Australian Town and Country Journal at KellyGang 13/7/1872
WAGGA WAGGA
\THERE are several lawyer's offices in Gurwood-street; then there is the Express Office, and this large brick building is Mr Edmonton's (agent for T H Mate, and Co.), wholesale stores. The pretty vine-covered cottage next to it is the residence of Dr Morgan, and that on the hill side, further on, the residence of Dr Robinson.
The Wagga Wagga Public School is next. It is situated on a slight eminence off the street. First is the teacher's residence, in the modern style of architecture, and in appearance far above the general class of buildings generally erected for teachers. The school, which has only recently been completed, is a first class structure, containing two spacious rooms for boys and girls, and two smaller rooms. It is built of brick, with shingle roof, and cost nearly £2500. Mr A G Jones headed the building list with a munificent gift of £100 towards its erection. The foundation-stone was laid by Sir Alfred Stephen on 4th October, 1871.
The contractor for the building was Mr Charles Hardy, and the work was done in a sound substantial manner. Upwards of 200 children are on the roll. The teaching staff includes Mr P Durie, head master, Miss Galloway, and Master James Daley. The proficiency of the pupils in grammar, arithmetic, geography, and drawing, is very creditable; the discipline maintained - an important element in school teaching - calls for the warmest praise. In going through elementary military discipline, in the grounds previous to marching into school, and before being dismissed, the pupils evidence in a striking manner the effects of training, reflecting credit on Mr Durie and his assistants. The members of the local board are Messrs W C Hunter, H Fitzhardinge, W Love, G Mair, F A Tompson, R Nixon, M M'Arthur, and M Callaghan.
Returning to Fitzmaurice street, where we turned off, this building at the opposite corner to the bank is the general store of Messrs. Bergin, Moxham, and Co. It is a fine building, and contains an immense stock of grocery, ironmongery, wines and spirits, drapery, clothing, &c. A tailor's shop, and Raphnel’s fancy repository came next. On the opposite corner are two immense "quartz reefs," I mean hotels, viz: M'Alister's Cornwall, and the Criterion. The former occupies the corner of the street, and has a fine exterior.
The Criterion Hotel, or "Paxton's," shown in the accompanying engraving, is an extensive and exceedingly well conducted establishment. It contains about thirty-six rooms, all lofty and well constructed. Parlors, bed-rooms, bath-rooms, are on every floor, and opening out from French doors upstairs is a balcony. In the rear are the kitchen, and the stables are beyond. As the Masonic Hall, which I shall presently describe, adjoins the hotel, there is an entrance made at the raar which enables operatic, and other companies, staying at the hotel, to pass in without inconvenience or annoyance to themselves or the audience.
The Criterion is under the management of Mr and Mrs John Clark, who have the reputation of being amongst the most favourite hosts in the colony. They have only recently taken the Criterion, but for years previously carried on the Commercial, and other hotels the town and district; they are therefore bound to receive a good share of public patronage.
Adjoining the Criterion is the Freemasons Hall. This fine building, which has only recently been completed, was erected at a cost of nearly £3000. Mr James Markey was the contractor. The front elevation of the building has no very great claim to architectural beauty, being of simple design, though massive proportions. On the lower story there are two shops, or offices, separated by an arched way cloven feet in width, paved with tiles, and forming the main entrance to the hall. The lodge room, on the story above, is sixteen feet wide, thirty-five feet long, and lighted by three arched windows, opening upon a balcony facing the street. The hall itself is a noble chamber sixty feet long by thirty-feet wide, with a gallery running back from it over the rooms at the rear of the offices, fourteen feet in depth, thus giving a total length of available audience space of seventy-four feet. Beyond the hall again, and opening out from it towards the rear by an arch of nineteen feet span, lies the stage, twenty feet in depth. The roof of the hall is arched, and in the centre it is twenty-five feet above the flooring.
The scenery, just being completed, is most elaborate. The committee spared no expense in obtaining the services of a clever scene painter from the Sydney theatres, Mr J R Sctright. The principal, or drop scene, is almost ns large as that at the Victoria Theatre. The subject is Windsor Castle from the water, and the artist has achieved a decided success in his work. As the Wagga Wagga Lodge of Freemasons only number about forty members, and without outside aid have accomplished this great work, too much credit cannot be given them for their spirited conduct. It is unquestionably the best hall in the colony out of Sydney.
Returning to the opposite side, the next structure that calls for notice is a large brick building, the Pastoral Hotel, kept by Mr A J Monks. Adjoining this is Mr C Wall's large general store, and the office of the Wagga Wagga Advertiser. Further down is the Town and Country Journal agency, and book and stationery warehouse of Mr W C Hunter. Further still is the extensive store of G Forsyth and Co., stock and station agents. Passing another hotel we reach the bridge.
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