From Left.-Mrs. Alrema Samuels and Miss Norah Mc Auliffe. SYDNEY TOPICS – photos by S J Hood. (1930, January 11). The Australasian(Melbourne, Vic. : 1864 - 1946), p. 61 Edition: METROPOLITAN EDITION. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article141425116
Left to right. Miss Sue Russell, John (Jack) Ralston PBSLSC with Alrema Samuels on right circa 1934-36 with 9 foot surfboard. Image No.: hood_02985, and below: hood_02978h. Titled 'Man and woman with 9 foot wooden surfboard' - Jack and Alrema again. Both courtesy State Library of NSW.
Seen at Palm Beach.
MRS. A. SAMUELS — quite the brownest of the fairer sex, and better than most men on a surf board. Social Sidelights (1933, December 31).The Sun (Sydney, NSW : 1910 - 1954), p. 18. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article230197599
The rise and rise of local young women surfers such as Tully White or Blaze Angel Roberts in the Longboard surfing world, both of whom have achieved great results in recent contests, reminded us of one of our original longboard lady surfers, Alrema Becke of Palm Beach.
Called 'the Queen of Palm Beach' and also 'Australia's Woman Surf Board Champion' by 1930, Alrema Becke lends us an insight into the growth of a sport and the growth of Palm Beach SLSC. Her success on the board, and clearly being included 'among the boys' although always feminine, possibly stemmed from experiencing girls and women surfing in the Polynesian islands, where such things were always part of life with none of the 'this is how ladies behave' pressed upon women of her generation within Australia.
By just being herself, and just doing what she had always done, this lady stands as a bit of a beacon for all that came afterwards, even if she was not alone in her love of riding a surf board and being among the early female proponents of such.
Alrema's connection with Palm Beach, the surf club there, and surfing also reminds us of the prominent part Palm Beach SLSC played in the surfboard becoming a standard piece of Surf Lifesaving equipment. See; The Rise Of The Surfboard As Life Saving Rescue Equipment: Some History
Alrema Becke, sometimes 'Rema' or 'Myra', was the second daughter of famed South Seas writer George Lewis Becke - who wrote under 'Louis Becke' and the pseudonyms ‘Ula Tula’, ‘Te Matau’ and ‘Papalagi’:
Popular Pressmen.
No VIII.—LOUIS BECKE.
Lotus BECKE doesn't like literary work. The first man who induced him to write stories was Ernest Favenc, author of "Tales of the Austral Topic," and a well known BULLETIN man. Favenc it was who introduced him to Editor Archibald of the BULLETIN, with which journal Becke was for a long connected. He is still a contributor to its story columns, and gratefully acknowledges that its proprietors stood to him when lie was stone-broke, and proved his truest friends.
The sale of '"By Reef and Palm," which Becke considers the most successful of his efforts, shows a continuous increase in England, Australia and America Ta^ nough, the American critics, who are generally so bitterly averse to what are known as ‘color stories’ – those dealing with colored races—speak and say that in America enthusiastically he has but of one his rival—George Caole, author of " Old Creole Days " and " Madame Delphine." Becke is essentially a very busy man. He has for some time past been the Sydney correspondent of the PALL MALL GAZETTE, to which paper he also contributes sketches and stories of South Sea life. At present be is engaged in writing a series of stories for the ENGLISH ILLUSTRATED MAGAZINE and the ILLUSTRATED LONDON NEWS. The other journals in which his stories have appeared are the SKETCH, NEW REVIEW, REYNOLDS' NEWSPAPER, and BADMINTON. Sydney EVENING NEWS and TOWN AND COUNTRY JOURNAL have also had the benefit of his services for some time, and his short Island stories in those journals under his various signatures of " Ula Tula," " Te Matau," " Papalagi," &c., are always reading of the most delightful kind.
"First Fleet Family" was written by Becke, in conjunction with Walter Jeffery, in the short space of 28 days. It was published simultaneously in London and America. They have just finished and sold another novel dealing with a very famous and romantic incident of South Sea life many years ago. This work will also appear simultaneously in England, America, and Australia. In connection with the omission of his colleague's (Walter Jeffery's) name from the serial publication of ‘A First Fleet Family," it is satisfactory to know that both the publisher, (Fisher Unwin) and the proprietors of the ILLUSTRATED LONDON NEWS have made public the fact. The …
"His Natural Wife " published in Sydney last year, has been snapped at, and Becke has had several good offers for the English and American rights, but, as yet, has not accepted. Becke, by the way, is not, as might be expected, persona non grata with the missionaries. The contrary he is a warm friend of the missionaries especially o f two of the most noted missionaries of the London Missionary Society—the Rev. Frank Lawe of Savage Island, and the Rev. Dr Turner, once a well known medical missionary in Samoa. ...
Personally, Louis Becke is a white man, and his long association with the Island blacks, with whom he is a great favourite, has not had any terrible effect upon him. He is naturally diffident, but yet a facile faculty for "making pals." Being a man of the world in every sense, and a travelled, observant one, there are no frills on him whatever. Indeed, he "shouts" with an easy grace only to be acquired by constant and conscientious practice in that social function.
Mr. Becke has but one child, a girl of eight, who has been his constant companion in all his island wanderings. She is at present on her way ‘ome, en route to Belgium, to be placed at school with the children of old Island comrade of her distinguished dads. Becke himself, who has during the past week been in Melbourne, left for London last Tuesday. He goes on a brief business visit in connection with Island trading, and will return to Australia via Canada in about five months. May he have success and a good time is all the harm the FREE LANCE wishes him. YELWARC. Popular Pressmen. (1896, June 18 – Thursday ). Free Lance (Melbourne, Vic. : 1896), p. 3. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article171429463
Born on October 30th, 1897, in Suffolk where her sister Niya was also born on September 27th, 1898 Alrema would have heard of being in the surf, and surfing, and then later seen or taken part in this herself during her 11th year when her father took her and her sister to Fiji and then on to Samoa. One such story:
SURF SWIMMING
(By 'Te Matau.')
The average native inhabitant of what is properly Polynesia, i.e., that is that vast collection of grouped and isolated islands extending from about latitude 170 deg east to longitude 130deg west, and reaching from the Equator to about 28deg - south — spends nearly a third of his existence upon the water. Especially is this case with those people inhabitating the low, sandy atolls of the Paumotu, Ellice, Kingsmill Gilbert and Union Groups; for they have not the fertile soil and luxuriant vegetation of the higher, volcanic, order of islands, and in consequence their food supply comes largely from, the lagoons and reefs of their island homes. That such a people should be skilled fishermen, daring voyagers, and addicted to spend much of their time in aquatic pastime is not, therefore, in be wondered at. They are literally able to swim as soon as they can walk, and lose all dread of the sea ere they are old enough to know that the feats they perform in the water would fill even the most powerful and 'cracked-up' European professional swimmer or diver with astonishment and envy. As divers they are, perhaps, unsurpassed by any other race in the world; and even although among the degenerate breed of Fijians and Samoans that the present-day traveller will see at Suva and Apia he will witness some good diving he wants to go further afield among the pearl-divers of Manhike and Penrhyn's Island to form an adequate idea of the extraordinary powers of the Polynesian -to work underwater.
But, the average native loves to play on the water much better than he likes to labor under it, and it is such a pastime as that of surf-swimming that he fills the white beholder with astonishment at the daring nature of the exhibition and with admiration for the skill and grace of his seemingly involuntary flight upon the crest of the thundering surges. Of all the national games or sports that take up so large a snare of the time of the South Sea Islander surf-swimming is the most favored, and practised, particularly by the young people of both senses. By the Samoan it is called 'faa'se'e,.' by the Tahitians and other people of the Society and Austral Islands either 'horue' or 'faahe'e,' and by the people of the Ellice Islands 'fakaheke.' Sometimes the whole of the inhabitants of a village, young and old alike, develop a sudden craze for the sport, in the same manner that the Samoans of late years have taken to playing cricket, and a most extraordinary and amusing spectacle is presented.
Many years ago this writer, when living on one of the Micronesian islands, was asked by a number of Polynesian natives in his employ, to give them a few hours leave to 'fakaheke,' and, this being granted, some five or six young men at once dashed out into the surf, and began the sport. Their example was contagious, and in less than three minutes the village was deserted, except by aged and inferior people. These, however, crept out upon the beach and watched the fun with the greatest interest. Among them was an old man of at last 70, who was suffering from an ophthalmic complaint, and who could not even see the performances of those enjoying themselves in the surf. But, like an old troop horse, whose blood tingles in his veins at the sound of the bugle, old Pakia's spirit awoke, and he earnestly besought the writer to lend him 'a large flat board,' so that he might join in the pastime. A piece of a deal packing case brought forth his warmest thanks, and in a few minutes the old fellow was swimming out, feebly but gallantly to join the merry crowd of surf-riders. A roar of approval went up as they caught sight of the old man, and some young lads and girls at once went to his assistance. They soon reached the edge of the reef, near where the surf curled over ere it broke; and then with loud shouts of laughter the poor old fellow was placed upon his surf board, and, at a fitting moment, let go in, front of a huge seething roller. But. old and blind as he was, he came in like an arrow from a bow, and with a feeble cry of triumph let himself slide off the board ere it touched the beach. Again and again was this performance repeated amidst loud plaudits and shrieks of laughter from his companions; and certainly the ancient person did present a very amusing sight as time after time he flew before the roaring surf, his scant white locks trailing behind him like the frayed out end of a Manilla hawser, and his features expressive of the most sublime enjoyment. The most favored spots for this exciting pastime — the tobogganing of the sea, it may be termed — are the passages leading through the inner lagoon reefs, or, if there is not too angry a surf, the entrance to a bay or harbor on the outer reef. Here, at high tide, the long unbroken ocean billows roll in in unbroken majesty till they are barred by the walls or reef, over which they curl and break, and then dash madly shoreward in a long line of seething foam. Those who are the most experienced at 'fakar-heke' disdain to use the surf board, and, springing in front of a sea, by a curious method of hollowing in the back and depressing the head and neck, they fly in before the rolling surge at an amazing speed. Sometimes both hands will be held outspread before them; at others the right hand only, while the left strikes the water a series of quick strokes so as to keep the swimmer well in front of the propelling surge.
With the board, however, even an European novice can soon attain the art in a few lessons, provided he has confidence in himself and is a good swimmer. If he has not the latter qualification he had best not attempt it — he would be drowned to a certainty if unaccompanied by natives. On some of the Ellice Islands the swimmers will go quite half a mile from the beach, and, braving the danger from sharks, watch for an incoming wave as it thunders over the reef. Then, forming in line, each person rests his or her stomach upon the board, grasping the upper edge with both hands, and with a cry of triumph they are off, and tearing at a mad rate of speed shoreward. Straight as a bullet they go, steering themselves by their feet and an imperceptible movement of the back and shoulders; for the slightest deviation from a straight course would result in a capsize and being left behind in an instant. As the beach is neared they slip off the board, which, however, is retained in the hand. Then turning seaward again they dive under the advancing surges that roll down upon them, and swimming between the lulls reach their starting point again.
Others there are, however, who are so skilled by long practice that, instead of rushing before the sea in a prone position, they sit upon the board, holding themselves in position by grasping the sides. This is a method much in practice among some of the women and girls, and to see perhaps from ten to fifty of them mounted on the top of a curling sea, and enveloped in spray as they rush shoreward with the speed of a porpoise in pursuit of its prey, is an exhilarating and interesting sight. Their loud cries of delight and encouragement to each other, the thunder of the surf as it breaks upon its coral barrier, and the shrieks of laughter that ensue when some luckless one overbalances or misguides herself among the hissing foam lend an additional zest of enjoyment to- the scene. It is but seldom that surf swimmers are attacked by sharks. This no doubt results from the clamor that prevails during the continuance of the sport. Only one instance has come under the writer's knowledge, when, in 1874, a fine handsome young native while enjoying himself with a number of others at 'faa'se'e' on the island of Apolima, was seized by a shark. He, with three others, was spinning shoreward’s, when just before they reached the beach he was seen to disappear, to rise again in a moment or two with his right arm gone close to the shoulder. At the island of Tematagi, in the Paumotuan Archipelago, however, some three years ago, eight young children were attacked by four or five sharks while surf swimming in very shallow water, on the outer reef. Before canoes' could be launched to go their assistance, five of the unfortunate, children had been taken, and one of the survivors badly bitten in her side. This is the only real and, fortunately, infrequent danger that may be dreaded by the surf swimmer. As for being drowned, no one has ever heard of such a fate befalling a Polynesian; at the pastime. POLYNESIAN SPORTS. (1896, March 14).Evening News (Sydney, NSW : 1869 - 1931), p. 9. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article109922955
George Becke was a very popular writer of South Sea stories – the book that ‘launched’ him being ‘By Reef and By Palm’ originally called ‘Some White Men and Some Brown Women’, according to an article written after he passed away.
He married one of these ladies Nelea Tikena at Nukufetau in the Ellice Islands (now Tuvalu) in 1881. Whether they had children is not recorded, but likely. In 1886, while still married to Nelea, a marriage that was legal under the law as the place she was born in then came under British rule and British Law, he married, at Port Macquarie, place of his birth, Bessie Mary Maunsell, a South African born girl.
They had two sons and a daughter – the boys dying quite young, one, perhaps the second, of ‘an accident’. A story written by Becke and published in 1912, in which a ‘Lois’ features (the second name of first daughter Nora) alludes to a mother who left her child and was engaged in séances – this may speak of either Bessie, or Fanny Sabina, Becke’s third wife. It seems to be a conglomerate of the three.
After the second lad died in 1894 the ‘marriage’ seems to have not worked – they lived separately and then Bessie, under the Divorce proceedings of 1903, states she went soon afterwards (1895) to Bathurst to work as a barmaid. The judge’s comment during that Divorce proceeding, in one report asking ‘Have you read ‘His Native Wife’ seems to indicate everyone but Bessie knew they were not legally married.
Becke worked hard during this period, producing many short stories, and books. A ‘typist’ referred to in an article of 1932 as, ' Divorced from his first wife, Louis married a typist, and Mr. Bunting remembers how he used to stride about his room when possessed of an idea, dictating to his wife.’ would have been needed and probably paid for by publishers. The typist would also need some sense of sentence construction, of writing articles, of telling stories. This would seem to be, in 1894, or 1895, the first links with Fanny Sabina Long (born 1871).
Whether she was working with him then or not, by March 1896 a few lines in one article of their attending a ball for visiting cricketers at Port Macquarie speaks by its casualness of an accepted already ‘togetherness’ of Mr. Louis Becke and ‘Miss Long’.
They then went to London in June 1896, by some reports for him to float a new South Seas venture, while others point to needed medical care for Nora, who seems to have been in his care, or Fanny’s, after Bessie left for Bathurst. Various articles, published in Melbourne, and then Adelaide, point to both being in his plans - his output of writing prior to leaving possibly funding the trip.
Documents produced when Bessie made claims for a Writer’s Widow pension given to Fanny Sabina to support her daughters after Mr. Becke’s death in February 1913 satisfied the Australian Government that Mr. Becke’s first wife, whom he married in 1873, had died in 1896, that he then married F Sabina Long, in 1896, and that this marriage was legal, whereas the one to Bessie could not be as he was married to someone else at the time.
From Louise Becke Literary Fund File 1913 - Courtesy Australian National Archives: (F S Becke - Commonwealth Literary Fund - Nov 1919 - Jan 1925. File: NAA: A463, 1959/6386)
A search of U.K. records indicates a marriage listed in the September 1908 quarter between Becke and Long, in central London’s ‘Pancras’. September 1908 was also the same month they landed in New Zealand for him to pursue ‘research’ work.
Portrait of Mrs Louis Becke, (Sabrina) [picture] / Talma, 1896 Inscriptions: "Mrs Louis Becke (Sabrina) --In ink lower centre. "Talma, Paris panel, 119 Swanston St., Melbourne" --Printed lower left to lower right. "Louis Becke from Fannie Long, Sydney, May, 1896" --In ink on reverse. "Elliott and Fry ..." from http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-136626017 courtesy National Library of Australia.
Portrait of Louis Becke, 1896 [picture] / Elliott & Fry Inscriptions: "Elliott & Fry, 55 Baker Street, London W. copyright" --Printed lower left to lower right. " "Angus & Robertson with kind regards from Louis Becke, best [?] 5.10.97" --In ink on reverse. "Elliott and Fry ..." --Printed on reverse. From http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-136625909 courtesy National Library of Australia.
Further searches reveal they were ‘Mr. Becke and his wife’ when living in Ireland in 1901. Interestingly the NZ and Fiji papers have no trouble speaking of and referring to ‘Mrs. Becke and her daughters’ when they return south in 1908, whereas the snippets produced within Australia omit all mention of Fanny Sabrina.
Clearly his personal circumstances, or ‘family matters’ as Randolph Bedford called them, then working at the Bulletin and who appealed to the Federal Government for aid for Becke when he landed back in Sydney, ill, in mid 1910, and for his wife and children upon his death, were well known within the ranks of local wordsmiths. This points out how wide the range between what will be published on others and what will never be published on themselves then was. It also speaks of a family already inherent in Australian and Sydney journalism, where Becke started penning insights, as the Bulletin and its brilliant writers, as well as those of The Evening News, not only looked after Becke and his family on his passing, they also kept the faith as the girls grew up and needed a foot in the door to earn their own way in life. Alrema, already showing a talent for Art, was found a position or 'apprenticeship' and Niya, who became a writer of articles herself, first appeared in poetry in the Bulletin.
This ‘looking after and out for each other’ manifested in Alrema during the late 1920’s and early 1930’s in all she did to further the saving of lives by the Palm Beach Surf Life Saving Club. Her father’s love for all things aquatic shone through too – in her surf board riding – something she clearly first saw a body board version of, where women and girls were the experts, as early as 1908.
In September 1908 the family landed in New Zealand on their way to the islands. Fanny Sabina and Alrema and Niya landed back in N.Z. three months later and the girls were schooled at Auckland for 1909. In mid 1910 they were back in Sydney, Mr. Becke quite ill,possibly already suffering from the cancer that would kill him in two and a half years as well as other 'tropical diseases' he describes suffering from through many of his works, from as early as 1892.
An Application for support to the Commonwealth Literary Fund, written in Fanny Sabina's handwriting, signed by Becke, and backed up by letters from several rerfees, was refused as he could 'still work'. It tells us Nora is 23, living in London and working at the Imperial Hotel, Russel Square, and is employed in 'secretarial work' - an item from 1909 in a New Zealand newspaper illuminates this position further:
Miss Nora Lois Becke (the eldest daughter of Mr. Louis Becke), who holds an important secretarial position in London, is visiting the Dominion and the Australian colonies. Miss Becke is almost accomplished linguist, and out of 300 applicants for the position she now holds she was given the appointment, despite strenuous opposition on account of her age. She has obtained six months' leave. Miss Becke is now only 21 years of age, and was born at Townsville, North Queensland.
NEW ZEALAND HERALD, VOLUME XLVI, ISSUE 14043, 24 APRIL 1909
Imperial Hotel, Russel Square - postcard
From Louise Becke Literary Fund File 1910 - Courtesy Australian National Archives: (F S Becke - Commonwealth Literary Fund - Nov 1919 - Jan 1925. File: NAA: A463, 1959/6386)
From Louise Becke Literary Fund File 1910 - Courtesy Australian National Archives: (F S Becke - Commonwealth Literary Fund - Nov 1919 - Jan 1925. File: NAA: A463, 1959/6386)
Details refusal for support and Bessie making claim for pension meaning Randolph Bedfored withdrew his previous please for urgent support - Courtesy Australian National Archives: (F S Becke - Commonwealth Literary Fund - Nov 1919 - Jan 1925. File: NAA: A463, 1959/6386)
Mrs. Becke (Fanny Sabina) left her husband in July 1911 as he 'could not support her' according to documents in the George Becke file for Writer's Pensions available in the Australian National Archives. During the last three months of 1911 Mrs. Becke took a position as Matron at Brighton College, Manly, remaining there until Easter 1912 – the girls received board, lodging and tuition as part of her payment, the rest being £5 per quarter – not a lot. The Girls Realm Guild were also providing for the daughters.
There were certainly surfers using boards at Manly during that year - in fact they had been around for a few years (see below) - they were getting banned at Freshwater in 1910, but allowed for use at Manly - the scene and displays during surf carnivals must have reminded the Becke girls of where they had just been. There were also local girls, particularly members of the Sly family, involved in these events.
Brighton College, Manly was a private girls school. Their 1912 term commenced February 1st and Easter in 1912 began during the first week of April.
The 1911 end of year report shows yet another name used for Alrema, in 'Myra':
BRIGHTON COLLEGE, MANLY.
At Brighton College, Manly, on Wednesday, the principal (Miss Fly, M.A.) reported on the work of the year, after which the prizes were presented by Mrs. F.Jj. Plomley as follows:— Dux, Marjorie Roberts; senior. English, Dorothy Wessberg. A1., French, Marjorie Roberts; Latin (Upper), Joyce Weesberg; Latin (Lower), Don® Nott; mathematics, Eily IVy; English, Marjorie Roberts. AIL, head, Dinah Marshall; French, Evelyn Oaks; IjQtln, Evelyn Oakes; mathematics, not awarded. B, head, Evelyn Oakes; French, Dorothy Roberts; Latin, Dorothy Roberts; mathematics, not awarded. Cl., head Myra Becke; arithmetic, Marjorie Purves; English, Phyllis M'William. ' CIL, head, Sadie Macdonald; arithmetic, Sadie Macdonald; D., head, Irene Howes; general work, Olga Wilson; arithmetic. Aline Taylor; drawing and writing, Itonald M'WHliatn, Latham Arnot, aeq. Kindergarten, May . M'Illuride, Harrold Howes. lowers. Music, Mira Edson's pupils, Hilda Wright, Marie Daniel, acq. ; Miss Landon's pupils, upper,Laura Wootton, Jean Page, acq.; lower, Niya Becke, Drawing, Hilda Wright. Painting, Elly Fry. Elocution (Miss Cooper-Day's prize), Greta Taylor; elocution examination, Dot Fisher. Physical culture (Petersen Bros.' prize), 1, Donah Marshall; 2. Marie Daniel. BRIGHTON COLLEGE, MANLY. (1911, December 15). The Daily Telegraph (Sydney, NSW : 1883 - 1923), p. 15. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article239201032
MANLY GIRLS.
Do not misunderstand the heading, reader. The girls I am about to refer to are girly girls, and great ones at that, developed under the healthful conditions prevailing at our Village — Manly. Nessie Brayton is very promising. Get your mind on the big things she gathered of last season's swimming spoil: 50 yards breast stroke championship (under 14) of all private schools, and the championship of the Brighton College, at Manly.
Nessie has a fine style, much like Fanny Durack's way. Her time for 50 yards is 34sec, and the hundred, 1.24.
She can get over a thousand without an apparent effort worth mentioning. Among the Athletes of the Water (1922, December 8). Arrow (Sydney, NSW : 1916 - 1933), p. 15. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article103440065
Brighton College, Manly, also educated such luminaries as Nancy 'Bird' Walton.
1937 Advertisement for Brighton College: Advertising (1937, December 9). The Farmer and Settler (Sydney, NSW : 1906 - 1955), p. 23. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article117156821
Between Easter and June 1912 Mrs. Becke worked for six weeks doing cooking and needlework for Mrs Stacy Waddy, wife of the Headmaster of Kings School for £1 a week, which supported one child. Between June and December she worked as a housekeeper for the Killburn Sisters, receiving 10/s a week and lodging for herself and youngest daughter Niya. Following that was an eight week stint working for Mrs. Professor David in the Blue Mountains for 12/- a week.
On the 3rd of February 1913 she was employed by Atkins McQuilty at 30/- a week – where she still was when her husband died.
On February 17 or 18, 1913, her father passed away of throat cancer compounded by a penchant for too much gin, according to what leaks out from those who knew him.
BECKE.—February 17, 1913, at Sydney, Louis (George Louis) Becke, F.R.G.S., in his 58th year. Family Notices (1913, February 19). The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), p. 12. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article15399058
Alrema, then aged 15, and being supported by the Girls Realm Guild, a grant which would cease on May 31st, was earning 7/6 a week working as a Commercial Artist in the firm of Smith and Julius. This firm was owned by Harry Julius and Sydney Ure Smith and launched many lady, as well as men, artists in this field. They both had Bulletin associations and Mr. Julius started as a journalist with The Evening News, and both were supporters of her father and publishers of his work.
Of course the talent must be there to foster to begin with. While spending that year in New Zealand (1909) while her father pursued his island interests, Alrema attended the Melmerly College, Parnell, Auckland. Their end of year prizes distribution lists for 1909 was published:
SCHOOL PRIZES DISTRIBUTION.
MELMEHLY COLLEGE. I The annual distribution of prizes in connection with Melmerly College, Parnell, took place on Thursday afternoon. The Rev. Canon Mac Murray presented the prizes as follows :
French: Nesta Self and Rema Becke 1. Painting:- Rema Becke.
AUCKLAND STAR, VOLUME XL, ISSUE 301, 18 DECEMBER 1909
Niya, then aged 14 years, was apprenticed to Millinery at 4/- per week for three months, that arrangement expiring April 26th, 1913.
The Girls Realm Guild were paying the rent of rooms at 60 Bayswater Road until the same date.
Niya had a gift for words and would make a living out of this in one way or another, commencing with poetry and then writing articles as well as working for other writers, as her mother had for her father. Some more samples of her work are on this page:
This Would I Ask single work poetry "This would I ask the gods: to bind my form". Author: Niya Becke. Published April 10, 1919 in The Bulletin
My South-Sea Isle single work poetry "A palm-girt Isle I know which lies". Author: Niya Becke. Published June 1, 1922 in The Bulletin.
There is more on The Girls Realm Guild below - these two items lend insight into its reason for being and give context to who else may have featured in Alrema's 1913:
GIRLS' REALM GUILD EXHIBITION.
An Interesting art exhibition will open July 31 until August 1 at the Royal Art Society's Rooms, in aid of the Girls' Realm Guild. Messrs. Lister Lister, Julian Ashton, Norman Lindsay, Percy Spence, Lionel Lindsay, J. S. Watkins, and others have sent in dainty sketches for disposal, and there will be a loan collection, including a great etching by Gustave Bore and original sketches by Frank Craig R A Phil May, William M’Leod, Sid Long, Souter, W. E. Waller, Dr M'Carthy, and some theatre bills of the seventeenth century. GIRLS' REALM GUILD EXHIBITION. (1913, July 26). The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), p. 18. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article15438542
GIRLS'REALM GUILD.
One of the most effective organisations in Sydney is the Girls' Realm Guild, which, although it has been responsible for training more than 200 girls in useful occupations, follows out a policy of quiet and unostentatious service. Members of the guild have as their objective the assistance of girls of gentle birth, who, through loss of means, might have to support themselves without having received any proper training.
These girls have been taught several professions, including obstetric and children's nursing, cooking, commercial and secretarial work, teaching, massage, and commercial art. Grants of money are made by the guild from its trust funds, and girls who are helped in this manner invariably return the kindness when an opportunity arrives. As the subscription fee is only 2/ annually, the income has to he derived from personal efforts on behalf of the members of the guild. To augment the funds, it has been decided that a theatrical garden party be held in Lady Gould's garden at Eynesbury, Edgecliff, on November 8. Arrangements will be discussed at a meeting at the Australia on Wednesday at 11.30 a.m., at which Lady Hughes will preside. GIRLS'REALM GUILD. (1927, September 12). The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), p. 4. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article16403327
There were numerous reports and anecdotes published after her father passed away, some appearing decades later - this one give us some pretty bad pictures of the girls - the only images found, thus far:
Adventure and Authorship
How First-hand Experience lade him competent to talk with authority of a phase of island life that is passing.
The Varied Career LOUIS BECKE.
(FOR 'THE SUNDAY TIMES,' BY 'N.L.')
Since the reading world is always eager for a new thrill, a goodly share of success was assured for Louis Becke as soon as he began to write. Becke, who died in Sydney some days ago, passed his boyhood in New South Wales, his youth and young manhood about the Pacific islands. He had other experience to draw upon when he became author, but it was THE ISLAND TIME that gave him his vogue. Reading folk remember an old book called 'South sea Bubbles, by the Earl and the doctor.' The Doctor was a brother of the novelists, Charles and Henry Kingsley. The Earl was the Earl of Pembroke. The nobleman's reputation as an observer of native life was a help to Becke, for 'The Earl' wrote a preface to 'By Reef and Palm,' the first volume of Becke stories, and thus gave the new author a good start in London. And how were the stories made ? Well, they were till the better for not being the result' of a conscious search for copy. After Becke had had many years of island life literary friends got the idea that he had things to tell, and persuaded him into telling them. With practice he gained style, and in this matter, as in others, he acknowledged special help from Mr. J. F. Archibald. But the style, of course, needed other things behind it, and there came in the experience of how 'we lived right merrily .. DOWN IN FAIR SAMOA, four-and-twenty years ago, in the days when our hearts were young. Those of us who had dug our trenches before the City of Fortune look no heed of 'the watches of the night' for men, to us, there was no night — only long, long, happy days of mirth and jollity.'
This note of happiness of the island life is frequent in Becke, though he has much to say also of the tragic side. 'Hino, the Apostate' which he regarded as his best story, is pure tragedy, and a survey of the (whole of his work would, no doubt, show that the tragic work is the strongest, as it commonly is in all literature. Frank Frank Anstey, M.H.R., has told how in his early days as sailor boy the brutal mate of a ship in the Eastern Seas kicked him into illness and left 'him half-dead in Singapore. 'Too sore to fight, too sick to run,' says Anstey, 'I was the jest of all the little half-bred and full-bred mongrels of the native quarter, until one day Captain Hayes carried me aboard the Lotus to be cupbearer and punkah wallah to his last love, Jennie Ford. 'We sailed for the Marshalls' by way of Manila and the Carolines, and we took months in the doing of it. During that trip— the last Hayes was ever to make— I heard for the first time those TALES' OF WRECKS AND SCRAPS AND FIGHTS, whereby the captain left his mark upon the pages of South Sea history. The wreck of the Rona, and the seizure of the Atlantic, the escape from Apia, the vain chasing by the Blanche and the Barossa, the loss of the Leonora, the advent of Her Majesty's Kosario ; the open boat flight to Pingelap. Of all these I heard wide eyed and open-mouthed.
And then the tales of men with whom he had fought or fraternised. Ross Lewin, Ben Pease, Asa Lambert, Joe Bird, Paddy Coney, 'Tamati’ Chalmers the missionary, and Louis Becke.' And that gives a very fair idea of what Becke knew in, the way of adventure. Besides his own fair share of experience, he had the multicolored memories of Bully Hayes and other such ' semi'-pirates to work oh. . The doings of 'Bully' have been written of by a number of others who never set eyes on him. But Becke knows. He had simply to draw oh memory to provide readable stories and episodes, There were the ways of seafarers in remote waters, the curious customs, the happy or sad days of the brown folk of the islands and odd tags of the: Australian' experience of a man who had knocked: about and followed, many occupations. There were memories of island days and nights, of
A VILLAGE MORNING.
'A dome of fire, blood-red, springs upward from the sleeping sea and the day has come. As the first swift streaks of light shoot through mountain mists, the waking wood-pigeons resting in the masa trees sound out their morning notes, answered by the sharp dries of a flock of green and gold paroquets as they sweep from the darkened valley to the sunshine: of the coast a swarm of sooty terns follow with lazily flapping wings to seek their food upon the sea.' A conch shell booms, and the native village awakes to life. With sleepy eyes and black glossy hair, falling about their shoulders of bronze, half-nude male and female figures come forth from every house of thatch, and walk slowly down towards the reef for their morning bathe. Behind their elders, in noisy groups of eight or ten come the village, children, big-eyed, laughter-loving boys and girls, pushing and jostling against each other's naked, red-brown figures and, then, as their voices die away in the distance, silence falls again.
And the man who could make stay-at-home folk see the islands had YEARS OF LITERARY SUCCESS in London. Before the end he had outgrown his vogue — partly because of imitators, partly because he had not managed things well on the business side of authorship, and thereby obtained leisure to write for art's sake rather than to keep the pot boiling. His success, too, having been built on one type of story, vanished as the public decided that it had had enough of that fare, and Becke was not of those who write on anything and everything in a way that must be read. But he has left many things that are of value not only as literature, but as records of passed or passing phases of island life.
'Long before my time,' to quote Frank Anstey once more, 'Becke had been with Hayes in the long low brig, the Leonora, alias Pioneer, alias Waterwitch fitted with men and guns to fight, and with keel and canvas to run when the odds were bad. Years after Hayes' death Becke was recruiting niggers on the New Ireland coast for the German planters in Samoa, and we in the Isabella were doing likewise for the planters of Northern Queensland! Then and thus I first set eyes upon him.' With experience like this, and with much that was more adventurous, including gun-running in Samoa's war-time,' Becke had tales to tell that have been eagerly followed by -many readers, and have been paid THE DOUBTFUL COMPLIMENT of annexation by several untravelled writers, A careful selection from his many books would form a welcome reprint. '
Ill-health was Becke's portion for long before his sudden end, and was a cause of the fact that his two youthful daughters, now with their mother in Sydney, are unprovided for. Regard for the writer who has given us so much of charm might well be shown by help for those he has left. The girls bear the island names Rema and Niya. Rema gives artistic, promise, and is studying with a view to following the profession of the artist.
We may end with some lines written by Louis Becke in the album of an Australian writer who was leaving London. The opening verse will be remembered by many as coming from a poem by Bryant :
''He who from zone to zone Guides o'er the trackless main the sea birds' flight, 'n the long way that we must tread alone Will lead our step aright.' -''Dear Mrs. Lala Fisher, — I don't know who was the author of the lines above; nor do I. know if I have given them correctly. I only remember that the sense of their memory has always been with me since I heard them at my mother's knee. — Always sincerely yours, Louis Becke. '
'To fa ! To fa soifua. ' Manuia oe i' aso. ma mafeina, ma tausaga uina lava. -'Good bye ! Good bye- ! ! May you be ever happy, in days, in months; And years, for ever.'
REMA, ELDER DAUGHTER OF LOUIS BECKE.
LOUIS BECKE IN HIS EARLY SAILING DAYS.
NIYA, YOUNGER DAUGHTER OF LOUIS BECKE.
Adventure and Authorship (1913, March 16). Sunday Times (Sydney, NSW : 1895 - 1930), p. 19. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article126453541
From Louise Becke Literary Fund File 1913, Will dated January 24th, 1913 - Courtesy Australian National Archives (F S Becke - Commonwealth Literary Fund - Nov 1919 - Jan 1925. File: NAA: A463, 1959/6386)
LOUIS BECKE.
SEVEN years ago to-day Louis Becke died in Sydney. He was a native of Port Macquarie, and received some schooling there and in Sydney but at the age of 12 he stowed away on an island boat and reached Samoa. After some years in the Pacific he returned to Sydney, and was induced to write about his island experiences. The stories he told, short and dramatic episodes based on actual happenings, were immediately successful, and Becke went to England. He lived there and in France, Ireland, and the West Indies for the next twenty years, writing long and short stories, articles, etc., which filled over thirty volumes.
The best of his stories are in "By Reef and Palm" and 'Wild Life in Southern Seas,' both of which are not easily obtainable now. Most of his books, in fact, have gone out of print; but the reputation of Louis Becke as the most vivid and faithful story-teller of South Sea life is on the increase. Becke, by the way, was christened George Lewis; in the islands he was known as 'Lui,' and he used the name 'Louis' when he wrote his first story. He was in the act of writing a story based on the strange case of the brig Marie Celeste when he fell forward and died in a Sydney hotel on February 18, 1913.
LOUIS BECKE. (1920, February 18).Sydney Mail (NSW : 1912 - 1938), p. 17. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article159027599
LITERARY ROLL OF HONOR.
PARSIMONIOUS FEDERALISTS.
(From Our Special Representative)'
MELBOURNE, Wednesday.
The Federal Government has a literary fund. It has been advertised largely as an instance of the generous attitude of the community towards Its favorite authors, and the public doubtless considers that something really substantial is being done for those who gave up their lives to the unselfish pursuit of literature. A glance over, the following list, which sets out all the payments now being made out of this fund, will show how parsimonious the Common wealth Parliament is towards those who have served the highest interest of the nation. The average payment is not much above the ordinary old-age pension:— Mrs. CHARLOTTE KENDALL, widow of Henry Clarence Kendall, well-known poet, who died on' August 1, 1882: £52 a year, Mrs. ADA BRITTON, widow of the late Alexander Britton, one time New South Wales Government Historian, who wrote an original volume of history and edited two volumes of records: £52 a year. The Rev. KEBER TENNANT TRANMAR, author of the "Century of Tasmanian History": £26 a year. Mrs. ANNIE KREFFT, widow of Gerhard Krefft, who died on February 17, 1881, author of valuable . works on natural history: £26 a year. Dr. JOHN SERVICE, author of "Doctor Duquist," "Laird Cautlcarl," "Memoirs of James Dunlop, Government Astronomer of New South Wales," and a dialect dictionary in three volumes: £26 a year. Mrs. ELIZABETH FARRELL, widow of John Farrell, who died on January 8, 1904, author of "How He Died," "The Sundowner," and other works: £26 a year. Miss MADGE MYERS, orphan child of Frank Myers, who died -on July 23, 1907 (chiefly known as "Telemachus," of the "Argus"): £26 a year. Misses' STENHOUSE, daughters of Nicol Drysdale Stenhouse, who delivered lectures In literature and gave indirect service to literature: £52 a year. The Rev. J. H. L. ZILLMANN, author of "Past and Present Australian Life," "Two Worlds," and other works on Australia: £26 a year.Mrs. FANNY SABINA BECKE, widow, and two daughters of Louis Becke, author of about thirty well-known books: £52 a year from June 30 next. Mrs. LORIMER FISON, widow of the Rev. Lorimer Fison, who died December 29, 1907, distinguished ethnologist: £52 a year. Mrs. MARCUS CLARKE, widow of Marcus Clarke, author of "For the Term of His Natural Life" and other works: £52 a ' year. Mr. WILLIAM BATEMAN, author of "The Colonist," "Australian Produce and the Best Means of' Realising Thereon," and so forth: £26 a year. Mrs. M. E. J. PITT, magazine poetess and prose-writer, author of "A Song of the Empire": £26 a year. Mrs. NICHOLSON, widow of John Henry Nicholson, author of "Halek" and "Almonl" £52 a year. Mrs. BRUNTON STEPHENS, widow of James Brunton Stephens, well-known poet: £52 a year. Mrs. TRAILL, widow of William Henry Traill, who died May 21, 1902, author of "The Queensland Colony," and for years editor of the Sydney "Bulletin" and "Sydney Mail": £26 a year. Mrs. EVANS, widow of George Essex Evans, the Queensland poet: £52 a year. LITERARY ROLL OF HONOR. (1913, May 21). The Sun (Sydney, NSW : 1910 - 1954), p. 10 (FINAL EXTRA). Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article229844155
In 1919 – Fanny is living at Manly again – at ‘Tramore’, 82 Darley Road, which may have been a Becke relatives address, there being two of George's brothers who lived, or retired, there and passed away while living at Manly, one in the 1920's, one in the 1930's - see below. These two attended his funeral.
Alrema Becke married in 1919, Harry Samuels at Mosman, a union that lasted less than a decade, with her husband remarrying in 1930, soon after their divorce was finalised. During their happier times they spent months at Palm Beach in a 'bungalow' called 'Merriwing' in Florida Road - a bad photograph of Alrema feeding 'pet' wild birds on the verandah of this residence appears in a 1930's article. The view down to the beach places the home in the curves of Florida road to the south of Palm Beach, towards the Rock Pool end.
Mr. Harry Samuels, of the International Correspondence School, Ltd., who has been a victim to an attack of pneumonic influenza, is now progressing favourably, though it will be some considerable time before he will be well enough to resume business. Social Gossip (1919, April 27).The Sun (Sydney, NSW : 1910 - 1954), p. 12. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article221451514
Her husband appears to work for the International Correspondence School, as did Palm Beach SLSC George Wray. He was also involved in:
NEW MOSMAN FERRY
Messrs. W. A. Erwin, H. E. Samuels and H. Kentwell have shown practical appreciation of the new ferry service to Mosman-by offering to give to local residents £5 worth of return tickets each, providing three others do likewise before Wednesday next. NEW MOSMAN FERRY (1921, October 8).The Sun (Sydney, NSW : 1910 - 1954), p. 3 (FINAL SPORTING). Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article223492051
By 1925 Alrema was going to Palm Beach for her holidays:
Holiday at Palm Beach
Mr. and Mrs. Harry L. Samuels, of Cremorne, will spend the Christmas and New Year holidays at Palm Beach. Mrs. Samuels expects to be away for about two months. FOR WOMEN Social Events of Importance (1925, December 14). Evening News (Sydney, NSW : 1869 - 1931), p. 13. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article126130988
"BY REEF AND PALM"
Mrs. Louis Becke LONG SOUGHT HOLIDAY
SEAS like soda-water In the moonlight, murmuring over an atoll; children brown-skinned and, brown-eyed "paddling in canoes from one shining beach to another, and singing as they paddle"; trade winds moving slightly the tufted palms and the sweet husks of young cocoanuts — these are pictures that the name of Louis Becke brings to us — Louis Becke, super-cargo of Bully Hayes and one of Australia's few great novelists. Becke died in 1913. Now Mrs. Becke, who since his death has lived in Sydney, pulling along on literary work of her own, is off back towards the islands he loved for a holiday.
Mrs. Louis Becke has herself done much journalistic work of merit, and was at one time a contributor to the "Westminster Gazette," "Pall Mall Gazette," "Tribune," and "Wide World Magazine." In London she belonged to a literary circle that held, some of our greatest names, among them Kipling, Conan Doyle, the Joseph Rennels, H. B. Irving, and Ellen Terry.
Mrs. Louis Becke
With her daughter Niya she leaves on the Makambo on February 15 for Lord Howe and Norfolk Islands. Mrs. Becke was last there in 1908. Then she journeyed through Samoa, the Fijis, the Friendlies, and all those beautiful reef-and-lagoon paradises that stud the Eastern Pacific. This is a holiday long looked forward to. "It was a thrill booking, the passage this morning after so many years of planning," she said. Unfortunately a month is short, and she cannot reach Ponapo and Raratonga, and those far-off islands that Louis Becke, in writing, made his own; but at least she will be back within echo of "surf on a windward reef" in the glorious South Seas.
As Women View It (1924, February 7). The Sun (Sydney, NSW : 1910 - 1954), p. 13 (FINAL EXTRA). Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article224566509
Holidaying at Norfolk Island
Mrs. Louis Becke and Miss Niya Becke, who are holidaying at Norfolk Island, are prolonging their visit for a month. (1924, March 14). Evening News(Sydney, NSW : 1869 - 1931), p. 15. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article119213658
Niya wrote about this too - see below under her father's details. The Australian National Archives file on the Writers Pension granted to Fanny, finished in 1923 as the girls were 'of age' contains letters from her (1924 - Mosman), and others on her behalf, seeking passage for herself and daughter Niya on a steamer and the pounds to meet the cost. Her reasons for returning to England were a perceived notion, proved true, that she and her daughter would find employment more suitable to their talents there. The trip was probably more to support Niya following in her father's literary footsteps and was also backed up by letters from journalist supporters here which mention,among other things, that Fanny Sabina is an Englishwoman who wishes to go home.
Fanny Sabina Long was born in the June quarter according to London-Wales birth, marriages deaths lists, in the Dursley district. The district Dursley spans the boundaries of the counties of Wiltshire and Gloucestershire. Dursley, the market town and civil parish is in southern Gloucestershire, England. It is under the northeast flank of Stinchcombe Hill, and about 3¾ miles (6 km) southeast of the River Severn. The town sits on the edge of the Cotswolds escarpment where it drops off towards the Severn Vale and the River Severn and is adjacent to Cam, a village:
From Louise Becke Literary Fund File 1924 - Courtesy Australian National Archives: (F S Becke - Commonwealth Literary Fund - Nov 1919 - Jan 1925. File: NAA: A463, 1959/6386)
From Louise Becke Literary Fund File 1924 - Courtesy Australian National Archives: (F S Becke - Commonwealth Literary Fund - Nov 1919 - Jan 1925. File: NAA: A463, 1959/6386)
Although she was refused by the department in charge of the pension they did get to London somehow as:
Mrs. Becke, wife of "Louis Becke," and Miss Niya Becke are in London. The Ladies' Section (1925, June 7). Sunday Times (Perth, WA : 1902 - 1954), p. 32. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article58218881
If ever a book met an urgent need it is '"Laurie's Cyclopredia of Gifts," edited with notes by Miss Niya Becke. There are more than 2,000 suggestions for the giving of presents, suited to all persons and all purses. The suggestions arc classified: for smokers, for grandfather, for bride, for bridegroom, for children, and so on; and there are notes about packing and forwarding presents. It is suggested that this little book of hints is itself a suitable present for almost anybody. The giving of it may not be a disinterested pleasure. Miss Becke is the daughter of Louis Becke. The publisher is T. Werner Laurie. MISCELLANEOUS WORKS. (1926, October 23). The Australasian (Melbourne, Vic. : 1864 - 1946), p. 65 (METROPOLITAN EDITION). Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article142165010
Miss Niya Becke, remembered in Sydney, is at present living In Lisbon. Miss Becke is the daughter of the late Louis Becke, author of well-known South Sea stories, and Mrs. Becke. SOCIETY (1929, April 14). The Sun (Sydney, NSW : 1910 - 1954), p. 4 (THE SUN). Retrieved fromhttp://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article222696990
SAMUELS v SAMUELS.
This was a suit in which Alrema Samuels (formerly Becke) petitioned for a decree for restitution of conjugal rights to be directed to Harry Ernest Levy Samuels, to whom she was married on August 7, 1919, at Mosman, according to the rites of the Unitarian Church. Respondent did not appear, and his Honor granted a decree ordering him to take back or return to petitioner within 21 days of the date of its service upon him. Mr. Cassidy (instructed by Mr. W. J. Maclean) appeared for petitioner. IN DIVORCE. (1928, August 29). The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), p. 10. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article16490095
SAMUELS V SAMUELS.
Alrema Samuels (formerly Becke) sued for a divorce from Harry Ernest Levy Samuels on the ground of desertion by reason of his non-compliance with a decree for restitution of conjugal rights. The parties were married on August 7, 1919, at Mosman, according to the rites of the Unitarian Church. His Honor granted petitioner a decree nisi, returnable in six months. Mr. Cassidy (Instructed by Mr, W. J. .Maclean) appeared, for petitioner; respondent was not represented. IN DIVORCE. (1929, May 9). The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), p. 5. Retrieved fromhttp://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article28047059
In the desire to shorten the length of the championship carnival programme, the Surf Association has decided to alter the surf relay race to a surf teams race and to eliminate the surf-board display. It Is hard to understand the reason for the latter. The surf-board exhibition is one of the tit-bits of the afternoon to the spectators, and it is the one event which docs not take up any time on the programme. Surf-board riding is one of the attractions of our beaches, and we are proud of the skill displayed by the men, who are proficient In the art. The board, also is most efficacious for rescue work on occasions, and the association should give every encouragement to this section of surfing. SPORT SAYING AND DOINGS (1929, January 10). The Sun (Sydney, NSW : 1910 - 1954), p. 8 (FINAL EXTRA). Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article230372540
The above is another example of how those doing the work were discussing during 1929-1930 having the surfboard as a surf-lifesaving equipiment.
The surf board race has attracted two experts in E. Ellison and R. Meldrum from North Steyne club, and T. Gallagher (North Narrabeen), who will be opposed by the two local board experts', J. Riordan and E. Lambert. WITH THE SURFERS (1929, February 8).The Newcastle Sun (NSW : 1918 - 1954), p. 3. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article164027701
Surf boards and canoes are rapidly gaining popularity, especially at North Bondi. Here Jack Stroud, Geoff. Laidlaw, Freddy Boorman, Ken Weekes, G. Walton, and H. Barker may be seen giving good displays on their boards whenever the waves are favorable. More skill Is required to use a board on the quickly breaking waves of our beaches than on the lazy rollers of Waikiki, the home of the board, and there should be a certain amount of pride in being an adept on Sydney beaches. ON THE WAVES (1929, October 16). The Sun (Sydney, NSW : 1910 - 1954), p. 9. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article223499701
Meanwhile - at Palm Beach:
WEARY surfers of the afternoon forgot their sunburn, donned bright clothes, and made for The Rendezvous at the Golf Links at Palm Beach last night to dance, in aid of the building fund of the new clubhouse for the Palm Beach Surf Life-Savers. No more propitious date could have been chosen by the organisers, Palm Beach is just full of visitors who are in holiday mood.
The organising secretary was Mrs. A. Samuel.
More than two hundred turned up, among them being Miss Elaine de Chair, Misses Marjorie Luscombe Newman, Claire Curlewis, Naney Bavin, Shirley Dent, Lesly Martin, Barbara Smart, Gwen Brown, Jill Daley, Elspeth Macpherson, Elsie McWilliams, Mr. and Mrs. Pat. Levy, Mr. and Mrs. Graham Pratten, Mr. and Mrs. John Gunnin, Mrs. - Dick Allen, and Messrs. Eric Luscombe Newman, Douglas Levy, Bing Carson, Norman Hill, George Maiden, John Mant, Dr. Geoffrey Maitland. Mr. and Mrs. Harry Hynes, Mr. and Mrs. Wallace Arnott, the Neville Mannings, Gwen Coombe, Molly Wolfcarius, and Mary Winter Irving. from Bourke to Pitt Street (1929, December 29). The Sun (Sydney, NSW : 1910 - 1954), p. 20. Retrieved fromhttp://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article225155970
The Rendezvous, Palm Beach
The Palm Beach Surf Club is one of the few, if not the only one, which has women on its committee. It has three women as vice-presidents-Lady Maitland, Mrs Alrema Samuels, and Mrs T Peters.
Mrs Samuels has been a particularly active worker for the club. Besides raising some hundreds of pounds since she has been a member, she has performed many odd tasks which have been of great service.
As a recognition of this her fellow members paid a public tribute to her at their meeting on Saturday night. Mrs Samuels is a champion on the surfboard, and the gift that she received was a model surfboard in polished Australian hard wood inscribed with the crest of the club and a plate expressing greetings from the club. The presentation was made by the president, Mr C P Curlewis. The captain, Mr Pete Hunter, expressed to Mrs Samuels the gratitude of members, and spoke of the great services she had rendered. NEAR AND FAR. (1930, February 25). The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), p. 5. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article16628403
C. Bede Maxwell states in Surf: Australians Against the Sea (Sydney: Angus & Robertson, 1949), 201-202., 'At one annual general meeting, the Palm Beach Surf Club made a special presentation to its vice-president, Alrema "Sammy" Samuels. Members greeted her with "a rousing rendition" of "For She's a Jolly Good Fellow" and presented the renowned surfer with a gold-mounted miniature surfboard.'
WEARY surfers of the afternoon forgot their sunburn, donned bright clothes, and made for The Rendezvous at the Golf Links at Palm Beach last night to dance, in aid of the building fund of the new clubhouse for the Palm Beach Surf Life-Savers. No more propitious date could have been chosen by the organisers, Palm Beach is just full of visitors who are in holiday mood. The organising secretary was Mrs. A. Samuel. More than two hundred turned up, among them being Miss Elaine de Chair, Misses Marjorie Luscombe Newman, Claire Curlewis, Naney Bavin, Shirley Dent, Lesly Martin, Barbara Smart, Gwen Brown, Jill Daley, Elspeth Macpherson, Elsie McWilliams, Mr. and Mrs. Pat. Levy, Mr. and Mrs. Graham Fratten, Mr. and Mrs. John Gunnin, Mrs. - Dick Allen, and Messrs. Eric Luscombe Newman, Douglas Levy, Bing Carson, Norman Hill, George Maiden, John Mant, Dr. Geoffrey Maitland. Mr. and Mrs. Harry Hynes, Mr. and Mrs. Wallace Arnott, the Neville Mannings, Gwen Coombe, Molly Wolfcarius, and Mary Winter Irving. from Bourke to Pitt Street (1929, December 29). The Sun (Sydney, NSW : 1910 - 1954), p. 20. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article225155970
Fanny Sabina Becke returned to the United Kingdom in 1925 and remained there, apart from a few visits here to her daughter and then daughters in 1933, 1946 and 1948. Mrs. F S Becke passed away in the district of Battle in 1959. Battle is a small town in the county of Sussex.
The latest Civil List pensions issued in London include Mrs. Fanny Sabina Becke, who is granted £40 in recognition of her husband's (Louis Becke) services to literature: PERSONAL (1930, July 18). The Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1889 - 1931), p. 18. Retrieved fromhttp://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article30495750
VICE-REGAL SURF-RIDERS
Miss Elaine de Chair and her brother, Lieutenant Graham de Chair, became quite expert at surf-board riding during a recent holiday at Palm Beach, near Sydney. They are the son and daughter of the Governor of New South Wales. a page for women and perhaps MEN. (1930, March 20). Western Mail (Perth, WA : 1885 - 1954), p. 3 (The Western Mail). Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article38510813
The board here , initials 'K.H.' may be Kitty Hay's board, another lady surfer of Palm Beach or Keith Hunter:
Mrs. Samuels, the Queen of Palm Beach, would collect the prize for the best sun tan, with consolation dittos to Mrs. John Gunning, Mrs. Graham Body and Joan Hammond.
Now for the males — Doug Levy's the Best Built what-a-body, Allen Major the Best caked, and Keith Hunter rides that surf board like a Kahanamoku. Society's Festive Siesta (1933, January 1). Truth (Sydney, NSW : 1894 - 1954), p. 14. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article169312322
PALM BEACH is as popular as ever with all the young things, though this year there, have been very.- few, bright parties like there were in former years, and actually most people are down there for a rest. ; The crowd on the beach usually consists of people like Joscelyn Curlewis and the Mackay Sims, all very nice, but nothing startling, and their male friends who are less so. But there is one umbrella where one can always rely upon a bit of fun and it belongs to the John Ralston — Kitty Hay crowd, who really are very cheery and are splendid surfers into the bargain. Nora Ralston could hold her own anywhere on the surf board, while nice old Johnno for years has been looked upon as an expert in that direction.' CATTY COMMUNICATIONS (1938, January 15). Smith's Weekly (Sydney, NSW : 1919 - 1950), p. 21. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article234539149
Graham de Chair was a son of Admiral Sir Dudley Rawson Stratford de Chair, who served as the Governor of New South Wales from 1923 to 1930.
Graham visited his parents in Australia in 1927 and returned in 1929 to take up the post of A.D.C. (Aide-de-Camp) to the governor, his father.
SURF BOARD RIDER.
(1930, March 14).The Evening News (Rockhampton, Qld. : 1924 - 1941), p. 16. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article201255112
More 'Smith's Weekly' scandalising:
AFTER the Royal visit the sheets and shams were stored away by a far-seeing Government, to be used again when the Prince of Wales brings his bride out to Australia. The sheets were sacred to Royalty. Now, do you remember that the De Chairs spent some time In the Horderns' cottage at Palm Beach before they went away?
Well,' the Royal Bed Linen was taken out of the lavender wrappings, and placed on the spare bed at Palm Beach !
And who do you think slept between the Royal sheets? Professor Radcliffe Brown ! Catty Communications (1930, May 3).Smith's Weekly(Sydney, NSW : 1919 - 1950), p. 13. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article234421870
GAY NIGHT AT PALM BEACH SURF CLUB REVEL
WONDERFUL SUCCESS
Considering that the night was very wet; that it was the first time the Palm Beach Surf Life-Saving Club had held a dance near the city; the club dance at Warringah Hall, Neutral Bay, last night, was remarkably successful.
APPARENTLY it would not have mattered where the dance had been held; for everyone was gay — as gay as they are, at those jolly little "hops" at Palm Beach. A busy morning was spent by the committee in decorating the hall with the green and black pennant of the club, bunches of green balloons, from which black streamers looped and twisted to the walls, and black and green streamers down the length of tables, and round every little vase of flowers.Mrs. A. Samuels (vice-president of the club), who wore a smartly-draped frock of black lace, was busy all day.
Mrs. A. Curlewis, Mrs. R. Cowlishaw, Misses Bonnie Applcton, M. Carr, Alice and Peggy Carruthers, M. Conroy, Claire Curlewis, A. Flnck, Joan Hammond, Elsie McWilliam, E. McKay. Helen Phillips, and Messrs. .R. Brown, Rex Cowlishaw, A. M. Lamport (secretary of the club), K. Hunter (captain), L. Hammond, and O. Smith, were members of the committee. Opportunity was taken for the presentation by the club president, Mr. C. P. Curlewis, of the cup given by Mr. Alan Box, to the winners of the point-score competition. Messrs. K. Hunter and Rodney Brown, who tied for first place. Mr. Owen Smith, who was runner-up, received a gift of sleeve-links from Mr. Box.
Well-Known Figures
Some of the most familiar Palm Beach figures were Mr. Adrian Curlewis, who has been a member of the club for years, and his wife, whose moulded green satin frock, combined with the black lace one worn by her sister, Miss Marjorie Carr, reflected the club colors. Miss Molly Wolfcarius, whose well-built figure looked as handsome in her royal blue close-fitting moire frock as it does in her bathing costume, and Mr. John Mant, welcome at every party, were two more whose presence pleased everyone. Every year since she was a small schoolgirl, Miss Marjorie Rutherford has spent the holidays at Palm Beach so, in her pretty floral georgette frock, she was another to receive greetings from many old friends. Miss Nell Cob-croft wore a becoming white satin frock, relieved with touches of silver and green. Miss Pauline Copland also chose a color for relief. Her frock was black, of chiffon, and very full, and she wore many fine strings of red beads to brighten it. A startling effect was achieved by Miss Naomi Waters, whose gunmetal stockings were in such contrast to her frock, of egg-shell moire, and shoes of the same tint, that they looked quite black. Parties were entertained by Miss Claire Curlewis in a simple pink lace frock, Mr. and Mrs. L. Foster, Miss Alice Carruthers, who looked quaint and charming in apricot lace with a circular shoulder cape of lace edged .with tulle, and Iter sister Peggy, who wore sheath-like frock flared from the knees, of black velvet, Mr. John Stanton, Mr. R. Burge, Mrs. Vernon Allen and Mr. J. Ralston. Miss Elizabeth Robinson chose floral chiffon for her frock, Miss Jan Tyrell…. Topics for Women (1930, June 24). The Sun (Sydney, NSW : 1910 - 1954), p. 19 (FINAL EXTRA). Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article224264054
MISS CLAIRE CURLEWIS, a member of the committee organising the Palm Beach Surf Life Saving Club's annual dance, to be held at Warringah Hall, Neutral Bay on June 22. The "Allan Box Cup" will be presented at the dance to the winner of the club's point score competition for last season. Other members include: Mesdames R. Cowlishaw, A. Curlewis, H. Dalziel, L. Poster, R. Macdonald, S. Samuels, Misses M. Carr, M Coyle, F Coyle, C. Curlewis, E. Edwards, P. Cuilfoyle, Ena Edwards, P. Cuilfoyle, J. Hammond, Jean Hcrron, C. Howarth, H. Phillips and J. Thomas.Topics for Women (1931, June 15). The Sun (Sydney, NSW : 1910 - 1954), p. 9 (FINAL EXTRA). Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article224708019
It should come as no surprise, given Palm Beach SLSC's initiative to have surfboards made part of surf life-saving equipment by John Ralston and Peter Hunter, that Palm Beach won the first ever Surf Board Rescue Event:
THAT was Just one of the features of the North Steyne Surf Carnival. Others were the wonderful handling of surf boats by Rastus' Evans and the success of the smaller clubs....
Yesterday might well have been called "Rastus Evans" day for the spectators went home quite certain that they had seen easily the best boat skipper ever. It was a picture to see him in action after he'd done great and hard service in laying and relaying the buoys. Called in from that jon he took his place in the Surf Boat heat and showed what's what In boat racing. Other crews went like bulls at gates at the huge waves but 'Rastus' nursed his crew and stopped them rowing until things looked brighter, with the result that whilst Dee Why and Cronulla turned turtle, North Steyne went on to a lone victory. In the final, "Rastus' using different methods to get through the waves and finished miles ahead of Manly, the only other crew to finish.
Huge Seas
In one heat of the boat race it was lucky that a serious accident did not take place. Huge seas hit the competitors and Manly 'B' crew was shot at speed-boat pace right back onto Bronte's boat The two collided and over they went Things looked very black, but the only injury was a badly gashed eye sustained by J. Atkins of Manly
Mona Vale surprised the natives with a very showy costume of green and white vertical stripes, and brought their name into prominence again when Dickson. after being beaten by Jack Butcher In the Beltrace heats, turned the tables in the final to win a great race. 'Mona ' also notched a heat win in the Beach Relay, but was 'put out' for starling too early.
Very Fast
Another of the smaller clubs won a first prize when Tom Guthrie, of Palm Beach, surf-boarded cobber 'Pete' Hunter to victory in the first Surf Board Rescue Event held. This was a most interesting contest, and the pace with which the boards were urged through the heavy seas to the patients at the buoys was an eye opener. It certainly showed beltmen a point or two in speed. ...Rings Run Round Empire Champion Ryan in Rough Race (1931, December 13). Truth (Sydney, NSW : 1894 - 1954), p. 9. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article169123631
Mr. and Mrs. Pfieffer have taken Mrs. Samuels' cottage later on in the month, so that Mrs. Pfieffer's two girls, Pearl and Bonita Appleton, can enjoy some real surfing before going back to their respective professions. Society Colonizes at PALM BEACH (1932, January 3). The Sun (Sydney, NSW : 1910 - 1954), p. 17. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article230522647
DEAR Alfredo. — Probably there were more sartorial gaffes made at the Surf Club dance at Palm Beach, than there have been at any other social or otherwise function this year. Rushed as the Invitations were, we are at a loss to understand why, unless it was to have earned the privilege of having one's bare toes crushed by society and near society. However, every one who thought they were anyone was there from Edna Samuels, the popular Queen of Palm Beach, to the local fishmonger. Pat Levy accentuating studied neglect .In. the briefest of possible shorts, succeeded In looking extremely kanaka, displaying, at the same time, his indifference to the social importance of the affair, Claire Curlewis, with the family trait for correctness In all things, arrived, of course, with her partner In full evening dress. Gretel Bullmore as usual, was present in the snappiest of snappy pyjamas. Really with her opportunity to borrow from the rack, she certainly has the advantage over most of us. As the evening went on the band was partially submerged 'neath the clinking of glasses and the sighing of broken promises. Towards midnight an observant onlooker would have realised that after all the Colonel's lady and Judy O'Grady are the same women under the skin. CATTY COMMUNICATIONS (1932, January 2). Smith's Weekly(Sydney, NSW : 1919 - 1950), p. 27. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article234575421
Smith's Weekly was an Australian tabloid newspaper published from 1919 to 1950. An independent weekly published in Sydney, but read all over Australia, Smith's Weekly was one of Australia's most patriotic newspaper-style magazines. The paper prided itself on its high standards and its investigative approach to matters and it was noted for its numerous exposes and revelations. The publication took its name from its founder and chief financer Sir James Joynton Smith, a prominent Sydney figure during World War One, conducting fund-raising and recruitment drives. Its two other founders were theatrical publicist Claude McKay and journalist Clyde Packer, father of Sir Frank Packer and grandfather of media baron Kerry Packer.
One of Smith's Weekly's innovations was, in contrast their Palm Beach focus, and in conjunction with Union Theatres Ltd., the first "Miss Australia" beauty contest, selected from winners from each State. Prizes included a trip to America with ₤500 spending money, a screen test and paid speaking engagements. Winners were:
1926: Beryl Mills of Geraldton, Western Australia; she married journalist Frank Davison of Smith's Weekly, her escort on the World Tour.
1927: Phyllis von Alwyn of Launceston, Tasmania. The company which promised a motor car as part of the prize never delivered. The winner of the "Miss New South Wales" heat was controversially changed at the last moment. The contest was then quietly dropped, but re-instituted in 1936 with much broader selection criteria, of which beauty was not mentioned.
On 5 April 1932 Francis Barndy Wilkinson and his girlfriend Dorothy Ruth Denzel, were victims of a callous double murder by William Cyril Moxley at Moorebank. In the issue dated 30 July 1932, Smith's Weekly published a barrage of ugly allegations against Wilkinson, including attempted extortion and being a police informant. These were quickly proven false, a fact that was seized on by the daily newspapers.[8] Smith's Weekly never fully recovered from its loss of reputation.
Its fortunes revived somewhat during World War II, once again doggedly supporting the men at the front, but at war's end rising costs and lack of capital (new owners seeing its value as real estate rather than a business) accelerated its decline, and the last issue, dated 28 October 1950 was a tabloid of a mere 24 pages.
The next generation, in Frank Packer, a regular to Palm Beach, was the opposite side of a similar coin. He was the gentleman behind the funding for the 1939 tour to Hawaii when the federal government failed to support once first mooted in 1935 - more below.
Sir Smith's attitude or the tone of his publication can be traced in many ways to what was expected of those in high places or those to whom much had been given or a reflection of it. He would also be a part of what Douglas Booth describes in his paper 'The Dark Side of Surf Lifesaving' (2002) (of examining surf clubs decades long refusal to have women life-savers), "the strong social pressures exerted on the early movement to suppress hedonism" and "the regimented institutional structure that shaped early lifesaving culture."
Perhaps things did look a little too free, and happy, at Palm Beach when viewed from a hot Summer city window - but then, Palm Beach had become so popular in the 1930's, there could be no slacking off during patrol times, and thus the big exhale at dusk, and until dawn. The 'Catty Communications' columns, which spent years focusing on Palm Beach, was echoed by 'Palm Beach Letter', in the newspaper Truth and 'The Jottings of A Lady About Town' which commenced in the mid 1930's and continued through the 1940's - items which today remain and are a reflection of people's fascination with those deemed 'celebrities'.
This didn't mean the pen of 'Catty Communications' wasn't turned towards apology on occasion - but with that same 'tone' and with a clear emphasis on its attitude to women:
Apology To Mrs . Gunning. IN last week's issue of "Smith's Weekly," a paragraph was published in Catty Communications, in which it was made to appear that Mrs. Del Gunning, wife of Mr. John Gunning, after a divorce, was contemplating remarriage. This is incorrect, as Mrs. Gunning is not divorced and therefore could have no intention of remarrying. The reference should have been to another lady, who recently announced her intention of being married again. As soon as the error was discovered, every step was taken to recall the issue of the paper and rectify the mistake. A number of copies, however, were already in circulation and as it was impossible to correct these, "Smith's Weekly" hereby offers a most sincere apology to Mrs. John Gunning for any distress which the paragraph may have caused her. Apology To Mrs. Gunning (1938, June 25). Smith's Weekly (Sydney, NSW : 1919 - 1950), p. 17. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article234538706
The Sun, Truth and Smith's Weekly did have vying columns in the vein of 'social spotlights' or focusing on who they deemed 'Society'. The authors did move from one to the other. Women seem to have been the authors of these columns and their content - under instructions from their employers no doubt. Although 'scintillating' and probably widely read, they didn't make the grade by other more serious standards and focused on real news publications. The popularity of such focuses by their tone alone speaks of envy and reflects our own fascination with and judgement of those who have a spotlight cast on them and those who clearly seek a spotlight to be cast on them for their own gain - both get painted by the same brush:
Catty Communications. — 'I resign!' exclaimed Maria Dawson, the handsome blonde who contributes most of the 'Catty Communications' to 'Smith's' Weekly,' after a stormy interview with Mr. Louis Deer (her 'boss'), regarding alteration of copy; protests of even advertisers : and readers, and- such like. 'Will you put that, in writing?' snapped Mr. Deer.. : 'Certainly! ' said Maria, dashing a few words on a piece of paper, throwing.it in his face, and walking out. So, in the best movie style, all is over. Probably a place will be found for Maria in the 'Sun', says a catty communicant from Sydney to Orange Leader. No title (1931, December 4). The Richmond River Herald and Northern Districts Advertiser (NSW : 1886 - 1942), p. 2. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article126363326
The 1930's and 1940's focus on Palm Beach visitors and surf club members had one direct benefit, it upped the ranks of those serving the public as life-savers and allowed others, keen on having something in their papers of a similiar subject matter, to focus on what has become Australia's biggest volunteer movement and all the great work done by people who would never want to feature on the cover or in the pages of such periodicals.
PALM BEACH.
Surf Club Dance.
