Edward Charles and Christina (nee Beatts) Biggs
A Snapshot of Life in the Young Settlernent
Written by Noela Costello of Sydney, formerly of Halifax and lngham. My thanks to my cousin Tim Kemp who found the articles whilst researching old newspapers. Also to my sister Janet, my niece Janelle and various cousins for their help. June 2014
If you have ever been in Mercer Lane you would have seen the family stories on the laneway posts. They are riveting reading of days long past and of families who, in many different ways, have contributed to life in this district. This is one of those stories which I have been kindly given permission by family to reprint here. It is long but so very worth the read.
Edward, a carpenter, was born in Newport, Wales in 1861. He landed in Townsville in 1882 with a passage ticket to Brisbane. lt was the fact that he missed the boat when it sailed that brought him to the Herbert River District the following year.
Christina was born in Liverpool, England, to Scottish parents in 1868. She arrived in Townsville with her mother and three siblings on the S.S. "Quetta" in 1883, reuniting with her father who arrlved at the Herbert a year earlier. He had signed off as a crew member of the S.S. "Nevada" in Newcastle N.S.W. in that year.
ln 1886 Grandfather and Gran were the first couple to marry in the new Halifax Anglican Church, built of mangrove timber and split palms by the early settlers.
ln early 1893 while Grandfather was absent on business a serious grass fire occurred, reducing to ashes his crop, yards, stables and other effects. The dwelling of grass thatching was saved by Gran, her sister and young children.
During their time at "Springfield" four children were born - Madge in 1887, Glad 1889, Fanny 1890 (dying seven days later) and Bill in 1891. Gran used to tell us stories of walking into Halifax for supplies, usually with a child on each hip, and meeting Aborigines on the way. They became quite fond of Gran, so much so that they presented her with a Nulla Nulla (a war weapon) which remained on the back porch of " Agra House" (Gran's home in Halifax) for many years.
We know how hard the early [European] settlers worked clearing land, building houses, fences etc but by the 1880's they did find time to 'play'.
ln 1883 the school building was completed and was the venue for weekend dances, 'penny' (one cent) concerts and the annual 'Break-up Day'- a community picnic day. Grandfather was a member of a comedy group "The Halifax Minstrels" that played to packed houses at the concerts.
After the fire Grandfather returned to his position at Macknade Mill, and with Gran and family moved into a mill house. Two more children were born - Evelyn in 1893, Elsie in 1896.
While at Macknade Grandfather sold "Springfield" and took up a farm on the Macknade Estate which he named "Newport" after his old home in Wales.
ln 1893 the two oldest children, Madge and Glad, were enrolled at the Provisional School Macknade. ln 1894 Grandfather was elected to the school committee.
At Newport" four more children were born - George, the twins Alice and Bob (Bob dying at nine months) and Charles Edward (dying at ten months).
During the period two balls were held at Macknade Mill. The first, in December 1892 was to celebrate the end of the season. lt was held in the Sugar Room which had been cleared of mountains of sugar for the occasion. Hanging in the middle of the room was a large Punka [Punkah - a type of fan] with the words "A Merry Xmas" painted on it. This was kept going until dawn when dancing ceased, and made the room deliciously cool. Music was provided by piano and Mr John Anderssen on the violin.
The ladies' gowns were charming and varied. However the person who appeared to have the most admirers was Grandfather who, assisted by Mr Wiskar (Gran's future brother-in-law) and others, presided at the bar. He showed himself to be as adept with the corkscrew as he was with the cricket ball.
A second ball was held in the Sugar Room in 1893, again to mark the end of the crushing season. The music was provided by Messrs Pearce, Anderssen, Johnson and Young. Great credit was given to Mr Wiskar, the secretary, and Grandfather who served as M.C., for the efficient manner in which the arrangements were carried out. Again the ladies looked charming in their colourful, hand sewn gowns. Amongst the ladies present were Mrs Alm, Mrs Carr, Gran, Mrs Beatts (senior) Mrs J. Beatts, Mrs Skinner, the Misses Alm, the Misses Rosendahl, Miss Scott, Miss Beatts and Miss Herron.
The popular dances at this time were the waltz and tango. ln 1914 the foxtrot made its debut.
The information above was taken from the 'Ladies' Page' of the "North Queensland Register". On the same page were sewing tips and recipes for savoury toasts, sardines, and egg and anchovy- Recipes were usually handed down from mother to daughter, but in 1861 Mrs Beetson published her famous "Book of Household Management" which by 1868 had sold over two million copies.
ln the 1890s picnics were quite the rage, involving travel to the beaches and occasional overnight stays.
ln 1895 cricket was featured in a news article. A match was arranged between the 'Australians' and 'Allcomers'' According to the article, "the 'Australians' have the strongest team, and it will take the 'English' and 'Allcomers' all their time to beat them." To me, this begs the question "Who were the 'Australians'?"
ln the young settlement the horse would have been man's best friend. lt was used for transport - riding, pulling sulkies and buggies and taking children to school. The draught horse was used for farm work such as pulling drays, ploughs etc. sadly, serious and sometimes fatal accidents occurred often when a horse shied, throwing the rider, or bolted when suddenly frightened.
