19a["Onslow News", The Northern Times (Carnarvon, WA), Saturday 11 July 1908, page 3]

...

With regard to the jetty it was pointed out to the visitors that the progress committee had outlined a new system so as to afford better shipping facilities for the settlers of the Ashburton, and reducing the cost of imports and exports. The suggestion or scheme is to erect a new jetty at a point on the ocean beach some 6 miles west of the present jetty, nearly opposite to Parkes Reef, as shown on the chart, connect same with the township of Onslow by a road over the sand between the proposed jetty and the Ashburton river (a distance of 30 chains), then a bridge across the Ashburton River, which at this point is about a quarter of a mile wide, and thus connecting on to Clandon-street, the main business thoroughfare of Onslow. The jetty would only require to be put out 900 yards, and at this distance will find three and a half fathoms or water. Thus it must be apparent that such a scheme will bring the shipping within two-and-a half miles of the township; whilst under the present system the goods have to be lightered from the ships about one and & quarter miles from the wharf, landed on a jetty, and carried over four and a half miles of tramway. Under the present system the shipment of stock is impossible, pastoralists being compelled to drove them to Roebourne or Carnarvon.

...

AB notes:

July 1907: "Under the present system the shipment of stock is impossible,..."

As of 1908, a site west of the Ashburton was the tentative choice.

The main street of Onslow was Clandon Street.

19b["The North-West", Daily News (Perth, WA), Thursday 15 February 1912, page 6]

THE NORTH-WEST

NEGLECTED IN THE PAST.

DEPUTATION TO THE PREMIER.

A large and influential deputation from Onslow and the Ashburton district waited on the Minister for Public Works this morning for the purpose of placing several matters before him which they desired carried out. The deputation was introduced by Mr. J. Gardiner, M.L.A., who said that the first matter they wished to draw the Minister's attention to was the necessity for a jetty at Onslow, so that deep-sea boats could load and unload

cargo. Cargo at present had to be handled by lighters, and this presented numerous difficulties to the district, as well as involving a considerable amount of expense. The town was the centre of a great agricultural and pastoral district, and the jetty was an absolute necessity. The next matter was in connection with the water supply. He explained the difficulties and trials of the residents, and asked the Minister to have a bore put down with the object of finding an artesian flow. Other matters touched upon were a water supply for the Dead Finish field and the provision of up-to-date rolling stock for the tramway at Onslow. The Minister, in reply, said he had talked over all these matters with Mr. Gardiner and he had decided to put down another bore at Onslow. As far as the jetty was concerned, there were a number of difficulties to be overcome. Some of the engineers were of opinion that a suitable site could not be obtained and the scheme would cost £70,000. They could not spend a sum of anything like that amount. He had been astounded at the neglect that the North-West had experienced in the past, and was at present arranging to make a personal tour of inspection of the whole district. He was taking the Penguin, and would leave early in April and make a thorough investigation into the requirements of the whole of the Nor'-West. They had his sympathies in all their requests, and he would endeavor to see what could be done to meet at least some of their difficulties. With regard to the water supply at the Dead Finish, he would pass that matter over to the Mines Department and inform them, through Mr. Gardiner, as to what could be done.

19c["Minister for Works", The Northern Times (Carnarvon, WA), Saturday 04 May 1912, page 4]

MINISTER FOR WORKS

VISIT TO CARNARVON

A Busy Day

Formal Reception

The informal reception on the Penguin's arrival on Saturday night was supplemented by a formal citizens' welcome on Monday morning in the

music-room of the Settlers' Hotel. The Mayor presided, and in extending a welcome on behalf of the council and the townspeople said that it was the first time in the history of Carnarvon that they had had an opportunity of welcoming a representative of a Labor Government. It was not

long since the Scaddan Ministry had taken office, and they had not yet had time to show what they could do, but he thought they were moving along the right track to make the country progress. (Applause.)

Mr. W. E. Fenner, on behalf of the Gascoyne-Minilya Road Board, added to the welcome. lt was the first occasion the North-West had been visited by so large a political party, and he hoped in the future this large portion of the State would get the attention it deserved.

Mr. Whitlock, for the pastoralists and the Chamber of Commerce, also welcomed the visitors. The visit was an earnest to the district that the parliamentarians were viewing their responsibilities very seriously indeed. He had no doubt the Minister would grant them that afternoon whatever he deemed the district reasonably required.

Mr. W. D. Johnson, on rising to reply, was heartily received. He said the trip was being undertaken to view the requirements of the North-West. The Scaddan Ministry felt that to govern a country well it was necessary to see it. Not long after the Ministry was sworn in, the North-West members waited on the Government to arrange the tour. He found on inquiry that much money had to be spent in the North-West, totalling about £70,000. He also found that maintenance had been much neglected, and this might mean heavy expenditure on reconstruction unless action

was immediately taken. So it was thought essential that the Minister for Works should come and personally inspect that portion of the State where such large expenditure was proposed. He was determined to thoroughly reorganise the staff so as to get better results. Mr. Tindale had been appointed engineer for the North-West. He would control all the supervisors and district foremen, of course subject to the engineer-in-chief. The North West was isolated and difficult to supervise, and it was therefore essential to have the very best man for the post. Such a man they had secured in Mr. Tindale. (Applause.)

After the tour, Mr. Tindale and he would discuss in Perth the requirements of the North-West, and he hoped they would get better attention than had been given in the past. Not having had a man in office who personally knew the North-West, they have hd to administer by file knowledge. He believed the coast had not been treated in the best way in the matter of the shipping of stock and the marketing of produce. The Government had gone to the extent of deciding to put a boat on the coast themselves. (Applause.) If they later on found it was in the interest of the people that more boats should be put on, they would do so. (Continued applause.)

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