Possessing at it does an enthusiastic and interested body of members, the Palm Beach Surf Life Saving Club always makes a success of its dances, the annual winter reunion of members held in the city being just as successful as the summer dances at the popular seaside resort Last night the club's annual winter dance was held for the first time at the Blaxland Galleries, Warringah Hall, Neutral Bay, which was formerly chosen for it, having proved too small for the large attendance.
Green and black, the club colours, were Incorporated in the decorations on each table. Mrs. A Samuels (vice-president) decorated her table with futuristic palm trees shading bronzed lifesavers; black and green streamers were strewn between the place cards Mrs Samuels wore a dress of sage green marocain. In her party were Miss J Grozier, Dr and Mrs G Nolan, Miss E Wells, Miss G. Owen Miss M West-Ropp Dr G McDonald, Mr David Hunter, Mr. E Ifould, and Mr. I Kell. Mr A M Lamport (hon secretary) included in his party the Misses P Mcinnes. Gwen Cadwallnder, Joyce Thomas. Hilda Phillip Nell Forsyth, Nancy Clark, Gwen Howarth, Joan Hill, Messrs K Hunter (club captain) Colin Cadwallader, Walter Forsyth, P Adams Jim Pilcher, and A Smith
Mr and Mrs A Curlewis, the latter dressed in primrose georgette, included among their guests Mr and Mrs H Litchfield, Mr. Gould (representing the Surf Life Saving Association of Australia) and Mr G Webb. Among others present were Miss Claire Curlewis in white satin Miss Valerie Bavin who chose a frock of black lace over turquoise satin. Miss Dorothy Harris, in black velvet; Miss L Price wearing a dress of black velvet relieved with amethyst; Mr John Ralston, Mr and Mrs Pat Levy, Mr and Mrs Byram Mansell Miss Alice Carruthers, Miss Gilfoyle, Dr G Maitland, Miss Helen Phillip, Mr. and Mrs. L Foster.FOR WOMEN (1932, June 14). The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), p. 3. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article16898200
Palm Beach SLSC Captain for 1932-1933 was Rex Beale. He too had just experienced a marriage that fell apart but thrived at Palm Beach. This phoot from a 1932 article shows where many of the Palm Beach beachside dances were held prior to the construction of the building still at Palm Beach - The palladium:
Above and below from: Society Colonizes at PALM BEACH (1932, January 3). The Sun (Sydney, NSW : 1910 - 1954), p. 17. Retrieved fromhttp://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article230522647
Palm Beach. — Paladium Building (shops and Offices), Ocean-Road..— Mr. Pike, Strathfield. Buildings and Works Approved (1930, November 26).Construction and Real Estate Journal (Sydney, NSW : 1930 - 1938), p. 2. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article130908566
Two dances are being organised at Palm Beach, to raise funds for the Palm Beach Surf Life Saving Club; The first will be held on the evening of Boxing Day, and the second on New Year's Eve. Both will take place at the Palladium, on the ocean beach. The ticket secretaries are Mrs. A. Samuels and Mr. Burford Dawson. NEAR AND FAR. (1932, December 16).The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), p. 3. Retrieved fromhttp://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article16938531
Quite one of the most unusual parties was held at Palm Beach, where every holiday maker either came to dance or looked in some time during the evening, and where the men outshone the girls in the matter of color, gay shirts and shorts being an almost universal uniform. No one wore evening clothes. And in the early hours there was the surf quite handy in which to cool off. The same applied to Bondi and Coogee.
PERHAPS the smartest of last night's parties was the one staged by the Palm Beach Surf Life-Saving Club in the Paladium, to which over four hundred dancers were attracted, Including members of many of the house parties at the popular colony, and carloads from nearby seaside holiday places and from town. It was the biggest and brightest party that has ever been held at Palm Beach, and an orchestra went down from Sydney to play the dance tunes. Now it has become an institution not to wear evening frocks or dress suits to parties at Palm Beach, and the ballroom was full of folk in the gayest of holiday garb— pyjamas and beach suits for the matrons and girls, and shorts of every gay color and equally gay sports shirts—many of the zipper variety— for their partners.
Mrs. A. Samuel, who was the leading light behind the dance, looked well in a pair of black trousers and a bright blue and scarlet handkerchief' top. She had been helped in making arrangements by the captain of the club, Mr. Beale. Messrs, Ivan Kell and Paddy Kenny. Among the dancers were Mrs. Pat Levy, who favored blue trousers and a blue and scarlet check jacket, Mrs. Laurie Foster, who danced in a green and lime pyjama suit, Mrs. Alan Waters, who looked cool in a heavy white shantung pyjama suit, Miss Cherry Davies; and a party including Pamela Osborne, Pauline McDonald, who are spending a holiday down there on her yacht, Miss Helen Hughes, who recently returned from abroad and who Is the guest of Dr. and Mrs. Ingram, at Palm Beach, Mr. and Mrs. Vernon Dibbs, Mr. and Mrs. Percy Hunter, Mr. and Mrs. Percy Spender, Mesdames Betty Grigson, Bill Hay, Graham Body, John Wardlaw, John Gunning, Favieli, R. A. Eakin, Betty Murray, A. L. Levy, the Misses Peggy Street, Mary Adams, Audrey Peters, D. Pain, Helen Williams Betty Ross Gore, Sue Russell, Peter Stewart, Barbara Smart, Molly Wolfcarius, Elsie McWilliam, Margaret Hagon, Joan Ord, Mary Wells, the latter two coming up from Mrs. Jack Pratten's house party at Collaroy, Nancy MacNaught, Audrey Connell, Rosemary Shepherd, Agnes Doyle, Sue Westorpe, Gwen Rees, Patricia Minchin, Major Royce Shannon, Dr. Zeelos. Messrs. Angus Mac-pherson, John Woods, Eric and Hugh Luscombe Newman, John Hall Johnson,. E. Ifould, Noel Hammond, Walter Pye, Peter Hunter, C. Cameron, Alan Major, Stewart Jamieson, L Armytage, A. Stephens, D. Hull, R Brown, Gordon Morrow, Adrian Curlewis and John Ralston. EXIT 1932 (1933, January 1). The Sun (Sydney, NSW : 1910 - 1954), p. 15. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article228903474
The Palladium circa 1950
Society's Festive Siesta
A GOOD, rousing yell for Palm Beach and its sun-baked, glamorous atmosphere of Getting Away from It All, has just galloped into this page from the aid of a girl friend who's down there acquiring a coat of tan everywhere except on the gardenia complexion.
Listen to her go on: —
Mrs. Samuels, the Queen of Palm Beach, would collect the prize for the best sun .tan, with consolation dittos to Mrs. John Gunning, Mrs. Graham Body and Joan Hammond.
(2) When Social Sydney goes out of town it goes to Palm Beach.
Society's Festive Siesta (1933, January 1). Truth (Sydney, NSW : 1894 - 1954), p. 14. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article169312322
Started At Pitcairn
It is generally accepted that surf-board riding— that Is, on the big boards on which n man may stand erect— had its origin In Hawaii, but It Is stated that Dr. F. D. Bennett, who visited Pitcairn Island in 1834, reported that he saw the older children coming in on the waves on their surf boards!
Joe Palmer is eager for at least six Sydney surf-board riders to visit Newcastle for the two big surf-board events on the programme, and for which special prizes are offered. Some of the best men at this sport are B. M. Chequer, of Collaroy; O. J. "Snowy" McAllstor, of Manly; K. Hunter, L. Ifould, and Gordon Morrow, of Palm Beach; H. Nightingale and G. Simon, of Bondi; A. Laidlaw, O. Laidlaw, G. Visscher and B. Davidson, of North Bondi; and If some of these make the trip, Newcastle should see a great display. Carriage of boards will be arranged by the Newcastle Club. MISSES IN SURF (1933, January 11). The Sun (Sydney, NSW : 1910 - 1954), p. 3 (LAST RACE EDITION). Retrieved fromhttp://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article228907261
This item is interesting as it shows Rex Beale won the non-championship surfboard demonstration over legendary surfer C. J. 'Snowy' McAlister for whom the annual contest, still run and enjoyed by many, was named to honour his skill and all he gave to the sport:
Dull Thuds Made Loud Noises in Big Surf Carnival
CHAMPS DUMPED AT BONDI
Bondi, Usually Hard To Beat, Got It In The Neck Too
BRONTE HANGS TO ITS LAURELS
DULL thuds were the big noises made by most of the champions at the surf championships gala at Bondi yesterday, and the only stars to retain their titles were Rex Phillips, of Manly, and the famous Bronte March Past team, which was led to an unbeaten season by Jack Hill.
PERHAPS the biggest thud of the lot was by Bondi, usually a tough bunch to beat for the Premiership. In the morning semi-finals they headed the field, but in the final Skipper Allan Rennix got into a ditch and thus were extinguished the hopes of Bondi. THEY finished last I
THAT must have meant woe for the big boys, but Hermie Doerner cheered them up some when he collected a brace of junior titles. Doerner got a great ride on a broken wave to collect the Junior Surf Race after Jack Drinkwater had headed him and in the belt race a few minutes later he had an easy trip. In the Senior Surf Race Sam Herford led all the way and it was a coincidence that the placed men in this race were in the same order as they turned for home. J. Peterson of Maroochydore, Queensland, made the early pace a cracker in the Senior Belt Race, but the big 'uns put in by George Canaway were too much for him at the end and Peterson just lasted long enough to beat Wally Proudfoot for third place.
PLENTY DOING AT, BONDI. — On the left the surf premiers, North Bondi, proudly carry their patient up the beach.
There was a nasty accident in the right hand snap. Coming in to the beach the boat tipped over on top of a couple of the crew, and here the boat is being lifted to extricate E. Erickson, who sustained a severe leg injury
Canaway won the Junior Championship last season. Jimmy Reilly was outed in the heats of the Surf Race 6ome weeks back, but he made amends yesterday by leading home a speedy field In the Teams' Championship to give North Narrabeen a victory. Later he won the open surf race (non championship), in which he beat Gerry Visscher, who, in the preceding race 1 was second to Eric Clift in the open 1 junior surf race.
Rescue and Resuscitation and Premiership. —Title bolder — Bondi: North Bondi (B. Davidson patient, J. McNally beltman, G. Visscher operator, A. Laidlaw, J. Stroud, A. Pearson), 74.01 points, 1; Mowbray Park, 72.32 points. 2; North Wollongong, 71.16 points, 3; Bondi, 88.36 points, 4.
March Past. — Title holder — Bronte: Bronte 1, North Bondi 2, Wollongong 3. Senior Snrf Race. — Title holder — N. Ryan (Manly) : S. Herford (Manly) 1, W. Furey (N. Stejme) 2, L. Crum (Manly) 3.
Junior Surf Race. — Title holder — L Wyatt (North Bondi). H. Doerner (Bondi) 1, M. Sutton (Manly) 2, J. Drinkwater (Manly) 3.
Senior Surf Belt. — Title holder— B. Willson (Bondi). G Cannaway (Manly) 1. J. Peterson (Maroochydore, Q.) 2, W. Proudfoot (Merimbula) 3.
Junior Surf Belt. — Title holder — G. Cannaway (Manly) : H. Doerner (Bondi) 1, C. Brown (N. Wollongong) 2.. P. Andrews (N. Narrabeen) 3.
Senior Surf Boats—' Title-holder— Swansea: Cronulla (J. Monro sweep, J. Toyer, R. K. McCaffery, J. Turner, R. Miller), 1; Manly, 2; Swansea, 3.
Junior Surf Boats— Title-holder— Freshwater: Bondi (J. Simmons sweep, D. Weightman, C. Sara, E. O'Rourke, L. D'Alpuget), 1; Maroubra, 2. ..
Surf Teams — Title-holder— Manly: N. Narrabeen (J. King, T. King, J. Reilly, W. Grose), 1; Cook's Hill, 2; Bondi, 3.
100 Yards Beach Sprint — Title-holder— R. Phillips (Manly): R. Phillips (Manly), 1; A. Keilty (Wollongong), 2; A. Jones (Merewether), 3.
400 Yards Beach Relay Race— Title-holder— Manly: N. Steyne (D. Soutar, J. Carter, J. Megson, G. Soutar), 1; N. Narrabeen, 2; N. I Wollongong, 3.
OTHER EVENTS. Canoe Race. — J. Smiles and H. Ball ('Indiana'), 1; G. Cunningham ('Miss D.Y.L'), 2; A. Nash ('Flying Scud'), 3.
Pillow Fight. — G. Manly (Manly), 1; R. W. Long (Maroubra), 2.
Open Junior Surf Race. — E. Clift (Manly), 1; G. Visscher (N- Bondi), 2; M. Sutton (Manly) , 3.
Open Senior Surf Race. — J. Reilly (N. Narrabeen), 1; G. Visscher (N. Bondi), 2; O. Ryan (Manly), 3.
Surf Board Rescue Race. — G. Simon and W Clarke (Bondi), 1; K. Weekes and J. Cunningham (N. Bondi), 2.
Surf Board Exhibition.— R. F. S. Beale (Palm Beach), 1; C. J. McAllster (Manly), 2.
Obstacle Race.— N. Johnston (Maroubra). 1; G Nuttall (Wollongong). 2 Dull Thuds Made Loud Noises in Big Surf Carnival (1933, March 19). Truth (Sydney, NSW : 1894 - 1954), p. 7. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article169307153
SURF CLUB DANCES.
PALM BEACH AND COOGEE.
Two of the best-known surf clubs of Sydney -Palm Beach and Coogee-held their annual dances last night, the Blaxland Galleries being the setting for the Palm Beach Club's ball, while the Coogee Club's ball took place at Mark Foy's Empress ballroom. At both dances, unique decorations were featured, and both were largely attended, about six hundred dancers being present at each.
Big white seagulls, suspended amid a maze of green streamers, to represent waves, decorated the Blaxland Galleries, where the Palm Beach Surf Club's colours of green and black predominated The gulls, with a new club banner, painted on white satin, which hung on the southern wall, were the work of Mr. Bryam Mansell, a member of the club.
The club's pennant was brought from Palm Beach to decorate the entrance to the ball-room. Members of the club were assisted by a committee of girls in organising the dance, one of the most successful the club has yet held. The official guests were Mr. G. Millar (representing the Surf Life Saving Association) and Mrs. Millar, whose frock was of black flat crepe. They were entertained by Mr. Adrian Curlewis, a vice-president of the club, and Mrs. Curlewis, who was in Ivory satin. Mrs. Alrema Samuels, another vice-president, wearing a frock of green and gold lame, brought a large party. Her table had a striking decoration of seagulls perched among green waves. Mr. Paddy Kenny, the club's captain, was another who entertained a large number of guests. Mr Graham Pratten was accompanied by Mrs. Pratten, whose gown of iceblue satin had a ceinture of silver sequins Mr. John Mant and Mrs. Mant, wearing a black lace frock; Mr Percy Hunter and Mrs Hunter, who also wore black lace; Mr. Laurie Foster and Mrs. Foster In powder blue satin were others present.
Miss Peggy Wormald wore a frock of white crepe. Miss Enid Hull's gown was of flesh pink velvet, with a matching chiffon cape Wedgewood blue velvet was worn by Miss Audrey Peters. Miss Jean Ralston wore parchment floral satin. Miss Mary Dobcrer wore a silver sequin cape with her black velvet frock. Mrs. Lindsay Bell was in a frock of cafe-au-lait velvet, with touches of brown Mrs. Betty Murray was In ciel blue crepe, the cape trimmed with blue ostrich feathers Others present were tile Misses Sue Westhorpe, Margot Black, Ena Edwards, Betty Dight, Gwen Howarth, Joyce Thomas, Betty O'Neill, Dorothy Hemingway, P. Walker, Nuttle Mackellar, Mrs. George Merivale, Mrs Bill Hay, Mrs. D. Kirby, Misses Lorraine Smith, Sheila Bloomfield. Marjorie Montague, and Ethelwyn Joyner. FOR WOMEN (1933, June 1). The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), p. 3. Retrieved fromhttp://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article16985408
LOUIS BECKE.
Writer of South Sea Romances.
WIDOW VISITS AUSTRALIA.
MELBOURNE, Friday.
To-day in Australia the romances of Louis Becke are not so well known, but in England his reputation as a writer of vivid stories of South Sea adventures was so well founded that, after his death, Messrs. Werner Laurie, his publishers, were able to republish seven volumes of his stories anew and make a gift of the profits to his widow.
Today Mrs. Louis Becke, accompanied by her daughter, Miss Niya Becke, reached Melbourne on the Moreton Bay. Mrs. and Miss Becke will go on to Sydney, where a married daughter, Mrs. Samuels lives.
Mrs. Becke and her daughter have found congenial occupations in London. During Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's lifetime, Mrs. Becke was his librarian at his psychic bookshop at Victoria-street, Westminster, and, until lately, Miss Becke was private secretary to Mrs. Alec. Tweedie, the well-known woman writer, who, In her old age, keeps perhaps the only salon London knows at her home. Royalty is often entertained, a recent guest being King Feisul, of Iraq.
Mrs. Becke said that she would like to revisit the scenes of her husband's books, but she feared to find Samoa, Fiji, and the other islands far too civilised for one who could remember their buccaneering days. LOUIS BECKE. (1933, August 26). The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), p. 17. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article17001463
AFTER an absence in England and on the Continent of nine years, Mrs. Louis Becke and her daughter Niya will arrive, in Sydney to-morrow by the Moreton Bay. Niya was a well-known presswoman in Sydney for some years, and inherited her literary talents from her father, the well-known novelist. The pair will be greeted by Mrs. A. Samuels, Mrs. Becke's other daughter, who will take them to her home in Florida-road, Palm Beach. Social Sidelights-By Susan (1933, August 27). The Sun (Sydney, NSW : 1910 - 1954), p. 27. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article231434956
Mrs. A. Samuels, with her mother, Mrs. Louis Becke, and her sister, Niya Becke, found that after the nine years that they had been parted, the days were too short to say all that they wanted. The first night of their arrival at Mrs. Samuels' bungalow, Palm Beach, they talked all night, too. Niya was in Portugal for five years, and latterly acted as secretary to Mrs. Alec Tweedie, the well-known writer.
Mrs. Becke frequently met Sir Arthur Conan Doyle during his lifetime, as she was the librarian of the bookshop in Victoria Street, Westminster, where all matters relating to his favorite study of psychic phenomena were to be found. She found that Louis Becke's stories of the South Seas were best sellers still, as Messrs. Werner and Laurie had lately issued a new edition of some of his works and given her the proceeds, which proves that publishers are not always the skinflints that they are represented to be.
At base of same page -
There is more than ordinary interest about this new Norman Lindsay picture called "Party." It actually depicts a party at the studio of Mrs. Allison Rehfisch in Sydney, and includes a self-portrait of the artist and a number of other well-known artists. Mr. Lindsay is on the extreme left. Intimate Jottings (1933, September 2). The Australian Women's Weekly (1933 - 1982), p. 23. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article48074733
This item seems to tell of Alrema and sister Niya surfing prior to Niya's departure for England in late 1925 - 'surfing' then applied to both surf bathing (swimming) and surfboard riding, but would seem, in these two ladies cases, to have meant surfing with a board based on their childhoods:
Sydney Girl Spends Eight Years Abroad
But is Glad to be back for Sunshine and Surf
It was Interesting to meet Niya Becke again — that clever daughter of the late Louis Becke, entertaining writer of South Sea Island stories, and to compare the Niya whom the Moreton Bay brought home during the week with the rather timid, thoroughly artistic Niya of 8 years ago when she slipped out of Australia with her mother to see what romance and promise the Old World held for her. And now she is back, just as artistic, a little less timid if anything, with a fund of information about other countries, and ready to revel in Australian sunshine and surfing once more.
"We found the English climate very trying," Mrs. Becke said. "We loved London, but there was such a gloom always, as though the sky were pressing upon us and we wanted to push it up all the time."
Loved Bull- fights although she loves animals
ALTHOUGH her many friends would have liked to hear that her many literary talents had found expression in a book now, their disappointment was lessened by the interesting sidelights she threw on her life abroad, and were not a little sure of the fascination bull fights held for her. During over four years' residence in Portugal, she attended many such entertainments, and as a concession to her love of animals explained that in Portugal, unlike Spain, the bulls were not killed, but that it was rather a test of horsemanship on the part of the toreador than skill at killing. Mostly the bulls' horns were strapped, to save goring of the horses. The Portuguese climate was very like that of Sydney. Miss Becke said, and some of the time she spent at the Portuguese Lido, Estoril, which is not far from Lisbon. The only fault she had to find with this beauty spot was the sun, whose powerful rays did not scorch outwardly, but played havoc with the subcutaneous tissues.
Was Secretary to Famous English writer and Traveller
FOR the past 12 months Miss Becke has been the private secretary of Mrs. Alec Tweedie, traveller and novelist, who is about to bring out her 25th novel. Describing Mrs. Tweedie as a very remarkable woman, with great organising ability, intrepid courage a never ending vitality, and a clear brain, Miss Becke said that one of her own duties was to take dictation of whole chapters of Mrs. Tweedie's books, and so thoroughly did Mrs. Tweedie know what she wanted to say, that she never went back over it, or altered it in any way. She has the only salon in London at the moment, at the top of Devonshire House, Mayfair, where she holds wonderful parties for distinguished people. Quite recently Princess Arthur of Connaught was her guest. Lady de Chair goes there, Sir Douglas Mawson, and many other prominent Australians. One of her fancies is to collect the autographs of her guests, on her tablecloth, and these she afterwards works in red. One of her interesting books, was called "My Tablecloths," which was full of reminiscences about the signatories. A gay Bohemianism is rife at some of the parties, especially those moonlight revels on the roof where a barrel of beer is on tap, and a band from Soho plays catchy airs, "Everybody is famous, and everyone is on the best of terms, so that the parties are awfully jolly," Miss Becke said. In commenting on women abroad, Miss Becke says that in London all the women are going bare-legged — for evening and street, and that the emancipation of women is in its very earliest stages in Portugal, where betrothed girls are not allowed to sit with their fiancés alone in a room at all. Women, too, are only Just beginning to go into business there. Sydney Girl Spends Eight Years Abroad (1933, September 3). The Sun(Sydney, NSW : 1910 - 1954), p. 38. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article229156190
This appears to be Niya making this offer, although the recorded item lists a "Miss M Becke': 1933: [Australian War Memorial registry file:] Offer to donate magazines to AWM by Miss M. Becke, Palm Beach, NSW- National Archives of Australia records.
LOUIS BECKE'S WIDOW
Visit To Australia. ,
To-day in Australia the romances of Louis Becke are not so well known, but in England his reputation as a writer of vivid stories Of South Sea adventures was so well founded that, after his death Messrs. Werner Laurie, his publishers, were able to republish seven volumes of his stories anew and make a gift of the profits to his widow.
Mrs. Louis Becke, accompanied by her daughter, Miss Niya Becke, reached Melbourne on the Moreton Bay last week. Mrs. and Miss Becke will go on to Sydney, where a married daughter, Mrs. Samuels, lives. Mrs. Becke and her daughter have found congenial occupations in London. During Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's lifetime, Mrs. Becke was his librarian at his psychic bookshop at Victoria-street, Westminster, and until lately, Miss Becke was private secretary to Mrs. Alec. Tweedie, the well known woman writer, who in her old age keeps perhaps the only salon London knows at her home. Royalty is often entertained, a recent guest being King Feisul, of Iraq-Mrs. Becke said that she would like to revisit the scenes of her husband's books, but she feared to find Samoa, Fiji, and the other islands far too civilised for one who could remember their buccaneering days. LOUIS BECKE'S WIDOW (1933, October 2). The Evening News (Rockhampton, Qld. : 1924 - 1941), p. 13. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article198814890
This article, written by Niya soon after landing, shows she was here to do some work as much as enjoy being reunited with her sister. When her mother went back to England, she stayed and may have been one of those ladies who contributed to these 'social columns' in the years that followed:
Social Surf Season Opens at Palm Beach
By NIYA BECKE
OCTOBER the first Is the official opening day of the surfing season; and from now on the red-gold ocean beaches, so far almost abandoned in the still cool breezes of late spring, begin like magical molluscs, with gigantic invisible shells, to open and tip on the seashore in multi-colored hundreds-and-thousands the' first enthusiasts of surfboards, sun and sea. A foretaste of the striking beach ensembles for this year, has been already enjoyed by many women at recent mannequin parades, and soon the, 'season will be thoroughly and ueHy launched. Palm Beach is one of the - most beautiful of Sydney's surfing places. The wide sweep of bay and free view of ocean, the soft curves of the gum-tree covered hills; the delightful bungalows, the, groves of satin-leaved palms, and stately Norfolk Island nines on the front, make It distinctive and unique, while the many well-known people who are' residents, or-have summer houses or bungalows here lend a greater interest to this attractive- spot-Tucked among the trees is "Bob-stay," the blue and white snuggery of the Lord Mayor Hagon family, whose pretty daughter Margaret' recently spent ' the first days of her honeymoon in these appropriate surroundings, The Horderns' fine house and blossom and shrub-filled grounds on the front are well known. Beside them is the bungalow of Mr. and Mrs. C.-P. Curlewis. Their daughter Joyce arid some' of her girl friends add riding to other seaside joys, and are often seen cantering along Palm Beach roads. Mrs. Harry Wolstenholme, Marjorie and their Sealyham doggie. Jock, live next door in a delightful bungalow, whose garden plots glow with geraniums at the edge of a beautiful lawn. A cosy corner embowers Mr. and Mrs. R. T. Mackay, of "Boanbong," who yearly open their garden to the public to help Kindergarten Union funds. The well-groomed grounds abound in tropical plants and trees. On the saddle of the hill, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Langley have taken a summer cottage with a glorious view of Palm Beach and Pittwater. Lady Maitland’s imposing house and rock-garden are just across the road. At "La Quinta," Mr. and Mrs. S. B. Hooper enjoy sunny days- in a cool cascade of wisteria, and are ardent golfers on the nearby links. Artist Byram Mansell holidays at "Studio Lodge," and favors midget cacti among a rockery, pools, and general garden glory. Dame Mary and Mr. W. M. Hughes are frequent visitors to the Beach. Their friends, the Percy Hunters, have a green painted eyrie next door but one to that of Mrs. A. Samuels, who is one of Palm Beach's, keenest surfboarders, and who already has a goodly brown tinge for to-day's grand opening of the season. "Sammy's" pets include Percy, the lizard, and his little grey wife; while three tame kookaburras and a butcher bird pay breakfast calls each day arid wait patiently for hand-fed soupcons of raw steak and chop.
Dr. and Mrs. Walter Blaxland's home in Florida-road Is a favorite rendezvous. Captain and Mrs. O. E. Waters, of Darling Point, still stay at Florida House. They came for a fortnight 12 months ago, and liked Palm Beach so much that they have remained ever since. Most of the "permanents" and visitors know each other, so that in summer the atmosphere is one of specially friendly hospitality, plus a pardonable Interest In each other's affairs. House parties, impromptu "hops," when everyone turns up in appropriate Palm Beach clothes, and a couple of Surf Club dances liven up the summer days and nights. The spacious camping area on Pittwater side, the public reserves and palm-grove's where people down for the day may picnic in beautiful surrounding's in sight of the beach, boating, golf links, and a tempting swimming pool in the rooks, electrically lit at night, are strong attractions to this "show" beach Of Sydney, where, also anglers may angle and fishers fish, from the rocks, and waters of adjacent Pittwater and Broken Bay.
From Palm Beach my idle thoughts fly to beaches in other lands. Of England's well-known watering places one recalls chiefly a conglomeration of promenades and piers, asphalt trimmings too near the shingly shore, an aggravating air of publicity on' the sands, too many dogs, bath chairs; babies and town regimental bands. Kynance Cove, in Cornwall, musters sometimes a respectable fluff of surf, but the beach is small, and even in August the water seems over-cold.' This famous spot is an old-time smugglers' haunt, whose rugged rock formations artists love to paint. Tunnels and spires and arches have been cut by waves from the coast, and strange rocks crop out here and there like trees and faery, growths in an Edmund Dulac garden. A couple of teahouses perch high on the cliffs, which are mostly too rugged to be built upon, for the shore Is treeless and bare, like most of this region from the Lizard to Land's End. Picnic parties over-swarm Kynahce in summer, and the Cornish serpentine-streaked rocks are dotted with those human lizards who, the: world over, revel in the sun. Fashionable Lisbonese go to Estoril, the most favored resort on the "Portuguese Riviera." Here Comes Society to sunbake and bathe in the calm waters of the Tagus. Portuguese girls, pretty, plump and discreetly chaperoned, venture forth to bathe among foreign visitors, most of whom stay at the great. Hotel de Pare. There is no surf; it breaks far in the distance, where, like a more portly Pinchgut, the Bugio lighthouse tower stands 'at the river bar; but bright beach suits are worn, gigantic umbrellas sprout like ' colored toadstools in the air, and there is a cosmopolitan atmosphere of voluble chatter and laughter. An exclusive seaside resort is at Arrabida, where some fortunate Portuguese have summer bungalows just as at Palm Beach here. At the edge of the track that leads down, to the bay, Australian gumtree's grow. The sands are clean and white and the waters crystal clear, but the bay so closely curved that there is no real surf to enjoy. The surrounding hills mount to the Serra d'Arrabida, whence there is a glorious view of' the coast; below lie a Capucin monastery ruins with seven small chapels rising side by side. The estate belongs to Portugal's Duke of Palmella, who permits the monks' cells, kitchen and refectory to be hired by holiday-makers on camping bent. In the crumbling, mosaic- decorated cloisters, enormous saffron roses grow, and greeny-gold grapes hang from sunbathed vines. From huge window embrasures are magnificent views of the Atlantic, where lateen-sailed fishing boats from Setubal float like curious insects in the bowl of a glistening blue flower.
At Palm Beach kookaburras laugh the dawn into day, and in the heat locusts shrill in the gums.' At Arrabida cicadas chirp in cork tree and olive grove, and nightingales sing in the vale when it is dark. From thoughts of beaches afar, I consider these southern shores, and feel that for beauty, color, waves and a proper surfing atmosphere, as understood out here, the beaches of Australia beat them all.
Social Surf Season Opens at Palm Beach (1933, October 1). The Sun (Sydney, NSW : 1910 - 1954), p. 27. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article229151667
BOOMING
Palm Beach On The Crest
SURF GOSSIP
PALM Beach Surf Club is booming this season, and its members are being tuned up with a view to concentrating on inter-club competitions. Paddy Kenny, George Wray, Noel Hammond and Gordon Morrow are again available for the A surf boat crew, but their places will be strongly disputed by Ted Pilkington (a prominent 'Varsity rower), Fred. Osborne (a member of the last champion inter-Varsity crew), and P. Cowlishaw who rowed with the Shore eight for two years. "'Chang" Mackenzie, too, must not be forgotten. Six feet four Inches and weighing 15 stone, Chang is the utility man of the club, and a first-class hand in a boat. Jack Christie, the new permanent life-saver from Dee Why, will be a distinct acquisition to the club's R. and R. team, and old hands in Pete Hunter, Gordon Morrow, and Rex Beale will also be available.
Other contenders for R. and R. honors include John Johnston (vice-captain). Ivan Kell, Ron Hull. Jim Pilcher, and Grant Walker. Walker is a new member who shows promise of considerable swimming ability. Big thing are expected of Noel Webster in the Junior ranks this year.
In the handicap surf race last Sunday, after conceding starts to the majority of the competitors, he won in handsome style. Palm Beach, by the way, claims to have a record number of surfboard exponents in its ranks. Included in these are Adrian Curlewis, Pete Hunter, John Ralston, Eric Newman, Arthur Stephens, and many others.
For Belt Race
The following members of Mostly Club have nominated as entrants for the Twohig Belt Race, which will be contested by members next Sunday: — N. Ryan, G. Canaway, L. Crum. O. Ryan. F. Bennett, S, Herford, and M. Sutton. Boat captain Ralph Ford is organising a boat fund, by means of which it is expected that the club will not have to meet any expenses in regard to repairs or oars.
It looks as though Jimmy Wilkinson, of North Bondi, will gain a place in the club's R. and R. team. Already this season he has won several tests for selection, beating men who gained preference to him last year, and he is improving with every swim. BOOMING (1933, November 16). The Sun(Sydney, NSW : 1910 - 1954), p. 14 (FINAL EXTRA). Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article230190129
COLORED LIGHTS
Twinkle In Tree At Palm Beach
HOLIDAY PARTIES '
Mrs. Laurie Seaman of Wunulla-road. Point Piper, who is entertaining guests at her seaside ' home "The Chalet," Palm Beach, has introduced an American custom which typifies the spirit of Christmas. A TREE gaily decorated has been erected in the garden, and at sundown each evening the lights are switched on, with charming effect. The tree can be seen from the beach, the branches swaying in the breeze. On Christmas Eve, Mrs. Seaman, who was assisted by her father, Mr. E. W. Bell, who is staying with her, entertained a large number of guests at a cocktail party at "The Chalet." After cocktails and savories had been served the guests assembled at the tree, where Mr. Bell and his daughter conveyed Christmas wishes.
Mrs. Laurie Seaman — Falk.
Guests' Attire Varied
Slacks, shorts, and frocks combined to vary the feminine dressing among the guests, who Included Mr. and Mrs. J. L. Ruthven, Miss Nancy Ruthven, Mr. John Buchanan, Mr. and Mrs. Alan Box, Mr. Cummings (London), Mr. and Mrs. A. H. Chartres, Mr. and Mrs. John Tucker, Mr. and Mrs. Adrian Curlewis, Mr. and Mrs. Lindsay Bell, Mrs. Sydney Carr, Mr. and Mrs. Wallace Carruthers, Mrs. J. Samuel, Mr. John Fagan, Miss Joan Chartres, the Misses Winnie and Floss McConnell, Miss Joyce Pearson, Mr. Neville Conroy, Mr. Noel Walker, Mr. Taylor, Mr. and Mrs. John Cuttle, Mr. and Mrs. Howard Hudson (who have taken Dr. Bullmore's house for the surfing season), Mr. and Mrs. Stamp Jones, Miss Joy Manning, and Miss Audrey Peters. Mrs. Seaman will entertain a house party for New Year, which promises to be very gay with beach and cocktail parties and dances. Her guests will be Dr. and Mrs. Stuart Studdy, Dr. and Mrs. Charles E. Winston, Mr. Harold Taylor, and Miss Joyce Pearson.
MR. and MRS. LUSCOMBE NEWMAN and family, of Wallaroy Crescent, Double Bay, will spend the New Year holidays on their yacht, Archina II in Broken Bay. Miss Marjorie Luscombe-Newman has recently returned from a visit to America and Fiji. Topics for Women (1933, December 28).The Sun (Sydney, NSW : 1910 - 1954), p. 12 (FINAL EXTRA). Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article230193579
The Seaman home at 153 Pacific Road Palm Beach was a landmark at Palm Beach. Mrs. Seaman, Nee Bell had tragically lost her husband, William Laurie Seaman, and engineer, just four years after their marriage in 1924 at Kosciusko during a blizzard but not before sons Laurie and Bruce were born.
Seaman Bell – Palm Beach
SEAMAN- — BELL. A charming wedding was celebrated at St. Philip's, Church Hill recently, when Miss Christiana De Rossi (Topsy) Bell, only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. E. W. Bell, Royston, Church-street, Burwood, was married to Mr. William Laurie Seaman, of Glen Cove, New York. The Rev. Archdeacon Boyce was the officiating clergyman. The bride, who was given away by her father, wore a frock of ivory satin meteor, draped oh classical lines, and fastened with a spray of orange blossoms. The train of ivory georgette was mounted in tulle. The tulle veil, edged with silver, was held in place with a wide bandeau of silver tissue leaves, and a sheaf of white lilies, tied with silver tissue, was carried. The bridesmaids, Miss Nellie Hicks and Miss Plummer, were dressed alike in pretty frocks of burnt orange georgette in two shades. They had bands in their hair of velvet leaves to match and carried sheaves of Autumn berries and leaves. The groomsmen were Messrs. Donald Veitch and Bertram Hodgson. The church was artistically decorated with palms and large baskets of Autumn leaves. After the ceremony about 70 guests were entertained by the parents of the bride at a dinner dance at the Wentworth Cafe. Mrs. Bell wore a smart black gown of embossed georgette and jet, and a hat to match with a pheasant mount. She carried a posy of wallflowers and Autumn leaves. Among the guests were the Consul-General for America and Mrs. Lawton. Sir Charles Rosenthal, Lady Rosenthal, the Vice- Consul for America (Mr. Costello). Mr. j and Mrs. Herron. Mr. and Mrs. Snaashall, Mr. and Mrs. McInnes, Mr. and Mrs. W. Mace, Mr. and Mrs. Ewart Stow, and Mrs. Slade Brown. RECENT WEDDINGS (1924, July 13). Sunday Times (Sydney, NSW : 1895 - 1930), p. 17. Retrieved fromhttp://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article128136775
Peeps through the interlacing gum trees of Mrs. Laurie Seaman's Palm Beach residence.
"The Chalet," which – commands one of the most magnificent water views it is possible to imagine.
Mrs. Laurie Seaman, of Pt. Piper, and her sons looking out over the magnificent sweep of ocean from her beautiful Palm Beach home, "The Chalet."
The Billiards room at 'The Chalet'
Right: One of the lovely "inside" views enjoyed by residents high up an the Palm Beach heights, Barrenjoey lighthouse is just visible on the left.
FASHION FEATURES HOME INTERESTS (1934, January 7). The Sun (Sydney, NSW : 1910 - 1954), p. 23. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article230515720
This infamous ‘Smith’s Weekly’ article was just one that focused on sensationalizing and interpreting 'Palm Beach'. What people were doing, what people were wearing still featured, as it papers had in days of yore, only this seemed to be judging a distance between those who had and those who had not during the Australian Depression. To claim 'exclusivity' through preying on people whilst they were enjoying a New Years revel, as they would have been everywhere else in Sydney, and photographing them while doing so, points to poor taste on the part of the publication, not those engaged in what anyone else was also doing.
It is a tone that continued in other publications and would ultimately lead to those who objected to such judgmental swaying of the real story behind what people were doing there - saving lives - and why they were there - to save lives, retiring, or fading into the background where such shoddy scrutiny would not fill the pockets of those publishing such guff. The only benefit we derive, years on, is to glimpse who was there being a great example in a way that cannot be misconstrued for financial gain an contrasts sharply with one we run straight before it with a few insightful sentences:
"BEAUTY Born of MURMURING SOUND"
Overshadows Mode & Manners At Palm Beach
PALM BEACH, Sydney's famous seaside resort, once the happy hunting ground of a few of Sydney's chosen rich and fortunate, is now in the throes of its summer season. Not quite in the throes, perhaps, for the great rush does not actually begin until Christmas Eve.
PALM BEACH is no longer a place of Arcadian simplicity, of isolated loveliness, destitute of the "mod. cons." of civilisation.
Its loveliness remains, for its greatness must ever triumph over the changes wrought by man. But where, only a comparatively few years ago, the regular Palm Beach devotees could pass through thickly-timbered bushland to the yellow sands, the residents now follow a formal road or track, pick their way through hundreds of cars parked along the asphalted road, and step either over or on a mass of humanity sunbaking on the seashore.
It is a sophisticated humanity in the main, with a "right thing at the right time" code. There is a code of manners, a code of dress, a code of entertaining, a code of speech with seasonal fashions in the choice of slang, forms of salutation, and so on.
By these things are the genuine "Palm Beachers" known. They have their own particular pass-word, as it were.
If one fails to do the "right" thing at Palm Beach in the season, one can be as much a frozen outsider as a boot-legger at a prohibitionist rally.
This intimate circle is not as remote as it was. In the busy season, at any rate it is sub-merged in the vast hordes that invade the beaches, the people who come by motor cars, by motor lorries, or who form part of the camping community near the golf links or on the Pittwater side.
[THE billiard room at "Moana" one of the modern homes in the "Village."]
[RIGHT : The residence of Mr. and Mrs. T. Peters, on the beach front. —Photos by Women's Weekly.]
Cheaper and better transport facilities have robbed Palm Beach of its remoteness. The beach is now fringed with beautiful homes, complete with modern conveniences, and in many instances modern art. But its golden sands and tree-studded hills, its turbulent or quiet sea, the nearby harbor with its myriad bays and inlets, will always invite lovers of the beautiful, and proffer charm and repose to those who seek its charm.
A VISIT to Palm Beach the other day at first led to the conclusion that there had been a sort of Mad Hatters' tea party, and everybody had "moved one place down." In Beach Rd., Mrs. Alan Box was living in the A. J. Horderns' home, and Signor and Signora Bianci (formerly Mona Edwardes, of Turramurra, and here on a two-months' holiday with husband and four children) in Mrs. Ingram's house. In Florida Rd. the Blaxlands had vacated "Inglewood" in favor of a niece, Mrs. Downer; the Bill Hays' home was housing Doug. Levys, while Mrs. Hay was staying with Mrs. A. Samuels.
[PREPARED FOR TUE SUN, but not shirking its fierceness. Left to right: Mrs. Dick Kirby, Mrs. A. Samuels, and Mrs. W. Hay.]
Afterwards, however, it was discovered that still a few remained in their own homes, such as the Laurie Fosters, Mr. McKay, Dr. Keith Brown, Mr. L. S. Weldon, and the R. C. Hagons. Dr. Godsall was also "down." He is hoping to sell his Palm Beach residence, as he is building another at Bowral.
The Peters' home in Beach Rd. is one of the most outstanding. Mr. Peters, who is the engineer of Burrinjuck fame, bought the land long before he built the house. During the war years he considered it would not do to build, so the family camped on the land in a most complicated and wonderful system of tents—tents which were far superior to most seaside cottages for comfort.
[PALM BEACH, nestling in the curve of the sea-shore.]
The McKays' home is particularly noted for its lovely garden, perfectly kept. The first frangipanni grown at the Beach was in this garden.
Mr. Weldon, who owns "The Moorings," is so fond of gardening that he will even drive, after a rush day at the office, all the way to the Beach to plant a baby staghorn.
Previously, however, an even more romantic owner lived in "The Moorings," the late Mr. Walter Lipscomb. He had the nameplate of this, the first bungalow built at Palm Beach (by an American architect, with keystone to the chimney piece by Theo Cowan), "moored" to a tree, not the fence, as it is at pre-sent, and the verandah not comfortably closed in as now with glass and awnings, but open to the four winds.
[MRS. LAURIE FOSTER, with her mammoth cretonne sunshade.]
Palm Beach has two little characteristic "originalities."
One is to name the Hill containing the homes of Doctors Godsall, Gordon Brown, and Bullmore "Pill" Hill, and to have nicknamed "Sunset Rise" "Spinsters' Rise" because of Dr. Lucy Gullett, Miss Garran, and Miss Bowman (Mrs. Macarthur now) having residences there. "BEAUTY Born of MURMURING SOUND" (1933, December 16). The Australian Women's Weekly (1933 - 1982), p. 27. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article53243910
The 'Smith's weekly' slant, very early 'paparazzi style', including snapping people by flashlight when they've had a few drinks...
Society Plays Up in the Moonlight: .
KICKING 1933 IN THE SLATS
How They Did It At Palm Beach
! WHAT A NIGHT!
And What a Morning After
THERE was a sound of revelry by night. Palm Beach was about to see in the New Year. Not on Sunday night, mark you; but on Saturday night. Any old night between Christmas and New Year is likely to become New Year's Eve at Palm Beach. The dance at the Palladium was in full swing. Things were commencing to liven at the Laurie Foster's big party in their pretty green bungalow on the side of the hill. And all the while Old Man Barren joey winked a wicked beam from his single eye on the revellers.
NOCTURNE.— Palm Beach. One of "Smith's" exclusive 'flashlights. (See others on Page 6.) Mr. Eric Campbell as Eric Campbell, and Mr. Doug. Levy as Gandhi, give the Nasi salute. There's something wrong with this picture, and the one who picks it first gets- the photo.
"THERE'S -JUST A TOUCH OF SUNSHINE IN YOUR S MILE ."—A. country bud lends its fragrance to the City. Miss Meg Smith, of Dungog, resting on the pale brown sands of Palm Beach, makes the jolliest picture of them all.
See "Smith's" exclusive "flashlight photographs on Page .. of society's New Year night revels on Palm Beach. ''
"Smith's" Flashlight Pictures of Society Night Revels on the Palm Beach Hills
(CONTINUED FROM PAGE ONE).
WHEN "Smith's" arrived at Palm Beach on Saturday afternoon, all was quiet on the ocean front. Most of the holiday makers had gone to Pittwater to witness the regatta. But two or three notices, displayed here and there on trees and fences, indicated that matters would liven up in the next few hours. "Get your aspirin and ice at the local store while the supplies last," read one notice. Another bore the direction: "Private detectives park here." A third read: "No more bottle-ohs need apply. The twenty successful applicants can start work at once." About nine o'clock, the dancers began to arrive at the Palladium, and one of the first to take the floor was Eric Campbell, with his wife. Eric was coatless and sported a blue shirt. "Just for to-night I am General O'Duffy," he laughingly told "Smith's."
Soon the hall was packed with hundreds of dancers. Young girls and matrons alike danced in slacks, shorts, and gaily striped pyjamas, while most of the men sported open shirts and shorts. The night was hot, and mosquitoes buzzed, but everyone was happy. Here, in a quiet corner, a couple kissed surreptitiously, while there, a lad, armed with a mosquito spray, hosed the bare and shapely legs of the girls as they drifted by. A bewitching creature in biscuit-colored pyjamas, with a rope of amber beads around her lovely white neck, smiled into her sweetheart's eyes. Some night, some moon, some wonderful girl! Most of the dancers glided smoothly to the haunting strains of the jazz band, while others were almost grotesque in their endeavors to trip' the light fantastic. Eric Campbell, with head erect and graceful carriage, might have been an expert dancer but for his recent acquisition of weight. One of the most charming dancers on the floor was Miss Mary Wells in black open shirt, and black slacks. Captain Rex Beale, dancing with Mrs. Alrema Samuels, looked suspiciously upon "Smith's" and whispered to his partner that he thought Sergeant I Chuck was "among those present." But all this gaiety was only a preliminary, an aperitif an appetiser for what was to follow. About eleven o'clock, the dancers began to dwindle, for lots were leaving and wending their way up the hillside to the charming residence of Mr. and Mrs. Laurie Foster. Mr. Foster extended an 1'nvltation to "Smith's" to be present. On our way up to the party, a little after midnight, we tripped over a couple of Scots in kilts. They were resting by the roadway, and seemed to have lost all interest in the festivities. Their bagpipes were nearby, deserted, looking like murdered turkeys. Here, at the Foster's, was a party, indeed — an orgy of music, dancing, cocktails, and other refreshments, frankfurts and potato chips — a whirlwind party made up of sixty people, mostly in startling fancy dress. And everyone was called "playmate." There was Mr. Foster himself in- a Chinese costume. His wife was charming in white slacks. Eric Campbell still . had his blue shirt. Mrs. Kitty Hay made a striking gipsy, and also of the party were Mrs. D. Kirby, Mr. and Mts. Noel Richards, Colleen Gray, as a Chinese girl, and her fair sister, Goldie; Kirrie Cade, Kath Hay, Mrs. Merle Poulton, Mr. and Mrs. Toykander, Miss Waddell, Bill Dawson, Mrs. Trikojus, Dr. Lee Brown, Mr. Pat Levy (a South Sea Islander), Mrs. Betty Grlgson, Mr. Doug. Levy, who made an excellent study of Gandhi, his wife as a Javanese; Mrs. Alrema Samuels, Mr. Byron Wrigley, Mr. Peter Horlick, Mr. Bill McMahon, Mr. Byng Carson, Mr. Alan Major, a "Night of the Bath," Bobble... as an overgrown kid, his wife as a Fijian, Lin Armytage as a sheik, or, perhaps, it was a ghost; Nancy Mac-naught, yet another Chinese; Dr. Rex Money, the modern woman; Mr. and Mrs. John Gunning, .Mr. and Mrs. Harry Hyne, Miss Babe Pain, Dr. Hal Cram... Miss Sheila.
Lowe, Captain Rex Beale, Mrs. Audrey Favlell, as a jockey, and Mr. John Hedge. The party finished when the sun was peeping over the horizon. That morning — but not too early — the revellers straggled down to the beach, and lay about lazily under huge sunshades. Eric Campbell sprawled over the sand in a maroon costume and topee. Mary Durham— jet black hair and spark-....white costume with red straps. There were many beautiful chassis spread over those golden sands. Mrs. Laurie Foster was there in a blue costume, enjoying a siesta under a big silk sunshade. Her husband strolled around, lost in thought. Colleen Gray sported a red and white costume. Her sister Goldie, vaunted a backless white (and howl), and Kirrie Cade wore blue, Doug. Levy had a 1926 model in faded blue. His wife, Barbara, looked wonderfully fresh "the morning after the night before." Pat Levy, in woollen shorts, displayed a hairy chest, but not quite so hairy as that which brother Doug, revealed when he rolled his costume down. Dr. Matt Banks accompanied his wife to the beach, and received congratulations on his fresh and spruce appearance. Mr. Ronald Bruce Walker, M.L.A.. propelled his long shanks over the sands. With him were his wife, Mrs. Stuart Mitchell, and Mr. Bruce Tebbutt. Dr. Hal Cramsie engaged Miss Heather Field and Miss Sheila Lowe in animated conversation while Mrs. "Sammy" Samuels stretched out on the sand, allowing the sun to do its best and worst to the epidermis of her pretty back. Pyjamas of every hue were to be seen on the beach. Some were floral, others were striped like zebras and snakes. One young girl, who had nothing stronger than two cups of tea the night before, complained of a hangover ! But you must do that at Palm Beach. You simply must have a hang-over !! Lots of the beach loungers — you could hardly call them surfers — had acquired a lovely bronze. Most resembled cooked lobsters. During the morning, a couple of people were carried out by the surf, but even such distressing events failed to arouse much interest in the weary gathering.
Captain Rex Beale was responsible for a magnificent rescue, but his brave deed passed almost unnoticed. That day, Reg. Prevost entertained Admiral Dalgleish. In the evening, Mr. and Mrs. C. B. Wilshire held a big cocktail party at their, home, "Kendall," and, later, the hosts and guests went to the Palladium to an invitation dance to see the real New Year's Eve in. The dance, which began at midnight, was a great success, but tame when compared with the revels of the night before. The night was cool with sea breezes and the moon shone brightly; but there was something missing. Perhaps it was the aroma of fried chips and frankfurts. Anyhow, so far as Palm Beach was concerned, New Year's Eve had passed twenty-four hours before.
A trio at the Palladium. — Mr. "Chang" or "Tarsan" Mackenzie, one of the 80 or so trainees....
Miss Edna Ottoway, and Mrs. Alrema ("Sammy")Samuels.
A few of the revellers outside Mr. Laurie Foster's home. — The Chinese gentleman is Mr. Foster himself, while on his left is Mr. Pat Levy as a South Sea Islander. On his right is Mr. Doug Levy as Gandhi. Next to Mr. Doug Levy are Dr. Hal Cramsie, Miss Heather Field, and Mrs. Betty Grigson. Taken at 2 a.m. Sunday.
ABOVE.— At the Foster's revel. Left to right: Mr. Pat Levy, looking sad as a South Sea Islander, Mr. Ron Mackellar (disguised), Mrs. Laurie Foster, Mrs. Doug. Levy, who, until recently, was Miss Barbara Smart, and Mrs. Betty Grigson. RIGHT. . — Miss Ruth Allen, of Point Piper, , looked very attractive in her black and white striped slacks as she danced at the Palladium with her fiance, Mr. Charlie Buchanan,- of Point Piper.
"I' suppose there was a bit of a panic at the theatre when the electric - .light failed?" "Nothing to wHat : there was when it came on again."
t Sunday morning at Palm Beach. — Mrs. C. Ross and Miss Marjorie Montague make a lovely picture.
ABOVE. — The beautiful Mary Wells in black open shirt and black slacks, whose attention for the moment seems to be distracted from her two friends, Mr. John Goodall and Miss Joan Ord. A flashlight taken outside the Palladium at midnight. LEFT. — Smart and attractive Miss Heather Field and the fair and lovely Miss Sheila Lowe outside the Field's Palm Beach home,"The Burrow." Society Plays Up in the Moonlight: Intimate Flashlight Photos on Page 6 (1934, January 6). Smith's Weekly (Sydney, NSW : 1919 - 1950), p. 1. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article235489082
END OF SEASON.
Surf Club Dance.
The last of the summer's "slacks and shorts" dances was that given by the Palm Beach Surf Club on Saturday night at Howlett's Store, Palm Beach, when the club staged its final revel of the season. Despite counter-attractions in the city, there was the usual large attendance which these popular club parties always attract.
The organisers were Mrs. Alrema Samuels, Mr. George Wray, Mr. L. W. Mowle, and Mr. Arthur Stephens. The club's colours of black and green decorated the ballroom. Among those present were Mr. B. V. Kenny (captain of the club), Mr. and Mrs. Keith Oatley, Mrs. William Hay, Miss Jean Bell, Lawrie Seaman, Mr. and Mrs. S. B. Langley, Mrs. C. W. Wiltshire, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Kater, Mr. and Mrs. Graham Pratten, Mrs. Gill Gunning, Miss Sheila Lowe, Miss Muriel Cobcroft, Mr. and Mrs. Percy Spender, Miss Pauline Henriques, Miss Dorothy Major, Mr. and Mrs. David Hunter, Miss Kath Lord, Mr. Ned Herron, Mr. Bob Hull, Mr. R. Brown, Captain Rex Beale, Mr. Allan Major, Mr. Isould, Mr. N. Conroy, Mr. N. le Maistre-Walker, Mr. P. le Maistre-Walker, Mr. C. W. Mackenzie, Mr. Eric and Mr. Hugh Luscombe-Newman, Mr. J. Pilcher, Mr. Gordon Forsyth, Mr. L. Armitage, and Mr. Kenneth Hunter. END OF SEASON. (1934, April 2). The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), p. 4. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article17062410
MEMBERS of the Palm Beach Surf Life Saving Club will hold a dance at Howlett's store, Palm Beach, on Easter Saturday, to mark the end of the surfing season. Tickets may be obtained from Messrs. G. R. Wray (MA5233), A. Stephens (B5173), L. M. Mowll, and Mrs. A. Samuels (Palm Beach 80). YEARLY DINNER (1934, March 22). The Sun (Sydney, NSW : 1910 - 1954), p. 38 (FINAL EXTRA). Retrieved fromhttp://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article230536136
MRS. C. B. WILTSHIRE, of Bellevue Hill, a member of the committee of the winter dance which members of the Palm Beach Surf Life Saving Club will hold at Farmers Blaxland Galleries on May 29. Mrs. Wiltshire has been spending some weeks with her mother, Mrs C. Wakelin, at Palm Beach. Topics for Women (1934, May 23). The Sun (Sydney, NSW : 1910 - 1954), p. 20 (LAST RACE EDITION). Retrieved fromhttp://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article229202708
PALM BEACH
Surf Club Dance.
BRIGHT PARTY.
Last night saw this dance sea-son's prettiest gowns when members of the Palm Beach Surf Life-Saving Club held their annual winter dance at the Blaxland Galleries. One of the hostesses attained a novel scheme of table decoration when she placed large beer mugs striped with green and black, the club colours, as mementoes of the evening for her guests.
Mr. Paddy Kenny (captain of the club) entertained the official guests. Among these were Mr. Adrian Curlewis (president of the Surf Life-Saving Association) and Mrs. Cur-lewis, wearing pale blue crepe with a bodice of silver ribbed lame; Mr. George Millar (sec-retary of the association) and Mrs. Millar, the latter gowned In black lace beneath a black velvet coat; Dr. E. M. Martin, of the Kilcare Surf Life-Saving Club, and Mrs. Martin, Mr. R. Brown, Mr. L. M. Mowle, Miss Aileen Edwards, In a frock of bisque lace with a cape collar. Miss Joan Waddell, wearing black velvet, Miss Nancy Withycombe, and Miss Joan James, who wore a trained frock of black lace.
The party was arranged by the members of the club, Mr. Paddy Kenny (captain), Mr. G. R. Wray (secretary), and Mr. L. M. Mowle (treasurer), assisted by a sub-committee, which included Messrs. Noel Walker, John Ralston, Mesdames Graham Pratten, W. Carruthers, Keith Oatley, Fred Langley, A. M. Lamport, Percy Hunter, and the Misses Sue Russell, Stella Hemphlll, Kath Lord, Jean Ralston, Phyl Clark, Joyce Pearson, Nancy McNaught, Kath Rutherford, and Peter Walker.
Mrs. Alrema Samuels wore a gown of deepest blue satin, and entertained among her guests Mr. and Mrs. A. Stuart Henderson, Mr. and Mrs. Byram Mansell, Mrs. Bill Hay, Miss Betty Young, Jean Muggleston, Sheila Downie, Dorothy Major, Kath Rutherford, Pauline Brooks, Captain Rex Beale, Messrs. Elton Ifould, Lister Ifould, Arthur Stephens, Lyn Armitage, Ron Hill, Mick Neal, and John Roach. PALM BEACH (1934, May 30). The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), p. 7. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article17077682
FASHION FOIBLES Surf Club Dance
MEMBERS WIN
All the season's fashion foibles were exploited at the enjoyable winter dance of the Palm Beach Surf Life Saving Club, held at Farmer's Blax-land Galleries last night.
TRAINS, coronets, frills and furbelows were featured in some of the smartest frocks worn in a Sydney ballroom this season. Dull gold and silver lame were used for whole frocks; which were moulded to the figures as far as the knees, where they flowed out in frills. These frills on the wide frocks gave an old world effect to many of the dancers, especially when they held their trains while dancing.
Added jollity was given to the dance by reason of the club's success in the recent open competition, winning for the first time on record a surf boat race at Manly, and one at Dee Why.
Only one hostess, Mrs. Alrema Samuels, made any attempt at special decorations. Her table had an unusual scheme of colored fish perched on branches in a base of seaweed. Each guest was presented with a souvenir glass lacquered in black and green stripes. The hostess staged a novelty later in the evening, when "hot dogs" were served.
Official Party
Mr. Adrian Curlewis (president of the Surf Life Saving Association), and Mrs. Curlewis, who wore a gown of white wind-swept flat crepe, were the guests' of honor, and were entertained by Mr. B. V. Kenny (captain of the club). Also in the official party were Mr. George Millar (secretary, of the association) and Mrs. Millar, Dr. E. M. Martin (Killcare Surf Life Saving Club), and Mrs. Martin; Miss Aline Edwards, who wore blege lace; Mlss Joan Waddell, in black velvet; Miss Enid Manning, wearing jade green wind-swept crepe; Miss Sheila Lowe, whose attractive frock was of gentian blue lace; Miss Nancy Withycombe, In lido blue lace; Messrs. L. M. Mowle, R. Brown, D. Hull, P. Hardy, G., P. Storey, and W. G. Layton. At another table Mr. and Mrs. Wallace Carruthers, the latter wearing a cluster of red roses on her white flat crepe frock, entertained Miss Margaret Copeland, who had an unusual frock of plaid taffeta; Mr. Alan Copeland and Mrs. Copeland, who wore siel blue satin; Mr. Fred Grieve and Mrs. Grieve, wearing misty blue flat crepe, finished with a rouleau of silver lame at the high neck; Dr. and Mrs. Douglas Carruthers, Miss Gwen Marshall, Miss Marjorie Hughes in black velvet, Mr. Robert Broad, and Mr. Willis, of Melbourne. Dr, Geoffrey Maitland was assisted by Mrs. Maitland, who wore a frock of lily of the valley green chitron and silver lame in entertaining Miss Cherle King, who wore an attractive trained frock of patou pink flat crepe made with many frills and n shoulder capo; Miss Mabelle Markell, whose frock combined black taffeta and silver lame; Commander and Mrs. Waddell, Miss Peggy Carruthers, Miss Dibbs Wilson, Lieutenant-Commander Hunt and Dr. Noll Francis. Mrs. Samuels, who wore midnight blue satin, included in her party Mrs. W. Hay. Mr. and Mrs. Bryan Mansell, Mr. and Mrs. A. Stuart Henderson, Misses Betty Young, Joan Muggleston, Sheila Downie, Dorothy Major, Kathleen Rutherford, and Pauline Brooks. One of the most attractive frocks was worn by Miss Betty Blundell. It was of chiffon in varying stripes of black Ivory and green, with trimming of silver lame. Topics for Women (1934, May 30). The Sun (Sydney, NSW : 1910 - 1954), p. 19 (LAST RACE EDITION). Retrieved fromhttp://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article229216574
Palm Beach Stirring
THE hibernating season for beaches is coming to an end, and already Palm Beach, at any rate, is stirring in its sleep. Houses, I hear, are letting like wildfire, and all the portents are for a snappy surfing season ahead.
Mrs. Alrema Samuels, whose suntan and surfboard riding are quite a feature of the summer season, is one of the ice-bergs who thrive in winter breakers, and has just gone back to her beloved beach after six weeks in the city. Skating, at which she is adept, was the main attraction the metropolis had for her, but her joy in this was rather marred by the necessity to pay frequent visits to the dentist. Intimate Jottings (1934, August 11). The Australian Women's Weekly (1933 - 1982), p. 24. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article46466030
PALM BEACH, NEW SOUTH WALES. - - Among the most beautiful bathing beaches in Australia, Palm Beach is situated on a peninsula fifteen to twenty miles north of Sydney. Close by, the waters of the beautiful Hawkesbury River flow into Broken Bay. On one side of the peninsula, which is but a few hundred yards across, is the surf of the Pacific Ocean, and on the other are the calm waters of the historic Pittwater, the scene of many aquatic carnivals. At one time there were many palms in the locality, but few remain, and these are jealously preserved. photo by H. CAZNEAUX PALM BEACH, NEW SOUTH WALES. (1934, October 1). The Australasian (Melbourne, Vic. : 1864 - 1946), p. 19. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article145241972
MRS. ALREMA SAMUELS is organising a private bridge club at Palm Beach for card and bridge parties, on December 8, and all proceeds will go to the Palm Beach Surf Club funds. As tables are limited, prospective players are asked to telephone Mrs. Samuels, Palm Beach 80. All for a Good Cause (1934, November 25). The Sun (Sydney, NSW : 1910 - 1954), p. 30. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article230152332
Keeping out gate-crashers - Bruce Batman and Mrs. "Sammy" Samuels check the tickets. Exclusive Society at PALM BEACH (1935, January 5).Smith's Weekly (Sydney, NSW : 1919 - 1950), p. 4. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article234612450
SOCIETY'S CURTAIN-RAISER TO NEW YEAR
BACKLESS FROCKS & A BEER GARDEN
PALM Beach Surf Club whetted its New Year appetite oh Saturday night, in preparation for the usual New Year's . Eve ball, by staging what was probably the most spectacularly dressed party that the exclusive seaside holiday spot has even seen.
THERE. was hardly a woman in the hall — which was the local store converted tor the evening into a ballroom — who possessed any back to her frock, at least above a very low waist-line. Most of the women and girls merely wore their sun-baking jackets with shorts, or slacks of limitless variety, from the masculinely tailored kind to exceptionally feminine satin and chiffon of the boudoir or smoking-suit style. Some of the girls, whose backless costumes are considered the last word in backlessness on the beach, showed large tracts of back untouched by the sun; proof positive that for the surf club's ball even more liberty in scarcity of clothing is allowed than on the beach. BUT if the women's party frocks were rather staggering, the supply of free beer, poured out in a specially arranged open-air beer-garden, enclosed by hessian around two sides of the dance hall, was almost as breath-taking in its liberality, and no doubt accounted for the unprecedented number of attempts at gate-crashing that were made by people whose station in life should have taught them better manners. The dance was by invitation only, but this did not prevent some of the Smart Set from Sydney and the beaches near Palm Beach, from making a valiant effort to get inside, and when they were firmly refused by members of the surf club, one or two of them crashed the gate by way of the hessian curtain. At all events, the supply of beer lasted till well after 1 a.m., and as there were about 200 people dancing, and most of the girls treated the beer as they would cocktails, the number of barrels ordered can be roughly estimated.
ACTUALLY, this year Palm Beach is more social than ever, for as well as the habitues who have permanent cottages there all the year round, numbers of Sydney's social set have established themselves there for the holidays. Chief of these are the WARWICK FAIRFAXES, who, however, do not mingle much with the regulars, and prefer to surf from their own exclusive corner of the beach, and away from the brilliant collection of beach umbrellas. They were half-expected to turn up at the dance, but when 11 o'clock came, and there was no sign of them, the NEVILLE MANNINGS. who had wandered in a symphony of blue, decided that the evening was wasted, and departed. Perhaps a spare yard of the material that went to the making of MRS. MANNING'S navy blue and white spotted shirt-blouse, which she wore with plain blue slacks, had been spared for -husband NEVILLE'S scarf,; for the truth is that the size of the spots worn by both was identical.; The scarf cravat idea seems to have caught on with the lads of the village, for nearly all of them wore one tucked inside the collar of their sports coats, and GEORGE FULLER, who shepherded young HELEN HUGHES devotedly all night, was particularly successful in the air of distinction he achieved with his. HELEN, by the way, was one of the few girls present to wear an orthodox frock, hers of blue and white figured marocain being ultra modest in design and quantity. ONLY for the bright influence of CAPTAIN REX BEALE and TED WOOLFE, of the surf club, the party — but for the free beer — might have been just an ordinary affair. But these two were determined that it should maintain Palm Beach's imputation for brightness, and, just before supper, they took charge of the dance floor and gave an impromptu turn that would have made the hearts of J. C. Williamson's management quake, lest they ever decide seriously to go into the theatrical business for themselves. They turned handsprings, Catherine wheels in mid air, without touching the floor, and proved regular broths of bhoys. Encored for their efforts, TED WOOLFE turned shy, but the gallant captain volunteered to show a trick worth two of what he had already done, and succeeded in standing on his head, supported merely by the beer jug, placed on the bar table, and raising himself good and straight into mid air. PETER WALKER carried pit the honors for the evening, as far as dress went. She is a' lovely young creature, mid-brunette and piquant, and she wore a sun-baking shirt with a split skirt of powder-blue linen, showing shorts of the same color beneath. No wonder that the lads later in the evening nearly came to blows in the quest for her favors. GWEN HOWARTH, whose family of sisters is rapidly "getting off," looked more Gypsy-like than ever in a white beach frock, fastened up the entire front with brilliant scarlet buttons. MRS. GREGORY BLAXLAND, Helen to' her friends, a tall nymph in powder-blue linen shirt and shorts, is perhaps the loveliest woman at Palm Beach this year, though HELEN WILLIAMS, who is a great friend . of the . popular LAURIE' FOSTER couple, seemed to be breaking an astounding number of masculine hearts, in her vicinity. Perhaps hei titian hair has something to do with it. MRS. LAURIE, one of the best hostesses that Palm Beach has ever known, looked radiant in ice-blue satin jamas, in spite of the fact that she did not hit the pillow till the small hours of Saturday morning, and the fancy-dress party she gave on Friday night was still the talk of the Beach at the week-end. THIS year the LEVY contingent was surprisingly quiet and difficult to find. The DOUGLAS pair turned up bright and early, but PAT was the only other member of the family present, and he disappeared early before the party was well under way MRS. LAURIE SEAMAN, of course, can always be relied on to bring along a big crowd, and this year DR. CEDRIC COHEN and JOHN RIDDLE were just two of the eight or nine guests who kept her company. MRS. VERNON DIBBS' cream slacks were less close-fitting than the average Palm Beach manner, and she was one of the few who did not seem to think that Palm Beach this year was quite so good as it has been. But she was definitely in a minority. KATH HOLDEN, as usual, looked lovely and dangerously attractive, though she was outside the bare-backed mode, and her three-quarter Chinese jacket of black and white-figured marocain was extremely modest. But then that shining plait of golden hair which KATH has never forsaken counts for a lot.
THERE seemed to be numbers of devoted young marrieds about the dance floor, in particular the JOHN RALSTONS. JOHN'S bald head is as well known at Palm Beach as is Barrenjoey lighthouse, but he has only recently joined the benedicts, though, of course, MRS. JOHN is also well known, down there. The two could hardly be parted all the evening. GEORGE RAYNER blew in half-way through the evening, under the impression that the party, was just free to all who cared to pay, but GEORGE is such a good chap that the committee decided to let him come in, even though' Ma and GIFF were not with him. However, he brought along young BILL VERO-READ, who helped to make up the deficiency. JO FALLON, all got up in a yachtsmen-blue outfit with many buttons, was under the same illusion. He had brought along RENE RIANO, hostess at GRAHAM'S, the new Hunter Street cabaret, and though the pair were temporarily relegated to outer darkness, while the surf club went into committee on the subject, they finally were allowed to enter. PETER STEWART, from a house party at Whale Beach, nearby, blew in on the party, looking very attractive in a red shirt blouse and powder-blue shorts. .
