Blumberg or Birdwood.

The Telegraph opened as Blumberg in February 1867. A Post Office had opened on 1 June 1855.

On 1 July 1918, the name of the Office was changed to Birdwood.

The Telegraph Office was opened on 9 May 1874 under the charge of Mr. Alfred Sexton, whose two sons - A. H. and Richard - were the operators. The boys were given training in Morse code by the young operator at Nairne.

In 1886, the Telegraph Office was removed to the railway station about half a mile from the town. The cost of repairs and renovations of this move seems to have been £170.

The Advertiser of 12 October 1907 noted "According to the Gazette, the Federal Post and Telegraph authorities have seen fit to abolish the office of telegraph messenger at Callington. This means that henceforth all telegrams will be 'left till called for'. If this be the case, why not abolish telegraph offices altogether?"

SC1: Circular steel date stamp:

Number used on a telegram: 0.

Echunga.

The Telegraph Office at Echunga was opened on 10 July 1873.

Prior to that, there had been a number of petitions presented urging the opening of an office - especially as the line went past Echunga by that stage. The South Australian Chronicle of 6 May 1871 reported that during one of these meetings, the view was expressed that:

"Echunga was the centre of a large agricultural population, being equidistant from the Meadows, Mount Barker, Macclesfield and Hahndorf and it was also the chief place of business for the neighboring diggings at Echunga and Jupiter Creek. Echunga was the first important township from Adelaide on the greatest line of road for traffic in the colony. Frequently enquiries were made for a telegraph office by travellers, sheep and cattle drovers and others. There being no medical man resident in the township, it was a great desideratum to be in telegraphic communication with a neighboring township where there was one".

Gumeracha.

The first Telegraph Office was opened in 1862.

The Foundation Stone for a new the Gumeracha Post Office and Telegraph Station was laid by Mr. H. Dawson, J.P. on 26 August 1878.

Gold was often found in the area around Gumeracha along the banks of the Torrens River. In March 1867, an ingot was discovered containing about 13 ounces of gold.

At a meeting between local residents and the Commissioner of Public Works. reported in the Adelaide Observer of 7 July 1877, the deputation wished

"to direct the attention of the Government to the inefficient Post Office and Telegraph accommodation at Gumeracha. The deputation submitted that the existing telegraphic and postal business was transacted in a "wattle and dab shanty" which was said to be in a most dilapidated condition and altogether inadequate to the exigencies of business. The office had been shifted so frequently and the hours so irregular as to greatly inconvenience people in the surrounding country. The Commissioner was also informed that the danger of fire in the premises now utilized for the offices in question was very great and that the safety of the letters could not be guaranteed and the deputation suggested that a suitable building should be erected by the Government on a block of Crown land adjoining the present site of the Post Office.

Mr. Colton, in reply, said it was scarcely fair to expect that the Government could supply the postal and telegraphic requirements of the entire colony simultaneously in a complete and efficient manner owing — among many other reasons — to the enormous expense which would attend such an undertaking. He considered, however, that the deputation had made out a fair case. He would obtain a report on the subject and, if the representations of the deputation were borne out, he would endeavour to get a portion of the amount required for the building placed upon the Supplementary Estimates".

The Telegraph Office opened in 1864.

Also see the image in the Mount Barker entry below.

Hahndorf Post and Telegraph Office about 1952.

Used (on telegram): 14 October 1890.

Size: 24 × 24 mm.

Rated (on telegram): RRRR.

Number in Census (on telegram): 1.

Kanmantoo.

The South Australian Chronicle of 8 March 1879 reported that a deputation had met with the Minister of Education on the precious day to ask that a telegraph station (and a school) might be erected at Kanmantoo. The Minister promised to lay the matter before his colleagues for consideration.

The Telegraph Station opened on 2 September 1879. It closed on 1 February 1886.

The Post Office had opened on 13 October 1855.

Langhorne's Bridge.

