Australian Town and Country Journal at KellyGang 8/6/1872 (2)
Echuca is boastfully called by its admirers "the Chicago of Victoria," and it is unquestionably a thriving township. The sole secret of its success lies in the fact of its having a few really good townsmen who evidence a spirit of generous rivalry in the improvement of their town. From villages to countries the same remark applies, and in the scores of districts I have visited in the several colonies of Australia many evidences have been afforded of the truth of this. Travellers can point out many districts with much undeveloped wealth, and resources almost deserted for the want of a few leading minds whose example would be contagious with others. With this bit of preliminary moralizing, it would be necessary to give a few stubborn facts in order to establish my case in regard to Echuca.
The Echuca and Moama crossing-place was a few years ago better known as Hopwood's Ferry to a large number of travellers, principally with stock for the Victoria markets. The Echuca township has now a population of 1600. It is under the management of a good municipal body. In the town there arc twenty eight public-house, about a dozen stores, one Public or common school, four private schools, four churches, and three settled clergymen, a court-house and municipal chambers, two banks, extensive wharfs, storing and bonded wharehouse, railway station houses, and several good private residences.
In the way of employment for labour, there is the Riverine Meat Preserving Company employing 100 men, the Echuca saw mills having 160 men employed, beside the trade arising from a number of steamers and barges. Blair and Growther's, and Whitely and Cole's, and Mr Robert Barbour's steam saw mill also employ a large number of men. There is an extensive tannery, and the celebrated Echuca vineyard among the other industries.
With this brief outline of the industrial features of Echuca I will give a more minute description of my observations of the town and district.
On the evening of my arrival I accepted a warm invitation from Mr Henry Luth, the mayor of Echuca, who gave a champagne supper, and invited the leading townsmen to meet me as representative of the Town and Country Journal. Among those present were Mr James Shackles, JP, Mr Bulchart, Mr Pascoe, Mr Maunsell, PM, the bank manager, and other gentle men. A very pleasant evening was spent, and arrangements were made for a week's pleasure in showing me over Echuca and the district. With some difficulty I got them lo reduce the time to two days.
On the following morning we visited the principal churches, schools, and public buildings. The Church of England, of brick, is not quite finished, but when completed will be a very handsome edifice. In connection with the church there is a good parsonage. The Rev Mr M'Causland is the officiating minister. The Roman Catholic Church, also of brick, is a neat substantial building. It is visited by the Rev Father O'Connell, of Sandhurst. The Wesleyans, one would imagine, were very strong in Echuca, judging by the fact of their having the best edifice as a church. It is a very hand some brick building, with bountiful interior, well fitted up with carved wooden pews, polished. Around the building there is now being erected an iron fence; and a compact and pretty residence for the minister is close at hand. The Rev Mr Horsley is in charge of the Wesleyan body. The Presbyterian church, a brick building, is a plain substantial edifice in course of enlargement. The Rev Mr Johnston is the minister.
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