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Peninsula Historian Vol 7 #8 August 2014 Page 1
FROM THE EDITOR
I am pleased to advise that Jim Boyce is back home and
recovering from his hospital excursion. However, he is on
light duties and we again wish him well. Our Vice Presi-
dent Phil Colman gives some further thoughts in News and
Views below.
Thank you again to George Champion who has, with the
support of Barbara Davies, supplied two more summaries
of the lives and contributions of former Presidents of the
Society. Thanks also to Merryn Parnell for getting into the
spirit of the Secret Sites and supplying this month’s candi-
date.
Richard Michell
NEWS AND VIEWS
FROM THE VICE PRESIDENT:
I have just had an email from (editor) Richard Michell, to
say that the next Newsletter is ready to go. However, he
does not have a President’s Report, nor details of the next
meeting.
This points out, very clearly, especially to those of us who
make up the executive, just how much we rely on Jim (for
those who don’t know, Jim has had a sojourn in hospital
which took him away from us for over a week) - on the
burrowing everywhere for the next speaker; on the
activities and the inspiration that comes out of his new ,
beloved “Ephemera Room” at Cromer; and most of all on
the sometimes eight days a week that Jim devotes to the
Society. Oh, as well, Jim has a wife currently in intensive
care but who should be out soon.
We (all) need to keep this in mind, and try to find a way to
spread the load. It could be making more effort to supply
articles. Or helping to arrange speakers. Or there are
many things we could do.
Our recent Newsletters have documented the lives and
activities and input from past Presidents. Jim has another
50 years at least, and we must do all we can to help him to
that date.
Phil Colman
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
With Jim’s illness, the Executive has made the decision to
delay this year’s Annual General Meeting. It should have
been held by the 30 June but application has been made
to the Department of Fair Trading (and granted) to delay
it. The accounts have been audited and you will receive
the formal notice in the near future.
The outcome of the inaugral meeting of the Society, as
published in the Sydney Morning Herald of 23 September,
1924, is reproduced below. Please do not roll up at the
Manly Town Hall on a third Thursday.
VOLUME 7 No. 8 August 2014 ISSN 1835-7628
DIARY
August
Date/time: 2pm, Saturday 9th
Venue: Tramshed, Narrabeen
Speaker: David Carment
Topic: Mosman Historical Society
Peninsula Historian Vol 7 #8 August 2014 Page 2
POT POURRI
LIFE-SAVING APPARATUS
On Saturday afternoon [22 November 1879], a trial of “Hu-
me’s Life-Saving Apparatus” was made off Ocean Beach at
Manly. A number of invitations had been issued to influen-
tial persons to be present, and in response, there appeared
on board the steamer Commodore, which was to convey the
passengers, four representatives of the Press, a lieutenant of
the Rhin (?), Professor Hamilton (a friend of the “inventor”),
Mr. Hume himself, and four ladies and two gentlemen friends
of the “man who was going to be thrown overboard.” This,
after waiting half an hour past the advertised time for starting.
A move was at length made and soon the Commodore was
steaming gallantly down the bay, the afternoon being beauti-
fully fine, with a stiff breeze from the south-east. The Heads
were rounded without any of the company on board showing
signs of mal-de-mer and shortly afterwards the Commodore
had taken up a position about three-quarters of a mile from
the shore, and preparations were begun for the trial.
The apparatus is in the shape like unto a Gothic window,
without any “sill”; the sides are constructed of tin, are airtight
and covered with canvas, with canvas bottom, on which the
person to be rescued lies or sits. At one end is an air-tight
drum, and there are two smaller drums at the other.
The steamer’s boat was lowered in case of emergency, and
then the apparatus, with a line attached, was thrown over-
board. The sea was comparatively calm and there was no
surf whatever until within a very short distance of the shore.
