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Newspaper Articles about the Construction of the Line: Aug 1899
Newspaper Articles about the Construction of the Line: Aug 1899
Tues 1 Aug 1899
A commencement of the Gembrook to Ferntree Gully railway line was made on Tuesday, when about 50 men began operations by felling timber on the route preparatory to erecting earthworks. A large number of men are on the ground in expectation of being taken on. Tools are
provided by the Government for men who are not promised of them, also cooking utensils at a small charge per week.
Pakenham. (1899, August 2). South Bourke and Mornington Journal page. 2 (WEEKLY.).
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article70021992
Sat 5 Aug 1899
The construction of the Ferntree Gully to Gembrook railway was commenced on Monday
morning. The number of men employed on the line will be gradually increased from 50 at starting until it reaches about 400, and these will be engaged for about eight or nine months.
The earthworks will be very heavy in places, and as there is a good deal of granite in the formation the use of explosives will be necessary. The granite will, however, be found very useful for ballast.
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article169718420
Fri 18 Aug 1899
VICTORIAN RAILWAYS
TENDERS are invited for the supply, in contracts of not less than 500, of 20,000 messmate Sleepers, 5' x 6- x 8"4-, for Ferntree Gully to Gembrook railway ('2 60 gauge). Particulars at Garfield, Drouin, Longwarry, Warragul, Neerim South, and Moe stations. P.D., £1 each 500 sleepers. Tenders, indorsed " Tender for Sleepers," must be lodged, with the preliminary deposit, in the Tender Box, Railway Offices, Melbourne, at or before One p.m. on Monday, 4th September.
No tender will necessarily be accepted.
(By order), R. G. KENT, Secretary.
Advertising (1899, August 18). Warragul Guardian page. 2 (Bi-weekly.). http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article68740589
Tue 22 Aug 1899
VICTORIAN . RAILWAYS.
TENDERS are invited for the supply, in contracts of not less than 500, of
20,000 messmate sleepers, 5ft. x 6in. x 8in. x 4in., for Ferntree Gully to Gembrook railway,
(2ft.6in) gauge. Particulars at Garfield, Drouin, Longwarry, Warragul, Neerim South and Moe stations. P.D., .£1 each 500 sleepers. Tenders, indorsed. "Tender for sleepers,' must be lodged with the preliminary deposit, in the Tender Box, Railway Office, Melbourne at or before One p.m., on Monday, 4th., September. No tender will necessarily be accepted.
(By .order), R. G. KENT, Secretary.
Advertising (1899, August 22). West Gippsland Gazette, page. 2 (MORNING.). R http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article68695720
Fri 25 Aug 1899
The construction of the Ferntree Gully to Gembrook railway is now proceeding -apace. - Commencing a few weeks ago with 50 men; the construction authorities- have now increased the
number of workers to about 200, nearly all of whom are engaged in clearing.
This number will be further increased in the course of a week or two to about 400. The country is heavily timbered in places, and the clearing is necessarily seovere work. - The route of the extension carefully avoids any infringement on the beautiful reserve at Ferntree Gully. The Railway Department knows the worth of this beauty spot. -s-Argus
The Evelyn Observer, (1899, August 25). Evelyn Observer, and South and East Bourke Record page . 2 (MORNING.). http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article60686062
Newspaper Articles about the Construction of the Line: Sept - Dec 1899
Newspaper Articles about the Construction of the Line: Sept - Dec 1899
Mon 4 Sep 1899
GEMBROOK RAILWAY LINE.
DANDENONG, Saturday.
At the meeting of the Ferntree Gully Shire Council to-day it was stated that in the construction of the Gembrook railway line the roads intersected were rendered impassable, owing to the earthworks and side-drains, and were being left in this dangerous condition. It was decided that the attention of the Railway department be drawn to this state of affairs. It was further stated that the butty-gang system was not acting satisfactorily, some of the men engaged being incompetent and quite unable to cam anything like fair wages. It was decided to apply to the Government for a grant of £1,000 to make roads leading to the stations on the line.
GEMBROOK RAILWAY LINE. (1899, September 4). The Argus , page. 6. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article9029016
Thu 14 Sep 1899
RAILWAY EXTENSION.
FERNTREE GULLY, Wednesday.
The progress made with the Gembrook line is considered satisfactory. Most of the cuttings along the route have.been commenced, and nearly all the timber along the same has been felled. About 300 men are now engaged on the works.
RAILWAY EXTENSION. (1899, September 14). The Age , page. 6.
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article188669826
Wed 20 Sep 1899
In response to the Railway departments application for the supply of 20,000 sleeper's for the Ferntree Gully to Gembrook Railway, tenders have been received and accepted for 11,000, at prices ranging from 11 ½ d. to 1/1 each.
