Key events in 1931:
THE MAIL TRAIN: State Members to form delegation to the Minister to protest against the curtailment of the mail train services between Brisbane and Wallangarra, members of the Parliament who represent Downs electorates waited on the Minister for Railways and Roads.
“This was accepted by people Mixed trains from Wallangarra curtailed by three a week. Concerned in a spirit of sacrifice, but when it was reported that the Wallangarra mail would not run beyond Warwick three days a week, people were perturbed.”
Stanthorpe protests: Very strong resentment of the proposal shown at a public meeting.
Indignation meeting at Wallangarra – Wallangarra people were very indignant. Proposal came from Queensland and New South Wales would probably run a train to Wallangarra daily in any case.
Cr. Johnston Smyth proposed that Downs members should form own party. Minister decided not to curtain service.
February 4: A STOLEN CAR: THE VALUE OF WIRELESS
4QG announced a Chevrolet had been stolen from Brisbane; orchardist noted the number 99,128. Shortly after, saw the Chev passing and called the police. The defendant said he could not find work and took a chance he might get away in the truck. He preferred to be in gaol rather than walking around the roads.
Feb 4: Granite Belt grape production figures
February 27: The Pikedale Goldfield – 50 years ago
Air Pageant – Organised by Walter Pike assisted by Wyn Pike – 10 plane participate, pleasure flights offered, Glider Club’s first glider on display
March 27: “The Talkies Are Coming – Arcadia Theatre – Watch For the Date”
The Case for Growers (Poem – The Summit Apples sent to the King
April 3: “The Movies Find a Voice” by Charles Chauvel
“It will now be possible to hear the lazy swish of waves that wash coral shores away on the edge of the equator as pictures of the South Seas come to us, the bellowing of great herds as they move to the camera, the weird, cadent instruments of far away lands, a cough or a sigh that will mean more than words, real thunder in a mystery play, the hoot of an owl and the pipes of Pan will lead us across the new horizons of future movie entertainment, with possibilities unlimited…”
A public meeting is held to advertise benefits of immunisation for diphtheria.
• First sound movie at Arcadia: Gary Cooper and Buddy Rogers in “Seven Days Leave” and “Half Way to Heaven” – Admission price 2/
April 17: “Peg of My Heart” To Be Performed at Arcadia (directed by Charles Chauvel, starring Elsa)
April 24: Stanthorpe Talkies – Wonderful Success
May 29: Plight of the homeless – The Position in Sydney.
Boxing Tournament in the Arcadia Douglas Gow wins Orient Cup, W. Hitchmore, The Summit, second. Best for cases of export apples – two judged in Sydney and two in London. Both years got 100/100 in London.
July 3: Australia the best country: Stanthorpe is the best district – COD Manager, Mr. Ranger compares Stanthorpe with overseas fruit districts.
July 10: Stanthorpe Shivers: Minimum: Monday 33.9 – Max 45.6; Tuesday 37.6 to 9 am, Max 42.4 Tobacco Growers Association formed at Glen Aplin (Stanthorpe Tobacco Growers Association); J. Grassick has grown tobacco and flu cured it.
July 24: Tobacco experimental plot at Amiens – Department of Agriculture to get it going
July 31: Tobacco growing government expert appointed for the Granite Belt Workless figures – 16.1 per cent in Queensland
August 7: Tender of £12,258 from F. Corbett accepted for Convent for Sisters of Mercy, Stanthorpe
The Arsenic Mines at Mole River now employs 45 men, producing pure arsenic and arsenic pentoxide to control prickly pear.
August 14: Stanthorpe Shire Councils decides to stock and sell electrical appliances – stoves, electric kettle or boiling jug, irons, toasters, automatic egg boilers displayed in Samuel Lee & Co.
September 11: Granite Belt Production
