Place Names of South Australia - M
Minchin Well - Mobilong
- Minchin Well
- Mindarie
- Mindiyarra
- Mindrow Creek
- Minecrow, Hundred of
- Mingary
- Mingbool, Hundred of
- Minlacowie
- Minlaton
- Minnipa
- Minno Creek
- Mintabie
- Mintaro
- Minvalara
- Minyara
- Miranda
- Mitcham
- Mitchell, Hundred of
- Mitchell Flat
- Mitchell Park
- Mitchell Springs
- Mitchellville
- Moana
- Mobilong
Minchin Well
Nomenclature
Henry Paul Minchin (1826-1909), who was appointed Sub-protector of Aborigines at Port Augusta in 1852, with the assistance of Aboriginal labour, dug the well in 1854.
General Notes
A report on the finding of water is in the Register,
10 May 1858, page 3g: "The water is described as having a slightly sweet taste, but it is believed to be perfectly wholesome for man or beast." Also see
Register,
30 April 1861, page 3b.
- The wells sunk by Mr Minchin are in a greatly dilapidated state by falling in. Surely a few pounds might be laid out for the benefit of settlers... It is suggested by some to let them for a term of 14 years... The lessee could, of course, put up a house of accommodation, but I would ask what benefit it would be when there are three public houses here at present - he could not charge for the water...
Minchin Well - Mobilong
M
Place Names
Mindarie
Nomenclature
An Aboriginal word having reference to a peace talk meeting.
General Notes
The school opened in 1917 and closed in 1966.
A photograph of the laying of the foundation stone of the institute is in the Observer,
1 July 1922, page 24,
of a tennis team in the Chronicle,
26 March 1936, page 32,
of a football team on
7 October 1937, page 32.
Minchin Well - Mobilong
M
Place Names
Mindiyarra
Nomenclature
Aboriginal for 'plenty'.
General Notes
The school opened in 1938 and closed in 1942.
Minchin Well - Mobilong
M
Place Names
Mindrow Creek
A photograph of the school and students is in the Chronicle,12 January 1933, page 34.
Minchin Well - Mobilong
M
Place Names
Minecrow, Hundred of
Nomenclature
On section 93 Hundred of Townsend is a well which the Aborigines called minecrow - 'muddy well'.
General Notes
The 'Minecrow Run' was established by Josiah Cole in 1846 under occupation licence and renamed 'Cairnbank' by John Hensley under pastoral lease no. 203 of 1851.
An obituary of James Shannon is in the Register,
19 November 1891, page 5a.
Minchin Well - Mobilong
M
Place Names
Mingary
Nomenclature
Presumed to be an Aboriginal word meaning 'the northern most waterhole', but as it was named by Governor Kintore he may have had in mind the Scottish town of 'Mingarry' (sic) which derives from the Old Norman mikinn-garo-r - 'great enclosure'. But as the 'Mingary Run' was established by J. Beck in 1863 (lease no. 1691), which predated the town, the suggestion that it is of Aboriginal origin would appear to be correct.
General Notes
Local housing is described in the Register,
4 June 1884, page 6c,
Observer,
30 April 1887, page 43a.
- The dwellings here are dug out like cellars and roofed over reminding one of the story of Mark Twain's chum and the mules that used to walk down the chimney. The smoke was rather bad, but in spite of that and the flies. we made a fair feed...
21 July 1887, page 7a.
Also see South Australia - Mining - Gold.
Its school opened in 1903 and closed in 1945.
A photograph of yabbying in the Mingary Dam is in The Critic,
27 December 1916, page 5.
Also see South Australia - Northern Lands Development and Allied Matters - Water, Artesian Wells and Springs.
Minchin Well - Mobilong
M
Place Names
Mingbool, Hundred of
Nomenclature
An Aboriginal word having a reference to water. The name was taken from the name of James Meredith's run, about 13 km north east of Mount Gambier. It was first taken up by Charles MacKinnon and Andrew Watson and they sold out to Meredith in about 1847 (it became lease no. 208 of 1851).
