WA - TOs in Mid West

Western Australia: 1869-1988.
Telegraph Offices in the Mid West region.

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Special aspects

The Mid West region of Western Australia encompasses a 472,336 square kilometres:

the western part used to be called the Murchison. It centres on Geraldton and extends about 200 kilometres up the coast past Gregory and the Hutt River and down the coast past Dongara.
the region extends a considerable distance inland to include the major mining areas around Cue, Mount Magnet, Meekatharra and Willuna and then down past Arrino and Carnamah.

Abbotts.

A Post & Telegraph Office was opened at Abbotts on 17 August 1898.

It was closed on 31 October 1913.

A RO6-P&TO oval date stamp was issued to the Office:

Used in violet: 19 April 1899.
(Claimed to have been used for only 10 months).

Size: 27 × 44 mm (e = 0.79).

Rated: RRRR.

Number in the Census: 1.

19 April 1899.

Arrino.

A Telegraph Office was opened on 1 June 1874. It was closed on 31 May 1880 but re-opened on 18 August 1893. It was again closed on 30 September 1898.

On 1 January 1904, it was re-opened as an Allowance Office.

Carnamah.

A Telegraph Office was opened on 1 June 1874.

The Office was later upgraded to a Post & Telegraph Office in 1895.

There is no record of an issue of a special date stamp for use with telegraphs at the Carnamah Office.

Carnamah Post Office about 1950.

Cuddingwarra.

On the road from Cue to Big Bell there was a town was originally called Dead Finish. Gold was discovered in the area at Dead Finish in 1888.

At some stage, the town was renamed Cuddingwarra after the name of a nearby Hill (the name is derived from an Aboriginal language but its meaning has been lost). The town of Cuddingwarra was gazetted in 1895.

A Post & Telegraph Office was opened on 20 November 1895. The Office was downgraded progressively to an Allowance Office and then a Receiving Office before being closed on 3 December 1912.

There were also three hotels.

No date stamp is recorded for Cuddingwarra for use with telegraphs.

Cue.

Cue was the chief town in the Murchison goldfields. Cue was the chief town in the Murchison goldfields. It was often referred to as the Queen of the Murchison.

In 1896, it was the terminus of the railway line from Geraldton but there were plans to extend the line to Nannine. In addition to the gold, the town was surrounded by extensive pastoral interests.

The Telegraph Office was opened in November 1894.

Mr. E. D. Fels was appointed as the first
Post & Telegraph Master in August 1894.

Cue about 1895.

Source of first 3 pictures for Cue: Souvenir of the Postal, Telegraph & Telephone Departments of Western Australia, Christmas 1896.

The Cue Post & Telegraph Office about 1895.

Cue Post & Telegraph Office about 1940.

Cue normal postal date stamp. 13 April 1904. Diameter: 22 mm. Used on WI-DO-1A.	Cue normal postal handstamp. 29 November 1934. Diameter: 26 mm. Used on AB-DU-3.
A wide variety of rubber oval date stamps were issued to Cue for use with telegraphs. A detailed review of the Cue ovals is included elsewhere. In summary, the following are known:
RO2 - TO - used during 1946-47. Two formats.	RO6 - TO - used between 1895 and 1901 (missing from Goulder (2002));	RO7 - TO - used about 1897 (missing from Goulder (2002);
RO2 - P&TO - used about 1899. One format and with an error in C(ue).	RO6 - P&TO - used about 1900. Two formats.	RO7 - P&TO - used between about 1905 to 1919. Two formats.

Day Dawn.

The Post & Telegraph Office was established on 15 November 1894. It closed on 25 October 1930.

Originally the settlement was informally called Four Mile - that being its distance from the town of Cue. It was gazetted as the town of Bundawadra on 2 March 1894, renamed Day Dawn on 25 May 1894 and proclaimed a municipality on 24 May 1895.

The office was issued with at least four types of rubber oval office date stamp (types RO2, RO6 and RO7 - in two formats) which were used with telegraphs.

RO2 - TO.

Used in violet: 16 July 1896
to 9 June 1897.

Size: 27 × 44 mm (e = 0.79).

Rated: RRRR.

Number in the Census: 4.
There are at least 4 other strikes in which the year digit is not printed.