A Post Office had opened as Langhorne's Creek on 1 August 1853. The Telegraph Office opened as Langhorne's Bridge on 5 October 1866 and was known by that name until the 1890s. In November 1898, the Telegraph Station was converted to a telephone office. In December 1940, the spelling was changed to Langhorne.

At a meeting of the Central Road Board on 1 August 1860,a problem with the telegraph posts around Langhorne's Creek was raised:

"The telegraph posts had been placed in the middle of the road and were not only in danger of being knocked down, but caused travellers to leave the track and pass over unsafe places. Mr. Boothby replied that the telegraph posts were on the line of the fence, which was to enclose the road, while the present track was a trespass road through unfenced land".

It is not recorded if that reply fixed the problem.

The Telegraph Office opened in 1864. The name of the town was changed to Tweedvale in 1918.

A new building was constructed in 1883 at a cost of £735.

Used (on telegram): 12 March 1909.

Size: 28 × 28 mm.

Rated (on telegram): RRRR.

Number in Census (on telegram): 1

Macclesfield.

A Telegraph line was connected in 1866. Two years previously, Public Meetings had been held and the need for a Post & Telegraph Office was raised. For example, in November 1864, the meeting expressed the " hope that the Government will grant us the boon of a telegraph office, which will be much required this year, as a good deal of wheat will be purchased here."

When the line was completed to Macclesfield, the Post Office and Telegraph Office were located in a private store. There was considerable and long-standing dissatisfaction with this arrangement. For example, in October 1881, a deputation met with the Minister of Education and

"asked that a Post and Telegraph might be erected at Macclesfield. They represented that the postal and telegraph business at present was conducted in a private store and that there was almost universal complaint against the manner in which it was carried on. Persons were kept waiting for their letters in some cases more than quarter of an hour whilst the Postmaster was attending to private business in connection with the store and those receiving invoices from rival storekeepers were frequently insulted. There was not the privacy observed which was desirable in connection with the Telegraph Office and it occasionally happened that a person having letters at the office was,after applying, kept waiting for them for four or five days.

But on public grounds alone the deputation thought they had a perfect right to an independent Post and Telegraph Office. It was pointed out that Macclesfield had 200 assessed properties and from its present and prospectively largely increased importance, in view of extended railway and telegraphic communication, it would have a good deal of postal and telegraph business to do. They disclaimed any personal animosity to the Postmaster. Mr. C. Todd, C.M.G., at the request of the Minister, said he had no idea that such a state of things existed at Macclesfield and regretted that his attention had not been called to specific cases at the time they happened. The postal and telegraph business had been connected with a store some years ago from motives of economy as the place was not large enough to justify a separate office but, where possible and justifiable, his experience had taught him that it was very undesirable to have the postal duties transacted by a storekeeper. Under such circumstances, the Postmaster was frequently subjected to unjust suspicions and the public inconvenienced as the Postmaster at Macclesfield received from £70 to £75 a year the Government could employ a lady to take charge of an independent without much extra expense. Mr. H. Conigrave pointed out that the Government had a good site available.

The Minister of Education, in reply, said he was very sorry to hear of such a condition of affairs in connection with the office at Macclesfield. The postal and telegraph business should always take precedence of the storekeeper's own. There could be so doubt that it was undesirable that Post-Offices should be in stores and, whenever it was possible, it was the policy of the Government to have the business carried out in a separate office. Unquestionably Macclesfield was of sufficient importance to be placed on the same footing in these respects as other smaller towns. The only difficulty was the time at which the delegation had brought the matter before him, as the Estimates had been passed, and the Supplementary Estimates made up. It would, therefore, be impossible for anything to be done in the matter of erecting new this year. He would look into the matter to see if anything could be done. The Postmaster-General should enquire into the complaints offsetting the business in the meantime, and, if necessary, make some other arrangements. The deputation had made out a thoroughly satisfactory case and, on public grounds alone, they would be justified in preferring their request and he would promise that next year at least provision, should be made".

