Angaston.

Telegraphic communication was established between Angaston and Adelaide and the Telegraph Office opened on 7 March 1866. In October 1865, the line had been pegged and the erection of the poles was about to start.

In the South Australian Register of 9 July, 1868, the following small item appeared: "The Telegraph Office has lately been robbed twice of small sums of money but there is a mystery about the affair, so that we can say little about it".

"The business premises of Mr. S. Kealley, where the Post Office business has been transacted since the resignation of Mr. E. Keynes, who previously acted as Postmaster, were burned down on Friday night as stated in our telegram. The letters, newspapers and Post Office documents were kept in the shop and, in addition to the destruction of the entire general stock of Mr. Kealley and the complete gutting of his store, these have been consumed. They included the cross country mails and those for Adelaide.

A few additional particulars have reached us from which we learn that the proprietor was absent when the fire commenced at about 9 p.m. It is stated that there was a quantity of blasting powder in the building and that nothing remains of the premises but the walls. The substantial dwelling house belonging to Mr. Kealley, also in the main street adjoining his shop, has shared the same fate. The loss will be very serious, and we regret to learn that the property was not insured". Evening Journal 15 January 1870.

In July 1879, tenders were called for the construction of a Post and Telegraph Office at Angaston. The Evening Journal of 17 February 1880 reported that four tenders for the construction of the Angaston Post Office and Telegraph Station had been received and the tender by James Wishart was the lowest.

In the House of Assembly on 13 October 1880, Mr. Basedow asked "whether the Government would, now the necessary money had been passed in the Estimates, go on without any unnecessary delay with the erection of the Post & Telegraph Office in Angaston. The Commissioner of Public Works said as the House had sanctioned the additional sum necessary, the work would be proceeded with as soon as possible".

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

Number in the Census used on a telegram form: 0.

Eden Valley.

The telegraph line was finished on 11 May 1875 but it had not been opened for the use of the residents (South Australian Register 18 November 1875, p.2). On 16 June 1876, the South Australian Register noted that "The telegraph line has been completed as far as this township for thirteen months and still there are no signs of its being opened for the benefit of the place".

A Telegraph Office was opened on 9 October 1876.

On 21 November 1882, the South Australian Advertiser reported (p. 7) that "A new post and telegraph office is in course of construction opposite to the hotel. According to the plans, it will be an acquisition to this little township".

The South Australian Weekly Chronicle of 3 September 1887 reported that: "The inhabitants of Eden Valley and district are excited at the probability of the post and telegraph office being shifted to the local store, and the postmistress being removed. Miss Chanter has held the position mentioned for about 18 months, and she is esteemed very much. The inhabitants sincerely hope the Minister of Education will not allow the alteration to take place, and a memorial is to be got up to that effect".

Greenock.

The Telegraph line to Greenock was opened on 5 March 1866 by Mr. Todd. The first Telegraph Office in Greenock was opened in a room in the house of Louis Iverson.

The Post Office had opened on 1 January 1856.

On 20 February 1866, Mr. Rounsevell asked in the House "if the Government have any objection to remove the Post Office at Greenock from the private store to the Telegraph Office and, if not, when such alteration will be made". The answer provided by the Chief Secretary was ""Mr. Minck, of Greenock, is one of the most zealous and attentive Postmasters in the service and the Post Office has been kept for many years in the store occupied by him. There exists no intention of removing the Post Office at Greenock from the store to the Telegraph Station as it was so well managed and the Telegraph Station was merely a branch one".

This was all before Greenock even had the line connected!!

"On 2-3 March, Mr. Coglin moved "That, in the opinion of this House, it is necessary, for the convenience of the inhabitants of Greenock, that the Telegraph and Post Office at that place should be combined." He thought it highly desirable for Government Offices to be combined where practicable and to make storekeepers Postmasters created ill feeling among other tradesmen.

Mr. Rounsevell seconded.

The Chief Secretary said the Postmaster-General reported in favor of keeping the Post Office where it was. It was often found undesirable to keep the Post Office and Telegraph Office under one man. He held in his hands a memorial to himself stating that the present office was centrally situated. That was signed by above 30 persons in the neighborhood of Greenock.