Our early settlers were also troubled by pests like ticks, bandicoots and cane beetles. They built dips to rid the horses and cattle of ticks. ln 1899 Felice Regazzoli (Gran's brother-in-law) was successful in having a bandicoot trap filed at the lnternational Patents office in Sydney. ln 1897 it was reported that the cane beetle had decreased in numbers due to a subsidy from the government which paid collectors quite handsomely. The beetles were collected by placing a white sheet with a bright light under a tree and then shaking the tree vigorously. ln later years the cane toad was introduced to eradicate the cane beetle, and what a pest the cane toad has become!
Obviously Grandfather was a member of the Hinchinbrook Divisional Board for Subdivision 3 because in 1897 he was returned unopposed to the Board. At this meeting a notice of motion was brought forward suggesting an alteration to the timetable of trains run by the C.S.R. Company Ltd. 'At the moment travellers from the north are unable to travel to lngham when they arrive at Lucinda Point. lf the C.S.R. would agree to put on an extra train, all this would be avoided.'
Eighteen hundred and ninety seven was quite a busy year. The Halifax Rifle Club played a match against the Johnstone River Club. Some of the shooters were A.W. Carr, E. Regazzoli, J.A. Menzies (Gran's cousin) and F. Robinson. As well, nominations for the Boxing Day Races were declared at a meeting of the Halifax Jockey Club. There were 58 horses, and all were local.
ln 1899 Grandfather made a sea voyage back to Newport, Wales to visit his parents and family members. To mark the occasion of this visit, he was presented with a very ornate time piece barometer which remains proudly in the possession of a grandson.
ln 1898 the Herbert River Pastoral and Agricultural Association held their first show. ln the 1902 show, horses appeared to be the popular exhibit as quite a bit of space was allotted to them in the "North Queensland Register". Grandfather was a member of the committee as well as being an exhibitor. He exhibited 'Prince', 'Colonel' and 'Donald' in the draught stock section. ln the Light Harness Horse or Mare, Grandfathe/s 'Starlight' came second. There were many different events for horses.
In 1903 Grandfather purchased 'Mona' farm for five hundred pounds (1,000 dollars) from the Commercial Banking Co. of Sydney. At 'Mona' he had about 70 acres under sugar cane and 220 acres of grazing land. 'Mona' had common boundaries with 'Norwood' farm, owned by John L. Beatts (Gran's brother) and 'Rest Downs' farm owned by Harald Hoffensetz {John Beatts' father-in-law).
At 'Mona three more children were born - Jessie 1904 and twins Tom and Gwen in 1906. From 1905 the Biggs children were enrolled at the Halifax State School - Bill, Evelyn, Elsie and George in 1905, Alice in 1906, Jessie in 1911 and Torn and Gwen in 1913.
Grandfather built 'Mona' homestead, which was quite large to accommodate ten children. It was set in the midst of palm and mango trees, well kept lawns, flower beds and a fernery (Gran's passion). These all added to the charm of this very desirable home. People lived in 'Mona' homestead until Cyclone Yasi in 2011 caused considerable damage. However Terry Carr, a great grandson, is hoping to restore the home as the timber is still in good condition.
Grandfather was regarded by his younger children as a disciplinarian, but he was actually very good to them. He saw that they were well educated. Bill, his oldest son, attended Gatton Agricultural College in his teens. Grandfather built a tennis court on 'Mona' and arranged social tennis weekends. He supported his children in district competitions. They all had good singing voices and were involved in district choirs.
ln 1914 World War 1 erupted. lt was to be a devastating war - a war in which 2.5 million of Australia's youngest and strongest enlisted. Three hundred and fifty thousand would never return and one million returned wounded, ghosts of their former selves. Many young men from the Herbert enlisted. Gran and her family would have grieved with her brother John and his family when their oldest son John Beatts was killed in action in 1917. They would again have worried and prayed with Gran's sister Aggie and her family when their oldest son John Regazzoli was reported missing in action for a lengthy period. He was found to be a prisoner of war in Germany.
The Australian Red Cross was established on 14th August, 1914. Fine work was achieved by this organisation and many others, as they collected funds to send food parcels, hand knitted scarves and socks, and helped our soldiers in so many ways. Branches were quickly formed in towns and cities throughout Australia. On 22nd September 1914, at a well attended meeting in Halifax, it was resolved that all present would form a committee to be called The Halifax Red Cross League'. Gran was in the chair; Mrs Allison was secretary and Mrs Vignolia treasurer. lt was decided the Halifax branch was to collect funds and raise cash by holding dances, euchre (a popular card game), parties etc. Price of admission to the dances was to be set at one shilling and sixpence (16 cents).
ln 1921 Rosina (Grandfather's youngest sister) arrived from Wales and spent about five months with the family at 'Mona'.