2 Februry 1897.
Used on WC-DO-4Ca.

10 March 1897.
Used on WC-DO-4Cb.

(A) With hyphen after day: Used: 1 November 1898 and 2 December 1899. Size: 24 × 41 mm (e = 0.81). Rated: RRRR. Number in the Census: 2.	1 November 1898.
This date stampis different from that below although of the same design (RO2 - P&TO). In addition to the slight difference in size, the letters of DAY DAWN, for example, are thicker and the separation cross at the right is higher and thicker. Also there is a hyphen between the day and the month.	2 December 1899.
(B) RO2 - P&TO - (without hyphen after day). Used: 16 June 1899 and 2 December 1899. Size: 26 × 40 mm (e = 0.76). Rated: RRRR. Number in the Census: 2.	16 June 1899.
RO7 - P&TO. W.A. not included. Used: 17 January 1907. Size: 31 × 50 mm (e = 0.78). Rated: RRRR. Number in the Census: 1.	17 January 1907.
RO7 - P&TO. W.A. included. Used: 15 November 1910. Size: 24 × 46 mm (e = 0.85). Rated: RRRR. Number in the Census: 1.	15 November 1910.

Dongarra.

A Post & Telegraph Office opened on 18 June 1874.

A Post Office had been established in February 1870 when Port Irwin was renamed.

A rubber oval Post & Telegraph date stamp (RO7-P&TO) was used at Dongarra:

Used: 28 June 1902.

Size: 24 × 46 mm (e = 0.85).

Rated: RRRR.

Number in the Census: 1.

28 June 1902.

Geraldton. The Telegraph Office opened on 5 June 1874 soon after the change of name from Champion Bay. Mr. J. J. Griffin was appointed Postmaster and Telegraphist at Geraldton in January 1890. The Geraldton Victoria Express of 6 January 1893 reported: "On Wednesday Miss Commerford, who, for many years past, has occupied a responsible position in the Geraldton Telegraph Office took her departure for Northampton where she has been appointed Postmistress and Telegraphist, Mr. Lloyd, who formerly performed these duties, being required solely in connection with the railway department. The loss of Miss Commerford's services at Geraldton will be generally regretted, but her many friends will be pleased to learn that her transfer to Northampton means real promotion. We wish her success in her new sphere". The prosperity of the Murchison gold fields combined with the significant exports of wool from the surrounding areas made this a very important Telegraph station. The call signal around the 1880s was GT.
Geraldton Post & Telegraph Office about 1900.	The township of Geraldton about 1900.
Telegrams were often marked with a straight-line Geraldton handstamp.	Example of the straight line handstamp on WI-DO-5A.
The Geraldton Post & Telegraph Office was issued with at least two types of date stamp for use with telegraphs: a TELEGRAPHS GERALDTON/W A steel date stamp. Dots for separation of the top and lower inscriptions. Used: 8 December 1922. Diameter: 29 mm. Rated: RRRR. Number in the Census: 1.	Telegraphs Geraldton/W.A 8 December 1922.
a rubber oval POST & TELEGRAPH OFFICE date stamp (RO6-P&TO). Used: about 1940. Size: Rated: RRRRR.

Greenough.

Tenders were called for the new Post & Telegraph Office in January 1873. A Post & Telegraph Office was opened on 5 June 1874.

A Post Office had opened previously on 1 May 1862.

A rubber oval Telegraph Office date stamp (RO6-TO) was issued to the office:

Used:

Size:

Rated: RRRR.

Number in the Census: 0.

Gullewa.

The Post & Telegraph Office opened 2 September 1897.

It was downgraded to an Allowance Office on 1 September 1901.

Horrocks.

The town was founded by Joseph Lucas Horrocks - a convict who had been transported to Western Australia in 1851. He had been convicted of "uttering and forgery". He was pardoned in 1856.

Telegraph Office ...

A rubber oval Post & Telegraph Office date stamp (RO2-P&TO) was issued to the office:

Used in violet: 12 ???? 1949.

Size: 30 × ??

Rated: RRRRR.

Number in the Census: 1.

12 ??? 1949.

Meekatharra. On 14 November 1906, the Kalgoorlie Miner reported that "the Postmaster - General had informed Mr. H. Mahon, M.P., that his request for the establishment of an official post and telegraph office at Meekatharra has been granted. The office will be opened as soon as the necessary premises have been provided, and without any guarantee from the State Government. The postmaster will also perform mining duties, and the remuneration for this will be subsequently arranged on an equitable basis, according to the work done and the accommodation provided".	Meekatharra - street scene in 1920. Source: WA Library 217 255 PD.
Two formats for date stamps had previously been recorded as having been issued to Meekatharra for use with telegraphs:
1. A rubber oval date stamp (RO7 - P&TO): Used: 20 February 1935 (Goulder claims an RO2 version is known about 1928). Rated: RRRR. Number in te Census: 1.	20 February 1935.
An RO2 - TO oval rubber date stamp had previously been reported as a single type being used only about 1962. The examples below show this description is incomplete. The three formats now known indicate usage from 1950 to 1971. Clearly these variations on the RO2 - TO format are not elsewhere recorded.
A rubber oval date stamp RO2-TO inscribed Telegraph Office. Used: 13 June 1950. Size: 29 × 49 mm (e = 0.81). Rated: RRRR. Number in the Census: 1.	13 June 1950 - only recorded example.
A rubber oval date stamp RO2-TO inscribed Telegraph Office. 24 October 1962. Size: 31 × 52 mm (e = 0.80). Rated: RRRR. Number in the Census: 1.	24 October 1962 - only recorded example.
A rubber oval date stamp RO2-TO inscribed Telegraph Office. Used: 16 December 1971. Size: 31 ×49 mm (e = 0.77). Rated: RRRR. Number in the Census: 1.	16 December 1971 - only recorded example.