The gentleman who was to “experiment”, and who is said to
be a remarkably good swimmer, then made a melancholy
attempt at a joke and plunged into the sea; he was not
“thrown overboard”, and in so far as this was a breach of the
programme, as the advertisement expressly stated that he
was to be “thrown overboard”, there was cause for dissatis-
faction at the very outset.
But feelings of this nature were speedily dispelled by seeing
the position in which Mr. Arthur Daly (for that is said to be
the name of the gentleman who jumped overboard) was
placed. He could not get into the apparatus, as each time he
attempted to do so it turned over; and some alarm was
beginning to be felt by those on the steamer. But the boat
came to the rescue, and, after a little delay, he was sent on
his journey.
The means of propelling the apparatus were two pieces of
wood on each side, fastened together by hinges; these pro-
jected over the end of the apparatus, and connected with the
handles which Mr. Daly worked by a thick wire. When he
pushed, the pieces of wood opened and gave the resisting
power. They, however, proved of very little service and,
shortly after starting, Mr. Daly used his hands. The wind did
more than either to send the apparatus along. The boat kept
him company until he got to the slight break near the beach,
and then returned to the steamer. He was then seen from
the steamer to reach the beach in safety, but whether with
the apparatus or not, could not be discerned by those on
board.
There were about 200 persons on the beach where he land-
ed. The Commodore’s head was then turned homewards,
and in due course she arrived alongside at the Circular Quay.
Transcribed by George Champion from: The Echo, a Sydney
daily evening newspaper, published by Fairfax and Sons,
1875-1893. It cost one penny. Only limited issues are now
available. It is not on Trove.
JAMES MEEHAN
When in the city recently I noticed the fresh-looking statue of
James Meehan in an alcove at near street level on the SE
corner of the Lands Department building. With Meehan’s
close connection to the Northern Beaches via his early sur-
veys, presumably its 2010 addition was reported in the Histo-
rian at the time. In case you missed it, the information from
the Lands Department website is reproduced below (with
some editing as parts of it do not make coherent sense). For
Peninsula Historian Vol 7 #8 August 2014 Page 3
a full and far more readable coverage of Meehan see A most
excellent surveyor, Crossing Press 2004, by Tony Dawson. Ed.
‘11/2010- a new statue of colonial surveyor James Meehan
(1774-1826) was created and placed in an empty niche on
cnr. Loftus/Bent Streets.
Meehan was transported to NSW due to involvement in the
Irish Rebellion of 1798. He arrived in Sydney in 1800 and, as
a teacher and skilled surveyor, was assigned as a servant to
Acting Surveyor-General, Charles Grimes. Within two years
he had been on two major expeditions and, by 1806, had been
conditionally pardoned.
He continued to work on departmental duties and, from
difficult beginnings, rose to be an important colonial
surveyor, explorer and settler, surveying and mapping large
areas of the country. The early towns of Sydney, Parramatta,
Bathurst, Port Macquarie and Hobart were all explored, laid
out and measured by Meehan. Meehan was also associated
with Macquarie Field House, Campbelltown, an early country
estate and farm, separately listed on the NSW State Heritage
Register
The statue was commissioned by the Land & Property
Management Authority to commemorate Meehan, in close
collaboration with NSW Public Works Heritage Services and
the Government Architect's Office (Devine, 2011).’
SECRET SITES
If the previous month’s secret site stumped everyone there was no such difficulty last month. Many readers recognised
the ancient figure as none other than our own Phil Colman. For reasons that perhaps only
Phil could explain, back in 1982, when the Australian Museum - where Phil worked - held a
function to mark the 100th anniversary of the death of Charles Darwin, the then-Director, Dr.
Ronald Strahan, decided that Phil should dress up as the famous figure. The photo records
the outcome.
However, many readers were not fooled. As several noted, nothing could disguise those
eyebrows! While it is perhaps not fair, under these circumstances, to single out one
respondent, I do think that Marcia Rackman does deserve a special mention. She emailed:
“The mystery gentleman in this months newsletter would have to be the wonderful Phil
Colman, though the image looks as though it could have been taken last century!” She
added: “Do hope that Mr Boyce is well on the road to recovery.”
