Removal of island in the Snowy River at Orbost

In 1916 Carlo devoted some of his time to the Snowy River, specifically the removal of an island at Watt's gulch, near Orbost, which was impeding water flow and thus increasing the risk of  flooding on the surrounding river flats.  As reported - 
This obstruction was started about 1893 and was caused by a snag in a shallow bank. Not much notice was taken until it began to grow so much that people began to realise that it was a menace to the district. Now every landowner on the flats was anxious to get something done. The Public Works Department cut a channel through the island in 1909 in the hope that it would be scoured out by the current. This had not proved a success, for if the current would scour the island out it would not have allowed the island to form in the first place. (1)

Watt's Gulch and Watt's Gulch Bank are circled in red.

Snowy River survey. Surveyed by R.G. Davey, K.R. Culliton, H.C. Sanger ; drawn by J. O'Keefe.

State Rivers and Water Supply Commission, 1941

See the full plan at the State Library of Victoria here  https://handle.slv.vic.gov.au/10381/116748 

In 1916, the Orbost Shire Council consulted with Carlo and the Public Works Department regarding the removal of the island. This is an edited version a report of the Orbost Shire Council meeting held in September 1916 - 

At the council meeting last week letters were received from the Hon. Jas. Cameron and the Public Works Department stating that a battery for explosion purposes had been forwarded for the use of the council and would be available for two months.

Cr. James explained that when in Melbourne a month or so back the matter of dealing with the island at Watt's gulch was referred to. Mr. Cameron had seen Mr. Catani of the Public Works Department, and a proposal made to shift the obstruction by explosion had been discussed. Mr. Catani stated that explosive charges might be placed and connected with a battery by means of which they could be exploded when there was a fresh or flood in the river. He would move that the offer of the battery be accepted and charges put in to be exploded when necessary. Seconded by Cr Nixon.

Cr. C. Johnston moved as an amendment that the council apply to the Public Works Department to send up an expert to give advice before operations were commenced. It had been said that explosives would not work and that dredging would be necessary. It would be wise to start on a smaller project, as the result would not be so disastrous in case of failure. Seconded by Cr. Richardson.

Mr. Nevins, shire engineer, said Mr. Cecchi [sic] of the Water Supply Department had taken readings which showed that the current at the island was considerably more effective than above or below it. The only trouble would be in having to place the explosives and not being able to blow them off for an indefinite time. The explosives would have to be in watertight cases and would deteriorate in two or three months. Powder would have to be used.

Cr. Richardson had a good deal of experience with explosives, and said it would be useless to put them there and leave them only for a week. Powder would have to be used, as dynamite or gelignite would be useless in soft material. (2)

Mr Cecchi of the Water Supply Department was Carlo's compatriot, Ettore Checchi (1853-1943) who like Carlo studied Civil Engineering at the Technical Institute of Florence. They arrived in Melbourne together in 1876 and he was also employed at the Public Works Department; then from 1888 to 1927, Ettore was with the Victorian Water Supply Department, and later with the State Rivers and Water Supply Commission. (3)

In November 1916 it was reported that the  Orbost Shire Council had received the following correspondence  - Dept. of Public Works, stating that Mr Catani will visit Orbost shortly to give advice relative to the removal of the island in the Snowy River.- Secretary to ask for date of Mr Catani's visit. (4)

I cannot find  a report of Carlo's actual visit, however in December 1916, in another Council meeting report there was correspondence from the - Public Works Department, forwarding copy of the Chief Engineer's report regarding the removal of the island in the Snowy River, and stating that the department could not contribute towards the cost of the work. (5)

Nothing appeared to happen for year, perhaps due to the fact that the community was concentrating on the War effort. In January 1918 a meeting of landowners interested in the removal of the island which has formed in the Snowy River at Orbost, was held. Mr H. James, president of the Orbost Shire Council occupied the chair.

Mr Catani, formerly chief engineer of the Public Works Dept, when here a few years ago, was positive that the island could be removed for £300. This was for labor only. A deputation waited on Mr Adamson, then Minister for Public Works, asking that his department should remove the inland, but had met with a refusal. Mr Catani claimed that it was a work that should be done by the property owners of the district. A further application made some time later was also refused. At last meeting of the council, owing to the change of Government, it was decided to interview the new Minister and see if he

would do anything. Mr McWhae at first refused to entertain the proposal, but said he would lend the necessary plant. After a lot of consideration, the Minister made an offer that if the local people provided the amount of Mr Catani's estimate (£300) the Public Works Department would carry out the work. (6)

The result of the meeting was that a committee was formed to raise the necessary funds and by March 1918 the council received correspondence from Public Works Department, stating that the work of removing the island at Watt's Gulch would be proceeded with. (7)

Two week later in March an updated report was published - Arrangements are being made to proceed with the work of removing the island in the Snowy River, about a mile below the bridge. Mr Clark, engineer of the Public Works Department, end Mr Herman, foreman of works who arrived in Orbost a few days ago, have made an inspection of the island in company with Mr Archibald shire engineer, and several councillors. The work, which is to be carried out under the supervision of the shire engineer, and involves the construction of two small bridges, is to be got under weigh without further delay. (8)

In April  it was reported -  The plant and timber required for the removal of the island in the Snowy River are now in readiness, and the work will be probably commenced on Monday. The first step will be the erection of one of the two bridges. (9)

As referenced in the above reports, two bridges were erected, I presume over the gulch to allow the removal of the soil of the island which was then used to build up local roads.  In August it was reported that -

The removal of the islands in the Snowy River has been completed as well as possible under present conditions, and the road across the gulch has been formed, and loamed, to enable grasses to take root and grow as speedily as possible. (10)

A later report said that the Public Works Department  left all the gear for removing the islands, in the Snowy river in my charge, comprising trucks, rails, etc. with the Orbost Shire Engineer.  (11) Whether the island was dug out by a small dredge or manually, the soil was dispersed by trucks running along a temporary rail system.

Carlo, who retired in April 1917 and died in July 1918, never got to see the work completed or to pass his professional opinion as to whether his suggested method of using explosives would have been more effective than the method chosen.

