South Australian Register (Adelaide,SA : 1839 - 1900). Wednesday 10 August Page 1 'OUR TOWNSHIPS, FARMS AND HOMESTEADS' |
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OUR TOWNSHIPS, FARMS, AND HOMESTEADS.
SOUTHERN DISTRICT – NO XXIV [BY A NATIVE]
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Windmill Hill, with its razor-backed saddle, is a place which once visited is not likely to be forgotten either by the exquisite …. On account of its lovely surroundings or by those of the long-ago yesterday. To the latter its scenic appurtenance were perhaps not so much thought of as was the more business-like and heavy operation of getting their horse and bullock teams safely over it. From its western slope is seen one of the better, thriving, and most beautiful townships in the South, the old time “German Town” [as it used to be called] Hahndorf. Its creation as a settlement was due to the late Mr. George Fife Angas, who, when Chairman of the South Australian Company, was the cause of this and several other localities in the colony being settle by “Prussian emigrants, who from religious causes were compelled to abandon their native country, and seek refuge on the shores of South Australia”. Mr Angas sent them out, and the late Pastor A. KAVEL was their guide, philosopher, and friend “and he was a most worthy and indefatigable man”. Of the many villages thus created all have held their own save one – Klemsig [sic] situated in the northern banks of the Torrens opposite Payneham, and its odd whitened walled cottages and Church, all roofed with thatch, have long since been demolished, owing to the increased value of the land upon which the village was built. Anyone wishing to know what this little settlement was like can see a most faithful picture of it in Mr. G. French ANGAS’S folio of paintings in the Public Library.
Of Hahndorf and its history it is gathered that the good ship Zebra sailed from the Port of Hamburg on July 31, 1838, with 191 emigrants, arriving here in December, 1838. This little band of pilgrims bought three sections of land from Messrs. Dutton, Finniss and Macfarlane, the price being 7pound per acre, bearing interest at 10 percent. Until their completion of the purchase. These three sections now comprise the township of Hahndorf, which was loyally named by the emigrants after their ship’s captain, D.M. Hahn. By means of sterling industry and commend
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Able that the inhabitants were soon enabled to pay for their land and call the place their own. Of the residents the oldest …. Years for there are several living here who arrived on the Zebra] is Mrs Christian Jaensch, now in her ninety sixth year. Introduced to her by her daughter who tends her and is now a grandmother, I found the grandly featured old lady sitting on a sofa with a prayer book printed in large German type open in front of her. The daughter, who arrived with her and was then only five years of age, acted as interpretress, and in ….. her earlier experiences the old …..eyes brightened, especially so in returning to the days when she and others of her sex used to go reaping with sickles and sheepshearing, whilst their children were in the habit of walking to town… miles] laden with vegetables and other produce, returning on foot the same day with “payment received in the shape of tea, sugar and other household necessaries. Nothing “still, starched, or straightlaced about that business.” Said my companion, but rather intensifying the truth of the lines – Grace in every motion, music in every tone, Beauty in form and feature, thousands might covet to own; Cheeks that rival the roses, teeth the whiteness of pears. One of such country maids is worth a score of your city girls.