This month we are back to inert objects. What and where is the building in the photo
below? It has been submitted by Merryn Parnell who lives towards the northern end of the Peninsula, which may or may
not be a clue. We will return to one of Bryant Lavaring’s original mysteries next issue.
Peninsula Historian Vol 7 #8 August 2014 Page 4
ARTICLES
Continuing our 90th Anniversary series.
WILLIAM LYLE ROSS (1866-1941)
William Lyle Ross was the second president of the Manly,
Warringah and Pittwater Historical Society, from 1927 to
1930. He was the son of a company secretary, George Ross
and his mother was Ellen (née Patrick).
William was born in Sydney in 1866. His professional career
as a teacher spanned the period from 1884 until his retire-
ment in 1932, a total of forty-eight years. He gave exemplary
service in sixteen NSW public schools, both in country and
city areas. For the last twenty years of his long career he was
a headmaster.
His first appointment in 1884, at the very young age of seven-
teen years, was to Parramatta Public School. On 27 January
1891 he received his seventh appointment, to West Maitland
Public School. It was while teaching at this school that he
married Sarah Anne Leckie, in 1894. They had three children,
two girls and a boy. The girls, Lynda and Bernice, outlived
their father but unfortunately his son had died previously.
William was fortunate to be able to serve as a headmaster in
three of our popular local schools, until his retirement, name-
ly Mona Vale 1912 to 1922, Dee Why 1922 to 1925 and
Narrabeen 1925 to 1932. He was a good teacher, administra-
tor and strong disciplinarian. The school Parents and Citizens
Associations gave him their full support.
It was while teaching at Dee Why Pubic School and Nar-
rabeen Public School that his interest and passion for local
history revealed themselves strongly. According to the
minute book of the Society he was present at the meeting
which met to form the Manly, Warringah and Pittwater His-
torical Society on 21 August 1924. At the time he was head-
master of Dee Why Public School, which had only recently
opened in 1922. At the next meeting, held on 18 September
1924, William was elected to the Council of the Society.
Up until the end of the Second World War, the primary aim
of the Society was to erect monuments and plaques in vari-
ous locations where the society believed or thought signifi-
cant historical events had occurred. This aim was carried out
with unbridled enthusiasm in the belief that the historical
evidence for this objective to be achieved was soundly based.
Unfortunately, although the efforts of the Society were sin-
cere, later detailed research revealed that many of the as-
sumptions made by the Society in its formative years were
not correct. This was brought about to a large extent by the
unavailability of primary sources at the time.
Many monuments were erected by the Society but only
those monuments associated with William Ross when he was
President of the Society now follow. He may well have
participated in other ceremonies.
Manly Council agreed in 1928 to set aside a small portion of
land on the West Esplanade of Manly Cove for the erection
of a stone monument to commemorate the landing of
Governor Arthur Phillip in Manly on 21 Jan 1788. It was
unveiled on 19 January 1929. However, later research
revealed that Phillip did not land at Manly on this date. An
amending plaque was subsequently attached to this
monument.
Another monument under William’s presidency was erected
on the Barrenjoey Peninsula on 25 September 1929 to
commemorate the naming of Pittwater by Governor Phillip
on 3 March 1788. Nevertheless, the First Fleet records reveal
that Phillip did not enter Pittwater until the evening of 5
March, and that he explored Pittwater for the first time the
following day, namely 6 March. This incorrect monument
was later removed.
On 2 November 1929 a monument was erected on Beacon
Hill, while William was president, to commemorate the first
overland journey by Governor Phillip from Manly towards
Pittwater on 15 April 1788. Again, this excursion overland by
Phillip was not towards Pittwater, but towards Upper Middle
Harbour, at the location of present Bungaroo, where Captain
Hunter had discovered, only the previous day, a run of fresh
water.