Mingenew. A Post & Telegraph Office was opened on 20 September 1894. A Post Office had been established in April 1892. The lowest tender for the Minegew Post & Telegraph Office was submitted by H. W. Linthorne in January 1894.
Two rubber oval date stamps was issued to the Mingenew office: a rubber oval TELEGRAPH OFFICE (RO6-TO). Used in violet: 10 August 1907. Size: 26 × 48 mm (e = 0.84). Rated: RRRRR. Number in the Census: 1 (only one strike has ever been recorded).	10 August 1907.
Piece containing the Mingenew TELEGRAPH OFFICE oval.
A rubber oval Post & Telegraph Office (RO7-P&TO. Used in violet: ??. Size: 31 × 50 mm (e = 0.78). Rated: RRRR. Number in the Census: 0.

Mount Magnet. A Post & Telegraph Office was opened on 15 March 1896. A Post Office had operated since April 1893.
Mount Magnet Post & Telegraph Office about 1940.
Three rubber oval date stamps are recorded as having been used at Mount Magnet with telegraphs:
a rubber oval Post & Telegraph Office date stamp (RO4 - P&TO). Used: 5 August 1910. Size: 26 × 42 mm (e = 0.79). Rated: RRRR. Number in the Census: 1.	5 August 1910.
a rubber oval Post & Telegraph Office date stamp (RO6 - P&TO). Used: 10 February 1943. Size: 30 × 53 (e = 82). Rated: RRRR. Number in the Census: 1.	10 February 1943.
a rubber oval Post & Telegraph Office date stamp (RO2 - P&TO). Used: 14 March 1945 and 6 April 1949. Size: 30 × 51 mm (e = 0.81). Rated: RRRR. Number in the Census: 2.	14 March 1945.
	6 April 1949.
The usual steel date stamp used for postal purposes was also applied to telegrams.	Mount Magnet on 2d red KGV. 13 August 1932.

Mullewa. The Post & Telegraph Office opened on 13 October 1894. A Post Office had been opened in September 1892.
Two date stamps were issued to the office for use with telegraphs:
A rubber oval Post & Telegraph Office (RO6 - P&TO)date stamp: Used in violet: Unknown date. Size: ?? Rated: RRRR. Number in the Census: 1.	Unknown date - only recorded example.
A rubber oval Post & Telegraph Office (RO2-P&TO date stamp: Used: about 1945. Size: ??. Rated: RRRR Number in the Census: 0.

Nannine. A mining town about 50 miles north-east of Cue. It was the site of the first gold discovery on the Murchison Goldfield. When the Murchison railway was extended beyond Cue, Nannine became the ultimate terminus. The Telegraph Office opened on 12 November 1894 to serve the population of about 300 - but also for communication for the Warden's Court to transact mining business and which sat monthly.	Source: Souvenir of the Postal, Telegraph & Telephone Departments of Western Australia, Christmas 1896.
Nannine Post & Telegraph Office about 1940.
The Day Dawn Gazette of 5 March 1896 described the new buildings to be erected for the Post and Telegraph Department: "They were to include mail and operating rooms with officers' quarters attached. Ample provision for the public convenience in sending wires or receiving letters is to be afforded by a spacious lobby fitted with all other necessaries. We may now look forward to a day when it will be possible to a write a telegram in peace, without fearing the advent of a frolicsome "cock-eye" carrying our wire to heaven before our eyes. The buildings are to be constructed of stone with walls 13ft. in height, and surrounded with verandahs 10 ft. in width. Our worthy postmaster will now have a habitation suitable to the dignity of his personal appearance, and our usually imposing representative of "law and order" will also be fittingly lodged". Construction work began about 9 April 1896 and was expected to take about 3 months.
Until now, no special date stamp was recorded as having been issued to Nannine for use with telegraphs. A part date stamp has been located. It is a rubber oval date stamp (RO7-P&TO) but no year is registered. Used in violet: May 11 ?? Size: ?? Rated: RRRRR. Number in the Census: 1.	No date.