Footnotes

(1) Bairnsdale Every Week, January 31, 1918, see here.

(2) Snowy River Mail September 8, 1916, see here.

(3) Ettore Checchi - I have written about him here and here.

(4) Snowy River Mail, November 3, 1916, see here.

(5) Snowy River Mail, December 1, 1916, see here.

(6) Bairnsdale Every Week, January 31, 1918, see here; this report was an edited version of the original which appeared in the  Snowy River Mail, January 25, 1918, see here.

(7) Snowy River Mail, March 1, 1918, see here.

(8) Snowy River Mail, March 22, 1918, see here.

(9) Snowy River Mail, April 12, 1918, see here. There are progress reports - Snowy River Mail, May 3, 1918, see here;   Snowy River Mail, June 7, 1918, see here;  and   Snowy River Mail, July 5, 1918, see here.

(10) Snowy River Mail, August 2, 1918, see here.

(11) Snowy River Mail, September 6, 1918, see here.

Dr Ferdinando Gagliardi (1843-1898)

In February 1877, Ferdinando Gagliardi along with his brother, Federigo, arrived in Melbourne, from New Zealand and joined their fellow countrymen Carlo Catani, Pietro Baracchi and Ettore Checchi. 

Ferdinando was born in Pisa on April 17, 1843. He married Margaret 'Maggie' Noonan on January 22, 1881 and they had four children - Chinzica (1882-1911),  Elletra (1885-1886), Ferderigo (1886-?) and Nando (1891-1952). Ferdinando died  in Melbourne on August 7, 1898 and is buried in the Brighton General Cemetery with his two daughters. Maggie died on July 24, 1906 and is buried at Springvale.

As we can see from his obituary, below,  Dr Ferdinando Gagliardi, was the Assistant Principal Librarian of the Melbourne Public Library/State Library of Victoria. The Brighton Cemetorians, a not-for-profit community group, is working with family members to have a dignified family headstone and monumental surrounds established on his unmarked grave at Brighton.  A fundraiser has been initiated and they will be grateful for any contribution that you may be able to afford.  Click on this link to support this cause  https://www.givenow.com.au/gagliardi-monumental-family-plot

The  Gagliardi grave (marked with the grave marker and the plastic cone) at Brighton General Cemetery. 

Image: Isaac Hermann

Obituary
The Geelong Advertiser published this obituary on Dr Gagliardi -
Melbourne Public Library. The death of Dr Gagliardi has deprived the Public Library of an accomplished official, who was second in command to the late Mr Dowden, but waived his claims to succeed him in favor of Mr Armstrong, the present librarian, feeling that his own imperfect knowledge of the English language was a disqualification for the post. He was educated in the university of Pisa, for the profession of the law, and was duly called to the Italian bar; but, becoming associated with the "Gazzetta d' Italia," one of the principal papers in Florence, he came out to Australia as the special correspondent of that journal, to report upon the colonies, in connection with the International Exhibition at Sydney in 1877.

The letters that he wrote from that city, and from Melbourne, were models of their kind; crammed full of accurate information with respect to these colonies, lively in style, and exceedingly diversified in subject; beginning on the 10th of April, 1877, and ending on the 12th of June, 1878. They were collected and published in a volume at Florence, in 1881, under the title of "Australia," and the editor of the "Gazzetta d' Italia" spoke of them, in his preface, as "possessing the uncommon merit of satisfying the tastes of readers of all classes;" because they showed the economic, literary, and artistic progress and position of these colonies, while also relating their history. In fact they possess a permanent value as a graphic picture of the phase or development reached by Australia 20 years ago.

The then Consul-General for Italy offered Dr Gagliardi an appointment in his office, which he accepted, and not long afterwards the late Sir Redmond Barry, president of the trustees of the Public Library, becoming acquainted with the linguistic acquirements of the deceased gentleman, attached him to that institution, with which he was associated up to the time of his regretted death.
(Geelong Advertiser, August 19, 1898, see here)

Resources

The Italian Australian Institute Research Centre at La Trobe University has published three books on Dr Gagliardi -

• Gagliardi, Ferdinando Australia : letters to the "Gazzetta d'Italia" (May 1876 - August 1880)  translated by Prof. Em. Colin A. McCormick ; with a biographical introduction by Piero Genovesi. This was published in 2016 and are the letters referred to in his obituary, above

The following books were published in 2017 -

• Genovesi, Piero Ferdinando Gagliardi : (Pisa, 17/4/1843 - Melbourne, 7/8/1898), v. 1
• Genovesi, Piero Ferdinando Gagliardi : (Pisa, 17/4/1843 - Melbourne, 7/8/1898), v. 2

Carlo attends a demonstration on the use of gelignite

On June 12, 1909, Major Charles Campbell (1), hosted a demonstration of the use of gelignite to remove trees at his property, Amesfield Park, in Mornington. Amesfield Park, was originally called Manyung and owned by Richard Grice (2) and was located at the 31-mile post on the Melbourne to Sorrento Road. (3).  Major Campbell had purchased the 288 acre property six months previously, in December 1908,  for £5,000. (4) He invited his neighbours and a number of officials, including Carlo Catani, to this demonstration.

Amesfield Park, previously Manyung, the property where Carlo saw the gelignite demonstration.

"Manyong" [i.e. Manyung, home of] Mrs. A. L. Grice, Mornington, 1895. 

