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

 

The Southern Region of Western Australia is defined officially as being comprised of three parts - Peel, South-West and Great Southern. Hence Offices as far south as Arthur River are now classified as being in the Wheatbelt region.

The telegraph construction architects and construction workers in the second half of the 19th century did not use these distinctions. The telegraph lines were constructed with the defined purpose of getting communications along the western coast and down to Albany. Hence areas south of Perth in the Wheatbelt are classified here as being in the Southern Region and the three separate regions to the south of Perth are amalgamated.

Albany (King George's Sound).

Albany was established as an outpost of NSW in 1827 to help combat any territorial ambitions the French may have. It is located on King George's Sound and the terms became to be used interchangeably to some extent.

The Telegraph Office opened in Albany K.G.S., combined with the Post Office, on 22 December 1872. The Albany Post Office had opened on 14 October 1834.

Albany had been considered as a possible cable station in the planning of the All-Red route as well as for the cable to Mauritius and Durban.

King George's Sound was the first and last port for the English mails (inbound and outbound) as well as for a quarterly shipping service to Singapore. From Albany, the mails were carried by pack horses to Perth in a journey taking about 6½ days.

King George's Sound was also the last port for ANZAC troops being taken to Europe and the first Australian port for the few who returned. It was the only deepwater port in Western Australia until 1897 when Fremantle Port was established.

About 16 January 1896, quadruplex instruments were fitted and tested in a new telegraph office which was then opened to the public on the following day.

 Albany vert
Albany 1 Albany detail

Gouldner (2002) lists no Telegraph date stamps for Albany.

The usual postal date stamp - across many variations - was used on telegrams:

Diameter: 25.5 mm.

 Albany 1916
3 March 1916.
Used on WI-DI-2A. 		 

1. The Office was however issued with at least four rubber TELEGRAPH OFFICE date stamps.

1. The first was a rubber oval date stamp (RO6- TO) inscribed TELEGRAPH OFFICE/ALBANY K.G.S.:

Used in red: 2 December 1889 to 28 July 1890.

Size: 25 × 38 mm ( e = 0.75).

Rated: RR;.

Number in the Census: 9.

 Albany 18892 December 1889.
on WC-TO-3. 		 

2. A second rubber oval TELEGRAPH OFFICE date stamp (RO2-TO)
was also used. ALBANY was in 2 mm high letters.

Used: 19 July 1965.

Size: 29 × 48 mm.

Rated: RRRR;

No. in the Census: 1.

Alb 1965
19 July 1965.
3. A third rubber oval TELEGRAPH OFFICE date stamp (RO2-TO)
was also used. It included "W,A. 6330" at the base and ALBANY was in
3 mm high letters.

Used: 19 July 1965.

Size: 30 × 49 mm.

Rated: RRRR;

No. in the Census: 1.

 Alb 1975
10 October 1975.
4. A fourth TELEGRAPH OFFICE date stamp, having a rectangular shape (RR1-TO), was also used:

Used: 24 December 1969.

Size: 31 × 59 mm.

Rated: RRRR;

No. in the Census: 1.

 Albany RR1
24 December 1969.

Arthur River.

Originally 125 mile. It is located betweem Williams and Kojonup.

After a petition was lodged for a Post & Telegraph office in late 1881, approval for such an Office was given on 5 July 1882 and the office was opened on 23 November 1882.
The Post Office had been opened on 1 January 1866. For further details of the special heritage aspects and history of the Arthur River Post Office see State Heritage.

The Postmaster/Telegraphist at Arthur River had a salary of £45 p.a. in 1882.
A rubber oval Telegraph Office date stamp (RO6-TO) was issued to Arthur River:

Used in violet: 9 December 1901 to 13 April 1908.

Size: 26 × 41 mm (e = 0.77).

Rated: RRRR.

Number in the Census: 9.

9 December 1901 (with year inverted) - earliest recorded date.		 Arthur pair 1906
3 August 1906.
Arthur 1904
9 September 1904.		 Arthur 2
April 1907.
3 April 1908 (latest recorded date).

Balbarrup.

A Post Office was opened at Blackwood on 1 January 1865. Blackwood was renamed as Balbarrup Post Office in February 1872 and then redesignated as Balbarrup Post & Telegraph Office on 29 February 1896.

On 1 January 1903, the Office was downgraded to an Allowance Office.

The Office was issued with two formats of a rubber oval Post & Telegraph Office date stamp:

  1. a RO7-P&TO:

Used: 2 November 1897.

Size: ??

Rated: RRRR.

Number in the Census: 1.
2 November 1897.
  1. a RO2-P&TO:

Used: 18 April 1901(?).

Size: 26 × 40 mm (e = 0.76).

Rated: RRRRR.

Number in the Census: 1.
18 April 1901(?).

Bal(l)ingup.

The Telegraph Office at Balingup was opened on 25 March 1899 (according to the report in the Southern Times of 28 March 1899).

The Postmistress was Miss F. Giblett.
No special date stamp is recorded as having been issued to the office for use with Telegraphs.  

Barabup.

Barabup is about 80 km east of Margaret River. "The WA Jarrah Saw Mills Company erected a mill in Barabup in 1908, which was taken over by the Kauri Timber Co. in 1912. In 1913, the company built a vertical log handmill, of the American type, at Ellis Creek - the first of its kind in WA" (see Nannup Town Planning document (c. 2000)).