The Hon. T. Reynolds had hoped the Chief Secretary would have given some reasons for opposing the joining of the Post Office and Telegraph Station. He said there were reasons but he did not favor the House with them. He simply said the Postmaster disapproved of it.

The Treasurer said that motion came before them very suddenly. The Post Office and Telegraph Station were both worked by private persons. They had found inconvenience in having the Post Office and Telegraph worked by one person. The returns were mixed and it was difficult to check the accounts.

Mr. Rounsevell supported the motion. They might have got up a large petition for the change proposed. He was sure the House would agree that it was desirable in almost every country place in the colony to combine the Telegraph and Post Offices. He believed the present Postmaster at Greenock was a deserving officer but they require the Post Office should be in a central position

The Hon. A. Blyth remembered he wished to combine the Post Office and Telegraph at Glenelg but he was opposed by other Hon. members - among them the Hon. member Mr. Reynolds. That had occasioned great loss.

The Hon. Mr. Strangways said the loss was hypothetical and would have taken place if something had happened that did not happen generally. Those applications for altering the postal arrangements arose from jealousy on the part of other tradesmen of the storekeeper whose business was improved by having the Post Office though that was the main consideration for which he took the office of Postmaster. He hoped and thought the time would come when the Post Office and Telegraph Office would be under one head.

Mr. Andrews thought it a pity the Government did not give their reasons for not agreeing to the motion. They had produced a petition signed by 30 — (the Chief Secretary "38") persons against the change. He believed there were 300 persons in the neighborhood and he believed the great majority wished for the change. The Treasurer had said if the offices were combined, there was a chance of fraud but, if there was embezzlement, they were protected by the fact that suspicion would in the first instance point to the telegraphic operator. Then if there was such a danger, why did the Government allow the two offices to be combined in the principal country towns such as Goolwa, Wallaroo, Gawler and other places?

The Attorney-General said the Hon. member had made what would be a pretty speech in another place. He had given no reasons in favor of the motion. If a majority of the inhabitants had been in favour of the change, surely they could have signed a petition to that effect. The Post Office was in Greenock and the Telegraph Office in Victorville - which were they to remove? The Government were not bound to adopt the recommendation of the Postmaster General, but when they thought the recommendation just or wise they would adopt it.

The motion was then put and lost by a majority of 5 — Ayes (8) Noes (13)".

The above is reported in full to highlight an important principle of administering the Department.

The Bunyip of 10 March 1866 reported that "Mr. Couglin carried his motion for combining the Post Office and Telegraph Office at Greenock" on 7 March.

A site was suggested to the Commissioner of Public Works at a meeting on 1 March 1870 for a new Post and Telegraph Office at Greenock East (The Express and Telegraph 7 March 1879, p. 2) on the basis:.

"It being situated on the main line of road from Freeling to the River Murray.
Second: It being situated in the most central business part of the township, surrounded by three wheat stores, the mill, the principal general store, the hotel, and the present telegraph station.
Third: It being the largest allotment offered (nearly half an acre), and from its position never subjected to floods.
Fourth: The building if erected on the site proposed by the inhabitants of Lower Greenock would not face the main thoroughfare to the River Murray".

The Commissioner agreed to discuss this site and others with Mr. Todd.

Lyndoch.

Todd was able to open the telegraphic connection as a branch line from Gawler but thus connecting Lyndoch to Adelaide about 25-28 November 1865. The Telegraph Office opened in 1866.

In May 1871, Mr. Newbury - a teacher at the Church of England day-school was appointed Post and Telegraph Master. The offices were removed to their previous premises where the Post Office had been previously.

Nuriootpa was one of the important links in the first line from Adelaide to New South Wales. At that stage (1863) there would have only been a repeater station constructed - but even that is dubious.

In December 1864, a question had been asked in the House of Assembly:

"Mr. Bagot enquired whether it was intended to erect a central telegraphic station at Nuriootpa as originally intended.

The Commissioner of Public Works said there had been no such intention. It was thought Tanunda would be the most central place".

Nuriootpa Post (& Telegraph?) Office about 1905 - so the "new" building erected in 1879.

As the possibility of a Telegraph Office drew closer to fruition, hints of problems began to emerge:

"At last we are to have the telegraph, but are at a loss to know why the principal office should not have been here instead of Tanunda, centrally situated and on the direct road to the Murray".