State Library of Victoria image  H93.64/20 

It was an impressive attendance list  and Carlo was in the company of  Mr Reid, Surveyor General; Mr Crooke, Forestry Department; Dr. Cherry and Mr Kenyon, Agricultural Department; Mr. Barber, Victorian Railways; Mr W. H. Irvine, M.H.R.; Mr Livingston, M.L.A.; Mr. R. G. Fincham, National bank manager; Colonel Stanley, Victorian commandant;  Mr. Aitken and Mr. Drake from Dalgety and Co.; Mr W.F. Weigall, Brighton councillor; Mr. J.H. Taylor, the town clerk of Brighton and  Mr James Minifie from the Millers' Association. These guests were conveyed from the Frankston station to the scene of operations by cabs and drags, Mr J. Millard having been entrusted with the "transportation" arrangements. (5)

The Mornington and Dromana Standard of June 19, 1909 explained why Major Campbell decided to use gelignite - Since, purchasing the well-known property, "Amesfield Park," some few months back, Major Campbell has spent considerable time and capital in removing a great many of the thickly studded trees on the estate, erecting wire netting, installing windmills, etc., and in numerous ways going in for big improvements. The modern method of blasting has been chosen to remove the trees, and, in conjunction with Messrs Dalgety and Co., (as agents for Nobel Glasgow high explosives) the squire of Amesfield Park gave a demonstration on a large and effective scale. (6)

The paper continued their report with -
The object of the demonstration was to show how easily and cheaply trees could be grubbed by the use of gelignite, exploded by electricity. Mr R Sprague (of Dalgety and Co.) and Major Campbell superintended operations, and the agents were also represented by Messrs Allan and Dorecket. The first "blow up" was a "double event," two trees being removed by connecting the charges by wires, which were attached to the main cable and thence to the battery. When all was ready the crowd retired to a safe distance 150 yards away, and there was much speculation as to the result. Many were certain that the effect would be to merely shift the tree, but do no further damage to the butt. The signal to "Let her go" was given, the handle on the battery raised and lowered, and in an instant there was a terrific explosion. A shower of earth and chips shot into the air, and the trees heeled over and crashed to the ground. An examination of the result showed that the butt had been lifted clean out of the ground and shattered in pieces, and the trunk was opened up in numerous pieces. Two other trees were blasted out together, and three more were removed singly. The manner in which each tree was blown out of the ground was highly satisfactory, and the method is a vast improvement on the old style of grubbing by hand. The seven trees were treated with varying quantities of the explosive, and the cost would average about 3/6 per tree. The agents claim that trees can be removed by the Nobel-Glasgow method at from 50 per cent to 80 per cent cheaper than by hand labour. (7)

An advertisement for Nobel explosives for land clearing.

The Leader, April 10, 1909 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article196899229

There were some finer details provided, in case you are interested in removing trees and have some sticks of gelignite lying around; even though apparently the sale of gelignite is now highly regulated and highly restricted -
In blasting trees or stumps, the first thing done is to find with a crowbar the best place between the roots to get under the body of the stump. If the tree is not too large, an ordinary charge, well situated and carefully tamped, will take it out, but if the stump is large and deep in the ground the hole must be larger than can be made with the crowbar, and charges must be carefully distributed in the best possible situation so as to get the best results. The operator digs down by the side of the stump, and then makes horizontal holes under the bottom of the stump as near to the centre as possible, disturbing the natural earth as little as possible. The charges are placed close to the wood; then are put in the primers and tamp. After putting the charges and detonators in, a little wet clay or dirt is placed at the bottom of the holes and in contact with the stump, thus filling up the entire opening. If the charges are not well under the stump, a small dam is made and filled with water. Wherever the charges are they must be well supported with water, mud, damp clay, or some other compact and weighty material. (8)

The article concluded with -
At the conclusion of the demonstration at large number of the visitors were the recipients of Major Campbell's hospitality, and the opportunity was taken by Mr Dorecket (of Dalgety and Co.) to thank Major and Mrs Campbell for their kindness, and to express the pleasure the visitors derived from the trip. The health of the host and hostess was drunk enthusiastically. Major Campbell acknowledged the sentiment, and expressed himself as pleased that they had found the demonstration interesting. He would always be happy to show anyone the details of the method, and if they were much interested they could bore the hole and fire the charge themselves. (Laughter and applause). The visitors returned to Melbourne by the evening train. (9)

I wonder what Carlo got out of the day? He was interested in land settlement and sympathetic to farmers, so he would have been able to add this new information about gelignite to remove trees to his store of knowledge and disseminate it when required.

Footnotes

(1) Major Charles Campbell  (1867-1936). Clearly the name Amesfield held some significance to Major Campbell as he used that name for three of his properties. Sale of Amesfield Park, Mornington - Dandenong Advertiser, February 17, 1916, see here; living at Amesfield, Huntingtower Road, Malvern - Frankston & Somerville Standard, August 27, 1924, see here;  Obituary - at the time of his death, at the age of 68,  he was living at Amesfield Park, Upper Beaconsfield -  The Age October 31, 1936, see here. See also his entry in Residents of Upper Beaconsfield - https://upperbeaconsfieldhistory.au/g0/p47.htm#i1384

Major Campbell's death notice

The Argus, October 29, 1936  http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article11930638

(2) Richard Grice (1813-1882) Australian Dictionary of Biography entry, see here. I have written about his son, Richard (1858-1911) here    https://victoriaspast.blogspot.com/2024/02/richard-grice-1858-1911-of-eirruc.html

(3) Mornington & Dromana Standard, June 12, 1909, see here.

(4) The Argus, December 3, 1908, see here.

(5) Guest list compiled from these reports -  The Age, June 14, 1909, see here;  The Argus, June 14, 1909, see here and Mornington & Dromana Standard, June 19, 1909, see here. The quote about Mr Millard and transportation came from the Mornington & Dromana Standard.

(6) Mornington & Dromana Standard, June 19, 1909, see here

(7) Mornington & Dromana Standard, June 19, 1909, see here

(8) Mornington & Dromana Standard, June 19, 1909, see here

(9) Mornington & Dromana Standard, June 19, 1909, see here

Carlo and the Pental Island levee banks

Pental Island, near Swan Hill, is surrounded by the Murray River, the Little Murray/Marraboor River and the Lodden River, so as you can imagine, is quite prone to flooding. There had been a dispute between Victoria and New South Wales as to who 'owned' Pental Island and this was settled in 1872, when the issue came before the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in England and they declared it to be part of the Colony of Victoria. (1)  

Pental Island

Detail of Victoria fire map, 1:100 000 map series. Swan Hill  / published by the Department of Crown Lands and Survey Victoria for the Country Fire Authority, 1960s.

