Australian Town and Country Journal at KellyGang 18/5/1872 (2)
Wahgunyah, a Victorian town, has a population of 500, I should imagine. It has crooked ill arranged streets, but a few good buildings. The principal street Foord street. These large buildings to our right and left are Foord's buildings, and steam flour mills. The post and telegraph offices arc good brick structures in a pleasing style of architecture. Here I ? found out that I was at liberty to send a telegraphic message of ten words to any part of Victoria for 1s and I accordingly invested in a few shillings worth to the most distant parts of the colony. It is almost certain that such a system in New South Wales would greatly be taken advantage of, and our revenue would be increased. On the uniform principle (as a uniform 2d postage rate) telegrams should be so charged throughout the colony.
Opposite the telegraph office, Wahgunyah, there is a splendid brick building, the Empire Hotel, the property of Mr Camille Reau. It is two storeys high, and the pavement being wide, the balcony spans it to the roadway. Covered with a nice awning the balcony is a favourite retreat for visitors on warm summer days. The hotel has s good reputation for table, and general comfort and convenience. On the opposite corner of another street is the Bank of Victoria, under the management of Mr J F Daniell. It is the only bank for two townships and a large amount of business is transacted. Proceeding down the streets and passing a few good stores, and the residence of Dr Peele, the medical gentlemen of the town and district, we turned to the right and came to a huge brick building, the Corowa and Wahgunyah Wine Company's cellars. Though the building was not quite finished, wine storing was already going on. The subject of the company, as far as I can ascertain, was to store must, and make the wine, bought from the vinegrowers in the district.
Among the private residences which add, to the appearance of Corowa, are Mr E W Bayliss's and Mr Daniell's. From the former, situated on an eminence, a good view of the surrounding country, including Rutherglen, a township in Victoria, was seen; the latter was built for a parsonage, but is now let to the manager of the Victorian bank.
On the evening of my arrival there was quite a stir in the townships by reason of the members of the Literary Institute giving an amateur entertainment in a room or store, kindly provided for the occasion by Mr Foord. It was the sole topic of conversation then, and for days previous. The room was nicely decorated, coloured lamps were borrowed from the Eliza Jane, a river-boat, and Australian flags were wound round the pillars of the walls. The room was crowded with the principle people of the township, and the representative of the local paper was present; he gave a full account of the performance. As each amateur came forward in character he was recognized by his friends and greeted with a storm of applause, the effect of which was occasionalyr spoiled by his real name being shouted out. The entertainment was a musical and dramatic one, and rather above average merit. The leading performers were Messrs H Levin and J Martin.
The principal vineyards about Corowa and Wahgunyah, are Mr Meyer 's Midarro vineyard, Mr Sangar's Corowa vineyard, and Mr. Camille Reau's Tuilleries vineyard. The Corowa vineyard is about a mile on the Albury side of the town of Corowa. The manager and lessee is Mr. Edward Sangar. Half of it belongs to Mrs. Neill, and Messrs. Aitken and Gray, and the second half to Mr. John Sangar. There are twenty eight acres under vines, planted on slightly sloping ground from the roadside.
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