In December 1883, a tender to construct a new Post & Telegraph Offices was let to T. Burnett for £695 2s 6d.

Mannum.

In the House on 11 July 1872, Hon A. Blyth asked the Commissioner of Public Works "if the Government have received an offer of a gift of land for the Telegraph Station at Mannum. If so, when will the work of erecting a station at Mannum and making the line thereto be commenced?"

The Commissioner of Public Works replied on the following day: "The Government have not received any offer of a gift of land for the Telegraph Station at Mannum. Instructions have been given for preparing plan of the Station and proceeding with the making of the line to Mannum."

A Telegraph Office was opened on 3 February 1873.
A Post Office had opened on 1 January 1865.

"It was a neat building; the walls are limestone, and the erection will consist of three private rooms and passage for Station master's residence, office, battery and storerooms. The building is in a fine elevated position, commanding a good view of the river both up and down stream".

The line to Mount Barker was opened on 31 May 1860. Petitions had been presented in the Assembly as long ago as 9 October 1857.

Tenders were accepted for the construction of the Telegraph Office on 9 December 1859 with Hugh Sellare for £768. It was a stone building - ornamental as well as useful to the township.

The Telegraph Office opened in July 1860 nearly two months after the line was completed.

Electric Telegraph Department Memorandum.
30 April 1891.
Shows the continued use of the Electric Telegraph Department heading in stationery
long after the 1869 merger of the Post and Telegraph Departments.
Amazing request from the Stationmaster at Hahndorf.

The Telegraph Office was opened on 3 January 1867.

The line was intended to have been opened on the 2nd but unfortunately the wire broke somewhere about Mount Torrens and was not repaired until between 8 and 9 p.m. This was too late an hour for the proceedings, which were accordingly postponed.

On the afternoon of the 2nd a number of residents left the township to meet Mr. Todd, Superintendent of Telegraphs, and escorted that gentleman and his assistant to the station. The number present would have been greatly augmented had the weather been cooler; the intense heat and danger of fire keeping many away who would otherwise have been there.

The party adjourned to the Totness Inn where a first-rate spread awaited them. Hot as the day had been, the appetites of the company did not seem in any way behind the mark; but every one seemed determined to do justice to the good things provided.

After the cloth was removed Mr. Todd made some very entertaining and instructive remarks about telegraphs in general and the Atlantic cable in particular — specimens of which he handed round for inspection. Surprise was indicated at the smallness of the diameter of these, many imagining that the cable was much larger.

As soon as Mr. Todd found that the wire had been repaired, he went up to the office and spoke to Mount Barker, after which a very pleasant hour or so passed away, the song, toast and glee going round full merrily". (South Australian Register 7 January 1867).

Mt. Pleasant SA squared circle date stamp.

A strike with this format could have been used on a transmission or a delivery form.

OS overprint for this stamp would have allowed the telegram to be transmitted free of charge.

SC1: circular steel date stamp.

Used (on telegram): (?).

Diameter:

Rated (used on telegram): RRRR.

Number in the Census (on telegram): 0.

Mount Torrens.

The telegraph link to Mount Torrens was opened on 13 March 1867 but there was no Telegraph Station built by that time. The Station was closed in April 1886.

The Post Office had opened on 25 July 1849, closed on 17 October 1850 and then reopened before March 1851.

In August 1863, gold was found on the main road to Mount Torrens near the 20th milepost. The South Australian Register's Correspondent at Mount Torrens claimed to have visited the area for some years and was told that about three ounces had been washed out since 12 o'clock on the day he visited to check the latest story. It is nuggetty gold and was found near the surface.

Murray Bridge.

Murray Bridge had been a port on the Murray River but, in 1884, the landing at that port of any further material for the railway had to be discontinued. There was an excellent landing place near by the bridge but it was very low down and it was difficult to off-load heavy items. An alternative port therefore had to be found. A more suitable place was determined to be 15 miles further down the river "at a place called Tailem Bend". At that place, a tableland of rock extended inland for a long distance and "the iron road" came close to the river.