By such early pioneers as those referred to the township of Hahndorf was cleared of its timber and built upon, and the expenditure incurred in assisting their exile was “to be repaid by them after their arrival in the colony, when in circumstances to do it; the money then to be applied to the erection of schools and places of worship.” These first footprints or aids to education were at Hahndorf faithfully observed, as is evidenced by the brick walls of old Churches and schools now standing. Viewed from Windmill Hill the valley in which Hahndorf is nestled is really beautiful particularly so in autumn, when the tints of exotics are wonderful in the “infinite variety”. Traversing the steep road which leads to the village, is southern skirtment encloses grazing land and wattles owned by Mr C. Paech; to the left is the best farmed land to be seen in the neighbourhood, and it has been
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under cultivation for over fifty years. Mr P. Braendler, its present occupier, is another of the practical Clezy persuasion, and “goes for the land, and the land returns the compliment.” Farming, gardening, dairying, and fruitgrowing are all engaged in with profitable results. Stinkwort, during my visit, was being cut for bedding by a horse mower, and of the stack of this commodity near his piggery, cowyard and stables Mr. Braendler said, “It is the best I have ever tried for bedding and afterwards manure, but it must be moved before the plants are coming into seed.” A hand cream separator is in use here, and peas, marigolds, sorghum, and maize are cultivated to perfection for fodder purposes. In the orchard there are three acres planted with apples, growing well, besides an old vineyard, where the vines would do better if more attention was paid them. Of vegetables, potatoes are the champions in regard to prolificacy, but all do well simply because the soil is assisted by artificial means. Further on is seen Mrs. Gething’s residence, and its selection does credit to the memory of the well-known and much respected former medico of Port Adelaide. In the township’s main street, now bordered with elms, chestnuts, and other beautiful trees, are rustic homesteads, which with their verdant framing are indeed pictures. Query -Why don’t many of the other townships in this colony follow the example here set them by the energetic Von Doussa and his District Council? And again of pedestrians, cyclists, and others, why don’t more of them in the peregrinations “train” to Ambleside and then pedal upwards to Mount Barker, at the same time taking in a slice of the country which on the off road leads to Friedichstadt.
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inscription in German – “St. Paul’s Church; erected to commemoration of the foundation of the Lutheran Church in Hahndorf by Pastor Kavel, year 1840”. Inside it resembles a large edition of the pretty little Church at Salem, previously described, and the unique little floral tablets near the organ-loft hanging on the wall silently speak of the memory of the dead. A picture of Luther and Pastor Kavel are fixed on the wail above the alter. The ground, fittings, baptismal font, and communion jug and cup (the last three… of solid silver) were all presented by Mr. F.W. Wittwer, the much respected miller here. In connection with the laying of the foundation stone of this new and handsome edifice there is a little romance. Wishing to preserve the documents and other mementos placed under the old Church the foundation-stone was raised with a view to their transference to the successor, but unhappily the little treasure had been previously raised. Furth down, “the village smith stands;” not beneath a spreading chestnut, but a better spreading vine which, measuring 2 ft at its butt, expands its branches all around the busy premises. Its size is large and its age nineteen years. Near her is Host Ide’s establishment, and being of an energetic habit does not solely confine himself to the duties connected with his hostelry, but is also a cultivator, and when I first met him he was superintending the loading of a trolly with apples and other fruit for transport to the Adelaide market. Nearly opposite is the biggest industry of its kind in the South – Mr. C. Bom’s monumental marble works. His name is seen far and wide throughout the districts through which the writer travelled. By his works the residents know him, and better could not be wished for. Pity it is that such as he cannot “play marbles” with the material of that ilk to be found in many places in this colony. The marbled frontage of our tombstones to this country’s welfare on North-terrace looks good enough for “marbled urn or animated bust.” The material mostly
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treated and sold by Mr. Bom is imported from Italy, albeit some of those cut from yellow sandstone obtained from near Murray Bridge do him and it infinite credit. In traversing the main street the surroundings of homesteads command attention. Fruit-trees, mangolds, and cultivation of some kind are noticeable, whilst the houses and their construction commend themselves as useful object lessons to builders on clayey or Biscay cracking soils. One of the oldest was built in 1840 on the Swiss or chatelet lines of architecture, as are also many others her and in Friedrichstadt. Thatch for roofing, with brick walls intersected with gum-framing, V shaped, horizontal, and other shaped walled lacings, they score anything but cracks, the wooden lacements or bracings preventing the possibility of such. These “German ideas” in building are well worthy of imitation and adaption in many other localities. In company with Mr. Bom, I visited St. Michael’s Lutheran Church, built in 1858, and its surroundings oldest cemetery, which was allocated in the original survey of the township. In the burial ground rest numbers of those who helped to found this pretty little hamlet. The headings of many who were felled by the “stern decree of fate” are indicated on wooden slabs of gum, cut and “rough-hewn” in a somewhat rustic though respectful fashion. The painted inscriptions once to be found thereon have long since been washed off or obliterated by the old scythe-bearer. Of those who arrived by the Zebra, and so helped to “found a nation,” are here indicated – Gottfried Liebasch [sic]; Johann Christian Liebelt; Samuel and Mrs Thiele, aged 87 and 75; Carl F.E. Riemann; Friederich W. Heinrich, aged 72; Johann G. Haebich George and Mrs Boehm, Johann F and Mrs Paech, aged 70 and 65 years; Carl A.H. Storch [aged 78] and wife, Johann F.W. Wittwer and wife, besides many more. Of the other Churches I need here say little, but rather give the palm to those erected and built by German pioneers in the fulfillment of their agreement already referred to.