State Library of Victoria https://handle.slv.vic.gov.au/10381/4309598

In 1885, Pental Island came under the control of the Council of Agricultural Education, which was established in 1884 under the Agricultural Colleges Act. (2) The Weekly Times reported that its central principle is the reservation of specified areas of Crown lands as sources of endowment for agricultural colleges and experimental farms. This would allow the Council of Agricultural Education to implement a scheme of scientific and experimental training for agriculturists (3).  

By the early 1900s, the Government wanted to take back control of Pental Island and to subdivide it into smaller blocks. It was at this time that Carlo Catani had some involvement with Pental Island, as The Age reported in March 1902 -

Pental Island. The question of control. Now that the Council of Agricultural Education, in defiance of the general demand that the control of Pental Island should be vested in a more competent authority, has decided to subdivide and lease the area without regard to the question of effecting necessary improvements, the Minister of Lands has at last resolved to step in. He sent a letter to the council yesterday making a definite offer in cash in order to induce the council to give up its control of the island. In doing this, the Minister states that he has been fortified with a report from Mr. Catani, the engineer of the Public Works department, which was originally prepared on behalf of the Council of Agricultural Education. There are in all some 16,140 acres in the island. In order to make virtually the whole of this suitable for settlement, levees will have to be constructed, which Mr. Catani estimates will run into a matter of some £8000 at £200 a mile for 40 miles of embankment, 4 feet 6 inches wide at the top. In addition, a bridge will have to be constructed over the Little Murray, and other incidental works will bring the cost of putting the island into a fit condition for settlement probably very near £10,000, according to the departmental estimate. This is an expenditure the Agricultural College Council could not undertake, and its proposal for escaping interference by pretending to make the Pental Island available for settlement is therefore farcical in the extreme. It is thought possible by the Minister of Lands however, that he can induce the council to part with the island for a consideration. At present it returns that body about £750 a year in rentals. Mr. Duggan is offering what he considers to be sufficient to compensate the council for a fair proportion of this. Whether it will be deemed enough to compensate the members for depriving them of one of their chief playthings remains to be seen. If that body is agreeable to his proposal, Mr. Duggan will as speedily as possible have Pental Island adapted for purposes of closer settlement. He has been given to understand that the suggested levee works will be the means of protecting the island permanently against inundations. (4)

Another report had the dimensions of Carlo's levee banks as -  4 feet 6 inches high and 4 feet 6 inches wide at the top, with a batter of 2 feet to 1 and a further report has this information -  the average height of the banks is about 11 feet above summer level, and that the highest flood mark is about 14 feet above the summer level. This would leave the island at flood time about 3 feet under water. Mr Catani estimates that a bank about 4 feet 6 inches high would be necessary to keep the flood waters off the land. (5) 

It does not appear that the Minister for Lands was successful in wrestling control of Pental Island from the Council of Agricultural Education, and in August 1902 it was reported that -
The outcome of the conference was a meeting of the Premier and the Minister for Agriculture yesterday, and it was subsequently announced that it had been determined to agree to the issue of the leases for the full term of 14 years, and at the rentals specified in the conditions laid down by the council. These rentals average 2/5¾ per acre. A modification, subject to ratification by the trustees, was made, however, to the effect that the leases will be liable to resumption by act of Parliament at any time after three years, provided that at least 12 months' notice of intention to resume is given to the lessees; the lessees to be entitled to compensation for any improvements that may then be in existence, based on their value at the time of resumption. (6)   

Carlo's levee banks were  not built at the time and even in 1914, the opinion of the Kerang New Times was that each new lease on Pental Island will probably contain a clause making it compulsory on the lessee to construct a levee bank to prevent flooding. (7)  In 1916, Pental Island was flooded although the settlers had been hard at work building up embankments against the flood waters. (8)

Levee banks of some description were in place in the 1920s - but these caused another problem, as reported in The Australasian -

on the Victorian side, particularly along Pental Island, levee banks have been built by the settlers, and they fear that the level of the river will be dangerously raised if banks are erected opposite their own, thus controlling the river in a narrow channel. This belief is so strongly held that cases are frequently quoted where settlers on the opposite banks have cut through the levees to relieve their on inundation. (9)

A flood occurred in 1931, when Pental Island was part of Dookie Agricultural College, even though it is protected from flooding by levee banks, which in flood time have frequently been found broken. (10).  Twenty years later, in 1951, there was another flood, the highest Murray River flood since the 1931 floods, when the flood waters were lapping perilously near the top of the levees desperately raised by the island’s farmers, working waist-deep in water. (11)

This is a very sad state of affairs for the farmers and 1951 wasn't the last flood they suffered.  We don't know if Pental Island could have been safe from floods if Carlo's proposed levee banks were constructed in 1902;  but, not for the first time, his recommendations and plans were ignored by the Government of the day.

Footnotes
(1) Geelong Advertiser, September 21, 1872, see here. 
(2) The Age, October 28, 1885, see here 

(3) The Weekly Times, November 8, 1884, see here.
(4) The Age, March 19, 1902, see here.

(5) The Age, August 28, 1902, see here; Ballarat Star, March 20, 1902, see here.

(6) The Australasian, August 23, 1902, see here.
(7) Kerang New Times, March 24, 1914, see here.
(8) The Age, October 5, 1916, see here.
(9) The Australasian, May 31, 1924, see here.
(10) The Argus, August 6, 1931, see here. 

(11) Sun News-Pictorial, August 7, 1951, see here. This, and the 1931 flood, are not an exhaustive list of Pental Island floods, just two examples which refer to the levee banks.