SAMMY, otherwise MRS. ALMYRA SAMUELS, best woman surf board expert in Australia, who is burnt the color of mahogany, and whose skin is beginning to assume leather-like appearance, tried to look official in a trouser suit of green and brown-striped silk as she checked "the tickets at the door, but as she is one of the identities of the Beach she didn't always succeed. Added to her troubles was the fact that she had developed laryngitis, so that young men who had sampled the fare in-': the beer garden were often inclined to believe that she was whispering sweet nothing's to them when all "SAMMY" wanted was for them to eject a gate crasher or two. TOWARDS morning, when the beer supply was running out, the DAN CARROLLS decided that it was time to start another party, and they whisked a crowd of the dancers away to their own cottage. ' It was nearly 4 a.m. when some of the remnants of the party, homeward bound by water to their respective holiday crafts, moored in Pittwater, announced in stentorian tones for all sound sleepers to hear, that they had room for just one more drink, and "what about bacon and eggs?"
But Palm Beach has a wonderful capacity for recovery, and before 11 o'clock the first of the revellers was down on the beach, basking under the beach umbrellas, and making plans for the New Year's Eve party. For what is Palm Beach without its party, where life in the summer is just one never-ending one. SOCIETY'S CURTAIN-RAISER TO NEW YEAR (1935, January 5). Smith's Weekly (Sydney, NSW : 1919 - 1950), p. 5. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article234612455
CHRISTMAS fever has given place to a pleasant calm at Palm Beach, and there has been a clearance of house parties, with, of course, new arrivals. During the week-end there was a practical joke (to my mind they are never amusing), a burglary and a tragedy.
The joke was played by some lunatic who sent up distress signals. It was nearly midnight, and the Surf Club boys fled to the beach, and after a few words with Captain Beale manned the surf boat and away they went. After searching in vain for an hour and a half they returned -- ha! ha! Laugh that one off! THE JOTTINGS OF A LADY ABOUT TOWN (1935, January 13). Truth (Sydney, NSW : 1894 - 1954), p. 25. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article169346115
Right: section from Image No.: hood_02985, Titled 'Man and woman with 9 foot wooden surfboard' - Alrema again courtesy State Library of NSW.
Palm Beach Doings
PALM BEACH is still seething with righteous indignation about the mysterious distress rockets that were the cause of the surf life- savers risking their lives by dashing to sea in the middle of the night. They intend, those hardy men of the surf, to track the culprits to their lair.
Mrs. Alrema Samuels was missing from her much favored seaside resort on Saturday, when the sun and sea were at their best, but arrived down in time to welcome Mrs. Kathleen Hay, Mr. A. Stevens, and Captain R. Beale as week-end guests. Intimate Jottings (1935, January 19). The Australian Women's Weekly (1933 - 1982), p. 29. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article47208382
PALM BEACH acts almost like a drug upon us. We must go back for more and last week-end was no exception. The weather was perfect, and there was an extra heavy sea.
It was an entertainment in itself to watch Mrs. Samuels, Lawrie Barnes, Fred Osborne and Captain Beale, coping with the surf so successfully. THE JOTTINGS OF A LADY ABOUT TOWN (1935, February 24). Truth (Sydney, NSW : 1894 - 1954), p. 29. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article169346517
(Left.) Our own Palm Beach, with its broad stretch of sand and the blue Pacific in the background.
Our Beaches and theirs (1935, February 28). The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), p. 17 (Women's Supplement). Retrieved fromhttp://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article17145615
Mr. G. Wray, of the International Correspondence School, who was captain of the Palm Beach surf boat crew and a well-known rower, was an interested spectator at the North Coast surf carnival at Ballina on Sunday. PERSONAL. (1935, March 5). Northern Star (Lismore, NSW : 1876 - 1954), p. 6. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article94517964
Going down from "Merriwing," Mrs. Alrema Samuels was seen with her surf board. She is Palm Beach's great woman surfer. This daughter of Louis Beck, the author, has stayed put at Palm Beach all the winter and has acquired a splendid suntan. At home her thirteen tame kookaburras keep things cheerful.
Above : Mrs. Alrema Samuels champion woman surfboard rider of the State, who is an all-timer at Palm Beach. She will entertain her sister, Miss Niya Beck, and others over the Week-end. Palm Beach Season Opens (1935, October 6). The Sun (Sydney, NSW : 1910 - 1954), p. 34. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article231183089
There seems to have been a lot of birds at Alrema's home - possibly the reason for the name 'Merringwing'.
The above is interesting as it shows a different board with a different design in her stencilled name by this Commercial Artist - you may just be able toi discern the letters 'A S' in an enlargement from the photograph where Alrema stands among that line of early Palm Beach SLSC surfers:
The stripe across the board shows it has been cut - possibly a modification to shorten the board although some surfers installed a strip for extra grip or where to place their toes.
One of the interesting aspects about surfboard riding is the amount of people who thought they were the first to do it at any one beach - just one example, from a lass not born when Alrema probably took her first surf with a board in the Polynesian Island in 1908 and later on Palm Beach in the 1920's - or even earlier - John Ralston, surfing mate, reported to have taken up the sport soon after Duke's visit in 1914 and had two solid boards at Palm Beach by 1919. This lass lived in the house beside The Rendezvous and overlooking the golf course and this feature article was preceded by these two sentences - showing, perhaps, that the papers had their 'favourites' and made unsupported declarations - given the nature of these two women, both fit, both into all kinds of sports, both kind natured - something else more akin to 'soul surfing' may have occurred when matched even if Alrema, from these reports, was deemed Champion of the State and then Champion of Australia
Habitues of Palm Beach declare - that' if a women's surf-board riding championship were held, Miss Hammond would be a strong favorite, so accomplished is she at this difficult art. The new champion learned her early golf at the Avondale Club. THE WORLD OF WOMEN'S SPORT (1932, July 27). Referee (Sydney, NSW : 1886 - 1939), p. 24. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article135326312
MISS JOAN HAMMOND.
MISS JOAN HAMMOND. Sportswoman and Songster.
FROM GOLF TO GRAND OPERA.
"Just as my championship golf career had an unexpected beginning so it is to have a sudden end," said Miss Joan Hammond, the associate golf champion of New South Wales. Miss Hammond will leave for Vienna early in the new year to finish her musical education, and, as she possesses a voice of rare quality, it is expected that Australia will soon possess another singer of international fame.
MISS HAMMOND was expected by many to gain an international reputation as a golfer if she was given the opportunity of competition overseas. Now in the space of a few months the whole aspect of her career has changed. Miss Hammond, despite her versatility on the .sports field, has always placed singing before everything else. She has appeared on the opera stage in Sydney as recently as this year with the Fuller company, and in the hope that she would one day be given her big chance she has continued her linguistic as well as her musical education. Fortune smiled on her a few months ago when Lady Hore-Buthven heard her sing at an afternoon function. Lady Hore-Ruthven's extensive knowledge of music-she finished her musical studies in Vienna-recognised the beauty of Miss Ham-mond's voice, and she has been a fairy godmother to her ever since.
A YOUTHFUL CHAMPION.
No one who is familiar with Miss Hammond's meteoric career in the golf world will doubt that she will be equally successful in her musical studies abroad. Her sporting career has shown that she possesses a tremendous faculty for hard work, and great courage. When quite small she injured her left arm, and in spite of this handicap has become the lowest-handicapped player among the Commonwealth associates.
"I began to play golf," said Miss Hammond, "in a most haphazard fashion. My family thought it would help to strengthen my arm if I played golf regularly. I was at boarding school at the Presbyterian Ladies' College, Pymble, so that few opportunities for golf arose, but in the holidays at Palm Beach I spent my days in the water or on the links. I played with the men, and that is one reason why I think I got on so quickly. They were so much better than I was that I always had good opponents to try to emulate."
Her first competition was won at thirteen years of age at Palm Beach, and then when she was a year older she won the Palm Beach cham-pionship, and held it for three successive years. At sixteen she entered for the junior champion-ship of New South Wales and won it on her first appearance. This was in 1929. Miss Hammond was again successful in 1930. "But I was ineligible by one day to compete for the third year," she said.
Miss Hammond was the first junior champion to graduate from those ranks who eventually won the senior State title. "In 1931 I played in the State championship for the first time," she said, "and reached the final, where I was beaten by Mrs. Tom McKay, then Miss Odette Lefebvre. I am not likely to forget that week. For the first time in the history of the championships the final was postponed for two days owing to the terrific cyclone which swept Sydney. I lost my dog the day before the final, and my sailing boat was wrecked, and I lost the championship."
STATE CHAMPION.
The next year, however, Miss Hammond was State champion. She lost her title In 1933 to Mrs. McKay, but for the last two years she has been successful. Her victory in 1934 is memorable for the amazing golf she played over the first nine holes at Royal Sydney. She was only 31 strokes for these holes, and overwhelmed her opponent, Miss Betty Gowing. This year she had a narrow escape from defeat when Mrs. Clive Robinson took her to the thirty-ninth hole-the first time the championship has extended beyond the 36 holes limit.
Although Miss Hammond has not won the Australian title, she has been very close to the honours. Miss Oliver Kay, of New Zealand, beat her in the final in 1933, and last year Miss Bessie Gaisford, also a New Zealander, beat her in the quarter-final.
Among Miss Hammond's golfing achievements is her double success in the Rose Bay cup, and for'two-years-she was champion of champions. It is interesting to note that she was a low marker from the start. Avondale was her first club, and her first three cards gave her a handicap of nine-a figure most associates spend li lifetime in the endeavour to achieve. She theil played on five and later on four. Last year she achieved further distinction when she can down to two, and no associate plays more consistently to her handicap than Miss Hammond.
VERSATILE SPORTSWOMAN.
At school Miss Hammond won her colours in the A grade teams at hockey, tennis, and net ball, and she was the champion swimmer, "l think I was the first to begin surfboard riders among the girls at Palm Beach," she said; "and I think it is one of the most exciting sports."
Sailing has always been one of Miss Hammonds chief Interests. When she lost her big boat, US Alawah, she began to handle the twelve-footer and as a member of the North Shore Dinghy Club she has been a consistently successful competition in her tiny Stormalong, which carried off four cups In last season's races. Miss Hammond sails her boat every Saturday, and hopes to find time for it each week before she leaves In February.
All associates hope that Miss Hammond willl meet with outstanding success abroad, and metropolitan clubs are rallying to support the "Joan Hammond Fund" by holding open competitions at their clubs during the next few months. Jottings on Sport. (1935, November 28). The Sydney Morning Herald(NSW : 1842 - 1954), p. 20 (Women's Supplement). Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article17212374
Alrema and Rex, after clearly spending years together as friends of surfing, both great sportspeople in other sports, finally announce their engagement- first at a cocktail party, to friends, and in the Family Notices:
To announce her engagement to Captain Rex Beale, of the Australian Staff Corps, and to give the forthcoming Palm Beach season a cheery kickoff, Mrs. Alrema Samuels gave a perfect cocktail party at her home at Palm Beach yesterday. Amongst the 70 or 80 people who waxed lyrical about the champagne cocktails and their trimmings were: Mr. and Mrs. Dan Carroll, Mr. and Mrs. Adrian Curlewis, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Waters. Mr. and Mrs. Byram Mansell, Mr. and Mrs. David Hunter, Mr. and Mrs. P. B. Langley and Mr. and Mrs. George Merivale. The un-marrinds included Audrey Peters, Niya Becke Edna Ryan, Marjorie Murdock, Edith Wilshire, Kath Rutherford, Pete Hunter, Lyn Armytage, Wai Carruthers. Arthur Stephens, Colin Moore and Theo and Noel le Maistre Walker. Congratulations were rife, and this was definitely a party that no one wanted to leave — however, came the dawn, or something very like it, and we eventually sought our various couches. THE JOTTINGS OF 'A' LADY (1935, December 1). Truth (Sydney, NSW : 1894 - 1954), p. 33. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article169353586
ENGAGEMENTS.
The Engagement is announced of Mrs Alrema Samuels older daughter of the late Mr Louis Becke, and Mrs F. S. Becke of London to Captain Rex Strangman Beale, Aust Staff Corps, only son of Mrs. V. Beale, of Mosman. Family Notices (1935, December 3). The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), p. 8. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article17230250
Widely-flared slacks and a tailored shirt compose the fashionable attire for women guests at Palm Beach parties, unless shorts and shirt, which are equally fashionable, are chosen. Smart cream slacks and a navy shirt were worn by Mrs. Alrema Samuels on Saturday evening, when she entertained at a cocktail party at her home in Florida-road to announce her engagement to Captain Rex Beale. Mrs. Samuels is the elder daughter of the late Mr. Louis Becke, whose stories of the South Sea Islands made his name as a writer world-famous, and of Mrs. F. S. Becke, of London, and her fiancé is the only son of the late Mr. Beale and Mrs. V. Beale, of Mosman. Their marriage will take place early in the new year. About sixty guests were present, including the hostess' sister, Miss Niva Becke, Mr. and Mrs. Dan Carroll, Mr. and Mrs. Adrian Curlewis, Mr. and Mrs. George Merivale, Mr. and Mrs. David B. Hunter, Mr. and Mrs. A. S. Henderson, Mr. and Mrs. F. Langley, and Mr. and Mrs. Byram Mansell.SOCIAL & PERSONAL. (1935, December 2). The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), p. 4. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article17229021
PALM Beach wouldn't be Palm Beach without Sammy there, so It's nice to know that though she will not be living down there permanently, when she becomes Mrs. Rex Beale next year, they will both be down very often, for Rex. is just as keen on the surf and surf-board riding as Sammy. Besides being such a surf enthusiast, Rex Is an all-round athlete, as becomes an ex-Duntroon and military man.There were most of the P.B. crowd, 60 of them, in fact, at the cocktail party that Sammy gave at her house in Florida Road on Saturday to announce the engagement
You might take that party as the opening of the annual P.B. fashion parade, for nearly everyone turned up in the snappiest of slacks or shorts. Sammy herself looked very attractive in a navy and cream outfit. Catty Communications (1935, December 7). Smith's Weekly (Sydney, NSW : 1919 - 1950), p. 25. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article234613734
Mr. Beale was, in fact, a champion rugby player for Duntroon, among their best cricketers, a fast swimmer - an all round athlete as is said.
Duntroon College.
The following New South Wales candidates have been recommended for admission to the Royal Military College, Duntroon :-P. Z. Weir, 975 1/2 marks; A. W. Aubrey, 970 1/2; M. P. Allsopp, 939; I. R. Campbell, 938; G. J. Salter, 807 1/2; R. F. S. Beale, 807 1/2; E. G. K. Herring, 806 1/2; and L. C. Gee, 806. Duntroon College. (1918, December 6).Queanbeyan Age and Queanbeyan Observer (NSW : 1915 - 1927), p. 3. Retrieved fromhttp://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article31645828
GAY SEASON
At Palm Beach.
HOUSE PARTIES.
Palm Beach festivities are in full swing, and, judging by the numbers who have un-packed their beach wear and opened up their summer houses, it looks as though the Christ-mas and New Year season will be very bright there.
As usual, the beach wear offers great interest, and this year it is the new satin lastest suits that have won unanimous admiration. During last week-end Mrs. Alrema Samuels wore one of these in pale blue, which made a wonderful contrast with her sun-tanned skin. Another outfit which caused a great deal of appreciative comment was Miss Mimi Burt's sarong skirt, simply knotted about the hips. Miss Burt is an English visitor, and she is one of the guests on board the yacht Sapphire with the Misses Ellen and Dorothy Major. She, Miss Joan Gifford, and Mrs. George Rayner have planned a trip to China and Japan in February.
Thoroughly enjoying themselves spending their days on surf boards are Mr. and Mrs. John Ralston. Mrs. M. MacCormick has opened up house, and last week-end she entertained Miss Mimi Healy and Commander Johnson. Miss Pat Rutherford and Miss Kath Rutherford are entertaining a big house party for Christmas, and others who have planned house parties are Mrs. Graham Pratten and Mrs. Gregory Blaxland and her sister Miss Sheila Anderson.
A popular vogue for beach wear is men's pull-on white sweaters, and among those sponsoring this fashion at Palm Beach is Mrs. Dan Carroll, who added her initials as an extra touch of smartness.
Mr. and Mrs. Laurie Foster are at their Palm Beach home, Moana, and tomorrow their party will be joined by Miss Jean Black.
Many yachts have already made their way up to Broken Bay, and in the anchorage at The Basin, Mr. and Mrs. Stuart Doyle are entertaining on board their yacht, Miramar. GAY SEASON (1935, December 25). The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), p. 3. Retrieved fromhttp://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article17236210
PRIVILEGED PLAYGROUND THAT IS PALM BEACH
Where Society Laughs at Beach Regulations
PALM BEACH, Any Day.
AUDACIOUS Palm Beach, playground for Australian society during the summer holidays! What do you care for the dictum of Mr. Spooner, N.S.W. Minister for Local Government, and his regulation costumes?, Palm Beach is made - for laughter and sparkle and sunlight, for bright house parties and cocktails after. the morning swim. Society. simply can't be annoyed about Mr. Spooner, and that's the plain 6tate of the case. I7VEN Gwen Ste« vena, the Premier's daughter, has had a tough at the gentleman during her Christmas holidays. Her costume, a very pretty one, with a halter neck, might just please the censor and Mr. Spooner. But what would he do were he this holiday place from law-abiding Shell-harbor to Palm Beach, and cast Ma eyes on Mrs. Warwick Fairfax and the husky he-men who sun worship dally on the beach.
FOR here no heed is taken of the regulation about rolled-down costumes. Every man, while sunbaking, rolls his well down below the waist, so that PatLevy's tattooed dragon can be seen in all its blue horror, curled across his manly chest, and even Judge Curlewis, spending a holiday with his son and grandchildren, wanders cheerfully among the gentle law-breakers and sees no harm in it all.
THE women's surf suits this year are more audacious than ever, in spite of Mr. Spooner. Mrs. Betty Fairjax has some beauties. She can always be relied upon for snappy surf wear, but her two rubber, suits, her grey silk costume, and the yellow one with the brassiere top, have caused even Palm Beach this year to draw a Quick breath of admiration.
RUBBER costumes, indeed, are very popular, though it is hardly safe to rely solely on them. Far better include one or two knitted-wear ones in the wardrobe, as a precaution, as pretty little Molly Walder found. Her beauteous white suit, brought home with her from her last trip abroad, quite recently, experienced a puncture . Molly was in a dilemma. Then she remembered Gus McCabe, keeper of the garage on the Pittwater side of the beach. Hope-fully, she drove round to Gus, and left the suit in his hands. This was a sticky problem. Those imported suits are not to Gus's liking. They won't take the solution, he says. The locally made variety, to him, are infinitely superior. But Gus did his best, and, with a tidy piece of patching, succeeded in making the white rubber milt waterproof again, even though the addition was in a vivid tone of red. , s According to the oldest inhabitant, there are cliques and cliques at Palm Beach. The Fairfaxes, he says, form a " cotterie" of their own. They bend neither this way nor that. They are there, and that is all about it. Betty and ' Warwick are settled into the McKays bungalow up on the hill overlooking the swimming pool, at the southern end of the beach. Farther round is the Horderns' home, this year rented to the G. J. Coles for a weekly sum that is locally said to be £26, and not to be paid in half-crowns either. Owners of property down there can make quite a comfortable income for the whole year within a few short weeks by simply renting their homes to smart Society, who villi pay almost any price for the privilege, of being among those present.
ANOTHER. little clique is formed by the Tom Peters (the engineers), whose great grey bungalow juts right on to the beach. The Peters remain as oblivious of the regular Society fans who overrun the resort each summer as they do to the occupants of canvas town, settled near the golf links.
THERE is a vast difference between Palm Beach's two well-known engaged girls. Mrs. Alrema Samuels, who is shortly to marry Captain Rex Beale (one of THE Beales of piano fame), dreams of surf boards, and is never happy except when on the beach or in the breakers.Sadie Bedford, on the other hand, staying in a house party down there, is only persuaded to go into the surf with difficulty ,by her brand new fiance, Malcolm Mclntyre. "Sammy's" surf suits are as snappy and well chosen as ever, without any attempt at the over-daring. They are for use, rather than for decoration. Percy Spender, K.C., whose cocktail parties have been a bright feature of the Beach's holiday season, is staying there, with small son as chaperon. Be is known affectionately as the "White Terror," by reason of his lily-white body and white surf suit. " m a " Rayner, who has a launch party, favors white shorts and sweater and a gob cap for beach wear. Her handsome husband, George, however, is a real surf he-man, and is cultivating a regular coat of tan, helped out by a generous supply of anti-sunburn lotion.
There are no trams at Palm Beach, but there is plenty of strap hanging , as Mrs. Cyril Westcott demonstrates.
You scratch my back—
——And I'll scratch yours. Miss Grace Gibson and Mr. George Rayner try an application of sunburn lotion.
The cut of this bathing suit was the centre of much admiration.
Mr. Laurie Foster , Mrs. Sydney Field, Heather Field and Jim Fraser shelter under one big beach umbrella.
Where rolled-down costumes are no sin — Herbert Smith and Bernard Lord are typical sun worshippers.
Judge Curlewis, though no surfer, looks leniently on those who are. His son, Adrian, is with him.
Audrey Scougall, Molly Gale, Sadie Bedford and Dorothy Scougall sunbake before a swim.
Siesta? A Palm Beach midday study.
Molly Gale, a vision in bright blue, wore a snappy brassiere topped costume .
All these Photographs were taken at Palm Beach, where the cream of Australian Society congregates each Christmas and New' Year.
PRIVILEGED PLAYGROUND THAT IS PALM BEACH (1936, January 11). Smith's Weekly (Sydney, NSW : 1919 - 1950), p. 7. Retrieved fromhttp://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article235824868
MRS. ALREMA Samuels, "Sammy" to all her friends at Palm Beach, is at it again. She is helping to make the Pirates' Party, to be held at Hewlett's store on Saturday night, another red-letter night in the history of Palm Beach. The last one was such a howling success that the Beach crowd haven't stopped talking about it yet. Invitations which are written in black on a sinister red card, can only be obtained from the committee of the surf club. This will probably be "Sammy's" last big flutter before she marries her Rex Beale somewhere in the winter time.
Catty Communications (1936, January 25). Smith's Weekly (Sydney, NSW : 1919 - 1950), p. 21. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article235827174
PALM BEACH fairly quiet while gathering strength for party at Ye Olde Howlett Inn next Saturday . . . Among new arrivals on beach are Dr. and Mrs. John Blakemore . . . John looms large in snappy white bathing suit . . . Mr. and Mrs. Crammond, latter with gipsy type of beauty, also disporting in surf . . . Dr. and Mrs. R. Mackay recently entertained at a smart dinner party, including among guests Captain and Mrs. Bill Patterson, Mrs. Laurie Seaman, and Alrema Samuels. Intimate Jollings (1936, February 15). The Australian Women's Weekly (1933 - 1982), p. 27. Retrieved fromhttp://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article46462080
Alrema and Rex
THE Pirates' Dance at Palm Beach on February 22. which the Palm Beach Surf Club is arranging, will be the last big party that Mrs. Alrema Samuels will attend at the beach before her marriage to Captain Beale. The wedding will take place early In March. Social Sidelights (1936, February 16). The Sun (Sydney, NSW : 1910 - 1954), p. 30. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article230093490
PIRATES AT PALM BEACH
PALM BEACH was en fete yesterday afternoon for the super cocktail party given by the committee of the Palm Beach Life Saving Club in celebration of the acquisition for a club of Mr. Chorley's former home and about two hundred visitors went for the fun. As the Pirates' dance, organised by the club, was held later in the evening at Howlett's store, many of the guests went along in their pirate clothes. The greatest revelry was the order of the day and night, and everyone of the Palm Beach habitues was present. Among the crowd assembled were: Mr. and Mrs. C. P. Curlewis, Mr. and Mrs. Adrian Curlewis, Mr. E. Moser, Miss Moser. . Mr. and Mrs. Warwick Fairfax, Mr. and Mrs. George Campbell, Miss Sheilah Pring, Mr. and Mrs. Graham Pratten, Mrs. Alrema Samuels, Mr. and Mrs. F. B. Langley. Mrs. Byram Mansell, Captain Rex Beale, Mr. and Mrs. Laurie Foster. Mr. and Mrs. Dan Carroll, the Misses Rutherford, Mrs. W. Barnes and the Misses Barnes, Mr. and Mrs. Michael Meyers, Mr. and Mrs. Moss, Mr. and Mrs. John Ralston. Mr. Hagon. Dr. and Mrs. R. M. Mackay, Mr. and Mrs. Percy Spencer. COLORFUL LEAP YEAR CARNIVAL (1936, February 23). The Sun (Sydney, NSW : 1910 - 1954), p. 36. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article230085108
PIRATES at PALM BEACH
ONE of the cheeriest dances of the season was the Pirates' Dance, staged by members of the Palm Beach Surf Club, at Howlett's Store, Palm Beach, last Saturday.Apparently the idea of the correct costume for a pirate is not a universal one, for the dancers displayed a marvellous variety of ideas in their dress. Massive ear-rings, knotted bandanas, and a profusion of blood-curdling scars, half-covered by long, black moustachios and beards, were the chief disguises of the men, but further than that they refused to agree.
Some of them wore full, short skirts of garish cotton cloth; some were in shorts with knee-boots; and others proclaimed by their costume that no pirate wore anything but long, black trousers with black shirts and gaily-coloured scarves round the waist.
Tattooed skull-and-cross-bones across their chests and backs were featured by many of the men, while dozens of bottles of red ink must have been used to achieve the gory stains on daggers, cutlasses, and ragged shirts.
"A piratical maid-of-all-work"-Miss Jean Black.
Mrs. F. R. Gale is captivated by Mr. Colin Gildefs realistic piratical make-up.
Miss Joy Flower looked a very attractive "pirate" lass as she danced with Mr. O. Davis.
FEW WOMEN AS PIRATES.
Very few of the women appeared in full pirate dress, preferring to wear their ordinary shorts or slacks with a bright spotted or striped scarf tied round the waist, with sometimes a matching scarf at the neckline. Those who did dress the part had brief tattered shorts and torn shirts with bizarre coloured bandanas, and brilliant red and black was used for most of the costumes. Black was used, too, for the hats, with a white skull grinning above crossed bones.
(Top, left.) Commander C. M. E. Gifford and the leader of the orchestra entertain the "pirates" with a concertina song-and-dance. (In circle.) As Mr. Jim Singer swings his cutlass, Miss Marjorie Middleton and Miss Betty Munro express joy and horror respectively. (Above.) A fierce struggle between Mr. Geoffrey Moss and Mr. Des. Carr is watched by Miss Joy Flower and Miss Josephine Powell.
Not so very long ago, dancing in Sydney was looked upon as solely a winter pastime, as none of the men cared to wear their thick dress-suits and career around a dance floor during the hot summer months-and, after all, the girls could hardly have a dance without any male partners.
But since some bright soul had the brilliant idea of holding a "beach dance" to which the guests were bidden to come in shorts and shirts, the vogue for summer dances has been steadily increasing.
At all the popular summer resorts such at Palm Beach, Collaroy, and Terrigal, scarcely a night passes with-out someone entertaining at one of these informal parties.
Women have quickly adapted their fashionable wardrobes to provide for these occasions. In addition to their more useful outfits for day-time wear at the beach, they now appear in the evenings in slacks or shorts of gaily patterned silks with matching shirts or quaint sun-tops.
"Pirate" stories are being exchanged in this group.-From, left to right (standing): Miss Laurie Barnes, Mr. Geoffrey Major, Mr. Len. Randerson, Miss Jean Hosking, Miss Cynthia Butler, Miss Margaret Anderson, Mr. Peter Ruelberg, Mr. Des. Carr, Miss Joy Flower, Mr, O. Davies. Sitting (from lejl to right): Miss Bobbie Mayo, Miss Josephine Powell, Mr. Bill Bathgate, and Mr. J. Else-Mitchell.
NEW CLUBHOUSE.
The dance was held to celebrate the acquisition of Mr. Chorley's former home as a new clubhouse for the members, and they entertained at a cock-tail party there before the dance. It is a two storied house, facing right on to the beach, and has two wide verandahs, which will probably be used for many of the surf club dances next season.
A quaint flight of curved stone steps leads up to the back of the house, where there is a flagged stone porch opening on to the lawns, surrounded by palm trees and natural bush.
Many of those who attended the cocktail party in their beach shorts and shirts were quite un-recognisable when they appeared later at the dance in the pirate disguises. Pirates (1936, February 27). The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), p. 12 (Women's Supplement). Retrieved fromhttp://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article17333452
Chorley's - section from panorama - courtesy National Library of Australia
At 7.30 on Monday morning a very enthusiastic crowd of 80 to 100 friends assembled on the wharf at Palm Beach, Barranjoey, to bid farewell to Mr. W. Chorley and Mrs. Chorley and their daughters, of 'Mount Pleasant,' Cheltenham. The family have been staying over the holidays at 'The Rest,' which is their pretty seaside residence facing the ocean, and situated at Palm Beach. At 'The Rest' friends were right royally entertained, and received the Chorley family's usually abundant hospitality. Croquet tournaments were played, surf parties and plenty of music were indulged In, and altogether the holidays were very delightfully spent. There was great rejoicing when Mr. Chorley's private launch came alongside the wharf, which was overcrowded with sincere friends. The Hon. W. Tyler, of South Australia, made a most humorous speech; and Mr. Chorley responded in his usual happy way, and hoped that they and their friends would all be spared to meet again next Christmas. All joined hands and sang 'Auld lang syne' whilst the launch drew out from the wharf and steamed down the river. PERSONAL PARS. (1915, January 13).The Cumberland Argus and Fruitgrowers Advocate (Parramatta, NSW : 1888 - 1950), p. 3. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article86103157
OBITUARY.
MR. W. CHORLEY.
Mr William Chorley whose death took place on Monday at Cheltenham was a pioneer of that district where he took up land about 46 years ago and named It Cheltenham after his native town In England. He was also one of the first to build a home at Palm Beach. He was associated with all local enterprises at Cheltenham and was a prominent member of the Congregational Church of which he was a generous supporter for many years the founder and principal of the well known business of W Chorlev and Co Ltd he had been associated with the business life of the city for more than half a century. He was 75 years of age He is survived by two sons and seven daughters… OBITUARY. (1935, April 24). The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), p. 10. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article17152960
Alrema prepares for her wedding to Rex:
Staying at Cremorne.
Mrs. Alrema Samuels, of Palm Beach, whose wedding with Captain Rex Beale will take place on April 9, is spending a few days with Mrs. F. B. Langley, at Cremorne, and is arranging the furnishing of her flat at Edgecliff. SOCIAL AND PERSONAL. Easter Parties.—Country Visitors Come to Town.—Christening Party.—A Canberra Engagement. (1936, April 2). The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), p. 21. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article27991289
QUIET MARRIAGE
Captain To Wed WELL-KNOWN SURFER
A POISONED hand compelled Mrs. Alrema Samuels, of Palm Beach, to alter her plans for her marriage with Captain Rex Beale or the Australian Staff Corps, and she was married in a suburb to-day, instead of in the city as previously arranged. The bride, who is the elder daughter of the late Louis Beck, an Australian writer, and Mrs. Beck, of Sydney and London, chose a rust red rodier ensemble with black hat and accessories. The ceremony was quiet, only the bride's mother and sister, Miss Nea Beck, the bridegroom's mother, Mrs. Beale, and Mrs. Bryan Mansell, with whom Mrs. Samuels, has been staying since giving up her home at Palm Beach, being present. Captain Beale and his bride are leaving for the country for their honeymoon. Mrs. Samuels has been keenly interested in the Palm Beach Surf Life Saving Club, and has organised many of the club's dances. She will be missed at the last dance of the season to be held on Saturday at Careel House, Whale Beach. QUIET MARRIAGE (1936, April 9). The Sun (Sydney, NSW : 1910 - 1954), p. 16 (COUNTRY EDITION). Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article230825244
ARM IN A SLING.
The poisoned hand which necessitated Mrs. Rex Beale, who was Mrs. A. Samuels, daughter of the late Louis Becke and Mrs. P. S. Becke, of London, carrying her arm in a sling when she was married quietly at Manly yesterday, recalls the wedding in Delhi of Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Hope Osborne, when the latter carried her fractured arm In a sling.
For her wedding, Mrs. Beale wore a rust coloured suit with black accessories, and pinned on her sling was the posy of orchids and lily-of-the-valley given her by Mrs. Byram Mansell.
Mrs. Violet Beale, Captain Beale's mother, and Miss Niya Becke, were the only people at the wedding; but before the captain and his wife left the Hotel Australia for their honey-moon, a number of members of the Palm Beach Surf Club arrived to wish them luck. FOR WOMEN (1936, April 10). The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), p. 3. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article17347082
Another report of friends greeting them at the Hotel Australia - plus a photo!
WELL-KNOWN PEOPLE WED YESTERDAY
PALM BEACH SURFERS OFFERED GOOD WISHES AT INFORMAL PARTY
MEMBERS of the Palm Beach Surf Club met at the Hotel Australia yesterday afternoon at an informal party they had arranged to offer congratulations to one of their number, Captain Rex Strangman Beale, and his bride, whose marriage had been quietly celebrated at Manly earlier in the day.
Mrs. Beale, who was Mrs. Alrema Samuels, is also a well-known and popular identity at Palm Beach, where she has resided for the past two years. She is the elder daughter of the late Louis Becke, the noted writer of South Sea Island stories, and of Mrs. F. S. Becke, of London. The bridegroom, who is an officer of the Australian' Staff Corps, is the only son of Mrs. Violet Beale and the late Mr. Beale, of Mosman. Only immediate relatives attended the wedding ceremony.
The bride wore a suit of vintage red Rodier cloth, with black accessories, and a. small upturned hat of black velour with a red feather mount. Suffering from a poisoned hand, she was obliged to add a black sling to her wedding outfit, but made the best of it by pinning her flowers— lilies of the valley and orchids—on to the sling. Captain and Mrs. Beale will return from their honeymoon in a few days' time, and will make their home at 75 A Ocean Street, Woollahra. WELL-KNOWN PEOPLE WED YESTERDAY (1936, April 10). The Daily Telegraph (Sydney, NSW : 1931 - 1954), p. 11. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article246733667
Captain and Mrs. Rex Beale were photographed at the Hotel Australia. SURPRISED BY CAMERA (1936, April 10). The Daily Telegraph (Sydney, NSW : 1931 - 1954), p. 11. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article246733658
A FEW of the Palm Beachites, closely connected with that resort's Life-saving Club, met at the Australia on Thursday afternoon to surprise the newly-wed Capt. and Mrs. Rex Beale, who looked in at that hostelry for a pick-me-up 'tween tying the knot and catching an express to somewhere for a few days' honeymoon. Mr. and Mrs. Byram Mansell organised the little party. Mrs. Byram having previously sent along to the bride-elect, formerly Mrs. Alrema Samuels (Sammy to her Intimates) a gorgeous spray of dark red orchids and lily of the valley, which she pinned on the sling which carried her poisoned hand. The bride arrived, flushed and excited, with sister Niya (the younger of author Louis Becke's daughters), and Captain Beale's mother. The party comprised Mr. and Mrs Fred Langley, and Messrs. Bruce Balmain, Bruce McWilliam, Colin Moore, Elton Ifould, John Goodall and Fenton Braund. Social Sidelights by Susan (1936, April 12).The Sun (Sydney, NSW : 1910 - 1954), p. 3 (WOMEN'S SECTION). Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article230826647
PALM BEACH has come into the news again with a rush, first and foremost, of course, with good old Ka t h Rutherford's engagement. Then we hear that no sooner have poor old "Sammy and her Rex Beale settled into the wonderful little flat out Edgecliff way than Rex has been moved to Victoria, meaning a complete uprooting of the love birds. Poor old Sammy, and after all the trouble she took in getting the right creams and green, too! Catty Communications (1936, May 30).Smith's Weekly (Sydney, NSW : 1919 - 1950), p. 21. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article235828083
Mrs Rex Beale who before her recent marriage was Mrs Alrema Samuels is settling into her new home at Bendigo and is delighted with her cream and green kitchen. She writes to her sister, Miss Niya Becke, of Sydney that she is still suffering with her septic hand and anticipates going into hospital for another minor operation. SOCIAL AND PERSONAL. (1936, July 9).The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), p. 19. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article17249874
The Beale Quota
THE late Octavius Beale — founder of the famous piano firm — had eight sons and four daughters. His descendants are so numerous that the Beale marriage quota is at least two every year. This year's quota has already been reached. Rex Beale, a grandson of O. C. Beale, recently married Mrs. Alrema Samuels, daughter of Louis Becker (it is the second matrimonial venture of each). Twenty years ago, Edgar, a son of "O.C.," died in America. His widow, who was descended from Dr. John Osborne, returned to Australia with her five children, and recently married a Mr. Robertson, a widower with three children. His father was a cousin of Sir John Robertson, the father of free selection in N.S.W.- -T.A.W. Royal consort the Sack--Back To the Droving Days (1936, July 11). Smith's Weekly (Sydney, NSW : 1919 - 1950), p. 13. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article235827410
Te move south didn't mean the Beales did not return to Palm Beach each 'season':
The Levy-Beale-Wilson community household held a late poker party one evening, where anything could have been won or lost. PALM BEACH LETTER (1937, January 3).Truth (Sydney, NSW : 1894 - 1954), p. 18. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article169605398
THOSE two tall lasses, Laurie and Moya Barnes, have started on their much-talked-about trip and, judging by the amount of sports clothes they took, they will cut no end of a dash on board ship, as it is this type of life in which they excel. Betty Wheatley, who is a friend of the family, leaves for her jaunt in about a month's time, so more than probably they will all join up on the other side. Down at Palm Beach the Barnes girls hold their own with the lads on the surf boards, so it is a great pity they will not be able to show their prowess while they are away. CATTY COMMUNICATIONS (1937, January 16). Smith's Weekly (Sydney, NSW : 1919 - 1950), p. 23. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article235899342
Party at Palm Beach
GAILY coloured sun suits pegged on a line brought a reminder of the surf to the annual dance of the Palm Beach Surf Life-saving Club, which was held at Rose's restaurant last week. Surfboards were arranged in the foyer, and many of the table decorations included surfing motifs.
Well-known people who spent the summer months at Palm Beach were among the guests. Mr. John Goodall (president) and Mrs. Goodall entertained a large party of friends. Mr. Desmond Carr, a member of the committee, who has been a member of the club for 14 years, entertained a party, assisted by Mrs. Carr, who wore a turquoise lame frock, with a little bolero. Their*guests included Mr. and Mrs. Ray Freney. Miss Dorothy Muller. and Mr. Ralph Perry. The latter has just returned from a trip to Saurabaya, which is the home of Miss Muller's fiance, Mr. Kenneth Todd.
One of the largest parties was entertained by Mrs. Kitty Hay. who wore a draped black satin frock, with a gold sequin bolero. Her table was decorated by a surfboat made from white flowers, manned by kewpies, and mounted on green cellophane waves. In her party were Mr. and Mrs. Ian Dodds, Mr. and Mrs. Alan Copeland. and Mr. Lin. Armytage. Mr. and Mrs. Fred Langley also entertained a party, including Mr. and Mrs. Mack Walker. Mr. and Mrs. Roger Tillam. Miss Dawn Christmas, and Mr. Alan Bertie. Mrs. Langley wore a black velvet coat over a classial black frock. Miss Joyce Lotherington's' party included her sister. Miss Barbara Latherington. who wore a jacaranda blue jersey frock. Misses Betty Booth. Peggy King, Mary Langton, Messrs. Archie Howie, Nevflle Conroy, and Dr. G. Fitzgerald. SOCIAL NEWS FROM TOWN AND COUNTRY (1940, May 18). The Australasian (Melbourne, Vic. : 1864 - 1946), p. 17. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article141821797
Queensland Names Among Officers of Seventh Division
MELBOURNE, Thursday.— Major-General H. D. Wynter, who has been in command of the Northern command (Queensland), and other officers well known in Queensland are among the officers for the staff of the First Australian Corns and Seventh Division and commanders of infantry brigades of the Seventh Division, whose names were announced to-night by the Minister for the Army (Mr. Street) .
Mr. Street said that now that the senior commanders had been selected the selection of commanding officers would be continued and announced early. The full list is:— Headquarters, First Australian Corps General Staff.— Colonel S. F. Rowell, Australian Imperial Force; Lieut. -Colonel H. G. Rourke, Aust. Staff Corps; Majors C. M. L. Elliott and E. L. Sheehan, Staff Corps; Major R. G. H. Irving, A.I.F.; Major R. F. S. Beale, Staff Corps. Queensland Names Among Officers of Seventh Division (1940, April 5). The Courier-Mail (Brisbane, Qld. : 1933 - 1954), p. 3. Retrieved fromhttp://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article40875372
VX12397 Major Rex Francis Strangman BEALE. (NEGATIVE BY Cranstone, Edward Lefevre (Ted).Circa 1940 - Place made, ustralia: Victoria, Melbourne, courtesy Australian war Memorial, Image No.: 001434
Her husband being sent into the conflict that was World War Two prompted Alrema to return home:
SAW Mrs. Rex Beale the other day. Remember 'Sammie,' the Palm Beach identity? Completely minus sunburn, and her best friends wouldn't know her after a long sojourn in the sunless South. Rex is in the Army, and Sammie has brought all the goods and chattels to move into a flat at old Cremorne. The Jottings (1941, February 2). Truth (Sydney, NSW : 1894 - 1954), p. 27. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article169757257
REX FRANCIS STRANGMAN BEALE Service number, VX12397. Rank, Major. Unit, 22nd Australian Infantry Brigade. Service, Australian Army. Conflict/Operation, Second World War, 1939-1945.
The 22nd Brigade was a brigade-sized infantry unit of the Australian Army. The brigade was raised for service during World War II on 15 July 1940 as part of the 8th Australian Division. The brigade participated in the defence of Malaya with its headquarters at Mersing–Endau and then later fought in the Battle of Singapore where it was captured after the garrison surrendered to the Imperial Japanese Army in mid-February 1942.
Rex was sent to Singapore in time for the Fall of Singapore. Despite inquiries by the Australian Red Cross Society, National Office (Missing, Wounded and Prisoner of War Enquiry Card Index Number: 15396) no news was heard - for years. Then the worst was confirmed:
DEATH ANNOUNCED AFTER 3 YEARS
Mrs. Beale, a member of the executive council of the Prisoner of War Relatives' Association, has been notified of the death of her husband, Major R. F. S. Beale, who had been posted wounded and missing since the fall of Singapore. It is now revealed that he died of wounds on February13, 1942.
Major Beale, who was an Australian Staff Corps Officer, served before the war with the British Army in India. He went to Malaya with the 8thDivision. A.I.F.
Major Beale was the only son of Mrs. V. F. Beale, of Mt. Colah. His wife is living at Palm Beach, where Major Beale was a popular member of the Surf Life-Saving Club. DEATH ANNOUNCED AFTER 3 YEARS. (1945, May 3). The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), p. 6. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article27933796
Died of Wounds
SYDNEY, Tuesday: News has been received that Major R. F. S. Beale, of Sydney, who was taken prisoner of war in Malaya, died of wounds on February 13, 1942. Major Beale was a member of the Australian Staff Corps. News of his death was the first information received since his capture. Died of Wounds (1945, May 2). National Advocate (Bathurst, NSW : 1889 - 1954), p. 1. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article161188835
ROLL OF HONOUR
BEALE.-February 13, 1942, died of wounds Singapore, Rex Francis Strangman, Major (Australian Staff Corps), Bde. Major, 22nd Bde., 8th Div. Family Notices (1945, June 6). The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), p. 16. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article17939386
Rex was buried in the Kranji Cemetery, 22 kilometres north of the city of Singapore.
The Singapore Memorial, known locally as the Kranji War Memorial, stands over the war cemetery with the names of 24,346 Allied soldiers, sailors, and airmen inscribed on its walls. They record those for whom no remains could be identified thus no known grave established.
Singapore (Unmaintainable Graves) Memorial: This memorial commemorates over 250 troops killed in action in British Malaya whose graves, whilst known, the Commonwealth War Graves Commission were unable to maintain and whose bodies could not be moved due to religious conviction.
Kranji War Memorial - photo courtesy Walter Lim
Singapore Memorial
Roll of Honour
BEALE117., Major, REX FRANCIS STRANGMAN, VX 12397. A.I.F. H.Q. 22. Australian Infantry Brigade. Killed 13th February 1942 in Malaya. Age 41. Son of Reginald Hugo and Violet Frances Beale, of Palm Beach, New South Wales, Australia. Column
Rex Francis Strangman Beale, taken in Victoria in 1940
Alrema remarried, in 1946, at Manly. Her husband, James Caldwell Johnstone Hardie (Major) was Mentioned in Despatches in February 1946 'For Gallantry'. He was born April 18th, 1902 in Ayrshire, Scotland and enlisted to serve in WWII in Sydney.
MANY AWARDS FOR ARMY SERVICE
CANBERRA, Thursday.-
Many awards and appointments for war services in the South-West Pacific area in the period October 1, 1944, to March 31, 1945, were announced to-day. The names of two Victorian major-generals who commanded Australian divisions in the fighting against the Japanese appear in the list.
The awards include :--
...
MENTION IN DESPATCHES
...Major James Caldwell Johnstone Hardie. MANY AWARDS FOR ARMY SERVICE (1946, February 15). The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), p. 5. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article17970654
AUSTRALIAN MILITARY FORCES.
HIS Royal Highness the Governor-General in Council has approved of the following honours and awards being made in connexion with the Australian Military Forces:—
HONOURS AND AWARDS.
The Australian Efficiency Decoration.
NX209 Major (Temporary Lieutenant-Colonel) James Caldwell Johnston Hardie, Australian Army Transportation Corps. AUSTRALIAN MILITARY FORCES. (1946, April 26). Commonwealth of Australia Gazette (National : 1901 - 1973), p. 1095. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article232781226
It seems Fanny Sabina returned for the wedding after WWII:
MRS. LOUIS BECKE will arrive to-morrow in the Moreton Bay from England, where she has spent the past two years. Mrs. Becke will stay with her daughter, Mrs. James Hardie, at Palm Beach. This Week In Town (1948, March 18). The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), p. 7. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article18064683
James Caldwell Johnston Hardie was a son of James Caldwell Hardie, master mariner, and his wife Agnes Hawthorn, née Johnstone. The family emigrated to Australia in 1911. He passed away at Chatswood in 1961. His brother was novellist and travel writer John Jackson Hardie, who died of a heart attack, alike the boys father, 'suddenly'. Prior to enlistment James C J Hardie worked in:
Department of Labour and Industry.
Mr. James Caldwell Johnston Hardie to be Inspector, Scaffolding and Lifts Act, 1912 (confirmation).
SPECIAL GAZETTE UNDER THE "PUBLIC SERVICE ACT, 1902." (1928, November 16). Government Gazette of the State of New South Wales (Sydney, NSW : 1901 - 2001), p. 4915. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article223027657
Resignations
Department of Labour and Industry.
Mr. James Caldwell Johnston Hardie, Inspector under Factories and Shops Act, Scaffolding and Lifts Act, Industrial Arbitration Act and Early Closing Act, Department of labour find Industry [9th June,1936] RESIGNATIONS. (1936, May 15).Government Gazette of the State of New South Wales (Sydney, NSW : 1901 - 2001), p. 2010. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article224739553
MASTER MARINER PASSES.
Death of Capt. Jas. Hardie
There were few better known figures in the Harbour in charge of the N.C.S.N. Coy's, steamer Nerani. On Thursday morning, when the ship berthed, the town vice shocked to learn that her skipper was lying dead in his bunk. He died in harness as a seaman would wish to die.
The late Captain Hardie came off watch about 11 o'clock on Wednesday night, when be retired, apparently in his usual health and spirits. When daybreak approached and it was time for the Nerani to enter the harbor and make fast, the skipper was given his usual call, which however, was unanswered. He had died in his sleep.
Born in Scotland 58 years ago the deceased represented a fine type of man, loyal to his employers, popular with his crews, and courteous to all. He was an excellent seaman having spent some forty years on saltwater, and his geniality as a quiet Scottish humor gained for him a host of friends afloat and ashore. The Jetty community mourned his death sincerely, and on Thursday the ships in the harbor flew their ensigns at half-mast.
The Nerani took the body of her late skipper to Sydney. MASTER MARINER PASSES. (1922, October 14). Coffs Harbour Advocate (NSW : 1907 - 1942; 1946 - 1954), p. 2. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article185498222
HARDIE, John Jackson - September 26,1951 (suddenly) at Noumea, of Sydney, loved husband of Margot, brother of Margaret Frances and Jim andbrother-in-law of Alrema. Family Notices (1951, September 28). The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), p. 18. Retrieved fromhttp://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article18232812
Alrema and Niya continued to live in our area, both registered as voters in Mackellar up until they passed away - Alrema sometime alternates between Macarthur and Mackellar - eg, in 1972 she is registered at Mackellar and in 1977 at Macarthur. The Division of Macarthur, located in south-west Sydney, is named after John Macarthur and his wife Elizabeth, who were both pioneers of Australia's wool industry.
Alrema may have lived there with her new husband and returned to Palm Beach when they wanted to - or for the 'season'.
Nora Eugiene Mary (Lois) Becke passed away in 1962. Alrema passed away in 1980, her sister in 1981 at Burradoo, a suburb of Bowral. Nora and Niya never married.
Alrema and Niya, through decades of visits to Palm Beach, would have seen the rise and rise of women's surfing and all the changes in boards - the most significant of which occurred in 1956 - that's next!
What Alrema would have encountered on visits to her Palm Beach Home:
Mrs. Dallon, wife of Commander L. S. Dallon, is in the foreground and her small boy David, is under the umbrella.
SURF BOARD TITLES FOR TERRIGAL ?
At a special meeting of the Terrigal Surf Life Saving Club held in the School of Arts on Tuesday night, called with the intention of Rebating the possibilities of a new club house at Terrigal, it was decided that a deputation comprising the President, Mr. A. J. Macarthur Onslow and Captain, Mr. F. T. Payne, interview Erina Shire Council, respecting the possibilities of a new club house for next season. It was decided that a £2000 building be proposed, and that the club be prepared to help to the extent of a quarter of the cost.
In addition to the executive, also present were, Miss Royce -Duncan, President; Miss Mary Kirkness, Secretary; and Miss Marjorie Moore, Treasurer of the Terrigal Surf Club Ladies' Committee. Mr Bob Browning, of Sydney, and an Associate member of the club, was also present. It was pointed out that a previous deputation had met the Council and discussed the possibilities of a new club house at Terrigal, but the Council stated it could not see its way clear to meet the demands for the present.
FIFTY-FIFTY BASIS
It was then proposed that the scheme be worked on a Government and Council, fifty-fifty basis, but Councillors stated they would have to levy an extra rate for the Riding, some sections of which were purely rural, and not interested in the beach at Terrigal. At a meeting of the Terrigal Progress Association recently called with the intention of proclaiming the section a rural area, the necessity for a good club house for Terrigal was debated, and local residents hotly criticised Cr. C. H. Donaldson for his backwardness in this direction. The Captain, Mr. F. T. Payne, in making a suggestion for a proposed site for the club-house, stated that if it were placed in the centre of the new reclamation works, it would save the Council a great deal of expenditure, and the club house would be in the centre of the beach. This layout would minimise the huge filling-in scheme at present held over by the Council.
SCHEME WINS APPROVAL
Mr. Browning put before the meeting a scheme that met with complete approval.
'Terrigal will in a few years' time, be what Palm Beach is to-day. You want a new club house, you have a wonderful beach, and I would like to give a Gold Cup for the Australian Surf Board Championship, to be held at Terrigal Beach on Easter Sunday, if this is possible,' he said. 'I have discussed the proposal with other clubs, and Palm Beach is backing its champion, 'Bluey' Russell, Manly, 'Snowy' McAllister, the present Australian champion, and, of course, Terrigal will be behind its champion, Roy Davey.'
'Competitors could come from every State to compete if they so desired, and all the Sydney clubs could compete.'
'My son, Arthur Browning, is a member of Palm Beach Club, and thinks their man is the best, and he may like to donate the Cup. However, I guarantee that yon will get the Cup.'
'I would like to see the club run a carnival on that day, and would guarantee other trophies. The day could be ended with a presentation dance to swell the funds of the club. If this can he done, I will do everything to boost it.'
REEL GIVEN AWAY
'I also want to give a reel, but it must be a good one, the very best,' said Mr. Browning. 'I have a lot of happy memories of Terrigal, and if anything happens to me I would like- people to be able to admire the reel, and say, 'Well, this is a reel presented to Terrigal Surf Club by Bob Browning'.'
MARCH PAST CHALLENGE
The ladies' committee present issued a challenge through Mr. Browning, to guests of Kurrawyba guest house, to compete in a March Past contest on that day. On behalf of those ladies he accepted the challenge, and hastened to Terrigal to put the proposal before them. The committee decided to accept the offer of Mr. Browning, and make application to the Central Coast branch for permission to hold the carnival, and also ask permission from the Surf Life Saving Association of Australia to hold the Australian Surf Board Championship on Terrigal Beach on Easter Sunday, April 9, for the Bob Browning Gold Cup. A special committee was immediately formed to organise the carnival for Easter Sunday, pending official permission, and comprises S. Gibson (Secretary), F. Payne, G. Dililien, Roy Diblien, W. Marshall, and J. Pateman. The committee drafted the following programme: 1. Ladies' Challenge March Past, Terrigal Ladies Committee v. Kurrawyba. 2. Junior Belt Race. 3. — Rescue and Resuscitation Competition. 4. Beach Relay. 5. Senior Belt Race. 6. Senior Boat Race 7. Beach Sprint. S. Restricted Surf Race. 9. Surf Board Championship of Australia. 10. Chariot Race. 11.'Pillow Fight. SURF BOARD TITLE FOR TERRIGAL? (1939, February 16). The Gosford Times and Wyong District Advocate (NSW : 1906 - 1954), p. 8. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article166940240
"Kurrawyba", Terrigal from Album: Terrigal, N.S.W. - ca. 1900-1927, Sydney & Ashfield: Broadhurst Post Card Publishers. Image No.: a106293h, courtesy the State Library of New South Wales. This guest house overlooked the beach.
KURRAWYBA Guest House
Terrigal (by the Sea). Bookings are Now Open for a wonderful holiday. Surfing, dancing, golf. Good table. Liq. lic. Ring or write Jack Makin (late Bulli Beach), Terrigal 4. KURRAWYBA Guest House (1954, August 30). Wellington Times (NSW : 1899 - 1954), p. 3. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article139108449
The 'Championships' formed part of the Australian Surf Life saving Championships, which were held on Manly Beach, March 18th, the first time in a few years an Aussies had been held at Manly.
Results:
Surf Board Race.- G. Connor (Bondi), 1; R. Russell (Palm Beach), 2; J. Mayes (North Bondi), 3.
Canoe and Surf Ski Race.- A. Lloyd (North Narrabeen), 1; Langford and Morris (Maroubra) , 2; G. Dennins (Far North Coast), 3.
Why they couldn't have an Australian Surf Board Championship at Terrigal in 1939:
Surf Splashes
TERRIGAL
(BY ROY DIBBEN)
Whale Beach Club intends running a gala during the Sunday, at which Newport and Palm Beach will probably compete. The Club will defray expenses. Just a fortnight off is the longawaited Australian Championships, at which Terrigal will be 'strongly represented. The R. anid R. team will contest the semi-final of the R. and R. on Saturday morning, March 18.
Although the S.L.S.A. notified the club that they could not grant the Australian Surf Board Championship to Terrigal on account of there being no such event listed in the Association's handbook, the club is determined to have an event run. The new name for the event has been drafted in the form of a challenge from Terrigal member, Roy Davey, who 'challenges anyone in N.S.W. for a surfboard race, for the Bob Browning Gold Cup.' A carnival will be held in conjunction, while the Challenge March Past between the Terrigal Ladies' Committee and Kurrawyba Ladies, is still on top of the programme. Popular Captain Frank iPayne will be missed on this day, for he will be married on Easter Saturday, to that equally popular member of the Ladies' Committee, Jean Griffin. Good luck to both of them. SURF SPLASHES at TERRIGAL (1939, March 7).The Gosford Times and Wyong District Advocate (NSW : 1906 - 1954), p. 7. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article166934996
Surf Splashes
TERRIGAL
(BY ROY DIBBEN)
With a splendid surf rolling for racing conditions, members of tliel Terrigal club were swimming at their top on Sunday. ...
The Terrigal team feels confident that it can hold its own with any of the other country clubs, which it will meet in the semi-final, despite the fact that Yamba Club is at present in Sydney training on Manly beach. Gordon Loveridge has been getting in some good work on his surf ski and club officials now wish that he had been entered for this event, so skilled is he at this sport.
Members are awaiting with interest the trip to Whale Beach by launch, and it should be a great week-end. The team to make the trip is: F. Payne, J. Pateman, H. Keenan, A. MacDonald, W. Norton, K. Ward, L. Dibben, G. Dibben, Roy Dibben, R. Davey, H. Spring, T. Grimmond, S. Gibson, J. Douglas, F. Sternbeck, J. Scott, A. Curran, H. Butwell. Any other members desirous of making the trip are requested to notify Frank Payne immediately.
...
Interest is being heightened for the Easter Sunday Surf Carnival at Terrigal. The chief interest will be the ladies' march past challenge, while the surf board race should also produce thrills. The club was unlucky in not being able to stage a championship as anticipated. However, an event will be run, and it is expected that the pick of the State's board men will be present. Jack McGlashan came all the way down from Armidale for the week-end to have a practice row with the boat crew preparatory to the championships.
The truck to convey the boat to Manly will leave Gosford at 6 p.m. on Friday night.
Parents of the two young people, who were drowned at Terrigal on Wednesday were present on Sunday, and thanked the Captain for the efforts the club made to save them. The boat crew rowed around to the scene of the tragedy in the afternoon, and remained in silence while two wreaths were thrown into the sea, by the parents, where the young couple were last seen. A donation was made to the club by the parents. SURF SPLASHES at TERRIGAL (1939, March 14). The Gosford Times and Wyong District Advocate (NSW : 1906 - 1954), p. 7. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article166935408
The other very relevant event for 1939, sparked off by reports of a 'new kind of surfboard' in Australia to the Honolulu Star Bulletin, who originally suggested the idea of sending Australia's best over through then Frank Packer's Sydney Daily Telegraph, Mr. Packer being a regular at Palm Beach, also had a Palm Beach surfers origin.
Mr. Packer loved the idea, as did Adrian Curlewis, President of SLSA, who responded 'The proposal is the most welcome one we have had in a long time. It will provide a magnificent opportunity for us to Demonstrate the value of the surf-board in lifesaving.':
This was preceded by a few years of trying to get something happening:
LIFE-SAVERS HAVE SCHEME TO MAKE TOUR POSSIBLE
Some Candidates In The Running
(By REG. S. HARRIS)
VISIONS of a team of Australian surf lifesavers giving exhibitions of their famous humanitarian methods in Europe and America, for months ephemeral, have now become a concrete reality, and it seems certain that the 24 chosen representatives, accompanied by a manager, will sail from these shores in June, next year.
THE REFEREE' is in a position to announce, exclusively, that the Surf Life-saving Association of Australia has at last decided upon a scheme which will make the raising of between £10,000 and £15,000 a comparatively simple matter. The time is Inopportune to make public the details of this deeply thought-out plan, but when published it should prove a life-long nightmare to our sleepy-headed politicians, who were shocked by the impertinence of the Association in asking for the Commonwealth Government's patronage and a straight-out grant, or, alternatively, a subsidy, to enable the team to go abroad.
Financial Support
After dreamy deliberation they graciously bestowed their patronage, then retired to their slumbers, quite oblivious to the fact that they had turned down an organisation whose proposed tour would bring to Australia advertisement and glory far greater than ail the political goodwill trips ever conceived. Promises of financial support to the tour have been made to 'The Referee' from many of Sydney's leading business men, and months ago residents of the Mid-North Coast signified their intention of subscribing substantially, provided that C. W. ('Wally') Scott (Black Head), Australian open surf champion, and Ritchie Walker (Kempsey - Crescent Head), Australian surf belt champion, are included in the team. While it will be impossible to purchase the inclusion of any individual in the team, these two may be regarded as odds on certainties for selection, so North Coast enthusiasts can take out their cheque books as soon as the signal is given. Selection of the team will be particularly difficult, and no one will envy the selection committee.
Its' task.
At present It appears that the nucleus will be drawn from New South Wales, Western Australia, and Queensland; Tasmania, too, must be considered; There is more than a possibility that' a number of. clubs, under the S.L.S.A. banner, will be formed on Victorian beaches where vigilance is necessary, and members of these will be eligible for selection if they are holders of the Surf Life-saving Association's 'bronze medallion. Selection Method A committee will be formed in each State to choose men from that State who would be worthy of selection, and it will forward a report to the head centre, Sydney, giving details of the man's character, physique, and natatorial ability. Pinal selection will be made in Sydney, so that details of aspirants from other States will have to be accompanied by photographs. Every man chosen will have the satisfaction of knowing that he is regarded as a perfect specimen of manhood and deemed worthy of representing his country overseas, not only on the surf beach, but in the homes of some of the world's most distinguished hosts. We do not desire to anticipate the decision of the selection committee, but after considerable thought, and sifting of some of the names of our best known surfmen, 'The Referee' puts forward the following as worthy of the deepest consideration, believing that, for the most part, they fill the necessary requirements:
Andrew M. ('Boy') Charlton (Manly)', Wally Scott (Black Head), Ritchie, Walker (Kempsey-Crescent Head), Eric Clift (Manly), Phil Smith (Manly), Jack Scott (Manly), Jack Miller (Cronulla), Jack Cox (Bondi), Arthur Besomo (Bondi), Bruce Hodgson (Bondi), Bill Furey (North Steyne), Ivo Wyatt (North Bondi), Rex Beale (Palm Beach), R. ('Wazzo') Dickson (Mona Vale-Alumni), B. Brownjohn (Newcastle), .T. Rodgers (Newcastle), Bob Miller (Cronulla), A. Petersen (Maroochydore, Qld.), J. Evans (Maroochydore, Qld.), A. Gilbert (Mowbray Park, Burleigh, Qld.), Jack Hampshire (Cottesloe. W.A.), L. Oberman (North Cottesloe, W.A.), J. James (North Cottesloe, W.A.), R. Jeffrey (North Cottesloe, W.A.).
It will be noticed that this team contains two brothers, Bob and Jack Miller, of Cronulla, both of whom have made names , for themselves In swimming, rowing, athletics, Rugby Union, and amateur boxing. Bob, with his enormous shoulders and slim waist,' is one of the finest built men. on the. N.S.W. coast. A large percentage of this team are ex-Great Public School students. An Itinerary After a careful study of the climatic conditions overseas, 'The Referee' submits the following to the Association as an admirable itinerary for the tourists, as it would enable them to be at most of the beaches at the peak of the season, and would obviate the otherwise necessary travelling back to centres which had previously been touched.
The team should sail from Sydney early in June, disembarking at Marseilles or Toulon, demonstrating at Biarritz and Deauville, then on to Holland (this trip is essential, as Holland has shown marked interest in the methods of the S.L.S.A., and after lengthy, cabled instructions, has adopted, and were using, all the Association's methods and gear, which was sent from Sydney). From there they should travel to England, so that they could demonstrate to the August Bank Holiday crowds who flock to the seaside. They could then embark for America, landing at New York. Though a trifle early, exhibitions could be given on the Florida beaches, Palm Beach. Miami, Daytonn, etc., thence to Rockaway and other cast coast beaches. They should then cross the U.S.A. to the Californian beaches on the west coast, where swimming is the order all the year round, and where, likewise, they would be assured of a magnificent reception. The team, whoever may form its complement, will leave our shores with the, goodwill of all Australians, and it should not be long before our trade and credit receives a tremendous fillip from our surfing ambassadors. TOUR POSSIBLE (1935, November 7).Referee (Sydney, NSW : 1886 - 1939), p. 15. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article135509263
SURF LIFE-SAVERS.
PROPOSED OVERSEAS TOUR. Details of the Project.
The proposed tour overseas this year of a team of Australian surf life-savers, was discussed at the monthly meeting of the West Australian State Centre of the Surf Life-saving Association of Australia, at the Amateur Sports' Club last night Correspondence was received regarding a 'company which is being formed in Sydney for sending abroad a team drawn from holders of proficiency awards of the association, and the meeting decided to request its executive committee to examine the correspondence and to report on the tour at the next meeting. In the prospectus of the company, known as the Australian Surf Life-savers Overseas Team, Ltd., it was stated that the team would leave Australia early in June next for Marseilles, arriving there in July. After demonstrations at Biarritz, St Malo and Deauville, the team would visit Belgium, appearing at Ostend and such other places as would be decided by the Belgian Tourist Department as suitable. They would visit Holland, where Scheveningen, Zaandport and Noordwejk would be visited. The consuls-general, of the countries named were now consulting with their various governments on the subject About August 1 the team would reach Great Britain, staying for one month and appearing at as many beaches as could be arranged. Early in September they would arrive in America and, after giving displays on the eastern side, would visit Californian beaches, afterwards visiting Honolulu and New Zealand on the way back and arriving in Australia about the beginning of November, the tour taking in all about five months. The chief sources from which it was hoped to raise revenue consisted of appearance and gate money and the sale of advertising rights. In addition to these, however, it was hoped that direct contributions would be obtained from State and Federal Governments from their overseas advertising allocations.
Prospects Extremely Bright.
'The good work which it is hoped that the tour will achieve,' the prospectus continues, 'will not stop with the mere appearance of the team and the display and demonstration of Australian lifesaving methods, but, wherever possible, local residents will be instructed in these methods and all necessary information relating to them will be disseminated. In this way, it is hoped, Australia will be performing a service wherever the team goes, and It is not too much to hope that the lives of many bathers abroad will be preserved as a result of this teaching, just as 29,000 lives have .already been saved by members of the association since it commenced its operations here.
'Although '
Although many beaches in other countries are not 'surfing beaches' as we understand the term in Australia, still they are beaches used for the purpose of sea bathing and are patronised by thousands of people during the summer months. Most of them have dangerous currents and undertows which sweep the weak or the too-venturesome swimmer out to sea. The splendid method evolved and perfected by the association in Australia would be applicable to these beaches as the rescuer, supported by the belt, does not have the exertion of swimming . back to the beach once he has secured his patient. In England' alone over 2,000 lives are lost annually through lack of a system of patrol, which method has proved so satisfactory in Australia, and it is the ambition of the association to ^ see its patrol method adopted wherever people indulge in open sea bathing.
'General '
General prospects for the tour are extremely bright Already consuls for various countries are working In cooperation with the association and have approached their governments regarding information as -to desirable places for displays. Assistance in the matter of transport, passports, customs and possible finance for the team is being given as well as .assistance in regard to translation of publicity matter into the language of their respective countries. The Commonwealth Government has officially recognised the team, whilst publicity matter has been sent to British, American and Continental newspapers.' The secretary of the West Australian centre (Mr. E. M. Scott), who was manager of the surf life-saving team from this State which recently visited Sydney said that the tour would be of great advertising value to Australia and was one of the wisest moves ever adopted by the association to foster surf life-saving. He suggested that the centre should approach wealthy Perth business men with a request that they purchase shares in the company with a view to sponsoring West Australian members in the team. SURF LIFE-SAVERS. (1936, January 10).The West Australian (Perth, WA : 1879 - 1954), p. 20. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article32983530
The contrast between then and now, where governments do their utmost to support the movement, is illustrated in:
SURF LIFE-SAVERS.
Proposed World Tour.
NO FEDERAL SUBSIDY.
CANBERRA, Thursday.
The leader of the Government in the Senate (Sir George Pearce) said, in reply to a question by Senator Brown (Lab., Qld.) to-day, that the Government could not consider granting a subsidy to the Surf Life-Saving Association to help pay the cost of sending a team on a world tour.
Sir George Pearce added that an application had been received from the Surf Life-saving Association last year for a grant. It had been proposed that a team of 24 Australian surf life-savers should make a world tour in 1936. The application had been refused.
The Government had never subsidised the Surf Life-Saving Association. SURF LIFE-SAVERS. (1936, October 2).The Sydney Morning Herald(NSW : 1842 - 1954), p. 11. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article17281615
SURF LIFE-SAVERS.