His first hut was near ?Dismal Swamp?on the Kaladbro road, but a wet winter compelled him to change his location, so he built on a limestone ridge and lived there until he sold out to a Mr Budd about 1852. Later the property came into the hands of Henry Edward and Thomas Allan Wells.
General Notes
Information on the Mingbool pastoral property is in the Observer,
22 December 1923, page 18a.
Minchin Well - Mobilong
M
Place Names
Minlacowie
Nomenclature
Aboriginal for 'two waters'; derived from either minala -'two' and kawi - 'water' or minla-kawi - 'fresh water well'.
General Notes
The laying of the foundation stone of a Baptist Chapel is reported in the Observer,
9 September 1876, page 8b.
The opening of its jetty is reported in the Advertiser,
29 November 1877, page 1b (supp.); also see
Chronicle,
8 December 1877, page 4
Observer,
1 December 1877, pages 5g-6d.
- The opening of the jetty took place on 22 November 1877 in the presence of nearly 300 persons.... It is built of red gum, the pile and bearers being all jarrah. The entire length is 1,900 feet... Members of the committee proceeded to the end of the jetty headed by Mr J. Anderson, who has been instrumental in procuring it... The luncheon took place on the grounds, the provisions being furnished by the ladies of the district...
Minlacowie South School opened in 1901 and closed in 1941;
Observer,
29 March 1879, page 14b.
Photographs of this school, which was built by local farmers, are in the Observer,
15 February 1913, page 32,
of students on
11 October 1913, page 31.
An Arbor Day at the Minlacowie South School is reported in the Register,
13 September 1913, page 7e.
Also see South Australia - Education - Arbor Days.
A wreck "on the beach" is reported in the Observer,
9 June 1877, page 7c.
Biographical details of Laurence Carmichael are in the Register,
1 April 1913, page 6g.
An obituary of Mrs T. Darby is in the Register,
15 November 1917, page 4f,
of Thomas King on 20 May 1918, page 4g.
Minchin Well - Mobilong
M
Place Names
Minlaton
Nomenclature
It is apparent that the name is derived from the first syllable of Minlacowie, the Hundred in which it lies, coupled with the Middle English word ton - 'town'
General Notes
A local resident addressed the need for an appropriate name for the proposed town:
-
I really think that the names of towns require registering as much as cattle brands so that when once we had a Snobvale and Cowcow we might be spared Snobville and Bowwow.
(Register, 4 October 1875, page 5g.)
30 June 1877, page 7d; it opened in 1878.
Observer,
29 June 1878, page 5c.
A letter from Joseph Abbott in respect of education is in the Register,
16 February 1888, page 3h; also see
6 March 1888, page 6b.
A photograph of students is in the Observer,
27 April 1907, page 30.
The opening of the Wesleyan Church is reported in the Register,
7 March 1878, page 6b.
Information on a flour mill is in the Observer,
21 September 1878, page 3c,
12 October 1878, page 14c,
Chronicle,
12 February 1881, page 26b.
Also see South Australia - Industries - Rural, Primary and Secondary - Farming - Mills.
Letters re the local hotel are in the Register,
20 March 1879 page 7b.
A Show and ploughing match are reported in the Chronicle,
7 September 1878, page 4e; Also see South Australia - Industries - Rural, Primary and Secondary - Ploughing Matches and Register,
4 October 1879, page 6c; also see
Observer,
28 October 1882, page 13a,
22 August 1885, page 13d;
a photograph of the showground is in the Chronicle,
1 November 1902, page 44; also see
4 November 1911, page 34.
Also see South Australia - Agricultural, Floricultural & Horticultural Shows
Historical information on them is in the Observer,
16 July 1927, page 60d,
27 October 1928, page 8a.
Information on a proposed Institute is in the Chronicle,
12 April 1879, page 22c;
the laying of its foundation stone is reported in the Register,
27 August 1880, page 6d; see
23 February 1881 (supp.), page 1f for its opening; also see
25 October 1883, page 7b.
The opening of the Institute Hall is reported on
14 October 1905, page 4g.
A photograph of the Institute committee is in the Chronicle,
16 September 1905, page 28.
A picnic and sports day is described in the Chronicle,
10 April 1880, page 25e,
Register,
14 April 1882 (supp.), page 1e,
Chronicle,
31 March 1883, page 9b,
29 September 1883, page 7c,
19 April 1884, page 9b,
16 April 1887, page 22d,
10 January 1891, page 9c,
8 April 1893, page 15a.
"The Wants of Minlaton" is in the Register,
18 April 1882 (supp.), page 1c.
-
The want of a suitable post office and telegraph
station was mentioned and it was resolved to call
the attention of the government to the necessity
of increased accommodation at the present offices.
