Australian Town and Country Journal at KellyGang 7/9/1872 (9)
The cedar pews (Gothic) polished, in keeping with the design of the roof, give the interior a pleasing character. The handsome Gothic cedar pulpit was presented by H O M'Cormack, Esq. The finish of those internal fitting brings out the remarkable independence of some of these townships in the interior of the country; and show that skilled labour is at hand when any work of a superior character is projected, The beautiful stained glass windows were made in Adelaide, and reflect great credit on the designer. The western window is emblematic of the crucifixion, under which is inscribed the words, "Looking for that Blessed Hope.” The contracts for the church were satisfactorily executed by Messrs Wright and Cummings. In connection with the church there is a Sunday school attended by 90 scholars, and nine teachers, at the head of which is the indefatigable clergyman, Mr Cocks.
The Roman Catholic Church (the Rev Father Ryan, incumbent), a brick building on stone foundation, is new in course of completion. The dimensions of the building are 45 feet by 18 feet; and the spirelet will be 45 feet high. The total cost of the building will be £700. Mr Webber is the contractor. The foundation stone was laid in the month of June, 1871, by the Right Rev Dr Quinn, Bishop of Bathurst. The sum of £120 was laid on the stone. The church was dedicated to St Francis Xavier. The windows are being prepared by Mr E Brooks of Adelaide ; and are all the gifts of the members of the congregation. The works are being carried on under the supervision of Mr Peter A Dunne as honorary clerk of the works.
There is no Presbyterian or Wesleyan places of worship. Services of these denominations are hold in the Court-house.
The Wentworth Public School is in a flourishing condition, under the charge of Mr and Mrs Thomas Alcock. It is built of brick, and was completed at a I cost of ,£1200. The large school-room is 50 feet long and 14 feet wide; and the class-room is 16 by 16 ½ feet. The number of children on the roll is 84, and the average attendance is 55. Messrs W L Richardson, PM, W Crozier, A M'Clymont, W Holding, John Moody, Peter Weltie, and J T Smith are the members of the local board.
A fine large building in the principal street (Darling street) was formerly used as the Commercial Bank, but it was closed at the time of my visit. A branch of the Australian Joint Stock Bank has since been opened in the town, under the management of Mr Kirkman.
There are many fine hotels in Wentworth. One of these, the Crown, which I put up at, is excellently conducted by Mr W Gunn. The spacious building is of brick, containing nearly 30 rooms, beside a fine billiard room fitted with two tables, &c. Large brick stables are in the rear. Mr Gunn is the owner of several steamers, the finest of which is the Queen. He had the pleasure of entertaining Prince Alfred on board this steamer, in Lake Alexandrina on his visit to Adelaide, and for this he received a special acknowledgement. Another good hotel is the Royal, carried on by Mr Felgate. It is a large brick building, having a spacious, and well-constructed; including capital billiard-saloon, and concert-room. The stables are also very good. Among the other hotels are the Wentworth, the Race-course, and the Duke of Edinburgh.
The stores and warehouses, on a par with the hotels, are also remarkable for their great size-greater than any other in Riverina. Near the Crown are the fine brick stores of Mr E Geyer. Huge departments of drapery, grocery, ironmongery, open and in bulk, are here; and Mr Goyer also includes the business of chemist and druggist with his other branches of trade.
Another large store having a brick front, though a galvanized iron building, is under the management of Henry Williams, as executor of the late Mr James Price. A very large stock of goods is also kept here. Opposite the Crown is a third large brick store, formerly carried on by Mr Stone, but now about to pass into the hands of Mr Williams.
On the wharf reserve there are a number of large buildings, amongst which are the long-room of the Custom-house: the Bonded and the Free stores; and the wholesale stores of Mr W Gunn, of the Crown Inn.
In the afternoon of the day following my arrival, Mr Richardson drove me about the suburbs of the town, and I had an opportunity of seeing a piece of wasteful expenditure of public funds in the shape of a number of embankments crossing lagoons, which in flood-time are submerged by the river water. The unsatisfactory character of the "improvements" is not the only complaint, for a greater evil is that the work is left unfinished; and the town approaches, consequently, well-nigh impassable. After inspecting this, Mr Richardson drove me to the junction of the Darling with the Murray river, half a mile below the town. The scenery about here is rather picturesque, although flat. The two large rivers move along for some distance with only a narrow strip of forest between them; and when they do meet, the waters of ,the Darling being slightly coloured show that they do not at once mix, but the two bodies glide along side by side for about half a mile. The combined rivers at the auction, are 500 yards across.
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