Proposed Oversea Tour.
REPORT ON PROSPECTS.
The oversea committee of the Surf Life Saving Association has received encouraging Information from the swimming coach, Mr. Harry Hay, who attended the Olympic Games, and took the opportunity of making inquiries in England regarding the proposed oversea tour of an Australian team of surf life-savers. Mr. Hay addressed the committee during the week-end, and assured it that the prospects of the team were bright. There was every prospect of the managing director of Wembley Stadiums, Ltd. (Mr. J. C. Elvin) sponsoring the team's tour in England, Mr. Elvin' and his company take a close interest in a variety of sports, and he was interested in the particulars which Mr. Hay gave him concerning the activities of the Surf Life Saving Association, the type of men available for such a tour, and their work on Australian beaches. Regarding the problem whether it would be possible to a enclose carnival areas on beaches in England, as in Australia, Mr. Elvin assured Mr. Hay that he expected no difficulty in having this done, and he promised to approach 60 municipal councils controlling beaches in Eng-land for permission to utilise the beaches in this way.
It is proposed to send a team of 24 picked men as members of the oversea team. This number would enable the team to hold practically a miniature carnival with its own members only, the number being more than sufficient for a march past team, as well as four rescue and resuscitation teams, five surf belt teams, and six surf relay teams. In addition to providing participants in demonstrations of every phase of the training and general work of the association. SURF LIFE-SAVERS. (1936, November 3).The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), p. 15. Retrieved fromhttp://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article17288761
The one consolation from all that discussion:
TOURING LIFE-SAVERS IN NEW ZEALAND
SYDNEY. Wednesday.
Members of the Australian Surf Life Saving team in New Zealand met with successes at Napier in the first carnival of the tour. Bruce Hodgson swam second in the 100 yards, Ashur Hart won the 100 yards, and Australia was placed first and second in the teams 'race. A water polo match also was held, in which Australia and New Zealand-played a 2-all draw. TOURING LIFE-SAVERS IN NEW ZEALAND (1937, February 10). The Newcastle Sun (NSW : 1918 - 1954), p. 2. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article166532118
SURF COMPANY MAY CLOSE DOWN
NO FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR TOUR
Because financial support is lacking, the directors of Surf Life Savors Overseas Tour, Ltd., are considering the advisability of winding up the company was formed for the purpose of sending an Australian surf team to England and the Continent, to demonstrate surf life-saving methods. SURF COMPANY MAY CLOSE DOWN (1937, May 24). The Sun (Sydney, NSW : 1910 - 1954), p. 3 (LATE FINAL EXTRA). Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article229410626
A team finally gets off the ground - or onto the boat, as it was then - a tour or 'contest' of sorts sparked off by a love of surfing on boards and the developments in surfboards here:
INTERNATIONAL SURF BOARD CHAMPIONSHIP MOOTED
Australians May Compete at Hawaii
SYDNEY, February 7.
A sub-committee of the Surf Life Saving Association has been formed to consider a challenge received from Hawaiian surf men, through a Sydney newspaper for an international surf board contest to he held In Hawaii in July, for the Pacific surf board championship.
The movement is being fostered by the Hawaiian Beachcombers Club, of America, who numbers among its member the famous swimmers, Duke and Sam Kohanamoku. The president of the surf life saving association (Mr. Adrian Curlewis) is pleased with the whole proposal and the sub-committee will meet almost immediately to consider ways and means. INTERNATIONAL SURF BOARD CHAMPIONSHIP MOOTED (1939, February 7). The Telegraph (Brisbane, Qld. : 1872 - 1947), p. 16 (SECOND EDITION). Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article188019299
AUSTRALIANS ARE MATCH FOR ANYBODY IN SURF.
SYDNEY. Monday.
The claim that Australians could match anybody In the surf is made by Mr Claude West, ex-surf-board champion, who has beaten Honolulu surf-board men in the Australian surf.
"THE type of surf we have is the toughest in the world to master, and Australians could hold their own in the easier Honolulu surf," said Mr West.
A challenge has been received from Honolulu for Australian surf-board champions to match the skill of Americans. Mr West discussed the view of Mr. J. M. Ralston, former president of Palm Beach Surf Life Saving Club, that Hawaiians were unbeatable in their own surf.
"I was the first Australian to take up surf-board riding," he said. "I beat Sam Kahanamoku, of Honolulu, when he came here. I beat Ludy Lauger, another Honolulu man.
"I am certain our surf-board men can hold their own in any surf where surf-boards are ridden.
"Men have to be more skilled and tougher to ride our waves.
"The smooth, unbroken, roller of Honolulu would be a picnic for our men.
AUSTRALIANS ARE MATCH FOR ANYBODY IN SURF (1939, February 14). The Evening News (Rockhampton, Qld. : 1924 - 1941), p. 5. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article198292655
Another Palm Beach SLSC member, then at the forefront of surfing and about to introduce the next innovation, was Reginald Keighly 'Blue' Russell, who likens Hawaiian waves to 'lying on a bed', possibly due to not having been among those huge swells Hawaii is famous for. This article, however, begins to describe the shift in boards that led to further innovations in surfing, in boards, in life saving and the sport itself:
HONOLULU WANTS SURF BOARD TEST AGAINST AUSTRALIANS
MEET AMERICAN CHAMPIONS HONOLULU. - Thursday.
Leading sportsmen here are moving energetically for a surf-board Test between Australian and American champions.
Among them is Sam Kahanamoku, who won a tandem surf-board piddling race, paired with Mrs Doris Duke Cromwell, here.
Doris Duke Cromwell is reputed to be the richest woman In the world. She Inherited £12, 000,000 from her father, James Duke, American tobacco manufacturer.
£400, 000 ESTATE.
Last month she came to live on her new £400, 000 estate in Honolulu. She is one of Honolulu's best women surf-board riders.
Sam Kahanamoku, one of Honolulu's best surf-board men, has visited Australia.
The move here for the international Test is being sponsored by the Honolulu Beachcombers Hui (club) of top notch Hawaiian and American ....(?) SYDNEY. Thursday.
A challenge has been received from Honolulu for Australians to match the skill of Honolulu surf-board men at Honolulu. Negotiations have been launched for an international Test at Honolulu this year
STOP-WATCH TESTS SPEED.
Tests against a stopwatch at Pittwater proves Australians could match the Americans in the Honolulu surf.
Mr Blue Russell, surf board expert, of Palm Beach Life Saving Club, discussing the proposed match said that surf-board experts have differed on whether Australians could match Honolulu men in their own surf.
The main issue has been whether Australians could paddle their boards as fast over a long distance.
"Paddling record times in the still water of a Honolulu canal, over distance from 100 yards to a mile, are held by Tom Blake, an American." said Mr Russell
"My tests, over the same distances. and in the harder water of Pittwater, showed just about the same times." he said.
Mr Russell was timed at Pittwater by Dr T. H Guthrie, of Whale Beach.
"I contend that Australians, their stamina toughened by our terrific seas, could match Honolulu men at paddling a board." he said.
"And their waves would be as easy for us as lying on a bed."
In the Pittwater tests, a light, hollow board, of special three- ply, about 16 ft 4 in., long. was used. This board was built by Mr Russell, who considers it as fast as boards used at Honolulu.
"It weighs about 30 lb.s whereas a solid board of that length would weigh about 200 lb," he said. HONOLULU WANTS SURF BOARD TEST AGAINST AUSTRALIANS (1939, February 17). The Evening News (Rockhampton, Qld. : 1924 - 1941), p. 3. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article198300646
Reginald Keightley Russell, 'Blue' Russell, after studying the greater buoyancy and easier turning of the hollow surf skis, which some were using as surf boards (sans paddle) he trailed and adapted his ideas to something that much better than the heavy solid boards.
In 1937, after the collapse of his wool brokerage business went the way of many businesses during the Australian Depression, he could focus on designing these, with early models being built in a workshop under the clubhouse and tested in the nearby waves.
One of the most popular lads among the life-savers this year is "Blue" Russell, who, when not doing the most spectacular stunts on his board, is surrounded by young things on the beach. "Blue" is looked upon as the champion surf board rider among the crowd down there, with Pete Hunter and the Barnes boys close rivals. CATTY COMMUNICATIONS (1938, January 1). Smith's Weekly (Sydney, NSW : 1919 - 1950), p. 21. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article234540875
BLUE RUSSELL built himself a hollow surf-board for the Bondi Carnival, and to uphold the honor of Palm Beach he has been practising round Elizabeth and Rushcutter Bays. THE JOTTINGS Ill (1938, December 4). Truth (Sydney, NSW : 1894 - 1954), p. 35. Retrieved fromhttp://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article169095748
Beach Beyond (page 63); 'It was claimed at the time that this Blue Russell board was the longest in the world. Standing with Russell (left) is his co-rider Elton Ifould (centre) and another admirer
Sean Brawley, in Beach Beyond - A History of the Palm Beach Surf Club 1921-1996, states his deep voice was often heard bellowing 'board wave!'
Apparently Frank Packer insisted he be part of the team:
'PALM 'BEACH Comes Into The News AGAIN
WITH the official opening of the surf season last week-end, Palm Beach once more sprang into the news, and throughout Saturday and Sunday there was an endless line of cars taking picnickers down to this playground of the rich for their first surf of the season. To-day, if the weather holds, the same crowds will throng the beach, and a few of the holiday homes will ring with the gay laughter of young holiday-makers.
Sir Ernest and Lady Riddle, whose new and lovely bungalow has just been completed, have taken possession, and Sir Ernest Is starting his long holiday. He is photographed here with his daughter, Miss Enid Riddle, who is busy constructing a garden. His son, Mr. John Riddle, designed the bungalow.
Another home which has provided its owners with much happy recreation is that of Mr. and Mrs. Dan. Carroll, on Pill Hill. Theirs is perhaps the loveliest house at Palm Beach, with a view extending right across Broken Bay, Mr. Carroll is down for this week-end, but Mrs. Carroll will not go down till next. The Laurie Posters, who have become regular Palm Beach Identities, will not be down just yet, as Mr. Poster is in Melbourne, but should the past few days' heat continue, it will not be long before the gay parties of yore begin again.
The John Ralstons were down last Sunday and are planning to go down, to-day, but not to stay. Mr. Ralston's late father might be called a pioneer of Palm Beach and much of the success of the surf club belongs to the young couple. The Percy 'Spenders, who also figure largely in Palm Beach social news, are going down next week-end to their house, but this week-end they have lent it to Mrs. Spender's brother, Mr. Lawrence Henderson, and his wife.
Mrs. Dallon, wife of Commander L. S. Dallon, is in the foreground and her small boy David, is under the umbrella. Mrs. C. E. Waters, who now lives at Palm Beach, is peeping from behind Mrs. Dalton. Her daughter, Naomi, now Mrs. Dalebrow-Bourne, is travelling on the Rhine with her husband.
Miss Margaret Allen, of Northwood, has spent the past month holidaying at Palm Beach. Her umbrella is a prized possession.
LEFT Miss Lulu Reichard, of Pymble, spends much lime at her family's seaside house, The Haven, at Newport, and frequently goes along from there to Palm Beach for surfing.
CENTRE A most picturesque figure in the surf at Palm Beach is Mr. Keighley (Blue)Russell, of Macleay-street, and his specialised surf hat.
Sir Ernest Riddle and his daughter. Miss Enid Riddle, admiring bottle brush on their new property at Palm Beach.
Mrs. W . R. Cox, of Collaroy and her sons, John and Brace, are frequent visitors to Palm Beach.
Mrs. Ken Jones and her young son Robert, of Lane Cove, are holidaying at Palm Beach.
PALM BEACH Comes Into The News AGAIN (1936, October 11). The Sun (Sydney, NSW : 1910 - 1954), p. 38. Retrieved fromhttp://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article230017127
PALM BEACH LETTER.
THIS week I am tempted to chat about the male element at Palm Beach and the clothes they are wearing. They say. 'When in Rome do as the Romans do,' but that is not so in Sydney, where what we hope are our men friends have gone all Hawaiian and all girlish as to beach wear. I know what we women would be called if we came out in dungarees and smoking pipes, and I think I know what lots of the men will be called if they persist in wearing light-colored shirts of flowered design, open at the neck, and green velvet shorts, and knotted silk scarfs, gaily colored and worn round the neck, which seem superfluous on men— THE MEN. at any rate.
It was quite a relief to see huge Blue Russell, in a normal bathing suit, dash Into the surf and rescue at least eighteen people who had gone out too far and were about to be drowned. Tiny Timothy Bell strolled down to the water's edge to meet Blue, and said, 'Nice work, Blue,' In his manliest tone. I think he Is about three. Last week-end produced heaps of 'trippers,' and among the picnickers were Mr. and Mrs. Noel Le Mestre Walker, whose party included Nancy Marcus Clarke and her fiance. Hal Cramsie and Goldie Grey were sun-baking a deux, and Graham and Jean Pratten were together, too. Enid Hull looked divine In her rubber swim suit, and her stalwart swain obviously thought so, too. A trio who looked enchanting and all dressed alike In royal blue satin bathers were Joyce Boynton, Betty Field and Peg Murray, but even so, I think Peg looks still lovelier in her white sharkskin suit with its scarlet cummerbund. Young men staying at 'Florida House' over the week-end were 'Pip' Reld, Clive Hall, Bill Dawson, Tom Porter, from Adelaide, and Reg Robson. They were manna from heaven to the 'she' house parties. The Lewis' Saturday night cocktail 'do' is rapidly becoming an Institution, and last week all the B.Y.T.'s went on from there to Pasadena for a night out.
Ludo and surf skiing are still first favorites, and young Michael York calls his surf ski 'over-she-goes.' Very appropriate, don't you think? The Riddles and the Lindsay Bells, who were entertaining the Philip Brownes, of Edgecliff, for the weekend, both had cheery 'drinkies' late in the afternoon. Arrivals and departures have been part and parcel of the week, and Dr. and Mrs. Cedric Swanton, of Darling Point, are newcomers. Last night's Anniversary Dance was grand — it was an excellent Idea limiting the invitations to 150, thereby ensuring a scramble Instead of a riot. There was lots of free beer — so the party weni with a 'bung.' Mild panic set In when a very young thing developed chicken-pox — but why worry? What's an epidemic more or less to Palm Beach?
PALM BEACH LETTER (1938, January 23). Truth (Sydney, NSW : 1894 - 1954), p. 35. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article169087654
LONG RANGE FORECAST OF OLYMPIC TEAM.
Although the Australian Olympic team for the Games in Finland will not be selected for 12 months' speculators already are naming possibilities. The most likely to be selected have been' given out as follows: —
Athletes— Men: Ted Best (Vic.), sprinter; Brian Dunn, (N.S.W.), sprinter and broad jumper; Jack Mumford (N.S.W.), sprinter; Sid Stenner (N.S.W.), 120 yds. hurdles; Gerald Backhouse (Vic.), middle distance runner; Jack Metcalfe (N.S.W.), jumps. Athletics— Women: Decima Norman, sprint and long jump; Joyce Walker, sprinter; Isobel Grant, hurdler. Swimmers— Men: Percy Oliver (W.A.), back-stroker; Ron Masters (Vic.), diver; Robin Biddulph (NS.W.) , distances, Swimmers— Women: Irene Donnett (Vic.), diver; Pat Norton (NS.W.), back-stroker; D. Green (W.A.), free style, Cycling: Fred Ashby (Vic.), track rider; Bob Porter (N.S.W.), track rider; Gil Murray (Vic.), road rider. Rowing: Herbert Turner (N.S.W.), sculls; Herbert Turner and Cecil Pearce (N.S.W.), double sculls. Boxing: Les. Harley (Vic.), light-heavy; W, Smith (Tas.), middleweight; L. Wilson (NS.W.), bantam. ' Wrestling: R. E. Garrard '(Vic.), lightweight; R. Purchase (N.S.W.), featherweight; J, J. O'Hara (Vic.), middleweight. , The team will not be finally chosen until March of next year.
SURF BOARD CHAMPIONSHIP BETWEEN AUSTRALIA AND AMERICA.
Surf board skill is likely to be matched between champions of Australia and America in an international contest at Hawaii in July. The proposal (states Sydney Daily 'Telegraph') has been received with enthusiasm by the Surf Life Saving Association of Australia. A sub-committee has been appointed to suggest the means of finding the right men to represent Australia at Honolulu.
The famous Hawaii Beachcomber Club of American and Hawaiian University athletes is leading the movement for the international test. Among the prominent swimmers supporting it are Duke and Sam Kahanamoku and Marlechen Wehselau, former American Olympics, who have visited Australia, The proposal may become more .than a challenge between Australian and Honolulu surf-board men. Overtures have been. made from Honolulu to San Francisco and Los Angeles athletic leaders. It has been suggested that the contest might develop into annual Pacific Olympic Games. Whether this happens or not, the proposal for an International surf-board test in Hawaii includes a return contest In Australia next year.
LONG RANGE FORECAST OF (1939, February 20). Daily Mercury (Mackay, Qld. : 1906 - 1954), p. 8. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article168814824
Although, by now, there had been numerous instances and examples of Australian women and girls being able to out do the men on surfboards (see below), the focus remained on their beauty enhancing all things on the beach, rather than their ability:
HONOLULU'S BEACH GIRLS ...
Beach Umbrellas
Swimming & Surfing Instruction
AUSTRALIAN surf men are going to Honolulu to compete against crack Hawaiian surf-board stars. Suppose, instead of our men, Hawaii had challenged our surf girls? How would they compare with Honolulu's famous bathing beauties?
The Australian Women's Weekly asked its Honolulu representative, John Williams, to answer the question. "Well," he said, "Honolulu has one advantage. It is a holiday resort for the beauties of Hollywood and American society. But, as I remember Sydney beaches - I think you would win."
SURF-BOARD RIDING was invented in Hawaii. Duke Kahanamoku, Hawaiian swimmer, introduced it here.
TYPICAL Waikiki girl is Alice Aldrite. In California, an occasional Hawaiian trip is the social thing to do
WAIKIKI BEACH is famous. So is its Royal Hawaiian Hotel. "Along the shaded promenade," says John Williams, "you can see at almost any hour of the day some of the loveliest women of America."
ROCHELLE HUDSON, like other Hollywood film stars, trim in her swim-suit, decorates Waikiki promenade "But." says John Williams, "many of their swim-suits were never meant for swimming." HONOLULU'S BEACH GIRLS... (1939, February 25). The Australian Women's Weekly (1933 - 1982), p. 31. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article51591967
Who is John Williams?:
ALOHA
Kamaaina Beach Combers' Hui
Honolulu, Hawaii,
6th March, 1939.
Mr. Adrian Curlewis,
The Surf Life-Saving Association, Sydney, Australia.
Dear Mr. Curlewis,
On behalf of the Hawaii Pacific Aquatic Carnival Committee, which is a merger of the outstanding Hawaii athletic and swimming interests to take care of the Australian team's visit here in July, I wish to place on record that Hawaii's deep gratitude for your invitation for Hawaii to send a swim team to Sydney in March, 1940.
We gladly accept this invitation and right now we anticipate sending a minimum of ten men, but, of course, we will increase this number if you are willing and circumstances permit.
You can rest assured that we will do our utmost to make a success of your team's visit here in July. So far Australia has done everything for Hawaii's boys, but your visit will enable Hawaii to in part repay an old sports debt.
Our Committee has instructed its Secretary, John WilIiams, to keep in touch with you via his cable contacts with Mr. Frank Packer.
Please thank Mr. Packer for his generous interest and enthusiasm.
With aloha to all my Aussie friends, and all Aussie swimmers and sportsmen in general,
Yours very sincerely,
(Sgd.) DUKE KAHANAMOKU
Above is extract from 1939 Volume 3 Number 8. April 1, 1939, page 2. Surf Life Saving Association of Australia: Surf in Australia. Official Organ of the Surf Life Saving Association of Australia. (Head Centre), 119 Phillip, Street Sydney. Editor: W.G. Simmonds Esq. Published by Alexander Leo Finn, 149 Dover Road, Rose Bay. Printed by Lake and Ashes Pty Ltd., 389-391 Sussex Street, Sydney.
Everyone wanted to go, of course, and trials were held for those who had the skills:
Testing Surf Men For Hawaii
Thirteen of Queensland's best life-savers gave demonstrations at Burleigh and Tweed Heads yesterday, in the hope of being selected .tor a team which will sail from Sydney on June 23. to represent Australia at an international surf carnival at Honolulu. How many, if any, representatives Queensland will have in the team will not be known until May 15 or 16, when the judges from Sydney, Mr. J. R. Cameron, chief superintendent of instruction and examinations of the Surf Life-saving Association of Australia, and Mr. T. Moran,. honorary registrar of the association, will announce their selections.When they have finished their work they will have examined 165 aspirants for the honour of representing Australia, but only 15 or 16 will be selected. SEA WAS CALM
The tests began on Burleigh Beach yesterday morning with a calm sea that gave little opportunity for real surf work. The competitors swam out 200 yards and back. R. Blow (Kirra) won from A. Imrie (Burleigh Heads and Mowbray Park), with G. Turpin (Burleigh Heads and Mowbray Parki third. The other competitors were T. Long (Burleigh Heads and Mowbray Park), W. Fleming (Kirra), and R. Roslan (Tweed Heads and Coolangatta). A belt race was won by Imrie, with Blow second, and Roslan third. Then six competitors gave a display of rescue and resuscitation, in which no order was announced. The Tweed Heads and Coolangatta Club's surf boat gave a demonstration before the judges. It was manned by J. Cranney (sweep). C. Phillip (stroke), D. Hargrave, W. Dalley, and C. Hargrave. In the afternoon an adjournment was made to Tweed Heads, where C. G. Englert and R. J. Noonan gave a display with surf boards.
HIGH STANDARD
Reviewing the day's work, Mr. Cameron said that the standard displayed by the Queenslandevs was heartening, and illustrated the good effect of the policy of standardisation of life-saving work being carried out by the central body. Although invitations had been sent to the other States, Queensland was the only one, apart from New South Wales, to enter competitors. 'The team we have seen to-day could worthily represent Australia,' Mr. Cameron said, 'but we have 165 in all from whom to select our team, so. that we can only take the best.' Messrs. Cameron and Moran will leave Brisbane by air this morning, and will finish their examination of candidates on May 14, when they will test surf-board men on the Narrabeen Lakes.
The team, which will be accompanied by H. R. Biddulph, Australia's champion swimmer, will be the first to represent Australia outside the Empire. In February, 1937, Australia sent a team to New Zealand. Surf Men For Hawaii (1939, May 1). The Courier-Mail (Brisbane, Qld. : 1933 - 1954), p. 3. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article40858550
The team selected for Hawaii was printed in Volume 3 Number 10. June 1, 1939, page 14., of the Surf Life Saving Association of Australia: Surf in Australia.as follows:
J. R. Cameron (Captain-Instructor), H. R. Biddulph (Manly), C. R. Chapple (N. Bondi), R. Russell (Palm Beach), W. Furey (N. Steyne), L. McKay (N. Cronulla) , H. Doerner (Bondi), A. Imrie (Queensland), H. Scott (Newcastle), R. Dickson, W. Mackney and J. Harkness (Mona Vale), F. Braund (Palm Beach), F. Davis (Manly), A. Fitzgerald (N. Wollongong), L. Moreth (Manly).
'L. Moreth' was actually Clem Morath, of the Freshwater SLSC.
The item also stated:
'the R. and R. team for Hawaii is to be provided with military boots to race over the coral sea beds.' and 'Harold Spry, well-known Manly identity and ex-member of the Queenscliff club, will be visiting Hawaii at the same time as the surf team. Harold is an expert amateur movie photographer, and we hope he will be afforded all facilities to record the team's activities in film.'
They shipped per the s.s. "Monterey" on the 23rd June.
The July 1st Issue states:
Harold Spry, well-known Manly identity, has been appointed Hon. Photographer with the Australian team in Honolulu.
It was surprising to see so many old surfers at the send-off, including Freddie Williams (the father of surf shooters in Australia), Neville Cayley, Les Duff, Roy Doyle, George Millar, Stan Windon, Geoff Cohen and others.
A few lines about the event:
At the final day's surf carnival at Honolulu the Australians defeated the Hawaii surf boat team by a length, while Russell would have won the surf board race but for having to swerve near the finish to avoid an opponent, and so came second. SPORTING ITEMS (1939, July 28). The Richmond River Herald and Northern Districts Advertiser (NSW : 1886 - 1942), p. 7. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article125943669
Surf Men In Action. Oarsmen in the Australian Surf Team take out a surf boat at Maroubra for a try-out. They leave for Honolulu on June 23 to compete at the Pacific Surf Games in July. Crew here is: F. Davis (sweep), J. B. Hardness (stroke), R. Dickson (3), G. Wray (2) (emergency who substituted for W. Mackney), F. Braund (bow). Surf Men In Action. (1939, June 18). Sunday Times (Perth, WA : 1902 - 1954), p. 3. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article59008010
SURF BOAT CREW.— F. C. Davis (Manly) sweep, J. B. Harness (Mona Vale) stroke. R. A. Dickson (Mona Vale) No. 3, W. A. R. Mackney (Mona Vale) No. 2, F. N. Braund (Palm Beach) bow. HITCH OVER SURF TOUR. (1939, May 17). The Courier-Mail(Brisbane, Qld. : 1933 - 1954), p. 16. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article40843003
Winner of Surf Board Race
R. J. Noonan paddling his tray to win the surf board test held on the Tweed River to enable the judges to select representatives for the Australian team of lifesavers for Honolulu Winner of Surf Board Race (1939, May 1).The Telegraph (Brisbane, Qld. : 1872 - 1947), p. 11 (SECOND EDITION). Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article185110952
AUSTRALIAN SURF TEAM
Australian surf team for Hawaiian tour. Back row: J. K. Russell, J. L. Mackay, J. Cameron (captain-instructor), F. C. Davis, F. N. Braund, R. A. Dickson. Front row: H. J. Scott, J. B. Harkness, W. A. Furey. C. R. E Chappell, L. A. Morath.
SURF BOAT CREW for Honolulu practising in Sydney before their departure on June 23. The crew is: Sweep, F. C. Davis; strike, J. B. Harkness; R. A. Dickson, G. Wray (replacing W. Mackney) ; bow, F. N. Braund. AUSTRALIAN SURF TEAM (1939, June 15). Referee (Sydney, NSW : 1886 - 1939), p. 21. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article127606676
Australian Life Savers Thrill Hawaiian Crowd
Quite at Home in 'Dangerous' Koko Head Breakers
By Phil Wynter, special Representative of "The Telegraph."
HONOLULU, July 10.
Fifteen thousand people drove 15 miles from Honolulu to watch the Australian surf team in an exhibition at -Koko Head ocean beach to-day.
The crowd screamed with excitement as the surf boat crew rode the choppy medium sized waves. They were the first real breakers that the Australians had experienced here.
The waves at Waikiki have been only a foot high, reminding the team of Sydney's harbour bound Balmoral beach on a windless day. Themselves disappointed by the quiet surf, the Hawaiians this morning prayed to the native gods to whip it up. Coincidentally the wind rose bringing up bigger waves.
Hawaiians Warn Australians.
The Hawaiians warned the Australians against taking their surf boards and boats into the surf at Koko Head because they thought it was too rough. In their element at the sight of good surf, however, the Australians staged a carnival like those they have become used to at home.
They gave a rescue and resuscitation demonstration and then indulged in belt racing, board riding, and surf racing among themselves. The huge crowd was spellbound at first and then continued to shout their delight at their first sight of Australian surf life saving activities.
Biddulph Prepares.
Robin Biddulph has an extensive daily training routine for his 800 metres clash on Wednesday with Bob Pirie (Canada) and Paul Wolfe (U.S.A.).
Pirie won the British Empire Games 110 yards and 100 yards titles in Sydney last year, defeating Bob Lievers (England) and Biddulph.
Wolfe Is from the University of Southern California and this year won the American National 100 metres title and was sent by the University to Honolulu instead of Ralph Flanagan. He stars at all distances as does Pirie.
The second swimming carnival in which Biddulph will compete is on Friday and the third on July 19. The Australians will compete in surf boat and surf board races against the Hawaiians and Americans in still water on Sunday, July 16. The monster surf carnival which Is exciting intense interest will be held on Saturday, July 22. Even in Honolulu, the home of surf-boat riding, Australian exponents thrilled spectators with their work in "choppy" surf.Australian Life Savers Thrill Hawaiian Crowd (1939, July 11). The Telegraph (Brisbane, Qld. : 1872 - 1947), p. 22 (SECOND EDITION). Retrieved fromhttp://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article188593482
Pacific Surf Games -
On Sunday the Australian team competed at a surf-boat, canoe, surf-board, ski, and outboard motor regatta at Alma Moana canal. Here the surf-boat and crew clinched Australia's first victory since the games commenced. They won the three-quarter mile boatrace. Chappie, Boorman, Morath, and Russell were also successful in the surfboard relay race. They won from Hawaii's No. 1 team. Hawaii and Australia were the only competitors. In an open water swim over 880 yards Robin Biddulph looked like winning, but Nakama, who knew the tide and currents, passed him during the final 300 yards, and went on to win - by 30 yards. Biddulph's Unlucky Defeat In 800 Metres. (1939, July 20).Referee (Sydney, NSW : 1886 - 1939), p. 21. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article127601317
AUSTRALIAN SURFERS
Waikiki Boat Race Win.
HONOLULU, July 22. (A.A.P.)
The surfboat race was the feature of the aquatic carnival today on Waikiki Beach which was the concluding event in the Australian surf teams visit.
The distance was a mile and after a close struggle the Australian crew beat the Hawaiians by a length.
In the surfboard race of a mile, R. K. Russell of Australia was forced to swerve near the finish to avoid colliding with an opponent.
Russell finished second to George Smith (Honolulu).
In a second surfboard race the Hawaiians far outdistanced the Australians C. R. Chapple (fourth) F. Borman (fifth) and L Morath (sixth).
AUSTRALIAN SURFERS. (1939, July 24).The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), p. 15. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article17596068
THE AUSTRALIAN SURF TEAM pictured on their arrival back in Sydney from the Pacific Surf Games at Honolulu. H. R. Biddulph (left) and W. Furey are holding the Hawaiian catamaran a trophy. No title. (1939, August 13). Sunday Times (Perth, WA : 1902 - 1954), p. 9. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article58964000
The date of this Surf Team's return is a few weeks prior to Australia declaring war on Germany - September 3rd, 1939, shortly after the invasion of Poland.
And one Palm Beach surfer who came out a double winner or quadruple winner - the 'win' here referred to may mean the July 16th 1939 Aquatic Carnival held Ala Moana Canal when Australia won the surf board relay over a mile in 10 min. 49.5 sec., thanks to Lou Morath, who reduced a leeway of 40 yards to enable R. Russell to commence the last lap with a lead of 5 yards. Russell continued the good work and won by 30 yards.
In the 3/4 mile board race, J. May, of Honolulu, who had started under protest, won from R. Russell and Dick Chapple, but was disqualified owing to irregularities in his entry, and the race was awarded to R. Russell. :
The engagement is announced of Miss Nancy Heinz, an American heiress, to Mr. Reginald Keightley Russell, son of Mr. and Mrs. Tom Leslie Russell, of Rockley, Elizabeth Bay road, Sydney. Miss Heinz and Mr. Russell met In Honolulu when Mr. Russell was there with the Australian surf team, and won the Pacific surfboard championship. Miss Heinz is a student at the University of Southern California. She is the daughter of Mrs. James P. Frazer, of Beverly Hills, California, and the late Mr. Clifford Heinz, of Pittsburgh. PERSONAL NOTES AND OBITUARIES (1939, December 23). The Australasian (Melbourne, Vic. : 1864 - 1946), p. 19. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article142153038
SOCIAL AND PERSONAL.
Los Angeles Wedding.
Mrs. Tom Leslie Russell, of Elizabeth Bay, received a cable yesterday from her son, Mr. Reginald Keightley ("Blue") Russell, saying that because of a change of plans his marriage to Miss Nancy Heinz will take place to-day. The wedding will be celebrated at the Wee Kirk of the Heather, in which there are hundreds of singing birds. The Wee Kirk is one of several in the Forest Lawn Cemetery, Los Angeles. Miss Heinz is the daughter of the late Mr. Clifford Heinz, of Pittsburgh, and of Mrs. James P. Frazer, of Beverley Hills, and many film stars will be present at the wedding. Mr. Russell met his fiancee during last summer in Honolulu when he visited Hawaii with the Australian surf team and won the Pacific surf-board championship. SOCIAL AND PERSONAL. (1940, April 6). The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), p. 10. Retrieved fromhttp://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article17647848
According to this report, in the same page/column, they actually married at:
FOR WOMEN
SOCIAL AND PERSONAL.
Married in Arizona.
A cable message from Los Angles announces the wedding on Friday, in Yuma Arizona of Mr Reginald Keightley (Blue) Russell son of Mrs Tom Leslie Russell of Elizabeth Bay to Miss Nancy Heinz daughter of the late Mr Clifford Heinz and of Mrs James P Frazer of Beverly Hills California USA and grand-daughter of the late Mr J H Heinz. The wedding was celebrated very quietly and came as a complete surprise to the friends of the bride and bridegroom as originally an elaborate wedding had been planned to take place in June. the brides mother and stepfather accompanied them to Yuma. A dinner party followed the ceremony. The bride wore an ensemble of robin's egg blue with a polka dot in white. The honeymoon will be spent on a tour through Aifrona and New Mexico and Mr and Miss Russell will make their home in Los Angeles. FOR WOMEN (1940, April 8). The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), p. 4. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article17656494
Either way, 'Blue' Russell was not going to be building any more hollow surfboards for Australians. His design and others who were pioneers of thesesuperior boards was not bettered until the arrival of the 'Malibu' in 1956.
Extracts from Captain's Report of Pacific Surf Games, Honolulu, 1939. By J. Cameron may be read on this Surf Research webpage.
The 1940 event didn't happen due to WWII breaking out and many club members from all surf life saving clubs enlisting.
A LADY ABOUT TOWN
PALM BEACH CALLS!
Golden sands and glistening foam beckon invitingly. A bumper season is expected, with Love and War playing a big k part.
THE P.B.S.L.S. CLUB has been sadly depleted by many sun-tanned handsomes joining the forces, so the old buffers (the forties, bless their hearts), who had already graduated from active life-saving, are filling the breach.
NOW FOR A 'WHO'S WHO' AND 'WHERE.'
The Press magnates have turned up like the proverbial bad penny— but NOT side by side this year. The Warwick Fairfaxes are back in their old haunt, 'Boanbong,' for three months, while the Frank Packers have taken 'Mandalay' at a colossal rent; it has been done up to kill, painted inside and out, and a brand new drive, m'dears. We are all eyes now to see Gretel's models.
THE CATERS, FROM WELLINGTON, will be found in the Curlewis', and the H. D. Arnotts have taken Howletts', to be near their friends, the Kenneth Chapmans, who recently purchased the Spenders' home. By the way, popular Jean and Percy Spender will be on the top of Sunrise Hill in the Wiltshires' house. They are going to build later, near the pool.
RIGHT OUT OF THE BLUE comes a lovely bit of gossip for Palm Beachites. Well-known surfboard maker and rider, 'Blue' Russell, telephoned from California to say he is a proud father and is also managing director of a pottery concern (owned by in-laws!), and has a palatial home, cars and chauffeur. His mother is to fly over and be installed nearby. It just shows what Palm Beach personality can do! ...
The Jottings (1940, December 8). Truth (Sydney, NSW : 1894 - 1954), p. 31. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article169110341
Used Surf Board
At Tamarama, a lifesaver who had just won a surf race, piloted his surf board out to rescue three non-swimmers, a man and two women. One of the women got into difficulties, and another woman and a man who went to her rescue, were soon in difficulties. The lifesaver brought the three in on his surf board.
27 Surf Rescues At Northern Beaches (1947, December 29). Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners' Advocate (NSW : 1876 - 1954) , p. 2. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article134238338
SURFBOARD. Sun-tanned Mr. and Mrs. KenMurrell, of Northwood, are among the keenest surfers at Palm Beach. Ken is a member of Palm Beach Surf Life-Saving Club.
PINK COTTON SHIRTS were worn over their swimming costumes by Mary Carr (left), daughter of Lieut.-Commander and Mrs. P. E. Carr, and Roslyn Maitland, of Macquarie Street. Holidays at PALM BEACH (1953, January 7). The Australian Women's Weekly (1933 - 1982), p. 7. Retrieved fromhttp://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article39042660
MRS.BRIAN OXENHAM, of Palm Beach watches her ... months-old son, SHANE, totter along a surfboard. Mrs. Oxenham's beach coat is of na...ssed with intricate cording. The Sun's Women's Section (1953, December 27). The Sun-Herald (Sydney, NSW : 1953 - 1954), p. 15. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article28658734
Australians Are 'Tops' In Surf Board Riding
Our Big Seas Rattle Clever Hawaiians Thrills and Spills On Every Wave
Famous Coach Tells How To Ride A Surf Board
by Harry M. Hay
(EX-OLYMPIC REPRESEN TATIVE AND AUSTRALIA'S FOREMOST SWIMMIMG COACH)
What great strides this sport has made in Australia! A few years ago it was hardly known in this country. The Hawaiians introduced us to this exhilarating, thrilling pastime, and to these romantic tropical islanders is due our warmest thanks.
BUT typical of our race, the youth of Australia has developed the art until to-day they are the equal in skill of their dusky natatorial neighbors. In fact, in my opinion, we have seen exhibitions by our own lads in Australia that have exceeded the skill of the most talented Hawaiians. The surf conditions of the Hawaiian Islands differ consider ably from those of Australia. The waves of the famous Waikiki Beach at Honolulu do not break. Assisted by a reef some distance off snore, they come in in the form of a grand swell or roller. It is comparatively easy to catch a roller with the long narrow surf hoards and ride it right to the shallows, even high and dry on the sands. The steady, even passage in al lows the rider to perform apparently difficult tricks with ease and skill.
Our conditions are different. Our waves are irregular, bank up to great heights, and break some distance from the shore. In order to choose the correct type of wave and ride it expertly and safely, one must summon far greater daring and skill than the Waikiki rider has to do.
SEVERAL types of boards have been used in Australia. We started, with the small hand board until to-day the accepted surfboard is a huge _ specially shaped piece of picked timber having distinctive marine advantages. The hand-board measures about 12 inches square and is light in weight. The manipulation of this board is an easy matter. As the suitable wave breaks it is placed in front of the 'shooter,' a full arm's length of the left hand, at the same time stroking at the side of the body with the right. When the wave is properly mounted, both hands grip the board, Molding it almost flat on the water. The 'surfer' is carried shore wards by the wave, head and shoulders clear and feet free to assist when the wave is losing its strength. This .method is applicable to al most any size wave, and is comparatively simple. The handling of a real surf board is a much more difficult matter. It calls for care in selection, water knowledge, choice of wave, and ex pert manipulation. The accepted measurements for the regulation surf board are: Length, 9ft Gin; width at back end, 20in, centre 22in, tapering down to an oval shaped nose of 10 to 12 inches. Thicknesses vary from 1 3/4 in at back, graduating to 3in at the centre, and narrowing to 1 in or less at the point.
REDWOOD is the most suitable timber for surfboards, but if unprocurable, cedar is recommended. Surfboard riding has become an attractive feature at surf carnivals, and the displays and stunts which youthful Australians perform on these huge boards astound onlookers — even including the Hawaiians themselves. . This assertion was verified during the 1915 visit to Australia of famous Hawaiian swimmer and surfboard expert, Duke Kahanamoku. He enjoyed our surf, but despite his .great knowledge of surfboard riding, he admitted that the young Australians excelled his own efforts under the unusual local conditions, of which, of course, he had little experience. Of recent years attempts have been made to conquer the waves by the introduction of the surf canoe, sun ski, and latterly the surfo plane; The manipulation of these new devices call for skill and a certain amount of daring, but fail to reach the heights of individual accomplishment which a surfboard rider must attain in Australia. To begin surfboard riding the novice is advised to make a study of the Australian surf, paying particular attention to the waves themselves.
TWO particular types which roll in on our beaches will interest the 'surf-shooter' and the surfboard rider. They are commonly known as the 'roller,' or 'slide,' and the 'dumper.' The rolling or 'roller' wave is encountered mostly at high tide. The 'dumper' is more frequent at low tide, but do not take this as a hard and fast rule. The 'roller,' or slide, is the wave to be ridden; the 'dumper' is the wave to be avoided. It is dangerous and the cause of many accidents, but can be picked up quite safely by one who has become expert in ' the art ' of 'broaching.' Broaching means turning the surfboard sideways and parallel to the wave. At the same time you slide down the crest of the wave, keeping the near side or edge of the board down, and the far edge or side slightly tilled to prevent dipping. This is the correct way for the beginner to attempt surf board riding, no matter what class of wave prevails. The beginner is advised to make his start at surfboard riding by taking his board into water about waist-deep, where the waves are broken and running shorewards. He takes up a standing position at the back of the board, the nose of which should be facing shore wards. As the wave approaches, he pushes off and forward, allowing his body to rest on the board, his knees at the end of the board, lower leg and feet trailing in the water behind. IN this manner, the board is fairly balanced and the force of the wave carries the board and its rider into shore. If the board is not truly or properly balanced it will be found to go either lo one side or the other. This is caused by having the weight unevenly distributed on the board and can be rectified by the rider casting his weight to the side of the board corresponding to the direction in which he wants to go. After practising this often, the rider will soon know when lo change his weight from one side or the other, and in a very short time will have the balance correct. Taking broken waves from waist deep is considered quite safe and ought to be thoroughly practised before the rider takes to the unbroken wave. When the beginner can balance and guide his board on broken waves, the next thing to learn is how to paddle the board. This will be found necessary, so that the rider will be able to reach the unbroken wave in deep water. Lie flat out on the board, the arms straight out in front in the water, just al the sides of the board, body fully extended so that the feet overhang the end of the board. Pull the arms down (with the fingers of the hands together) under water to a position in line with the hips, when the arms are thoroughly relaxed and picked out of the water, bending the arms at the elbows and carrying the hands underneath (ensures proper relaxation), and for ward to the straight out position in front and at the sides of the board.
L. A. MORIATH, of the Manly Surf Life-Saving Club, demonstrates the ideal balance for surf-board riding. (Top): Picking up the wave. (Above): Broaching the slide. (Left): The perfect standing balance.
THIS is the propelling movement, and when continued ought to drive the board and its rider along at a fairly fast rate. When the rider becomes expert at this very necessary part of the art, he may now paddle his board out to the unbroken wave, but is advised to pick a day when the waves are not too big. He next picks out the wave upon which he intends to try his skill, and then manoeuvres the board so that it is facing shorewards. He begins paddling, so that he will have the board moving to be in a position so that the wave will pick him and the board up, carry both forward, just prior lo its breaking, and will shoot the board and its rider down the slide or slope of the wave. It is now that the art of broaching a wave will be found most useful and helpful and the rider is advised to broach the wave immediately he feels the force of the wave carrying him forward. When the slide has been negotiated, the wave will begin to flat ten out. The rider may then straighten his board and enjoy the ride into shore. Up to this point the rider has only been lying on the board, and personal experience will enable' him to judge when he is ready to try standing up on the board.
Paddle the board out to the un broken wave once more, select your wave, start paddling, let the wave pick you up, broach the wave, negotiate the slide, straighten the board out.
TAKE a firm bold with the hands at the sides of the board half way down, at the same time lifting the head and chest. Now draw one leg after the other and place the feet on the board, resting on your haunches three parts of the way back on the board and in the centre, feet slightly apart, being careful not to over balance or lose the grip with the hands (the gripping position), keeping your eyes looking in the direction in which you are going, and guiding the board with the distribution of weight. Ride shorewards a few dozen times in this way and then the rider can straighten up out of that practice position until he reaches the perpendicular, always being careful not to work too far for ward with the feet along the board, as this will cause the board lo dive. Now that the rider can stand up on the board, he is required to guide the board with his feet. One foot is placed forward, slightly to the side of the board, the other remains behind and slightly to the opposite side of the board, being careful not to place the feet too far apart. Now he uses the weight for guiding purposes in the same manner as he did when lying flat on the board, namely, by shifting the weight from one foot to the other as the direction requires. Very little pressure is required to do this. THE rider is advised to look ahead, straight in line with the nose of- the board and not down at the feet. A sense of balance will bring the feet into their right position with plenty of practice. When the rider is confident that he can do all the previously explained 'stunts,' and can carry out these directions, he can now at tempt breaking the wave standing up and immediately coming down the slide standing up. There are many trick stunts that the expert surfboard rider can accomplish, and lots of fun to be had on the surfboard, which has latterly become a very handy accessory to the life-saver in the surf. Australians Are "Tops" In Surf Board Riding (1939, February 9). Referee (Sydney, NSW : 1886 - 1939), p. 15. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article127603238
More Ladies, More Early Surfing And More Surfboards: Entwined With Surf Life Saving
An advertisement from 1888, indicating a 'surf ridding' board is on display - there is among these articles :
EXHIBITION OF WOMEN'S INDUSTRIES. (1888, October 13). The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), p. 11. Retrieved fromhttp://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article13699509
SURF RIDING AT HONOLULU.
ROUND THE WORLD IN TEN MINUTES. (1902, August 23). The Newsletter: an Australian Paper for Australian People (Sydney, NSW : 1900 - 1919), p. 15. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article114724917
Australia's connection with the islands north of here brings up time and again, despite some 'tones' in some reports, our connections with these wonderful peoples and their ability to surf being brought back by those who visited and married, these ladies being considered British subjects when those islands were ruled by the same and the marriages, therefore, legal, and also brought into Australia by the sons and daughters of the same - see Louis Becke articles below. What many of these articles point to, and remains true, is prowess in the water as a strong swimmer preceded prowess on a surf board.
One great example of these first generation Australians, or those who came south from other climes, is seen in the legendary Alick Wickham:
Alick Wickham was born on 1 June 1886 at Gizo on New Georgia, the son of Frank Wickham (q.v.) and Pinge Naru, from Simbo. He lived in Sydney from 1901 to 1927, where he was a national swimming and diving champion whose achievements were reported internationally. Most significantly, he pioneered the crawl, or freestyle swimming stroke, in which he held the unofficial world record over a fifty-yard length from 1904 to 1915. He also held several national and New South Wales state titles. Wickham was also the inaugural Australasian diving champion in 1904, and from 1908 to 1912 the New South Wales state champion. He was well known as a regular performer of aquatic stunts at swimming carnivals, and as a water polo player, surf lifesaver, and pioneer in spear fishing. He was associated with early attempts to ride a surfboard. His most famous achievement was a high-dive of sixty-two metres (205 feet, 9 inches) into the Yarra River in Melbourne in 1918 at a patriotic swimming carnival. His achievements have been recognised in several television, movie and radio documentaries, in books and newspaper articles, and by the International Swimming Hall of Fame in the United States and the Australian Sporting Hall of Fame. In the Solomons, Alick was posthumously honoured by the naming of a swimming pool in Honiara in 1973 and by the release of a commemorative postage stamp booklet in 1984.
Wickham married Dorothy Bellisario Fraser on 25 July 1917 in Sydney, and fathered a daughter, Joyce (c. 1918-1996). After his return to the Solomons in the late 1920s, he married Ima Tako (c. 1880s-1969) in Munda, with whom he had twin sons, born on 30 March 1933: Rex Pae (d. 2002) and Alick Gina (Kena) Wickham (d. 2001). Wickham served as a scout during the Second World War and remained in the Munda area for the rest of his life. He died in hospital at Honiara of unconfirmed causes on 10 or 11 August 1967, and was buried there in the Old Colonial Graveyard. His wife survived him, and died in September 1969. (NS 7 May 1973, 6, 30 Sept. 1969; PIM Sept. 1967, 27; AR 1967, 9; Gary Osmond, interviews with Wickham family, Munda and Honiara, Nov. 2004; Osmond 2006) Entry by Gary Osmond in Solomon Islands Historical Encyclopaedia 1893-1978.
Retrieved from http://www.solomonencyclopaedia.net/biogs/E000746b.htm
ALICK WICKHAM
The holder of the world's record tor 50 yards. Time, 24 5/5sec.
Photo, by "Sun" photographer. ALICK WICKHAM. (1905, March 19). The Sunday Sun (Sydney, NSW : 1903 - 1910), p. 6. Retrieved fromhttp://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article231868441
ANOTHER COUNTRY CENTRE. A new club is being formed at Kenmore and the push off was given by our old friend, Alick Wickham, who, in spite of increasing bulk, is still capable of excellent diving and swimming. The Kenmore Club, whose destinies are aided by an old Clovelly Surf Club member paid Alick's expenses, and thoroughly enjoyed his exhibition of diving and stunt water work, including his now famous motor boat effect. ARNE BORG SPEAKS NOT ENGLISH: AN INTERPRETER (1923, December 7). Arrow (Sydney, NSW : 1916 - 1933), p. 11. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article103537106
SWIMMING.
ALICK WICKHAM RETURNS.
The Solomon Islander Alick Wickham who was one of the most versatile swimmers in Sydney in his day, returned from the islands after being absent for about seven years. He looks well, and will probably undertake coaching of young swimmers for the Sydney League Club.
Wickham for many years held the Australian record for 50 yards, which was also at one time a world's rccord. He was not only one of the fastest sprinters in the world, but also was a first-class performer in freestyle, back, and breast strokes, diving, and trick swimming, and was a leading beach swimmer. He won both amateur and professional championships of Australia, having a victory over the late Cecil Healy in the 100 yards amateur championship to his credit. He claims to hold the world s record for a high dive, having leaped from a height of 205ft 9in in Victoria in 1918.SWIMMING. (1934, August 8). The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), p. 18. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article17097960
Alick Wickham, ca. 1910-1920 / photographer Crown Studios, Adelaide - Image No.: a5501001h courtesy Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales. While at boarding school in Sydney, he is known for introducing the Australian crawl to Australia's Olympic swimmers the Cavill brothers at Bronte. He may also have introduced the surfboard. In 1918 he dived from over 60 metres in front of 70,000 people and was in a coma for a week. He was also Australia's 50 yard freestyle champion.
Mr Louis Becke's 1896 speaking of surfing echoed in this and clearly the author of the below was ignorant of where the 'crawl' came from!:
Sights in Fiji.
SURF-BATHING AND SWIMMING.
RIDING A TURTLE.
The expected arrival of a team of Fijian cricketers has drawn some all on attention to that locality.
The Fijians are half amphibious, and one of teir greatest amusements is surf,-bathing; but they go in for it on a much more elaborate scale than has yet been attempted in New South Wales. In a costume which would hardly commend itself to a suburban Mayor,' the Fijian swims out with his surf boardtill he gets far enough out to enjoy a good rush in. Then, standing on the board in the manner shown in our illustration, he fairly flies ashore. This trick of board-riding is very difficult to learn. Something of the sort was tried by local swimmers in the surf about Sydney, but with the risk of sharks no one cared about going very far out, and such as , did got a good swing on came rushing in with their boards among, the other bathers huddled In crowds in the shallow water, and it was a miracle that no one's eye was knocked out.
Though the Fijians , are so expert in the water, it is strange that they have never produced any really fast swimmers. They may not have the necessary stamina, as it requires a very powerful constitution to stand the strain of the "crawl" stroke for any length of time, or it may be that the Fijian swims to amuse himself, and has no idea of undergoing the hard training necessary to arrive at first-class physical fitness
Riding a Turtle.
A Fijian and his "Surf-board."
A Chief's House and cricket pitch.
On a "Surf-board."
RIDING A TURTLE.
Ever since the days of De Rougemont, the riding of a turtle has been a sort of bye-word for ... a champion falsehood. And yet there is some sort of semblance of truth, in it, as shown In our Illustration.
The photo, shows one of the native chief and a white man in the baths, in which the turtle ls a confinée. It is a tame turtle-so tame in fact that it usually scares a stranger out of his wits by swimming up to him. and putting its clammy muzzle against him, making him think that, a shark is after him. By grabbing the turtle by the upper shell, as shown in our illustration, it is possible for a strong swimmer to ride the creature across the baths. What it really amounts to is that the swimmer swims, and keeps the turtle from diving down below, as its instinct is. It will be remembered that De- Rougemont gave an exhibition of turtle riding in London, which was sufficiently realistic to please the untravelled section of the representatives of the metropolitan Press. But for any practical life-saving purpose the turtle may be written down as a failure. The tame turtle shown in the illustration is described as a not particularly amiable specimen, and it makes efforts to bite anyone it can get hold of; but, contrary to common repute, Its b.ta ls described as quite harmless.
A CRICKET PITCH.
Another illustration shows a Fijian village, with its cricket pitch, railed off to keep it in good order. The natives look upon cricket as the chief end of man, and a match lasts about a fortnight, and ls accompanied by no end of feasting. But gradually a scheme of first class cricket has evolved itself, and instead of being a tribal amusement, cricket has become a strenuous business. The eleven to visit Australia comprises some quite fair bowlers, who, at any rate, can get any amount of pace on. But their custom in their own country is to, play with bare feet and bare shins, and it will be interesting to see how long tho fieldsmen w.ill stand up to fast returns.
Our photos are supplied by Mr. Ralph Stock. Sights in Fiji. (1907, November 27). Australian Town and Country Journal (Sydney, NSW : 1870 - 1907), p. 27. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article71599169
A SYDNEY SURFER ABROAD.
CONVINCING HONOLULU BATHERS. EFFICACY OF AUSTRALIAN LIFE-SAVING METHODS.
Mr. W. V. H. Biddell, the acting-president and chief hon. examiner of the Surf Swimming and Open Sea Life-saving Association of New South Wales, has just returned from a health trip to Honolulu, and speaks in glowing terms of the hold that surf bathing has upon the inhabitants of the capital of the Hawaiian Territory. The surf-boarders and outrigger canoe men there have their own methods. The methods of the Royal Life-saving Society are very little known there, and are thought to be of no value in the surf, but only fit for still Water. The surfers in Honolulu do good work by their own methods, one young fellow having saved nine lives by the surf-board system, another seven, and another five by the same means. The ' only resuscitation method that Mr. Biddell could discover as being known to the people of Honolulu was the Sylvester, and of this there was but an imperfect knowledge. The fact that the expert surf-boarders and outrigger canoe men could not-"break hold" in the demonstrations, and "duck" the rescuer, made the Honolulu people very anxious to learn I the various "stunts" or "tricks" peculiar to the Royal Life-saving Society in the methods it' i adopts for the prevention of drowning. General Soaper and Dr. Ramus, the United I States' medical officer, with other prominent citizens', took so keen an interest in Mr. Biddell's private explanations of the various systems of rescue and release from .the outset that public demonstrations were given, which were appreciated by every swimmer and yacht and boat club man in Honolulu.
So interested, did the people become that Mr. Biddell found scarcely a day pass without having to give instruction, both on land and in water, with the result that individual tuition was given to 21 ladies and seven gentlemen, and class instruction to about 30 surf-boarders and boating men. Mr. Biddell attributes the extraordinary interest taken In the R.L.S.S. methods of life-saving in Honolulu principally to the fact that in his first public demonstration he had only surf-boarders, local swimmers, and the medical profession as "drowning subjects, " and of having a fresh "subject" for each method, so that there might be every chance of foiling the tactics of rescue and release in the water, and of struggling to get away from the rescuer whilst being towed ashore. "Several gentlemen," said Mr. Biddell," In a kindly spirit cautioned me that two of drowning subjects in one of my demonstrations had fully made up their minds to get me under the water, and half drown me, and most of the audience expected some fun at my expense, but when it was seen that I had the subjects' completely in my power, I was given hearty applause. Two of the patients nearly drowned themselves in place of nearly drowning the rescuer. ...As a result of this visit a branch of the Royal Life-saving society has been formed, and it has been agreed to affiliate with the New South Wales head centre. A SYDNEY SURFER ABROAD. (1910, January 26). The Daily Telegraph (Sydney, NSW : 1883 - 1923), p. 5. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article238340243
LADIES' SURF CLUB FOR CRONULLA.
A public meeting was held at Cronulla with the object of forming a ladies' surf club. Councillor M'Alister presided, and pointed out that the object in forming the club was not that ladies should take part in the actual rescue work, but in restoring the apparently drowned lady patients, and assisting, by this means, the local surf club.
It was resolved, on the motion of Messrs. W. A. Gilder and F. G. Stafford, that a ladies surf club be formed, and twentv-two ladies handed in their names as members. The following officers were . elected: — President, Mr. W. A. Gilder: vice-presidents, Mesdames G. Maiden, B. C. Monday, Gilder, Messrs. C. M'Alister, Board, Windsor, Wilshire, Furley, Cayley, Giddings, Doust, Wolstenholme, Evans, Houston, Cotton, Pickles, Wunderlich, Jenner, Best, Blaxland, De Leurence, Purser, -M'Donald, Gordon-Craig, Hill, Wilshire, Palmer, Stratford, Hamilton; hon. secretary. -Miss M. Wilshire; -Hon. treasurer. Miss C. Gilder; committee. Misses, Board, Harnett, Cayley, Doust, E. Evans; captain, Miss A. Evans; vice-captain. Miss D. Cayley; hon. instructor, Mr. F. Stratford. LADIES' SURF CLUB FOR CRONULLA. (1910, March 16). Evening News (Sydney, NSW : 1869 - 1931), p. 3. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article116049205
MANLY SURF CARNIVAL.
Fancy Dress Procession.
The Manly surf carnival yesterday drew an enormous crowd to the village by the sea. A fine, warm day smiled on the proceedings, and surf conditions were good...
Inter-club race and Resuscitation Competition.— Little Coogee, 1 ; Manly No. 1, 2; North Steyne, 3. During the afternoon a fine exhibition of life-saving was given by the following team of ladies:— Patient, Miss Aggie Sly; support, Miss Dorothea Cracktanthorp ; belt, Miss Dot Wessberg; 1st line, Miss Amy Cox; 2nd line, Miss Joyce Wessberg; 3rd line, Miss Flora Glen; reel, Miss Nellie Kuhl; nurses, Nurse Alice Glen and Nurse Jessie Sly.
In the surf-shooting R. M'Kelvey made some beautiful runs, but had a board. J. Holland and CO. Healy also gave an exceptionally fine exhibition.The Misses Jessie and Agnes Sly and Miss Lemers were little behind the men in this exhibition. MANLY SURF CARNIVAL. (1910, March 20).The Sunday Sun (Sydney, NSW : 1903 - 1910), p. 1. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article226883634
Messrs.T. Gunning and Bell, two prominent surfers at Manly, have been practising with a surf-board during the past week. The board, which was obtained from Honolulu, is fully 8ft. long and over 2ft. wide. By it said the Hawaiians make really wonderful displays in the surf. The sea breaking over, the coral ring, which encircles the island sends the surf in foaming rustics nearly a quarter of a mile to the beach. Poised in all position on these boards— even standing— the natives are borne in at express speed to the beach. The two Manly experimenters, though few would equal them in open shooting, are not adepts with the board, but hope later en to give some displays with it.
They state that with Its aid shooting after a wave has broken is easy, and the pace is far greater than in ordinary shooting. The pastime is therefore the most exhilarating. It is, of course, only possible to use the board at unfrequented places along the beach, and the danger of it killing or maiming anyone who was in its path will prevent it being used more than for spectacular displays. AMONGST THE BREAKERS. (1910, April 14). The Star (Sydney, NSW : 1909 - 1910), p. 2. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article228314316
SURF BOARDS AT FRESHWATER.
THEIR USE CONSIDERED , DANGEROUS.
At the meeting of the Warringah Shire Council, a letter was read from the Freshwater Surf Club, which caused some discussion. The secretary of the club wrote, pointing out that the police officer stationed at Freshwater, acting under the authority of the council, had prohibited the use of surf boards; The committee of the club thought if the use of boards were stopped, it would deprive many of the members and visitors of the full enjoyment of the exhilarating surf.. The writer admitted that the practice of using boards by 'shooters' in the surf was doubtless attended with danger if used among ordinary surfers, but if restricted to one part or corner of the beach there would be practically no danger. The writer concluded by asking for authority to regulate the use of surf boards on Freshwater Beach. President Quirk and a number of the councillors said the use of boards by surf bathers was a danger to other bathers, and should be discontinued. It was unanimously agreed not to permit the use of the boards at Freshwater.
SURF BOARDS AT FRESHWATER. (1910, September 21). Evening News (Sydney, NSW : 1869 - 1931), p. 2. Retrieved fromhttp://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article115259630
Constable Miller's energetic action in smashing up all the dangerous surf boards at Freshwater has been most effective, as not an offending piece of wood was to be seen in the breakers last Sunday. The new premises of tho Freshwater Surf Club are almost completed, and it is expected that tho club will bo In possession at tho end of the year. ' AMONG The BREAKERS (1910, December 22). The Sun (Sydney, NSW : 1910 - 1954), p. 9 (FINAL EXTRA). Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article229976700
THE SURF BOARD.
The use of surf boards is forbidden in Sydney, but where there are not so many people bathing you can do some fine shooting with it. The board—as light as you can get it—should be 2ft or slightly under in length, and not more than 18in. in width. Time the wave as already suggested. The board is gripped in in the centre at each end, the further edge inclining upward from the water at an angle of less than 45 degrees. It is held at arm's length. Try it only where there are not many people bathing together at one time. THE SURF BOARD. (1911, January 17). The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), p. 9. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article10871838
Not sure where The Argus found its information as:
The annual carnival of the Bondi Surf Bathers' Life-Saving Club has been fixed for February 25, when an excellent programme has been arranged. Besides the ordinary life-saving competitions there are many novel and Interesting items which have never been seen before at these aquatic carnivals. One feature will be the "shooting" the waves on the long Honolulan surf boards. AMONG The BREAKERS (1911, February 2). The Sun (Sydney, NSW : 1910 - 1954), p. 3 (LATEST EDITION). Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article221582842
Despite the 'forbidden' one visitor may have given spark through a demonstration in Sydney during Autumn 1911:
MUSCULAR MUSICAL DIRECTOR
TALKS OF SURF-SHOOTING. HAWAIIAN WILL GIVE EXHIBITION.
A surf-shoot two miles long is one of the attractions Hawaii has to offer, according to Mr. Ernest Kaai, musical director of the band of Royal Hawaiians, who are now giving concert entertainments in Sydney. Mr. Kaai does not look like a musical director. He does not wear his hair long, nor Is ho plagued with a temperament which causes him to burst out Into violent fits of temper bordering upon hysteria. Rather, he looks like a successful heavyweight pug-Mist, or an international Rugby forward. Mr. Kaai weighs 2971b., is 46in. round the chest (normal measurement), and he has a 17!41n. calf. Mr. Kaal's speciality outside of- music Is surf-board shooting. Ho can, stand on his head on a board which comes In ahead of a wave at express-train speed. But he explains that that Is not the hardest thing to do in regard to surf-shooting. The limit, according to him, is standing on tho board with your back to tho beach. A parallel is found In a driver of a spring cart looking over tho tailboard. Instead of at tho horse, while the vehicle Is In motion. Only the trick on the board is harder. Mr. Kaai is going to give an exhibition on one of the Sydney beaches before he leaves Sydney, and It should prove of interest, for the reason that while local swimmers surf shoot in a fashion that arouses admiration wherever it is seen, they know nothing of board shooting. Mr. Kaal is of opinion that an expert swimmer can stand on a board Inside three months if it is practised daily.MUSCULAR MUSICAL DIRECTOR (1911, April 15). The Sun (Sydney, NSW : 1910 - 1954), p. 10 (FINAL SPORTING). Retrieved fromhttp://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article221568416
Ernest Kaleihoku Ka'ai in The Pacific Commercial Advertiser, 1907
Ernest Kaʻai (1881–1962) was considered by many to have been the foremost ukulele authority of his time, cited by some as being "Hawaii's Greatest Ukulele Player". Kaʻai, who was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, was said to have been the first musician to play a complete melody with chords.
SURF-RIDING AT HONOLULU
SURF-BATHING as a sport is, without doubt, one of our most popular diversions, and notwithstanding the fact that it is attended with an element of risk, as is evidenced by the recent calamity at Coogee, it is safe to say that it has come to stay. Many of our regular surf-bathers have become highly expert
in shooting the breakers, and their exploits in that fascinating pastime are at once the envy and the admiration of the novice. But, after all, we are only children at the game. Centuries ago the natives of Hawaii had attained a pitch of perfection at the art of surf-riding which would leave our best exponents far in the rear, and the bronze skinned Hawaiian. of to-day is just as expert as his ancestors.
There, how-ever, the surf-board is in vogue, and almost incredible feats are performed by the expert riders. It is quite a common thing for the surfer, standing on his board before the crest of a roller, to be carried over half a mile at Waikiki Beach, near Honolulu; while after a storm, the rider can start his trip over a mile out to sea and be landed right up on the beach. At Hilo Bay there are rollers after a big storm that carry native riders 5 miles at a run, and on the island of Nichau there are said to be even more wonderful feats performed. To stand on these frail boards and guide them with the feet is itself an accomplishment requiring skill, nerve, and constant practice; but the Hawaiian riders leap from one board to another at full speed, climb on each other's shoulders, and perform other remarkable feats. The natives have, however, a serious rival in the white man, who is becoming almost as expert on the surf-board.
A most interesting account of this sport, by one of the Honolulu experts, appears in a new, magazine entitled the Mid-Pacific. This periodical, which is splendidly got up, is published in Honolulu, one of its main objects being to promote tourist traffic across the Pacific, and to boom Honolulu, and other countries such as New Zealand and Australia, which would be included in the tourist's itinerary. This is with out doubt a matter of great importance to the countries concerned, and the Commonwealth Government has shown its appreciation of the scheme by delegating Mr. Percy Hunter, the Director of the New South Wales Immigration and Tourist Bureau, to represent it at a Pan-Pacific Congress, which is to be held at Honolulu this month. The Mid-Pacific, if it obtains the circulation its promoters anticipate, should do a great deal to arouse interest in travel on this side of the world.
There are two kinds of boards for surf-riding. One is called the olo, and the other the a-la-ia, known also as omo. The olo was made of wiliwili — a very light, buoyant wood— some 3 fathoms long, 2 or 3 feet wide, and from 6 to 8 inches thick along the middle of the board, lengthwise, but rounding toward the edges on both upper and lower sides. It is well known that the olo was only for the use of the chiefs; none of the common people used it. They used the a-la-ia, which was made of koa, or ulu. Its length and width was similar to the olo, except in thickness, it being but of 1½ to 2 inches. thick along its centre. The line of breakers is the place where the surf rises and breaks at deep sea. This is called the kulana nalu. Any place nearer or closer in, where the surf rises and breaks again, as it sometimes does, is called the ahua, known also as kipapa or puao.
There are only two kinds of surfing in which riding is indulged; these are called kakala, known also as lauloa or long surf, and the ohu, sometimes called opuu. The former is a surf that rises, covering the whole distance from one end of the beach to the other. This, at times, forms in successive waves that roll in with high, threatening crest, finally falling over bodily. The first of a series of surf waves usually partakes of this character, and is never taken by a rider, us will be mentioned later. The ohu is a very small comber that rises up without breaking, but of such strength that it sends the board on speedily. This is considered the best, being low and smooth, and the riding thereon easy and pleasant, and is there-fore preferred by ordinary surf-riders. The lower portion of the breaker is called honua, or foundation, and the portion near a cresting wave is termed the muku side, while the distant, or clear side, as some have expressed it, is known as the lala.
During calm weather, when there was no surf, there were two ways of making or coaxing it practised by the ancient Hawaiians, the generally adopted method being for it swimming party to take several strands of the sea convolvulus vine, and, swinging it around the head, lash it down unitedly upon the water until the desired result was obtained. The swimmer, taking position at the line of breakers, waits for the proper surf. As before mentioned, the first one is allowed to pass by. It is never ridden, because its front is rough. If the second comber is seen to be a good one it is sometimes taken, but usually the third or fourth is the best, both from the regularity of its breaking and the foam-calmed surface of the sea through the travel of its predecessors. In riding with the olo or thick board, the board is pointed landward, and the rider, mounting it, paddles with his hands and impels with his feet to give the board a forward movement, and when it receives the momentum of the surf, and begins to rush downward, the skilled rider will guide his course straight, or obliquely, apparently at will, according to the spending character of the surf ridden, to land himself high and dry on the beach, or dismount on nearingit, as he may elect. This style of riding was called kipapa. In using the olo great care had to be exercised in its management, lest from the height of the wave — if coming in direct — the board would be forced into the base of the breaker, instead of floating lightly and riding on the surface of the water, in which case, the wave-force being spent, the reaction throws both rider and board into the air. In the use of the olo the rider had to swim around the line of surf to obtain position, or be conveyed thither by canoe. To swim out through the surf with such a buoyant bulk was not possible, though it was sometimes done with the thin boards, the a-la-ia. These latter are good for riding all kinds of surf, and are much easier to handle than the olo.