In connection with these buildings it was pointed
out that although £7,500 had been realised
by the sale of the township, yet the only public
building there was the school - and that was paid
out of a loan - and a tin box 8x10 for the imprisonment
of offenders, on which the sum of £150 was
spent and a local contractor stated he would erect
two stone cells for less money. The post office and
telegraph station was a three roomed cottage, and
was crowded when six persons were assembled in the
lobby...
11 April 1885, page 35a.
Also see South Australia - Banking and Finance - Banking - Building and Friendly Societies.
A proposal to form a council is discussed in the Advertiser,
29 October 1885, page 6f.
A photograph of council members is in the Observer,
27 April 1907, page 30.
Also see South Australia - Miscellany - Local Government.
A history of the town and photographs are in the Observer,
3 July 1926, page 32,
Chronicle,
15 September 1932, pages 37 and 43.
The town is described in the Observer,
24 July 1886, page 34c,
Advertiser,
22 July 1886, page 7d,
Register,
2 May 1904, page 3b,
29 June 1926, page 14.
Photographs are in the Observer,
21 October 1905, page 30,
Chronicle,
9 December 1911, page 32,
17 January 1935, page 36.
The Register of 9 July 1888 at page 3g reports that:
-
Since the removal of the [police] trooper larrikinism has become rampant, windows have been broken, gates unhinged and horses turned adrift, lampless vehicles are becoming the rule...
A proposed hospital is discussed in the Register,
27 August 1903, page 7h,
Observer,
29 August 1903, page 1c (supp.);
its opening of the hospital is reported in the Register,
24 August 1905, page 7f;
Register,
4 August 1906, page 8c,
8 September 1906, page 8h,
Observer,
19 June 1909, page 18d,
15 October 1910, page 17d;
photographs are in the Chronicle,
11 September 1930, page 35.
The opening of the Institute hall is reported in the Observer,
21 October 1905, page 49a.
Edward Correll's farm is described in the Register,
27 September 1906, page 6e and
Joseph Nankivell's on
29 September 1906, page 5f.
An obituary of Mrs W. Correll is in the Register,
16 August 1919, page 8h.
The destruction of Long's mill by fire is reported in the Observer,
5 January 1907, page 14a.
Biographical details of "Granny" Williams are in the Observer,
5 October 1907, page 44a.
Biographical details of John Cudmore are in the Register,
11 April 1911, page 10e.
The golden wedding of Mr & Mrs T.C. Mathews is reported in the Register,
22 February 1912, page 4h.
Biographical details of W.R. Trehearne are in the Observer,
22 April 1916, page 28c,
of Mrs Elizabeth Williams on 21 January 1919, page 6h.