Carlo and the Moonee Ponds Creek

 In January 1900, the first case of Bubonic Plague was reported in Sydney. As a result, effected or suspected people were put into quarantine; parts of the City were cleaned up or demolished and a rat extermination programme was established.  The first case in Victoria was reported in the May and the the family from Collingwood were sent to the quarantine station at Point Nepean. (1)

However, even before this case the authorities were making efforts to minimise the chance of the plague taking off in Victoria. Rats around the wharves were being destroyed;  the Coburg Tip was inspected and the rubbish covered over on a daily basis as the tip was said to be the source of the rats entering the Pentridge Prison and other local councils also stepped up efforts to remove rubbish, clean drains and exterminate rats. (2)

One particular area of concern was the Moonee Ponds Creek, described in 1886 as being a deadly fever- breeding poison; in 1888 as a pestilential drain and in 1899 as a festering menace to public health. (3) Thus in March 1900, a Government deputation, which included Carlo Catani, made an inspection of this creek. The North Melbourne Courier reported -
Inspection of the Moonee Ponds Creek
On Tuesday forenoon the Minister of Public Works (Mr. Graham), accompanied by Mr. Davidson (Inspector-General of Public Works) and Mr. Catani of the department, met representatives of North Melbourne and Flemington and Kensington at the Arden-street bridge at 10 a.m. There were present the Hon. W. A. Watt, Postmaster General and Parliamentary representative for North Melbourne; Cr. G. M. Prendergast, and Crs. G. W. Debney and A. Crighton of Flemington; Mr. W. McCall, town clerk of Flemington; and Mr. G. Offen, borough inspector of Flemington. Starting from the Arden-street bridge, the party inspected the creek at the Macaulay-road bridge and then proceeded to Barwise-street (4), and from there were driven to Brunton's mills in Laurens-street.

Owing to the recent heavy rains the creek was flushed, and there was no nuisance observable by the nasal sense, although some of the fluid in the side drain had a dark-tinged look. Some cows cropping the herbage from the black ooze between the mound on the Flemington side and the channel gave rise to anything but pleasant thoughts as to the quality of their milk, and the minister came to the conclusion with little hesitation that the work of channelling the creek as far as Brunton's drain should be proceeded with at once. This will cost £1500, and it is claimed by the officers of Mr. Graham's department that, although the complete scheme provides for the drainage of the creek to the dock, this will abate the nuisance, but it is questionable whether their expectations in this respect will be fulfilled. Brunton's mills are fifteen inches below flood level, and the owner, who erected them at a cost of £60,000, has to place barriers across his Laurens-st. entrance to stop the inflow of water at flood time, owing to the fact that the barrel drain which runs across the railway reserve is too small to carry off the water, and an open and larger drain across the reserve is needed.

The minister said he would place the matter before the Cabinet that afternoon, and endeavor to get the work of continuing the channelling to Brunton's drain put in hand forthwith. We have been informed by the Hon. the Postmaster-General that the Cabinet have decided to push on the work of channelling the creek as quickly as possible, in view of the great menace it is to the public health in its present state and the prevalence of the plague in New South Wales. (5)

These two maps are from the 1912 Moultons directory of streets for Melbourne and suburbs.   On the left of the North Melbourne map, you can see Barwise Street near the Flemington Bridge; it's a continuation of Racecourse Road (and was later renamed Racecourse Road (4)); the Macaulay Station,  is at Macaulay Road, even though it is not marked on the North Melbourne map, but you can see it on the Kensington/Flemington map, below.  Further south, is Arden Street, where Carlo and his colleagues started their inspection of the Moonee Ponds Creek in March 1900.

1912 Moultons directory of streets for Melbourne and suburbs. 

State Library of Victoria https://handle.slv.vic.gov.au/10381/246064

This channelling was a continuation of previous work on the Moonee Ponds Creek, which had been a concern for many years as The Age noted in their report of Carlo's visit to the Creek -

For nearly a quarter of a century the neighboring councils have been endeavoring to get the existing powers to do something to improve the condition of the creek; and the policy of how not to do it has never, perhaps, been more forcibly illustrated than in this case. Correspondence with the Railway department, visits by the Board of Health, representations by the local councils, deputations to the Government, and other public acts have helped to keep the nauseous subject dangling before the eyes
of the public; and when it is stated that the whole cost only amounts to £6700, the absurdity of the thing is sufficiently apparent. The original cost was estimated at £6000, but a start was made in the winter, so as to give the unemployed something to do, and that had the effect of increasing the cost of the work. Probably, had it not been for the unemployed the work would still be in its initial stages, instead of being, as it is, about three-parts completed. The amount already expended is stated to be £5200, and the estimated cost of the remaining portion [to Brunton's drain] is £1500. (6)

I don't believe the channelling was carried out at this time, but the creek was not cleaned up and in 1905 The Age reported that -

The creek itself is silted up in several places, most noticeably between Flemington-bridge and Barwise-street, where the silt fills the canal to within 6 or 8 inches of the top. Bagging, boulders, decaying vegetables, tins of all sorts and sizes, and the carcases of defunct dogs and goats interfere with the flow of the drainage. (7)

From this 1906 report, it appears that Carlo had designed a beautification scheme for the much maligned Creek - 

In the Public Works Department, some time ago, a scheme for the improvement of the northern approach to the city by rail was formulated. The Moonee Ponds Creek was to be the centre of rockeries and palm plantations, and the whole locality was to be transformed into a charming little garden, with miniature walks and fascinating vistas. Mr Catani, in his enthusiasm. for the project, labelled the plan, 'Houi soit qui Moonee Ponds Creek'.  Whether this mutilation of the old motto has any evil effect on the proposed beautification of the unsightly stream is not admitted, but the work has never gone on

with. Instead, the railway authorities have taken the matter in hand, and are effecting some prosaic alteration. (8)

We have one more reference to Carlo and his work on the Moonee Ponds Creek, in a report of a meeting of the Moonee Ponds and Aberfeldie People's Association held in July 1914 - 

The subject of cleansing the Moonee Ponds creek was also under review of the [Railway] Commissioners, who claim that, although in railway territory, that Department is not responsible for having the matter attended to. As a slight solatium, Mr. Catani was to be invited to report on the question of hiding the unsightly and unsavoury area by a judicious mantling of shrub growth. (9)

Nothing came of this, and resources were obviously directed elsewhere during the Great War. In 1919, a letter from Mr Butler of Kensington, published in The Age described the creek as -

in a filthy condition, it is seldom, if ever, cleaned out. Debris and filth lay along it, being a menace to the health of people who live in the locality.....and the only time that the creek seems to get a clean out is when a flood comes down, and then the locality becomes flooded and the filthy water flows in and under the houses adjacent to the creek, causing them to become damp and unhealthy. There has been 18 inundations in this locality in two years. Most of these floods could have been avoided if the creek had been kept in a clean and proper condition, but who is responsible for looking after this creek? (10)

If  it was still the Public Works Department's responsibility by then Carlo had, as we know, retired and then sadly passed away on July 20, 1918, so he could no longer provide his professional expertise on improvements on the Moonee Ponds Creek. These days, the Tullamarine Freeway, which opened in 1970 (11) essentially runs along the course of the Moonee Ponds Creek, so the landscape has changed considerably since the time Carlo and his colleagues inspected the creek in March 1900.