Kaha nalu is the term used for surf-swimming without the use of the board, and was done with the body only. The swimmer, as with a board, would go out for the position, and, watching his! opportunity, would strike out with hands and feet, to obtain headway, as the approaching comber, with its break-ing crest, would catch him, and with his rapid swimming powers bear him onward with swift momentum, the body being submerged in the foam, the head and shoulders only being seen. Kala experts could ride on the lala, or top of the surf, as if riding with a board. SURF-RIDING AT HONOLULU (1911, March 17). The Richmond River Express and Casino Kyogle Advertiser (NSW : 1904 - 1929), p. 5. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article125698540
SURF BOARD RIDING WAIKIKI BEACH, HONOLULU.
No Title (1911, August 29). Kalgoorlie Western Argus (WA : 1896 - 1916), p. 25. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article33396467
If Alick did bring a surfboard here, he may have known this 1912 surf-board rider on Freshwater Beach - two whole years before the famous Duke exhibition:
The surf-board maniac was in evidence on the beach at Freshwater for about a quarter of an hour on Sunday, but the prompt action of the "man in blue" prevented any likelihood of danger to bathers near the shore. The careless "shooters' should also be looked after. AMONG The -- BREAKERS (1912, February 14). The Sun (Sydney, NSW : 1910 - 1954), p. 5. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article222007076
It is to be hoped that the lead given by the police at Freshwater In ridding the beach of the surf-board maniac will be followed at every other, bathing centre. As is usual in all such cases the pest is essentially a selfish individual. He shows no consideration for the pleasure and safety of others. As long as he is able to obtain a good "shoot" he cares not for anybody. These boards have been responsible for many cases of Injury in the surf, and it is to be hoped that they will be removed before a fatality occurs. It would be the simplest thing Imaginable for a board to rupture the kidneys or some other organ, and that is what will happen unless the authorities interfere. AMONG The BREAKERS (1912, February 21). The Sun(Sydney, NSW : 1910 - 1954), p. 9. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article222002676
Though the practice of using surf-boards among the bathers on the beaches has been condemned In this paper time and again, it still continues, though not to such an extent as in previous years. Serious accidents have been caused In this mariner, and the police and councils should use their powers to the utmost extent in putting down the evil. AMONG The BREAKERS (1912, February 28). The Sun (Sydney, NSW : 1910 - 1954), p. 9. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article222008597
Is this gentleman the 'surf-board maniac'?;
Tommy Walker Says— 'I Brought First Surfboard To Australia'
IN a letter to Harry M. Hay, Australia’s foremost swimming and, surf coach, Tommy Walker, one-time surfboard champion at Manly (N.S.W.), writes: 'I saw an article by you in 'The Referee' re surfboards, so enclose a photo of myself and surfboard taken in 1909 at Manly. This board I bought at Waikiki Beach, Hawaii, for two dollars, when I called there aboard the 'Poltolock.' I won my first surfboard shooting competition at Freshwater carnival back in 1911, and that wasn't yesterday. Regards.'
Walker was a well-known figure at Manly at the time he writes about. He figured in a couple of unusual, if not remarkable, incidents.
Time came when Tommy decided to catch a shark for the purpose of exhibiting it to the public at threepence a head. He brought three other lads into the enterprise and between them they raised the necessary capital to buy a hook and line and to hire a tent in which to install the monster of the deep. But first they 'had 'to catch their fish. They selected Fairy. Bower beach as their base and set a watch on the hill overlooking it. On the second day of their vigil, the required shark was sighted. Like a policeman on his beat, he came leisurely from the direction of South Steyne. And he was a Whopper, a tiger, 14ft 2in in length, as was proved later. He was duly landed struggling on the beach and a curious public had paid £12/10/to view him when the Council's inspector of nuisances intervened to the manifest relief of the residents in the vicinity. But one may ask, 'Where' does the hero stuff come in?' Well, it was this way. When the shark was sighted, the watchers on the. Hill signalled to Tommy (who was waiting on the' beach) and he immediately set out in a small dinghy to drop the bait at the spot it was anticipated the shark would cross. The craft capsized. So Tommy swam with the bait, a -7lb salmon, and literally spilt it into the shark's mouth. The shark grabbed it— and the rest was easy. Someone said, 'I ..wouldn't have done that for £10,000.' ..Tommy replied simply, .''There was no danger — when salmon are about, a shark has no time for anything else.'
IN the other incident Ivay Schilling was the heroine. She Will be recalled as J. C. Williamson's principal dancer. The company was having a successful season at the Theatre Royal. A strong swimmer, she was surfing at South Steyne one morning, when only two others were in the water. Walker was one of them. Miss Schilling had crossed a deep channel and was resting on a sandbank, and was watching Walker shooting. He could swim like a fish. This was at a time when large surfboards were unknown in Australian waters. However, Walker did not need any adventitious aids when shooting, at which he was one of the recognised adepts. It was impracticable, however, to shoot right into the sand because of the channel, which banked the surf up. After his third shoot, Walker appeared to be in sore trouble in the channel. His scream for help galvanised the dancing star into action. -With powerful strokes, swimming trudgeon style, she quickly covered the necessary 30 yards to reach the youth who was sinking for the third time. He appeared to 'be- in a fit- and struggled violently as the gallant lady swam with him to' the shore.
JUST at this moment the professional lifesaver, the late 'Appy Eyre, arrived and he worked on the unconscious form of Walker, who, when he came to his senses, ejaculated, ''Well, that is the last time I'll go surfing immediately after' a heavy' breakfast.' ?
TOMMY WALKER
The evening papers rang with the story, and the performance at the Royal was held up that night when Miss Schilling appeared on the stage. Members of the audience from all parts of the theatre rose and cheered, and cheered, and cheered again. And Tommy — what of him? Just about that time, a week beforehand, in fact, Claude Eric Ferguson McKay had been appointed to the position as Williamson's publicity man. 'Walker, if unwittingly, had brought one of Williamson's stars into the limelight— had given her the opportunity of appearing as a heroine in a drama off the stage. McKay was delighted. He presented Walker with a brand new £5 note. Tommy Walker Says—. (1939, February 23). Referee (Sydney, NSW : 1886 - 1939), p. 16. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article127604199
SURF GOSSIP.
(By 'SHARKBAIT.')
A surfing beach was opened at Edwards Bar, Middle Harbor, on Saturday afternoon by the Mayor of Mosman, for the convenience of Mosman and other suburban people. The new sheds cost £550, the Government contributing £200, and the Council the remainder.
The ladies shed contains 20 compartments, shower baths and foot troughs, A part of the roof is tiled, and the rest, lattice protected, is left open for the benefit of sun-bakers. The men's shed is larger, and is not divided into compartments. A sports programme was carried out, and a feature of the afternoon with the procession of surfers in fancy costume. The fancy dress, most original competition, was won by H. Stone (black gin), and the most comical by B. Sedger (octopus). The best display of character fell to J W. Martin (lady). The Balmoral Splash was won by W Cullaghan, Wheelbarrow Race by JL. Firth, and G. Levy Pillow Fight by U. Mallard, Sack Race by J. Ball, and in the Tug-of-War West Mosman defeated East Mosman.
At Thirroul on Easter Monday one of the biggest crowds ever seen on the beach witnessed the Surf Club's carnival. Some of the contests, closely fought, provided much excitement among the spectators. There was also a large gathering of members seen on the beach, and it proved a very successful carnival. The Rescue and Resuscitation competition was won by C Marr's team, and the Alarm Reel, Race, by W. MacDonald's team. Other events resulted thus :— Cork Collecting: C. Marr. 100yds Beach Race : S. Grace. One Mile Beach Race : W. Brown. Three-legged Race : C. Marr and W. Brown. Pillow Fight : C. Marr. Cockfight : W. Brown and W MacDonald.
The Surf Bathers' Association has held an examination for the bronze medallion, the examiners being Messrs. C. D. Patterson, S. Fullwood and L. Abel. The following have passed for Manly L.S.C.: J. A. Miller W. Thomson, A. Beck. E. R. Hull, J. Halland, D. M. Newton, A. M. Soule, W. Butchurdt, S. Mitchell. C. Nicholle, C. Adelt and D Dunn. L. B. Nott passed for an Instructor of the Surf Bathers' Association, and V- E. Lancelles Instructor of the Royal t.he Society. The Manly L.S.C. has been asked by the Glenbrook Swimming Club to visit Glenbrook and give an exhibition of life-saving. Manly have accepted this invitation, are sending one of their best teams up, and hope to give a good exhibition.
COLLAROY SURF CLUB CARNIVAL.
The newly formed Collaroy Surf Club's first carnival on Collaroy Beach on Saturday, proved highly successful, and was witnessed by a large number of people from the surrounding districts. The keenly-contested events included a swimming race, 'cock-fight,' potato race, the ‘curry-your chum' race, schoolboys' race and various races for ladies. One of the features of the sport was a stirring tug-of-war between several teams from the district each consisting of eight men.
Prior to the carnival, an interesting display of surf life-saving was given by the club members under the captaincy of Mr. H. J Dellitt.
SURF GOSSIP. (1913, April 5). Saturday Referee and the Arrow (Sydney, NSW : 1912 - 1916), p. 4. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article133436050
LATEST CRAZE AT MANLY.
The use of surf-boards of the Honolulu Variety has become the rage at Manly of late. For some years past Tommy Walker has been trying to emulate some of the acrobatic feats of the Hawaiians. Unfortunately the kind of waves we get here seldom permit more than a short run, or rather no one has yet succeeded in negotiating them from any distance out, Walker was the first to master the art of assuming the perpendicular. He has even advanced to a higher stage of board-craft, having performed the more difficult task of balancing himself on his hands while in transit. Young McCracken is probably Walker's closest rival at the Village. But, as mentioned, there are a host of aspirants in the field, prominent among which is G. H. Wyld, the promising Manly Club swimmer. He cuts a fine figure when once he gets properly on his feet.
Miss Amor is the best lady exponent so far produced as, in the case of the ordinary form of breaker-shooting, she makes a very clever showing. Champion Sprinter Albert Barry is also exceptionally keen on the pastime. He has been devoting most of his time in the surf to practising the latest hobby, and is making good progress. If the enthusiasm is sustained, personally, I think it quite likely that the length of run will be gradually increased, until one or other devotee will be able to give an exhibition on a par with what is accomplished at Honolulu.
There is, however, a drawn sword hanging over the recreation in the shape of attendant risk to other bathers. Not sufficient care is being taken to guard against an accident. There have already been some narrow escapes. The boards are heavy, and with the impetus they get up, would inflict an injury that, in all probability, would end fatally. It only needs for a complaint to be lodged for the authorities to put a stop to it altogether. Enthusiasts would do well to bear this in mind. LATEST CRAZE AT MANLY. (1914, April 5). Sunday Times (Sydney, NSW : 1895 - 1930), p. 15. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article120358193
SURF-BOARD RIDING.
KAHANAMOKU'S DISPLAY.
At the invitation of the NSW Amateur Swimming Association a number of newspaper representatives, accompanied some of the officials to witness an exhibition of surf-board riding by Duke Paoa Kahanamoku, the worId's champion sprint swimmer, at Freshwater yesterday.It was Kahanamoku's first attempt at surf-board riding in Australia and it must be admitted it was wonderfully clever. The conditions were against good surf-board riding. The waves were of the "dumping" order and followed closely one on top of the other.
According to the champion, board-riding on the Waikiki Beach, Honolulu is a pleasure, and there it is possible to shoot well over a quarter of a mile. Then, too, Kahanamoku was at a disadvantage with the board. It weighed almost 100lb whereas the board he uses as a rule weighs less than 25lb. But, withal, he gave a magnificent display, which won the cordial applause of the onlookers.
Kahanamoku entered the water with the board accompanied by Mr. W.W. Hill and some members of the Freshwater Surf Club. Lying flat on the board and using his arms like paddles the champion soon left the swimmers far behind. When he was about 400 yards out he waited for a suitable breaker, swung the board round, and came in with it. Once fairly started, Kahanamoku knelt on the board and then stood straight up, the nose of the board being well out of the water.
But the force of the breakers never carried him more than 50 yards. On a couple of occasions he managed to shoot fully 100 yards, and then he cleverly demonstrated what could be done. He turned completely round, then, lying flat on the board, he raised himself on his hands and swung the board from front to back and back to front, finally again standing straight up. If the condition of the water is favourable when Kahanamoku makes his pubIic appearance in surf-board riding in Sydney it is sure to be keenly appreciated.
SURF-BOARD RIDING. (1914, December 25 - Friday). The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), p. 4. Retrieved fromhttp://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article15559031
CARNIVAL AT DEE WHY
KAHANAMOKU ATTRACTS THOUSANDS
Deewhy had a day out yesterday. The local surf clubs annual carnival was on, but the big attraction was Duke Kahanamoku, who went down to show the natives how to ride the surf board. The board is as big as the bottom of a boat, and Kahanamoku went out so far on it that the crowd thought he was off to Honolulu. But about half a mile out he suddenly turned caught the breaker, and electrified the audience by kneeling, standing, and upending himself on the board, finishing up by diving a somersault when the breaker broke. On one occasion he disappeared. 'There goes his board, someone shouted. "Thats not his board, said someone else, "that's one of his feet." And so it was. Kahana, etc., kept up these stunts for an hour, and gave a great display. For part of the time he was accompanied by Miss Letham, of Freshwater, an Australian girl swimmer, who, it is said, only comes out of the surf to eat and sleep. On one occasion both swimmers stood riding the board for about two hundred yards. Duke received an ovation at the conclusion of his display. The crowd at the carnival was the biggest that had ever congregated at Deewhy since the inland aboriginals came down to spear fish in the lagoon and dance corroborees round their shell-fish heaps on Long Reef. About four thousand were present. There was a big programme, and the various events were spiritedly contested. The surfing and live-saving events were under the control of the N.S.W. Surf Bathing Association. The days sport was concluded with an open-air concert last night.
GRAND PARADE AND MARCH PAST. — Dee Why 1, Collaroy 2. THIRD ROUND (Metropolitan Division) RESCUE AND RESUSCITATION COMPETITION FOR 1915 CHAMPION-SHIP PENNANT OF SURF-BATHING ASSOCIATION OF N.S.W. — Bondi A, 57.77 points; Manly A, 57.49 points; Coogee, 56.66 points; North Steyne, 52.83 points; North Bondi, 50.29 points; Bondi B, 49.20 points. NOVICE SURF RACE. — H. V. Rein (Manly) 1, C. D. Bell (Manly) 2. COCK OF THE WALK. — First heat: Narrabeen beat Dee Why B. Second heat: Collaroy beat Balmoral. Third heat: Dee Why A beat Clovelly. Final: Dee Why beat Narrabeen. BEACH RELAY RACE. — First heat: Collaroy 1, Dee Why 2. Second heat: North Steyne 1, Dee Why 2. Third heat: Coogee 1, Narrabeen 2. Final: Collaroy (L. Chimchen, T. V. Smith, A. Sheldon, and L. Sheldon), 1 ; North Steyne (L. E. Goulding, G. Morgan, O. H. C. Merritt, C. W. Whitehead), 2. In this race a collision occurred, necessitating a re-run. The results given are of the re-run. ALARM REEL RACE. — First heat: North Steyne 1, Bondi 2. Second heat: Manly 1, Dee Why 2. Final: Manly (H. M. Hay belt, O. Mater, H. Buhl, S. Bennett, D. West), 1; North Steyne (L. V. Hind belt, F. E. Nicholls, B. McEwan, E. Goulding, N. Thompson), 2. COCKFIGHT. — Balmoral (J. Doudney and C. Walker), 1. SURF BRACE RELAY RACE. — Manly (J. G. Brown and N. Smith), 1; North Steyne (C. Healy and L. Solomon), and Bondi (J. G. Brown and H. Fletcher), dead-heat, 2. NOVICE ALARM REEL RACE. — First heat: North Steyne 1, North Bondi 2. Second heat: Coogee 1. Third heat: Bondi 1, Narrabeen 2. Final: Coogee (J. Leary, H. Mason, H. McLure, R. Harrocks, M. Ruben-stein) 2. WHEELBARROW RACE. — North Steyne (H. Nichols and F. E. Nichols), 1. CARNIVAL AT DEE WHY (1915, February 7). Sunday Times (Sydney, NSW : 1895 - 1930), p. 13. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article120792408
SWIMMING.
SENSATIONAL SURF RIDING.
BUSY WEEK END.
The exhibition of surf board riding given by D. P. Kahanamoku at the Deewhy Surf Club's carnival, provided the greatest spectacle that has yet been witnessed in this respect. The Hawaiian proved himself a master of the art, and, despite the fact that the conditions were anything but favourable, fulfilled his advertised programme. On one occasion the board carried him a distance of four hundred yards, and he balanced on his head while shooting towards the shore. On another occasion, and whilst sitting on the board, he finished the shoot by coming in broadside on. He also carried a lady passenger a distance of a hundred yards. The exhibition lasted more than an hour. There seems to be no limit to Kahanamoku's work with the board, and at Cronulla on Sunday he used it to carry him for a short distance, and then dived into the wave and completed his trip to the sands with a body shoot. The Deewhy Carnival was well carried out.
The annual championship carnival of the Ladies' Association did not attract the usual large attendance, but racing has not been keener nor the spectators more enthusiastic than on Saturday last. The 100 metres re-cord established by Miss Durack is more in keeping with her 100yds record. It is a coincidence that, up to Saturday, both the male and female records over 100 metres did not compare favourably with the respective 100yds records. For instance, a 56 3-5s swim over the 100yds should result in about 63s for 100 metres, yet Barry has never done better than 64 4-5s under record conditions. Similarly, Miss Durack also held a 100 metres' record not in keeping with her best 100yds, but she has now rectified this. Cunha, the speedy Hawaiian, took part in the special 100 metres handicap, together with Boardman and Levy, and just won by a touch from the Olympic representative. The winner was not at his best, as he is suffering from a heavy cold. One of the most promising lady competitors was Miss Head, who swam well in two races, and also took part in the diving. She used a very nice crawl stroke. Once again Miss Durack won the hundred yards championship, with Mina Wylie second. The Coogee girl swam remarkably well for 75 yards, and seemed to hold the winner, after which the champion swam so well that she eventually won by about five yards. Lottie Fevyer, from whom close opposition was expected, was a similar distance behind Miss Wylie, who, considering her recent illness, swam splendidly. The three girls named have been selected to visit Brisbane for the Australian championships, and will make a very formid-able trio for the Brisbane competitors to face. Mrs. W. Chambers will act as manageress. SWIMMING. (1915, February 10). The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), p. 6. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article15561625
NOW I REMEMBER
(By J. C. DAVIS)
DUKE KAHANAMOKU
As a Surfing Blondin
Surf-board riding is a fascinating diversion these days on most of the ocean beaches north and south of Port Jackson, But not so many years ago it was an isolated sort of sport, with the manipulators of the board novices in their actions and control compared with the bird-like proclivities of many who now skim the waves with the grace of swallows.
JUST sixteen years ago Duke Kahanamoku , the brilliant and picturesque Hawaiian, at the time the fastest swimmer in the world over the shorter distances, thrilled thousands in an exhibition out here. Cecil Healy, one of the greatest swimmers of all time developed by Australia, told the story of this exhibition for "The Referee." Young swimmers today who get their thrills and exhilaration from the surf will read Cecil’s description of the Duke's exploits and the impression it made on those present with some curiosity and pleasure.
''The great majority of prominent swimmers are now connected with surfing bodies (wrote the Olympic star swimmer, who used a graphic pen in his 'Referee' stories), and a number seized the opportunity of taking part in the Dee why Life Saving Club's carnival, in order to witness Kahanamoku's first and last public exhibition of surf-board riding. The crowd which put Duke Kahanamoku in an appearance, exceeded any that had ever, previously congregated at this out of-the-way resort. In view of the district being only sparsely populated as yet, and its comparative inaccessability, the local organisation showed great enterprise and initiative in shouldering the financial responsibilities necessary to secure the Duke as an attraction.
'At the time the Hawaiian put out to sea with his surf-board, which he seems to worship almost as much as a child its doll, the waves unfortunately, were not particularly good for shooting purposes, merely an occasional one having any length of run. The rapidity with which he took the weighty plank out through the breakers was not the least amazing feature of the display. He lay outstretched upon it, and used his hands as paddles, one on either side. 'It struck me, as I watched him propel himself along in this fashion, infinitely faster, than any of our 'expert surfers could move unencumbered, that he must be able to exert tremendous power with, those arms of his.
Therein is probably, to be found the explanation of his extraordinary capabilities as a sprint swimmer, rather than his peculiar method of kicking. 'On sighting a likely-looking wave he commenced to paddle vigorously, still lying prone as before. After a few in effectual attempts he succeeded in catching one properly. Instantly the board seemed to leap forward like a fiery steed when the spurs are driven into the rowels. Immediately after the Duke rose upright, and assumed the attitude of ancient chariot drivers. And no sooner had he done so than he seemed to exercise some subtle influence over the madly careering craft; in fact, just as if he had taken reins in hand. He altered its direction so as to steer a course diagonal to the beach. 'Although the prow ''pranced and bounded over the crest of the onrushing billow, the Duke stood like an ebony statue, immovable save for the deft movements of his feet, and remained so till within a few yards of the shore,' when he leisurely dropped off. It was a thrilling sight to watch and such balancing skill and dexterity entitles him to the designation of a surfing Blondin.
'A young lady acquaintance then emerged and accompanied the Duke seawards. It occurred to me at once that if the Duke found it difficult to get going by himself, with the not by any-means good waves at his disposal, obviously his chances of doing so would be greatly minimised, when hindered by a novice. Such proved to be the case. A considerable time elapsed before he managed to get a move on with his partner. It must be admitted, however, that the dual shoot, when it did come off, was the more sensational spectacle of the two while it lasted.
'It served to show more conspicuously the Duke's wonderful facility for maintaining his equilibrium under these exacting conditions, as, although his passenger, was toppling backwards over the latter part of their journey, the extra burden failed to dislodge him until they had negotiated about three parts of the distance he covered when alone.' NOW I REMEMBER (1931, March 4).Referee (Sydney, NSW : 1886 - 1939), p. 12. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article136740827
Two weeks after the Dee Why demonstration, Kahanamoku left Australia. Isabel persuaded her father, a master builder, to make her a board like Kahanamoku’s. She and her friend Isma Amor, a fellow surfer tomboy from Manly, began spending weekends at remote Bilgola beach on Sydney’s northern beaches surfing and earning the label “wild young things”, although they probably weren't really - just independent and fit. The range of activities they engaged in would seem to limit the 'wild young things' days to mere weeks:
Apart from many of these ladies and girls being surfers who outshone the men, they too were in many cases champion swimmers and very good dancers
MANLY HOSPITAL JUVENILE BALL.
... ." Mrs. E. E. Rogers's special prizes, silver pendant and silver head chain, Were awarded to Isma Amor - The Daily Telegraph (Sydney, NSW : 1883 - 1923) Thursday 19 June 1913 p 15 Article
SURF BOAT SHOWS WELL.
Don. Mclntyre, the energetic hon. secretary of the Surf Bathing Association, was congratulated oh all sides in connection with the Surf- Show he arranged on Wednesday, to help the Hospital Fund at Manly. Surf Boards and Surf Boats Show want favorable weather, and this was not forthcoming on the day. The wind the night before bringing in 'dumpers,' when the time came for the surfers to try their hand as controllers of the power that the waves possess. It was bad luck for the many thousands who attended, as well as the exponents of the art whom the energetic Don. had gathered together. However, they tried their hand and took a chance to show the public, that something at any rate could be done with the hoards and boat in such a surf. The board show naturally was not up to the expectation's of the promoter, who knows what the Freshwater toys have been doing on their own beach shooting the waves on the Kahanamoku Board. However, the people looking on got an excellent display, nevertheless. It gave a promise of something much better when the weather is good, and Mr. Mclntyre is .sure to be asked to repeat the show. The Fieshwatcr boys turned up in good numbers, and out of the ten boards seven came from that beach. Messrs. Dowling (North Steyne) and Walker (Manly), also helped while Miss Isma Amor, whose shooting with both the body and the board everyone admired, also helped the good cause. She has shown many very neat and excellent displays in the casual sort of way while bathing and her first public appearance, it is hoped will not be her last as few can execute the good plain shooting as neatly as she can.
'GOING TO BE AN INSTITUTION.'
The Surf Boat gave a remarkably fine exhibition and under Captain 'Dick' Matterson, a Freshwater crew illustrated clearly what splendid use can be made of this method of facing the surf on its roughest day. The surf boat is going to be an institution on our beaches. Matterson and his crew gained applause by fine shooting and their work of launching. This' particularly difficult feat provided the tit-bit of the show. It was smartly and- effectively done: In an emergency the Freshwater crew need not fear any sea. They show this by. their daring. On Wednesday they rowed from Freshwater across to Manly. On Saturday night they did even better and faced the long Ocean and Harbor row from Freshwater around through the Heads to take part in the Venetian Carnival. There is a great future in the idea and when the time comes again, when spirited competition can be talked between the different beaches, the surf boat crew contests should not be the least attractive of the items. The collection boxes were busy the whole time the carnival progressed, and it is satisfactory to note that something in the region of £20 will be handed to the Carnival Fund in aid of the hospital.
To-morrow, night, at the Spit Baths, the Mosman Club will hold a club night with the 50yds junior championship of the Northern Suburbs as the main attraction, open to members of clubs on the northern side of the harbor who have attained their eighteenth birthday. Manly, Mosman, and North Sydney representatives will therefore figure in the event, and a fine race is expected. The Mosman reps, will be selected from G. Oatley, A. 'Oatley, C. E. Ferris, and G. E. Stocks. A club event over 300 yards and a diving competition will also be held.
JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP WANTED.
At the next meeting of the A.S.A. Council the matter of holding a State championship for juniors, as in ordinary years, will probably be introduced. A few keen enthusiasts in the cause of junior swimming have brought the matter under my notice as the result of the Northern Suburbs clubs making arrangements to go on with their junior races as in former years. ' Usually the 100yds championship of New South Wales for juniors under the age of sixteen forms one of the events of the State or Australasia carnivals when held at the Domain Baths. This year, of course, there is to be no big gala of that description, and consequently the matter has seemingly slipped the attention of the Council. In. such a year as this much good would be served by again holding the event, as there seems no reason why- juniors should be debarred from their sport. In Melbourne this is being recognised. The State Championships are suspended, but the City of Melbourne, contests (limited to juniors) go on, a in ordinary years.
THE AGE QUESTION.
The age question may cause slight trouble. In ordinary years the limit would be sixteen years. That age was general throughout the clubs last year, with the one exception of Mosman, who have always looked upon eighteen as the dividing line between juniors and seniors. In view of the military age also being eighteen, the other Northern Suburbs clubs fell in with Mosman's scheme for this year, and junior championships in the district iwiil be decided on that basis. In the case of State events, however there is something to be said in favor of maintaining the age always .the same, so that all boys will have a chance .of winning the title when their turn comes if they are able to show out better than others of their age. Thus, for a boy of fifteen to win last year and for a boy of the same age this season to be asked to meet competitors ranging up to eighteen, would surely work out a hardship somewhere. While the boys between sixteeen and eighteen might well be provided for by another scheme if possible, I would rather favor a continuance in the case of State events of the same regulations as previously obtained. As the Council will not meet until February 17 the season will be well advanced but, nevertheless, there' will still be time to carry out the race and give prospective contestants a chance to prepare. Campbell, of Drummoyne Club, is the holder of the title at present. As a guide to the real merits and promise of our youthful exponents, the race should be of immense value. Fanny Durack is Still Champion (1916, February 2). Referee (Sydney, NSW : 1886 - 1939), p. 16. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article121176297
THE SURF AND SURFERS
(By CECIL HEALY.)
The fourth annual carnival of the Freshwater Club will take place this afternoon. An excellent programme of events is down for decision. It undoubtedly constitutes one of the most attractive list of fixtures ever arranged for a function of the kind, and splendid support has been accorded it, by both country and metropolitan clubs. The cream of the best exponents from both spheres will be opposed to each other, and an exceptionally good afternoon's sport is assured. Fourteen clubs will participate in the Grand Parade and March Past, and should provide of special importance is the semi-final of the pennant championship, in which seven teams from North, South and Metropolitan districts will strive for the right to compete in the final next Saturday. In the matter of excitement, the 'Griffith' Shield Surf Relay Competition is likely to rank as one of the chief contributors. Ten teams have entered, each consisting of 10 members. On the face of it, it should prove a highly entertaining sight. The donor, Mr. Arthur Griffith (Minister for Works), has intimated his intention of being among the onlookers'. Manly won the event last year, and if they are successful again to-day, the 10 guinea trophy becomes their sole property. But they had very little opposition to contend with on the previous occasion, and it goes without saying they will find it a much stiffer proposition to dispose of opponents this afternoon. Eighteen teams are entered for the Junior Alarm Reel Race, and nine for the senior, while twelve nominations have been sent in for the Ladies' Surf Race. The Surf Lifeboat Race is a novel event, and, one that not only will afford useful practise for the crews engaged, but is more than likely to have spectacular recommendations above the ordinary. In order to encourage Sydney surfers to become expert in the use of the Honolulu variety of boards, a trophy will be awarded for the best imitator of the 'Duke.' Some of the intending exhibitors are said to have already become very proficient in the art. A variety of beach contests will be interspersed throughout the programme. The entries for the grand championship carnival, to be conducted by the governing body at Bondi next Saturday, closed on Wednesday, and are exceedingly heavy. In view of that… THE SURF AND SURFERS (1915, March 13). Saturday Referee and the Arrow (Sydney, NSW : 1912 - 1916), p. 2. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article117553148
FRESHWATER SURF CARNIVAL.
MANLY WINS GRIFFITH TROPHY
SURF-BATHING ASSOCIATION
The Freshwater Sari Club held Its fourth annual carnival at Freshwater Beach yesterday in the presence of a big gathering. Large entries and keen contests characterised the function, which was well managed by the officials. Twelve clubs took part in the parade, and made a fine spectacle.Excellent displays were made on the surf board and by the surf boats. Results:— -GRAND PARADE OF CLUBS.— Cook's Hill, 1; Freshwater, 2. LADIES' SURF RACE.— Miss A, Sly (Manly), 1; Miss L Lowers (Manly), 2. Time, Ozziln. 64 2-SseQ. "DUKE" SURF BOARD DISPLAY. — T. Walker (North Steyne), 1; G. West (Freshwater), 2, SURF LIFEBOAT RACE.— Freshwater, 1; Dee Why, 2. JUNIOR CANOE RACE.— G. Gilford (Freshwater), 1.1000 1000 YARDS SURF RELAY RACE, for Griffith Trophy, value £10 10s, presented by Mr. Arthur Griffith. Ten men in each team, each man to swim 100 yards. — Manly Life Saving Club (A. W. Barry, H. Hay, G. Wyld, J. Huie, J. Brown, R. Brown, S. Wright, N. M'MuIlen, C. D. Bell, N. Smith), 1; Coogee, 2; Bond!, 3. Won easily. An exciting finish between Coogee and Bondi for second place. Manly Club having won the contest last year the shield now becomes Its permanent property. CHAMPIONSHIP PENNANT, Surf Bathing Association of New South Wales.— Semi-final: Bond! (69.43 points), 1; Cook's Hill (66.49 points), 2; Coogee (64.91 points), 3; Manly (64.67 points), -4; Cromilla (63.10 points); 6; North Wollongong (48.19 points), 6. The final for the competition will be contested between Bondi, Cook's Hill, and Coogee at the Bondi Surf Carnival next' Saturday. FLAG RELAY RACE. — North Steyne No. 2 (L. Williams. J. E. Nicholls, H. Nlcholls. N. Lyons), 1; Cronulla No. 2 (R. Whitfield, H. Duckworth, F. Moore, J. Dillon), 2. A close and exciting finish. NOVICE ALARM REEL COMPETITION.— Manly (J. Brown, A. Rein, A. Childers, G. Cruickshank, J. Caswell), 1. Time, 2min. 27 26scc. SENIOR ALARM REEL COMPETITION.— Manly No. 1 Team (H. Hay, C. D. Bell, J-. Hole, O. Mater, L Duff), 1. SURF RACE.— H. Fletcher (Bondi), 1; N. Smith (Manly), 2; C. D. Bell (Manly), 3. OBSTACLE, RACE.— R. Shelly (Collaroy), 1; T. Smith (Collaroy), 2. WHEELBARROW RACE. — E. Sutton and Bonny-man (Stockton), 1. FRESHWATER SURF CARNIVAL. (1915, March 14). The Sun (Sydney, NSW : 1910 - 1954), p. 5. Retrieved fromhttp://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article229331007
SURF BOATS FOR SURF CLUBS.
Most of the surf clubs along the beaches north of the Heads now have surf boats, with ambitious and capable crews. The value of the boat and the ability to use same to advantage is an asset that every beach should possess, and some of the crews are now getting so expert that there is talk of a challenge going forth from one to the other. "We will race anything along the coast," said a prominent Freshwater man, a member of the boat crew, to me, the other day. Manly, Dee Why, Collaroy, and Narrabeen are said to be just as anxious for a meeting if it can be arranged. Thus there is the foundation for a real fine test of crew work with the headlands crowded with the supporters of the various clubs. A race followed by a test in the breakers would make a fine con-test, and the Surf Bathing Association might, in order to develop proficiency in boat work, take the matter up. There was a time when the Sly Bros. and Fred Notting had a monopoly of the surf boat control, but now it is different, and each beach could send a strong crew to carry its colors, if such a competition could be arranged.
A LETTER FROM ANZAC.
From Private F. C. Bauer, who died in the trenches on September 26 last, and who was a prominent member of the Dee Why Surf Club, and secretary of the Swimming Club at that centre, two letters arrived through the week addressed to Mrs. Bauer and their son George. The following are extracts:
" 'Anzac' means Australian-New Zealand Army Corp. They took this place and named it after them. It is a wonderful place now — all the soldiers landing, the Indians driving the mule waggons, the big boxes of biscuits and beef, the shells, guns, cartridges, the big trenches, the hills and gullies, and all the holes in the side call dug-outs. You get used to the shot and shell in time, and walk about just as if you were on the beach at Dee Why. There is a sniper at the end of the beach. Some-times he gets someone, but not very often. 'Beachy Bill,' the big gun, sometimes makes a disturbance with bursting shrapnel. When the squad goes out they get rations for day and night. All over the battlefield (15 miles long) there are telegraphs and telephones. It was a great sight to watch the monitors throwing big shells into the Turkish trenches. Some of those shells weigh a ton." "You must learn to signal," he writes to his son, "when I come home. You will stand at your dug-out near the house and signal me coming through the park."
Poor Bauer ! he died the noblest of deaths — for his country — within a week of writing that letter. In a letter to Mrs. Bauer, the late private writes of some of the Dee Why boys. "I have met all my friends, also Colonel Ryrie, Colonel Abbott, a lot of Victorian and Sydney doctors. All branches of the services are represented here — Indian, French, Italian, British, New Zealand and Australian — with mule waggons and artillery. Only four of the boys are with me how. The rest are sick. I hope to get a holiday in six weeks' time. The Winter is here now and very cold. Winds from the Caucasus and Balkan mountains. I don't know how the war is going any more than you do. It appears to be a long one. I had two nights in the trenches. They throw bombs just like a cricket ball. They kill five or six men at a time. Cecil Hartt's company had a rough time. I have seen all the Deewhy boys. Eric Ballard came over from the left wing to the Right Gulley to see me." Mrs. Bauer has the sympathy of all swimming and surfing clubs and friends of the deceased, who was one who went to the front when he could have easily pleaded his many ties as a reason for staying at home. SWIMMING AND SURFING (1915, November 17). Referee (Sydney, NSW : 1886 - 1939), p. 13. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article129348000
MISS ISMA AMOR, MANLY'S MOST COMELY AND POPULAR SURFING GIRL. OUR SUN WORSHIPPERS (1917, December 16). Sunday Times(Sydney, NSW : 1895 - 1930), p. 24. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article122793131
SYDNEY LADIES' CHAMPIONSHIPS.
Sydney Ladies' Amateur Club will hold the annual carnival at the Coogee Aquarium baths next Thursday night. The entrants for the 100yds State Championship are: Mina Wylie, Isma Amor, Lottie lerner, C. Head, I. Griffiths, and M. McDonald. SYDNEY LADIES' CHAMPIONSHIPS. (1919, January 20). The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), p. 8. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article15821010
WOMEN'S NEWS
Invitations have been issued for the marriage of Miss Isma Amor, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W. J. Amor, with Mr. Angus Owen Macphillamy. The ceremony will take place at St. Andrew's Cathedral on March 3. WOMEN'S NEWS (1920, February 15). Sunday Times (Sydney, NSW : 1895 - 1930), p. 12. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article120520743
THIS WEEK'S WEDDINGS
MACPHILLAMY— AMOR.— St. Andrews' Cathedral attracted many people en Wednesday evening to witness the wedding of Mr. Angus Owen Macphillamy, late of the A.F.C., third son of Mr. and Mrs. C. S. Macphillamy, of Warroo, Forbes, with Miss Isma Amor, youngest daughter of Mr. anH Mrs. W. T. Amor, of Rhodesia Flats, Macleay-street. The Rev. Clement Lea was the officiating clergyman, and the service was a fully choral one. The beautiful bride was exquisitely gowned in soft white satin souple. The broad train was rut to a point at one side, and the skirt had a 'narem suggestion round the feet. The lovely veil was of lace, known as Russian Limerick, and it framed the bride's face with a hint of a Dutch cap. White orchids and carnations formed the shower bouquet.
Two bridesmaids attended, Miss Olga Amor and Miss N. Macphillamy. They were gowned alike in soft frocks of deep maize georgette, slightly panniered and touched with ostrich and peacock blue. The hats of georgette to match were winged and had bands or tiny blue leaves. Mr. Brett Allport was best man, and Mr. Shaw Strickland groomsman. On leaving the Cathedral the bride and bridegroom passed through a guard of honor formed by the Graythwaite V.A.D., where the bride and her sister worked all through the influenza trouble last year.
A reception was afterwards held at the Hotel Australia, by Mr. and Mrs. Amor. Mrs. Amor received in a gown of black georgette and a smart panne hat. Mrs. C. S. Macphillamy's toilette was of grey georgette embroidered with flowers in soft pink and silver. To this she added a black hat with drenched feathers and a cloudy tulle cape also of grey. Miss Rania Macphillamy was in taffetas of the softest shades of lilac with a cape of old rose veiled in blue tulle and a blue tulle hat. Mrs. K. Harvey Grieve's powder blue georgette was worn with a smart little black hat. Mrs. A. Macphillamy was smartly gowned in all black, and Mrs. W. Beaumont in black touched with gold. Other Guests included Mr. and Mrs. E. S. Halloran, Mrs. W. Chisholm, Mr. C. S. Macphillamy, Miss Enid Cotton, Mrs. S. Robert McGrady, Mr. H. B. Chisholm, Mr. and Mrs. H. Hall, Messrs. A. Macphillamy, N. Macphillamy, G. Macphil]2my, J. Weedon, Dr. Single, Dr. K. Harvey Grieve, Mr. Crennan, Dr. and Mrs. Mervyn Archdall, Dr. Delohcry, Mrs. F. McGrady, Mr. and Mrs. McDougall, Mr. and Mrs. W. D. Newton, Mr. and Mrs. R. G. Newton, Mr. and Mrs. L. Davies, Mr. and Mrs. Clifford Broughten. THIS WEEK'S WEDDINGS (1920, March 7). Sunday Times (Sydney, NSW : 1895 - 1930), p. 11. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article120530018
MR. AND MRS. A. O. MACPHILLAMY (MISS ISMA AMOR) LEAVING ST. ANDREW'S CATHEDRAL ON WEDNESDAY EVENING.
(Flashlight by Sunday Times photographer.) A RARE COLLECTION (1920, March 7). Sunday Times (Sydney, NSW : 1895 - 1930), p. 11. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article120530017
Unlucky Bride.
Mrs.- A. O. McPhillamy (Miss Isma Amor), who was married early in March, was unlucky enough to develop appendicitis just after she reached her new home at Newlands, Forbes. She is now in Sydney undergoing treatment. Unlucky Bride. (1920, April 4). Sunday Times (Sydney, NSW : 1895 - 1930), p. 13. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article120523924
A small indication of what Isma and Isabel would have experienced at Manly in 1916 - this list includes the name of Nora McAliffe's brother among many other familiar Manly names - visit: Early Pittwater Surfers – Palm Beach I: John (Jack) Ralston and Nora McAuliffe
"IMPERFECT PATRIOTISM"
Honor roll at Manly
There was a reunion of members at the club-room of the Manly Life-savers' Club yesterday afternoon, when Mr. Joseph Cook, M.H.R., in the absence of the district member (General Ryrie) unveiled the club's roll of honor. Members on final leave exchanged good wishes with members who had returned from the front. Altogether 121 members have enlisted. The Mayor (Mr. A. T. Keirie) remarked that the occasion was an eloquent reminder to those who had not yet done their duty to the nation. Mr. Cools said it was the duty of Australians to perpetuate the memory of the boys who were at the front doing their bit bravely and nobly for us. None of his manifold duties appealed to him more than that of unveiling an honor roll. These men had already written their names in the world's book of life to stand for ever, and to be enshrined in the people's heart.
"In the Federal Parliament this week we were told that Australia had done enough," added Mr. Cook. "The man who says that has only an imperfect patriotism. Australia will never have done enough until the flag of victory floats over the graves of her sons, who, with other sons of the Empire, have given their lives that we who stay at home may be free and enjoy our liberties." Dr. Arthur, M.L.A., also spoke. The aldermen were present, and the swimming club was represented by Messrs. K. Childers and J. W. Morgan. Seven of the club's volunteers' have been killed.
The roll bears the following names: -Brigadier-General Ryrie, C. Adlet, T. Adrian, B. Arthur, M. Allworth, A. J. Beck, C. D. Bell, E. F. Bennett, F. S. Bennett, H. Boardman, G. A. Burke, N. Butchardt, G. Broad, J. Cuswell, L. J. Carr, A. Cooper, G. Cruickshank, F. Cutts, G. Dickenson, F. Dargan, D. Dunn, L. J. Evers, D. Fulliek, TV. W. Flynn, E. C. Fox, J. Fogitt. S. Freeman, C. J. Gates, F. H. Guy, E. V. Hall, S. Harris, F. Harries, P. Harding, L. Hawksford, R. Hawksford, J. K. Henderson, G. T. Hill, N. A. Holmes, C. Holloway, J. C. Holland, H. A. S. Holliday, H. M. Hay, K. H. Jones, A. B. Kyle, B. W. Kirke, W. Laycock, It, Lawrence, E. G. Lindsay, .J; Lowick, B. Mack, E. Mayhew, J. Maclardy, S. Martin, F. Manning. M. Macnnmara, E. W. Merrett, R. A. Miller, E. Mitchell, A. C. W. Murray, H. Morgan, S. J. M'Auliffe, T. A. Mc'Kinley, S. M'Kelvey. L. M'Lean, S. M'Lean, F. M'Malion, N. M'Mullen, P. D. M'Pherson, B. M. Newton, E. A. Newton, L. B. Nott, W. P. Pigott, A. H. ParkeS, C. Pugh, A. V. Roin, J. D. Reynolds, T. J. Richards, L. Rickard, N. Roberta, C. Roberts, V. Rowlands, J. Ryan, F. H. Schwarz, W. Seribner, C. Slater, S. Smith, T. S. Smith, N. Smith, D. Stack, H. Stiefvater, K. C. Styles, J. C. Teddlman, R. Thom. E. J. Thorn, E. Tompson, C. Turner, R. E. G. Twentyman, J. Vernon, R. II. Walker, K. H. Warton, C. N. Watt, S. L. Wald, J. Walsh, D. West, H. F. Williams, F. Williamson, J. , Wilkins, C. Wolrige, A. H. Wright. J. V. Wright, A. Clark, C. Holstrom, T. Richardson, J. Westwood, C. W. Nliolle, A. M. Lowe, P.. M'Pherson, F. S. Barnett, E. M'Cracken, C. E. Kentish, C. R. Quinn, A. J. D. Roberts, C. G. Wild, and A. J. Rawnsley.
After the speech-making there was a display of life-saving. "IMPERFECT PATRIOTISM" (1916, December 3). The Sun (Sydney, NSW : 1910 - 1954), p. 8. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article223384058
FRED REYNOLDS IS REMEMBERED 102 YEARS AFTER HIS DEATH.
Famous Freshwater soldier/engineer, Fred Reynolds, who was killed in action on 25 April 1915 at the Gallipoli landing, has been remembered by his descendants and the Freshwater community at a ceremony in the Soldiers Avenue of Honour on 23 April. Reynolds, who lived, until enlistment, at 50 Crown Road with his family, was a very keen surfer. At the time of his death, Reynolds was seen using his surfing skills to rescue other wounded soldiers during the chaotic landing on the beach at Gallipoli. He was hit by a sniper’s bullet.
For the last few years, Soldiers Avenue resident, Wendy Machon, has been researching Reynolds and his family tree. Machon, as part of the Soldiers Avenue of Honour Stakeholders Group, was determined that there be an appropriate memorial for Reynolds in Soldiers Avenue rather than a tiny plaque in the roadside gutter. At the Centenary of Anzac in 2015, a Lone Pine was planted by the then Premier, Mike Baird, in Reynolds’ honour. The surround, built by Freshwater resident, Roy Buirchell, is painted in the regimental colours of the Royal Australian Engineers. A bronze Footpath Memorial Plaque was also installed in the footpath adjacent to this memorial. A full history of his short life has also been prepared by Machon, and this was made available to his descendants.
Courtesy June 2017 Edition of the Duke Newsletter, Friends of Freshwater
Born in 1899, Isabel Letham spent the early years of her life in the suburb of Chatswood and first tasted the surf during weekend trips to the beach with her parents. Her tastes deepened when, aged ten, the family moved to Freshwater Beach. Influenced by her mother’s circle of feminist-leaning friends, she became something of a tomboy. By her mid teens her repertoire of pursuits included swimming, diving, body surfing and aquaplaning – her active, unconventional nature documented in photographs of her and her likeminded friends of this time. She was fifteen when Kahanamoku, who visited Australia in the summer of 1914-15, attended a surf carnival at Freshwater.
On the Surf Board
KAHANAMOKU’S PUPIL Rides the Breakers
Miss Isabel Latham, you are told, is a Swimming expert. That does not suggest much, of a thrill, does it? But what if you were to see her shooting the Freshwater breakers on a board, after the manner of Kahanamoku, the Hawaiian prince of surf shooters!
From him she had her first lesson in this - fascinating sport, and when she had been twice on the board (which, by the way, weighed 751b.) she was requested by the committee of a Dee Why carnival to give an exhibition with the dusky exponent of the art. She had qualms concerning her proficiency, but on the day she and the Hawaiian appeared, and she created quite a sensation by riding in on a wave at the head of the board, while her tutor stood statuesque at the tail of it. "It is a gorgeous sensation,", she agrees. ."Yes, you steer with your feet. Of course you have to be fairly good in the surf before attempting anything on the board, and even then you run risks In the learning. I love anything with a risk in it, though," she says, and goes a deeper shade of pink beneath her tan. She is very rosy, with a skin that must have been fair before eight surfing summer flung their bronze veils across it.
"When I was practising first at Freshwater, I was always covered in bruises, caught in taking the board out to the required depth. One day when I was alone and quite a novice, the board rose up on its tail and gave me such a bang on the ear that if I hadn't exerted all my will-power I should have dropped like a stone into the channel and been done for. But I took a grip of myself, got ashore, and waited for the board to be washed up! Mine weighs' 56lb.
"You carry it on your shoulder, and when you learn the knack of it you can hump it for hours without worrying about it." She drifts into a conversation In which Hawaii features.
"I thought everybody there could shoot on the boards," she says; "but Kahanamoku told me that there was only one girl exponent, and she was a half-caste. They have carnivals at night there, with all sorts of competitions. In one they have to take a lamp out with them, climb on the board, light the lamp, and shoot in on the breakers, holding the lamp up alight." She is wistful and enthusiastic together, so that you have no doubt of the vision in which she sees herself.
A Lady of the Lamp grown sporty.
Even though the winter is here, Miss Letham and her surfing board have not deserted the Freshwater Beach. "Mm, yes," says the swimmer meditatively, "it's cold going down the beach even at midday, but once I'm out in the breakers I forget all about the cold, and I soon tingle up." You want to know how many successful shoots constitute a good afternoon's sport, and she tells you that if she succeeds in getting three or five good ones she is quite satisfied, and has enjoyed herself tremendously.
Miss Letham has one grief. Whisper it gently! She hates skirts! Such a nuisance they are, and how can a woman enjoy herself with the swish, swish of them as an accompaniment to her sport?
"I hope to get a motor-bike soon, she confides; "a 6-h.p. heavy one, and then I'm going to have knee-breeches and gaiters. I'd like to go to a motor school and learn all the mechanism so I could fix it up myself. I'd love to be flat under a car or something, poking about and getting all messy!" You nod approval; and Inquire'!!' she has other sports to her credit. Tennis, basketball,' shooting, and cricket are ticked off, and : basket-ball is defended as less tame than it ; is reputed to be. Miss Letham's shooting has entailed coastal trips for gillbirds, and there is a prospective expedition with foxes for quarry, that makes her color come pinkly again. It is to be in the Blue Mountain district, though the snow is still on the ground!
From watching life-savers on the beaches she has gleaned sufficient knowledge of resuscitation methods to be of use in case of accidents. In going over the hill towards Manly some time ago she noticed a crowd on the Freshwater Beach. Someone told her a little boy was being carried out. The girl swimmer dropped her parcels and fled down, to the beach, dashed into the surf, and brought the youngster's body out. She was too late, however, for he had been in the water ten minutes already, and although she worked on him until the doctor came, two hours later, the sea had done its work too well.
"That was a horrible experience," says she.
You wonder if she has over been in difficulties herself.
"Well, yes," Is the answer; "but when people know you're a swimmer they think it impossible for anything to happen to you, and if you did need assistance no one would believe you. Yes, I'm afraid of sharks. The other day I thought I'd like a longer swim than usual, and when I was some distance out, I became aware of a shark asleep on a breaker. He didn't notice me, thank goodness, and you couldn't see my heels for dust!"
The interview closes, the tall, athletic-looking girl rises, and you find yourself goggling at what she carries in her hand. It is a knitting-bag!
On the Surf Board (1917, July 1). The Sun (Sydney, NSW : 1910 - 1954), p. 5. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article221399967
Involving women in surf clubs events, as seen in the 1913 inaugural carnival for Collaroy above,
A LIVE SURF CLUB.
The members of the Freshwater Surf and Life Saving Club met with great success at the recent carnivals at Manly and Freshwater. Their performances were:—
Manly carnival (25/l/'19):
Won march past of all clubs, surf-boat race, heat alarm reel race, and finished third in final (senior), second surf relay race, third ladies' surf race, won surf-board display.
Freshwater carnival (27/l/'19):
Won surf-boat race, heat resuscitation competition, reel-winding contest (T. Thunng v. H. Harrington), ladies' surf race (Miss I. Farley), heat alarm reel race (M. Ryan), third in pillow fight, third in 100yds sprint (H. Harrington), and won fancy dress parade (Yankee Doodle costumes).
WHAT LOCAL SWIMMERS ARE DOING (1919, February 7). Arrow (Sydney, NSW : 1916 - 1933), p. 5. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article103519941
ON THE SURF BOARD
Among the dozen or so Sydney girls who have become expert in the use of the surf-board one of the most skilful and graceful is Miss Helen Andrews, of Roscoe-street, Bondi, and her dexterity is all the more remarkable from the fact that, unlike the others, she had no opportunity of studying the methods of the Hawaiian swimmer Kahanamoku, who was the first to introduce the board seriously into this country;' When Kahanomoku visited Sydney-Miss Andrews had never seen the surf. She is a native of Adelaide, and came to Sydney only two years ago. The trip was a holiday one, but her parents decided to make Sydney their home, taking up their residence in Bondi. Miss Andrews was always fond of the water. She was one of the best swimmers in South Australia, and competed in the women's championships in that State, though so far she has neglected speed- work for surfing since her arrival in Sydney.
The surf appealed to her as soon as she went to Bondi, and she showed a remarkable aptitude for mastering its vagaries. While it takes the average young athletic man two or three seasons to become a surf-shooter, Miss Andrews was able to match it with the best of the men before she had got well into her first summer. Then she looked for bigger game, and studied the methods of Foran, Bondi's crack on the board, and bought one for herself. In a few weeks, she was able to use the board as well as any woman on the beach. To-day she can do nearly everything the best of the male surfers can do, and with almost equal certainty. She possesses remarkable judgment in timing a wave, knows precisely whether It will carry the board or not, and once started can sweep in sitting, kneeling, standing, or lying down. Her star turn consists of getting a good start crouched and then standing on her head!
During the war Miss Andrews devoted much of her time to war work. She was originally connected with the Australian-American War Workers' Cafe, and at present is assisting the Voluntary Workers' Cafe In Pitt-street. Her younger brother, Terry is boy of about 15, is also an enthusiast on the surf -board. He is the proud possessor of a board of his own, and is probably the smartest youngster of his age in Australia In its manipulation.
Miss Helen Andrews, of Bondi, on the surf board. Insert appear a close'up of Miss Andrews and a photograph of her carrying her board on the beach. ON THE SURF BOARD (1919, December 28). The Sun (Sydney, NSW : 1910 - 1954), p. 11. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article222292967
Riding the Board on A Racing Wave Frank Foran
By Frank Foran, Bondi's Star Board Shooter
Whoosh! Down on the breast of a foaming comber. If horse racing is the sport of kings, nobody can convince me that board-shooting in 'the sizzling surf isn't a thrill for the gods.Spring on the board, away you go. A hundred miles an hour it- seems like it, anyhow. Green vales of water tearing past you. Nobody in front. You're all out; let her go away on a spray-stinging, pulse-quickening career to a distant strip of golden sand. But watch her direction, keep your head. Otherwise, it would be a very sensible Idea if you called out the local ambulance corps to be prepared for any sensational emergency during your exhilarating stunts. That's the whole idea. Don't, do any board-shooting until you have made sure you are not going to be reckless, and until you have practised and know all there is to be known about the eight feet of timber beneath you. I learned that lesson, painfully, in the season-of 1914-1915. It was the first time I had ever seen board-shooting. With that sturdy, resolute, fiery-headed Eastern Suburbs League forward, "Bluey" Watkins, I watched Duke Paoa Kahanamoku in action at Dee Why. He was superbly skilful, and I studied his methods, but there must have been something amiss in the manner in which I sized him up, and my analysis of his tricks. At any rate, "Bluey" and I soon obtained boards, and after a little imitation of the adroitness of the Duke, "Bluey" was bluer than ever with bruises, and I ached from the tip of my nose to the extremities of my toes. Naturally, we realised we were doing it the wrong way, so we tried different tactics, and gradually improved.
Somebody
Somebody sent a surf board from Honolulu to the Surf Life-saving Association's president (Mr. Patterson) in 1908, and a number of our chaps tried their hand at it, with some sort of success; but it was really Duke Kahanamoku who showed Sydney the true art, and he ought to be awarded a medal for it. "New excitement was added to surfing. It made body-shooting look like dog-paddling,"
How do I do it? How can you do it? Get a board first. I think mine is the best on the coast. That’s why I have drilled a hole in it, so that I can chain it up, and prevent anyone who might be appreciate it from using my cherished old craft.
It is a redwood board, eight feet long, and two feet wide, and three inches thick at the centre. Naturally, it tapers— a board must taper. If it doesn't it will scarcely have a shoot in it. It is 20 inches wide at the back, and two inches thick. Its thickness forward, in the neighborhood of the nose, is one inch. On the rear portion of it I screwed a wooden "cleat," a batten, just to avoid splitting. The sides have a thickness of two inches and a half. Underneath, it is not flat, but gently curved. The first board I made was unsuitable, but I tried again, and the next satisfied my desires. The board I now possess is the same old veteran I turned out years ago. I have fashioned dozens of boards, and the only tools I ever required were a plane and a saw.
Before the board is allowed near the water, give it two coats of gold size and one coat of varnish. Sandpaper the board and renew its protective coats every season!This will save it from the ruinous aspects of sun and water. Always keep it under a roof out of the weather, or it will decay before you have had fair use out of it. The board I have described is excellent for beginners. They will find that it possesses better balance than any other they are likely to experiment with, and consequently they are not likely to experience so many calamities in their endeavors to achieve perfection. It is not such a simple thing to slip off this board, which will be found easy to master, particularly by women. Now you have your board.
Then for the surf— Don't go out too far, but practise first in the shallows. Stand at the rear of the board, looking sideways, and wait until a wave has broken. Then spring on your board, and- go with it. But be careful, there is danger here; for if you lie too high, you will slide over, the top, and probably bash your head on the sandy floor of the bay. It is just as Important not to lie too far back, because the front will have a tendency to cant up, and there is then the possibility of your getting dumped, ;the board lurching forward, leaping; back, and giving you a hard, lusty blow, which may dissuade you forever from attempting to become an expert board shooter. Try hard and you'll succeed— that is, if you have board-shooting in you, and you possess -that little essential knack which makes board-shooting eventually simple. Strike a balance, and use your common-sense, for it is air a matter of individual judgment. That is all I can Impress upon you in that direction. . Presuming that you have now gained confidence, leap on to the board and demonstrate that you own it, and that it will do all that you bid it to do.
Spread your hands forward, and grasp the sides near the nose. If you find that your board is dipping, slide back a little, and you'll balance her up again, but if it shows that It is determined to dip, and dip deeply, slide right oil the board.-over the front, or you'll see all the stars there-tare in the sport. If it betrays a tendency to dip down at the back, move up a little forward, and then the board will be even once more. Do not on any account overlook this, that it is inadvisable to commence board-shooting until you have become a good body-shooter. There are some surfers, however, who will never become board-shooters at all. It is often just pure luck. If the board is not going as any normal, well-behaved board should go, and you feel that there is going to be a crash, don't on any account go over the side. It's dangerous. When you think that you can essay a shoot on a big wave without any risk of serious Injury, paddle out in a calm channel, because it is much easier to get out there than to force yourself and your board against the incoming waves. Recline on the board until the wave is just about to break, and then paddle furiously with it. When your board is going, it is a good plan to stand up immediately, but, to get right down again to the rudiments of this thrilling pastime, don't' do anything out of the ordinary until you are able, with ease, to shoot in on the board lying down. While on your board, taking a wave, you should occupy about 3 feet of the timber, leaving 6ft. bare, and at least 2ft. 6in. of this, forward should be standing starkly out of the water like a shark fin. If you don't follow this little hint, there is a likelihood of the nose dipping, and you will have lost a shoot, and probably the board, too, for the moment.
The safest plan is never to let the board go. Hang on like grim death out in the deep water, even if your board is dipping, and wherever it goes, maintain your grasp, and go with it. When a wave is breaking, and the board gets completely out of control, it will leap about like something demented, if released, and then there is "a constant danger of grave injury and possibly sudden death, should it strike you. Patience, and the assimilation of helpful hints, will make you a board-shooter. Nothing else. It took me a fortnight before I could paddle properly down on the waves, and it was another fortnight before I could manage- to stand without, taking erratic plunges everywhere' into the surf. Even then I practised all day on Saturdays and Sundays, remaining in the surf for hours. Make your board a study, and if you expect that it is going to leap away from under your feet, thrust your left foot a little forward, and, with the added weight, the board will, be in control again. I stand 18 inches from the back of the board as soon as I feel she is going, and then, when she is racing like a live thing, I move ahead about' 14 additional inches, with ' the left foot extended towards the nose. When the board is travelling in the wrong direction, dip the opposite hand in the water, paddle away, and you'll bring her back to her right course again.
Here is a fallacy— it is not difficult or so very dangerous to shoot dumpers, provided always, of course, you know how. This is the way I do it. Turn the board until it is parallel with the wave which you have decided to catch, then lift the hose, and suddenly turn it straight again.
But just a confidential, earnest note of warning — If you are going to be a board-shooter, keep away from the crowd. Disregard this, and it is inevitable that somebody will get hurt. Then the authorities will interfere, and board-shooting will probably become one of the lost arts.
Riding The Board on a Racing Wave-- Here's How (1928, November 11). The Sun (Sydney, NSW : 1910 - 1954), p. 25. Retrieved fromhttp://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article223246421
Another outstanding feature of the day was the surf board riding by the Manly exponents; C. West, S. Dowling, R.H. Walker, and O. Downing. Some remarkable riding .was done, the swimmers on the boards being carried along the crests of the waves or several hundred yards uninterruptedly, standing upright.
These are feats that require much practice, and are quite novel on the Newcastle beaches, where surf boards are not allowed. SURF CARNIVAL.(1920, February 16).Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners' Advocate (NSW : 1876 - 1954) , p. 4. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article139426613
SHOOTING THE BREAKERS.
About three years ago Duke Kahanamoku introduced the Hawaiian surf board to Australian surfers. The exhilarating sensation of being carried at express speed on a 'shoot' proved so captivating that many Australian surfers decided to adopt the new sport, with the result that there are now many local expert surfboard riders. To-morrow, Messrs. Claude West, Steve Dowllng. R. H. Walker, Fred O. Downing, of Manly, and several exponenls from the Freshwater Club, will give some thrilling exhibitions on 'Duke' boards. SURF CARNIVAL (1921, February 11). TheNewcastle Sun (NSW : 1918 - 1954), p. 6. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article162614671
On Sunday Arne Borg will be the guest of the Manly and North Steyne Surf Club and Manly Swimming Club. He will be met at Manly by representatives of the local clubs, and welcomed to Manly by O. G. H. Merrett and thousands of surfers at North Steyne, where a programme of water events will be staged for his entertainment. ; Borg considers that he can pace it with our best surf men. and will compete against Kenny Watson. Norm Smith, Ernest and Goya Henry. Geo. Fiddington, Keith Kirkland. Fitz Lough and others. A dinner will be given in Borg's honor at the Pacific, and in the afternoon Manly Surf L.S.C. will stage surf board and surf boat exhibitions. CAN BORG BEAT OUR SURF CRACKS? (1924, January 11).Arrow (Sydney, NSW : 1916 - 1933), p. 13. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article103540960
NEW SURF CLUB FORMING AT MANLY
Club to be Known as Queenscliffe Surf Life Saving Club
At the outcome of a public meeting recently, it has been decided to form a new surf club at Manly, to look after the northern end of the beach, which at present is practically unprotected. The new club Is to be known as the "Queenscliffe Surf Life Saving Club." and has affiliated with the Life Saving Association of Australia. The Warringah Shire Council has granted a site for the club-house, and will subsidise it. The sum of £85 is already in hand, and a large number of donations have been promised. The office-bearers are: Patrons, Aldermen Samuels and Pickworth, Mr. Parr (president of Warringah Shire), Councillors MrKillop and Campbell; president. Councillor Ellsworth; vice-presidents. Messrs. J. R. Trenery, W. A. Lingham, Mitchell, Diamond, Westland, Slocombe, Nightingale, D. Mclntyre, and Shawers. Aldermen Keirle and Quirk; hon. secretary, Mr. W. G. Simmonds; hon treasurer, Mr. P. J. Maher; committee. Messrs. Childers. Lingham, Broadfoot, Dawson, Barnett and Guildford.
MONEY COMING IN.
An estimate is being prepared for a club-house to accommodate 100 members, and as subscriptions are steadily pouring in. It is confidently expected that the erection of the building will be commenced within the next few weeks. As soon as sufficient active members are enrolled, the election of the captain, vice-captain, hon. chief instructor, and other officers will take place. Patrols will then be established, and the dub will be represented in the inter-club competitions. NEW SURF CLUB FORMING AT MANLY (1924, January 23). The Labor Daily (Sydney, NSW : 1924 - 1938), p. 3. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article236701662
ACCIDENT IN SURF
As a result of a fall from a surf hoard at Bondi yesterday, John Simmons, aged 14, of the Papeete Tea Gardens, Bondi, sustained concussion and head injuries. Simmons was on a surf board travelling on a breaker towards the beach, when his board is said to nave come into collision with that of another boy. Both boards capsized, and the boys were thrown into the water. The Eastern Suburbs Ambulance took Simmons to the St. Vincent's Hospital. The other boy was uninjured. ACCIDENT IN SURF (1924, January 28).The Sun (Sydney, NSW : 1910 - 1954), p. 8 (FINAL EXTRA). Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article224566725
MANLY SURF CARNIVAL THIS AFTERNOON
The usual procession took place at the Manly Carnival last night, the competitors being garbed in poster and Pierrot costumes. The former section contained some clever characterisations, which went warmly applauded. This afternoon at 2.30, the Manly Surf Life Saving Club will hold its| annual surf carnival. Record entries have been received. There will be the usual spectacular events, including the grand march past and the surf boat and board displays. At night the principal attraction will be a waterworks and aerial fireworks display from a floating barge at 8.30 p.m. MANLY SURF CARNIVAL THIS AFTERNOON (1924, February 2). The Labor Daily (Sydney, NSW : 1924 - 1938), p. 2. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article236691367
Newcastle Surf Carnival.
The grand parade of life saving clubs at the Newcastle Surf Carnival on Saturday next will be a fine spectacle. In addition to the Northern district and South Coast District clubs, the following metropolitan Life Saving Clubs will take part — Coogee, Manly, North Bondi, Curl Curl, Clovelly, Palm Beach, North Steyne, Bronte, North Narrabeen, Bondi and Freshwater. Large entries have been received for all events, Including all the crack surf swimmers of the State. The surf boat, championship will also be decided. Sid Dowling, of Manly, the wonderful surf board exponent, will give displays of surf board 'shooting!.' The Steel Works Band will render a select programme during the afternoon. Newcastle Surf Carnival. (1924, February 14). The Maitland Daily Mercury (NSW : 1894 - 1939), p. 4. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article127635645
SURF BOARDS
Danger to Bathers
Surf board shooting among the crowds is a danger, and unless some action Is taken to stop the nuisance, serious accidents will result.
At all beaches people on huge boards are to be seen shooting In with the breakers at a great rate. It is certainly a spectacular display, but is dangerous where bathers are enjoying themselves. Many surfers are afraid to enter the water in case they will be struck by a board.
At the Manly Life Saving club's Carnival on Saturday many boards were in use, and although officials tried hard to have the course cleared for the events, the practice was continued. During one of the surf boat races and another swimming event a surf board was responsible for fouling two boats, and a swimmer narrowly missed being struck by the board, and was forced to alter his course. SURF BOARDS (1924, February 4). Evening News (Sydney, NSW : 1869 - 1931), p. 6. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article119201237
Complaints lately have been aired about the lads on the big boards getting too close to the public. This in a matter that often has been discussed, and a word of advice to the offenders to keep clear may be timely. Should the municipal councils take action, this type of surf activity might have to cease. It is no use one running his head against a brick wall; If the pubic complains in force, something In sure to happen.SURFING (1924, February 21). The Sun(Sydney, NSW : 1910 - 1954), p. 5. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article224575748
Coff’s Jetty Surf Club
Ladies' Surf- Board Race. — Miss T. Shea, 1; Miss Thompson; 2; Miss Hosehke 3. DISTRICT NEWS. (1924, March 26). Daily Examiner(Grafton, NSW : 1915 - 1954), p. 4. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article195123836
WORTHY AMBITIONS.
A general meeting of Kempsey and Crescent Head Surf Club, held on Wednesday night last, was attended by Messrs. A. C. 'Parker (President), Anderson, Miller, Leddy, Payne, Brown, Tait, Crew, James, Brenton, Smith, Stitz, McKenzie, C. P. Parker, Barnett. Francis. Kebbv. Bafsbv, Scott, and Watts.
The members who visited the Coff' s Harbor carnival were congratulated on their achievements.
It was decided to purchase two surf boards at a cost of £2/10/- each. Surf Club. (1924, April 2). The Macleay Chronicle (Kempsey, NSW : 1899 - 1952), p. 4. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article174387819
MOSMAN AND DEE WHY.
The Mosman Ladies' Amateur Swimming and Life-Saving Club has been reformed, with Miss Eileen de Gwen as hon. secretary.
