History Notes about early Mt Kaputar development
History Notes
Winter has arrived and Market Day is next week - the first of possibly three cold markets. The weather is pleasant if it remains fine and the markets are held in winter sunlight, so hopefully we get a fine weekend next week.
This week I have had a call from a Reading descendant who will visit in a couple of weeks. He is a Reading descendant but rather vague about which one when I asked which Reading family- Woods Reef or The Junction, Glen Riddle. The only clues he gave were - "I am going to Bingara as well" and then "Where is Rocky River?" Hopefully we can sort him out when he arrives.
Returning to the Mount Kaputar road project which started in June, 1937. Cr.T.G. Carter, President of the Barraba Shire, spoke to Mr Chaffey, MLA re the project, showing him maps and photos. Later while still in Sydney, Mr Carter met with the minister for Works & Local Government to discuss the project.
Also, in June, the paper noted that the surveyors were doing survey work at Mt Kaputar. The Barraba mayor, Ald.W.J.O'Meara, was also organizing a picnic party to Kaputar and in July, J.B.Ryan was following up on the resort idea for Kaputar.
In April 1938, two lorry loads of equipment arrived in Barraba on their way to the Kaputar road where workmen had already started to build huts in preparation for an early start. (most people will have seen a photo of that camp covered in snow!)
It was noted that there was little unemployment in Barraba and outside labour would be needed to build this road which was to run via Kaputar over to join trunk road 72 near Narrabri.
In May 1938 forty-four men arrived in Barraba and were conveyed to the camp site on the Mount Kaputar road - local unemployed men were not happy to be overlooked.
W.J.O'Meara was elected Mayor for his fourth term in December, 1937, and later the next year he welcomed the Minister for works, Mr E.S.Spooner, to Inspect the Mount Kaputar road while in Barraba. Mr Spooner was impressed by the project which showed many opportunities for closer settlement in the future.
While in Barraba, Mr Spooner discussed the need for a sewerage service and was also anxious that the council should install a garbage system. ( Barraba did not have a tip at this stage.) He hinted that the government could help with both projects on liberal terms.
In the mean-time work was proceeding on the Kaputar road although little mention is given due to the town projects such as road sealing, bridges and water connections. Barraba was also suffering from a heatwave with readings of 107-109 - well over 40 degrees in today's measurements. Several Barraba citizens began to build a swimming pool in the river near the Bingara Road bridge so that residents could cool off. The heatwave broke with a very severe storm - some more details next week.