Grandfather died in 1924 from tongue and throat cancer. Sadly, just over two weeks later his oldest son Bill, who had helped nurse Grandfather during his illness, died whilst having his appendix removed. He left a wife and five young children.
After Grandfather's death Gran had a house built in Anderssen Street Halifax, which she called 'Agra House' after her grandmother's home in Scotland. Gran and her unmarried daughters lived there. She leased 'Mona' to her two sons George and Tom. This proved unsatisfactory so she leased 'Mona'to her daughter Elsie and her husband Sticks Carr, who purchased 'Mona' after Gran's death in 1945. 'Mona' remains in the Carr family to this day.
I am not sure of the year the first motor car arrived in the Herbert, but I do know that Felice Regazzoli owned it. In an article in "The western Champion" (Barcaldine) in Decembee 1924 it was noted that a family named Regazzoli had had remarkable luck in Art Union Drawings some years before. Mr Regazzoti (snr.) won first prize - a black Buick - in an Art Union and just some weeks ago Mr F. Regazzoli (jnr.) won a Hudson super six in the Toowoomba Public Hospital's Art Union. The question was asked, 'May we soon see a Golden Casket go that way?'
ln the 1920's the Carr Brothers operated the Austin Agency in the district, selling both cars and tractors. Even though there were so few cars on the road there were accidents. As you can imagine the roads were just bush tracks and full of pot holes. My mother, Miss Gwen Biggs, was involved in two accidents while driving. The first was on the Taylor's Beach Road - she rolled the car. My cousin, Beth, who is now 90 was four or five years old at the time and was in the car. Fortunately nobody was injured and they were rescued by relatives following in the car behind. The second accident occurred in 1928 on the main road from Halifax to lngham. Mum again rolled the car, trying to avoid a cyclist who had crossed to the wrong side of the road. Gran, who was travelling with Mum, injured her shoulder and was conveyed by ambulance to the lngham Private Hospital. The cyclist was admitted to the General Hospital with a knee injury.
ln !927 a tropical cyclone formed, resulting in heavy rain. The Herbert River broke its banks, causing heavy flooding in the Herbert Valley. Hundreds of people were forced to leave their homes. Many houses were washed away and twenty three people were drowned. This number included the lngham ambulance superintendant, who was attempting to reach sick people. The loss of crops, property and stock was considerable - some 2500 cattle and 1500 horses were drowned. The one level Halifax traffic bridge was also washed away.
I don't know how the early settlers in 1927 were warned that a cyclone was approaching, but when we were children the post master would fly a red flag at the post office to warn everyone. This would cause much hovering by Gran, Jess and Mum in front of Grandfather's barometer to check the deteriorating weather.
ln the early 1930s Gran converted 'Agra House' into two flats to accommodate her daughter Alice (Cockburn) who had lost her husband, and her three young children - John (world renowned artist), Ann and Margaret. Alice and Jess operated a drapery store - 'Biggs and Cockburn' - for a few years in Halifax. Alice and her family moved into accommodation attached to the store.
In 1937 Mum (Gwen) with three young children Janet, Bill and Noela, moved into 'Agra House'- her marriage having ended. Mum lived in 'Agra House' until 1990 when she moved into 'Blue Haven'. ln 1939 the world was at war again. ln 1942 there were fears that a Japanese invasion of Australia threatened. Gran with her daughters Glad, Elsie, Jess and Gwen, her daughter-in-law Audrey, her niece Ruth and all their children evacuated to Glen Morgan in south west Queensland, below the Brisbane line' All of Queensland north of the Brisbane line was to be left undefended should the Japanese invade. Many families evacuated or had plans in place should this occur. We swelled the population of Glenmorgan, a town of one shop, a small one teacher school, one hotel and about ten houses. Husbands who weren't in the forces remained at home to work the farms. As well the Carr brothers served as coast watchers - they had to report any planes flying over or any unusual activity on the coast.
We all returned to Halifax in June, after the 'Battle of the Coral Sea', when it looked as though, with the help of the Americans, our Australian forces were getting the better of the Japanese. lt would be another three years before peace was declared. Again there would be great loss of life and terrible atrocities carried out on our soldiers in prisoner of war camps.
Gran died peacefully in her sleep at 'Agra House' in December 1945, having borne thirteen children and lived through two world wars. She was blessed to have a loving family who all adored her.
As you can see by this story Gran, Grandfather and family were very much involved in the young settlement of Halifax. They, along with all the early settlers, showed resourcefulness that made it possible to overcome the hardships and difficutties which crossed their paths. Their spirit enabled them to combat sickness, trouble and sorrow with strength that words cannot describe.
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