The Dee Why Ladies' Amateur Club has a membership of 150, and is the only ladies' club to own club rooms which are built on the beach close to the baths. The whole of the cost was raised by means of bazaars, evenings, and dances, organised by the hard-working president, Mrs. Higginbotham. SWIMMERS (1924, November 12). Referee (Sydney, NSW : 1886 - 1939), p. 14. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article136619953
SURF CARNIVAL
Saturday's Big Programme
The annual surf carnival conducted by Newcastle Surf Club has for some time been regarded as one .of the leading aquatic attractions in Australia. The carnival, which will take place on the Newcastle beach on Saturday next, promises to be a record in many ways. Upwards of 1000 entries have been received from 20 clubs, comprising 400 competitors. Fifteen Sydney clubs will take part Manly, North Steyne, North Bondi, Coogee, Cronulla, Queenscllff, Clovelly, Maroubra, North Cronulla, Freshwater, Palm Beach, Newport, Dee Why, North Narrabeen, and Collaroy will be represented.
STEVE DOWLING.
The Manly surf-board rider and coxswain of the Sawfish (Manly surf-boat), will compete at the big Surf Carnival on Newcastle Beach on Saturday .
A feature will be the surf boat race of three heats, in which 12 crews (eight from Sydney clubs) have entered. There will be exhibitions by the leading Sydney surf-board riders, canoes, and Miss Phyllis Stroud, winner of the Surf Queen competition, promoted by the 'Sydney Sun,' which aroused great interest in Sydney some weeks ago. The spectators last year were stated to number 14,000, which record should be passed on Saturday. SURF CARNIVAL (1927, February 7). The Newcastle Sun (NSW : 1918 - 1954), p. 8. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article163406508
A Place in the Sun
Australian National Travel Association
433a Collins Street, Melbourne, Australia. [1929]
Illustration by James Northfield (1887-1973)
Persistent link: http://handle.slv.vic.gov.au/10381/107711
This ite is intersting not just for the innovation it tells of, and why, but for the shape of the surfboard:
SURF THRILL
NEW CORK BOARD GIRL INVENTOR
"I FELT so sorry for our soldiers putting on lifebelts and jumping into the sea. A lifebelt leaves so much of one dangling through for one sharks to nibble at. This was Miss Lavie C. Taylor's explanation of why, 16 years ago, at the age of eight, she invented the super-surfboard. She says that she was playing games, and brooding over the report of a sunken troopship. Lifebelts seemed very inadequate, and so she invented the one-man lifeboat, which has developed Into a surfboard. With corks strung together, and oddments she picked up, she made a 12-inch model of her idea, and her mother, Mrs. Farrell (formerly Mrs. Taylor, of Gurner-street, Paddington), had it patented. It is like an ordinary surfboard, made of compressed cork, with outriggers on each side.
In the Family
Under the outriggers are scoops, hinged so that, when the hands and feet of the surfboard rider drive the outriggers back, the scoops catch the water and drive the craft forward. With the forward movement of the outriggers, the scoops flap back, offering a minimum of resistance. It is claimed that a speed of eight to 10 miles an hour can be attained.
Miss Taylor inherits her inventiveness from her mother, who gets her most brilliant inspirations in her sleep. The mother's inventions include a patent boneless corset, a bullet-and-machine-gun-proof shield (patented during the war), a button which does not require sewing on, but is snapped into place, and a lamp which could project a powerful light without leaving any telltale beam.Mrs. Mrs. Farrell does not like Manx cats. One day she turned the light on a neighbor's Manx cat, and. with its aid. saw through its skin and flesh. I could see its heart boating, and its digestive organs," she says. The cat died peacefully next day.
Mrs. Farrell Miss Taylor
The speedster surfboard which was invented by Miss Lavie Taylor at the age of eight.
SURF THRILL (1931, January 18). The Sun (Sydney, NSW : 1910 - 1954), p. 5. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article224675469
A home study of Mrs. BETTY STEWART MURRAY, of Darling Point.
She is one of Sydney's keenest surfing enthusiasts, and divides her time between Palm Beach and Bondi.— Montgomery Dunn.
Social Sidelights (1934, February 18). The Sun (Sydney, NSW : 1910 - 1954), p. 25. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article230520503
11 RESCUES IN EIGHT YEARS
Jersey Woman's Record
Using a surfboard to assist her, a .young Jersey woman swam to two drowning men in St. Brelade's Bay (England) and so achieved her eleventh rescue from the sea in eight years. She was Miss Constance Brown, who holds the Silver Cross (Girl Guides) and the Royal Humane Society's silver and bronze medals for saving life, the London "Daily Mail" states ; The two men were struggling helplessly in a strong current and were with a party of visitors bathing near the rocks.
Hearing shouts, Miss Brown snatched up her surfboard, ran a hundred , yards to the spot, and dashed into the water . " She held the men up with the aid of the surfboard until a lifeline was secured and they were brought to safety. .Miss Miss Brown said that there is alwvays a big backwash near the rocks, and she could not have done much without having the surfboard to hold them up. "A very heavy swell was running at the time, and I was glad when the lifeline readied us, as I was afraid, .that the two men would be washed out of my reach." 11 RESCUES IN EIGHT YEARS (1934, October 30). Tweed Daily (Murwillumbah, NSW : 1914 - 1949), p. 6. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article192463986
The Palm Beach Playground
Sun and Surf Attractions
To see the newest and most intriguing beach accessory, the biggest and brightest beach umbrella, the smartest and most novel beach ensemble, go to Palm Beach. But, unlike at the fashionable beaches of Europe, you will find that this beach smartness is not afraid of the water, and it is all designed to add the maximum comfort to the serious business of sunning and surfing.
Mrs. W. L. Nickson and Mrs. Keith Oatley walking towards the surf with their 'boards.' Mrs. Nickson's swim-suit was of pastel-blue in a crinkled weave and Mrs. Oatley's was white.
Mrs. Adrian Curlewis with her small daughter Philippa, her nephew Tim Bell who is in the centre of the three children, and her son Ian.
Left (Left to Right): Mr. Lionel Dare, Mr. Raymond Dare, Mrs. Lionel Dare, Mr. Raymond Tobias, and Miss Joyce Abrahams. The engagement of Miss Abrahams and Mr. Tobias was announced recently.
Above : Left to Right : Miss Geraldine Rutherford, Miss Kathleen Rutherford, Madame Vitali, and Mrs. Vernon Dibbs. Miss Kathleen Rutherford's beach ensemble is of natural linen laced with brown.
Left : Left to Right: Mrs. John Gunning, who added a flag scarf to her black costume, Mrs. Betty Grigson, in red and white stripes, and Mrs. K. Dalrymple-Hay, who wore a huge brown hat with her white swim-suit.
Above (Left to Right): Mrs. Bruce Walker, Mrs. Russell Forrest, and Mr. Bruce Walker, M.L.A. for Hawkesbury. The Palm Beach Playground (1935, January 9). Sydney Mail (NSW : 1912 - 1938), p. 24. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article166109037
Cronulla Surf Club's Annual Carnival
The Various events in the Cronulla Surf Club's Annual Carnival were keenly contested in the presence of a large crowd. Bronte won i h e March-Past, with Coogee second, and Cronulla third. The Senior Surf Boat Race was an exciting event, the finish of which was won by Cronulla after that club's crew had won the second heat. At the conclusion of the competitive events Mr. W. Chiplin, one of the oldest members of the club, placed a wreath on the honour roll of club members. A picture of the surf-board competitors at the carnival appears on page 7.
Cronulla Winning the Second Heat of the Senior Surf Boat Race from North Bondi. Cronulla subsequently won the final of the event.
Members of the Cronulla Club in the March-Past.
Cronulla Surf Club's Annual Carnival (1935, January 2). Sydney Mail (NSW : 1912 - 1938), p. 43. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article166110803
Scarborough Surf Girl
Today's weather was ideal for surfing, and this girl with her surfboard had many emulators at Scarborough this afternoon.
Scarborough Surf Girl (1935, January 12). The Daily News (Perth, WA : 1882 - 1950), p. 22 (FINAL SPORTING). Retrieved fromhttp://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article84230846
SURF-BOARD COMPETITORS AT CRONULLA.
They are entering the water for the start of a surf-board race at the Cronulla Surf Carnival last Saturday. The race
was won by R. Holcombe (in the centre). Other pictures of the carnival appear on page 44. Spectacles of Youth (1935, January 2). Sydney Mail (NSW : 1912 - 1938), p. 7. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article166110843
FINE ACHIEVEMENTS BY SURF CLUB
The fine work performed by the Newcastle Surf Life Saving Club last season is mentioned in the annual report to be presented to members to-morrow night. During the season. 260 rescues were made, 101 with the life-line and 153 without the line. In one instance, the boat was used, and five persons were reached with surf-boards. FINE ACHIEVEMENTS BY SURF CLUB (1935, September 25). The Newcastle Sun (NSW : 1918 - 1954), p. 9. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article166130671
PADDLING SURF-BOARD RACING — A PICTURE FROM CALIFORNIA.
PADDLING SURF-BOARD RACING—A PICTURE FROM CALIFORNIA. (1935, November 20). Sydney Mail (NSW : 1912 - 1938), p. 30. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article160499147
SURF GIRL IN THE SUNSET
Miss Bonnie Bevan, who is a sunset surfer, makes a silhouette study as she enters the water with her surfboard.
SURF GIRL IN THE SUNSET (1937, January 5). The Daily News (Perth, WA : 1882 - 1950), p. 3 (STUMPS). Retrieved fromhttp://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article85023904
STRIPES AND A SURFBOARD
ATTRACTIVE IN HER WHITE BATHERS, this lovely beach girl finds her big striped surfboard an effective background. She would have no lack of rescuers if she were ever swept out to sea!
STRIPES AND A SURFBOARD (1937, October 23). Mirror (Perth, WA : 1921 - 1956), p. 22. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article75450893
THE AUSTRALIAN WOMEN’S WEEKLY
Over 393,000 Copies Sold Every Week FREE NOVEL . JANUARY 14, 1939
Registered at the G.P.O., Sydney, for transmission by post as a newspaper. Published in Every State_PRICE THE AUSTRALIAN WOMEN'S WEEKLY (1939, January 14). The Australian Women's Weekly (1933 - 1982), p. Front cover. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article51592474
Surfboard Girl Dodges The Sharks
Pat Trass, first woman to enrol in the Australian Surf Board Association, has been out mingling with sharks, without knowing it. Fred Pentecost, one of the best surfboard riders on the coast, said: "I've sighted sharks when I've had Pat out on the board, but did not tell her. "I just picked up a wave and went inshore. "If I had told her she might have panicked." Seven Others Follow But Pat, who is only 18, is not the type to panic. Often she has had to swim from 300 yards out when her board capsized. Seven other women have since enrolled at North Bondi, where there are more than 60 male members Pentecost, who has had many encounters with sharks, said: "A 14-foot thrasher came at me one day, but I got my feet out of the water in time. "He swam past, but came back again before I could catch a wave. "Another day a 10ft tiger shark had a go.
"It would have been curtains' if I had lost my head and capsized." Surfboard Girl Dodges The Sharks (1945, February 27). The Sun (Sydney, NSW : 1910 - 1954), p. 10 (LATE FINAL EXTRA). Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article231705287
Surfboard Siren
Miss Pat Trass, first woman member of the Australian Surfboard Association, riding a surfboard at Bondi, Sydney. She is only 18 years of age. Surfboard Siren (1945, March 4). Sunday Mail (Brisbane, Qld. : 1926 - 1954), p. 3. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article98306096
SURFBOARD RIDING CALLS FOR SKILL
Surfboard riding at Maroubra. One false move and you're over, but Vince Mulcahy (left) and Bruce Devlin are experts and know too much about the game for (hat. They show perfect balance as they ride a wave at Maroubra Beach, Sydney.
SURFBOARD RIDING CALLS FOR SKILL (1946, February 18). Townsville Daily Bulletin (Qld. : 1907 - 1954), p. 3. Retrieved fromhttp://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article62873041
SURF PALS.
When Westley Holdhouse, of Maroubra, Sydney, goes for a surf, his spaniel, 'Checkers,' keen to ride the breakers on a surf board goes with him. 'Checkers' is a veteran and has been riding on surf boards for two years. Here he is shown coming in on a breaker.
Dog "Doubler-Banks" On Surfboard (1947, January 7). The Newcastle Sun (NSW : 1918 - 1954), p. 7. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article158253331
2 men, boy saved in freak rescue
A lifesaver today saved two men and a boy in a beak rescue at Newport Beach. The boy was riding a surfo-plane when he was swept out.
Two men sitting on the beach dived in to reach him, but were also caught in the undertow. Using a line, a lifesaver swam to the surfoplane, on which the boy was still clinging and dragged it towards the two men. The whole party then clung to the surfoplane and were brought back to the beach when reelmen wound in the line. Half an hour later, a shark was sighted along the outer breakers. Bathers raced from the water. A surfboard rider gave the alarm and the shark was chased to sea. 2 men, boy saved in freak rescue (1948, January 22). The Sun (Sydney, NSW : 1910 - 1954), p. 5 (LATE FINAL EXTRA). Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article229035245
Newcastle Girls In Surf Contest
SHELTERING behind a surf-board, Sylvia Williams, Annis Hadwell and June Cole made an attractive picture. They will be included in Newcastle Club's search for a surf girl to compete in the Australian Surf Girl Contest. It is hoped to have a parade of surf girls at the club's annual carnival on Saturday. Newcastle Girls In Surf Contest (1948, February 2). The Newcastle Sun (NSW : 1918 - 1954), p. 1. Retrieved fromhttp://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article158138551
BIG PROGRAMME FOR SURF GIRL WEEK
Surf Girl Week in Newcastle, which commences next Monday, will give added interest to the Australian Surf Girl contest.
The Surf Girl Ball, one of the week's highlights, will be held at the Palais Royal on Thursday, March 11. Newcastle organiser of the contest (Mr. Ken Berliner) said today that the ball would be the first of the season and promised to be outstanding. Newcastle district clubs' finalists would be on parade together with Sydney cabaret stars and a surprise attraction of the evening would be a novelty item. Tickets and loge reservations are available from Paling's. The novelty surf carnival planned for Saturday, March 13, at Newcastle Beach, would be entirely different from the usual surf carnivals, added Mr. Berliner.
King Neptune and his 'pirate crew' would land at 2 p.m. to open the carnival. Events would consist of surf boat, ski and board races, a parade of Newcastle finalists. Tonight, Merewether, Cook's Hill and Dixon Park clubs will hold a combined picture night at the Star Theatre, Merewether. Main feature will be 'For Whom the Bell Tolls.' Tomorrow, 'Miss Cook's Hill' (Miss Beth Hanneman) will hold a card party at the Century Theatre, Broadmeadow. Reservations can be obtained by phoning the theatre. Newcastle tennis stars will play an exhibition match at the Stockton Beach courts tomorrow night in aid of the Stockton candidate. BIG PROGRAMME FOR SURF GIRL WEEK (1948, March 2). The Newcastle Sun (NSW : 1918 - 1954), p. 2. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article158142778
SURF GIRLS DEFY WAVES
SYDNEY: In spite of a heavy dumping surf at Bondi beach this morning, semi finalists in the Australian Surf Girl Contest proved themselves competent swimmers and surfers.
The surfing test was the first part of the judging for selection of "Miss Pacific." The semi-finalists, who included 40 N. S.W. representatives and 14 inter-State girls, assembled on the promenade in swimsuits at 9.30 a.m. The girls were sent into the surf in groups of 10, and were awarded points on their all-round surfing ability. Because of the heavy surf, girls who demonstrated their prowess with surf boards were sent out under the watchful eye of individual lifesavers.
Straight to Hotel
The eight Queensland semi-finalists arrived by plane at Mascot an hour after the surfing test had begun. They were driven straight to the Hotel Bondi, where they changed into swimsuits and hurried down to the beach. After lunch at the Trocadero, the girls paraded in swimsuits, afternoon frocks, and evening gowns before a panel of judges, who awarded points for beauty, figure and deportment, photogenic qualities, personality and voice. SURF GIRLS DEFY WAVES (1948, April 8). Brisbane Telegraph (Qld. : 1948 - 1954), p. 5 (CITY FINAL). Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article212773519
Prefers Surf
SYDNEY: Youthful Maroubra surfer, George Bishop, prefers the surf to football, and there is little prospects of his following his father's footsteps. George is a son of the former Test hooker, and present international League referee.
Although a junior, he recently beat the former Australian champion, Eric Curruthers, and many other stars in a surf race. He is one of the few who have beaten Australian board champion, Keith Hurst.
Prefers Surf (1948, March 20). Brisbane Telegraph (Qld. : 1948 - 1954), p. 19 (THEATRE). Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article212771806
Surfboard Duo
KATRINA Schenken, of Killara, and Peter Wakefield, of North Bondi, took advantage of yesterday's sunshine to "shoot" a few waves at Bondi Beach on a surf board. But soon after this picture was taken a storm drove everybody from the beach.
Surfboard Duo (1950, September 24). The Sunday Herald (Sydney, NSW : 1949 - 1953), p. 5. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article18485536
SURFBOARD WIN
CONSISTENT Coogee surfboard rider Peter Wilson won the metropolitan championship from a strong field at Bondi yesterday.
SURFBOARD WIN (1951, February 11). The Sunday Herald (Sydney, NSW : 1949 - 1953), p. 13 (Sports Section). Retrieved fromhttp://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article18501952
WINTER DID NOT WORRY THIS TRIO OF SURFBOARD RIDERS
Winter couldn't keep these three surfboard riders from the water at North Bondi yesterday. They are (left to right): Jim Rouse, Keith Goodall and Leo Mayhew.
WINTER DID NOT WORRY THIS TRIO OF SURFBOARD RIDERS (1951, June 4). The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), p. 1. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article18213487
SURFBOARD MEN TAKE THEIR FRIENDS OUT ON CALM SEA
Surfboard riders at Manly yesterday took advantage of the flat surf to take their friends for rides with them on their boards.
SURFBOARD MEN TAKE THEIR FRIENDS OUT ON CALM SEA (1952, November 24). The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), p. 1. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article18292014
SURFBOARD CHAMPION
SURFBOARD Champion Jim Roberts is one of the men who carry on the summer job of life-saving.
SURFBOARD CHAMPION (1953, October 27). The Gosford Times and Wyong District Advocate (NSW : 1906 - 1954), p. 7 (THE GOSFORD TIMES Supplement). Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article167382375
16ft. Surfboard
TWENTY-ONE-YEAR-OLD Launceston compositor, Stan Bidewell, riding the surfboard he will use at the Penguin Surf Life-saving Club's carnival today. Designed by himself, but built by Norm Casey, of the Bronte Surf Life-saving Club, Sydney, the board is 16ft. long and 19in. wide. It is believed to be the longest surfboard in Tasmania. Usual length of surfboards in this state is 14ft. Before transferring to Launceston, Bidewell was a member of the North Cronulla Surf Life-saving Club. He is 21. 6ft. 1/2in., and weighs 13st. He hopes to gain selection in the Tasmanian surf team to compete in the Victorian championships at Torquay on January 31. Since last July, Stan has been a member of the Low Head surf Life-saving Club.
16ft. Surfboard (1954, January 16). Examiner (Launceston, Tas. : 1900 - 1954), p. 27. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article99517569
WON SURFBOARD RACE
Cliff Pratt (Nobbys) winning the surfboard race at the carnival yesterday.
WON SURF-BOARD RACE (1954, March 1). The Newcastle Sun (NSW : 1918 - 1954), p. 11. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article161621755
SURFBOARD WORKING PARTY
Bronte lifesavers (left to right) Vic Callaghan, Bronte, George Bulbert, Belmore, and Barry Hurt, Bronte, line up surfboards for overhauling and painting in readiness for the swimming season.
SURFBOARD WORKING PARTY (1954, August 30). The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), p. 4. Retrieved fromhttp://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article18429507
SURFBOARD RIDERS AT MANLY BEACH
Three young surfboard riders, Kevin Elliott and Jacqueline Wady (left) and Richard Stockley, wait for a wave at Manly Beach. They were practising for the surfboard championships in the coming season.
SURFBOARD RIDERS AT MANLY BEACH (1954, September 6). The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), p. 5. Retrieved fromhttp://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article18450767
References and Extras
Tom Gerrard 1904
MELMERLY COLLEGIATE SCHOOL is admirably situated in St. George's Bay Road, and every comfort is afforded to the pupils, whose number averages about seventy. The curriculum taught comprises English literature, modern languages, Latin, mathematics, physiology, music, painting, and drawing. Pupils are prepared for the matriculation and Civil Service examinations. Moral and religious training is made a special feature, and the scholars are trained in the tenets of the Church of England; the Rev. G. MacMurray, M.A., vicar of St. Mary's, visiting the school fortnightly.
Doyle was born on 22 May 1859 at 11 Picardy Place, Edinburgh, Scotland. His father, Charles Altamont Doyle, was born in England, of Irish Catholic descent, and his mother, Mary (née Foley), was Irish Catholic. His parents married in 1855. In 1864 the family dispersed because of Charles's growing alcoholism, and the children were temporarily housed across Edinburgh. In 1867, the family came together again and lived in squalid tenement flats at 3 Sciennes Place. Doyle's father died in 1893, in the Crichton Royal, Dumfries, after many years of psychiatric illness.
Ford taught me more. "Imagine your legs a rudder," he said. "Hold them close together, and steer with them." A few minutes I came charging in on a comber. As I neared the beach, there in the water, up to her waist, dead in front of me, appeared n woman. How was I to stop that comber on whose back I was ? And then I remembered my guardian angel, Ford. "Steer with your legs!" ran through my reeling consciousness. I steered with my legs, I steered sharply, abruptly, with all my legs and with all my might. The board sheered around broadside on the crest. Many things happened simultaneously. The wave gave me a passing buffet —a light tap, as the taps of waves go, but a tap sufficient to knock me off the board and smash me down through the rushing water to bottom, with which I came in violent collision, and upon which I was rolled over and over. I got my head out for a breath of air, and then gained my feet. There stood the woman before me. I felt like a hero; I had saved her life. Anyway, that leg-steering was great. In a few minutes more of practice I was able to thread my way in and out past several bathers, and to remain on top of my breaker instead of going under it.
1.TROVE - National Library of Australia.
2. Beach Beyond - A History of the Palm Beach Surf Club 1921-1996. Sean Brawley. UNSW Press. 1996
3. Geoff Cater (2009) : S.L.S.A. : Surf in Australia, 1939. At: http://www.surfresearch.com.au/1939_SLSA_Surf_Australia.html
4. Smith's Weekly. (2017, June 30). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Smith%27s_Weekly&oldid=788328092
5. The Dark Side of Surf Lifesaving. Douglas Booth. School of Physical Education The University of Otago. JOURNAL OF SPORT HISTORY. Spring 2002 Retrieved from http://library.la84.org/SportsLibrary/JSH/JSH2002/JSH2901/jsh2901g.pdf
THE MORNING BULLETIN
ROCKHAMPTON.
SATURDAY, JULY 12, 1941.
RANDOLPH BEDFORD.
Towards the end of the last, and the beginning of this century the Sydney " Bulletin " developed a definite school of writers, particularly a strong group of prose writers. The cardinal principles governing their work were careful craftsmanship and scrupulous reality. It was the ''Bulletin" that discovered Louis Becke, did so much for Henry Lawson, brought forward Randolph Bedford and E. J. Brady, and published the powerful books of Tom Collins. The death of Randolph Bedford removes the last survivor of that group of writers, and whatever may have been their failings and foibles they had the merit of being Australian to the core.
Randolph Bedford was born in Sydney on July 28, 1868. His more formal education he received at the Newtown State School, but his real education he received in the hard give and take of life. In 1888 he became a reporter on the Broken Hill "Argus," the next year he removed to Melbourne where he served on the literary staff of the " Age " until 1891. He then became a free lance, writing mainly for the " Bulletin," and prospected in many parts of Australia and New Guinea, and even in Italy and other countries along the Mediterranean, and travelled extensively in Europe and America. He was a member of the Legislative Council of Queensland from 1917 until 1922, in which latter year the Council was abolished. From 1923 till his death he represented Maranoa in the Legislative Assembly, except for a few months when he unsuccessfully contested a seat in the Federal Parliament.
Randolph Bedford tried his hand at most kinds of writing. His first two novels were published in England; "True Eyes and the Whirlwind," 1903 by Duckworth, and "The Snare of Strength," 1905, by Heinemann. These novels contain much autobiography in a thin guise of fiction. They also contain many fine descriptions of Australian scenes ; journalism at Broken Hill, larrikinism in Sydney, and mining in Western Australia. Bedford's other novels, the best known of which is "Billy Pagan, Mining Engineer," were published in the Australian "Book-stall" series. They deal with mining and mining companies, and mining finance, probably the things Bedford knew best.
Bedford's most brilliant piece of writing is his Italian travel-notes, which first appeared in the "Bulletin," and were later reprinted under the title of " Explorations in Civilization " in 1916. C. Hartley Gratton, the well-known American author and publicist, considers it "a book of travels in Europe much finer and more truly critical than anything Mark Twain ever did." Bedford also wrote two plays which were performed but not published. He has also written poetry, but it is much inferior to his prose.
He was a short-story writer of real distinction, but unfortunately his stories have not been collected. The fact that his "Fourteen Fathoms by Quetta Rock" was published in H.M. Tomlinson's "Great Sea Stories of All Nations " speaks for itself, for Tomlin-son is not only a master of English, he is also a critic of honesty and of rare ability. This story is also published in Mackaness's "Australian Short Stories." It is a powerful tale of the love and death of a Torres Strait diver. His "Language of Animals" is a humorous story and is published in Nettie Palmer's "An Australian Story Book." To read it is to realise how far Bedford is removed from the vaudeville humour of writers of the school of Steele Rudd.
When we consider the work of the group of writers of which Bedford was a member, it is difficult to avoid coming to the conclusion that the Australian writers of today, with the possible exception of Henry Handel Richardson, do not measure up to them. And yet it is almost impossible to procure their books. Easily the most brilliant writer Australia has produced is Joseph Fur-ohy, better known by his pen-name of Tom Collins. His "Such is Life " would be an ornament to any literature. It first appeared in 1903, and was out of print for many years. Not until 1927 was an abridged edition of it published by Jonathan Cape, and even to-day it is difficult to procure. One seldom sees, for example, the excellent novels of Louis Stone. We go far towards proving what Hartley Gratton
said in 1929; "the truth is that Australia does not want literature. With a population of 6,130,00, it has not the proportionate vitality of South Africa with a white population of 1,500,000. However, the important point is that our finest group of writers wrote of
Australia and the Australia they knew. Unlike our moderns they did not write of an Australia of the past, they wrote of their present. Neither is it good for Australian literature that our ablest writers like Philip Lindsay and Mary Mitchell go abroad to write novels which have nothing of Australia in them.
The fact that, when they go riding, our city dwellers dress themselves in imitation of Hollywood's imitation cowboys, may mean nothing, but again it may mean that the Australian tradition is being lost. Surely the country that produced Clancy of the Overflow, the Overlanders and the Light Horse, need not dress itself up like Gene Autry when it wants to get on a horse.
Like most of the Australians of the nineties, Bedford was strongly individualistic and he instinctively recoiled from the radio and the cinema when they produce an alien mass culture. He poured scorn on the "refaned " voices of the announcers and their "serials."
He believed that here in Australia we had better models to imitate than any-thing Hollywood could offer. He also believed that we need not go ahead for syndicated serials when Australia has competent writers. He had all the drawbacks of the aggressive Australian, but he also had the virtues, not the least of which is true patriotism.
The Morning Bulletin ROCKHAMPTON. (1941, July 12). Morning Bulletin (Rockhampton, Qld. : 1878 - 1954), p. 4. Retrieved fromhttp://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article56092609
The poor parson / by Steele Rudd (A.H. Davis); with thirty full page illustrations by Syd. Smith & Harry Julius
... Julius. Dad in politics The poor parson / by Steele Rudd. Illustrations by Syd Smith and Harry Julius .
SMITH AND JULIUS PTY. LTD.
Smith and Julius Pty Ltd, advertising artists, of Sydney and Melbourne, earned n profit or £595 In 1937-38 Of the profit £378 was earned in Sydney and £217 In Melbourne. SMITH AND JULIUS PTY. LTD. (1938, November 25). The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), p. 4. Retrieved fromhttp://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article12068016
From Art in Australia, August 15th, 1938 - Page 33
The Late Harry Julius
BY SYDNEY URE SMITH
HARRY JULIUS died unexpectedly last month at his home in Sydney, at the age of fifty-two years. He was mourned by a host of friends and admirers.
Harry Julius as a youth was employed by The Evening News in Sydney, when he commenced his career as a journalist. In his spare time he was busily engaged making caricatures and sketches of the numerous queer street characters, which abounded in Sydney at that time. This observant young artist had a keen eye, a sense of the ridiculous, and a strong feeling for character. He showed his drawings to Julian Ashton, who at once offered him the use of his class-rooms and tuition.
The promising young student soon met the various artists, including J. J. Hilder, Howard Ashton, Norman and Lionel Lindsay, and he was associated with Hilder in his early development. Both the Lindsays took an interest in Julius’s work, and Norman Lindsay, with his usual generosity, gave him many lessons in pen drawing and illustration work. I met Harry Julius at Julian Ashton’s classes, and we formed a close friendship immediately.
Under his guidance we "explored” Sydney. I found he knew it thoroughly—particularly the picturesque back streets, "The Rocks” area, and old Sydney generally. He took a Dickensian delight in street characters wherever we went. He gradually developed his humorous drawings and caricatures.
We started "Smith and Julius,” a firm of commercial artists, which eventually employed forty artists, including Percy Leason, Lloyd Rees, Roland Wakelin, Syd Miller, Driffield, James Adam, Dave Barker, John Ward, J. B. Godson, Misses Frank Payne, Bertha Sloane, Margaret Horder, Edith Collins, Ellen Grey and others. Albert Collins joined as a partner and added ability to the firm.
Harry Julius made for The Bulletin many theatrical caricatures which he subsequently issued in book form in collaboration with Claude McKay.
Later he became interested in comic "strips,” and preceded Jim Bancks and his Ginger Meggs with pages in Sunday Times. He then developed animated cartoons for the films, and was the first artist to execute animated film cartoons in Australia. He went to America and worked in an animated film studio in New York, and his film cartoons were a regular feature in the cinemas at that time in Australia.
When he returned from America he produced animated cartoons for advertising purposes.
He later started Smith and Julius Advertising Agency.
Harry Julius was a Director of Art in Australia Ltd. from the inception of this Company up to the time of its being taken over by its present owners.
He was connected with Catts-Patterson when that Company took over Smith and Julius Studios until a few years ago. Recently he founded an advertising agency under his own name.
He found time, in his busy life, to produce a number of watercolours and exhibit with the Society of Artists and the Institute of Watercolour Artists. As the reproductions in this number show, he had an individual method of handling the medium, the plate in colour, "Tasmanian Farmhouses,” being singularly well expressed with a reserved colour sense.
Harry Julius was a loyal friend and a splendid character. He leaves a widow and two children; the latter have taken up art as a career.
Harry Julius - "Tasmanian Farmhouses,” Watercolour Drawing Page: 36 (Original: Third series, No. 72 (August 1938))nla.obj-351472251-37, courtesy National Library of Australia from Art in Australia - digitised and online.
A little about the Girls Realm Guild
GIRLS' REALM GUILD.
A well attended meeting of the Girls' Realm Guild was held in the Town Hall on Wednesday afternoon for the purpose of forming a metropolitan centre of the guild. Mrs. Hodges presided. This organisation, which was started in England by the present Bishop of London with much success, has become a strong movement in both Sydney and Adelaide. As regards Victoria only a branch at Footscray, established in 1910, is in existence. A branch started in Ballarat in 1907, by Miss Linidon Parkyn, the local dean's daughter, having suffered an untimely extinction.Mrs. Hodges, in outlining the scheme, termed it a "Jacob's Ladder" idea, which enabled the girl at the top to extend a helping hand to her sister struggling to gain a better position. Mrs. Sugden said it was well known that there was less provision made for the girl suffering from genteel poverty than for any other class. A trust fund to be devoted to helping such towards an economic independence was a very necessary part of the movement. Such a fund would be administered without patronage on the one side and humiliation on the other. Mrs. Avery pointed out that the magnificent equipment of mind and body in girls possessed of economic independence was mostly going to waste, and we stood a chance of developing a class of women termed by Clive Schriener-parasites.
This being an age of readjustment, an army of leisured girls banded together for altruistic purposes' would soon learn to use their talents profitably in the interests of other girls less fortunately circumstanced, the guild's motto being-"What is worth having is worth sharing." The motion to form a metropolitan centre was then put and carried on the voices. Mrs. Hodges was elected the first president of the movement, and Miss Ethel Bage was appointed secretary. Mrs. Woodruff proposed Mrs. Clive B. Morton as hon. treasurer, and a committee, consisting of Mrs. Sugden, Mrs. T. Baker,.. Mrs. Avery, Mrs. Payne, Miss Michaelis and Miss Hampson was formed. Several letters promising an annual subscription to the movement from well known people were read by the president. GIRLS' REALM GUILD. (1914, July 18).Leader (Melbourne, Vic. : 1862 - 1918), p. 51 (WEEKLY). Retrieved fromhttp://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article92033643
GIRLS' REALM GUILD.
A successful fair and Continental were held on Saturday last by the members of the Girls' Realm Guild (Adelaide centre), at Mrs. B. Rosman's residence, South-terrace west. The stalls, comprising fancy, flowers, sweets, produce, and refreshments, were daintly arranged in different parts of the garden, and made a pretty sight, especially at night, with the myriad of Chinese lanterns dotted about among the trees. During the afternoon and evening a brisk sale went forward, the attendance being all that could be desired. The programme included vocal and other items by Misses Dolly Miller, Bevan, and Marian Kemp, and Messrs. S. Barlow, Bowering, and Symonds. Stall-holders were -Sweets, Misses Davies and Wells; fancy, Misses A. G. Rosman, G. Ford, and E. Johns; refreshments, Misses Mills, Eakins, Ford, and Cleland; flowers, Mrs. Mildred, Miss Rosman, and Miss. Z.J. Smith.GIRLS' REALM GUILD. (1904, April 26). The Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1889 - 1931), p. 8. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article4964528
GIRLS' REALM GUILD.
A successful entertainment in aid of the funds of the Girls' Realm Guild was given last night in the Willoughby Town-hall, at Chatswood, and there was a good attendance. An attractive programme was provided, among the contributors to the concert portion being Miss Bruce (soprano), Miss Eva Champion (contralto), Mr. Harry Campbell (tenor), and Mr. Emit Sussmilch (baritone), whilst Miss Idly Seton was the pianist. Parker's well-known one-act play, "The man in the street," was produced by "The Players" under the direction of Mr. Philip Lytton, the principal parts being capably sustained. The honorary secretaries of the undertaking were Miss Burrows and Mr. Hugh Duff. GIRLS' REALM GUILD. (1905, July 22).The Daily Telegraph (Sydney, NSW : 1883 - 1923), p. 10. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article237684326
GIRLS' REALM GUILD EXHIBITION.
An Interesting art exhibition will open July 31 until August 1 at the Royal Art Society's Rooms, in aid of the Girls' Realm Guild. Messrs. Lister Lister, Julian Ashton, Norman Lindsay, Percy Spence, Lionel Lindsay, J. S. Watkins, and others have sent in dainty sketches for disposal, and there will be a loan collection, including a great etching by Gustave Bore and original sketches by Frank Craig R A Phil May, William M’Leod, Sid Long, Souter, W. E. Waller, Dr M'Carthy, and some theatre bills of the seventeenth century. GIRLS' REALM GUILD EXHIBITION. (1913, July 26). The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), p. 18. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article15438542
GIRLS' REALM GUILD DANCE.
The annual ball of the Mosman centre of the Girls' Realm Guild took place last night at the Wentworth. A group of girls with white powdered wigs sold flowers, containing a lucky number in the centre of each petal A telephone doll was also sold to add to the funds. The decorations wore of multi-coloured tulips The organising committee Included Mrs. Alec Thomson as president, Miss Gwen Arthur hon. treasurer, and Miss Hazel Gordon and Mrs. I. Kerr honorary secretaries. Others on the committee were the Misses Samuels, Wendy Palmer. Jossle Watson, Marjorie MacDonnld, Withy, Cormack, Marr, Ibboson, Haynes, and Beaman, and Mr. G. Eddy. …. GIRLS' REALM GUILD DANCE. (1926, May 22). The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), p. 9. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article16293595
GIRLS'REALM GUILD.
One of the most effective organisations in Sydney is the Girls' Realm Guild, which, although it has been responsible for training more than 200 girls in useful occupations, follows out a policy of quiet and unostentatious service. Members of the guild have as their objective the assistance of girls of gentle birth, who, through loss of means, might have to support themselves without having received any proper training.
These girls have been taught several professions, including obstetric and children's nursing, cooking, commercial and secretarial work, teaching, massage, and commercial art. Grants of money are made by the guild from its trust funds, and girls who are helped in this manner invariably return the kindness when an opportunity arrives. As the subscription fee is only 2/ annually, the income has to he derived from personal efforts on behalf of the members of the guild. To augment the funds, it has been decided that a theatrical garden party be held in Lady Gould's garden at Eynesbury, Edgecliff, on November 8. Arrangements will be discussed at a meeting at the Australia on Wednesday at 11.30 a.m., at which Lady Hughes will preside. GIRLS'REALM GUILD. (1927, September 12). The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), p. 4. Retrieved fromhttp://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article16403327
Members of the Mosman centre of the Girls' Realm Guild have arranged to hold their annual dance in the Warringah Hall on July 5. Mrs. Alec Thomson is president of the committee, of which the hon. secretary is Miss Hazel Gordon, and the hon. treasurer Miss G. Arthur. NEAR AND FAR. (1929, June 12). The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), p. 9. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article16564980
Shangri La is the name of an Islamic-style mansion built by heiress Doris Duke near Diamond Head just outside Honolulu, Hawaii. It is now owned and operated by the Doris Duke Foundation for Islamic Art (DDFIA). Guided tours depart from the Honolulu Museum of Art, which operates the tours in co-operation with DDFIA.
Shangri La gardens with swimming pool and fountain, and view of coast to Diamond Head. Near Honolulu, Hawaii. Photo by Daderot.
Construction of Shangri La took place from 1936 to 1938, after Doris Duke's 1935 honeymoon which took her through the Islamic world. For nearly 60 years afterwards, Miss Duke commissioned and collected artifacts for the house, forming a collection of about 2,500 objects. The house was designed by Marion Sims Wyeth. From Wikipedia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shangri_La_(Doris_Duke)
Doris Duke (November 22, 1912 – October 28, 1993) was an American heiress, socialite, horticulturalist, art collector, and philanthropist.
The daughter of a wealthy tobacco tycoon, Duke was able to fund a life of global travel and wide-ranging interests. These extended across journalism, competition surfing, jazz piano, wildlife conservation, Oriental art and Hare Krishna.
While living in Hawaii, Duke became the first non-Hawaiian woman to take up competitive surfing under the tutelage of surfing champion and Olympic swimmer Duke Kahanamoku and his brothers.
Doris Duke with the Kahanamoku Family, circa 1935. From left: Louis and Viola Kahanamoku, Anna Furtado and Sargent Kahanamoku, Doris Duke and Sam Kahanamoku. © 2017 Doris Duke Charitable Foundation. From Doris Duke Photograph Collection, Doris Duke Charitable Foundation Historical Archives, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University. Visit: http://www.shangrilahawaii.org/about-shangri-la2/
George Lewis Becke
BECKE GERALD V 2939/1891 LOUIS G ELIZABETH M SYDNEY
BECKE LOUIS G M 11938/1886 GEORGE L BESSIE M WATERLOO
BECKE.—October 10, at Botany, Luis Eugene Mordaunt, infant son of Louis and Bessie Becke, aged 4 months. Family Notices (1886, October 15). The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), p. 1. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article13617405
Nora was born at Townsville - 1888: QLD Birth Records:
Year Reg# First name(s) Last name Father Mother
1888 C11315 Norah Eugenie Mary Becke Louis George Bessie Mary Mannsell
BECKE.—February 9, at Snails Bay, Balmain, Gerald Vincent, son of Louis and Bessie M. Becke, aged 2½. Family Notices (1894, February 10). The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), p. 1. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article13940172
Becke returned to New South Wales late in 1885 and on 10 February 1886 married Mary Elizabeth (Bessie) Maunsell, the daughter of Colonel Maunsell, of Port Macquarie.
On 9 November 1888 his daughter, Nora Lois, was born.
On 9 June 1896 he left Sydney for London with Nora Lois and Miss Fanny Sabrina Long.
Becke and Fanny Long had 2 daughters, Alrema (born 30 October 1897) and Niya (born 27 September 1898).
IN BANKRUPTCY.
Re Louis Becke, of 90, William-street, Sydney, journalist.
NOTICE is hereby given that a Sequestration Order has this day been made against the above named bankrupt, on his own petition.—Dated at Sydney, this 27th day of April, A.D. 1894.
ARTHUR HENRY
Registrar in Bankruptcy. IN BANKRUPTCY. (1894, May 4). New South Wales Government Gazette (Sydney, NSW : 1832 - 1900), p. 2962. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article222337106
Mrs. Marcus Clarke.
A meeting in connection with the movement to assist Mrs. Marcus Clarke was held at 'Cosmos' office, on Friday afternoon. There was a good attendance. After discussion, on the motion of Miss Ethel Turner, seconded by Miss Louise Mack, it was decided that a magazine be published for the occasion and that after paying expenses the proceeds be handed over to Mrs. Clarke. The literary matter will be given for nothing, and will induce contributions from Louis Becke, Rolf Boldrewood, Ernest Favenc, ' Banjo ' (Mr. A. B. Paterson), Miss Ethel Turner, Miss Louise Mack, Alex. Montgomery, Ada Cambridge, Henry Lawson, and others. Mr. Nicoll was deputed to arrange for the publishing of the magazine, and Miss Turner and Miss Mack will attend to the literary matter. Several offers from publishing firms have already been made for the venture, which it is expected will be thoroughly successful. Mrs. Marcus Clarke. (1895, December 14).Evening News (Sydney, NSW : 1869 - 1931), p. 5. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article108083223
Louis Becke papers, 1881-1912 (held at State Library of N.S.W)
14 Jan. 1883 - Oct. 1912; Correspondence. Comprises letters received by Becke, copies of letters sent, and copies of personal documents. Contents include: personal letters from his mother Caroline, 1883, his brother Vernon, 1808-1809, and his daughter Nora, 1912; correspondence with publishers Thomas Werner Laurie and Henry Brett, and with representatives of Chamber's Journal, Port Macquarie News, Whitcombe and Tombs and others, concerning the publication of his work; two letters from Irish travel writer W.A. FitzGerald, 1909; copy of Becke's birth certificate and copy of certificate of his marriage to Nelea Tikena at Nukufetau in the Ellice Islands (now Tuvalu) in 1881**; letter from Nora Becke to her cousin Florrie Becke, Sept. 1895 (Call No.: Safe 1/8, Item 1: Issue CY 4684)
1905-1908; Legal documents, comprising copyright royalty agreements, 1905-1908, and power of attorney, 1908 (Call No.: Safe 1/8, Item 2: Issue CY 4684)
1908-1912; Miscellaneous papers comprising mainly accounts, 1911-1912, newscuttings, 1910, 1912, and bankbook, 1908-1909 (Call No.: Safe 1/8, Item 3: Issue CY 4684)
June 1896; Photographic portrait of Fanny Sabina Long taken at The Crown Studios, Sydney (2 copies) (Call No.: Safe 1/8, Item 4: Issue CY 4684)
GEORGE P. WINCHCOMBE
7 May 1881 - 2 Dec. 1887; Notebook. The notebook includes extracts from Winchcombe's diary, 7 May 1881 - 2 Dec. 1887, which records events on Nukufetau in the Ellice Islands including Becke's arrival on the island and his marriage. Cover title: '1884, Nukufetau, Registry of Vessels, Genl. Memos & Some Petty Accounts'. The book includes accounts of goods traded and records Winchcombe's views on the island's customs and laws. There are some remarks about the nearby atoll of Nunumea. (Call No.: Safe 1/8, Item 5: Issue CY 491B, frames 251-297)
** Documents in F S Becke - Commonwealth Literary Fund - Nov 1919 - Jan 1925. File: NAA: A463, 1959/6386 state his first marriage took place in 1873 - when he was only 18, if correct - if 1881, he was 25 or 26.
Louis Becke at Home.
BY BERNARD ESPINASSE.
BEHOLD Mr. Louis Becke-the Homer of many a Polynesian Odyssey yet to be written-chafing in the thrall of civilization ! Picture the man who has known the wild, free life of the islands as no man living, and few dead, have ever known it, glorying in its unrestraints, and sharing with Nature some portion of her own big heart; picture him bound hand and foot as it were, by the conventionalities of garb and custom, amongst other things, and you get a glimpse of Louis Becke at home, that is, in his city (Sydney) quarters, where, assuredly, no man is less at home than he.
Mr. Becke's sitting-room presented a bold appearance of reckless disorder. Several tables and some of the floor space were piled high with stacks of books, magazines, catalogues, and miscellaneous literature of a remarkably varied character. And on the biggest table. stretched at full length, his heels in Africa (" Universal Atlas ") and his head on the blotting pad, lay Becke himself, immersed in a volume of Ambrose Bierer's wonderful tales. (N.B. "In the Midst of Life.") He is a tall spare man, facially tanned by many tropic suns, and of expression rather careworn. The eye is dark and slow, but sometimes in a sudden twist of the head the white around the pupil flashes with uncanny brilliance, and in that moment the mind speculates upon the scenes, strange, tragic, which that quiet eye has viewed. Brown, bristly hair, growing sparsely on the lean cheek, thickens towards the chin, where a few gray streaks are beginning to show themselves. The long limbs and thin, loosely-built figure give one an idea of fibrous strength, kept well in reserve. The most noticeable thing about Becke is a certain undefinable air of self-repression. There is something " pent-up " about him. One feels that he could do and say a lot more than appears on the surface. There is what Stevenson used to call "a certain within-ness " about the man. But perhaps this is pronouncedly due to his surroundings at the time. For Louis Becke in "store clothes," tweed suit and the " abominated collar," isn't Louis Becke at all. Get him, if he will, to don the white ducks and coat buttoning to the neck of the South Seas, with a palm-leaf " roof," and you see the real Simon pure. Becke, by the way, is extensively tattoed.
"This," I observed, glancing round the little room, " is a bit of a change after the islands?"
Becke nodded. " I don't mind that so much," he said, " its the writing I hate!"
" How did you first come to take up the pen ?"
"Well, I was walking down the street one day just two years ago when I met Favenc. We had something together and my South Sea experiences cropped up. Favenc said they would make good 'copy' and asked me why I didn't see Archibald about them. Who is Archibald? I inquired. Ernest talked Bulletin to me for five minutes, and ended by taking me down to the office and introduced me to the editor, by whom I was bidden to 'send something in/ Rut I've never written a story in my life, I said. ' Never mind, write something-anything-and let me see it.' I wrote five yarns, left them, and hardly gave the thing another thought. But they printed the lot and asked for more!"
" And that was the literary start which ended in ' By Reef and Palm. * "
" Yes, and the book turned out very well. By the way, I received this very morning a photo of the late Lord Pembroke, who wrote the preface." And Mr. Becke fished out from among a heap of paper a cabinet photo, and tapped it lightly, with the meditative remark, " He was a good fellow, I'm sorry he's gone."
" How did you ' get at' Fisher Unwin ? They say it's not easy to reach a London publisher from this side of the world." " Oh ! I don't know. "When my book was ready I simply sent the MS. to Fisher Unwin with a note, and they took it up at once. It was almost a new 'field/ you see. Though it had been done before. The best South Sea writer was Herman Melville. I think his books are out of print now. Of course, The Bulletin had a lot to do with it. They seem to think a lot of The Bulletin in London. I think myself Archibald is one of the best editors in the world."
At this point Mr. Becke's little girl - an only child-runs in with a folding Christmas card of wonderful workmanship, which she is all enthusiasm to display for her father's edification. Norah-a winsome little lassie of seven, dark-haired, and dark-eyed, like all Norahs,-is her father's pet. And when he perches her on his knee, and talks "Tonga" to her, the visitor regrets that he cannot sketch the pair.
"I'm sending her home to Lord Pembroke's people before long, who have promised to look after her. And then I'm going to England myself for a few months."
" You said ' home'; was the little one born…
"Born in Queensland. I was there for some years, digging, black-smithing, store-keeping, anything you like "
" And you ? "
Oh!"-with sudden energy-"I was born in the convict settlement, Port Macquarie. I'm a thorough Australian, I am."
"Needless to say you've had some very varied experiences among the South Sea Islands?"
"I knocked about among them for twenty-five years, as trader and as supercargo. Yes, I was with "Bully" Hayes. The missionaries have represented him as a man who always went about with his belt full of pistols, burning houses and carrying off native girls. No doubt he did do a lot of that. But he has been misrepresented a great deal. Hayes was a remarkable man in many ways. No, there has no account of his life ever been published. Why, don't I do it ? Well, perhaps some day I will."
"It has often been remarked, Mr. Becke, that your own personal experiences would make an interesting volume."
"Well, I think a man ought to keep the 'I' out of his work as much as he can. I've had two or three offers from London houses for an autobiography, but I don't know about it yet awhile."
"And as to work ahead-any new book ?"
Mr. Becke opens a drawer and takes there from a most alarming bundle of portentious size, tied round with string. He hands it to me. About a cwt. from, the feel of it. " That's my next book. Notes. All classified and ready. Only want to be written up. Can't say anything about it yet. Don't know what it's going to be myself." He exhumes another bundle and becomes mildly blasphemous. " Proofs!" During an interval of brisk and highly coloured language, Mr. Becke reveals the fly in the amber, which is proof-reading.
" I hate writing. It's the ' having-to-do-it' that is so irksome. But reading proofs ! " A large, silent gap ensues in the conversation.
" Is it the physical or mental effort that troubles you most ?"
" The (reverential expression) pen business. Thinking's easy enough, it's the getting it down! I've got to write 400 words by 5 o'clock this afternoon." (More halo-rimmed remarks).
In the course of a general literary digression, Mr. Becke confesses to a great admiration for Fenimore Cooper's books. Books of adventure interest him most. As to his own work he says:
" I would rather write a book than a short story, in the short story you've got to keep up the interest all the time. It's a continual climax.- Rudyard Kipling is the best short story writer living, I think.”
We drift back into the South Sea current and the Chronicler of so many a tale of passion, frescoed in black and white, goes a-dreaming, and paints word pictures of coral beaches and waving palms amid the long lap of Australasian seas."
" Ever been in danger of my life ? Who hasn't ? the South Seas no one goes out without a revolver their belt. But if a native makes up his mind to kill you, it's small chance you've got. He'll lie in wait till you're asleep and spear you."
But Mr. Becke is strangely disinclined to talk about his own adventures, and no amount of " worming " will effect that desired result. He is more expansive when books are the topic.
" My newest book The Ebbing Tide, will be out here in about 8 weeks. Then comes one that I have done in collaboration with Jeffrey, A First Fleet Family. No, I don't care much for collaboration. But in this case Jeffrey has a lot of documents relating to the very early days, and it couldn't be done otherwise than in collaboration. I'm going to keep off the
South Sea stuff for a time."
Christmas numbers coming up for discussion. Becke, after stating in the most unreserved manner, that he considers his own work this year not worth reading, exclaims !
Ah! I'll tell you a queer thing. I wrote a story for a Queensland paper this year called The Privateer. The principal figure in it was Captain Duck, who sailed under Letters of Marque at the beginning of this century. He and his crew were massacred among the islands. It's a common tale down there, and I wrote it up as I heard it. This Duck left a large sum of money to his account in an English bank, but as no reliable proof of his death could be furnished by any eye witness they refused to pay it to his wife. Now an old lady turns up in Queensland, who after reading my story claims to be a relation of this Duck and writes to me for proof of his death that she may claim the money, which is still waiting after all these years!"
" Truth never beats fiction. And now before I go what do you think of the future of Australian literature ?"
" I think there is a great future before it. Not so long ago no one would look at a book coming from Australia. Now they welcome anything from our people, and there are a number of bright, clever writers here whose work has yet to be heard of."
Mr. Becke, with a spasm of the old unconventionally, takes up a razor and begins to cut a plug," glancing up uneasily at the clock. It is evident that those two columns which have to be ready by five o'clock are weighing upon his mind. I take the hint and my hat.
"Well, good-bye. I'm going away next week. I don't quite know where yet. Somewhere down among the islands for a spell."
The old craving for the tropic breezes and the free skies. City dust and bricks and mortar maketh the heart grow fonder of the reefs and bays " in the green isles far away."
In the doorway I steal a last glance at the man who has won fame in the old world for an Australian book. He is sitting on the table vigorously jabbing the ashes out of his pipe with the point of a pencil. Louis Becke [?]t Home. (1896, January 3).Table Talk (Melbourne, Vic. : 1885 - 1939), p. 14. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article145920772
A highly successful ball was given in the Agricultural Society's Hall, Port Macquarie, on Monday evening, in honor of the visit of a team of cricketers from the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney. The latter were under the captaincy of Mr. Richard Cooke, secretary of the North Const Steam Navigation Company. The ballroom was prettily decorated with palms which grow in abundance on the outskirts of the town. The ladies of the locality spared no effort to promote the pleasure of the visitors, as in addition to doing tin; work of embellishing the hall, they provided an excellent supper in an adjoining building. Mr. Stewart Wright (captain of the local cricket team). Mr. W. A. Spence, and Mr. Hattersley were the leading lights managing the dance, which went off delightfully. The music was mostly provided by two of the visiting party, Mr. Walter H. Cooke (piano), and Mr. Montague Kerr (cornet), but able assistance was given by Mrs. W. A. H. Slade, Miss Josephine Bourne, Mrs. Macdonnell, and other ladies. The dance was opened at 9 o'clock, and wound up about 3 o'clock, the visitors catching the steamer Rosedale a couple of hours later for Sydney. They were delighted beyond measure with the kindness of the Port people during their brief stay in the town, the ball being a brilliant termination to the entertainments arranged for them.
The gathering included Mr. and Mrs. S. Bond (Mayor and Mayoress of Kempsey), and Miss Dangar, Mr. and Mrs. S. Wright, Mr. Louis Becke and Miss Long, Captain and Mrs. Louis Pauisen. of the S.S. Rosedale, Mr. W. A. Spence and the Misses Spence, Mr. A. E. Ponnteney, Mr. and Mrs. W. A. H. Slade. Miss M. Cohen and Miss Russell, Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Macdonnell, Miss J. Bourne. Mrs. Gibett, Miss Gapes, Messrs. T. and H. Walters, Mr. and Mrs. Hewitt, Mr. W. and the Misses Hattersley, as well as the following Sydney visitors: Messrs. Eichard Cooke, W. A. Firth, F. M'Elhone, E. F. Kelly, J. C. Davis, D. Hogan', W. P. M'Elhone, A. C. Mackenzie, Frank Martin, S. Mackenzie, Norman Ebsworth. P. V. O. Macnamara, W. H. Cooke, M. Kerr, C. Johnson, C. Smith, and G. Yorke. A number of dainty gowns worn by ladies added' to 'the brightness of the scene. Miss Dangar (Kempsey) wore a very graceful toilette of pale blue silk, delicately brocaded with gold ; Miss M. Cohen's gown was an elegant buttercup silk, with white satin epaulettes and crepe de chine; Miss Bussell wore a charming dress of opalescent silk with crêpe de chine trimming; Miss Gape's gown was a pretty, white silk; Miss Josephine Bourne wore a buttercup silk, with white lace trimming and an Empire belt; Miss Mabel Spence, 'a pretty white shower of hail, with pink silk sleeves, veiled in white lace, and pink silk Empire belt; Miss Lily Spence's gown was also white shower of hail; with green sleeves ; Miss Hattersley were cream silk; Miss Florence Hattersley, white satin; Mrs. Wright, pale blue silk and lace; Miss Long, an Empire costume; Mrs, Butler, grey silk bodice, trimmed with black lace and velvet; Mrs. Slade, black merveilleux; Mrs. Macdonnell, black merveilleux, jet and black lace trimmings ; Miss Windeyer, a charming gown of pink silk and white Valenciennes lace ; Miss Netterfield, blue satin and cream shower of hail muslin ; and Miss Letts, black silk and cardinal trimming. SOCIAL ITEMS (1896, April 12). Sunday Times (Sydney, NSW : 1895 - 1930), p. 8. Retrieved fromhttp://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article130407252
Mr Becke has but one child, a little girl of eight, who has been his constant companion in all his Island wanderings. She is at present on her way home en route to Belgium, to be placed at school with the children of an old Island comrade of her distinguished dad s.
Becke himself, who has during the past week been in Melbourne, left for London last Tuesday. He goes on a brief business visit in connection with Island trading, and will return to Australia by Canada in about five months. May he have success and a good time is all the harm the FREE LANCE wishes him.YELWARC. Popular Pressmen. (1896, June 18 Thursday). Free Lance (Melbourne, Vic. : 1896), p. 3. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article171429463
"BULLY HAYES."
TRUE HISTORY OF THE QUE AT PACIFIC PIRATE.
INTERESTING INTERVIEW WITH LOUIS BECKE.'
Louis Becke, the author of "By Reef and Palm" and other Pacific Island stories, is not an easy capture for an Interviewer. Though he has been living in Sydney for three years, he has steadily refused to be subjected to the customary press ordeal, but recently he left Sydney en route for London, and in Adelaide an enterprising scribe got him in talking humor, and succeeded in unearthing some very interesting facts.
To a representative of the "S. A. Register," Mr. Becke, after explaining that he had refused to be Interviewed In the sister colony, admitted that he had been taken by storm, and so consented to reveal some of those experiences which have been so useful to him In his literary career.
He began thus — "I and my brother went away to California in a vessel from Newcastle. We were sent out by our parents to go and make our fortunes." ' It may be stated that Mr. Becke is a native of New South Wales, having been born at Port Macquarie, an old convict settlement. Lest anyone should read this last sentence with apprehension It is comforting to add the following, which he volunteered In his own quaint way:-— "Neither of my parents was a convict, but that's a mere detail." The subject of this Interview spent two or three months down at Port Macquarie about four months ago. After a laugh at his expense, he went on — "This brother and myself eventually reached California, He went away on a sheep ranch, and after spending my money I got stoney broke. I received a billet as a captain's clerk on a steamer running down to Lower California. Then I got a little money saved up and went away down to the Marshall Islands, That was about 1870. I made two or three voyages there to and fro, and then went In on my own account sharking and trading In tortoise and pearl shell." '
"I believe you met 'Bully' Hayes, the great Pacific pirate, and, may I say, hero of a hundred tales?"
"Yes; and although he was the most passionate-tempered scamp I have ever known, he was a man who would do very kindly actions. All the native races liked him. He had a wonderful influence over them, and a wonderful Influence over white men. If they hadn't any kind of affection for him, at least they were damnably afraid of him. The American missionaries slandered him most vilely."
"He kidnapped the natives, did he not?"
"Yes, and sold them to various German planters In Samoa, but in those days It was no more unlawful than what was being done by those Queensland labor vessels. I was with him for about two years and six months. Leonora was the name of his craft, and all the time he had native laborers on board he fed and cared for them better than for his own crew. In fact. Bully Hayes's first trouble was when he was seized in Napier Harbor, Samoa, In 1873. He was tried on board the Narranganset. The British Consul, who had prepared a great number of charges against him, told Commodore Goodenough that he had got a whole lot of witnesses to swear to all sorts of charges, including piracy and murder, against Hayes, but when this inquiry was heard none of them appeared except two or three, and they completely broke down. So Hayes left this American man-of-war in triumph. He dressed his ship in flags, and all the American, officers, who had nothing against him, went to Captain Hayes's house, and had a most glorious spree. Hayes's crew went down into the German quarter of the town, Chopped down the Imperial German Consul's flagstaff, and broke everything up in general. Hayes left Samoa with Captain Ben Peese, who was a Britisher.
I came to Samoa in 1874, and I was engaged by a mercantile firm on a little ketch. This ketch had been sold by my employers to the King of the island of Arnhu, one of the Marshall Island group. Captain Hayes had agreed with my owners that I should bring her down there and meet him, and that he would hand her over. I sailed in the craft in November, 1874. One of my employers was British Consul in Samoa. We had a very long passage down, and meanwhile Commodore Goodenough had come down looking after Hayes. The first person he applied to was my owner, this British Consul. This British officer said, 'If you could only arrest Hayes and hang him I would be so pleased, he is such a bad fellow. I had a nice little vessel, and I have sent her down in charge of a young man named Louis Becke, but I'm afraid that he has gone down and joined Hayes.'
Meanwhile the news had reached Samoa that I had been lost. "After a very long passage, during which the crew turned nasty, I found Bully Hayes waiting. I said, 'Here's your ketch,' whereupon he cursed and swore at me and my employers, and said he wouldn't take her. I replied, 'If you don't take her, you can leave her, I'm going ashore.' He then volunteered to take her, but added that he couldn't sell her, because she was rotten. After further thought he said he would try and patch her up, and see if he could not make the King of the Island sell her. Hayes said he wanted a supercargo, and Invited me to go, and I assented. We sailed for Milli Island, through the Marshall and Caroline Islands, and Pellew Group, and while beating back we stopped at Strong's or Kusaie Island. Whilst lying at anchor there a strong south-west gale came on, and we dragged and went ashore, the Leonora breaking up in about 20 minutes. There was a good deal of trade saved, and Hayes, who was a very energetic man, immediately started a large travelling station, together with the business of building boats. Not satisfied with the trading business, however, he commenced plundering. He and I quarrelled, and I left him and went down to a place called Coquille Harbor, where I was provided with ground and a house, and very kindly treated by the natives. With Bully Hayes were a number of white traders. These men and Hayes by-and-bye quarrelled. Hayes fought them and licked them, and then followed bloodshed. "For about five months the whole of Strong's Island was In a state of turmoil; In fact, muskets and rifles were cracking away all night, and Hayes enjoyed the fun. Just as Hayes was building a small vessel that might take him away the H.M.S. Rosario arrived with Captain Depuix in command. I and Hayes, who did not in any way try to conceal his identity, went on board, and "Bully' was at once arrested. I was also apprehended on a charge of piracy In connection with the ketch. But, most fortunate for mo, I had kept my power of attorney from my employers. That cleared me, but eventually Hayes was arrested on 97 charges — every count, I believe, except leprosy. However, he escaped. I should say that he was let go. Nobody would give evidence against him.
The American missionaries belonging to the Boston Board of Missions tried everything In their power to get the captain taken away in irons, but lulled. Ills own crew, who had professed willingness 'to give him away,' the moment they saw Hayes's eyes fixed on them quavered with fear, and It was a case of no saves; nothing. Bully escaped in a little boat about lift, long, and eventually reached Guam, a tremendous voyage, made all alone. He then betook himself to Manila, where he turned pious. He became converted, used to walk in procession with a lot of priests
.... expected, he soon after stole a schooner and got away to 'Frisco. Whilst In 'Frisco he met a merchant there who owned a yacht called the Lotus. This merchant was very anxious for a run down among the islands, and, looking around tor a pilot, he thought Captain Hayes was Just the sort of chap tor to undertake the Job, 'for ho was a mariner bold. The merchant brought his wife with him, and when all were on board and they had made preparations for sailing, Hayes discovered that he hadn't brought his chronometers off, and as two or three members of the crew were drunk, he asked the owner if he would go ashore and get the instruments. My faithful obeying, Captain Hayes scooted."
"What, wife and all?"
"Yes, with his wife, too; but she was a bad 'un. After three or four months' cruising about the various islands he quarrelled with his steward when off the island called Jalmit. Bully told the steward peremptorily that he would shoot him, and forthwith went down below to get his pistol to carry out his purpose. But the steward was prepared for him, and stood over the companion-way with the boom crutch in his hand, and as Hayes's bald head emerged he dropped the Infamous weapon on him and fractured his skull. Bully was brought up on deck, and whilst still living he was thrown overboard. This ended the pirate of the Pacific. The schooner went into the German port of Jalmit, and the whole of the German ships and mercantile houses sported limiting to celebrate the event."
This is a very exciting narrative, but it does not tell much of Mr. Becke and how he came to write his tales of the Pacific. Well, so modest is that personage, that it took the scribe all his time to, colloquially speaking, draw the author out.
"When and how did you first start to write stories?" inquired the penciller.
"Well, I came up from the South Sea Islands about three years ago. I was in very bad health, and could get no employment In Sydney.Eventually I got a Job to clear scrub at Manly. I took the contract at £3 per acre, but after I had worked about a week I felt sure that I couldn't clear an acre in less than three years. And it cost my employer about £3 into the bargain for tools. Then I was continually in Sydney seeing if I couldn’t pick up any of my old friends. One day I met the well-known Australian explorer, Ernest Favenc. He said to me, "Come down with me, and I'll Introduce you to some 'Bulletin' friends of mine. He took me down, and I made the acquaintance of Mr. Archibald, the editor, and Mr. M'Leod, the managing director. Archibald asked me if I couldn't write them something. Well, I had never written a story, and so I was really very funky about It. 'Write Just as you are telling me now: they will make, dash good yarns,' said Archibald. And that's just what led to my connection with the 'Bulletin.' I wrote half a dozen stories and then half a dozen more, and those constituted the collection published In time under the title of 'By Reef and Palm.' Well, then I got on the staff. In the meantime these stories had been forwarded home, and I wrote at the same time to an old friend of mine, Lord Pembroke, asking him if he would read them, and also that if he thought them good enough would he pen a preface. Not only did he do this, but right up till the time of his death he assisted me in every possible way. This book went down very well; it is In five editions now. The second collection of tales, 'The Ebbing of the Tide,' has even had a greater sale than 'By Reef and Palm, though I don't care for them so well as the latter myself." "Most of your stories are based on actual facts?" "Yes; the only stories which are founded on fiction are one dealing with an Incident In New Zealand and the other an Australian bush tale. In which a girl Is bitten by a death adder," "Have you any other work In your mind's eye?" s "No; I have knocked off literary work entirely. There is another book, however, that Is finished, which is founded on a famous South Sea incident of many years ago." Mr. Becke is just going home on commercial business, having no literary project in view whatever. He is taking his little daughter, who is in ill-health, home with him, and in all probability will place her in school in Belgium. "BULLY HAYES." (1896, June 27). The Daily Telegraph (Sydney, NSW : 1883 - 1923), p. 4. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article238602428
A CUTTING-OFF EPISODE. (By 'Te Matau.') A CUTTING-OFF EPISODE. (1896, March 21). Evening News (Sydney, NSW : 1869 - 1931), p. 2 (EVENING NEWS SUPPLEMENT.). Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article109920749
Love & Marriage in Polynesia (By 'Te Matau.') Love & Marriage in Polynesia (1896, March 28). Evening News (Sydney, NSW : 1869 - 1931), p. 9. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article109916595
The Old Style of Trader. '(By ‘Te Matau.') The Old Style of Trader. (1896, April 11).Evening News (Sydney, NSW : 1869 - 1931), p. 2 (EVENING NEWS SUPPLEMENT). Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article108780730
The Beginning of English Whaling (By Te Matau.) The Beginning of English Whaling. (1896, June 27). Australian Town and Country Journal (Sydney, NSW : 1870 - 1907), p. 47. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article71247351
The Pelew Islands. (By Te Matau.) The Pelew Islands. (1896, July 11).Australian Town and Country Journal (Sydney, NSW : 1870 - 1907), p. 20. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article71295487
MAGELLAN IN THE PHILPPINES. (By Ernest Favenc) MAGELLAN IN THE PHILIPPINES. (1898, April 23). Evening News (Sydney, NSW : 1869 - 1931), p. 1 (EVENING NEWS SUPPLEMENT.). Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article109649352
Amongst the passengers who sailed for England by the Parramatta on Wednesday was Mr. Louis Becke, the well-known author of tales descriptive of life in the Pacific seas. Those who have read "The Ebbing of the Tide," "His Native Wife," " A First Fleet Family," and " By Reef and Palm" will regret to learn that Mr. Becke has been resting from his literary labors of late, and does not meditate publishing again for some little time to come.INTERCOLONIAL STEAMSHIP BUSINESS. (1896, June 20). The Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1889 - 1931), p. 4. Retrieved fromhttp://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article34550478
PARRAMATTA, passenger ship, on Port Phillip Bay, circa 1900. Gift of Mr. Allan C. Green ca. 1940. Green, Allan C. 1878-1954 photographer. Courtesy State Library of Victoria. SLV ID: 1647169
THE R.M.S. PARRAMATTA.—The mails for the United Kingdom, dispatched from Adelaide per the P. & O. liner Parramatta on June 17, arrived in London on July 20. LATEST NEWS. (1896, July 22). Evening Journal (Adelaide, SA : 1869 - 1912), p. 2 (ONE O'CLOCK EDITION). Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article199912519
London, July 31st, 1896 (Friday) -
Mr. Louis Becke arrived in London on Monday last, bringing with him his little daughter, sundry manuscripts, and the germs of a South Sea Islands trading company. It is to float this concern that the novelist has mainly come home. His daughter, I am sorry to learn, came with him in order to undergo a somewhat dangerous operation.
