View source for Australian Town and Country Journal at KellyGang 2/10/1875

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'''ALBURY'''

September 31

During the past twelve months [[Albury|Albury]] has been making colossal strides towards increasing its proportions and importance by building. Since last Christmas a number of handsome buildings have sprung up, adding greatly to the appearance of the town. First may be mentioned the new '''Albury Club Hote'''l, in Dean-street, which is now opened, and which, as signified by its title, is the ‘rendezvous’ of the members of the gentlemen’s club lately started here. This building is scarcely to be surpassed in the metropolis for accommodation, combined with elegance. Next to this is the large and handsome warehouse of Mr W A '''Terrance''', auctioneer, and in close proximity are the new warehouses of Messrs '''O'Callaghan'''. Brothers, a commodious shop has been built for Mr '''Loebel''', draper, is Kiewa-street, next to the Oddfellows' Hall, which is also a new building.

But while the business part of our population have been so busy they have not neglected cures as well as warehouse extension - no less than three new '''churches''' has been built - one for the Independents, which was opened last week, another for the Wesleyan denomination, which is nearly completed, and a third for the Episcopalians, which is expected to be finished by the end of the present year. The Catholic portion of the community have added to their convent by building an additional wing for the accommodation of the increasing number of boarders.

I had almost, forgotten to mention the new '''police-barracks''' which is nearly completed situated on the market reserve; but, if the truth must be told, it is scarcely worthy of mention, for a more unsightly mass of brick and mortar was certainly never put together before. I am not aware in whose fertile imagination the idea of its architectural embellishment originated, but, whoever he may be, it reflects very little credit on his knowledge of the ornamental, or even of the serviceable part of his profession. Several new buildings will be commenced a tan early date. St Patrick’s hall a new Presbyterian Church amongst them, both situated in Smellett street.

As an illustration of the rising value of land here it may be mentioned that at a Grown land sale held in the Court-house on Tuesday last, a suburban allotment sold at the rate of £10 per acre, the upset price for which a few months ago was £5. There can be no doubt but that these properties will increase iIn value for the next few years, and probably a good deal of money will be mads by land jobbers who are buying up now to resell at an advanced price. There an those, however, who prognosticated that the rising price of township property will culminate when the railway to Sydney is finished, and rapidly decline after that period.

I trust a better fate is in store for the border city, and it is my firm opinion that direct railway communication with Sydney will form the basis of our prosperity as a community, diverting as it will the traffic across the border, and in a great measure severing our commercial intercourse with Victoria and establishing a direct trade with our capital city. Our agriculturists will thus escape all dealings with Victorian protectionists which in itself will give a fresh impetus to cure local industries which are at present languishing under the iron yoke of protection.

During the past week the Federal City has had the honour of a visit, from a pair of distinguished foreigners, the Japanese Commissioners, who came up from the Melbourne Exhibition doubtless with no other object than to gratify their inherent national curiosity. They inspected the vineyards and principal places of business in the district, and returned on Tuesday morning, evidently favourably impressed with what they had seen and the reception they had met with on their first visit to New South Wales.

The weather is remarkably fine and warm, resembling, summer rather than spring, and consequently there is abundance of feed throughout the district, and shearing operations are being proceeded with most successfully. Tempted by the favourable season, several stations have commenced earlier than usual, and it is to be hoped the owners will have no cause to regret, their soire with premature step. The annual rate of wages to shearers this season is 3s 6d per score.

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[[Category:1870s]] [[Category:October 1875]] [[Category:Australian Town and Country Journal]] [[Category:Albury]] [[Category:1875]] [[Category:history]] [[Category:New South Wales]]

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