WL Ross c.1932
Peninsula Historian Vol 7 #8 August 2014 Page 5
The Society did not alter the original plaque but attached a
further plaque which sets out the correct details relating to
Phillip’s early excursions.
While he was headmaster of Narrabeen Public School
William had an anchor from the S.S. Collaroy mounted within
a concrete lifebuoy, erected in the front yard of the school.
In September 1932 a stone monument was also erected in
the school grounds to commemorate Phillip’s August 1788
excursion by land across Narrabeen Lagoon to Pittwater.
The events described clearly indicate William’s enthusiasm
for local history as well as the welfare and promotion of our
Society over a long period of time. He certainly provided
stability for our Society in its formative years.
He died on 1 November 1941 aged 74 years. As a
Presbyterian, he was buried in the general section of Manly
Cemetery together with his wife Sarah Anne.
George Champion, March 2014
RICHARD JOHN WILD (1857-1933)
Richard John Wild was the third president of the Manly,
Warringah and Pittwater Historical Society, from 1930 to
1932. He was born in Hampshire or Wiltshire, England on 6
March 1857.
Richard is mentioned in Reminiscences Of Old Manly by
George H. Aurousseau, written in 1952. [M.L. Q991.1/A]
Aurousseau’s father established a bakery in Manly in 1868
and besides baking bread he made beautiful cakes and pas-
try. In 1877 George’s father Jean Hippolyte Aurousseau
advertised for a bread carter and Richard Wild, who had only
recently arrived in Sydney and was then aged about twenty,
applied for the position. He remained with Aurousseau for
some years until he commenced his own business as a carri-
er. The Aurousseaus referred to Richard as Dick.
In the Jubilee Souvenir of the Municipality of Manly, 1877-
1927 Richard confirms his arrival in Manly in 1877 and gives
a detailed description of the Corso at that time. In the same
publication an advertisement states that R. J. Wild’s carrying
business was established in 1879, although it is not men-
tioned in Sands Directories until 1883.
On 21 November 1883 the following advertisement was
inserted in the Sydney Morning Herald, which appears to
indicate the formal commencement of the carrying business,
although Richard may have acted on his own before this date.
“THE MANLY BEACH CARRYING COMPANY. Messrs WILD and
MITCHELL beg to inform the Public of Sydney and Manly
Beach that they intend carrying on the above business and
hope to receive a fair share of patronage. Goods consigned
to their care will receive their early attention. Letters
attended to.
WILD and MITCHELL, Manly Beach.”
An excellent illustration from the early 1890s depicts Richard
Wild’s van in front of the Pier Hotel, with a Norfolk Island pine
in the background. It should be noted that although Richard
stated that his office was on Manly Wharf, he described the
village as Brighton, as named by its founder Henry Gilbert
Smith. Richard frequently used this illustration for
advertising purposes.
Richard John Wild married Caroline Christina Stephens at the
Manly Congregational Church on 18 March 1882 and they
had twelve children. Richard’s occupation is shown on the
marriage certificate as “carrier”. The officiating minister at
the ceremony was Rev Jacob Olley.
On Saturday 5 February 1887 the first Wesleyan Church, built
of weatherboard and designed to seat about 150 persons,
opened in Pittwater Road, Manly. It cost about £500 to erect.
Right from the inception of this first church Richard Wild was
one of its most ardent supporters. His enthusiasm, for what
was later known as Methodism, continued right through his
life. Richard was also a strong Mason and was a Past Master
of one of Manly’s Masonic Lodges.
During World War 1 sentries were posted on many of our
roads, including our own local roads, for fear of a German
invasion. In December 1914, two motorists were shot
mistakenly by a sentry posted on the road at Mona Vale. One
of those shot was Richard Wild. At the time it was thought
Richard Wild
Peninsula Historian Vol 7 #8 August 2014 Page 6
he may be permanently injured but fortunately he recovered
from his gunshot wound.