The Friends of Moonee Ponds Creek have an interesting website, with links to historical material, amongst other more recent material - https://www.mooneepondscreek.org.au/

Footnotes

(1) National Museum of Australia https://www.nma.gov.au/defining-moments/resources/bubonic-plague; Bairnsdale Advertiser, May 10, 1900, see here.

(2) The Argus, March 28, 1900, see here.

(3) North Melbourne Advertiser, July 30, 1886, see here; Footscray Independent, January 7, 1888, see here; North Melbourne Courier, March 31, 1899, see here.

(4) Barwise Street, which ran between Flemington Road and the Moonee Ponds Creek in North Melbourne was renamed Racecourse Road around 1928. (The Age, March 16, 1928, see here).  Racecourse Road in Flemington was the other side of the Creek to Barwise Street, as you can see in the maps, above. Barwise Street was named for John Barwise, J.P. You can read his obituary in the North Melbourne Courier of January 29, 1909, here. 

(5) North Melbourne Courier,  March 30, 1900, see here.

(6) The Age, March 28, 1900, see here.

(7) The Age, June 16, 1905, see here.

(8) Footscray Independent, January 6, 1906, see here.

(9) Flemington Spectator, August 6, 1914, see here.

(10) The Age, January 30, 1919, see here.

(11) eMelbourne https://www.emelbourne.net.au/biogs/EM01255b.htm

Carlo defends his work on Red Bluff

Carlo faced some criticism both during his career and posthumously;  not in this blog, of course, because that's not I am here for, I only write positive things about the greatest Civil Engineer who ever worked in Victoria. (1)

The following article was published in The Age in May 1917, a few weeks after his retirement on April 28, 1917. Carlo defended his work, especially the removal of Red Bluff  at Point Ormond and also criticised the Brighton Council over the foreshore drive. 

Foreshore Improvements Mr Catani's Work 
Mr. C. Catani was the guest of St. Kilda council on Monday night, and received the congratulations of that body on the beautification works carried out by him as a public officer in St. Kilda and other parts of the State. The Mayor, (Cr Barnet), expressed his satisfaction that Mr Catani was retaining his position as Government representative on the Foreshore Trust. 

Mr. Catani, in acknowledging the compliment paid to him, said he retired from the Government service for private reasons, his domestic arrangements had been changed by the war. After referring to the various works carried out at St. Kilda, he said that he had been blamed for spoiling the Red Bluff but that was a dangerous place for children before he reduced its cliffs to a gentle slope. He had laid the foundation for a foreshore drive from Port Melbourne to Sorrento. Brighton objected to the drive, but the foreshore was as much public property as the sunshine that warmed them. He had carried out Alexandra-Avenue on the same principle. The first section reached Church-street-bridge, but he had established another five-mile section between Ivanhoe and Heidelberg. There was nothing to stop those two sections being connected. One thing he greatly regretted was that St. Kilda was attracting some very undesirable visitors - brutes who not know how to behave themselves in broad daylight. That evil would have to be dealt with a very firm hand. (2)  

The Red Bluff landscaping/removal/destruction works (whatever your views on the subject are) took place in 1904 and the rock was removed for road gravel and railway ballast. (3)  Carlo had his supporters at the time for this work. The Leader published these photographs in August 1905 with the caption - 

The Red Bluff (Point Ormond), St. Kilda, no longer exists. It has been improved off the face of the earth. The picture reproduced gives a representation of it as it was 20 years ago, and the photograph shows the place as it now appears. (4)

The Red Bluff, St Kilda.

The Bluff 20 -Years Ago. From a Painting by J. R. Williams, St. Kilda. 2. The Bluff at the Present Time.

The Leader, August 26, 1905  http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article198193075

In 1926, The Argus, published an article, under the headlines Beautifying Melbourne: Our debt to Mr Catani - maker of playgrounds and had this to say -  

and turning his attention to the bare eyesore that was once the Red Bluff, transformed it into the Point Ormond of to-day.  (5) 

So here we have it - Red Bluff was considered dangerous, an eyesore and a hazard for little children. I understand the criticism of the Red Bluff works, but they need to be looked at in the context of the time; like much of the country, it was seen as a resource to be exploited. Nor was it the only landscape 'tidied up' or beautified.  Foreshore reclamation works, such as those at St Kilda (6) markedly changed the natural environment and yet there does not seem to be any criticism of those works. The Sun News Pictorial, under the headline - From Reeking Marsh to Garden Beauty: St. Kilda’s Foreshore Represents Miracle of Achievement, described this area as a noisome expanse of marsh which was transformed into the vistas of lawns, gardens and shrubberies that extend for nearly two miles along the sea-front and are unsurpassed by anything else of the kind in Australia. (7) This foreshore park was later named the Catani Gardens, after Carlo. Would St Kilda have the reputation as a desirable and fun destination if the foreshore was still a reeking marsh?

Ref Bluff in its natural state.

Red Bluff St. Kilda: at present Point Ormond c. 1874-1886. Artist: Elizabeth Parsons. 
State Library of Victoria image H36676/18

Point Ormond, the transformed Red Bluff.

Point Ormond Beach, Elsternwick, c. 1910s. Elwood was often referred to as Elsternwick in the past.

Photographer: Rose Stereograph Co. 

Image: A labour of love : the public works of Carlo Catani, Victoria 1876 - 1918 by Isaac Douglas Hermann 

(published by author in 2021)

Footnotes

(1) Yes, that is tongue in cheek.