On 17 October 1865, the South Australian Weekly Chronicle reported that "we expect the Telegraph Office to be opened in the course of two months".

The Telegraph Office was opened at Nuriootpa in January 1866 - as a Branch office from Tanunda. It was opened in the local school. The teacher also served as the Operator (multi-tasking!!!).

Telegraphic communication was opened to Nurioopta on Tuesday 6 March 1866.

The South Australian Advertiser reported on 15 November 1869 (p. 3):

"Clerk to give notice to Mr. Jervis, teacher, Nuriootpa, that his services would not be required after expiration of quarter. Clerk to give notice to Superintendent of Telegraphs to remove the Telegraph Office from the schoolroom".

On 30 November 1869, the same newspaper report (p.3):

"Mr. Brock (Chairman), Councillors Kriebel and Nitschke received a letter from Mr. Todd, Superintendent of  Telegraphs, asking if  the Telegraph office can remain in the schoolroom. The Clerk replied that Council cannot allow the teacher to be Telegraph master and neither can the office be in the school room".

By 1870, both the Post Office and the Telegraph Office were moved into the one place - that was in Strothers Store.

Still the problems continued about the Nuriootpa P&T Office. On 13 September 1878, the South Australian Register (p. 2) noted:

"On Thursday morning, a deputation of residents of Nuriootpa, consisting of Messrs. W. Strother, B. Domeyer, C. Bock, L. Warnecke, T. Wemming and E. Kasehogen, waited on the Minister of Education. Mr. Basedow, M.P., in introducing the deputation, stated that they desired to urge on the Government the desirability of providing a suitable place for the Post and Telegraph office in the township. He pointed out that Nuriootpa was an important centre. The district was thickly populated and five main roads leading to populous districts started from this township.

Mr. Strother said that business of the Post and Telegraph department was at present conducted in a small room at a private house which was very inconvenient. The postmistress had to provide the accommodation and the salary she received was so small that she could not afford to provide a more extensive room.

During the last two years the position of the office had been changed four or five times, and the residents were put to great inconvenience in consequence. He pointed out that the township had been established for 30 years but not a single Government building had been erected there. The Minister reminded the deputation that the Government was being pressed for the erection of buildings from every possible direction. He thought they had made out a good case. He would lay the whole matter before his colleagues".

The South Australian Advertiser of 12 April 1879 reported on developments:

"Now that the "powers that be" have been aroused to the importance of our township they seem inclined to dispense their favors with a liberal hand and have decided that we want a new bridge, a school and a Post and Telegraph Office ... The plans of the new school buildings are being prepared and the townsfolk are anxiously awaiting the commencement of the work as increased school accommodation is greatly needed. The Post and Telegraph Office is only in prospect yet but it is rumored that the site has been fixed and the land transferred to the Government".

Following the deputation of the local community to the Minister of Education, a new building housing both branches was opened at Nuriootpa in 1879. That building was remodelled in 1925 and again in 1991.

Springton.

As Springton was on the line from Mount Pleasant to Eden Valley, it would have been a good choice for the location of an intermediate Telegraph Office. It would also have facilitated the transfer of the Post Office to the main street of the township.

No telegraph service was however commenced at Springton. A telephone office was opened in 1888.

Stockwell.

A Telegraph Office opened in Stockwell on 16 March 1877. A Post Office had opened on 1 January 1858.

As of 18 November 1865, the Telegraph Office at Tanunda had not yet been finished. It would be opened as soon as a room for the operators was completed.

The Foundation Stone for the building was laid at a well documented ceremony on 19 June 1865. It was established as an important repeater station serving Lyndoch and Nurioopta through to Stockwell and Truro. Greenock was added sometime later.

The Telegraph Office opened in 1866.

From 1867, Tanunda was also part of the direct Adelaide-Wentworth-Sydney intercolonial line which also passed through the above stations (excluding Angaston and Greenock).

Truro.

The Telegraph Office opened on 20 November 1866.

On 12 September 1878, it was reported that the foundation was being laid for a new Post and Telegraph office.

Williamstown.