It appears that the previous name had been Barrabup. It was established as an Allowance Office on 1 December 1909 and changed to an Official Office on 15 July 11. About 1915-18, the spelling was changed. For example the Barrabup School was renamed Barabup School in 1918. A Post and Telegraph Office was also opened (date unknown but about 1915) - presumably to service the Saw Mills and some other smaller commercial enterprisesbalbarrup.

A steel Barabup date stamp for the Post Office was made under a continued 1907 contract with Cumpston and Mason and issued on 11 January 1916. Perhaps the Post & Telegraph rubber oval was made soon after - it certainly looks to have sharp edges.

A rubber oval Post & Telegraph Office date stamp (RO7-P&TO) was issued to the office:

Used: 9 February 1916.

Size: 27 × 46 mm (e = 0.81).

Rated: RRRR.

Number in the Census: 1.
9 February 1916.
Mr Chas Bates was Postmaster at Barabup from 1913 to 1922 and was respected far and wide. On his transfer to Dumbelyung, a major festivity was held in honour of Chas and his wife with a special train bringing guests from Ellis Creek and Nannup.

Beaconsfield.

A Post & Telegraph Office was opened at Beaconsfield on 1 August 1894.

It changed name to South Fremantle on 1 April 1904.

There is no record of a date stamp being issued to the Office for use with Telegraphs.
Boyanup.

A postal depot opened at Boyanup as a RMB in January 1895. It was upgraded to a Post Office in November 1898 and became a Post & Telegraph Office 11 January 1899.

Boyanup Post & Telegraph Office about 1950.
Two rubber oval Post & Telegraph Office date stamps were issued to the Office.
  1. A Post & Telegraph Office (RO7-P&TO):

Used: 2? July 1897.

Size: 25 × 41 mm (e = 0.79).

Rated: RRRR.

Number in the Census: 1.

 6
2? July 1897.
  1. A Post & Telegraph Office (RO2-P&TO).
    Small crosses for separation are level with the date.

Used in violet: 7 February 1899 -
10 March 1900.

Size: 26 × 41 mm (e = 0.77).

Rated: RRR.

Number in the Census: 3.

 

Boyanup 1899
7 February 1899.
  Boyanup 1900
10 March 1900.

Used in black: 18 December 1899..

Size: 26 × 41 mm (e = 0.77).

Rated: RRR.

Number in the Census: 1.
18 December 1899.

Bridgetown.

Formerly known as Geejelup.

A Post Office was opened in February 1872 and upgraded to a Post & Telegraph Office on 30 November 1886.

The Office was issued with four formats of rubber oval Post & Telegraph Office date stamps:

  1. RO2 - P&TO.

Used in blue: 3 November 1899 - 1900.

Size:

Rarity: RRRR.

Number in the Census: 1.
3 November 1899.
  1. RO7 - P&TO (has WA at base).
    Has separation stars below and above the horizontal.

Size: 23.5 × 47 mm (e = 0.87).

Use: 7 [JUN] 1912 and 11 June 1912.

Rarity: RRRR.

No. in the Census: 2.

 1912
7 [JUN] 1912.
 
11 June 1912.
On reverse side of an unclaimed registered letter from the Land Titles Office to Perth and Bulong returned to the Dead Letter Office.
  1. RO7 - P&TO (no WA at base).
    Has separation stars just above the middle horizontal. Also lettering for BRIDGETOWN is much larger.

Used in violet: 28 January 1916 and
7 August 1917.

Size: 24 × 47 mm (e = 0.87).

Rarity: RRR.

No. in the Census: 2.
28 January 1916.
  1917
7 August 1917.
  1. RO7 - P&TO (has post code).

Size:

Use: about 1982.

Rarity: R.

  
Broomehill.

A Post Office was opened at Broomehill in 1890. This Office was upgraded to a Post & Telegraph Office on 5 August 1893.
Broomehill Post & Telegraph Office about 1940.

A rubber oval date stamp is recorded as having been issued to Broomehill:

RO6 - P&TO.

Used: about 1903.

Size:

Rated: RRRR.

Number in the Census: 0.

  
Bunbury.

The Post & Telegraph Office opened on 27 February 1872. A Post Office had been established on 15 July 1841.

In May 1894, it was announced that the lowest tender for the new Post & Telegraph Office had been submitted by Mr. A. Pugh. The new building was ready for occupation about the beginning of March 1895.

The Office used the call signal B.


Bunbury Post & Telegraph Office about 1940.
Three types of date stamps were issued to Bunbury for telegram use:
  1. a rubber oval POST & TELEGRAPH OFFICE date stamp
    (RO2 - P&TO).

Used: 1908.

Size:

Rated: scarce.

      
  1. a rubber oval POST & TELEGRAPH OFFICE date stamp
    (RO7 - P&TO).

Used: 1976.

Size:

Rated: common.

     
  1. a steel circular
    TELEGRAPH OFFICE/BUNBURY W.A.
    (SC1 - TO) steel date stamp.
    It had the same format as that for Fremantle and Kalgoorlie.

Used: 14 March 1938 to 22 March 1943.

Diameter: 29 mm.

Rated: RRR.

 Bunbury pair
14 March 1938.		 Bunbury TO 1938
30 July 1938.

Used on a 1/4 turquoise KGV - presumably paying the interstate rate which applied between 1920 and October 1938.

 Bunbury TO Emu
22 March 1943.
Busselton (Vasse).

The Post & Telegraph Office opened on 1 January 1893.

As Vasse, it used the call signal V around 1882.