(2) The Age, on May 23, 1917, see here

(3) Hermann, Isaac Douglas  A Labour of Love: the public works of Carlo Catani Victoria 1876-1918 (published by the author in 2021)

(4) The Leader, August 26, 1905, see here.  

(5) The Argus, January 4, 1926, see here.

(6) St Kilda Foreshore works https://victoriancollections.net.au/stories/carlo-catani-an-engineering-star-over-victoria/st-kilda-foreshore-gardens

(7) Sun News-Pictorial, August 23, 1932, see here.

Carlo and his colleagues on the Albert Park Committee of Management

In 1899 Carlo was appointed a member of the Committee of Management of Albert Park Reserve. He remained on the  Committee of Management until his death in 1918

Carlo's appointment to the Albert Park Committee of Management

Emerald Hill Record, December 9, 1899 - see the full public notice here  

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article108491520

Regulation -
The undermentioned gentlemen shall constitute a Committee of Management to exercise control over the said Albert Park : -

John Baragwanath
John Munro Bruce, J.P.,
John Cockbill,
Carlo Catani,
George Connibere, J P.,
William Davidson, C.E.,
Thomas Frank Morkham, J.P.,
Edward O'Donnell, J.P.
Provided nevertheless that the said George Connibere, J.P., Edward O'Donnell, J.P., John Baragwanath and John Cockbill shall hold office as members of the Committee of Management of the said Albert Park for so long only as they may respectively continue Councillors of the said City of South Melbourne or the said City of Saint Kilda.

Albert Park, 1890s, as Carlo would have known it.

Albert Park & Bay from Toorak Rd, 1890s. Photographer: Charles Rudd. 

State Library of Victoria image H39357/156

I thought we would have a look at the life of his seven colleagues on the 1899 Committee.

Baragwanath, John (1856-1943)

John Baragwanath was on the committee as a representative of the South Melbourne Council. Mr Baragwanath retired from the South Melbourne Bench in 1941, and there was a short report in The Herald of July 22, 1941 (see here) to mark this occasion.

Mr Baragwanath to leave Bench.  Mr John Barngwanath, chairman of South Melbourne Bench, will retire on Friday, the day after his 85th birthday. 

Born in Bendigo in 1856, Mr Baragwanath came to Melbourne when six months old with his parents in a spring dray. His first Job was as a brushmaker with the firm of Zevenboom. He later joined David Boyd in an estate agency in South Melbourne. He entered South Melbourne Council in August,1891, was four times Mayor and also Acting Mayor when Cr. L. Taite was on active service during the 1914-18 war. He first sat on the Bench at South Melbourne during his first term as Mayor in 1894.

His short but informative obituary from The Age, April 16, 1943 (see here) provides more information. 
Mr. John Baragwanath, for more than half a century, one of South Melbourne's best-known citizens, died at a private hospital yesterday morning, aged 86 years. He was a native of Bendigo, but spent nearly all his life in South Melbourne. He played both football and cricket with the district and was president of the cricket club for 34 years. He was four times mayor of South Melbourne, and was a councillor for 29 years. Mr. Baragwanath was twice married. He leaves a widow, a daughter (Mrs L. Dudfield) and a son. The funeral will leave Sleight's chapel, St. Kilda-road, to-day at 3 o'clock for the St. Kilda cemetery.

Bruce, John Munro (1840-1901)
The following information is from his Australian Dictionary of Biography entry, written by J. Ann Hone, https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/bruce-john-munro-3093

Born in Ireland, Mr Bruce arrived in Victoria in 1859 and later bought into a softgoods business Paterson, Laing & Bruce, which was very successful.

When the business was firmly established and prospering Bruce gave time to community affairs. He was a Harbor Trust commissioner from 1883 to 1890. In 1883 he was a Chamber of Commerce delegate at the conference on intercolonial free trade. He was a delegate at the 1888 Australasian Commercial Congress and entertained the visitors at his homes, Wombalano in Toorak and Fern Glen near Scoresby. Bruce also had time to indulge his interest in politics and played a prominent part in securing support for the Gillies-Deakin administration at the 1886 general election and was chairman of the coalition committee. Bruce was president of the Young Men's Christian Association and the Melbourne Hospital, a Centennial Exhibition commissioner and held captain's rank in the Prince of Wales Light Horse.........Overseas again in 1900, Bruce's health failed and he committed suicide in Paris on 4 May 1901. His comparatively early death was attributed to 'wear and tear on his own and the community's behalf'. A Baptist, Bruce was survived by his wife Mary Ann, née Henderson, whom he had married on 28 May 1872, one daughter and three of his four sons, one of whom, Stanley Melbourne, became prime minister of Australia and Viscount Bruce of Melbourne.

Cockbill, John (1854-1922)

John Cockbill  was on the committee as a representative of the South Melbourne Council. Mr Cockbill's obituary was in The Age, May 31, 1922, see here.

Death of Cr. Cockbill. Long Civic Career
After a prolonged illness, Cr John Cockbill, J.P., of the City Council, died yesterday morning at his residence, Albert-road, Albert Park. About six months ago Cr Cockbill was injured by a motor car in front of the Town Hall, sustaining a fractured leg, but although he appeared to recover for a time, symptoms of shock developed. Born in Williamstown in 1854, Cr. Cockbill was elected to the South Melbourne Council in 1890, which position he retained until his death. He was three times mayor of South Melbourne. Elected to the Bourke ward of the City Council in 1912, he was chairman of the Town Hall committee and a member of the public works committee at the time of his death. 

Cr. Cockbill was the founder of the firm of J. Cockbill and Sons, Kensington, which he conducted with the assistance of his sons. He leaves a widow, two sons and three daughters.

Yesterday the Lord Mayor, members of the City Council and the Town Clerk referred feelingly to the late councillor. As a mark of respect the special committee of the City Council; which sat yesterday, adjourned for five minutes. Deceased was a member of the Metropolitan Board for eleven years, and as a mark of respect the board at its meeting yesterday adjourned the proceedings, for five minutes.