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is approached wither by the roads running past Mrs. Gething’s or from the slopes of Windmill Hill-the latter for preference. Of the view, the road and everything favour it, especially when you near the old-fashioned chatelets no occupied by Messrs. Christian, Gottlieb, and George Paech. “They remind me of the Continong,” said my driver, but the humbug had never been there; yet he was right. Nothing prettier and more foreign to our Adelaide and suburban “square’ style of architecture, with an occasional output of “bay windows” or suncatchers and heat conservators, can possibly be imagined. Surrounding them are old orchards and willows planted forty years ago. ‘Neath the latter trickles a tiny and ever-running stream. From it, through iron piping water is conveyed to a rustic gum hewn trough placed on the roadside by the Messrs. Paech for the public and those of their cattle travelling this way. Anyone of the three buildings, with its gumwood bracings, stock sheltering’s, and dovecotes, is worthy of committal to canvas especially so when their surrounding trees are in bloom or are tinted with autumnal shades. All the brother’s resident here were passengers by the Zebra, and most are most worthy specimens of Finally of Hahndorf. It is a township constitutes a worthy memorial of Mr. George Fife Angas, who acted the part of a true philanthropist in assisting “Prussian emigrants” to come here. Right nobly have they fulfilled their compact entered into with him in building Churches and schools by means of hard earned gains. From such and among such are the most industrious of our labour party [sic] to be found, who, with all their work and little pleasure, still honour the memory of their former good Pastor Kavel in matters of religious observance by closing their shops and hotels on Saints days and Ascension Day. I didn’t remember the date of the latter, but thought from the appearance of the main street on that day last commemorated that there was to be a big funeral.
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tons, was the output, whilst for last year it numbered 900 cases, or about 40 tons. At the back of the factory there is an orchard covering seven acres; some of the trees were planted forty years ago and they still bear well, especially the apples, pears, and plums. Indeed, some of the pears grown there this season weighted over 7lb each. “Frost is too severe for vines,” said Mr. Sonnemann; “they used to do well some ten years ago and yielded splendidly, but sunshine after frost cripples their growth.” Until recently a distillery was worked on the premises, but the Distillation Act of six years ago has killed the industry. “The Government received three times the revenue under the former Act, but now they pay more for officers and receive less, and thereby murdered another goose which laid them golden eggs,” said the proprietor.