Four rubber oval Post & Telegraph Office date stamps were issued for use with Telegraphs:

  1. RO7 - P&TO / BUSSELTON.

Used between 1929 (?) and 3 October 1934.

Size: 32 × 52 mm (e = 0.79).

Rated: RRR.

Busselton RO7 1934

3 October 1934 (latest recorded date).
  1. RO6 - P&TO / BUSSELTON.
    No separation marks.

Size: 30 × 48 mm (e = 0.78).

Used: 3 October 1934 to 1938 (?).

Rated: RRR.

March 37

23 March 1937.
  1. RO6 - P&TO /BUSSELTON WA.
    No separation marks.

Used between 23 January 1953 to August 1955.

Size 32 × 53 mm (e = 0.80).

Rated: RRR.

Bussleton
23 January 1953.
Applied as a backstamp on a registered letter from Sydney.
  1. RO2 - P&TO / BUSSELTON.
    Has two separation stars below the centre line.

Used: 22 November 1965 (only known example).

Size: 32 × 50 mm (e = 0.80).

 

Rated: RRRR.

Busselton RO2
22 November 1965.

Capel.

The Office replaced Minninup as a Post Office in June 1882. It was then upgraded to a Post & Telegraph Office on 1 December 1897.

In 1898, the combined office was temporarily renamed Coolingup but it reverted to Capel in 1899.

A rubber oval POST & TELEGRAPH OFFICE date stamp (RO6-P&TO) was issued to the office named as Coolingup:

Used in blue: 30 May 189(8?).

Size: 27 × 44 mm (e = 0.79).

Rated: RRRR.

Number in the Census: 1.
30 May 189(?).

A rubber oval POST & TELEGRAPH OFFICE date stamp (RO6-P&TO) was issued to the office named as Capel:

Used: about 1902.

Size: ?

Rated: RRRR.

Number in the Census: 0.

  

Cape Leeuwin.

In 1893, the Government announced that construction on the Lighthouse at Cape Leeuwin was about to begin and that Government labor not contract labor would be used.

A Telegraph Office was opened in February 1898.
No date stamp is know for the Telegraph Office.

Coalville.

A Post & Telegraph Office was established at Coalville on 24 September 1898.

It was renamed COLLIEFIELDS early in 1899.

The Office was issued with a rubber oval datestamp (RP2-P&TO) which was used for only 6 weeks!!!

Used in violet: 21 January 1899.

Size: 27 × 41 mm (e = 0.75).

Rated: RRRRR.

Number in the Census: 1.
21 January 1899.

Colliefields.

The Telegraph Office opened on 1 January 1899 as Colliefields.

On 1 January 1900, he namechanged to Collie.

Prior to 1899, the Post Office was Coalville.

 .

Two rubber oval Post & Telegraph Office date stamps were used with telegraph work:

  1. a rubber oval Post and Telegraph Office date stamp (RO2 - P&T) inscribed Colliefields:

Used in violet: 9 May 1899 to 3 June 1899;

Size: 25.5 × 40.5 mm (e = 0.78).

Rated: RRRR.

Number in the Census: 2.


9 May 1899 (ERD).

  Colliefields
30 May (1899).
  1. a rubber oval Post and Telegraph Office date stamp (RO2 - P&T) inscribed Collie:

Used: 1901.

Rated: RRR.

Number in the Census: 0.

 

Collie.

The Telegraph Office Colliefields was renamed Collie of 1 January 1900.

Collie Post & Telegraph Office about 1940.
NOTE: TELEGRAPH can be seen above the LH window.
Cookernup.

A Post & Telegraph Office was opened at Cookernup on 20 June 1897.

Cookernup Post & Telegraph Office about 1940.
Three formats of rubber oval Post & Telegraph date stamps were issued to the Office:
  1. A Post & Telegraph oval date stamp (RO7 - P&TO):

Used in violet: about 1900.

Size:

Rated: RRRR.

Number in the Census: Not seen.

  
  1. A Post & Telegraph oval date stamp (RO7 - P&TO):

Used: 27 May 1909.

Size: 22 (?) × 47 mm (0.88).

Rated: RRRR.

Number in the Census: 1.
27 May 1909.
  1. A Post & Telegraph oval date stamp (RO4 - P&TO):

Used in violet: 15 July 1913 and 1 January 1914.

Size: 29.5 × 42 mm.

Rated: RRRR.

Number in the Census: 2.
15 July 1913.
  Cookernup
1 January 1914.

Curanup.

The Telegraph Office was opened on 23 September 1929 but no record is available to show when it closed.

Strike made in favour.

Used: 1 November 1929 - only recorded date.

Size: 31 mm.

Rated: RRR.

Number in the Census: 1.

 Curanup
1 November 1929.
Donnybrook (formerly Preston).

The Telegraph Office opened on 13 January 1898 when the office at Preston, which had been opened on 5 September 1892, changed name.
Donnybrook Post & Telegrah Office about 1950.
The Office was issued with a rubber oval Telegraph Office date stamp (RO6-TO).

Used in black: 10 May 1941.

Size: 29 × 50 mm (e = 0.81).

Rated: RRRR.

Number in the Census: 1 (not recorded elsewhere).

 Donnybrook 1941
10 May 1941.
Used on AB-GMF-34.

The Office was later issued with a rubber oval Post & Telegraph Office date stamp (RO6-P&TO):

Used: 1976-1978.

Size:

Rated: RR.

Number in the Census: 0.

  

East Fremantle.

