend for many years, I can endorse every descriptive word written, and I am grateful to "The Chronicle's" special representative and to others, for supplying me with these historical details surrounding the Sevenhill's College.

Next Week— Something About Clare.

Next Chapter V

See https://collections.slsa.sa.gov.au/collection/Watervale+Collection for a splendid collection of historic images of Watervale.