The South Australian Weekly Chronicle of 20 June 1895 reported that "The railway station buildings are now nearly completed and that part of them to be used as a Post and Telegraph Office will be fitted up very soon. We hope to have the long-looked-for telegraphic facilities almost at once".

The same newspaper reported on 11 July 1885 that:

"The new Post Office and Telegraph Station building is now completed and will be opened as soon as the fittings arrive. Mr. Sutcliffe has been appointed Post and Station Master and, during the past week, he has had the wires and batteries fixed for opening the Telegraph office".

The Telegraph Office was opened on Saturday 25 July 1885 by both Mr. Squires and Mr. Knuckey.

Murray Bridge Post & Telegraph Office probably after 1913.

On 7 August - soon after opening - the Mount Barker Courier noted:

"The good folks of the Bridge are justly proud of our telegraph, but feel hurt at your remarks last week in stating that Mount Barker station has to maintain the battery here. So far from this being the case, I am informed on good authority that the battery here is stronger than yours, and in fact, that if any assistance is given the boot is on the other leg".

In November 1913, the Offices were transferred from the Railway Station to an old school building pending the construction of new premises.

Originally the town was called Mobilong which changed to Edwards Crossing. The name Murray Bridge was adopted in 1924. The road bridge across the Murray River had been constructed in 1879 and then converted to a road and rail bridge in 1886

Used (on telegram): .

Diameter: 31 mm.

Rated (on telegram): RRR.

Number in the Census on telegram: 0.

1 February 1904.
Used on a 8d Postage.

SC1: Steel circular date stamp.
8 mm side arcs.
SA - AUST at base.

Used (on telegram): 18 September 1968 to
6 April 1970.

Diameter: 31 mm.

Rated (on telegram): RR.

Number in the Census on telegram: 2.

The Telegraph Office opened in 1860.

A special note was made in The Advertiser of 3 June 1902 relating to the end of the Boer War:

"The action of Sir Charles Todd in causing a notice to be posted outside the telegraph office after the arrival of The Advertiser this morning announcing that peace had been declared, was much appreciated by the residents of Nairne. As on the relief of Ladysmith, all flags were immediately hoisted and the public school drum and fife band, under the leadership of Mr. Sandercock, the head teacher, paraded the streets playing patriotic airs. There is the greatest enthusiasm and rejoicing here".

Personnel:

29 January, 1870: Mr. George Cobbin, the Nairne Telegraph Master was given a farewell dinner at the Miller's Arms. After serving seven years at Nairne, he was moving to Port Augusta.

Palmer.

The Telegraph Office was opened on 4 December 1873.

A Post Office had been opened on 1 November 1868.

Strathalbyn.

In the second half of 1859, £778 was placed on the Estimates for the Telegraph Station and Post Office - for work to be commenced immediately.

The Telegraph Office was opened on 29 June 1860 by Mr. Charles Todd. The site had been a great point of contention. The new Telegraph Office was completed about 18 August.

Personnel:

June 1860: Mr W. H. Drew was appointed Telegraph Master at Strathalbyn.

1 November 1860: a young student passed his oral and public school examinations on 23 September at the Strathalbyn school (at the age of 12 years 5 months). He was Richard Willian Mackie Waddy. Immediately his exams were over, Mr Drew offered him the position of Messenger in the new Strathalbyn Telegraph Office. After a brilliant, historical career, Mr. Waddy celebrated his 50 years of service in October 1910 - as Deputy Postmaster-General of Australia. He retired in April 1913 and died in November 1933 at age 95.
Follow the hyperlink for a great read!!

Early usage:

The earliest evidence of a Telegraph Office operating at Strathalbyn is the cover (SC-EO-2) shown below with a 11 November 1861 date stamp. Used about 12 months after young Richard had joined the Office - one wonders if that is his writing.