The golden wedding of Mr & Mrs Thomas Giles is reported in the Register,
25 February 1920, page 6i.
The golden wedding of Mr & Mrs F.H. Tonkin is reported in the Observer,
7 April 1928, page 34c.
Water obtained from Herring's Well is discussed in the Observer,
12 December 1908, page 56a.
"From Farming to Flying" is in the Observer,
20 March 1915, page 15a.
"Flight to Minlaton - Captain Butler Crosses the Gulf" is in the Chronicle,
9 August 1919, page 29; also see
16 August 1919, page 30,
13 September 1919, page 41,
"Minlaton Aeroplane Smash" in the Observer,
14 January 1922, page 30b;
photographs are in the Chronicle,
21 January 1922, page 28.
Also see South Australia - Transport - Aeroplanes and Place Names - Hendon
Photographs of the opening of St Benedict's Parish Hall are in the Observer,
17 October 1925, page 33.
A jubilee of the Methodist church is reported in the Register,
1 March 1928, page 15h.
The town's jubilee is reported in The News,
18 October 1928, page 17d.
Minlaton - Obituaries
An obituary of W. Long is in the Observer, 16 May 1903, page 34d,
of G.A.C. Goldner on 15 September 1906, page 1a (supp.),
of Mrs Martha Langlois on 28 August 1909, page 40a,
of D.G. Teichelmann on 24 February 1912, page 41a,
of Dr A.W. Hart on 30 November 1912, page 41b,
of Mrs Mary A. Evens on 8 December 1917, page 30d,
of Mrs Elizabeth Williams on 11 October 1919, page 30e.
An obituary of Emmanuel Treasure is in the Register, 3 July 1907, page 7b,
of Rev Henry Chester on 20 October 1908, page 5b,
of Mr Swincer on 6 March 1909, page 6d,
of Mrs Martha Langlois on 21 August 1909, page 13e,
of D.G. Teichelmann on 20 February 1912, page 4g,
of Dr A.W. Hart on 26 November 1912, page 6i,
of Mrs Stephen Rogers on 7 March 1913, page 7b,
of Mrs Anna Tilbrook on 4 November 1913, page 8a,
of Robert Newbold on 30 March 1916, page 4f,
of George Hilfers on 25 October 1917, page 6h,
of Mrs Mary A. Evens on 4 December 1917, page 6g,
of Mrs Elizabeth Chester on 7 August 1919, page 6h,
of T.C. Matthews on 26 August 1919, page 4g,
of Mrs James Trott on 13 November 1920, page 9a,
of James Cook and Mrs Sarah J. Illman on 6 September 1923, page 8h,
of James Trott on 15 December 1923, page 13f.
An obituary of Henry W. Martin is in the Observer, 10 February 1923, page 35b,
of James Trott on 22 December 1923, page 43b,
of George Sparrow on 4 July 1925, page 45c,
of Alexander McKenzie on 5 September 1925, page 45a,
of Simon Vanstone on 19 June 1926, page 38c,
of John Nankivell on 21 May 1927, page 28d.
An obituary of Joseph Phillips is in the Register, 16 June 1924, page 8h,
of Alexander McKenzie on 29 August 1925, page 8h,
of Mrs Mary Mumford on 26 November 1925, page 12e,
of F.S.E. Russ on 2 February 1926, page 8g,
of Mrs Mary A. Whyte on 16 December 1927, page 8h,
of Thomas Giles on 30 August 1928, page 15b.
Minchin Well - Mobilong
M
Place Names
Minnipa
Nomenclature
The name was applied by the Aborigines to a hill in the vicinity. Possibly derived from the root word mina - 'eye'.
General Notes
The town and district are described in the Register,
30 June 1916, page 7c,
28 and 29 April 1926, pages 10c and 13a,
18 May 1926, page 7 and
its Experimental Farm on
14 June 1919, page 9a,
12 May 1922, page 4f,
Observer,
21 March 1925, page 8c,
26 July 1919, page 4b,
21 March 1925, page 8c,
Advertiser,
22 September 1925, page 12c,
11 November 1925, page 19d,
Register,
15 March 1927, page 12g.
- Minnipa is a small township which owes its prominence to the government experimental farm. Apart from the hotel it has an institute, general store, boarding house and a barber's shop. A police station with two officers, several railway cottages and one or two houses constitutes the remainder of the township. At present a camp of workers is employed on the construction of a large water storage tank and in laying pipe lines... At the hotel there is a wireless set. The Adelaide Post Office chimes and the striking of the hours could be heard plainly each night as if one were in King William Street. The telephone service leaves much to be desired. There is only one main line to Port Lincoln. This is down two or three times a week... A telegram sent from Adelaide on a Saturday booking accommodation at the hotel for the Sunday, did not reach the addressee until the following Wednesday...
"Trip to Minnipa - Poor Train Facilities" is in The News,
5 March 1927, page 4e.
Also see South Australia - Transport - Railways - Miscellany.