The Telegraph Office opened on 1 January 1899 when it changed name from Plympton. The former office had opened as a Post & Telegraph Office on 14 March 1898.
East Fremantle Post & Telegraph Office about 1940.
Three rubber oval date stamps issued for telegraph purposes are recorded:
  1. Rubber oval Post & Telegraph Office date stamp
    (RO6 - P&TO).

Size: 26 × 48 mm (e = 0.84).

Used in magenta: 3 May 1905 to 9 September 1905.

Rating: RRRR.

Number in the Census: 1.

 EF May 1905
3 May 1905.
  1. Rubber oval Telegraph Office date stamp (RO7 - TO).

Size: 30 × 52 mm (e = 0.82).

Used in reddish- purple: 4 March 1946 to 1948.

Rating: R.

Number in the Census: 2.

East F 1946 RO7
4 March 1946.

Used on AW-DO-10D (43).

Used in violet: 28 November 1946.

Rating: R.

Number in the Census: 1.
28 November 1946.
Used on AW-DO-10 (46).
  1. Rubber oval Telegraph Office date stamp (RO2 - TO).

Size: 32 × 50 mm (e = 0.77).

Used in purple: 5 October 1948.

Rating: RRRR.

Number in the Census: 1.

 East F 1948 RO2
5 October 1948.

Used on AW-DO-10D (43).
Fremantle.

The Telegraph Office was opened on 21 June 1869.

It used the call signal FR.

 

 Freemantle 1st
The first Post & Telegraph Office in Fremantle.
A variety of date stamps are listed by Goulder as having been issued for use with telegrams at Fremantle:
  • (rated 1-2);
  • steel Telegraph Office W.A. at base (29 mm diameter) rated 3;
  • steel Telegraph Office W.A. AUST at base (31 mm diameter) rated 3 - post 1962;
  • rubber Telegraph Office W.A. and post code (34 mm diameter) rated 3 - post 1968;
  • Railway Station Post & Telegraph Office RO6 (rated 1).
 Fremantle
A number of date stamps were produced for use at Fremantle in conjunction with telegraphic matters in rubber or steel.
RUBBER oval date stamps:
  1. A rubber oval POST & TELEGRAPH OFFICE (RO2-P&TO):

Used:

Size:

Rated: RRR.

 
  1. A rubber oval TELEGRAPH OFFICE date stamp (RO2 - TO):

Used in red: 1 August 1901 to 27 December 1901.

Size: 31 × 49 mm (e = 0.77).

Rated RRRR (unlisted in Goulder).

Number recorded: 2.

 Fremantle TO 1900
1 August 1901.
Used on WC-EO-3.
  1. A rubber oval TELEGRAPH OFFICE datestamp (RO7 - TO).
    Has 1.2 mm arcs at either end of the inner scalloped oval. :

Used in violet: 7 August to 25 August 1905.

Size: 25 × 47 mm (e = 0.85).

Rated RRRR (unlisted in Goulder).

Number recorded: 2.

 7 Aug
7 August 1905.
Used on WI-DO-1A.
  Fremantle 1905
25 August 1905.
Used on WI-DO-1A.
  1. A rubber oval TELEGRAPH OFFICE date stamp (RO7 - TO).
    Has large dots at either end on the inner oval.

Used in violet: 31 January 1911.

Size: 23 × 48 mm (e = 0.87).

Rated RRRR (unlisted in Goulder).

Number recorded: 1.

 Fremantle TO Oval
31 January 1911.
Used on WC-EO-4 to London as a backstamp.
  1. A rubber oval TELEGRAPH OFFICE date stamp (RO7 - TO).
    Lower inscription is FREMANTLE with a stop but without W.A.

Used in violet: 29 May 1919.
Has 1 mm side arcs at either end on the inner oval.

Size: 22 × 47 mm (e = 0.88).

Rated RRRR (unlisted in Goulder).

Number recorded: 1.

 Fremantle 1919 RO7
29 May 1919.
Used on AE-DO-1B - a rare form sent to HMAS AUSTRALIA.
  1. a rubber circular Telegraph Office date stamp.
    W.A. and post code at the base (RC1-TO).
    2.

Used in violet: 17 August 1978
(sometimes described as post 1968).

Size: 34 mm diameter.

Rated: RR (not recorded by PMI).

Number in the Census: 1.

 Fremantle RC1 34mm
17 August 1978.
  1. a rubber circular Telegraph Office date stamp.
    W.A. and post code at the base (RC2 - TO).
    2.

Used: post 1968.

Size: 37 mm diameter.

Rated: R

  

STEEL circular date stamps:

  1. a circular steel TELEGRAPHS date stamp (SC1-T)
    Fremantle at the base.

Used: 17 July 1912 to
30 October 1919.

Diameter: 29 mm.

Rated RRRR.
(unlisted in Goulder,PMI or PMC).

 Fremantle 1915
4 October 1915.
  1919 Telegs
30 September 1919.
On AE-DO-1B.
(Abacus 7 April 2019;
Lot 1398). 		   
  1. a circular steel Telegraph Office/FREMANTLE W.A.
    (SC1 - TO):

Used: 5 August 1933 to 20 July 1955.

Diameter: 28 mm.

Rated: R.

Number in the Census: 10+

Fremantle TO 1933
5 August 1933.
Used on AB-DU-6. 		Fre TO 1949
3 November 1949.

Used on AW-DO-10B (47).