SC-EO-2: Used to send a telegram from Strathalbyn on 11 November 1861 to Brighton - about 19 years before the latter had a telegraph office.
Provenance: Dr. Don Pearce Coll'n of South Australia, Abacus Sale 254 December 2023, Lot 2084.
Johnstone Collection.

Date stamps.

In addition to the postal date stamp on the above cover, Strathalbyn was never issued with a special date stamp for telegraph purposes.

SC1: Steel circular date stamp.
S.A. at base.
Has time slug.

Used (on telegram): 16 August 1943.

Diameter: 29 mm.

Rated (on telegram): RR.

Number in Census (on telegram): 1.

SC1: Steel circular date stamp.
SOUTH AUSTRALIA at base.
Has time slug.

Used (on telegram): 4 October 1955.

Diameter: 29 mm.

Rated (on telegram): RR.

Number in Census (on telegram): 1.

Teatree Gully.

The Post & Telegraph Office opened on 20 May 1880.

On that day "the township was decorated with bunting, and a triumphal arch, bearing the words "Welcome to Teatree Gully" was erected across the main road, leading into the township ... the (telegraph) wires had run through the township but the difficulty of house accommodation stood in the way, and it was not until the Government purchased the old hotel on the hill that the difficulty was overcome ... (during the opening) The Post-Office clock was distinctly heard to strike, much to the astonishment of the residents".
South Australian Register 21 May 1880.

In August 1879, a Parliamentary delegation of 12 members inspected the building proposed for conversion into the new Teatree Gully Post & Telegraph office. They had left Parliament House "in two traps" and arrived about two hours later. The building had previously been known as the Highercombe Hotel and it stood on the rise of a hill facing the East Torrens Road but a little way back. The Register noted that "It had been urged by some members that the building was totally unsuitable and was in a very rlcketty tumble-down condition, and whispers that a job had been perpetrated were circulated freely amongst those disaffected towards the Government." The hotel stood on 1.5 acres and had originally cost between £3,000 and £4,000 to build. It was sold to the Government for £600.

The delegation arrived to inspect inside the building but were told the key had been left in Adelaide:

"the irrepressible leader of the party was not easily daunted, however and, disappearing round an angle of the wall, soon beamed upon his anxious friends from the open doorway having burglariously entered the premises in a manner which still remains a dark mystery to the remainder of the party. The gates being thus opened, the little band of invaders meandered through the interior of the building, whose walls were found to be in a damp unwholesome state of decay. There are seven downstairs and six upstairs rooms, out of which it was stated the Government intended to accommodate Teatree Gully with a Local Court, a Post and Telegraph Office and quarters for a post mistress and a State school teacher. The Government also proposed to expend £200 in the rehabilitation of the building and, to an unprofessional eye, it certainly looks as if twice that money would not restore it to its pristine wholesomeness. The damp has apparently taken up a permanent abode in the walls, a sort of high tidal mark being visible all round them at a height of about three feet from the ground, and the flooring and woodwork is more or less ant-eaten, while the plaster and cement shows huge fissures and other tokens of instability. Still the site is a very good one ... After the party had inspected the building, Mr. Ward showed them out, and locking the doors from inside, made his egress as mysteriously as he had entered, not one of the party being able to discover how".

Wellington.

The Telegraph Office opened in 1863.

"In 1862 there had been discussion about who would be placed in charge of the Telegraph Station. A letter from the Commissioner of Public Works' Office was directed to the Central Road Board desiring their opinion as to the feasibility of appointing Mr. W. A. Carter, the Ferryman, to the charge of the Telegraph Station at Wellington. Mr. Everard supposed that the duties of the Telegraph Station would not he very onerous. If they compelled him to neglect his duties, the neighbours would no doubt complain. The Board agreed to a trial of the plan proposed".
(Adelaide Observer 7 June 1862 p. 3)).