"The Minnipa Tank - A White Elephant" is in the Advertiser,
21 April 1928, page 17f; also see
6 March 1929, page 19g.
A photograph is in the Chronicle,
29 January 1927, page 37,
Register,
4 August 1927, page 8f,
11 and 25 November 1927, pages 11g and 13d.
Also see South Australia - Water Conservation.
An editorial headed "Succour for Minnipa" is in The Mail,
24 November 1928, page 2c.
Photographs of the experimental farm are in the Chronicle,
24 October 1929, page 36.
Minchin Well - Mobilong
M
Place Names
Minno Creek
The former name of the Long Gully railway station was Minno; see Advertiser,22 August 1912, page 8g.
Minchin Well - Mobilong
M
Place Names
Mintabie
About 300 km from Oodnadatta;a photograph of an opal prospector's camp is in the Chronicle,
26 April 1934, page 38.
Minchin Well - Mobilong
M
Place Names
Mintaro
Nomenclature
Much has been written on the nomenclature of the town and Professor N.B. Tindale, the noted anthropologist, says it derives from mintinadlu - 'netted water'; the Aborigines used nets to trap emus and other creatures. Mr Thomas Goode, formerly of Canowie, gave credence to this suggestion when he said: 'the blacks called the area 'mintadloo' but I don't know what it means.'
General Notes
The Register of 4 June 1851, page 2e says:
- The town is prospering. Dr Brown has accepted a contract for building a school house at his own expense and has also contracted for the erection of a pound. The attention, comfort and admirable arrangements of mine host of the Magpie and Stump receive praise from all travellers.
8 October 1853, page 3e;
its opening is reported on
23 May 1867, page 3g,
Information on it and a Catholic chapel is in the Register,
15 October 1858, page 3c and
a Primitive Methodist chapel on
10 February 1860, page 3c; see
3 January 1861, page 2h for its opening.
A proposed agricultural society is reported in the Register,
29 October 1857, page 3g,
Observer,
31 October 1857, page 3g.
Also see South Australia - Agricultural, Floricultural & Horticultural Shows .
A Show is reported upon in the Farm & Garden,
10 March 1859, page 160,
Chronicle,
16 March 1867, page 3c (supp.),
The Irish Harp,
6 April 1872, page 3d; also see
Register,
7 March 1874, page 6d,
Observer,
11 March 1876, page 6b,
Register,
18 November 1881, page 6f,
4 November 1884, page 6h,
3 November 1885, page 7f and
22 October 1883, page 6d for a flower show.
"Great Doings at Mintaro" is in the Chronicle,
18 September 1858, page 4c.
A meeting in respect of a proposed district council is reported in the Observer,
4 December 1858, page 4g.
Also see South Australia - Miscellany - Local Government.
A bazaar is reported upon in the Register,
2 March 1859, page 3d.
A ploughing match is reported in the Register,
4 August 1860, page 2e,
3 September 1863, page 3f
7 September 1865, page 3f and
a musical festival on
9 October 1860, page 3f.
Also see South Australia - Industries - Rural, Primary and Secondary - Ploughing Matches.
Its first horse race meeting is reported in the Chronicle,
31 December 1859, page 2e; also see
Register,
12 and 20 February 1861, pages 3f and 2h,
Express,
9 December 1864, page 3d,
17 June 1871, page 3d,
The Irish Harp,
16 May 1873, page 6b.
Also see South Australia - Sport - Pigeon Racing and Shooting.
A music festival is reported in the Observer,
13 October 1860, page 4a (supp.).
Also see South Australia - Entertainment and the Arts - Music.
The laying of the foundation stone of a new police station is reported in the Advertiser,
31 August 1867, page 3d.
Also see South Australia - Police.
The Mintaro Friendly Societies' Picnic was held "on Mr Daniel Brady's paddock about two miles north of Mintaro" -
see Register, 11 March 1871, page 7a.
According to records in the Department of Education its school opened circa 1861;
the Mintaro Station School opened in 1885 and closed in 1903.