 Fremantle 20 July 1955
20 July 1955.
Used on AW-GSF-54C.
The usual postal date stamps were also used on telegrams. Freemantle 1894
Unframed FREMANTLE/WESTERN AUSTRALIA.
4 January 1894.
Fremantle.
21 June 1932.

Gnowangerup.

The townsite was first gazetted in 1908 under the spelling of Ngowangerupp and an Allowance Office opened on 9 May 1910.

The local people were however dissatisfied with the spelling of their town so consequently - in 1913 - the name was altered to Gnowangerup. Hence the status of the Allowance Office was upgraded to that of an Official Office - encompassing the Post and Telegraph Office - on 25 June 1913.
The Office was issued with a rubber oval Post & Telegraph Office date stamp (RO7-P&T) for use with telegraphs.

Used: 14 July 1914.

Size: 24 × 47 mm (e = 0.86).

Rated: RRRR

Number in the Census: 2
(only known examples - not listed elsewhere).
8 July 1914.
Used on a registered OHMS envelope sent from Perth to Broomehill then redirected to Gnowangerup and then retuened to the Land Titles Office.
 
14 July 1914
Greenbushes.

The Post & Telegraph Office opened on 5 May 1891.

In August 1893, the appointment of C. B. Teede as Post and Telegraph Master was gazetted.

Three special date stamps were issued to Greenbushes for use with telegrams:
  1. a rubber oval Telegraph Office date stamp (RO6 - TO).

Used in violet: 30 January 1900 to January 1901.

Size: 27 × 42 mm (e = 0.77).

Rated: RRRR.

Number in the Census: 3.
(Listed in PMI but no date recorded).


30 January 1900.

30 January 1900 - cover showing oval date stamp.

21 December 1900.
January 1901.
  1. a rubber oval Post & Telegraph Office date stamp
    (RO2 - P&TO).

Used: 1 July 1952.

Size: 30 × 50 mm (0.80).

Rated: RRRR.

Number in the Census: 1.

Greenbushes oval
1 July 1952 (only known date).

Used on the flap of a delivery envelope AW-EO-16Ba.
  1. a rubber oval Post & Telegraph Office date stamp
    (RO 7 - P&TO).

Used: unknown dates.

Size:

Rated: RRRR.

  
Harvey.

Construction of a Telegraph Office for Harvey was commenced in June 1896 and the Office opened on 14 October 1897. A Post Office had been opened in January 1883.

The Bunbury Herald of 26 October 1897 reported:

"The first telegrams dispatched from the Harvey were complimentary ones to The Hon. Sir John Forrest and the Postmaster-General. A telegraph station has been long wanted in the district, and I am sure we will all feel the benefit of it. It is built right alongside the railway station, so will be very handy for any passenger travelling by train.

Miss Knowles has been appointed our post mistress and telegraph operator".

 

Three date stamps were issued to the Harvey Office for use with telegrams:
  1. RO6 - P&TO.
    2 digit year.

Used in violet: 21 June (18)99 and 29 July (18)99.

Size: 26 × 44 mm (e = 0.81).

Rated: RRRR.

Number in the Census: 2.
21 June 1899.
 
29 July 1899.
  1. RO6 - P&TO.
    4 digit year.

Used in violet: 1 September 1904.

Size: 26 × 44 mm (e = 0.81).

Rated RRRR.

Number in the Census: 1.
1 September 1904.
  1. RO2 - P&TO - no post code.

Used in violet: 1 October 1956 to 1975.

Size: 33.5 × 54 mm (e = 0.78).

Rated RR.

Number in the Census: 3.

Harvey 1956
1 October 1956 (earliest recorded date).

  
  1. RO2 - P&TO - with post code.

Used in violet: 14 October 1975.

Size: 33.5 × 54 mm (e = 0.78).

Rated RRR.

Number in the Census: 1.

  

For most of the period after 1829 when Harvey was established, the only "improvement" to the area was the erection of a small dwelling referred to as "The Hut". It was constructed with a shingled roof, jarrah walls and hexagonal paving blocks. In the 1880s, this hut became the childhood home of children's author May Gibbs.

Reverse

 FDC Gibbs
First Day Cover with Harvey commemorative cancellation at Harvey to celebrate Australian Childrens' Literature, in 1985.
Jarrahdale.

The Telegraph Office opened on 11 February 1880 and merged with the Post Office in September 1882.

On 20 March 1896, the Western Mail reported that "Our new post office is nearing completion, and is a very creditable looking building. It is a great improvement on the hut which has done duty so long as a post and telegraph office".

Jarrahdale used the call signal I around 1882.

 
Jarrahdale Post & Telegraph Office about 1940.
The Office was issued with two oval date stamps for use with Telegraphs - both previously unrecorded:
  1. a rubber oval Post & Telegraph Office date stamp (RO6 - P&TO):

    Used in violet: 4 April 1899.

    Size: 27 × 45 mm (?).

    Rated: RRRR.

    Number in the Census: 1.

4 April 1899.
  1. a rubber oval TELEGRAPH OFFICE date stamp (RO6-TO).

Used in green/blue: 23 March 1904.

Size: 27 × 45 mm (e = 0.80).

Rated: RRRR.

Number in the Census: 1.
Jarrahdale
23 March 1904.
  1. a rubber oval TELEGRAPH OFFICE date stamp (RO7-TO).

Used in red: possibly 1909.

Size: 31 × ?? mm.

Rated: RRRR.

Number in the Census: 1.