Northampton. A Post Office was opened on 20 November 1866 when it replaced Wanerenooka. The Office was upgraded to a Post & Telegraph Office on 5 April 1878. Miss Commerford was promoted to the position of Postmistress and Telegraphist at Northampton from Geraldton in January 1893 (see above).
The Office was provided with a rubber oval date stamp (RO7-P&TO): Used in black: 10 May (or March) 1897 to 6 October 1898. Size: 24 × 38 mm (e = 0.78). Rated: RRRR. Number in Census: 3.	10 M?? 1897.
18 August 1898.	6 October 1898 - detail.
Front side of postcard of 6 Octobr 1898.
Reverse side of postcard (seeking news) - 6 October 1898.

Peak Hill.

The Post & Telegraph Office opened on 10 October 1898. A Post Office had been opened in December 1894.

Peak Hill is situated between the Gascoyne and Murchison Rivers about 120 miles from Nannine. Nearly all the leases for gold mining were owned by one company. The town was established in 1892 and gazetted in 1897. Up to 1913, about 270,000 ozs of gold were extracted. A further 600,000 ozs were extacted in the 1980s. In 1898, the town had 190 people - 180 were males and 10 were females.

Three formats for oval rubber Post & Telegraph date stamps have been recorded as having been issued to Peak Hill for use with telegraphs:

RO2 - P&TO.

Used: 29 Octoner 1898 to
17 December 1898.

Size: 26 × 41 mm
(e = 0.77).

Rated: RRRR.

Number in the Census: 4.

29 October 1898.

Peak Hill
December 1898 on three 3d brown Swans.

Prestige Auction, November 2013 Lot 520.

Peak 17 Dec
17 December 1898.

ACE Auctions, July 2018, Lot 956.

RO2 - P&TO.

Used: about 1912.

Size:

Rated: RRRR.

RO7 - P&TO.

Used in violet: 7 July 1932.

Size: 26 × 48 mm (e = 0.84).

Rated: RRRR.

Number in the Census: 1.

7 July 1932 (only recorded example).

Reedy.

The Post & Telegraph Office was opened at Reedy on

Reedy is located in the Murchison between Cue and Meekatharra. The town was Gazetted in 1934 after several gold discoveries during the early 1930s.

Reedy in 1930.
By courtesy of the State Library of WA.

A rubber oval date stamp (RO6-P&TO) was issued to the Office for use with telegraph work. There were probably two or three rubber stamps prepared.

NOTE: this example has a dot between the digits for the day.

1. Used in red: 12 April 1940.

Size: 34 × 54 (e = 0.78).

Rated: RRRR.

Number (red) in the Census: 1.

12 April 1940.

The only known date stamp from Reedy struck red.
Strike on a plain cover sent to West Australian Newspapers in Perth.

2. Used in violet: 18 May 1940.
Rated: RRRR.

Number (violet) in the Census: 3.

18 May 1940 - used as a violet strike on a cover to Perth.

Reedy May
18 May 1940.

Detail of the strike on the cover at the right.
Has no distortion to the inner frame but a split in the 2nd outer frame under W.

The other two known date stamps from Reedy struck in violet.

The break under W is still present.

16 May 1940.

The inner oval is distorted. This feature is considered as being due to wear and not being a change to the design. Hence it is not classified as RO7.

1 January 1947 (the 4 is indistinct).

The inner oval shows similarities to the distortion shown at left in May 1940.

Sandstone.

Sandstone was established in 1894 as a result of the gold rush affecting nearby Mt. Magnet and Cue. A Receiving Office was opened on 15 March 1907 and changed to an Official Office on 20 May 1907. The railway from Mt. Magnet was completed in 1910.

The Office was issued with a rubber oval Post & Telegraph Office date stamp (RO7-P&TO):

Used in mauve: 11 July 1914.
Also reported in 1919.

Size: 25 × 48 mm (e = 0.85).

Rated: RRRR.

Number in the Census: 1 (later date unsighted).

Sandstone 1914
11 July 1914.

Used on reverse side of an OHMS envelope Returned to Sender.
ACE Auctions, July 2018, Lot 846.

Wiluna.

A Post & Telegraph Office was opened on 5 November 1900.

Wiluna was previously known as Lakeway which was an office designated as a Receiver of Mail Bags.

Wiluna P&TO about 1940.

The Office was issued with a rubber oval Post & Telegraph date stamp (RO4-P&TO).

Used: about 1912.

Size: ??

Rated: RRRR.

Number in the Census: 0.

Wooramel.

A Telegraph Office opened on 24 December 1897. It was upgraded to a Post & Telegraph Office in 1904.

It is reported that the Office was issued with a rubber oval POST & TELEGRAPH OFFICE date stamp (RO?-P&TO).

Used: 1909.

Size: ?

Rated: RRRR.

Number in the Census: 0.