See Register,
19 December 1855, page 3h,
15 October 1858, page 4c for information on a school and churches.
A proposed school at Mintaro Railway is discussed in the Observer,
18 November 1911, page 17b.
Information on slate production is in the Chronicle,
12 October 1867, page 3e (supp.).
Also see South Australia - Industries - Rural, Primary and Secondary - Building Stone.
A banquet to Thompson Priest, the founder of the slate quarries, is reported in the Observer,
5 July 1879, page 3d.
A history of "the old quarry" is in the Register,
8 June 1907, page 6c.
"Mintaro Slate" is in the Register,
11 June 1910, page 3a.
"Finest Slate in the World" is in the Register,
24 January 1914, page 17d; also see
30 and 31 January 1914, pages 3f and 11f,
Observer,
16 March 1912, page 18b;
photographs and other information are in The Critic,
4 February 1914, pages 16 and 17.
"Mintaro Slate - How an Industry Has Developed" is in The Mail,
24 January 1914, page 19c; also see
The News,
29 May 1931, page 11c.
A Friendly Society picnic is reported in the Observer,
11 March 1871, page 6e and
on Mr Fry's paddock in the Chronicle,
7 April 1877, page 10f.
A cricket match against Hanson is reported in the Chronicle,
15 November 1873, page 4g.
Also see South Australia - Sport - Cricket - Miscellany.
A description of the flooding of the town is in the Register,
17 January 1874, page 7a.
The town is described in the Advertiser,
30 September 1886, page 7b,
Chronicle,
8 October 1892, page 13b,
Register,
24 October 1903, page 8h.
Also see South Australia - Natural Disasters - Floods.
A concert at the hotel is reported in the Farmers Weekly Messenger,
2 April 1875, page 6.
A conflagration at the hotel is reported in the Observer,
30 July 1904, page 1a (supp.).
A meeting called to consider the erection of a council chamber and institute is reported in the Register,
7 March 1877, page 5g; also see
Observer,
9 February 1878, page 19e.
The laying of the foundation stone of the Institute is reported in the Register,
6 February 1878 (supp.), page 1a.
Information on Martindale Hall is in the Register,
16 December 1880, page 6c.
A sketch is in Frearson's Weekly,
30 October 1880, page 533,
Advertiser, 5 May 1937, page 8c.
A photograph of the committee of the Martindale Racing Club is in The Critic,
16 February 1910, page 10.
Its goldfield is described in the Register,
13 August 1892, page 6d,
22 February 1893, page 5a, Also see South Australia - Mining - Gold.
its quarry on
13 August 1895, page 7f and
slate quarries on
15 August 1898, page 6a.
"A Visit to St Andrews" is in the Register,
13 August 1895, page 6a.
Information on the estate of James Sampson Torr is in the Observer,
9 February 1895, page 31d.
A Boer War memorial tablet is reported upon in the Register,
15 August 1903, page 9c.
Also see South Australia - The Boer War.
"The Divining Rod" is in the Register,
3 June 1907, page 6e.
Also see South Australia - Miscellany - Water Divining and Rain Making.
Biographical details of W.E. Giles are in the Register,
20 August 1908, page 4i.
Reminiscences of George McLeish are in the Observer,
13 May 1916, page 42c.
Biographical details of George McLeish are in the Register,
5 May 1916, page 5c,
of Mrs Mary Lloyd in the Observer,
26 June 1926, page 38b.
"The Mintaro Railway" is in the Register,
23 August 1911, page 6d.
A complaint from citizens concerning the change of name of its railway station to Merilden (sic) is reported in the Register,
20 March 1917, page 5d.
Also see South Australia - Transport - Railways - Miscellany.
Reminiscences of George McLeish are in the Observer,
13 May 1916, page 42c.
A photograph of "old" residents is in the Chronicle,
12 November 1936, page 32.
Mintaro - Obituaries
An obituary of Mrs J.G. Henschke is in the Register, 12 February 1908, page 4h,
of Edward Trelaggan on 1 and 2 February 1919, pages 4f and 4f,
of John Tickle on 3 January 1920, page 6h.