The inscription is difficult to read. The date is very faint and the lower inscriotion is doubled. Nevertheless the date stamp is almost certainly Jarrahdale.

Jarrahdale Junction/Mundijong.

The Jarrahdale Junction Post Office was opened in December 1893. The Post & Telegraph Office opened on 1 July 1896.

This office was to be renamed MANJEDAL but in 1897 it was was actually renamed MUNDIJONG.

The West Australian of 3 July 1900 reported that "Bridget Troy had been appointed Postmistress at Mundijong".

 
Mundijong Post & Telegraph Office about 1940.

Two Oval date stamps were (possibly) issued to the Office for use with Telegraphs:

1. RO7-P&TO.

Used: 18 January 1905.

Size: 26 × 41 mm.

Number in the Census: 1.
18 January 1905.

2. RO6 - P&T? (from Manjedal??).

Used: ??.

Size: ??

Number in the Census: 0 (never seen).

  

Karridale.

A Post & Telegraph Office was opened at Karridale on 11 April 1893.

The township which existed at that stage, was destroyed by bushfires in 1961 and a new township was was subsequently built a little to the north-east. A postmark from a temporary Post Office carried the inscription "destroyed in fire 1961".
No special telegraph date stamp is known for Karridale.  

Katanning.

The Post & Telegraph Office was opened on 4 August 1893. It replaced Moojebup on 1 July 1889 before the Telegraph was connected.

Katanning Post & Telegraph Office about 1910.
Katanning Post & Telegraph Office about 1940.
Katanning was issued with three date stamps for use with Telegraphs:
  1. a rubber oval POST & TELEGRAPH OFFICE date stamp
    (RO6 - P&TO):

Size: 29 × 49 mm (e = 0.81)

Used in blue: 7 March 1903.

Rated: RRRR.

Number in the Census: 1.
7 March 1903.
  1. a rubber oval POST & TELEGRAPH OFFICE date stamp
    (RO7 - P&TO):

Size: 24 × 48 mm (e = 0.87).

Used: about 1912.

Rated: RRRR.

Number in the Census: 0.

  
  1. a rubber oval TELEGRAPH OFFICE date stamp (RO7 - TO):

Size:

Used in violet: 5 October 1914.

Rated: RRRR.

Number in the Census: 1.

 Kattanning 1914 RO7
5 October 1914.
  1. a rubber oval TELEGRAPH OFFICE date stamp (RO6 - TO):

Used in violet: 16 August 1943.

Size: 31 × 52 mm (e = 0.80).

Rated: RRRR.

Number in the Census: 1.

Katanning RO6
16 August 1943.
Used on an URGENT delivery envelope (AW-EU-4).

 
Kojonup.

The Post & Telegraph Office was opened on the first line to Albury on 22 May 1875.

A Post Office had been opened on 18 October 1864 under the supervision of Sgt. Loton.
The office was issued with a rubber oval POST & TELEGRAPH OFFICE date stamp (RO7-P&TO).

Used in violet: 19 October 1915 (only one example is recorded).

Size:

Rating: RRRR.

Number in the Census: 1.

 Kojonup
19 October 1915.

Premier Auctions, May 2016.

Margaret River.

An Administrative Office was opened at Margaret River in February 1913.

 

  1. a rubber oval POST & TELEGRAPH OFFICE date stamp
    (RO2 - P&TO):

Size: 27 × 50 mm (e = 0.84)

Used in blue: 27 Oct ??.

Rated: RRRR.

Number in the Census: 1.
27 October 19??
(on 1949 1/6 Hermes pair - issued 1 September).

Mandurah.

A Post Office was opened on 1 April 1846. This Office was closed and replaced by Serpentine on 20 November 1858. The Mandurah Office reopened on 1 January 1865 and was upgraded to a Post & Telegraph Office on 22 December 1886.
The Office was issued with three formats of rubber oval POST & TELEGRAPH OFFICE date stamps:
  1. an RO2-P&TO:

Used: about 1898.

Size:

Rated: RRRR.

Number in the Census: 0.

  
  1. an RO6-P&TO:

Used in violet: 5 January 1907.

Size: 29 × 50 mm. (e = 0.81).

Rated: RRRR.

Number in the Census: 1.


5 January 1907.

Used in red: 6 February 1907.

Size: 29 × 50 mm. (e = 0.81).

Rated: RRRR.

Number in the Census: 1.
6 February 1907 - detail of oval from cover below.

Cover from Mandurah to England 6 February 1907 with two strikes of the Mandurah oval RO6 - P&TO.
  1. an RO6-P&TO:

Used in violet: ? January and 4 March 1907.

Size: 29 × 50 mm. (e = 0.81).

Rated: RRRR.

Number in the Census: 2.
4 March 1907.
  1. an RO7-P&TO:

Used: about 1963.

Size: 31 × 48 mm.

Rated: RRRR.

Number in the Census: 0.

  

Mornington Mills.

A Post & Telegraph Office was opened on 7 May 1900.

It was the site of considerable timber gathering activity located on the Darling Range.

 

The Office was issued with at least two formats for rubber oval Post & Telegraph date stamps.
  1. An RO2-P&TO oval date stamp. The font for both the top and the lower inscriptions is small and the same size.
    There is a comma and W.A. after MILLS :

Used in violet: 27 March 1901.

Size: ??

Rated: RRRR.

Number in the Census: 1.
27 March 1901.		  
  1. An RO7-P&TO oval date stamp. The font for both the top and the lower inscriptions is small. There are also several small formatting differences between this date stamp and the RO2 date stamp above.