Clearly for a river based port such as Wellington, the ferry was important. The ferry at Wellington had however been involved in a major fire in 1868. As a result, a new crossing of the River Murray was proposed at Mason's rather continue with a "present unsatisfactory and expensive ferry at Wellington". The Central Roads Board replied as follows:

"By reference to my letter of the 31st March, it will be seen that in the estimated cost of making the ferry at Mason's, I have included the cost of building an additional room for a Telegraph Office although at present the duties of the Telegraph and Post Office are performed in the same room in which the business of the ferry is conducted.

It is the ferry at Wellington which creates the necessity for a Post Office. Remove the ferry and the residents, most of whom derive their living through it, will follow it and probably not more than one or two individuals would be inconvenienced. At East Wellington three or four persons might have a longer distance to go for their letters but a much greater number would be brought nearer to the Post Office by the suggested alteration. I am of opinion that were the ferry removed to Mason's, one Post Office would be found amply sufficient for the requirements of the district".
South Australian Register, 22 June 1870.

More was to be learnt about the ferry and the Post and Telegraph Office. The South Australian Chronicle of 14 June 1871 reported:

"(in addition to six other persons) an application was also received from Mrs. Carter for the appointment of ferry-keeper. Samuel Davenport, J.P.. wrote in support of the application and forwarded a memorial signed by 47 residents at and near Wellington who expressed confidence that the duties would be satisfactorily discharged by Mrs. Carter. Richard Dennis likewise wrote, asking that the appointment might be kept in the late Ferryman's family ... The Commissioner of Public Works noted that the Government have endeavored for some time past to place the different appointments of small emolument in the country townships in the hands of one efficient officer. This was done in Mr. Carter's case and unless special reason to the contrary exists, the Government wish one person to have the whole of the appointments held by Mr. Carter. The Board resolved to forward the applications, etc, to the Commissioner of Public Works, with an intimation that they had appointed Mrs. Carter to the management of the ferry subject to the approval of the Government and that she had for some time been carrying on the duties of the Telegraph and Post Offices for her husband. It was also resolved 'That for the more economical working of the ferry, the punt should be available for passenger traffic only every second hour during regulation hours'."

The Mount Barker Courier of 14 September 1888 commented on mail deliveries as follows:

"Those people who are opposed to a mail from Wellington to Meningie say that there is sufficient Post Office accommodation for everything at West Wellington but the room which is now used for a Post and Telegraph Office was erected at the expense of the Public Works Department as a residence for the then manager of the Wellington ferry — who happened to be Postmaster and Telegraph Operator — and that portion of the Government buildings at West Wellington will have to be handed over by the Government to the District Council of which the Hundred of Brinkley will form a part".

Woodside.

The telegraph link was completed in 1860. In 1866, the residents were still petitioning the Government to build a Post & Telegraph Office at Woodside.

A Post Office had opened in 1857.

The Adelaide Observer of 6 June 1860 reported on a public meeting at Onkaparinga in which a deputation of persons in and near Woodside brought before the Council

"its consideration of the matter of telegraphic communication being conducted in a general store. The Chairman was instructed to write to the Commissioner of Public Works, stating that the Council coincided with the views of the deputation in considering telegraphic messages passing through a trader as highly objectionable".

In August 1863, gold in paying quantities was discovered at North Woodside.

In the House on 14 November 1884, Mr. Rees asked

"what steps had been taken towards expending the sum of money provided by the legislature for alterations and additions to the Woodslde Post and Telegraph station.

The Commissioner of Public Works (Hon. T. Playford) said he believed some years ago a sum was placed on the Estimates for that purpose but it lapsed and had not been re-voted. He found he could get all the necessary repairs completed out of the usual votes for repairs and additions to Government buildings. If he found his memory in the wrong as to the amount in question having lapsed, he would take care that the Woodside Post Office did not suffer. (Hear, hear.")