An obituary of William Martin is in the Observer, 6 May 1916, page 33c,
of Edward Tralaggan on 4 January 1919, page 33b,
of W.E. Giles on 25 August 1923, page 39c,
of George Scarfe on 11 August 1928, page 49b.
Minchin Well - Mobilong
M
Place Names
Minvalara
Nomenclature
The name of a dam on a local property.
General Notes
The school closed in 1960.
Minchin Well - Mobilong
M
Place Names
Minyara
Its school opened in 1928 and became "Cobera" in 1928.
Minchin Well - Mobilong
M
Place Names
Miranda
Nomenclature
It would appear that Governor Jervois applied this name to commemorate the visit of the 'Queen's Ship' HMS Miranda to South Australia.
General Notes
See Register,
17 and 19 January 1881, pages 4f and 5b,
4, 5 and 12 December 1882, pages 6d, 4g and 5a,
Express,
11 December 1882, page 3e.
The visitors to the Queen's ship,Miranda, were favoured with magnificent weather and the courtesy of the people on board was equal to all other cases where the white ensign flies from the peak. The visitors were shown over the vessel by guides and much interest was manifested in her equipment and appointments...
M
Place Names
Mitchell Flat
Nomenclature
The Register, 11 June 1895, page 5 says:
-
Mr Thomas Nelson Mitchell, a very old colonist, and better known in the early days as 'Old T.N.', died at the Kapunda Hospital on Friday. He at one time lived at Mitchell's Flat, somewhere westward of Woodside, and was, we believe, in the service of the South Australian Company... Of late years he had been living on the charity of the Anlaby Estate and had been cared for by the late and present managers, Mr H.T. Morris and Mr P.M. Miller, by whom he was very kindly treated.
General Notes
The Register of
6 and 10 January 1852, pages 3c and 2e reports a gold discovery there by T. Mitchell;
however, this place would appear to be on the Echunga goldfield and not relate to the Lenswood area.
An editorial re the Mitchell Flat near Echunga is in the Register,
12 June 1855, page 2e; also see
Observer,
6 September 1856, page 7h.
Thomas N. Mitchell's obituary is in the Register, 11 June 1895, page 5b -
he lived "west of Woodside" on Mitchell Flat in the employ of the SA Company.
Minchin Well - Mobilong
M
Place Names
Mitchell Springs
A Rabbit Preserving Works at this place near Julia Creek, "20 miles from Kapunda" is described in the Advertiser,9 July 1877, page 5f. Also see South Australia - Flora and Fauna - Rabbits.
- Hearing that a new industry was in full work... we paid a visit to the scene of the operations at Mitchell's Springs, near Julia Creek, half a mile from the Kapunda and North-West Bend Railway line... Over 1,000 rabbits a day are brought in... chiefly by trappers and neighbouring farmers. Some of the settlers who engaged in carting material to the railway works bring in a few dozen rabbits with them... An order was received from by the last mail from England for 24,000 lbs., equal to about 12 tons in freight... Thirty-one hands are employed, besides 20 regular trappers...
M
Place Names
Mitchell, Hundred of
Nomenclature
S.J. Mitchell, MP (1901-1910). Born at Mount Barker in 1852 he became an auctioneer and settled at Port Augusta, serving the town as a councillor and finally Mayor. He left the district in the 1880s to study law, receiving his degree in 1889. He served for a time as Attorney-General in the Peake Ministry, resigning to take up the position of Government Resident and Judge in the Northern Territory. He returned to Adelaide and was appointed Special Magistrate at Port Pirie and in 1915 became Police Magistrate at Port Adelaide, finally becoming the Commissioner of Insolvency and Special Magistrate of the Adelaide Local Court:
General Notes
Also see South Australia - Politics.