The funeral  will leave his late residence 33 Albert-road, Albert Park, on Thursday,at 2:30 p.m., and will proceed to St. James' Cathedral after which the remains will be interred at Melbourne General Cemetery.

Connibere, George, J.P (1832-1911)
George Connibere was on the committee as a representative of the St Kilda Council. His obituary was in the Malvern Standard, on December 2, 1911 (see here)

Death of Mr G. Connibere. Old St. Kilda Resident.
Mr George Connibere died at his residence, "Southdean," Toorak, on Monday last, to the great regret of a large circle of friends and acquaintances. The deceased gentleman, who was 79 years of age, was the senior partner of the firm of Connibere, Grieve, and Connibere, ware-housemen, of Melbourne, and arrived in Australia from England 48 years ago. He was a widower, and leaves a family of three sons and one daughter. 

Mr Connibere was a very old resident of St. Kilda, and for many years took a prominent part in public affairs. He first entered the St. Kilda council in 1872, and, with the exception of an interval, remained in the council until last August twelve months, when he retired. For several years he was one of the St. Kilda representatives on the Metropolitan Board of Works, and on two occasions occupied the position of Mayor. He was a member of the St. Kilda branch of the A.N.A., and that body at its last meeting decided to forward a letter of condolence to the family. 

The late Mr Connibere was a prominent member of Holy Trinity Church, Balaclava. In 1891 he was appointed to the position of Sunday school superintendent, and in succeeding years he was vestry man and churchwarden. To the church he proved one of its best and most revered benefactors. The funeral of the deceased gentleman took place on Tuesday, the remains being interred in the St. Kilda cemetery. There was a large and representative attendance. The pall bearers were -Dr M'Adam, Hon Mr
Bachse, M.L.C., the Mayor of St. Kilda (Cr F. G. Hughes), Cr Barnet, Mr J. J. Brown, Mr Dickenson Wheeler, Mr Albert Miller, Mr W. Birchnell, and Mr Macintosh. The remains had first been conveyed to St. John's Church of England, where the Rev. Canon Drought. and Archdeacon Hindley assisted by the curate of St. John's, held a service.

The chief mourners at the funeral were deceased's two sons, Mr Ernest and Mr George Connibere, and amongst those who attended were the St. Kilda councillors and the Town Clerk (Mr Jno. N. Browne). The employes of Connibere, Grieve,and Connibere lined the drive at the cemetery, and the coffin was carried to the grave between the lines of employes. The body was laid to rest in the family vault. The remains were encased in a very handsome brass mounted oak casket, with the inscription on, and the casket surmounted a very heavy lead coffin.The hearse and floral car, the latter containing very many beautiful designs, were followed by the carriage of the deceased gentleman and five mourning coaches, and then a long line of private and other vehicles. The funeral arrangements were carried out by W. G. Apps and Sons.

Davidson, William C.E., (1844-1920)
William Davidson was a Civil Engineer and Chief Inspector of Public Works. I have written about his life here.

Morkham, Thomas Frank, J.P (1844-1922)

This information about Thomas Morkham comes from his obituary, published in The Argus of March 20, 1922 (see here)

Death of Major Morkham

The news of the death of Major Thomas F. Morkham, a former secretary for lands, which occurred yesterday morning, after a long illness, will be received with regret by a large circle of friends and officers who served under him in the Public Works and Lands departments. Major Morkham was born in Bath in January 1844, and nine years later arrived in Victoria with his parents. The family settled at Geelong, and resided there for many years. Major Morkham served his articles as a surveyor and architect with Mr Shaw, Geelong and, having qualified, carried on business there until 1872, when he came to Melbourne and entered the Government service. He rose rapidly, and eventually was appointed secretary for Public Works, and later Secretary for Lands, from which position he retired on pension in 1905. 

As a young man Major Morkham took a keen ínterest in military matters, and has reached the rank of major in the old volunteer forces when he left Geelong for Melbourne. On desiring to be transferred, he found that his seniority in rank would place him over the heads of many men in the metropolis who had given much time to soldiering, and, with characteristic consideration, Major Morkham applied to be placed on the unattached list, which to done. Major Morkham was keenly interested in cricket, and was a trustee of the Melbourne Cricket ground for some years. He was a favourite with members of the Australian Elevens, with whom he toured more than once. He was chairman of the trustees of Albert Park and a trustee of Royal Park. Major Morkham was twice married. He leaves one son, Mr Frank Morkham.

O'Donnell, Edward  J.P (1845-1933)

Edward O'Donnell, born in Ireland, was on the committee as a representative of the St Kilda Council. He worked with Carlo as a member of the St Kilda Foreshore Committee, established in 1906. Cr O'Donnell unveiled the bronze bust of Carlo on his Clock Tower memorial on August 22, 1932 and also started the mechanism of the clock on the occasion. Cr O'Donnell is remembered in St Kilda by the O'Donnell Fountain and Garden. His obituary was in The Argus of July 8, 1933, see here.

Mr. Edward O'Donnell.

The death of Mr Edward O'Donnell which occurred at his home at St Kilda yesterday closes a long career of public service. Mr O' Donnell had been a member of the St Kilda City Council continuously for 44 years. He was defeated by councillor Raphael in the election last year. He was six times mayor of the city; and for 18 years he was chairman of the finance committee of the council. He had been a member of the foreshore committee since its inception in 1906; and he was chairman from 1919 until his death. On his defeat as a candidate for the council last year he was made Government representative on the committee. In December, 1888, he became a member of the Albert Park committee of management and he remained a member until his death. From August 1918, until his defeat Mr O'Donnell represented the council on the Melbourne and Metropolitan Board of Works. He was a trustee of the St Kilda Cemetery, a member of the committee of management of the Alfred Hospital and returning officer for the Melbourne South Province and the electoral district of St Kilda. 

Mr O'Donnell leaves a widow and a family of six daughters and two sons. Three daughters are married. One is Mrs T. T. McMahon, another Mrs J. Tuomy and a third Mrs H. B. Devine. The funeral will leave Mr O'Donnell's late residence for the St Kilda Cemetery at 3 o'clock this afternoon.