An interesting photograph appeared in the Daily Telegraph of
8 September 1923 which showed one of the latest motorised
moving vans then available. Underneath the photograph it
said “The latest model Thornycroft, which has been
purchased by R.J. Wild and Sons, Manly. The carrier has done
splendid work in the hilly country and rough roads between
the Spit and Narrabeen.”
Richard John Wild, of 14 High Street and Victoria Parade
Manly, died on Wednesday 1 March 1933 aged seventy-five
years, just a few days short of his seventy-sixth birthday. He
was cremated at Rookwood. The firm of R.J. Wild and Sons
continued to operate for decades after Richard’s death.
George Champion, November 2013Wild’s moving van 1923
A question
In the sketch above, the inscription on the horse drawn vehicle says “Manly to Sydney Overland”. Today, this would not raise
any question. Just go over the Spit and Harbour Bridges, a distance of about 15 kms. But what did it mean in 1890?
The Harbour Bridge did not open until 1932. The first Spit Bridge was built in 1924, as was the first Roseville Bridge. To travel
from Manly to Sydney by land in 1890 required a journey to Mona Vale, then along Gordon Road to today’s St Ives, on to Pennant
Hills, then to Parramatta - where there was a bridge over the Parramatta River - and finally down Parramatta Road to Sydney.
In all, it was a distance of over 100 kilometres.
By 1890 there was a steam punt across The Spit and many ferries, punts and cargo vessels crossed the Harbour at Kirribilli. But
would this route be classified as overland? If it was then why not just use the cargo ferries which ran from Manly to Sydney from
at least 1877? Suggestions/clarification welcome but no Wild guesses please. Sorry, Ed.
Peninsula Historian Vol 7 #8 August 2014 Page 7
Manly, Warringah and Pittwater
Historical Society Inc.
Established 1924
Patron
Alan Ventress BA DipLib
President
Jim Boyce
0402 096 080
Treasurer
Barbara Davies
9997 6505
Minutes Secretary
Clive Halnan
0410 867 685
Archivist
Vacant
Editor
Richard Michell
9401 4525
Postal Address
PO Box 695 Manly, NSW 1655
Website
www.mwphs.co
WHAT’S ON
Manly Art Gallery and Museum
Current Exhibitions
THE MAKING OF MIDNIGHT OIL: 20 June - 7 September
2014
Developed by Manly Art Gallery & Museum’s Ross Heathcote
in consultation with Midnight Oil drummer Rob Hirst, The
Making of Midnight Oil features stage costumes, posters,
previously unseen film, documents, lyric sheets, music
industry awards, band instruments, memorabilia and
photographs - sourced from public and private collections,
including Hirst’s own personal archive. Other former
members of Midnight Oil have made significant contributions
to the exhibition.
The Making of Midnight Oil will be an opportunity for visitors
to immerse themselves in ‘the stuff’ that goes toward the
making of the band’s 25-year career and will include displays
that should fascinate diehard fans as well as material that
alludes to a broader recent social history.
Two special highlights will be a hitherto unseen montage of
film by award winning director David Bradbury featuring the
Oils performing at the 1981 Tanelorn Festival in Stroud, NSW
– the only known footage of this concert - and the band’s
personal ‘home movies’ filmed on Super 8 while on tour in the
early 1990s.
There will also be a specially commissioned segment by
renowned local film maker Robert Hambling on the making of
the band’s iconic 1982 album ‘10,9,8,7,6,5,4,3,2,1’ featuring
interviews with members of the band and producer Nick Lau-
nay.
The Making of Midnight Oil is funded by Visions of Australia
and Arts NSW.
Mona Vale Library
14 August - Author Talk - Doug Purdie talking about Backyard
Bees
21 August - Author Talk - David Roland talking about How I
Rescued My Brain