The district is described in the Advertiser,
31 July 1906, page 7g,
1 September 1906, page 11d,
Chronicle,
13 October 1906, page 44d.
- The recent allotment of the Hundred of Mitchell found Mr Bishop one of the successful applicants for more land... The keen interest taken in the subject of available land in these parts is first brought under notice here, and examination of the latest Government Gazette keeps conversation centred on the land... As the future of the this Hundred is dependent upon the plough, the small sheep farmers who hold land along the limestone and sheaoak, which for several miles separate Kiana from Mitchell, and to whom these new blocks in the Mitchell mallee and salt lake country have been allotted, will practically have to start de noxo and grow wheat before they can hope to grow grass...
Minchin Well - Mobilong
M
Place Names
Mitchell Park
Nomenclature
Richard Mitchell who was born at Parkside in 1859 and became the proprietor of the well known removalist firm.
General Notes
An obituary of Richard Mitchell is in the Register,
21 March 1922, page 6i.
Minchin Well - Mobilong
M
Place Names
Mitchellville
Nomenclature
John Mitchell, an early settler.
General Notes
The district is described in the Observer,
1 December 1906, page 14a.
- The Mitchellville Post Office is at this homestead [Mr J. Liebich]. Mr Mitchell of Kadina owns a large area of land in the vicinity under the management of Mr K.W. Gwynne...
9 July 1931, page 32,
of school children tending a garden on
27 August 1931, page 34,
of the school and students on
12 January 1933, page 34.
Minchin Well - Mobilong
M
Place Names
Moana
Nomenclature
A Maori word meaning 'blue sea', applied following a competition promoted by the subdividers, Lake Beach Estate Ltd, in 1928. 'Boon Boona Beach' was selected as the original winning entry, but a later recommendation changed it to 'Moana'.
General Notes
"Naming a New Town" is in The Mail,
22 January 1927, page 1g,
"New Seaside Resort" is in the Observer,
26 November 1927, page 54c.
Background information on the subdivision is in the Register,
21 November 1927, page 11a,
26 January 1928, page 5b.
A photograph is in the Chronicle,
14 July 1928, page 42,
Observer,
9 February 1929, page 38.
- History was made in the district of Noarlunga... when a large and representative gathering witnessed the laying of the foundation stone for the first building to be erected on the beach at Moana... A company called Lake Beach Estate Limited was formed and its labours represent the first determined effort in South Australia to develop such an area along garden city planning lines...
21 November 1927, pages 10 and 11a.
"Hotel for Moana" is in the Register,
5 and 7 December 1928, pages 13a and 15 (sketch).
A photograph of male topless bathers is in The News,
20 January 1936, page 12.
This practice was forbidden on other suburban beaches at the time; also see
25 January 1936, page 5g.
Also see Adelaide - Beaches and Bathing.
Its school opened in 1980.
Minchin Well - Mobilong
M
Place Names
Mobilong
Nomenclature
A corruption of the Aboriginal mupulawangk - 'soft reed place'; reeds along the river bank were used in the making of coiled baskets.
General Notes
The Register of 11 February 1858 (supp.) mentions "Mopolong Paddock" in the vicinity.
The Hundred of Mobilong School opened in 1883 and closed in 1942;
Mobilong East School operated from 1887 until 1908;
Mobilong South School opened in 1928 and closed in 1942;
Mobilong West School opened in 1904 and became "Temora" in 1907.
In respect of the "private" town the Register of 12 March 1884 at page 8d says:
-
It adjoins the station because the natural features of the country would not allow the government to place the station on their own township about a quarter of a mile distant.
(Also see Register,
10 February 1885, page 6g,
Chronicle,
1 August 1885, page 7a.)
3 November 1909, page 6e.
"Reclaiming Swamps" is in the Observer,
14 May 1910, page 25d.
Photographs are in the Observer,
9 July 1910, page 30.
- Kindly allow me to place before the public the difficulties under which the settlers of the Mobilong reclaimed area labour. Every scribe who has chanced to come along has described the wonderful capabilities of the land, probably viewing it from riverside and forgetting altogether to view the back blocks abutting on the dry land..., but should the existing conditions continue it will be more likely that the settlers will lose their capital and finally come to the government for relief. A cruel injustice is being done to hardworking, industrious body of settlers... A good number on the interior blocks are men who have passed the prime of life and are endeavouring with their savings to make a home and old-age pension of their own.