NEWS AND NOTES. (1899, September 20). South Bourke and Mornington Journal, page. 2 (WEEKLY.). http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article70022177
Wed 27 Sep 1899
At the Ferntree Gully and Gembrook Railway Trust meeting last Saturday it was resolved to ask the Minister of Railways to grant the members of the Trust (when attending meetings) a free railway pass. It was held by the Trust that as the members were acting honorary, and in the interests of the Railway department, it was only reasonable that a free railway pare to and from meetings should be granted
NEWS AND NOTES. (1899, September 27). South Bourke and Mornington Journal , page. 2 (WEEKLY.). http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article70022197
Wed 4 Oct 1899
At the last meeting of the Ferntree Gully and Gembrook Railway Trust, a Petition was presented by Cr. Crichton, signed by 60 ratepayers, asking for a deviation-in the line at the Emerald township. The petitioners contended that the present site of the station at this place is inaccessible to the public, and if the Railway department allowed this deviation it would meet all the requirements of all, and be a saving in the construction of the line.
NOBODY WILL STEAL THEM. (1899, October 4). South Bourke and Mornington Journal , page. 3 (WEEKLY.). http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article70022224
Wed 4 Oct 1899
NAVVIES' WAGES ON THE GEMBROOK RAILWAY.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE AGE
Sir,— The Railway department assures our mutual pay master, the public, that the "average man" can earn 6/ per day on the Gembrook line. We have about 300 men here, but the "average" Is not among them. ! The chief surveyor allows that It Is Impossible for any man to earn a living in my claim, "but," he continues, "It must be shifted, and they will only pay 9d. per yard." Contra to the department's assurance to the public, I challenge them to send a man into my claim (5 miles 40 chains) and wheel 2 chains, no axe, no crowbar, no planks, and dog scratch among green roots, yet earn the 6/. When my work is within the scope of my tools I can earn 6 /. When my tools will not cope with -the work I earn only 1/6 per day, and the average comes about 4/. Still I am lucky, for good navvies are earning less — Yours, &c., JAMES WEBB, j
Garfield village settlement, 30tb September
NAVVIES' WAGES ON THE GEM-BROOK RAILWAY. (1899, October 4). The Age , p. 11
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article188666597
Mon 9 Oct 1899
THE GEMBROOK RAILWAY.
FERN TREE' GULLY, Sunday.
Several owners of land -in the . Fern Tree Gully -mid Gembrook Railway Trust area have, notified the chairman that they will not accept the compensation offered, and will litigate for settlement. The roads leading to the station site at Benson Gate, on the Gembrook line, are said to be useless to the local selectors, who have asked that a new road be surveyed through some allotments direct to the station. Yesterday Mr. Taverner, of the Railway department, accompanied by the chairman of the trust (G. W. Selby) and the shire engineer (G. W. Robinson), visited the locality, and. reported favourably on the request.
"THE GEMBROOK RAILWAY." The Age 9 October, p. 6.
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article188661592
Tue 10 Oct 1899
FERNTREE GULLY. At a meeting of the Ferntree Gully Shire Council, held on Monday, a communication was received from the Public Works department, stating that £300 had been granted to assist in making Ferny Creek road. East Riding. A letter was received from the engineer-in-chief, stating that the want of proper approaches to roads crossing the line of railway from the Gully to Gembrook, complained of by the council, would be attended to. Councillors complained that in the work of making the line landholders fences were pulled down, and stock allowed to wander all over the place.
LAND CLASSIFICATION BOARD. (1899, October 10). The Argus, page. 7. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article9033496
Sat 14 Oct 1899
Fair progress is being made with the construction of the Ferntree Gully to Gembrook railway. There are now 300 men employed clearing the route throughout the whole distance of eighteen miles, and this week a commencement will be made with the culverts and bridges on the half of the line starting from Ferntree Gully. Later on the number of men employed will be increased to four or five hundred. A request has been made for a slight deviation of the authorised route in the neighbourhood of Emerald, and this is now under consideration.
Country News. (1899, October 14). Advocate , page. 20.
Tue 14 Nov 1899
Satisfactory progress is being made with the construction of the narrow gauge line from Ferntree Gully to Gembrook, there being now about 400 men employed on the work. The Railway Department is busy constructing the rolling-stock, consisting of two locomotives, a passenger carriage and van and 22 wagons.
ITEMS OF NEWS. (1899, November 14). Mount Alexander Mail , page. 2. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article201362713
Wed 6 Dec 1899
DANDENONG.-At the ordinary monthly meeting of the Ferntree Gully Shire Council on Saturday. In response to a petition from 54 residents of Macclesfield, it was resolved to urge the Railway department to grant a site for a station at that place, between Emerald and Cockatoo, on the Ferntree Gully to Gembrook line, the settlers to provide funds for the purchase of land for the necessary roads.
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