Key Stanthorpe events, 1941:
March 19
– Obituary – Wm Collins (Pioneer)
March 28
– Greek Ball – The Rex To Aid Greek Appeal Fund
April 1
– New Court House
– Work on Foundations Commenced
– Removal of Department of Agriculture Building (History of first Court House and Agricultural Bank Building)
April 11
– 25 people fined for failing to have licence for wireless sets
– Tin prices at highest since 1920 (£320/ton)
April 29
– Shooting/suicide at The Summit: Two People dead
April 25
– Who’s Who in Stanthorpe – Guide to Businesses (Central Motors, 1938; Country Club
Hotel; Howarth and Steele; Samuel Lee & Co, QFS)
May 2
– Acquisition: A public meeting of growers protest short notice of the visit of the select Parliamentary Committee wants Committee in the Administration of Apple and Pear Acquisition Scheme.
– Acquisition Scheme – Visit of Parliamentary Select Committee Witnesses: J. B. Ferris (SSC Chairman and DSGC Chairman), H.E. Phillips, F. W Lancaster, D. Pfrunder, C.C. Dobbie, DGT Gow, H. St. John Pratt- Statements from growers who had sold early apples at high prices (15/ per case) and now had to accept 5/ a case, and had not late fruit.
Growers were led to believe they were be paid 5/ per bushel but smaller sizes were reduced to 4/ below cost of production. Add to this losses due to degrading. Queensland Growers sought exemption until the end of March the way would then be clear for marketing of southern crops.
costs due to more spraying, and that Mr. Pfrunder said that Stanthorpe growers had higher fruit had been degraded without sufficient reason.
May 21
– H. St. John Pratt – Department of Agriculture – Prices were higher than without acquisition.
Worst fruit fly season on record. First year that all fruit inspected prior to sale, a forward move and long overdue.
Other complaints Gift Case; Suspension of Private Trade; Not allow agents to report on consignment; diverting consignments to other agents.
– Home Defence Corp: Numbers 133 in Stanthorpe, 40 in Wallangarra
May 30
– Case Shortage
– COD appeals to fruit growers to assist in meeting case shortage by purchasing second-hand
cases – standard bushels. Permission refused for sale to non-fruit growing interested.
Milkers do not want to cut case timber at present prices. Pine is required for munitions boxes, constructional work in camps. In 1940, Apple and Pear Marketing Board worked with QFS, Forestry and Department to have a substantial quality of bushel cases cut to meet the shortage. in Stanthorpe. Had it not been for the heavy losses occasioned by fly, Stanthorpe would have had a serious shortage. Also a shortage of nails wire strictly rationed.
– Recruiting Office Opened in Stanthorpe
June 6
– Richard Alexander Rolfe (Mining Pioneer)
– Hynes Bridge Opened – Spanning Dumaresq at Riverton.
– Obituary
June 18
– Lena White received MBE
June 27
– Stanthorpe Soldier’s Experiences in Crete
July 1
– Inquiry Sought on Italians in Stanthorpe
– Cottonvale LPA “views with extreme concern the distinct possibility of an added influx of Italians into the district from northern centres and consider it imperative an early inquiry into the menace arising from the large number of Italians already living here. Sent to Minister for External Affairs. Purchase and planting of land by aliens is limited to certain districts and transfers restricted.”
– Evacuation of Greece
– Eyewitness account: Chris Sourris offers free passes to Arcadia for soldiers on final leave
July 8
– Notifying Families of Casualties
– Council forms a committee to co-ordinate notification of war casualties. Telegrams are considered “too much of a shock”.
July 11
– Snow At Pozieres
July 22
– Seven sign on at recruiting rally
August 8
– Motor Tragedy – Harry Yee and Friend Killed
September 2
– Geo Elwood dies of wounds (Syria)
September 9
– Decline in Country Centres – Mr. Hilton’s Speech
September 30
– Returned Soldier, Alan Kent, welcomed Army, Navy, RAAF, Nurses
October 10
– A Water Supply For Stanthorpe
– Broadwater Tin Dredging Co has constructed a dam. 100,000,000 gallons of water, 3.5 miles
from Stanthorpe. Residents are buying water and cost to Stanthorpe Hospital for water is
astounding.
– Stanthorpe enlistments
October 24
– Shortage of Water – Stanthorpe Hospital
– In the long, dry period, water is inadequate. £80/10 spent on water since July 1. Referred matter to Mr. Mulholland (consultant engineer) who believed an adequate supply of water could be obtained from Quart Pot Creek above Power House.
October 31
– Dingos Causing Concern for Sheep owners at Dalveen. Eight drives have been held to rid area of dingoes
November 7
– Acquisition Scheme should operate Report