Used in violet: ?? January 1910.

Size: ??

Rated: RRRR.

Number in the Census: 1.
J(?)an 1910.
  1. An RO7 - P&TO oval date stamp. The font for the top inscription is smaller than that for the lower inscriotion.
    There is no comma or W.A. after MILLS :

Used in black: 29 June 1915.

Size: ??

Rated: RRRR.

Number in the Census: 2.

 Mornington
29 June 1915.
June 1915.
Narrogin.

The Telegraph Office was opened on 8 August 1893. Tenders had been called for a new building for the Post & Telegraph Office and Quarters were called in July 1892. On 22 September the tender from James Mackie for the building was accepted with a price of £897 16s 6d.

In August 1893, the appointment of R. Biedermann as the first Post and Telegraph Master was gazetted. He was transferred the following year to Marble Bar. By 1902, no telegraph messenger had been appointed to the Office.

 Narrogin
The second building for the Post & Telegraph Office.

A rubber oval POST & TELEGRAPH OFFICE date stamp
(RO2-P&TO) was issued to Narrogin.

Used: about 1963.

Size:

Rated: RRR.

  

On 13 February 1927, the Perth Sunday Times carried the following story:

A MESSAGE MISSED.
UNDELIVERED UNKNOWN.
A Telegraph Office in a Trance.

"On Thursday of last week The Sunday Times lodged at the G.P.O. a telegraphic message addressed to A. P. McCormick, Narrogin. On the following Tuesday, we received a notification from the Central Telegraph Office to the effect that this most important business message had not been delivered "the addressee being unknown."

This joke would be appreciated at Narrogin, for Mr. McCormick is so well known there that a wooden telegraph official with one eye - and that a glass one - could have located him while the telegram was still hot off the wire. This is one of those jokes the humour of which does not appeal to the parties concerned. Possibly Mr. Ramsay will see his way clear to declare off the hibernating season at Narrogin".

North Fremantle.

A Post Office was opened on 2 June 1884 and it was upgraded to a Post & Telegraph Office on 13 April 1893.

Three formats of rubber oval date stamp were issued to North Fremantle:
  1. a rubber oval TELEGRAPH OFFICE date stamp (RO6 - TO).

Used in purple: 28 September 1896.

Size: 28 × 44 mm (e = 0.77).

Rated: RRRR.

Number in the Census: 1.
28 September 1896.
  1. a rubber oval POST & TELEGRAPH OFFICE date stamp
    (RO2 - P&TO).
    Lines above and below the date.
    Has 0.5 mm side arcs.

Used in red: 17 November 1896.

Size: 25 × 37 mm (e = 0.74) - comparatively small.

Rated: RRRR.

Number in the Census: 1.
17 November 1896.


Used in purple: 17 September 1904.

Size: 25 × 37 mm (e = 0.74) - comparatively small.

Rated: RRRR.

Number in the Census: 1.

 Nth Freo 1904
17 September 1904.
  1. a rubber oval POST & TELEGRAPH OFFICE date stamp
    (RO6 - P&TO). This format is not listed elsewhere.
    No lines above or below the date.
    No side arcs.
    Office name extends beyond the horizontal.

Used in blue: 28 September 1904.

Size: 26 × 48 mm (e = 0.84).

Rated: RRRRR.

Number in the Census: 1.

 Nth Free 1904
28 September 1904.

Pinjarra(h).

The Post & Telegraph Office was opened on 17 February 1872. It became the centre for some other telegraph lines - such as that to Mandurah in 1886.

In 1876, Mary Sutcliffe was the Post & Telegraph Mistress.

It used the call signal P.

The newly elected member Captain Fawcett said, when meeting the people after his 1886 election:

"that they would see a telegraph line nearly completed to Mandurah; but he hoped they would agree with him if he suggested to the Postmaster-General that one operator was not enough and that it was too much for our worthy postmistress to sit up two nights in the week to receive letters and that she should have an assistant".


Pinjarra Post & Telegraph Office about 1950.

Pinjarra was issued with a rubber oval TELEGRAPH OFFICE date stamp (RO7-TO):

Used: about 1914.

Size: ???

Rated: RRRR.

Number in the Census: 0.

Prior to the date stamp above, the usual postal date stamp with Pinjarrah (including the H) was used for telegraphic work:

Used: 28 May 1897.

Size: 21.5 mm

Rated: RRR.

Number in the Census: 1.

 Pinjarrah
28 May 1897.

Quindalup.

A Post Office was opened at Quindalup on 19 July 1864.

The Inquirer and Commercial News of 17 March 1893 noted:

"The question is often asked — When is the telegraph office at Quindalup to be opened? The line has been erected thus far for upwards of two months, yet nothing has been done towards its utilisation. I believe that the Director of Public Works promised Mr. Yelverton that there should be no unnecessary delay in opening the line once it was finished to Quindalup".

The Post Office was upgraded to a Post & Telegraph Office on 4 April 1893.
On 1 December 1901, it was downgraded to an Administrative Office.
No date stamp for the telegraph operations has been recorded.

South Fremantle.

A Post & Telegraph Office was opened in South Fremantle on 1 April 1904 upon a change of name from Beaconsfield which in turn had been opened on 1 August 1894.

South Fremantle Post Office about 1940.

There is no record elsewhere of a date stamp being issued to this office for use with Telegraphs.

Nevertheless at least one format is now recorded.