Mr. Becke will probably remain in London for some three months to come, his headquarters during his stay being Morley's Hotel, Chairing Cross. Mail News. (1896, September 12 - Saturday). Chronicle (Adelaide, SA : 1895 - 1954), p. 43. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article87191152
Wrecked Illusions
By Victor Daley
Dedicated to Louis Becke
[For the Bulletin]
You are now in London town,
Louis Becke,
Keeping up your old renown,
Writing yarns of women brown,
Getting yellow money down,
Or a cheque.
That is right enough, maybe-
You are wise;
But your Isles of the South Sea,
Where the life is bold and free,
You may have them all for me-
Dash your eyes!
I armful of you, I am,
To the neck;
And I cannot think with a calm
Of your tales "By Reef and Palm"
But I have to mutter" D----n
Louis Becke!"
You have lined, the press records
(Not in joke),
At the hospitable boards
Of a lot of dukes and lords,
And beguiled them with you words--
Simple folk!
Yet I would not envy you,
Be it said,
if the tales you told were true
As they were unique and new--
But you made them all up, Loo,
In your head.
Never, as in days of yore,
(You will see)
On your pages shall I pore,
With their yarns of love and gore,
Never, Louis, anymore
Becke for me.
I'd rejoice to have you here
(You might grieve!)
With your pen behind your ear,
In this clammy atmosphere,
Where it rains all round the year,
I believe.
O, you made a fine renown!
Mr. B.,
With your yarns of women brown,
And the red hibiscus crown
On the black hair hanging down
To the knee.
I have seen in Santa Cruz,
(Bet your life!)
Women browner than tan shoes-
And I'd rather die than choose
Any on of them as Muse,
Or as wife.
They had hair limed freely, but
Wore no wreath;
They (a) mouths of comic cut-
Mounts that hardly ever shut-
Red with chewing betel-nut,
And black teeth.
And their tank ears hung in loops,
And were well
Loaded down with rings in groups,
Blocks of wood, and things like scoops,
and their noses shone with hoops
Made of shell.
They exhales a perfume rare
(Potent yet,
Even in this strong sea-air)
Of its name I'm not aware-
But it was not, I can swear,
Mignonette.
Could Romance live there? Alas,
It took wings!
Louis, you can take the class,
You can have the lot-I pass-
With their petticoats of grass,
And nose-rings
And your traders--Grand old Drunks--
Where are they?
I have seen some queer quidnuncs
Who go sober to their bunks,
And are temperate as monks,
Sad to say.
They were clothed in suits of white,
Fresh and neat;
And no marks of recent fight
Marred their countenances bright,
And they spoke in words polite,
Clean and sweet.
If this Reehabitish crew,
This tame lot,
Are indeed the models true
Of the Traders bold you drew--
Then I really think that you
Should be shot.
You may say in weak excuse--
Being gnawed
By your conscience-that the loose
Stories that you did produce
Dealt with other isles. No use!
You're a Fraud!
Well, my Last Illusion so
Come to wreck.
'Tis your fault, as well you know,
Yet I would not wish you woe--
But you know where liars go,
Louis Becke!
Mr. Louis Becke and his little daughter are spending the winter in Spain, returning to England in February. They left for Madrid on September 29, and afterwards proceeded to Barcelona. Mr. Becke will probably return to Australia, en route to the South Seas, about the end of May or early in June. Personal. (1896, October 30). Table Talk (Melbourne, Vic. : 1885 - 1939), p. 2. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article145932179
Results of Prize Competitions.
CLASS A.-Dame Durden's prize of half-a-crown has been Avon by Ruby Whittell, aged 16 (Millbank, Nowra). Another patient contributor rewarded ' with a prize at last. Special mention: Jessie Shave (Navutoka, Rewa River, Fiji), Muriel Clarkson (Toodyay, W^ Australia), R. A. B.. First-class honor: Ethel Taylor (The Rectory, Newcastle, W. Australia), Minnie, Coleman (Wellington, N.Z.), John Done (Dowling-street, Moore Park), Amy Hogue (Glebe Point),"Bower Bird" (Moree), Amy Gianellie (Gregra, via Molong), Nellie Ewan (Penrith). Flora Spain (Surry Hills). Second-class: "Judy" ; (Mosman's Bay). "Tottie" (Townsville), Nora Becke (Morley's Hotel, London) , …Results of Prize Competitions. (1896, December 12). Australian Town and Country Journal (Sydney, NSW : 1870 - 1907), p. 31. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article71302096
Morley's Hotel was a building which occupied the entire eastern side of London's Trafalgar Square, until it was demolished in 1936 and replaced with South Africa House. It was designed by the architect George Ledwell Taylor, and originally developed as apartments. It was built by Atkinson Morley in 1831, who in 1822 owned the British Hotel at 25 Cockspur Street, but had sold it to buy the Burlington Hotel at 19–20 Cork Street.
Morley's Hotel opened in 1832. In 1850, in his Hand-Book of London, Peter Cunningham described it as "well-frequented, and is good of its kind".
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle stayed there for some time in 1900, while he was writing The Hound of the Baskervilles, and the fictional Northumberland Hotel of that book may well have been based on Morley's. He wrote to his mother in 1900 that he was "somewhat sick" of Morley's and intended to try the Golden Cross Hotel.
It was the place Becke had stayed in during his first visit to London and where he took his sick daughter in 1896 on returning to London. Mr. Becke, despite his slight stutter, instantly became a celebrity on the British literary scene and was regarded as an authority on South Seas life. The Becke's were close friends with a number of colonial adventurers, such as Sven Hedin and Lieutenant Boyd Alexander, later of Gobi Desert fame. In Suffolk, where two of his daughters were born, the Becke's had Rudyard Kipling as a close and friendly neighbour.
LITERARY C0SSIP.
"The Mutineer," by Louis Becke and Walter Jeffrey, published by Angus and Robertson, Sydney, will come within the category of old stories retold. The Mutiny on the Bounty is an historic incident with which few readers are unacquainted, and Its subsequent development In the colonisation of the Pitcairn Island brings it in the range of Australian association. The general facts are familiar, but the aim of the authors has been to clothe the story anew, and with the aid of a little vivid imagination and accurate local touches to make the dead past live again. In this effort they may be credited with a large measure of success. They have not ventured to depart from truth in ' the main outlines, and in the actual description of the mutiny and its consequences they do not seek to step outside the limit Imposed by authority. But they adopt the novelist's privilege of exercising a personal insight in the delineation of human character, and In their treatment of the native : companions of the mutineers they are on-hindered by any hampering considerations. It is here that Mr. Becke's qualifications of experience and sympathy find expression. ' The Tahiti women, Mahine and Alrema, are types which are true to the essential conditions of human nature, and the readers' appreciation will be bestowed most freely on this element In the story. Fletcher Christian, the leading figure among the mutineers, is described as of a sensitive and morbid disposition, which caused him to resent bitterly the tyrannical and spiteful indignities passed on him by his commander. He was driven into rebellion ' by those causes more than by the love of ease and lust which Influenced his companions and made them ready to throw off the irksome shackles of control for the sensuous enjoyments of Island life. The same qualities subsequently drove Christian into a mania of melancholy and remorse, which led him to neglect any duty he owed to those who had thrown In their lot with him. After Bligh and those who still retained their loyalty to the service had been cast adrift they pass out of the record. The description of the heroic voyage In an open boat across thousands of miles of the Pacific does not come within the scheme of the story. Instead we are asked to follow the fortunes of the mutineers and to see how undisciplined and passionate men, left to the evil working of their own vicious promptings are bound to bring about a tragic result. When the settlement on i Pitcairn Island is established, brutality to their native associates, drunkenness and internal dissension lead to one after another of the white men perishing by violent...
until Alexander Smith is left alone to exercise among their descendants a civilising influence, which astonished those who in years to come were to discover the wonderful outcome of the Bounty Mutiny. Within a recent period the increase of population has necessitated the transfer of the Pitcairnian islanders to Norfolk Island, and the Governor of New South Wales is expected to maintain a control over their welfare. "The Mutineers" is a book which cannot fail to interest. LITERATURE (1898, July 30). Leader (Melbourne, Vic. : 1862 - 1918), p. 8. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article197536526
Louis Becke.
The 'Critic ' says : ' Louis Becke has gone to Buenos Ayres for a 900 mile river trip through Corientes to Asuncion. It is, perhaps, worth recording that, although Becke continues to turn out books at a good rate, his maiden effort remains the best. His first volume, ' By Reef and Palm,' had charm and grip, and thoroughly deserved the many kind things said about it ; its pictures of life in the islands were amazingly vivid, its phrasing of a vitality all too rare in current literature. This book was put together in a time of hardship — before he tried his hand at storywriting. Becke put in a brief period scrub-cutting at Manly — and it was very good. Later came the trip to England, better fortune, and — worse books !'Louis Becke. (1900, December 11). The Sydney Stock and Station Journal (NSW : 1896 - 1924), p. 5. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article121192021
Divorce Suit, Becke v. Becke.
In the Sydney Divorce Court last week, Bessie Becke, formerly Maunsell, petitioned for a divorce from George L. Becke, author, formerly of Sydney, on the ground of desertion. Petitioner was married to respondent in 1886, at Port Macquarie. Becke was then a draughtsman.
His Honor: Is this the man who writes about the South Sea Islands?
Petitioner: "Yes, your Honor..
His Honor: "Have you ever read ""His Native Wife?"
Petitioner : Yes, your Honor.
The Petitioner stated that, after the marriage, they went to Queensland, and afterwards to the Islands. She came back to Sydney first, and he rejoined her in 1892. Subsequently she went to live in Wynyard square, while her husband lived in Phillip-street. Afterwards she went to Bathurst as a barmaid. Her husband did not object to this, he never said anything at all. Whilst she was in Bathurst she saw something in a newspaper, and she then came to Sydney. She had not seen her husband since. After coming back from Bathurst she went to West Australia. She was in the bar there. She earned very good wages between £5 and £6 a week,
After hearing further evidence, His Honor found in favour of the petitioner, but decided that the case should stand over for the production of an affidavit as to service of notice upon the respondent. Divorce Suit, Becke v. Becke. (1903, December 1). Clarence and Richmond Examiner (Grafton, NSW : 1889 - 1915), p. 5. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article61399048
A DIVORCE APPLICATION..
SYDNEY. Wednesday.
An application was made to Mr. Justice Pring in Divorce today, on behalf of the petitioner in the suit for divorce, on the ground of desertion, brought by Bessie Mary Becks against George Louis Becke, the well-known author, for an order for substituted service on the respondent. In her affidavit verifying the petition, the petitioner stated that she was married to the respondent by the district registrar at Port Macquarie in February, 1886.
She was born at Fort Beaufort, South Africa, and he at Port Macquarie. In her affidavit in support of the motion she stated that on November 20 last she caused a petition to be filed praying for the dissolution of her marriage with the respondent on the ground of desertion. She had not seen or heard from him since about the month of July, 1895, but about that time she was informed by his solicitor that he had left for England.
For the greater-part of the period since July. 1895. she believed that the respondent had been residing in London, where he had followed his occupation - writing for certain magazines and newspapers.
An affidavit by respondent's solicitor was read. In it he said he was well acquainted with the respondent, whom he knew as Louis Becke, and formerly acted as his solicitor. In or about the month of July, 1895, the respondent left Sydney for London, leaving him power of attorney.
In or about the month of November, 1901 deponent visited London, and made inquiries for the respondent and was informed by Fisher Unwin., the respondent’s publisher, that he had gone on a trip to Jamaica. For some months after the departure of the respondent from Sydney she heard from him occasionally, his address being "care of Fisher. Unwin. London." but he had no communication of any sort with him for the last three years. His Honor thought the respondent could be personally served and refused the application.
A DIVORCE APPLICATION. (1903, February 12). Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners' Advocate (NSW : 1876 - 1954), p. 5. Retrieved fromhttp://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article133365793
Louis Becke / A. Duperly & Sons, Kingston Ja. Images No.: a421003h and a421004h from the collections of the State Library of New South Wales.
The Beckes lived in Ireland in 1901 and in the north of France between 1903-1906.
Tom Gerrard 1904Louis Becke (1859-1913)
The volume bears the dedication: "To "Alrema" I dedicate this story of her father's native land. Caen, France. 1904."
TOM GERRARD by Louis Becke
CHAPTER XXXI. I
The old man looked up, wondering at the "Mr."
"What is it. Gerrard?"
"I am going to ask your daughter to marry me."
Frazer could not help a smile. "There's no beating about the bush with you, Tom Gerrard." Then he put out his hand and said with grave kindness: "You are the one man whom I should like to see her marry."
"Thank you," and the younger man's face flushed with pleasure.
Then Frazer, like the tactful man he was, said not a word more on the matter.
… then he turned to the man at the tiller.
"Keep her south, my lad. For'ard there, set the squaresail. Now, Mr. Gerrard, you'll see what the little Fanny Sabina can do even in a light wind like this," and Lowry looked with an air of pride at his dainty little craft. TOM GERRARD (1905, July 1).Western Mail (Perth, WA : 1885 - 1954), p. 75. Retrieved fromhttp://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article33518798
Tom Gerrard 1904 available in full online at Project Gutenberg HERE
LOUIS BECKE'S SHARK STORIES.
"When I was a lad" (writes Mr. Louis Becke) "people thought that everyone who went to California would make his fortune; so I and my brother Vernon were sent out from Australia, where, by the way, we were born each- with a hundred pounds in his pocket. I was thirteen at the time, and my brother was. fifteen. We duly reached California and spent our money most royally. Eventually I secured a billet on board a steamboat trading between 'Frisco, Acapulco, and Mazatlan, and 'other ports. I got good pay— fifteen pounds a month. Although my position was ostensibly that of ship's clerk, my principal business was to act as the captain's accomplice in smuggling lace, tobacco, I cigars, and jewellery, at which occupation I turned out to be somewhat of an expert. Our captain's wife sailed with us, and she and other lady passengers carried the goods aboard, concealed in their dresses. I spent about eleven months on board the vessel, and I had a very comfortable time. "After that, at the age of fourteen, I went on a shark-catching cruise with a schooner.
It was now that I took a great liking to a South Sea Island life, and, having saved all my money, I and an old Scotchman— a good seaman, but a frightfully drunken old hog-went partners in a small vessel, and proceeded on a fresh cruise of shark-catching."
"How do you catch 'em?" —
"I'll tell you about it.. For instance, say you go to a place, where I have frequently been, called Palmyra Lagoon, a coral island, which is a narrow fringe of land encircling a large area of salt water, with two or three passages through it. Inside, this lagoon Is swarming with sharks. You go out in a whale boat or a punt, and use very stout -tackle, about an inch in diameter. A large hook is used, but not a barbed one. It Is Just a piece of stout iron, sharpened, and bent into a -curve— a barbed hook takes too long to fish out of the shark's jaws.- You fling over some dead fish, and the sharks, swarm up in their thousands, you can't say hundreds, because there are so many of them. Each man, I may tell you, has a short line, and when he drops it overboard a. shark is soon at the end of it. If he is a big one it takes two or three men twenty minutes -to get him aboard, but we don't like big sharks. They occupy too much time, and big sharks' fins don't bring in as much cash In China as the small ones— they are too coarse. Sharks, of course, are caught on -account of their fins and tails. They are sold in Sydney to Chinese merchants, who export them to China, where they are used as articles of food."
LOUIS BECKE'S SHARK STORIES. (1905, September 24). The Sunday Sun (Sydney, NSW : 1903 - 1910), p. 4. Retrieved fromhttp://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article231865014
VIVACIOUS.
Sketches from Normandy is but a dull and unpromising title with which to present one of the gayest and liveliest books imaginable. The present reviewer, having taken it up without over-much anticipation, was most pleasantly surprised although we had never suspected Tom Dennison be identical with Mr. Louis Becke. Here we find more extended historiettes of Mr. Dennison himself, young Potter, that delightful specimen of Young England; of Celine and Berthe, and the children and the dog, to say nothing other people's dogs.
One persuaded that those things happened; and we are grateful for the day and the hour when Mr. Becke, rambling along the quays of Dublin, discovered the Bayard, of St. Malo, and took ship in her together with his wife, the children, and the dog. We are even obliged to the Board Agriculture, whose embargo on the dog kept dine cheerful travellers roaming about Normandy far an indefinite period—how indefinite Mr. Becks doss not tell us. The narrative as leisurely the family's wanderings; and while there is gay and spontaneous humour there is also the power of observing and transmitting impressions the Mfc as It showed itself one of these travellers. The family did not venture far afield nor into unfrequented places: but the “Kingdom of Heaven is within you ''—and out very simple materials Mr. Becke has constructed an itinerary which is fresh and joy-giving. ‘Sketches from Normandy.’ Louis Becke. (London: T. Law Is.) Pall Mall Gazette - Tuesday 02 April 1907
Marriages Sep 1908 - London Birth Deaths Marriages Records
BECKE Fanny Sabina Pancras 1b 277
BECKE George Lewis Pancras
The district Pancras is an alternative name for St Pancras and it is in the county of London.
Louis Becke's Mission
WELLINGTON, September 8. Mr Louis Becke, author and traveller, arrived by the Ionic to-day, en route to the South Sea Islands. Mr Becke informed a Post reporter that, on behalf of the Royal Geographical Societies in London and Berlin, and the Anthropological Societies of the same cities, he is to investigate and report upon, and take phonographic records of the folk songs and lore of the South Sea Islands. From Louis Becke's MissionWANGANUI HERALD, VOLUME XXXXIII, ISSUE 12562, 8 SEPTEMBER 1908
September 1908 – Becke and his family land in New Zealand – The Dominion (Wellington) runs an article on his proposed trip to gather plants/info. The NZ and Fiji papers run that he is there with his wife and children - her and the girls presence doesn't appear in any Australian newspapers though – final paragraph:
‘Mr. Becke is accompanied by his wife and three children. Unfortunately Mrs. Becke is suffering from a chest complaint and will probably undergo treatment in a Wellington hospital.’
LOUIS BECKE.
INVESTIGATIONS IN SOUTH SEA ISLANDS.
The Wellington correspondent of The Sydney Morning Herald wrote on September 11:— Mr. Louis Becke, the famous novelist and traveller; arrived in Wellington from London on Tuesday. Mr. Becke has a mission of considerable interest. On behalf of the Royal Geographical Societies of London and Berlin and the Anthropological Societies of the some cities, he is to investigate and report -upon and take records of the folk-lore and folk-songs of the South Sea Islanders. He will settle on Bougainville Island for this purpose for six months, and will take phonographic records as part of the preservative work. 'I lived out there for some time.' he contemplatively observed. 'The islanders are a dying race, and in another fifty years there will be no more Polynesians left. This is recognised by the savants of the old-world, and I have made arrangement by which I may work for the English and German Anthropological Societies.' In pursuance of his mission, Mr. Becke takes steamer from Sydney to Brisbane, where he will meet a German doctor and naturalist, who will accompany him to the German Solomon Islands, and stay with him at Bougainville for six months or so. From Bougainville Mr. Becke will go to German New Guinea, and then to Dutch New Guinea, where his final stay will be made. He is to return to London in 1910. At present he is looking forward with pleasure to his return to Sydney, from which place he has been absent about 12 years. He was born at Port Macquarie, New South Wales, where his father and grandfather lived before him, and he intends to pay a fifing visit of four or five days duration to the old quarters, upon which he first turned his back when he sailed for the South Seas to encounter adventures and notabilities, not to say notorieties. Chief among the latter, as all readers of his earliest sketches will remember, was 'Bully Hayes.' the world-wide celebrity. This captain has been branded, in fiction and legend, as a semi-pirate who went armed to the teeth, and shot Polynesians to mark his progress; but Mr. Becke discounts these assertions. 'As a matter of fact.' he says. 'Hayes never carried firearms. It s true he was a rough sort, but he used to do the damage with his fistu. The firearms are a picturesque addition by the taletellers.'
A visit to Fiji is in Mr. Becke's itinerary. That is necessary to enable him to get permission from the Governor of Fiji to take a party of eight Samoans with him to Bougainville. and to carry firearm* there. In a further reference to this. Mr. Becke said he would have to get authority from the German Governor of Samoa, and to put up £25 a head guarantee for the safe return of the natives. He spoke enthusiastically of Dr. Solf, the German Governor, as a capable administrator. Samoa under German administration was a prosperous place; it was the one prosperous colony. De Solf had studied colonial administration in the West Indies, and .had ably applied fits observations. When the Germans, took over Samoa some doleful prophecies were made, but facts had disproved these.
Speaking of literature. Mr. Becke remarked:— 'There is a great desire among London newspaper editors for bright matter written by Australians, and the average London editor is open-minded. The way for an Australian to do is to send his writings, direct. 'There is a fascination about such stories for readers in the older world.' continued Mr. Becke. 'About eight or nine months ago I was talking to the editor of Le Matin the Paris newspaper. He reads the Australian newspapers, and he said:— The Splendid stuff I see written by your men in those parts— in the South Seas— splendid stories!' ' Mr. Becke has been living in France for some years, and he has pleasant impressions of that country. In some degree these have been assisted in formation by his Pans business -experiences. Some tales of his had been translated and use-by Pans publications; and. although he had not actual copyright so far as France was concerned, he received payment for them. LOUIS BECKE. (1908, September 22). The Register (Adelaide, SA : 1901 - 1929), p. 7. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article58932921
Mr. Louis- Becke, the novelist, and Mrs. Becke, who have been staying in Auckland for some weeks, will leave by the Manapouri for Suva on October 28. From Suva, Mr Becke will proceed to the Solomon Islands, to pursue his investigations for the British and German Royal Geographical Societies, while Mrs. Becke, with her two daughters, will go on to Samoa, afterwards returning to Auckland, to await Mr. Becke's return. From TARANAKI HERALD, VOLUME LIV, ISSUE 13789, 22 OCTOBER 1908
MR. LOUIS BECKE.
Mr. Louis Becke, the well-known writer of South Sea Island stories, has arrived at Suva, prior to sailing for the Solomons. He goes thither in the interests of the Royal Geographical Society and sundry Continental scientific societies to collect specimens of the fresh water fishes,.. none o£ which, so far, have .been. placed in Europe. A European colleague goes with Mr. Becke, and the outfit is a complete one, including a lot of gramophone records, for use in the group, and many, other scientific apparatuses. New Guinea Is likely to be visited .by the party also, as it promises good results. Mr. Becke was inundated, both in London and abroad, with applications from all sorts of people, who wished to join the 'show’. MR. LOUIS BECKE. (1908, November 19).Evening News (Sydney, NSW : 1869 - 1931), p. 2. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article113768443
In December 1908, the Fiji Times reports;
‘Mr. and Mrs. Louis Becke and two little daughters arrived from New Zealand by the steamer Navau and will probably be in Fiji some two weeks or more. Mr. Becke, as reported in these columns previously, has a commission with the Royal Geographical Society of London and Berlin and the Anthropological Societies of the same cities, to study the folklore in the Pacific islands.
…
For the work at hand he is armed with photograph and gramophone receivers for collecting verbatim songs and stories and also supplied with, Mrs. Becke says with a smile, “quantities of guns and pistols’.
But after three minutes chat with Mr. and Mrs. Becke there is no doubt that the chief assistance in the present undertaking is to come from Mrs. Becke, whose researches into old English folklore songs (she has all Cecil Sharp’s music with her) and dances in the Sussex villages have been so successful, and whose entire sympathy with the work at hand is so manifest.
Like her more noted husband, Mrs. Becke wields a fluent pen and has been a contributor to the Wide World Magazine, the Westminster Gazette, etc. and is now engaged on a book of reminiscences.
They were each enthusiastic over the reception at Rotorua where Mrs. Becke was accorded the privilege of “soaping” the big geyser at Waimangu.
From Suva they will go to Samoa and thence to Tonga….
Mr Louis -Becke, the novelist, returned to Auckland from Fiji on Monday last, his proposed cruise: among the islands of the South Sea haying had to be postponed until early next year owing to the impossibility of obtaining a suitable vessel. Mr Becke intends to proceed for Australia shortly.
WANGANUI CHRONICLE, VOLUME L, ISSUE 12145, 14 DECEMBER 1908
Mrs. Louis Becke and her two children were passengers from Samoa, where they have been staying for a month, by the Tofua, which arrived yesterday.
NEW ZEALAND HERALD, VOLUME XLV, ISSUE 13944, 29 DECEMBER 1908
SCHOOL PRIZES DISTRIBUTION.
MELMEHLY COLLEGE. I The annual distribution of prizes in connection with Melmerly College, Parnell, took place on Thursday afternoon. The Rev. Canon Mac Murray presented the prizes as follows :
French: Nesta Self and Rema Becke 1. Painting:- Rema Becke.
AUCKLAND STAR, VOLUME XL, ISSUE 301, 18 DECEMBER 1909
Melmerly College was a live-in school - we cannot determine if Alrema lived in or stayed nearby with her mother:
MELMERLY COLLEGIATE SCHOOL is admirably situated in St. George's Bay Road, and every comfort is afforded to the pupils, whose number averages about seventy. The curriculum taught comprises English literature, modern languages, Latin, mathematics, physiology, music, painting, and drawing. Pupils are prepared for the matriculation and Civil Service examinations. Moral and religious training is made a special feature, and the scholars are trained in the tenets of the Church of England; the Rev. G. MacMurray, M.A., vicar of St. Mary's, visiting the school fortnightly. Great attention is paid to the physical development of the pupils, who possess the advantages of a well-equipped gymnasium, which is attached to the school. An admirable staff of teachers, besides the principals, is engaged in imparting the usual curriculum—namely, Madame Bouillon (resident); Mrs Dewes (non-resident); Miss Lance (diploma in Honours, Cambridge) (non-resident); Mr. Wright (drawing); Mr. K. Watkins (painting); Dr. Thomas; Mr. Leslie Hunt, organist, St. Mary's, Parnell (music), and others. Principals—Miss Hall, Mrs Gordon (Cambridge Higher Local First-class, with Honours). Since the accompanying photograph was taken, considerable additions have been made to the school, which is now capable of accommodating a large number of pupils.
Miss Nora Lois Becke (the eldest daughter of Mr. Louis Becke), who holds an important secretarial position in London, is visiting the Dominion and the Australian colonies. Miss Becke is almost accomplished linguist, and out of 300 applicants for the position she now holds she was given the appointment, despite strenuous opposition on account of her age. She has obtained six months' leave. Miss Becke is now only 21 years of age, and was born at Townsville, North Queensland.
NEW ZEALAND HERALD, VOLUME XLVI, ISSUE 14043, 24 APRIL 1909
Mr Louis Becke, the well-known novelist, is at present touring the North Island Taking advantage of the Hinemoa's cruise to see outlying groups of islands. Mr Becke arranged to accompany the vessel on her periodical inspection of the castaway depots at Antipodes, Bounty, and other islands in search of fresh impressions; but before sailing from Port. Chalmers on 'Thursday night for the Bluff Captain Bollous received word from Mr Becke that he would be unable to take advantage of the trip to the haunts of the seal, penguin and albatross.
WAIRARAPA DAILY TIMES, VOLUME LXI, ISSUE 9451, 17 AUGUST 1909
Mr Louis Becke, the well-known novelist, is at present touring the North Island.
MANAWATU STANDARD, VOLUME XLI, ISSUE 8999, 21 AUGUST 1909
Signor Pasquale Torzillo, well known in the Sydney musical world, died on the 25th inst. He arrived in Sydney forty-seven years ago, when only eighteen years of age, and may justly be termed one of the pioneers of the art of music in Australia. For nearly half a century he delighted each generation with his playing, being an enthusiastic harpist till within a shot time of his death. He has left a family of three sons and three daughters, all of whom occupy leading positions in our musical world. Mrs. Torzillo, who was a sister of the Australian author, Louis Becke, predeceased Signor Torzillo several years ago.
EVENING POST, VOLUME LXXVII, ISSUE 77, 1 APRIL 1909
Signor Pasquale Torzillo, the well-known harpist, died at Darlinghurst on March 26. He had been in the country for forty-seven years, and was well known once on the Manly boats. His late wife was Louis Beck's sister. Theatrical Gossip. (1909, April 10). The Newsletter: an Australian Paper for Australian People (Sydney, NSW : 1900 - 1919), p. 11. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article102792973
Pasquale Torzillo, Sydney's best-known harpist, died recently. For over forty five' years he has been tweaking the strings of the eneient instrument, and between time bringing up a family of three sons and three daughters to make other pleasant noises. Mrs. Torzillo, who predeceased; her husband several years, was a sister of Louis Becke, the Australian author.
AUCKLAND STAR, VOLUME XL, ISSUE ..0, 17 APRIL 1909
SOUTH SEA REMINISCENCES.
A YARN BY MOONLIGHT By LOUIS BECKE (Specially written for the "Star") PART 1 Many years ago, when I was earning a comparatively honest living in New Britain, trading" for the famous Emma Coe now Mrs Kolbe of Ralum, I contracted fever and elephantiasis and tinea de squamans —otherwise known as "scaly skin" —and various other diseases incidental to the trader's lot in the South Seas, and decided to leave the country and make back for the Caroline or Marshall groups where a man could sleep decently without being disturbed by the point of a spear tickling his liver. .My predecessor ion the station (which was in Kabaira Bay end the "furthest west." on New Britain) was the Hon. G. S. Littleton—a nephew of the late Lord Lytton—and had been speared as he lay reading in his cane lounge one night. ...
AUCKLAND STAR, VOLUME XL, ISSUE 193, 14 AUGUST 1909
Private advices state that Mr Louis Becke, the novelist, has arrived back in Sydney from the Islands. He is not enjoying the best of health.
WAIRARAPA DAILY TIMES, VOLUME LXII, ISSUE 9712, 27 JUNE 1910
MATAAFA OF SAMOA
The days of the valorous old Mataafa, ex-King of Samoa, are (writes Louis Becke in the 'Herald' ), so states a private letter received in Sydney quite recently from Apia, drawing to an end, for the fighting chieftain has been ill for some time, and probably the next mail from Samoa will bring the news of his death. And with his passing his people ever to regain their former independence. Yet, who can tell what things may lie in the future, even for poor little Samoa, should the nations of Europe come into conflict and the great Power whose flag now floats over the Samoan Group (save one island) be worsted.
The name of Mataafa — apart from his being a noted warrior who thrice repulsed landing parties from the German ships of war in the troublous times of the eighties — will always be remembered in connection with the memorable disaster to the American and German fleets in Apia Harbour on March 16, 1889. He rendered signal service in saving many lives of German and American bluejackets, and won the respect and admiration of his former foes for his magnanimity, chivalry, and courage. To him, the Americans were friends — at least, he had no enmity against them, and they none against him — but the Germans had been, and were then, his foes. But to him there could be no distinction made at a time of common disaster — the life of a drowning German sailor was as sacred, to him and his people as that of an American or British- bluejacket. It will be as well, perhaps, to recall some of the incidents connected with what is still called the ''Calliope'' gale. Germany and the United States had strong commercial interests in Samoa, Great Britain had practically relinquished hers, but nevertheless when the American and German squadrons entered Apia Harbour — each mistrusting the intentions of the other regarding the annexation of Samoa— the Calliope followed to play watch-dog over the interests of the British subjects in the group. Anchored in a confined area, the three German and three American warships were ready to open fire upon each, other the moment that a landing party from each side hoisted the flag of its country. The German ships were small, but modern and up to date, the American were old and obsolete, and had hostilities ensued the American squadron would have fared badly. ' The American flagship was the Trenton, a I hulking, weak-engined, and poorly-armed ship, her biggest guns being muzzle-loading Dahlgren’s, and the Admiral, Lewis Kimberley, himself admitted to the writer that, big as she was, she would stand no chance wit a even the smallest of the German ships. His other ships were the Nipsic and the Vandalia, both, like the flagship, built of wood and ineffective for fighting. The German ships were the Olga, Eber, and Adler, all small but powerful vessels, manned by well disciplined crews, as against the motley crowd of all nations under Kimberley's command. When the hurricane was at its highest, the wind blowing at nearly 70 miles an hour, Captain (now Admiral) Kane, of the Calliope, seeing that the Trenton was drifting down upon him, slipped his cables, and in face of a terrific, mountainous sea made for the passage. So close had she to pass to the Trenton that at one moment their yards almost interlocked. (Kane says that the escape of the Calliope was due, not to him, but to chief—engineer Burke, and his staff of firemen and stokers.)
One after the other the American' and German warships struck in driving rain and semi-darkness, together with four schooners and a large German barque, and the scene that followed was truly appalling. Over 140 lives were lost. The little harbour was a maelstrom. It was then that Mataafa came to the rescue with 200 of his fighting men, who by their heroism saved the majority of, the German and American sailors, risking their own lives in the most daring and chivalrous, manner. Mataafa, now a pensioner of the Imperial German Government, well deserves the allowance made to him, of 2000 marks per annum. He was well aware of the fact that a week before that fateful 16th of March, the Germans and Americans were prepared to enter into a struggle for supremacy in Samoa, and he found it hard to restrain his warriors from attacking such small parties of German sailors as came on shore. And his personality was so strong that they yielded. One evening, as Mataafa sat, surrounded by his chiefs, in a native house in the village of Lelepa, back from Ma'autu Point, on the northern horn, of Apia Harbour, there came to him a messenger, who told him of certain things that had been said by the I , American Admiral to his officers at a council of war on board the flagship Trenton. The old chief smiled grimly, but said nothing to these about him. What he was told was this : — 'The admiral had told his officers frankly that they would have no chance with the Germans. 'Our chance is to run our ships alongside theirs before they sink us, and carry them by boarding in the good old-fashioned, style of a hundred years ago.' Mataafa knew that if he communicated this to his adherents there would be no holding them back. Five hundred men would have boarded the American ships in the hope of being allowed to join the boarding parties. This would have been the signal for war, and for a time he was strongly tempted. But he knew the old, innate savagery of the Samoan in time of victory would again re-assert itself, and the defeat of the German naval forces would mean that every German resident throughout the group would, in all probability, lie slaughtered. And so he held his hand, and when the elements intervened the problem was solved.
Mataafa.
Personally, Mataafa is a striking old man — deep-set stern eyes, square chin, and with a calm and reposeful manner. He is a devout Roman Catholic, although the majority of his adherents are Protestants. That they are all devoted to him goes without saying. Early in the 'eighties' the present writer visited him on the little island of Manono — the home of the chiefly families of Samoa — and situated between TJpolu and Savaii, and among other topics of conversation over the' kava bowl was the subject of the Samoan practice of decapitating a fallen enemy. 'It is bad, very bad,' said the old man., 'but it is fa' a Samoa (the custom of the country). Next to being tattooed, the young: Samoan's chief glory in life is to take a head in battle. It gives him a great mana, and. he can pick and choose a wife, and establish, his reputation. And what, after, all, does it matter to the dead man? He cannot miss his head.'
MATAAFA OF SAMOA (1911, August 24).Freeman's Journal (Sydney, NSW : 1850 - 1932), p. 14. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article111095322
Chroniclers of Becke’s times speak over and over of his stories being true to his own life story, autobiographical. His wife’s and children’s names appear in them. If they are autobiographical, this one, from a year before he passed away of throat cancer (he smoked) in telling in its ways too – of why he had care of Nora (Norah), or of why he and Fanny Sabina parted – in his version Norah Lois is spoken to about - the child he took 'on all his island wanderings' and seems to be a mishmash of his partings from Bessie and then from Fanny Sabina - one of whom may have had his own problem with gin the other who may have become a little too close to the gentleman she returned to London to work for Arthur Conan Doyle,
....'Mrs. Becke frequently met Sir Arthur Conan Doyle during his lifetime, as she was the librarian of the bookshop in Victoria Street, Westminster, where all matters relating to his favorite study of psychic phenomena were to be found.:
THE RAIN AND THE CHILD.
BY LOUIS BECKE. '
'Father, dear, are you awake?'
'Yes my child, very much awake.'
'Have you been listening to the rain?'
'Yes, I have been listening to the rain for nearly half-an-hour, little one.'
'Isn't it a strange, funny rain, father? It comes in lumps, then stops, and you can hear the breakers on the beach; then it falls so softly and gently for a little while, and the breakers cry out more loudly and seem to call to one; and then, again, it rattles down and I hear it crashing upon the banana trees.’
'Yes, my child.' 'May I talk? I feel so strange and all sorts of curious things seem to come to me with the rain. May I really talk?'
'As much as you like, Lois. It is, indeed, a strange rain. I have never heard such rain before. Now I shall light the lamp, fill my pipe and we shall sit on the verandah till sunrise, which will be in another hour,'
'Oh, how lovely! And can I bring Blackie and her kittens? And can I make our coffee this morning, instead of Manuel?'
'You can bring Blackie and her family, and you can make the coffee. But put something on over your nightdress, Lois, and I'll fix up the lounges and the rugs. Before sunrise the chill breeze from the mountains will be upon us, and I don't want you to catch cold, old woman.'
The child sprang from her bed and clasped her soft arms around her father's neck. 'If I caught fifty colds, 'lashed together,' as Captain Evers says, you can cure them all in an hour. Father, you really and truly are a wonderful man. No wonder the natives call you Tagata Poto, the wise man.'
Manning laughed. 'Now get away and put on a shawl or something, and bring along your wretched cats.'
'Father!. You mean blessed cats. Such a mother cat and such kittens never before existed— Oh, listen!' A crashing downpour of heavy rain smote the thatched roof and crashed through the banana and orange trees that surrounded the trader's house, and then two minutes later ceased with a sudden 'snap.' Then, in the deep silence, came the call of the ever restless surf.
'Father, Father,' said the child in an awed whisper, 'If you were not here I should be frightened. Listen to the surf.' Manning bent down and kissed her. 'I shall always be with you, Lois.'
The man had had his coffee, and was lying back on his cane lounge, smoking and thinking. The child, who had brought her lounge beside his, was watching with beaming eyes, the antics of three kittens, the mother of which was sharing a large platter of bread and goat's milk with Manning's collie dog. For the time the rain had ceased and the sun almost obscured by a heavy bank of dark cloud, sent a dim glow of light upon the gently heaving sea. The morning was strangely quiet, and the voices of the, people in the native village near by sounded as from a fair distance, as they wended their way to the lagoon for their morning bathe. Presently came Manuel, Manning's Rotumah native servant. Standing on the verandah steps, he looked reproachfully at Lois and then at the coffee cups.
'Don't look so solemn, Manuel. Father said I could make the coffee this morning, although I can't make it like you do. Now, come here, and sogi (rub noses) with my kittens. Be quick, because they want to go on playing.' Manuel obeyed the command of his youthful mistress, then turned to Manning: 'Master, the people say that strange things are to happen soon, and they have fear. Tis the strange rain that is in their thoughts. Twenty and one years ago, they say, there was such a night of such strange rain as that of last night. And when the dawn came, the fun could not be discerned when it rose from the sea-rim — even as it is now — and the sea birds in tens of thousands went not out to catch fish, but huddled together in their rookeries in silence.
All that day it rained, rained, and the surf on the reef was beaten flat and made no sound, and the wind was dead on the sea and land, but yet moaned high up in the heavens, and the clouds moved swiftly. And then about the time of sunset there came from the eastward a mighty wave 10 fathoms high, and swept with a roar upon the land, and in a little time the village was gone, and many people perished, for the wave: went across this part of the island, and houses and people were carried away together into the lagoon. So that is why the new village has been built on higher land. But yet, master, do I share their fears. And for the sake of the little one, let us be prepared, and take all that we possess to still higher ground. Presently the head men are coming with all the people to carry everything away to a safe place.' 'Good, Manuel. Let us begin to pack up at once. Lois, you can help.'
In a few hours all the trader's effects were removed to the highest part, of the island and a temporary house quickly erected for him, together with many others for the natives themselves. Lois, with 'Blackie’ and her family following her about in their new abode, was happiness personified, and she and the ever faithful Manuel 'arranged' things; she with her 10 years of wisdom alternately, scolding and applauding him for his carelessness and strength as he lifted the heavy cases of trade goods and piled them in even order.
An old bald-headed native entered the house, and sat down cross-legged to have a talk with the white man, first looking with an air of profound grief at the empty pipe which he untwisted from his pendulous ear-lobe. Manning tossed him a stick of tobacco. 'What of this great wave, Talanoa?' he asked.
The ancient spread out his hands. 'It may come, it may not come, good friend. But thou has done wisely to come to a place of safety. If it does come it will give warning, for the surf will cease to Break on the reef and leave it high and dry, and the seabirds will gather together in their rookeries in the great banyan trees.' And then he began to tell the story of the previous visitation; then when half-way through his tedious tale Lois burst in, almost in tears. 'Oh, father, Blackie and the kittens have gone away, and I am afraid that the fish eagles will get them.' 'No fear of that. She has only gone back to the house. Come with me and we'll soon have her back.'
Through the still falling rain they made their way through the dripping palms and banana 'groves to the house, and found the cat, with her family, on the verandah, mewing piteously. Lois pounced upon her, threatened to tie her up in a bag, and then went in search of some food for her. Manning sat on the verandah steps gazing dreamily out upon the misty sea.
Presently Lois came and seated herself beside him. She was silent for a few minutes.
'Will it disturb you if I talk, father?'
'No, of course it will not; talk as much as you like, and about anything you like'
'You said I could talk about anything; and —and, may I ask you something about mother?'
Manning's lips twitched; then he answered quietly: .
'Yes, you may talk about your mother.'
'Do you think that she will remember that it will be my eleventh birthday soon?'
'I hope so, my pet; in fact, I am sure she will.'
'Ah, I am so glad.'. Then another pause. 'Father, you don't really hate mother, do you.'
‘God knows I do not, my child.'
'But she made you very unhappy, didn't she.'
'Yes, very unhappy.'
'Can't you ever forgive her?'
For an instant 'Never!' trembled on his lips; then he turned, his face seaward once more ere he replied: — 'I have been trying to forgive her for the past two years, Lois.'
'Ah, do try very, very hard, won't you? and I shall feel so happy. I was thinking of her last night, when that soft kind of rain began to fall. I wanted to speak to you about her, but I was afraid, so I cried to myself instead.'
The man drew the child to him and kissed her fondly. She flung one arm around his sun-tanned neck and nestled close to his side.
‘We were all so happy, were we not, until that horrid Madame Lorina made mother become a spiritualist and brought all those other horrid women and shabby long-haired men with dirty collars to the house. Oh, how I hated them all — especially the women. I hate them now just as much as I hate those dreadful gargoyle things on Notre Dame which you showed me in Paris. Madame Lorina used to terrify, me with those awful sunken eyes and her voice, which sounded as if it, came from a cave. And I am sure that mother was actually afraid of her.'
'She was, although she knew that that woman and her friends were robbing her, and that, they had been exposed over and over again as swindlers and impostors. You are all but 11 years old now, Lois, and I can tell you that I have cursed the day that your mother fell under the evil influence of those people. She gave them a thousand pounds.'
'Oh, a thousand pounds!'
'Yes, a thousand pounds. That was one reason that your mother and I had that dreadful quarrel when I kicked the three long-haired men out of the house and swore at the grotesque women. Another reason was that she, who loved you so much once, neglected you and never came near you for weeks at a time. She seemed to have forgotten your very existence.'
'Poor father! I have not forgotten. Night after night I used to cry myself to sleep when you were away in New York. Mary was very kind to me, especially at night, when mother was away at the seances and lectures. But, oh! I was so glad when you came home; everything seemed dull and grey without you, and mother was so strange. Then came that terrible quarrel, when I had to say, good-bye to mother, and you took me away. Father, shall we never see her again? She is so young and pretty and she did love me, I am sure, although, she was so cold to me when I kissed her and said good-bye.'
Manning was silent. He remembered the scene well. His wife refused to give up her shady friends, and asked for a legal separation, and he consented. Two days later he left London for France intending to place the child at school, but her passionate grief and entreaties not to leave her, were too much for him, and he had promised her that she should always be with him. And then after a few months' wandering about the continent, he came to the resolution to return to his old vocation of trader in the South Seas. To him now, the child was all His hope and life, and the vision of his fair young wife of eleven years back, was slowly but surely being effaced from his memory with his return to his former surroundings.
'Father, I won't talk any longer if I weary you; but I would like to see mother again. And won't you write to her— for my sake?
'I will do much for your sake. I'll write to the lawyers by the next schooner that calls, and inclose a letter for her— and you may write, too.'
Glad tears filled the child's eyes as she embraced him. 'I am so glad, dear father. Perhaps she will come to us— and then how happy we shall all be.' Manning smiled. –
'She could not come here to this lonely life. If she wants us we must go to her.'
Lois buried her face against her father's chest in silent ecstacy. Then came the' sound of excited voices and the rush of naked feet along the pebbled path towards the house, and a number of native men and women appeared.
'Stay no longer,' they cried; 'the air Is dark with sea birds coming from the north, and the surf on the reef is mate (dead). Haste, haste, good friend.' Lois flew to Blackie and seized her, the native women picking up the kittens, and then the whole party struck into the forest path leading to the temporary village. Already the daylight— though it was still two hours from - sunset— had gone, and the still falling rain added to the gloominess of the silent forest, undisturbed save for the cries of myriad sea birds. Half, a mile more and they were in sight of the rudely-built huts from the open sides of which gleamed the blaze of many fires of dried cocoanut shells. Divesting themselves of their soaking clothing, the trader and the little girl sat down on the matted floor whilst Manuel made coffee and broiled some fish. The heat was strangely oppressive, and goats and poultry crowded into the huts as if fearing some imminent danger, and refused to be driven out. Suddenly, from seaward, there came a long, droning hum, and then a crashing roar, as if a hundred heavy guns had been fired simultaneously, and a mighty blast of wind tore through the forest and twisted and snapped off great branches as it sped eastward; then followed silence once more.
''Tis the wave,' said old Talanoa. 'It has come and gone, and we are safe. Who comes with me to see if our houses still stand?' Manning went with them. In an hour he returned to Lois, who looked at him inquiringly. 'Not a house is left, Lois. The site of the village is now as bare as the beach itself, and millions of dead fish are strewn about the bush half a mile back from where our house and pretty garden once stood.'
The schooner had come and gone, and taken Manning's letters. He had told his lawyers that he was leaving for Sydney by the next vessel, three months hence.
'I shall wait there for six months,' he wrote, 'until I hear from you— or her. If all is well, Lois and I will return to England. If the same condition of affairs prevails, we go back to the Islands.'
To his wife he wrote in affectionate terms, enclosing a long letter from Lois. One morning, four months after they had arrived in Sydney, Lois came to him with a letter. Her little hand trembled as she handed it to him.
'It is from mother,' she said in a broken whisper. Manning opened the other and read the few lines to himself, and his eyes lit up.
'Here is a big, fat letter for you, Lois. But before you open it read mine.' Lois, through the fast falling tears, could only see the concluding words :— 'So come back to me, Ted— you and my Lois. My wicked folly has nearly broken my heart. My eyes have been opened, and the madness that possessed me has gone, never to return. Ever your loving Alice.'
'Father,' said Lois, 'the rain made me talk to you that night. But I cannot read mother's letter. I am shaky all over. You must read it to me.'
Manning read it, and when he had finished the child turned to him a face glorified with love and happiness.
'Now I am going to talk to Blackie. I told mother that if we came to England Blackie should come too.'
AUSTRALIAN SHORT STORIES (1912, February 21). The Sydney Mail and New South Wales Advertiser (NSW : 1871 - 1912), p. 43. Retrieved fromhttp://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article164295398
Mr. Louis Becke. This distinguished novelist of world-wide fame has written us from Sydney a most interesting and welcome letter, in which he expresses a deep longing to renew his acquaintance with dear old Port Macquarie, his native land. Our friend met with an accident some time ago, and is only just recovering. As soon as he is strong enough he intends to visit our town which appears to hold a charm for Mr. Becke, and spend a few weeks amongst old friends and scenes that are beckoning him away from an active life and restless city. We hope to arrange for several articles from the pen of this gifted writer, and we shall all feel honored by his presence amongst us. Mr. Louis Becke. (1912, March 23). The Port Macquarie News and Hastings River Advocate (NSW : 1882 - 1950), p. 7. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article104881845
A little about Arthur Conan Doyle, from Wikipedia:
Sir Arthur Ignatius Conan Doyle KStJ, DL (22 May 1859 – 7 July 1930) was a British writer best known for his detective fiction featuring the character Sherlock Holmes. Originally a physician, in 1887 he published A Study in Scarlet, the first of four novels about Holmes and Dr. Watson. In addition, Doyle wrote over fifty short stories featuring the famous detective.
Doyle was born on 22 May 1859 at 11 Picardy Place, Edinburgh, Scotland. His father, Charles Altamont Doyle, was born in England, of Irish Catholic descent, and his mother, Mary (née Foley), was Irish Catholic. His parents married in 1855. In 1864 the family dispersed because of Charles's growing alcoholism, and the children were temporarily housed across Edinburgh. In 1867, the family came together again and lived in squalid tenement flats at 3 Sciennes Place. Doyle's father died in 1893, in the Crichton Royal, Dumfries, after many years of psychiatric illness.Supported by wealthy uncles, Doyle was sent to England, at the Jesuit preparatory school Hodder Place, Stonyhurst in Lancashire at the age of nine (1868–70). He then went on to Stonyhurst College until 1875. From 1875 to 1876, he was educated at the Jesuit school Stella Matutina in Feldkirch, Austria. He later rejected the Catholic faith and became an agnostic. He later became a spiritualist mystic.
Doyle had a longstanding interest in mystical subjects. He was initiated as a Freemason (26 January 1887) at the Phoenix Lodge No. 257 in Southsea. He resigned from the Lodge in 1889, but returned to it in 1902, only to resign again in 1911.
Also in Southsea in 1887, influenced by a member of the Portsmouth Literary and Philosophical Society, Major-General Alfred Wilks Drayson, he began a series of psychic investigations. These included attending around 20 seances, experiments in telepathy and sittings with mediums. Writing to Spiritualist journal Light, that year, he declared himself to be a Spiritualist and spoke of one particular psychic event that had convinced him.
Though he later wavered, he remained fascinated by the paranormal. He was a founding member of the Hampshire Society for Psychical Research in 1889 and joined the London-based Society for Psychical Research in 1893. He joined Sir Sidney Scott and Frank Podmore on a poltergeist investigation in Devon in 1894. Nevertheless, during this period, he remained, in essence, a dilettante.
At the height of the Great War, in 1916, a change came over Conan Doyle's beliefs, prompted by the apparent psychic abilities of his children's nanny, Lily Loder Symonds. This, combined with the deaths he saw around him, made him rationalise that Spiritualism was a "New Revelation" sent by God to bring solace to the bereaved. The New Revelation was the title of his first Spiritualist work, published two years later. In the intervening years, he wrote to Light magazine about his faith and lectured frequently on the truth of Spiritualism.
War-related deaths close to him certainly strengthened his long-held belief in life after death and spirit communication, though it is wrong to claim that the death of his son, Kingsley, turned him to Spiritualism, as is often stated. Doyle came out as a Spiritualist to the public in 1916, a full two years before his son's death. It was on 28 October 1918 that Kingsley died from pneumonia contracted during his convalescence after being seriously wounded in the 1916 Battle of the Somme. Doyle's brother Brigadier-general Innes Doyle died, also from pneumonia, in February 1919. His two brothers-in-law (one of whom was E. W. Hornung, creator of the literary character Raffles) and his two nephews also died shortly after the war. His second book on Spiritualism,The Vital Message, appeared in 1919.
Doyle found solace supporting spiritualism and its attempts to find proof of existence beyond the grave. In particular, according to some,[65] he favoured Christian Spiritualism and encouraged the Spiritualists' National Union to accept an eighth precept – that of following the teachings and example of Jesus of Nazareth. He was a member of the renowned supernatural organisation The Ghost Club.
Photo: Arthur Conan Doyle, 1914 - photo by Walter Benington
Arthur Conan Doyle. (2017, August 21). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved, from https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Arthur_Conan_Doyle&oldid=796536821
A Manly connection - there's always a Manly connection!:
Louis Becke.
The former "Bulletin" editor, Mr. J. F. Archibald, was always an unconsciously hard worker, and. in the old fighting days of the paper he stuck to his, guns with such pertinacity that the men associated with him often feared a breakdown in his health. One week-end Editor Archibald was so knocked out that Jack Scantlebury, Victor Daley, and some other friends fairly "kidnapped" him for a couple of days' rest , and bathing at Coogee.
The party stayed at the Coogee Hotel, and on the Saturday night Scantlebury and Daley dropped into one of the side rooms, where a bronze-faced man of 38 or so was holding a crowd of listeners in rapt attention with stirring stories of South Sea life. The two listened for some time, and were similarly caught by the vividness and vitality of the yarns. They called out to Archibald to come in. Archibald came along, and formed another of the listening group. After a while he inquired of the storyteller where he came from, and what he was doing in Sydney. The stranger said that his name was Becke, that he had been years in the South Seas, and that he had just come to Sydney, and had taken a job at the hotel.
"Have you written anything?" asked Archibald. Becke replied modestly, that he had never tried, and that he didn't think he could. "Well," said Archibald, with that keen perception characteristic of the old "Bulletin" ''chief" in recognising promising, writers, "I'm sure you can."
"Could you leave here to-night and come out to my house as my guest for a week or so?" Archibald added, also mentioning who he was and the ''Bulletin."
Becke said he was paid up for the week, and graciously accepted the strange and unexpected invitation. The week-end party broke up suddenly, as Archibald immediately called for a cab, and took his "discovery" straight away to his private house in another suburb.
On the Sunday Becke set to work to put some of his experiences into writing, under the guidance of the great journalist, who knew he had lighted on an undiscovered genius. The next week's "Bulletin" contained the first of Becke's thrilling South Sea stories, which made his name in Australia, and laid the foundation for the world-wide fame that greeted him in after years. Louis Becke. (1913, February 27).Clarence and Richmond Examiner(Grafton, NSW : 1889 - 1915), p. 5. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article62058338
BECKE.—February 17, 1913, at Sydney, Louis (George Louis) Becke, F.R.G.S., in his 58th year. Family Notices (1913, February 19). The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), p. 12. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article15399058
LOUIS BECKE
SYDNEY, February 18.
The death occurred this morning of Mr. George Lewis Becke, well known as Louis Becke, novelist, and South Sea writer. Mr. Becke returned to Sydney about 12 months ago, after a long stay in England, and since his return he had travelled about New 'South' Wales and contributed to the Press. Mr. Becke, who was 56 years of age, was born at Port Macquarie. Twenty years ago, he was a trader, pilot, and recruiter of kanaka labour in the Pacific Islands. He had been staying at a hotel in the city, and this morning he was found dead in his bed.
The name of Louis Becke has long been associated .with tales of adventure in the South Seas, and, between 20 and 30 years ago, he became one of the best known of Australian novelists. His life as trader, pilot, and labour recruiter . gave him a great insight into island life, and his books contained reliable details of the habits of the natives.
His principal works were "By Reef and Palm," "The Ebbing of the Tide." "Ro'tuian, the Boat Steerer," "Edward Carry," "Tessa and the Trader's Wife," "Uidan the Devil," "Breachley Black Sheep," "Helen Adair," "Yorke the Adventurer," "Wild Life in Southern Seas," "Adventures of James Skervington." "By Rock and Pool," "Chinkie's Flat," "His Native Wife," "Under Tropic Skies.". "The Gerrards," "Adventures of a Supercargo," "Notes from My South Sea Log," and "Sketches from Normandy." He collaborated with Walter Jeffrey, the Sydney novelist, in writing "The Mutineer", “A First Fleet Family," "Naval Pioneers of Australia," and "Admiral Phillip." For many years he regularly contributed serial and short stories to the "Boys' Own Paper," and to other English and Australian magazines. His services in the South Seas were recognised by his being made a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society. LOUIS BECKE (1913, February 21). The Week (Brisbane, Qld. : 1876 - 1934), p. 17. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article201058753
THE LATE LOUIS BECKE.
The funeral of the late Mr. Louis Becke the well known writer of South Sea Island stories took place yesterday morning, the remains being interred in the Waverley cemetery. The burial service was read by the Rev. R. McKeown, of St. Mary's, Waverley, and among those who were at the graveside were his widow, his brothers and nephew. Messrs. Bertram Stevens, S. Gilchrist, H. W. Huntingdon, J. Davies, Chas. Aubrey, A. Mordaux, F. Bunting, and A. H. Tornaghi. THE LATE LOUIS BECKE. (1913, February 20). The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), p. 10. Retrieved fromhttp://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article15399590
LOUIS BECKE'S FUNERAL.
The remains of Mr. Louis Becke, the well-known novelist, who died yesterday, were interred In the new section of the Church of England portion of the "Waverley Cemetery this morning.
The Rev. Robert M'Keown, of St. Mary's, Waverley, read the burial service at the graveside in the presence of the notable writer’s widow, his three brothers, Messrs. Charles Aubrey Becke, Alfred Mordaunt Becke, and Vernon Becke, and his nephew, Mr. Frederick Burnard Becke.Among the others at the graveside were John Davies, Sydney Gilchrist, Huntington, A. H. Tornaghi, F. 1 cln f on (representing Mr. Richard Man-I the Armidale Lands Office), and Bertram Stevens, of the Lone Hand. The grave is situated, on the highest part of the Cemetery, overlooking the ocean. LOUIS BECKE'S FUNERAL. (1913, February 19). The Sun (Sydney, NSW : 1910 - 1954), p. 9 (FINAL EXTRA). Retrieved fromhttp://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article228699017
Death of Mr. Louis Becke.
Considerable regret was expressed in Port Macquarie when it became known that Mr. Louis Becke, the well-known novelist and writer of stories and sketches dealing with life in the South Seas during the seventies and early eighties, had died suddenly in Sydney. Deceased had been ailing for some time, and projected a visit to Port Macquarie for the benefit of his health, but unfortunately death intervened. He was found dead in his chair at his room in the York Hotel, Sydney with the manuscript of an unfinished story lying on the table in front of him.
The late Mr. Becke was born in Port Macquarie 58 years ago, his father being C.P.S. here. He went to sea at an early age, and after a visit to California, drifted to the South Sea Islands, where he engaged in trading operations for some years, during which period he was associated as supercargo with the notorious Captain ' Bully ' Hayes. Mr. Becke was twice married, his first wife being a daughter of the late Colonel Maunsell, of the 11th Regiment.
His daughter is a very distinguished linguist, and represented Great Britain at an international congress of languages held in St. Petersburg.
Mr. Becke made his first venture in literature in the columns of the ' Bulletin.' His stories of the South Seas interested the editor of that paper, and he was induced to commit them to paper. He continued to follow the thorny path of literature from that time till death stopped his facile pen. He resided in London and Continental towns for a number of years. During this period be contributed innumerable articles to leading English magazines. He was a prolific writer, turning out some 30 volumes during his career, the most of which he disposed of outright, and thus did not receive any royalties from his books, which were very popular, and had an enormous sale. He baa imbibed the charm of the tropic isles, and his stories treated of the days when law and order held little sway in the scattered atolls of the Pacific With the exception of the adventurous traders who were scattered among the various groups, the natives had little contact with white men, and the primordial passions had full play. This fine field of romance Mr. Becke made peculiarly his own, and his first-hand knowledge of the localities in which his stories were laid imparted to them a charming realism.
During the past twelve months the proprietor of this paper has been in regular communication with the late Mr. Becke, and has now the manuscript of a number of articles from his pen. He had commissioned deceased to write the history of the steamer Rosedale, which so mysteriously disappeared with all hands some time ago, but his illness interrupted the task.
The deceased was a keen sportsman, and looked forward with pleasurable anticipation to another visit to his native place, which he had not seen for a number of years, and a renewal of association with the friends and scenes of his youth. He purposed, while here, writing a number of articles dealing with the early days of Port Macquarie, a place he loved well, and keenly appreciated for its beauties, as well as its facilities for the indulgence of his favorite sport of fishing. It was with a keen sense of personal loss that we received the news of his death, which so sadly destroyed his cherished plans. However, his 68 years of life were crowded with notion, and he accomplished more then most men. His death will be mourned by the large army of readers throughout the world who had wandered with him in spirit through the enchanted isles of the south. The remains of the dead writer were interred in the new portion of the Chuch of England cemetery at Waverley, the service at the grave being conducted by the Rev. Robert McEwen.
Death of Mr. Louis Becke. (1913, February 22). The Port Macquarie News and Hastings River Advocate (NSW : 1882 - 1950), p. 4. Retrieved fromhttp://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article119150707
LATE MR. LOUIS BECKE.
A meeting of friends and admirers of the late Mr. Louis Becke, the Island novelist, was held yesterday afternoon, when it was decided to open a fund for the purpose of erecting a headstone over his grave in the Waverley Cemetery. Messrs. W. Farmer Whyte and P. S. Allen were appointed hon. secretaries. LATE MR. LOUIS BECKE. (1913, October 22). The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), p. 11. Retrieved fromhttp://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article15459377
OBITUARY
MR. FREDERICK VERNON BECKE
One of the best known men, and one of the most popular officers in the postal services was Mr. Fred Becke, who whilst occupying the position of district Inspector with headquarters at Albury, was very well known from Tumbarumba right through to the South Australian border. He had a very extensive district, and his duties carried him to all centres within that region. Wherever Mr. Fred Becke travelled he was highly respected by the postal staffs and by members of the community with whom he was brought into contact He was an efficient officer, whose single purpose appeared to be to give the utmost service possible to the public. Colleagues and the: public generally will regret to learn that he was taken ill and died at 11 o'clock on Saturday evening at his home, 11 Whiting Beach Road, Mosman, at the age of 60 years. From Albury he was promoted to the position of superintendent of postal services with headquarters at Brisbane. After being there for some time he was transferred to the G.P.O, Sydney, as superintendent of postal services for New South Wales. The funeral took place yesterday to the Northern suburbs Crematorium. Mr. Becke had a long service in the department which he joined in 1897. In 1909 he was married at Armidale, and is survived by his wife and three sons and one daughter. The daughter is Miss June Becke, and the sons are Mr. Basil Becke (Armidale), Dr. Rex Becke, surgeon in the A I..F. overseas, and Mr. Jan Becke, in camp with the A .I.F.OBITUARY (1941, June 10). Daily Advertiser (Wagga Wagga, NSW : 1911 - 1954), p. 2. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article145223589
RECEIVED.
"The Adventures of Louis Blake" (N. S. W. Bookstall Co., Ltd I/-,), is the disguise which the late Louis Becke adopted to tell the story of his own adventurous life. He explains how his inability to learn singing and music brought upon him the cruel punishment of a brutal teacher which resulted in the deafness' and the distressing stutter he retained to his death. Some of the most interesting chapters in the book are those in which Becke recalls his meetings with "Bully" Hayes, but his other adventures are less interesting or exciting. RECEIVED. (1914, July 7). The Evening Telegraph (Charters Towers, Qld. : 1901 - 1921), p. 2. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article214966634
Caroline Matilda Becke, aged 51, 20 June 1869 / photographer unknown
Caroline Matilda Becke (b.ca. 1818 - 10 June 1894), interred Rookwood, Sec. RRR, no. 1713. Image No.: a4176041, courtesy Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales
At Clifton, near Port Macquarie, on the 18th of June, the wife of Mr. F. Becke, of a son. Family Notices (1855, July 5). Empire (Sydney, NSW : 1850 - 1875), p. 4. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article60169428
Parents marriage – note some spell mother’s surname ‘Beilby’:
172/1839 V1839172 23B
BECKE FREDERICK BELLBY CAROLINE M MF
SEPTEMBER 2. — The Sesostris, Rowe, master, left Plymouth May 5, laden with merchandise. Passengers — Mr Jones and family, Miss Wells, Mr and Mrs Foster and four children, Mr and Mrs Strutt, Mr and Mrs Maclean, Messrs Hustler, Crichton, Turner, Carter, Becke, Hedge, Iceton, and Goddard, and 28 intermediate passengers. Shipping Intelligence. (1839, September 3). The Australian (Sydney, NSW : 1824 - 1848), p. 2. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article36859797
New Insolvents….10.-Frederick Becke, of Newtown, near Sydney, gentleman. Mr. John Walker, official assignee. INSOLVENCY PROCEEDINGS. (1847, August 14). The Maitland Mercury and Hunter River General Advertiser (NSW : 1843 - 1893), p. 2. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article692355
In the Insolvent Estate of Frederick Becke, of Newtown, near Sydney, gentleman. . .
WHEREAS the Estate of Frederick Becke, the above named Insolvent, was, on the 10th day of August, 1847, placed under sequestration in my hands, by order of His Honor Mr. Justice Dickinson, I hereby appoint a single meeting of the Creditors of the said Insolvent, to be holden before me, at my Office, Supreme Court House, Sydney, on Friday, the 20th day of August instant, to commence 11,a.m., and end at 11.30, a.m., for the proof of debts against the said Estate, and for the collection, administration, and distribution of the Estate ; and unless at the said meeting it be shewn that the goods and effects of the said Insolvent exceed £100, the Chief Commissioner will summarily proceed to rank the debts then proved, and will direct the proceeds to be distributed by the Assignee accordingly. —Sydney, 14th August, 1847.
EDWIN C. SUTTOR,
Chief Commissioner of Insolvent Estates.
Official Assignee—John Morris. WHEREAS the Estate of Frederick Becke, the above named Insolvent, was, on the 10th (1847, August 17). New South Wales Government Gazette (Sydney, NSW : 1832 - 1900), p. 872. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article230422075
Death of Mr. F. Becke.
Early last week the death was reported of Mr. Frederick Becke, in Sydney. The deceased gentleman, who had reached his 93rd year, was at one time C.P.S. in Port Macquarie, having been appointed to that district about the year '54. He resided in Port with his family for a number of years and will be remembered by many old residents. He was also one of the oldest freemasons in the State. He leaves a great number of children and grandchildren, Mrs. Becke having passed away about 6 years ago. The deceased leaves a family of five sons, Aubrey, Alfred, Vernon, Louis (the novelist), Cecil, and three daughters, Mrs. E. Kelly, Mrs. T. P. Davis and Miss Florrie Becke. Mrs. Torzillo, another daughter, died a few months ago, and Mr. E. H. Becke, a son who for a number of years resided in Kempsey, died also in Western Australia. Death of Mr. F. Becke. (1903, July 23).The Macleay Chronicle (Kempsey, NSW : 1899 - 1952), p. 4. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article176740036
Wife’s death – Caroline Matilda nee Bellby/ Beilby – Charles Beilby was merchant/landowner at Willoughby
BECKE CAROLINE M 775/1894 CHARLES CAROLINE SYDNEY
IN THE SUPREME COURT OF NEW SOUTH WALES.— PROBATE JURISDICTION. In the Will of CAROLINE MATILDA BECKE late of Upper Bankstown In the colony of New South Wales Widow deceased. APPLICATION will he made after fourteen days from the publication hereof that Letters of Administration with the Will of the above-named deceased annexed may be granted to CAROLINE ADA FLORENCE BECKE a daughter of the said deceased. Advertising (1894, December 5). The Daily Telegraph (Sydney, NSW : 1883 - 1923), p. 2. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article236106164
Miss Becke's Pictures.
We paid a visit this week to the studio of Miss M. A Becke at 'Camira,' Fitzgerald street, Windsor, Since Miss Becke's exhibition about fifteen months ago she has been taking lessons from Mr. Lister, the eminent painter and teacher, of Sydney, and has also become a Member of the Royal Art Society. During the past 15 months Miss Becke has finished a fine lot of paintings and are now on view in her studio would do credit to an artist of far greater pretensions. There are upwards of 80 pictures in the studio, and they are a varied collection of studies — including local and other landscapes, bush and mountain scenery, rugged rocks, glints of river scenery, &c. Amongst the most striking pictures are ' The Manly Cliffs.' 'Freshwater Bay, Manly;' A View of the Hawkesbury, showing Ben's Point and Windsor Reach ; also the same scene at sunset, ' Bondi' ; ' Coogee' ; a very pretty scene painted from the studio window, showing part of Windsor bridge and the farm houses and fields beyond ; ' Manly from the ocean beach' ; several splendid ocean views, 'North Head,' 'Rocks at Manly,' &c, Among the black and white pictures are some very fine ones, including a lake view with deer. Altogether Miss Becks exhibits exceptional talent, and has made wonderful progress in her studies. Miss Becke's Pictures (1905, February 11).Windsor and Richmond Gazette (NSW : 1888 - 1954), p. 4. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article85891327
Landscape colors, black and white seascapes, black and white panel, black and white landscapes, colored seascape, Miss M A Becke, highly commended for a special prize (non- competitive). FINE ARTS. (1903, May 8). Hawkesbury Herald (Windsor, NSW : 1902 - 1945), p. 9. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article66354301
WINDSOR SCHOOL OF ARTS, erected 1861, where the exhibition was held.
