Australian Town and Country Journal at KellyGang 25/9/1875

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ALBURY

September 18

The residents of Wodonga are agitating for separation from the government of the municipal shire of Yackandandah. On Friday evening last a public meering was held at Wodonga on the subject, at which the following resolution was passed:- "That as great diversity of interests exists in the Shire Council or Yackandandah, causing much bitterness and ill-feeling among the residents of this district, and rendering harmonious working for the general good impossible, this meeting is of opinion that steps should be taken to have the tract of country on the north and north-eastern portion of the said shire separated from it and formed into a separate municipality." A memorial, very numerously signed was then read, petitioning for the separation, and a committee appointed to present the same to the hon. the Commissioner of Railways and Roads, and to take what, other steps they might deem necessary in the matter. The Wodonga people seem sanguine of success, although there is every probability of much opposition being met with from the residents of Yackandandah and district, who are much against the movement. The petition will be presented this week and numbers are anxiously awaiting the result, as it is a question which deeply affects their interests.

The new Congregational Church, which has just been completed, was formally opened on Sunday last, when the Rev John Legge, MA, preached the opening services assisted by Mr Fry, the resident minister. Hitherto the Congregationalists have had no church of their own, but through the courtesy of the Police Magistrate, Captain Brownrigg, they have been in the habit of assembling in the court-house every Sabbath for Divine worship. The new church, which is a neat unpretending little brick building, which does not lay any claim to architectural display or any unnecessary adornment, will cost something like £800, including the price of the land on which it is built. On Monday evening the Rev. Mr Legge, an orator of ability and eloquence, delivered a lecture on "The World at the Bottom of the Sea," on behalf of the building fund. The rev gentlemen handled the subject in a masterly manner which proved his thorough acquaintance with it, and elicited loud demonstrations of applause. A soiree, under the auspices of the same denomination, was held on Tuesday evening, at which addresses were delivered by several gentlemen from Melbourne and elsewhere, and the whole affair passed off with great success.

Albury will seem be inundated with literature. Already we have three local journals, and judging from the way the editors abuse one another, other devoting half a column for that purpose, it does not appear as if they were overburdened with news. Notwithstanding that state of affairs however, the prospectus of a new bi-weekly journal, the INDEPENDENT PRESS has just been issued. I understand that this paper is the defunct FORBES FREE PRESS, which died a natural death after the first three issues, and the enterprising proprietor intends resuscitating it under a new title in the Federal city.

Shearing has commenced on the Billabong, but has not yet become general. On Monday last the first consignment of wool of the season passed through Albury, consisting of 131 bales from Broonong and Coonong stations of the estimated value of £3103 10s. It is said that, the value of wool exported this season from this district to Melbourne will exceed £750.000.

"Spelling Bees” are becoming the rage on the Border. Last evening the first of a series of these entertainments was held in the Mechanics' Institute here, and passed off very successfully. Over twenty competitors had a try for the prize (£2), amongst whom was a fair sprinkling of the softer sex. The first prize was eventually won alter a hard struggle by Mr. Huff', who proved himself an adept in the orthographic art, and gained great applause. Miss Quinn, recently from Sydney, carried off the second prize. value £1 10s.

Street tree-planting has been commenced here, the town clerk. Mr Mudge, having set the example by planting two fine young trees in front of his private residence. It is to be hoped that his example will be emulated by many others, as the appearance of the town would be greatly improved thereby.

A new gold field, said to be of a rich character, has been discovered on the other side of the Murray, somewhere on the Mitta Mitta, but the precise locality is kept a secret for the present.


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