A RO6-P&TO format:

Used in violet: 18 December 1903 and 25 August 1905.

Size: 29 × 51 mm (e = 0.82).

Rarity: RRRRR.

Number in the Census: 2.

Note the inscription at top is in sans serif font with the lower inscription in serifed font.


18 December 1903.
 

Wagin.

Wagin is between Nanogin and Katanning.

The Post Office at Wagin opened in January 1890 in temporary accommodation. Plans were soon prepared for a permanent post office and telegraph building and these plans were designed by George Temple-Poole. The building was opened on 3 August 1893.

In 1912, that building was replaced by the current building. This "new" building was designed by Hillson Beasley and built at a cost of £2,596. The old building was converted to living quarters.

A rubber oval RO3-P&TO date stamp was issued to the office:

Used in violet: 23 March 1900 (apparently a strike is known for 17 January 1900).

Size: 26 × 39 mm (e = 0.67).

Rarity: RRRR.

Number in the Census: 1.

Very unusual to have the top inscription in both capital and lower case letters.


23 March 1900 - latest recorded date.

Wandering.

The Post & Telegraph Office opened on 20 September 1894.

There is no record of a special date stamp for use with Telegraph being issued to the Office.
   

Waroona.

In Clare's Weekly of 18 January 1899, the statement was made: "Wanted, a Progress Committee who are not afraid to approach the Government with a view to securing a post and telegraph office, also railway siding and goods shed with competent officials in charge for the benefit of residents of Waroona; also a better representative in the House of Assembly who will look after the interests of the community, and not a favored few".

Three months later, in Clare's Weekly of 8 April 1899, it was reported that " tenders have been called for the erection of a Post and Telegraph Office (at Waroona) and, I am glad to notice, that definite steps are about to be taken".

The Post and Telegraph Office was opened at Waroona on 17 July 1899 on the renaming of Drakesbrook RMB (which had been established in August 1896).

In the Federal Election of March 1901, the Waroona Telegraph Office was used as one of the Polling Places in the Fremantle Electorate.

The Western Mail of 3 May 1902 reported a problem at the Post Office as follows:

"A representative meeting of residents, with Mr. R. E. Pugh as Chairman, was held here today when Mr. A. J. Wilson proposed and Mr. Wass seconded

"That this meeting of Waroona residents views with great disapproval the action of the Deputy-Postmaster-General in transferring Miss Johnson from the Waroona Post Office, without having given her a reasonable trial to cope with the new business and it urges upon him the re-consideration of her proposed transfer, with a view to giving her a reasonable trial."

This was carried unanimously. It was further resolved to request the Deputy Postmaster-General to defer the opening of a Savings Bank here for one week to enable a petition, which is in circulation, being adequately signed. The Chairman was directed to telegraph the resolutions to the Deputy-Postmaster General, and also to the Member for the district, Mr. George, asking him to interview the Deputy-Postmaster-General.

Attention was drawn to the fact that the Postmistress at Mornington Mills, where there is no police protection, is in charge of a money order and Savings Bank. Miss Johnson is deservedly popular here, and her transfer would occasion much regret".

 

Two types of rubber oval Post & Telegraph Office date stamp were issued to the Waroona Office. These are distinguishable easily by size and the inclusion (or not) of the letters W.A. in the lower inscription:
  1. RO2 - P&TO - includes W.A..

    Used in blue: 11 June 1903 and 31 October (? - partial strike).

    Size: 21 mm × 41 mm (e = 0.86).

    Rated: RRRR.

    Number in the Census: 2.
11 June 1903.
  1. RO2 - P&TO - does NOT include W.A..

    Used in black: 20 December 1949.

    Size: 37 mm × 57 mm (e = 0.76).

    Rated: RRRR.

    Number in the Census: 1.
20 December 1949.

Williams (River).

A temporary Telegraph Office was established at the Williams River during the construction of the first line from Perth to Albany. It first operated on 18 July 1872.

The Post Office had been opened on 13 November 1866.

One 1915 Telegraph Office and two more modern rubber oval POST & TELEGRAPH date stamps were issued to Williams for use with telegraphic business:
  1. RO7-TO.

Used: 21 October 1915.

Size: 24 × 40 mm (e = 0.80).

Rated: RRRRR.

Number in the Census: 1.
Not listed elsewhere.


21 October 1915.

 

  1. RO7-P&T.

Used: July 1935.

Size:

Rated: RRRR.

Number in the Census: 0.

  
  1. RO7-P&T.

Used: about 1978.

Size: 31 × 48 mm.

Rated: RRRR.

Number in the Census: 0.

  
Yarloop.

The Post & Telegraph Office was opened on 1 June 1897.

The Office was issued with at least two formats of rubber oval Post & Telegraph date stamps:
  1. RO2 - P&TO.
    Thinner letters and small dots for division between words.
    2 digit year.

Used in blue: 7 September 1898.

Size:

Rated:

Number in the Census: 1.

 Yarloop 2
7 September 1898.
Prestige Philately February 2009 Lot 427.
  1. RO2 - P&T.
    Filled in circles for division between words.

Used in red: 22 June 1904.

Size: 24 × 42 mm (e = 0.82).

Rated: RRRR.

Number in the Census: 1.
22 June 1901.

Used in violet: 15 September 1904 to 23 December 1904.
Font sizes are the same as in the red image.

Size: 24 × 42 mm (e = 0.82).

Rated: RRRR.

Number in the Census: 2.
15 September 1904.
  Yarloop 1
22 September (1904??).