About two miles north of Hahndorf is Mr. A. Schroeder’s homestead, named Rebensberg. On the road thither was passed the premises of Mr. C. Nitschke, who encourages the growth of the wattle, and nearing Mr. Schroeder’s are to be found some of the best specimens of native birds I have seen for many years, the red-breasted robin, diamond sparrow, white cockatoo, and parrots of all sorts being included in their number. The visitor admires them, but the planters of vines and fruit-trees do not, for although constituting a galaxy of feathered beauty, almost all of them are very destructive to the product of the soil. A beautiful spot is Berenaberg, and when viewed from the high road leading thereto the idea suggests itself that there are many other “beauties” in the matter of locations in this sunny south of ours yet awaiting clearance and cultivation. Passing the vineyard which slopes to the left of the road the homestead is reached. The buildings and wine cellars surrounding it are of all sorts, since, and ages. Having been bluffed considerably in my meagre knowledge of the German language in Hahndorf and Monarto, I heralded my advent here by way of a little practice on a
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splendid “kleines kind,” the grandson of Mr. Schroeder. I commenced ….. “Wie heisen sie?” The little chap shook his head. “Wie alt sind sie!” I thundered. Still mute. “Wo waren sie geboren,” I gasped as a last resource, for this exhausted both me and my little knowledge of the language of his Fatherland. He lispingly replied, “Du bist oin narr,” and though I always appear to be one I never felt a bigger fool than on this occasion. The acreage under vines numbers seven and a half, of which two and a half were planted last season, all of the Madeira variety. The vintage latterly has been poor, owing to oidium and sparrows and other winged pests; also frosts. Nevertheless the wine made here is very good; 1,800 gallons were made last season and about 1,200 this. Certificates as to its quality are not wanting as prizes taken at the Jubilee Exhibition and all the local Shows amply testify, and those of the port and hock varieties should hold their own anywhere. On the rich flats below the vineyard potatoes, mangolds, and other tubers are grown to perfection, and of the former fourteen tons had already been sold in Adelaide this season, whilst a second crop, well manured, bids fair to yield a still larger quantity. The majority of the latter will be retained for planting next year. Everything on this property is well cultivated; good crops of all descriptions are ensured by returning to the land that which it always requires – manure- which is here largely conserved. Further up this beautiful valley is the property of Mr Minge, whose orchard and wattle plantations are both looking well.
Visitors to Hahndorf should not leave its neighbourhood without paying a visit to Friedrichstadt. It is indeed a lovely spot, and the old residences there occupied by the Paech family are worthy of attention by rising young artists of the Sinclair and Wadham type. The district – named after the late Mr. Friedrich Paech-spreads considerably and covers the thirteen 80-acre sections he purchased form what was formerly called “the South Australian Cattle Company,” on which flocks were herded in the early days after having been brought over from the mother colony of New South Wales. The original settlement is approached either by the roads running
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is approached wither by the roads running past Mrs. Gething’s or from the slopes of Windmill Hill-the latter for preference. Of the view, the road and everything favour it, especially when you near the old-fashioned chatelets no occupied by Messrs. Christian, Gottlieb, and George Paech. “They remind me of the Continong,” said my driver, but the humbug had never been there; yet he was right. Nothing prettier and more foreign to our Adelaide and suburban “square’ style of architecture, with an occasional output of “bay windows” or suncatchers and heat conservators, can possibly be imagined. Surrounding them are old orchards and willows planted forty years ago. ‘Neath the latter trickles a tiny and ever-running stream. From it, through iron piping water is conveyed to a rustic gum hewn trough placed on the roadside by the Messrs. Paech for the public and those of their cattle travelling this way. Anyone of the three buildings, with its gumwood bracings, stock sheltering’s, and dovecotes, is worthy of committal to canvas especially so when their surrounding trees are in bloom or are tinted with autumnal shades. All the brother’s resident here were passengers by the Zebra, and most are most worthy specimens of pioneer type. Below their residences is one occupied by Mr Adolph Heinecke, and this is the house built by their father Mr. Friedrich Paech.
Finally of Hahndorf. It is a township constitutes a worthy memorial of Mr. George Fife Angas, who acted the part of a true philanthropist in assisting “Prussian emigrants” to come here. Right nobly have they fulfilled their compact entered into with him in building Churches and schools by means of hard earned gains. From such and among such are the most industrious of our labour party [sic] to be found, who, with all their work and little pleasure, still honour the memory of their former good Pastor Kavel in matters of religious observance by closing their shops and hotels on Saints days and Ascension Day. I didn’t remember the date of the latter, but thought from the appearance of the main street on that day last commemorated that there was to be a big funeral.
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