One of the first mentions of a telegraph for Williamstown came up at a public meeting of about 20 persons at Snellgrove's Hotel on 7 December 1871 in preparation for a forthcoming election:

"Mr. Warren asked whether the candidate considered that the colony should be placed in a state of defence. He replied that the Government ought to make provision for war steamers visiting the coast. He did not think that the colonies should maintain a standing army as such a course, on account of the telegraphic system, would be undesirable. He would advocate a drill being taught in all schools. To provide in case of filibustering or any vessels coming for plunder, he did not see why the colony should be taxed - the British flag being safeguard enough."
(Adelaide Observer, 9 December 1871).

At another public meeting of ratepayers in Williamstown on 7 May 1878, the question of extending the telegraph line to Williamstown was considered. The unanimous feeling was that little cost would be involved for construction but that significant benefits would accrue to the township. A Committee was formed to expedite the matter.

On 12 August 1878, the Committee received a letter from the Minister of Telegraphs (Ed. there was no such appointment - it may have been the Superintendent of Telegraphs) declining to grant the telegraph requested. The Committee considered the rejection must have rested on the expense of trained operator. Therefore it was decided to prepare a memorial for a telephone to Lyndoch which they thought would cost about £100 for the poles, wires and instruments plus connection costs.

One person saw great potential for the Williamstown telegraph and sent his views to the Gawler Standard which published them on 1 November 1879:

"No, I am not asleep! Who said I was? "Then why don't I write oftener?" did you say. Why, because we are so busy here that we have no time for writing. Events follow each other so quickly in this centre of the universe that they are vanished clean out of sight before we can lay hold of them.

And now, as I write, I find that the world has grown tired of being so isolated. So cut off from communication with this hotbed of literature and the fine arts that no less than £500 has actually been voted by one of the most prominent Governments of the world — i.e. the South Australian — for the purpose of establishing telegraphic communication with us.

The world is to be congratulated, its peace will be to a great extent secured because, directly the Great Mogul and other bellicose potentates are aware that the London Cabinet is, by telegraph, placed within speaking distance of Williamstown, they will hesitate long before they saddle their war horses. The press will also, by the said T. C., be greatly benefitted because, directly we can wire in, there will be no use for the parvum in multo or multum ex parro of Adelaide correspondents.

I see that one honorable member complains of South Australian being press-ridden; directly the T.C. is accomplished that tyranny will exist no longer. We are independent here and if a man don't please us we - Yes that we do. So let the Register and 'Tiser take notice: Hands off. In future let the natives of South Australia alone or Williamstown will insist upon a "Brands Act" being passed on purpose for them. What do you say eh? Does "them" refer to paper or natives?

Oh, bother, hand over the jug. I'm too dry to write any more. Good bye".

A deputation met with the Commissioner of Education on 5 February 1879 to discuss:

"getting telegraphic communication to Williamstown. Mr. Basedow introduced the deputation and stated that Mrs Collins had offered to build a room, would learn to operate and act as an operator provided the Government would give telegraphic communication. After various statements supported by Mr Basedow, the Hon. Minister of Education was of the opinion that telegraphic communication would be granted".

The South Australian Chronicle of 27 March 1880 reported that "Our new Post and Telegraph Office is finished and the latter only wants the poles and wires". The line was built as a branch from Lyndoch.

That announcement was followed up in the Gawler Standard of 3 April: "The new Post and Telegraph Office at Williamstown has been opened, but the telegraph line is not constructed yet. Tenders were called some time ago for the work, but some of the tenders were regarded as too high and others informal. Fresh tenders, it is understood, will be called shortly will be called shortly".

On May 8 there was another announcement in the South Australian Chronicle that "The contractor is getting on as fast as possible with the erection of the telegraph poles. He has about one mile more to erect to reach Sandy Creek. The heavy rains have delayed the carting of the poles, as our roads are in a fearful state, especially between the South Para and Victoria Creek, Maidstone branch".

Good news - the South Australian Chronicle of 12 June 1880 reported that "Our telegraph line (from Gawler and Lyndoch) was completed on 7 June and we expect it to be opened in a few days".

Finally the South Australian Register of 19 June 1880 carried the welcome story that:

"Telegraphic communication was opened here (Williamstown) today (18 June).
Congratulatory addresses were exchanged with His Excellency the Governor,
the Postmaster-General, the Hon. the Minister of Education and Mr. Basedow, M.P.".
The Kapunda Herald added that "Miss Collins, who has been tutored in Gawler, is to have charge of the office there".