RELICS OF LAST CENTURY (1932, December 2). Windsor and Richmond Gazette (NSW : 1888 - 1954), p. 1. Retrieved fromhttp://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article86056452
Louis Becke and the Samoans.
Some little time ago the German steamer Hohenstaufen, with a number of Samoan ladies on board, called in at Sydney, on its way to Germany. During the stay, Mr. Louis Becke (author of " By Reef and Palm," &c" and a nephew of Mr. W. H. H. Becke, P. M., of Windsor) paid a visit lo the steamboat, and was at once recognised and surrounded by a number of young ladies, one of them named Toligo, making eager enquiries about Mr. Becke's little daughter, whom she had seen tat Apia a few years ago. Great disappointment was expressed by them that their stay in " Sini" (Sydney) was so short, and they also made frequent expressions of regret at not having seen Mr Louis Becke's little daughter Nora. They also expressed their appreciation of the good offices of those gentlemen connected with missionary institutions who had interested themselves tn their welfare, and told Mr. Becke, or " Lui," as they call him, that had they any reason to be dissatisfied with their engagement or treatment so far they would have at once sought out the agents of the London Missionary Society (the London Missionary Society as a protector of the corps de ballet would certainly be something novel). Louis Becke and the Samoans. (1895, September 14). Windsor and Richmond Gazette (NSW : 1888 - 1954), p. 5. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article66447851
Marriage.
On the 27th ultimo, at Woodlawn, Clarence River, residence of the bride's father, by the Rev. A. E. Selwyn. of Grafton, William Henry Hughes Becke, Clerk of Petty Sessions, Grafton, to Adelaide Marianne, only daughter of Captain Francis Marsh, J.P, (late of H. M. 11th and 80th Regiments.) Family Notices (1860, July 14). The Armidale Express and New England General Advertiser (NSW : 1856 - 1861; 1863 - 1889; 1891 - 1954), p. 3. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article188961744
MARRIAGES. BECKE—MARSH—On the 27th June, at Woodlyn, Clarence River, residence of the bride's father, by the Rev. A. E. Selwyn, of Grafton, William Henry Hughes, youngest son of the late Cecil Becke, solicitor, London, to Adelaide Marianne, only daughter of Captain Francis Marsh, J.P., late of H.M. 80th Regiment. Family Notices (1860, August 4). Empire (Sydney, NSW : 1850 - 1875), p. 4. Retrieved fromhttp://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article60414333
DEATH.
BECKE. — On the 18th inst, at her residence, " Camira" Fitzgerald Street, Windsor, Adelaide, the beloved wife of W. H. H. Becke, and daughter of the late Captain Francis Marsh, formerly of H.M. 11th and 80th Regiments.Family Notices (1896, September 19). Windsor and Richmond Gazette (NSW : 1888 - 1954), p. 4. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article72549754
In last Saturday's "Evening News" appeared a facsimile of the registry of enrolment of the first volunteer force after the passing of the Act of 1854. Among the list of names we notice that of Mr. W. H. H. Becke, of "Camira," Fitzgerald-st., Windsor. Local & General. (1903, July 3).Hawkesbury Herald (Windsor, NSW : 1902 - 1945), p. 3. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article66354721
BECKE -At Kingstone, Wardell road, Dulwich Hill The residence of his Son-in- law (Capt Charles Beach) W H H Becke, of cardiac asthma, in his 81 st year. Family Notices (1910, July 19). The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), p. 6. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article15169270
BECKE - The Funeral of the late Mr. WILLIAM H. H. BECKE will leave his son-in-law's residence, Kingston, Wardell Road,Marrickville, TOMORROW (Wednesday) MORNING AT 7.30 O'CLOCK for Sydney Railway Station, thence for Interment in St. Matthew's Church of England Cemetery, Windsor.
BECKE - Members of the AUSTRALIAN LODGE OF HARMONY, No. 5, U.G.L. NSW, are respect fully invited to attend the Funeral of the late Worshipful Brother WILLIAM H H BECKE; to leave Sydney Railway Station TOMORROW (Wednesday) MORNING at 9 o'clock for Windsor .
Wor. Bro. F.S.Boyce . W.M.
Wor. Bro. G.G.J. Mactinosh. Sec. BENNETT
Family Notices (1910, July 19). The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), p. 12. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article15169161
BECKE WILLIAM H H 9979/1910 Father's Name: CECIL other's name SARAH J NSW Births, Marriages deaths State Records
St. Marys
Death of Mr. C. A. Becke.
Mr. Charles Aubrey Becke, at one time manager of the St. Marys branch of the A.J.S. Bank, died at Manly on 10th inst., at the age of 80 years, and was, privately interred at Manly on the following day. He was a native of Port Macquarie, where his father was police magistrate for some time. His wife died while he was living here. He was a brother of Louis Bccke, the well-known author. St. Marys (1923, December 22). Nepean Times (Penrith, NSW : 1882 - 1962), p. 5. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article104681970
MR. V. BECKE
Mr. F. V. Becke, District Postal Inspector, has been advised of the death of his father, Mr. Vernon Becke, aged 81 years, at Manly on Thursday. The late Mr. Becke was born at Port Macquarie and followed the occupation of an engineer. He had been blessed with splendid health and his death was unexpected. Mr. Louis Becke, the Australian novelist, was a brother. He is survived by two sons, Messrs. F. V. Becke (Albury) and Aubrey Becke (Windsor, N.S.W.), one daughter Miss Olive Becke (Sydney), and one sister. His wife died many years ago. The interment took place in Sydney on Friday. MR. V. BECKE (1933, August 30). Daily Advertiser (Wagga Wagga, NSW : 1911 - 1954), p. 2. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article143451904
Memories of Louis Becke
Spending a few week' holiday in Sydney is Mr. Bunting, a visitor from Norfolk Island. He says he never hears the word "insomnia" without thinking of Louis Becke — the Port Macquarie boy who rose to become world-famous as a writer of island stories. "I roomed with Louis in Wynyard Square at one time," he said, "and if ever there was a man tormented by insomnia, it was he. Every night he used to be driven from his bed by this bogey, and walk round and round the city, usually ending up at the Quay, where he would spend hours, yarning with the wharf laborers.
In the early morning he would come back, offer me a swig of gin (gin was his weakness, and finally killed him), and sleep for a few hours.' Divorced from his first wife, Louis married a typist, and Mr. Bunting remembers how he used to stride about his room when possessed of an idea, dictating to his wife. He was very hard up, and is said to have sold the rights of all his works to the N.S.W. Bookstall. If so, they were on to a good thing. Becke was easily the most popular of South Sea Island writers, and his "Typee" has been recently filmed. Memories of Louis Becke. (1932, February 5). The Kyogle Examiner (NSW : 1912; 1914 - 1915; 1917 - 1954), p. 2. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article234733277
GEORGE LEWIS BECKE
Port Macquarie Native
The following article is reprinted from 'The Daily Mirror.''
The Becke home was near the eastern end of William Street' the old brick building still standing today.
Not even his best friend would have maintained that George Lewis Becke was a good bank clerk. The manager of the Townsville branch of the Australian Joint Stock Bank certainly did not think so when he gave the following reasons for sacking him one fine morning in the year 1874;.
That he had absented himself without leave; left £900 of the bank's cash with the local publican while he refereed a fight between two sailors; had quarrelled with the accountant; refused to dress in a becoming manner; kept fierce kangaroo dogs on the bank premises; frequented hotels during business hours; refused to work overtime and, all in all, had shown a complete lack of interest in the bank's affairs.
It was all true enough — as the 19 years-old delinquent was himself the first to admit, quite cheerfully signing his name to the manager's report when it was shown him, at the same time insisting that he was resigning anyway.
It was not to be wondered at that Becke found a bank clerk's job rather dull and tedious, for in his middle teens he had sailed the Pacific with the pirate-slaver Bully Hayes, had voyaged in a rotten bark with a mutinous crew. And though his life, began in Port Macquarie, was to end in Sydney within the compass of a few hundred miles, he was to find adventure in every corner of the South Pacific before he died.
So, with more relief than regret, the 19-years-old bank clerk, goldminer, Blackbirder, and sea rover left the totting up of tuppences to take to the sea again, to tot up a fund of adventures that made him when he took up the sea 18 years later, to write them, one of the foremost Australian writers of South Sea Island tales.
Born at Port Macquarie on the north coast of New South Wales on June 17, 1855, 'Louis' Becke was the son — the youngest of a large family — of a local Justice of the Peace who had a half share in a coastwise trading ketch, on which, before he was 13, young Louis had voyaged as far as Lord Howe Island and learned the A.B.C. Of seamanship. His schooling was intermittent, but it, too kept it in sight of the sea; for the school was perched on a cliff, overlooking the Pacific, and on the weekends he often visited a neighboring lighthouse where the keeper told him nautical yarns of the South Sea Islands and of island 'characters' . such 'as 'Bully' Hayes the 'blackbirder' who had already made an infamous name for himself from Frisco to Hong Kong.
It was the heyday of the freebooter in the Pacific Islands trade, where fortunes were to be made and hair raising experiences met with in exotic, palm shaded atolls off the beaten track of the few steamship lanes; and young Becke determined that is land trading was to be the life for him. But first there, came an interlude of a-year in Sydney when Becke, snr. in an effort to give his, boys more schooling, moved his family to Mosman and sent them to Fort Street School on Observatory Hill.
Even there, however, Louis was within sight of the sea— or at least of Sydney Harbour, where he found opportunities to get aboard the ships, and yarn to the crews. At the end of a year his prayers were answered when an uncle arranged to send him and his 16 years old brother Vernon to a firm in San Francisco to learn what was to be learned of island trading. Their passages were booked aboard the Lizzie and Ross which left Sydney for 'Frisco in 1869. The trip was enough to delight the heart of any boy, lasting 130 days, during which the ship was buffeted over half the South Pacific. Arriving in 'Frisco at the end of four and a half months, they entered the counting house of their uncle's firm, but at the end of another three months they both ran away in search of more adventure. Vernon went inland to a cattle ranch, while Louis returned to the sea as a deck-hand aboard one of the vessels trading between 'Frisco and Panama.
A year later he met 'Bully' Hayes, the 'Captain Kidd of the Pacific,' of whom he had already heard from the lighthouse keeper back home. The meeting occurred by chance in a wharf-side beerhouse in 'Frisco. Hayes was approaching 60 then, and struck the boy ( as he wrote later ) as a pleasant, fatherly old gentleman, with his bald pate and flowing side locks. Becke was appointed supercargo aboard the A. E. Williams on a voyage to the Marshall Islands to hand the vessel over to Bully Hayes, who had recently bought it. Becke ended up running the vessel, as the skipper was prone to attacks of delirium tremens as the result of bouts with the bottle. ... finally .... in his bunk until he Hayes was so impressed with the manner in which young Becke had overcome the difficulties of the voyage that he offered the boy a job on his ship "Leonora" as super cargo and ''recruiter,'' to assist him in "shangheing” natives for slave labor on the plantations of Queensland and else-where. Hayes treated him well, paid him liberally and reposed confidence in him, although he would not let him out of his sight. The old pirate was afraid if Becke left his company the young man might, inadvertently, perhaps, let slip a word or two that would land the 'Blackbirder' in gaol.
Soon after this, Hayes' ship, the 'Leonora,' was wrecked on a reef off Strong Island in the Marshalls. Becke salvaged Hayes' considerable fortune in coin, bullion and jewels, and the ship's papers, and aided the old man to get ashore. According to one account Becke then made a hero of himself by re-turning to the foundering vessel to rescue a native girl who had been forgotten in the excitement and fled in terror, to a cabin where — the story goes— he found her, too terrified to move, carried her up on deck, and jumped overboard with her in his arms. Another account of the wreck, however, declares that is was the native girl who saved Becke. There was a trading station on the Island, but for eight months no ship came, and Bully and his crew were marooned. Becke spent the time exploring the island in the company of the devoted native girl. When relief finally came, Hayes and Becke parted company, Hayes to acquire a new schooner and meet his death four years later at the murderous hand of his own cook, who cracked his skull with a tiller-bar; Becke returned to Australia to make an effort to settle down. The wanderer arrived back in Sydney (without the native girl) in 1874 to find Queensland enjoying a boom. Gold had been discovered on the Palmer Field in 1872 and in the wake of the diggers had come settlement and commerce. Upon his dismissal from the bank, Becke spent a brief period as a journalist in Townsville, and then took a job with a blacksmith, thinking a knowledge of that trade would prove invaluable back in the Pacific where he proposed to return.
He returned to sea roving again for a brief period in 1876, but wonderful stories of gold being found on the Palmer Field reached him in Samoa, and in 1877 he returned to Queensland and bought a half share in the 'Polly McAllster' gold claim near the Gilbert River. Luck was with him, and at the end of 14 weeks his share amounted to 500 ounces at £3/15/- per ounce. Selling out, he went quartz-mining at Ravenswood, near Charters Towers, piling up a little fund of capital in the bank at Bowen with which, in 1879, he was able to return to Samoa and buy a schooner of his own.
His first trading ventures were with the unfortunate victims of the criminally crazy Marquis de Rays' white colonisation scheme in New Ireland, north of New Guinea. De Rays had just landed his first shipload of dupes from Europe on the fever stricken, cannibal haunted shores of New Ireland: Most of them were destined to die of starvation and disease, along, with many others landed later, before the mad Frenchman's scheme to establish a 'New France' there came to total ruin in 1893.
Meanwhile ruin had fallen upon Becke. In 1880 his trading post in the Ellice Islands was swept away by a hurricane, and in the following year he lost his schooner on a reef in the Gilberts. Thereafter he had to work for other traders and pearlers. Tired of wandering at last, and hankering for a spell of civilisation, he returned to Sydney at the age of 38. He was low in funds, but richly laden with the stories of 20 years' adventuring with which he held his relatives and friends spellbound. He was induced to pen a few on paper and submit them to J. F. Archibald, of The Bulletin. Archibald not only published them, but tutored Becke on the writer's art and encouraged him to take up writing as a career. The following year a collection of his tales was published in London under the title By Reef and Palm, and thenceforward, Becke was a name in Australian literature.
Meanwhile, on a visit to his birthplace, Port Macquarie, back in 1886, he had met the daughter of his father's successor there as magistrate, Colonel Maunsell, and married her. They now set up house at Balmain, where a son and daughter were born to them, the son later being killed, in an accident. Becke was an improvident man and in spite of his earnings as a writer he and his family remained poor. Little is on record of the Becke family after 1896. In 1897 he went to England to complete the publication of a second book, a novel, The Mutineer— written in collaboration with Walter Jeffery, who collaborated later, also, in Becke's other books which were eventually to number 30. Of these, "The Mutineer," based on the mutiny mutiny on the Bounty, is generally regarded as his best work. For the next 10 years, Louis Becke lived in Europe, London, Ireland and France. Though he wrote much he remained as poor as ever. In 1907 he returned to the Pacific to accompany a French scientist to Bougainville to assist him in making a natural history selection. He proceeded to Suva, but the project fell through, and after pottering about his old haunts for many a year gathering material for many of his subsequent stories, he returned to New Zealand. At the end of a year, he had the wanderlust again and came to Sydney. Singularly little is on record of his last years, and he was apparently living alone when on the morning of February 18, 1913, he was found dead in his room in the York Hotel in King Street, near York Street. A housemaid found him sitting slumped in a chair at a table with the manuscript of his latest work before him. Cause of death was given as a throat affliction. GEORGE LEWIS BECKE (1948, December 3). The Port Macquarie News and Hastings River Advocate (NSW : 1882 - 1950), p. 3. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article112559077
Lost Years Of A Vagabond
By PHILIP GALLAGHER
A PROPOSAL to republish some of the writings of Louis Becke will, if successful, revive interest in the life and work of this Australian author. Particularly because Becke was virtually the sole literary witness of days which marked the transition of the Pacific Islands from a state of violent lawlessness to peace.
While Stevenson and Melville are writers of greater stature, Becke knew the myriad islands of the South Pacific better than anyone else. His knowledge of the languages and customs of the brown people who inhabited these islands was wide and profound. , , ..
He knew also the white men who lived on the islands-some of them good men, some of them rogues, drunkards and adventurers.
On the morning of February 18, 1913, Louis Becke was found dead in a hotel room in York Street with the scattered pages of a half-written manuscript before him. The cause of death was given as a cancer of the throat. He died so poor that a collection had to be taken up in order that his grave might be marked. Yet this strange and pathetic person had been the author of some 37 books written within the space of 15 years.
The story of Louis Becke is that of a man who, at 20, had adventured more than most others do in a lifetime; who, in his middle age, was penniless, having made and lost small fortunes in the rough and tumble of Pacific trade; who enjoyed transitory fame as an author and then tasted once more the bitterness of poverty as he slid towards obscurity and final oblivion.
HE wrote for no other reason than that he needed money. His books were sold in advance for whatever price they could fetch, and the little money he received for them was usually spent before they were published. Consequently, much of what he wrote was, from a literary viewpoint, worthless; but some was of a quality sufficient to gain him a permanent place in the history of Australian writing.
The tragedy of Louis Becke was that he was a wanderer, with all the wanderer's instability, the capacity for enjoying the present moment, the improvidence and disregard for money except as it served immediate needs and a total inability to face up to the realities of civilised living.
While still a youth, he experienced idyllic existence on a South Sea island such as is rarely met outside a descriptive passage by Herman Melville.
In later years, plagued by chronic ill-health and dunned by creditors, he decided that if only he could get back to his islands, things would come right with him.
In 1908, he headed an expedition which was to study the folk-lore of the Pacific Islands. But in Fiji disagreement among the members caused the plan to collapse. He returned to Auckland and then, finally, to Sydney, where he lived until his death.
Louis Becke was born at Port Macquarie on the North Coast of New South Wales on June l8, 1855, the ninth of 12 children and the youngest of seven boys. His father, Frederick Becke, was Clerk of Petty Sessions and Registrar for the district of South Macquarie. His mother, Caroline Beilby, was the daughter of Charles Beilby, a well-known merchant in Sydney in the 1830s.
When 14 years old, Louis Becke and an older brother, Vernon, went to America. "We were sent over by our parents." Becke said in a Press interview some years later, "in the fatuous expectation that we would rapidly make our fortunes."
Within two years he was back with his family. The fortune had not materialised. He had received instead to borrow the title of one of his books-the "Call of the South." In 1872, he made his first trip to the islands. He was then 17.
For the next 20 years, Becke followed a bewildering number of callings, both in Australia and among the islands, thereby gaining a wealth of experience for himself and providing many headaches for his biographers.
He could truthfully say that, among other things, he had been trader, gun-runner, supercargo, blackbirder, bank clerk, timbergetter, prospector, cattle drover, poultry farmer, draftsman and journalist.
In January, 1874, he joined the notorious "Bully" Hayes on his brig the Leonora. Becke later claimed that he sailed with Hayes for several years and made great use of him as copy for stories and articles. In fact, however, he was associated with Hayes for no longer than six months.
The Leonora was wrecked on Kusaii (Strong's Island) in March, 1874, and both Becke and Hayes were lucky to escape with their lives. Hayes, always resourceful, established a trading station on the island, but his brutalities and excesses among the natives caused Becke to leave him and retire to a secluded village on the other side of Kusaii.
In September, Captain Dupuis arrived in H.M.S. Rosario with orders to arrest Hayes on a number of criminal charges, including the rape of a 10-year-old native girl. But the natives and white people were so terrified of Hayes that none would come forward to testify against him. Hayes escaped and made an epic voyage in an open boat to Guam, 1,800 miles away.
LOUIS BECKE
Lure of the islands . .
That Becke was not entirely the virtuous person he claimed to be can be judged from the report of Captain Dupuis on the Hayes affair, which says, "... I took five of the crew of the Leonora on board, for passage to Sydney, and one other (Louis Beck) who had been a passenger on board, and from what I could hear, a great friend of Hayes.
"I considered it desirable that he should be removed, there being no chance of his getting back to Milli from Strong Island; also, because the chief particularly urged his removal as a man likely to stir up much trouble in the island.
ANOTHER interesting insight into Becke's character can be found in the diary-now in the possession of the Mitchell Library-of another island citizen, George Winchecombe, who resided on Nukufetau when Becke landed there in 1881.
"An English man Lewis Becke," wrote Winchecombe, "arrived here May 7, 1881, in the schooner Redcoat to await the arrival of another vessel to take him to the Line Islands.
The natives were not at all anxious about his landing here from some previous tidings of him about the islands and offered him no accommodation he therefore went to Teacher's house and soon made arrangements to land here and to live with the teacher.
Amongst other things were about 50 Guns with ample ammunition and about 30 cases
Liquor, here he remained several weeks passing his time by fireing guns day after day and greatly disturbing the peace of the island, we visited each other occasionally and I purchased few articles of him in the Teachers house and drank grog there with him. Becke and Winchecombe evidently did not part on the best of terms. Becke later put his drinking mate in a story, "Tarria, the Swimmer," as "Winchcombly" and had him murdered in a San Francisco tavern.
It was popularly supposed that Louis Becke became an author by accident, the story being that a chance meeting with the explorer, Ernest Favenc, led to an introduction to J. F. Archibald, of the Sydney "Bulletin," who asked him to contribute stories of his experiences.
The account of this meeting is undoubtedly true, but Becke was working as a journalist in Sydney for more than 12 months before his first article appeared in the "Bulletin" in December, 1892.
Becke's first published book, a collection of stories entitled "By Reef and Palm," netted him £40 for the full copyright, with an additional advance payment of £30, securing the rights over his next two books.
The immediate success of "By Reef and Palm" decided him to try his luck in London.
The period was what the dons are pleased to call the "fin de siècle"-a time of decadence when anything unusual or exotic was eagerly sought after. Becke's tales of violence and of the loves of brown women and white men found a steady demand.
His standing in London literary circles gained him honorary membership of the exclusive Athenaeum Club. "It is a~ ghastly place, the Athenaeum," wrote Becke, "mostly frequented by bishops and doddering, senile old generals and decayed admirals of the Rodney type. But it is a good place from which to write to your publishers."
As he tossed off book after book, Becke's literary standards began to deteriorate. He was writing too quickly and too much. In 1900, he signed a contract for a novel of 80,000 words to be completed in six weeks!
But composition came easily to him and his words flowed in a continuous stream. He was now pot-boiling, although an occasional tale still showed the industry and artistry learnt in his early days when he was subject to the vigorous discipline of J. F. Archibald. .
From 1896 to 1908, Becke lived in England, Ireland and France, but all this time his health was not good. His eyes troubled him greatly and the climate caused him agonies from rheumatism and neuralgia.
In the years between 1905 and 1908 he sought ways of returning to the South Seas, and made several abortive attempts to float trading companies. At one time he endeavoured to obtain a com-mission from a drug company to collect medicinal herbs from the islands. At another he proposed an agreement with a partner to obtain leases and concessions of land for rubber production, Becke to do the work, his partner to find the necessary cash backing. But nothing came of these ventures.
Louis Becke returned to Sydney in 1911, destitute and broken in health, but still obsessed with the thought that if he could get back to the islands once more everything would be all right. It was already too late.
He found it increasingly hard to work, harder still to sell his wares.
Such fragments of information as are available over this period reveal constant changes of address and pathetic pencil notes listing his assets, generally amounting to a few shillings and always less than his immediate and more pressing debts.
On the night of February 17, 1913, a friend visited him in the hotel room where he lived alone and found him seriously ill. But Becke refused to go to bed because he feared that if he did he would never rise again. During that night he died.
Louis Becke lies buried in Waverley cemetery. His grave is at the highest point, looking out over the ocean he had genuinely loved and travelled so often.
"HERALD" SATURDAY MAGAZINE (1953, August 15). The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), p. 7. Retrieved fromhttp://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article18382045
Louis Becke
By Henry Lawson
[For the Bulletin]
They're at their age-long harvest still -- the angel
Death and Time --
But ebb or flow, we all must go, and leave the
broken rhyme.
Wide blue with whitecaps here and there-the glory
of the day-
A space of seascapes wond'rous fair, in Islands far
away;
Faint silver on the distant reef, on skylines scarce
a fleck,
But fleecy clouds of best-relief that welcome Louis
Becke.
Who'll miss the well-loved stuttering speech?
Who'll mind the distant date
When by the mast and palm-fringed beach those halting words had weight!
Who'd dream those sad, kind manly eyes, when
traders were "in holts,"
In summer Isles of Paradise could glint behind a
Colt's?
We only know "By Reef and Palm" -- the world he
made his own --
(The later wounds, without a balm, are better never
known).
We live and fight by day and night in carking care
and strife,
And take our pen in death to write the story of our
life.
Farewell, my friend -- 'twill ne'er be told -- or told
in printed line
(Your destiny in days of old was strongly linked
with mine).
I trust my track shall run as true, though come it
late or soon,
When my name shall be missing, too, from "Some
Birthdays in June."
Visit:
Norfolk – A Pacific Paradox
By Niya Becke.
As a typical South Sea isle, Norfolk Island is a paradox and a failure. Here are no sunlit groves of those graceful cocoa-nut palms which lend such specific fascination to most of the gracious isles dreaming in the blue waters of the Southern Pacific. But lofty pines replace the lovely palm. Seen off shore as the dawn mists clear and the quickening east floods the earth with fireshot gold and mellow lemon lights, these tall trees make an indelible impression. North, east, south, and west they crown the hills with a furry, dark-green aureole, make cool groves on verdant valley rides, cluster close in tin}*, lone woods, and stand, as stiffly as Little Boy Bloc's beloved tin soldier stood, solitary sentinels, about the steep aides of otherwise barren cliffs: From the summit of Mount Pitt, the highest' point on the island. Whence nay be seen the sparkling sea prisoning Norfolk in a sapphire circle, the astonishing myriads of pines splashing the island with deep green in all directions, and its fertile fields and vales are a revelation. The white oak, the Norfolk maple, the decorative Kentia palm (which is a visitor from the neighbouring islet of Lord Howe, and the tall tree fern add to the extremely beautiful appearance of Norfolk Island, a place which rivals in parts the green landscapes of rural England.
Many people have but a bay notion of the Interesting history of Norfolk and its connection with early days in New South Wales. It was discovered by Captain Cook, who reported it "fertile and uninhabited," and was first colonised in 1783 under Lieutenant King, of Sirius, who founded a penal settlement here by direction of Governor Phillip. King's parity of 21 included 15 convicts. The arrival of convict ships from England increased the number of inhabitants until the population amounted to 1,900, at which figure It remained for about 15 years. During this, period attempted mutinies among the convicts and trouble with the military guards culminated in orders for the evacuation o£ the island. Soldiers and convicts were needed to establish convict settlements in Van Diemen’s Land, so some years later Norfolk was abandoned and remained uninhabited for 13 years. In 1828 It was again made a penal settlement, and new gaols and barracks were constructed, besides a strong combined pier-breakwater, which is used at present to land passengers brought off in the islanders' whale boats from Messrs. Burns, Philp, and Company's s.s. Mabarolxy the only vessel regularly calling at the island.'
From 1826 to 1855, when it ceased to be a penal settlement, the history of Norfolk was a grim record of a brutal system of convict persecution, of the tyranny of the gaolers, whose barbarously treated prisoners worked and slept in chains, of merciless floggings and debased humanity. The misery of Rufus Dawes in Marcus Clarke's "'For the Term of His Natural Life," a book inspired by the evils of old convict days, unveils the cruel methods employed on Norfolk. It was due to the exposures of prison reformers, .and chiefly to the Right Rev. Robert Wilson, Roman Catholic Bishop of Tasmania, that the island was finally abandoned as a convict station. In Stay, 1855, the convicts and soldiers left for Van Diemen's Land.
To-day, the crumbling remains of the vast penal stockades at Kingston, which reveal in places that the builders were excellent masons, the convict-made roads of rich red mould and a convict-planted avenue of magnificent pines arc the only reminders of bitter years. The dilapidated prison buildings and condemned cells and the ancient headstones in the cemetery alone, now,* bear mute witness to the period when Norfolk was, as the convicts named it, "The Island of Despair." '
They lie forlorn, the ruins, shaded here and there by stately, dark pine trees. -The disintegrating masonry is overgrown by the swiftly spreading wild tobacco plant and poison bush which shroud the scars of age, and the blossoms of the oleander bushes glow tenderly, like, delicate pink lanterns, about the shattered masses of grey stone.
As one wanders at random by the ruined cells the tale of Rufus Dawes comes back to haunt the mind. One almost hears, in this pathetic place, the clink of ghostly fetter-chains, the harsh commands of the soldiers. The immemorial surf which breaks close by upon the reef is tongueless and the old walls cannot tell the dreadful things they know.
Kingston, on the shores of Sydney Bay, where visitors are usually landed and where are most of the ruins, is the chief attraction of Norfolk from an historical view , point. Here Quality Row, where in olden days resided the commandant, the military officers and then- wives, divides in two the site of the convict settlement on the southern side of the island.
The Pine Avenue road, in Longridge district, where the giant trees tower from 150ft. to 200ft. high for over a mile and a half, was made by the unhappy prisoners. Among the olive-green branches of these lords of the forest, scarlet and navy blue I and crimson and green parrots and bronze winged doves dart in and out. All around are green, sun-sweety fields, and peaceful scenic vignettes, which awaken memorial of the well-kept park lands of England, and everywhere rise a thousand, thousand pines.
The burial ground beside the blue-grey sea is full of curiously carved memorial tablets, some so eaten away by the destructive action of time and spray-laden ocean winds that they protrude from over growing creepers and grass, like the stumps of human limbs, some almost completely hidden by the pale mauve flowers and roots of encroaching convolvuli and weeds. Many bear strange designs, figures of quaintly garbed angels, crosses, communion goblets, skulls and crossbones, carved by the convicts who were themselves buried, mostly, in-spots unmarked and forgotten. Numbers of the interesting inscriptions are almost, and some entirely, obliterated. "Sacred to the memory of John Atkinson prisoner of the Crown, who was drowned on February, 1840, while fishing for the Commandant,'' is cut upon one tablet. "In memory of Walter Burke, native of County Tipperary, who was executed for the mutiny on tins island, September 22. 1834," is the grey record on and ther. In the newer portion of this lone acre of God is a quaint memorial: "In sad and loving memoir of Byron Adams (a descendant of the Bounty mutineers), accidentally killed by a whale, September 10, 1902."
The drums of Mars were heard and heeded here, too, as is shown by a stone erected to the memory of "G. R. F. Nobbs, honour roll records the names of numerous men who joined the soldiers marching to the guns over 13, 000 miles away.
Hard by the graveyard, spanning a deep gully, opening seaward, on the fringe of the coast, is the Bloody Bridge. The story of the bridge is, that the warder in charge of the 17 convicts employed on its construction was one day day struck by a prisoner and killed. His body was sewn in a sheepskin and concealed in a culvert. After discovery of the murder a convict confessed his knowledge of the crime. The 17 men were then made to dig their own ' grave; they were shot upon its brink, and all buried together. The large grave mound and part of the crude headstone may still be seen outside the cemetery fence.
THE BOUNTY MUTINEERS.
Who does not know the story of the mutiny aboard the Bounty on her return voyage from Tahiti, whence «w Asa been for breadfruit plants, and of the remarkable achievement of Lieutenant Bligh, who travelled 8000 miles in 41 days in an open boat, eventually reaching Koejvang, in Timor, after unparalleled hardship and endurance? Possibly it is not so generally known that the direct descendants of Fletcher Christian, the leader of the mutineers, and of his companions, Young, McCoy, Quintal, and Adams, nowadays attend a picture-show at Norfolk Island on Saturday evenings, and on Thursday nights go a-jazzing in evening dress to the music of the island orchestra in a queer, convict built structure now used as a public hall. This is how their ancestor came to, Norfolk:
In January. 1790, several of the Bounty sailors left their homes in Tahiti, where they had returned after the mutiny, and, fearful of discovery by a King's snip, which they knew would be sent in search of them, sought the lonely isle of Pitcairn as a Safer dwelling-place. There for some years they lived contentedly, forgotten by the world. ' But days of misfortune came. The population had so multiplied that the island was overcrowded. The settlers were short of food and water. Gales blew down their houses and laid waste their crops. Finally, disheartened, they appealed to the British Government for assistance. Queen Victoria interested herself in the fate of the descendants of the mutineers, whose story had well nigh slipped into oblivion, and on May 3. 1856, they were removed to Norfolk Island, a year after its evacuation by the convicts and soldiers. During the seven years following, 48 people returned to Pitcairn,, which was to them' a homeland, despite the privations experienced there. To the oldest inhabitants on Norfolk today, "Pitcairn is an island fondly remembered and beloved.
Louis Becke, who, during his sojourn on the island some 35 years ago, resided in a convict-built house, said to have been the birthplace of William Charles Went worth, in 1897, in a sketch entitled "A Spurious Utopia," predicted of Norfolk that one day, "instead of the delighted visitor to this dreamful isle being welcomed on the shining strand by youths and maidens garlanded with flowers and chanting a melody of welcome, as is generally supposed to be the island custom, he will be met by hotel-runners and other prosaic evidences of a practical civilisation." Alas! Jazz and the movies are already here, and a very satisfactory substitute for an hotel evidently exists.
Becke wrote, also referring to the suggested annexation of the island to the Government of New South Wales: -"Those who know the kind-hearted, hospitable people, and the splendid agricultural capabilities of their island for earning its place as one of the gems of the Pacific, will be sincerely glad of such a radical change. Its resources will be developed and its social conditions vastly improved under the new regime, which, by simply pulling away the veil of sentiment that has so long enwrapped the Norfolk Islanders in a spurious reputation of possessing all the virtues, will transform its inhabitants from being useless into good citizens of the Empire.'
ST. BARNABAS'S CHAPEL.
The Melanesian Mission Chapel of St. Barnabas at Norfolk, a memorial to Bishop Patterson, who was killed by natives in the islands, is remarkable, not only on account of its picturesque architecture and delightful setting in a luxuriant valley, but for its Burne Jones stained-glass windows, which were executed by William Morris. The pipe organ was presented by Charlotte Yonge, the novelist, who was Bishop Patterson's friend, and was purchased with the proceeds from her book, ' The Daisy Chain " The font and floor are of polished Cornwall stone, the topmost altar step is - of marble mosaic. The pews of New Zealand kauri are ornamented with designs in mother of pearl, most of which came from the savage Solomons, but two of the pearl carvings were gifts sent from the Holy Land. The altar is finely carved, and the altar cross was made from Bishop Patterson's household silver.
Although the island is only five miles in length and 31 miles broad, it is crisscrossed by over forty miles of red soil roads, everywhere leading by scenes of dreamlike beauty. Below the Chapel the highway dips downhill, and between the dark trunks of the pines which fringe the descent there blazes a wide band of emerald couch grass, which dowers with a soft radiance much of the smiling mission meadows. At many points along the roads will the horseman be lured to dismount for the sake of the loveliness unrolled before him.
On Norfolk one may pass fearlessly into the deepest undergrowth and meet with naught to be avoided, only beautiful trees and plants and friendly birds. The grey plumaged silver-eyes, the crimson-breasted robins with their black backs and wings and tiny snow-white skull caps, parrots, doves, -and little feathered beings no larger than a thimble, with sweet, gurgling notes, perch very close to regard the intruder, with heads on one side and a certain thoughtfulness of mien.
The coastline of Norfolk is rugged and marvellously fair. There are few sandy stretches, and there is no surfing beach.
The island is of volcanic origin, and the event. grey-black boulders which line the seaboard appear to have been thrown up from the core of a huge volcano, it is hemmed with numerous bays of great beauty and fantastic sea-swept clefts, formed by wave erosion, with extraordinary pyramid-shaped hills, with tree-dotted, rolling lowlands and rich green vales.
It is better to recall that the Pitcairners once called it "Paradise" and to remember only the happiness and hospitality of its people. Under the light of the great sun it is an isle of tranquil loveliness. When, at dusk, the little silver stars light up the skies, and the orange fires of the moon kindle over Norfolk's surf-girt shores and quiet, dew-starred fields, the beauty of "The Island of Despair" shames the fabled fairness of the Garden of the Gods. THE TRAVELLER. (1924, May 31). The Australasian (Melbourne, Vic. : 1864 - 1946), p. 58 (METROPOLITAN EDITION). Retrieved fromhttp://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article140754280
Louis Becke Works
By Reef and Palm (Unwin, 1894) collection of stories: Challis the Doubter - 'Tis in the Blood - The Revenge of Macy O'Shea - The Rangers of the Tia Kau - Pallou's Tāloi - A Basket of Breadfruit - Enderby's Courtship - Long Charley's Good Little Wife - The Methodical Mr. Burr of Majura - A Truly Great Man - The Doctor's Wife - The Fate of the "Alida" - The Chilian Blue Jacket - Brantley of Vahitahi -
Ebbing of the Tide (Unwin, 1895) collection of stories: Luliban of the Pool - Ninia - Baldwin's Loisé - At the Kava-Drinking - Mrs. Liardet: A South Sea Trading Episode - Kennedy the Boatsteerer - A Dead Loss - Hickson: A Half-Caste - A Boating Party of Two - The Best Asset in a Fool's Estate -
Deschard of Oneaka - Nell of Mulliner's Camp - Auriki Reef - At the Ebbing of the Tide - The Fallacies of Hilliard - A Tale of a Mask - The Cook of the "Spreetoo Santoo" - Lupton's Guest: A Memory of the Eastern Pacific - In Nouméa - The Feast at Pentecost - An Honour to the Service -
Besides those mentioned above, his works include:
His Native Wife (Alex Lindsay, 1895; Unwin, 1896)
Pacific Tales (Unwin, 1897)
Wild Life in South Seas (Unwin, 1897)
Rodman the Boat-steerer and Other Stories (Unwin, 1898)
Ridan the Devil and Other Stories (Unwin, 1899)
Tom Wallis, a Tale of the South Seas (Unwin, 1900)
Edward Barry, South Seas Pearler (Unwin, 1900)
Tessa, the Trader's Wife (Unwin, 1901)
By Rock and Pool on an Austral Shore (Unwin, 1901)
York the Adventurer and Other Stories (Unwin, 1901)
Breachley, Black Sheep (Unwin, 1902)
The Strange Adventure of James Shervinton and Other Stories (Unwin, 1902)
The Jalasco Brig (Unwin, 1902)
Helen Adair (Unwin, 1903)
Chinkie's Flat and Other Stories (Unwin, 1903)
Tom Gerard (Unwin, 1904)
Under Tropic Skies (Unwin, 1905)
Notes from My South-Sea Log (T Werner Laurie, 1901)
The Adventures of a Supercargo (Unwin, 1906)
Sketches from Normandy (T Werner Laurie, 1906)
The Settlers of Karossa Creek and Other Stories of Australian Bush Life (Religious Tract Society, 1907)
The Call of the South (John Milne, 1908)
The Pearl Divers of Roncador Reef (James Clarke & Co, 1908)
The Adventures of Louis Blake (T Werner Laurie, 1909)
'Neath Austral Skies (John Milne, 1908)
Bully Hayes: Buccaneer and Other Stories (NSW Bookstall Co Ltd, 1913) Illustrated by Norman Lindsay
Works co-authored with Walter J. Jeffrey
A First Fleet Family (Unwin, 1896)
The Mystery of the Laughlin Isles (Unwin, 1896)
The Mutineer: A Romance of Pitcairn Island (Unwin, 1898)
The Naval Pioneers of Australia (John Murray, 1899)
Admiral Philip: The Founding of New South Wales (Unwin, 1899)
The Tapir of Banderah and Other Stories (C. Arthur Pearson, 1901)
MARK TWAIN.
An Island Incident.
By Louis Becke.)
A GOOD many years ago, three or four white men — among them the writer of this— were engaged in the task of coppering a little Hawaiian schooner named the Mana (now a Sydney collier) that had run ashore at Funafuti, one of the Ellice Group. The work was hard, and the life was tedious. We had no books to read, except those that we had had in our possession for nearly six months, and we were fast drifting into a state of misanthropy, superinduced by the monotony of our surroundings, and hearing each other's stories over and over again night after night. Then Mark Twain came and saved us; not, of course, in person, but by means of 'The Innocents Abroad,' which we discovered in the possession of Tema, the native Samoan missionary, a very worthy man indeed. We were accustomed, after doing our day's sweltering under the bottom of the Mana to resort to the teacher's house in the evening and listen to the school children's singing. One night, just as we were going home to our huts near the schooner, the teacher's daughter, a vast-sized but intelligent young lady, brought out a dilapidated-looking volume, minus its cover, and seriously disarranged in its vertebrae. 'Tusi Peritania' (English book) she said, giving it to Captain Williamson.
We all crowded round him to look.
'Where did you get it?' said Williamson, moving over to the lamp which was placed in the middle of the matted floor. Some white man had left it behind on the island, she said, a long time ago, and she had kept it; 'but the leaves were too small to make bonnets with. (I must here explain that the coppercolored belles of the Ellice and Union Groups make their own hats and bonnets by pasting sheet after sheet of paper over a wooden block. After the desired stiffness it attained, they are covered and trimmed in the latest style. Newspapers, however, are favored literature).
'Well, it ain't much good, boys,' said the captain, rising slowly to his feet and edging to the door. Then in another moment he bolted along the path as fast as he could go. The mean dog! He meant to have that book to himself. We followed as hard as we could; but Williamson got inside the house first, and poked fun at us. 'Look here, boys, I got it first, but we'll take turn and turn about. It's a prize — Mark Twain's 'Innocents Abroad.'
One of us proposed that he (the speaker) should read it aloud for the benefit of the rest; but, being a confirmed stammerer, his offer was rejected with contumely. Oh, the blessing that book proved to us!— four poor devils whose nights hitherto had been one long round of hideous monotony; for we had read and re-read the two or three books we possessed over and over again, and were ready to, and did, quarrel with each other over the slightest provocation. That night we got aboard the 'Quaker City'— Williamson read to us; and ere an hour had-passed the natives came crowding round the four holes in our house that did duty for windows and gazed wonderingly in to see what the four papalagi were laughing at so loudly so late at night. 'By Jupiter, boys,' said the skipper, as he closed the book for the night, 'I can turn to in the morning and work like a nigger. I've heard of this book. Just fancy getting it down here in a native missionary's house. Look here, we'll have to give the girl something for it Let's make a pool— a quarter each.'
So we each contributed a quarter of a dollar, and gave it to the fat girl next morning, and treasured 'The Innocents Abroad' for many a day thereafter, till the Ryno came in from Auckland. Then, we swopped it for another book with one of her hands. I wish we had kept it. How poor old Paddy Miles, one of our number, used to lie back in his bunk and laugh at the delightful irreverence about the patriarch's tomb, which is, so Twain says, about a hundred 'yards long and a yard wide; 'So that when alive that patriarch must have cast a shadow like a lightning-rod.' That finding of the book was long long years ago, and since then Mark Twain's prolific pen has charmed us with many others besides 'The Innocents Abroad.' Only In one of these has the great American humorist collaborated— 'The Gilded Age'— his collaborator being C. D. Warner.
Who can ever forget in that book the picture of the pompous and speculative colonel who entertains his visitors at dinner and provides them only with boiled turnips, alleging that he is dieting his family upon this vegetable for healthful reasons? Then came ' 'A Tramp Abroad,' 'The Prince and the Pauper,' the fascinating story of his own river experiences in 'Life on the Mississippi,' 'The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn' and 'Tom Sawyer,' which, although written as boys' books nominally, have a never-ceasing attraction for people of all ages of life. Of 'Roughing It' only those who have lived in the Hawaiian Islands for any length of time can tell how vividly he has portrayed, in that part of the book devoted to those islands, the people, white and brown, and many other hued, that dwell there. And, bubbling over as it is with the wildest fun and most delicious sarcasm, there is yet, in the pictures he draws of the social condition and decadence of the native race, a sad note that is always present in the merry flow of his spontaneous humour. Perhaps one of the truest and yet most saddening things he says in reference to the terrible results that have befallen the native race of the Sandwich' Islands through their contact with civilisation since the days of Captain Cook (when they numbered 400,000), Is that they are doomed to utter extinction in a few more decades.
'To call the Hawaiians simply immoral would be the basest flattery,' he said. 'It will be a satisfaction to him to see and learn that the very reverse of this condition of things obtains among the natives of the British Crown colony of Fiji.
Everyone who has read any one of Mark Twain's delightful books will be pleased to hear that he really is coming to Sydney at last. Except perhaps Charles Dickens, there has never been a popular writer more widely known to the English-reading people the world over. And it is pretty safe to assume that even those few people in Australia who have not read one at least of Mark Twain's books would like to hear him speak.
Mark Twain — otherwise Samuel Langhorne Clemens— intended coming to Australia on a lecturing tour a considerable time back, and Sydney people will remember that he was expected here in the Miowera when the news came that that vessel had got piled up on the coral reef at Honolulu, and his visit was indefinitely postponed. Mrs. Clemens, we are told, has a positive horror of a sea voyage, and perhaps if the Miowera's disaster was disappointing to her husband and to the Australian public who were expecting him, it was not so to her. But a few months ago the j news was cabled that Mr. R. L. Smythe had made definite arrangements with Mr. Clemens for him to leave by the Warrimoo on August 10, and then again by a curious coincidence his departure was again delayed for a week by the Warrimoo running aground at Vancouver. Doubtless this second mishap must have had a very discouraging effect upon Mrs. Clemens, and it will be i interesting to hear or read about what Mark Twain has to say on the matter of such a run of ill-luck. Had his departure been delayed a third time through the same cause, what, a charming little brochure he could write in collaboration with a well-known Queensland politician, such to be entitled 'Wrecks I Have Experienced' and 'Wrecks I Have Missed.' However, there is now no doubt about Mr. Clemens being here soon for on Saturday last Mr. R. L. Smythe received a cable from Vancouver stating that he had sailed in the Warrimoo, which should arrive here on the 16th of next month. Within ten days or so after leaving Vancouver Mark Twain will be in Honolulu—a charming little hybrid populated city, whose once almost unknown name and characteristics he has made familiar to the world in 'Roughing It,' a work detailing his experiences and adventures in the copper-colored kingdom of Hawaii. Then again he will see something more of island life during the brief stay the steamer will make at Suva, the capital of Fiji.
MARK TWAIN. (1895, August 31). Evening News (Sydney, NSW : 1869 - 1931), p. 1 (EVENING NEWS SUPPLEMENT.). Retrieved fromhttp://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article109876873
Other Family Connections
A number of ratepayers of the Manly borough met on Thursday evening for the purpose of forming a district progress association. Mr. J. H. Beale was voted to the chair. In his opening remarks the chair-man stated that the objects of the association would be not to work in opposition to the local council, but on the contrary to assist It. It would bring under the notice of the aldermen any matter likely to ho of benefit to the borough. Mr. C. E. S. Turner moved, and Mr. Hammill seconded, a resolution, "That in the opinion of this meeting It is desirable to form a ratepayers' pro cress association, to be com-posed of ratepayers of Manly; its object being for the general improvement, advancement, and progress of the borough." This was agreed to. Mr. George Alfred Railton moved, and Mr. J. Hutchins seconded," That a committee be appointed to secure a hall for our next meeting, to be held on a date to be notified by advertisement, for enrolling of members, and election of officers." the resolution was agreed to. MANLY. (1906, August 29). The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), p. 4. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article14817280
Weddings.
BEALE-WHITNEY.
The Ashfield Presbyterian Church was the scene of an exceptionally pretty wedding on Wednesday, April 11, when the Rev. John Auld, M.A., united in matrimony Mr. J. H. Beale, of Moss Vale, son of Mr. J. H. Beale, Manly, and formerly of Summer Hill (an ex-Mayor of Darlington), and Miss Alice Rosamond Whitney, daughter of Alderman .J. S. Whitney, of ' Ryverswell,' Ashfield. Friends of the bride had beautifully decorated the church with white dahlias, roses, cosmos, ferns, and greenery, and the building was filled with interested spectators. The bride, who was given away by her father, was handsomely and elegantly costumed in white brocaded silk trimmed with orange blossom, kilted chiffon, and lovers' knobs of white satin ribbon, together with the usual wreath und veil. She also worn a diamond and ruby bracelet, and carried a shower bouquet of white chrysanthemums, tuber roses, and orange blossoms, the gifts of the bridegroom. Misses Lily and Beatrice Whitney, sisters of the bride, acted as bridesmaids, and were similarly dressed in pale pink mirrored silk trimmed with kilted chiffon, and chiffon hats to match. They also wore ruby and pearl bracelets and carried pretty bouquets, gifts from the bride groom. Miss Beatrice Jamieson and Master Sustaoe Grimes, niece and nephew of the bride, were the pages. The former was dressed in cream silk, and the latter wore a cream satin suit. They both carried crooks ornamented with pale pink streamers and flowers. The bridegroom presented the former with a brooch, and the latter with a scarf pin. Mrs. Whitney, mother of the bride, wore black brocaded satin with yoke of white chiffon and bonnet to match, and carried a bouquet of pink and white roses. Mrs. Beale, the bridegroom's mother, wore navy blue brocaded silk, with toque to match. Dr. H. Leighton Jones, Mayor of Moss Vale, acted as best man, and Mr. George Anderson as groomsman. Mr. C W. Ewing presided at the organ, and give a short organ recital prior to t he ceremony. ' The voice that breathed o'er Eden ' was sung as the bridal party entered the church, the ' Wedding March ' was played as they the conclusion of the ceremony a reception was held at ' Ryverswell,' the residence of the bride's parents. Over 100 guests were entertained at the breakfast, which was partaken of in a large marquee erected on the lawn. Among the toasts honored was ' The bride and bridegroom,' proposed by the Rev. John Auld, MA., Mid responded to by Mr. Beale; 'The bridesmaids,' proposed by Mr. Beale and responded to by Mr Leighton Jones; and 'The bride-groom's parents,' proposed by Mr. Green and responded to by Mr. Beale, sen. The newly wedded couple left for the South Coast to spend the honeymoon, the bride travelling in a costume of green voile, with hat to match. The wedding presents, which were very numerous, were greatly admired by the guests.
Weddings. (1906, April 24). Robertson Advocate (NSW : 1894 - 1923), p. 2. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article112101106
Nature's Endowment
STANLEY BEALE.
The day broke cloudless, an Australian sun streamed down, and on this, fair summer day I chose to visit Bayview — a resort with a high reputation for beauty of situation and scenery. The means of conveyance are by coach or motor 'bus, and the distance is about 13 miles from the township of Manly. I secured the box seat on the coach.
Soon after starting, and after several, attempts at conversation, I found the driver to be reserved and uncommunicative. This, however, was not an unmixed evil, for I was thus afforded a better opportunity for observing and. appreciating the scenery and surroundings of the county through which we. passed. But with what stoni aliment and charm the scenery greeted me as. we drove along! I had heard much from enthusiastic visitors who had travelled this road; consequently I expected much, but my expectations were fulfilled beyond measure. Never had I seen landscape and seascape in close proximity, so varied yet so superb!. On the one side we were fringed by a border of white flecked foam dancing; on the golden sand, while from tint, fringe, stretching far out, was the majestic and ever-restless sea, upon whose brow time writes no furrow. League, upon league of lazy rollers swept onward and onward, yet ever landward,, and sometimes, with the changing contour of the coast line, breaking in anger against the sheer basalt cliff, foaming in spray and lost in cranny and crack..
On the other side of our road were forest and field, their beauty contrasting; against a background of richly-timbered hills. The Narrabeen Lakes, presently seen, were yet another addition to this, rich endowment of Nature. Was there, ever such a wealth of rare and unrivalled scenery as this 'along a road?' But we cannot linger on the highway. Rounding the point to Bayview, emerging upon our vision is spread the blue, translucent water of the sun-kissed, bay. Hiring a boat, I crossed to the opposite point of the mainland. Clambering up the sheer incline, I began a short ramble through the forest. Here the scenes responded to The 'lovely colours born of woodland light,' to the forest perfumes, to the forest music. Here and there were glens and heights, and some 'unfooted dells' with tiny streamlets coursing through, and here a 'deep green gracious glen where the silver fountains sing for ever.' Exploring further, I came to the remains, of an old orchard, planted with a goodly variety of fruit trees. Some of these were the worse for neglect of cultivation and the flight of years. But I could not stay — my time was all too short. With regretful feelings I hurried back and returned across the water to Church. Point. Standing upon that point I realised the beauty and the restful charm of the place, and stronger grew the conviction that here could be found freedom. from life's burden of care. .
'Surely here there seems surcease
From the care that kills.
Surely here might radiant love
Fill with happiness his cup.'
Nature's Endowment (1909, March 13).The Methodist (Sydney, NSW : 1892 - 1954), p. 13. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article155405354
Valleys, who were deprived of Thompson's services, have been fortunate in adding to the team Rex Beale, who was a member of Duntroon College football team, and whose reputation as a sterling footballer preceded him to Toowoomba. Two other new recruits to Valleys this season are … TOOWOOMBA (1925, March 11). The Daily Mail (Brisbane, Qld. : 1903 - 1926), p. 9. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article219079186
BEALE-May 29, 1926, at Wanowrie Barracks, Poona, India, the wife of Rex Beale-a son. Family Notices (1926, July 24). The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), p. 14. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article16308127
NEWS AND VIEWS
Octavious Beale a Great Grand-Father.
Lieutenant Rex Beale, a graduate of Duntroon College, has made Mr. Octavius Beale, the piano king, a great grandfather. Rex was the son of the late Hugo Beale, Mr. Beale's eldest. After leaving Duntroon, he married a Brisbane girl, and they went to Poonah (India). Now they are back with a baby boy, and have gone to Maryborough (Queensland), where the young lieutenant has an appointment, and where conditions are slightly different to those of India.
Mr. Octavius Beale has 12 children and 25 grandchildren. This is the first great grand child. NEWS AND VIEWS (1926, December 31).The Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 - 1995), p. 14. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article1209894
Department of Labour and Industry.
Mr. James Caldwell Johnston Hardie to be Inspector, Scaffolding and Lifts Act, 1912 (confirmation).
SPECIAL GAZETTE UNDER THE "PUBLIC SERVICE ACT, 1902." (1928, November 16). Government Gazette of the State of New South Wales(Sydney, NSW : 1901 - 2001), p. 4915. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article223027657
Resignations
Department of Labour and Industry.
Mr. James Caldwell Johnston Hardie, Inspector under Factories and Shops Act, Scaffolding and Lifts Act, Industrial Arbitration Act and Early Closing Act, Department of labour find Industry [9th June,1936] RESIGNATIONS. (1936, May 15).Government Gazette of the State of New South Wales(Sydney, NSW : 1901 - 2001), p. 2010. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article224739553
MASTER MARINER PASSES.
Death of Capt. Jas. Hardie
There were few better known figures in the Harbour in charge of the N.C.S.N. Coy's, steamer Nerani. On Thursday morning, when the ship berthed, the town vice shocked to learn that her skipper was lying dead in his bunk. He died in harness as a seaman would wish to die.
The late Captain Hardie came off watch about 11 o'clock on Wednesday night, when be retired, apparently in his usual health and spirits. When daybreak approached and it was time for the Nerani to enter the harbor and make fast, the skipper was given his usual call, which however, was unanswered. He had died in his sleep.
Born in Scotland 58 years ago the deceased represented a fine type of man, loyal to his employers, popular with his crews, and courteous to all. He was an excellent seaman having spent some forty years on saltwater, and his geniality as a quiet Scottish humor gained for him a host of friends afloat and ashore. The Jetty community mourned his death sincerely, and on Thursday the ships in the harbor flew their ensigns at half-mast.
The Nerani took the body of her late skipper to Sydney. MASTER MARINER PASSES. (1922, October 14). Coffs Harbour Advocate (NSW : 1907 - 1942; 1946 - 1954), p. 2. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article185498222
CAPTAIN HARDIE DEAD
WELL KNOWN MARINER.
Through an error in the transmission of a. telegram on Thursday it was stated that Captain. Wright, of the steamer Narani, had died on the voyage from Sydney to Coff 's Harbour. On Thursday Mr. J. J. Hardie, of Tweed Heads received a message stating that his father, Captain Hardie of the steamer Narani, was found dead in his cabin on arrival of the steamer at Coff’s Harbour the previous day. Mr. J. Hardie has a banana farm at Cobaki and he left for Coff’s Harbour upon receipt of the news. The captain's wife was also spending a holiday on the Tweed at the time. CAPTAIN HARDIE DEAD (1922, October 14). Tweed Daily (Murwillumbah, NSW : 1914 - 1949), p. 4. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article193486474
HARDIE.-October 12, at Coff's Harbour,Captain James Hardie, of S.S. Narani (suddenly), aged 61. Family Notices (1922, October 13). The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), p. 8. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article16046413
In connection with the recent decease of Captain James Hardie, the Coroner returned a verdict of death from heart failure. COFFS HARBOR COURT. (1922, October 28). Coffs Harbour Advocate (NSW : 1907 - 1942; 1946 - 1954), p. 2. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article185498363
John Jackson Hardie (1894-1951), rural adviser and author, was born on 8 November 1894 at Troon, Ayrshire, Scotland, son of James Hardie, master mariner, and his wife Agnes Hawthorn, née Johnstone. Educated at Troon and at the Royal Academy, Irvine, he migrated to Australia in 1911 and jackerooed at Avon Downs, Northern Territory.
On the declaration of war Hardie rode to Cloncurry, Queensland, to enlist in the Light Horse. Rejected, he reached Townsville and shipped to England to join the 2nd King Edward's Horse in April 1915. He served in France from July until August 1917 and was attached to the 59th Training Battalion from October. Commissioned as temporary second lieutenant in March 1918, he joined the Indian Army in September and served with the 3rd Skinners Horse on the North-West Frontier, in the 3rd Afghan War. He returned to Australia in 1920.
From 1921 to 1925 Hardie grew bananas at Highfields, Terranora Broadwater, near Tweed Heads, New South Wales. Driven out by bunchy-top infestation, he learned wool-classing and, in 1926, joined the Graziers' Co-operative Shearing Co. Ltd. He joined the company permanently in 1938 as technical services officer and was responsible for checking wool purchases in New South Wales and Queensland. Well-liked and widely known, he had a sound grasp of stockowners' and breeders' problems and bridged effectively the traditional gap between pastoral research and rural practitioner. His articles in agricultural journals and the Bulletin's 'Man on the Land' page were expanded into three practical manuals.
Hardie wove his experiences into four well-written and popular minor novels. All relayed an authenticity which gained him a wide readership. Cattle Camp (1932) is the romance of a Scots-born bushman and his war experiences; it won third prize in the Bulletin's novel competition; its two main characters reappear in Lantana (1933). The other novels are The Bridle Track (1936) and Pastoral Symphony (1939), the first of an unfinished trilogy.
At St Patrick's Vestry, Sydney, on 30 November 1935 Hardie married a typist Margot (Marguerite) Ernestine Daly, from New Caledonia; they lived at Neutral Bay. Hardie's knowledge of cattle and fluency in French enabled him to act as agent for the French government between the Noumea veterinary office and Australian stockbreeders for bulls to improve New Caledonian livestock. An initial draft of stud cattle was selected at the Sydney Royal Show (1940).
In November 1940 Hardie was placed on the Reserve of Officers as a captain. He joined the Volunteer Defence Corps in 1942 as a private and was promoted lieutenant (1942) and captain (1943). In September 1945 he was discharged and returned to his previous status in the reserve. While Hardie recuperated from heart trouble, he and Marguerite decided to visit New Caledonia. Hardie suffered an attack on the flying boat and died immediately after transfer to Noumea hospital on 26 September 1951.
John Atchison, 'Hardie, John Jackson (1894–1951)', Australian Dictionary of Biography, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University,http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/hardie-john-jackson-462/text11275
THE JOYS OF THE SURF-RIDER
That is what it is (writes Jack London, in the "Pall Mall Magazine"), a royal sport for the natural kinds of earth. The grass grows right down to the water at Waikiki beach, and, within fifty feet of the everlasting sea. The trees also grow down to the salty edge of things, and one sits in their shade and looks seaward at a majestic, surf thundering in on the beach to one's very feet. Half a mile out, where is the reef, the whiteheaded combers thrust suddenly skyward out of the placid turquoise-blue, and come rolling in to shore. And suddenly, out there where a big smoker lifts skyward, rising like a sea-god from out of the welter of spume and churning white, on the giddy, toppling, overhanging and downfalling. precarious crest appears the dark head of a man. Swiftly he rises through the rushing white. His black shoulders, his chest, his loins, his limbs—all is abruptly projected on one's vision. Where but the moment before was only the ocean's wide desolation and Invincible roar is now a man, erect, full statured, not struggling frantically in that wild movement, not buried and crushed, and buffeted by those mighty monsters, but standing above them all, calm and superb, poised on the giddy summit, his feet buried in the churning foam, the salt smoke rising to his knees, and all the rest of him.-in the free air and flashing sunlight, and he is flying through the air, flying forward, flying fast as the surge on which he stands. In truth, from out of the sea he tyas leaped upon the back of the sea, and he is riding the sea that roars and Mellows and cannot shake him from its back. And straight on towards shore he flies on his winged heels, and the white crest of the breaker. There is a wild burst of foam, a long, tumultuous, rushing sound, as the breaker falls futile and spent on the beach before you and there, at your feet, steps calmly ashore, a Kanaka, burnt black by the tropic sun. Several minute's ago he was a speck, a quarter of a mile away. He has "bitted the bull-mouthed breaker," and ridden it in, and the pride in the feat, shows in the carriage of his magnificent body as he glances for a moment carelessly at you who sit in the shade of the shore. And that is how it came about that I tackled surf-riding. And now that I have tackled it, more than ever do I hold it to be a royal sport. I deserted the cool shade, put on a swimming-suit, and got hold of a surfboard, it was too small a board. But I didn't know, and nobody told me. I joined some little Kanaka boys in shallow water, where the breakers were well spent and small—a regular kindergarten school. I watched the little Kanaka boys. When a likely looking breaker came along, they flopped upon their stomachs on their boards, kicked like mad with their feet, and rode the breaker in to the beach. I tried to emulate them. I watched them, tried to do everything that they did, and failed utterly. The breaker swept past, and I was not on it. I tried again and again. I kicked twice as madly as they did, and failed. Half a dozen would be around. We would all leap on our boards in front of a good breaker. Away our feet would churn like the stern-wheels of river steamboats, and away the little rascals would scoot while I remained in disgrace behind. I tried for a solid hour, and not one wave could I persuade to boost me shoreward.
And then arrived a friend, a globe-trotter by profession, bent ever on the pursuit of sensation. And he had found it at Waikiki. Heading for Australia, he had stopped for a week to find out it there were any thrills in surf-riding, and he became wedded to it. He had been at it every day for a month, and I could not yet see any symptoms of the fascination lessening- upon him.
He spoke with authority. "Get off that board," he said. "Chuck it away at once. Look at the way you're trying to ride it. If ever the nose of that board hits bottom, you'll be disembowelled. Here, take my board. It's a man's sized. He showed me how properly to mount his board. Then he waited for a good breaker, gave me a shove at the right moment, and started me in. Ah. delicious moment when I felt that breaker grip and fling me ! On I dashed, a hundred and fifty feet, and subsided with the breaker on the sand. From that moment I was lost. I waded back to Ford with his board. It was a large one, six feet long, two feet wide, slightly oval in shape, and several inches thick, and weighed all of seventy-five pounds. He gave me advice —much of it. He had had no one to teach him, and all that he had laboriously learned in several weeks he communicated to me in half an hour. I really learned by proxy. And inside of half an hour I was able to start myself and ride in. I did it time after time, and Ford applauded and advised. For instance, he told mo to get just so far forward on the board, and no farther. But I must have got some farther, for as I came charging in to land that miserable board poked its nose down to bottom, stopped abruptly, and turned a somersault, at the sumo time violently severing our relations. I was tossed through the air like a chip and buried ignominiously under the down-falling breaker and I realised that if it hadn't been for Ford I'd have been disembowelled.
Ford taught me more. "Imagine your legs a rudder," he said. "Hold them close together, and steer with them." A few minutes I came charging in on a comber. As I neared the beach, there in the water, up to her waist, dead in front of me, appeared n woman. How was I to stop that comber on whose back I was ? And then I remembered my guardian angel, Ford. "Steer with your legs!" ran through my reeling consciousness. I steered with my legs, I steered sharply, abruptly, with all my legs and with all my might. The board sheered around broadside on the crest. Many things happened simultaneously. The wave gave me a passing buffet —a light tap, as the taps of waves go, but a tap sufficient to knock me off the board and smash me down through the rushing water to bottom, with which I came in violent collision, and upon which I was rolled over and over. I got my head out for a breath of air, and then gained my feet. There stood the woman before me. I felt like a hero; I had saved her life. Anyway, that leg-steering was great. In a few minutes more of practice I was able to thread my way in and out past several bathers, and to remain on top of my breaker instead of going under it. Right: Jack London in Hawaii, 1907
Next morning, when Ford came along, I plunged into the wonderful water fur a swim of indeterminate length. Astride of our surf-boards, or, rather, lent down upon them on our stomachs, we paddled out in deep water, where the big smokers came roaring it. The mere struggle with them, facing them and paddling seaward over them and through them was sport enough in itself. One had to have his wits about him, for it was a battle in which mighty blows were struck on one side, and in which cunning was used on the other side— a struggle between insensate force and intelligence. I soon learned a bit. When a breaker curled over my head, for a swift instant, I could see the light of day through its emerald body; then down would go my head, and I would clutch the board with all my strength. Then would come the blow, and to the onlooker on shore I would be blotted out. In reality the board and I would have passed through the crest and emerged.in the respite of the other side. I should not recommend those smashing blows to an invalid or delicate person. There is weight behind them, and the impact of the driven water is like a sand-blast. Sometimes one passes through half a dozen combers in quick succession and it is just about that time that he is able to discover new merits in the stable land and new reasons for being on shore. One thing in particular I learned, namely, how to encounter the occasional breaker of exceptional size that rolled in. Such breakers were really ferocious, and it was unsafe to meet them on top of the hoard. But whenever I saw one of that calibre rolling down on me I slid off the rear end of the board and dropped down beneath the surface, my arms over my head, and holding the board. Thus, if the wave ripped the board out of my hands and tried to strike me with it (a common trick of such waves), there would be a cushion of water a foot or more in depth between my head and the blow. When the wave passed, I climbed up on the board and paddled on. Many men have been terribly injured by being struck by their boards. The whole method of surf-riding and surf-fighting, I learned, is one of non resistance. Dodge the blow that is struck at you. Dive through the wave that is trying to slap you in the face. Sink down, feet first, deep under the surface, and let the big smoker that is trying to snatch you go by overhead. Never be rigid. Relax. Yield yourself to the waters that are ripping and tearing at you. When the undertow catches you and drags you seaward along the bottom, don't struggle against it. If you do, you are liable to be drowned, for it^ is stronger than you. Yield yourself to that undertow. Swim with it, not against it, and you will find the pressure removed. And, swimming with it, fooling it so that it does not hold you swim upward at the same time. It will be no trouble at all to reach the surface. The man who wants to learn surfriding must be a strong swimmer, and he must be used to going under the water. After that, fair strength and common sense are all that is required.
THE JOYS OF THE SURF-RIDER (1908, November 14). The Queenslander (Brisbane, Qld. : 1866 - 1939), p. 8. Retrieved fromhttp://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article23595144
Alexander Hume Ford, a travelling journalist is the gentleman referred to in this article. “A Royal Sport” is a chapter in London’s 1911 book, The Cruise of the Snark and was first published in 1907 in The Lady’s Home Companion. - The Jack London Society.
THE JOHN WILLIAMS.
Her History and the Story of Her Predecessors.
(By Louis Becke.)
ON the 10th of August, 1796, at six o'clock in the morning, the first missionary ship destined for the South Seas sailed from Spit head. Her name was the "Duff," she was commanded by Captain James Wilson, and her subsequent history was an eventful one; for on her second voyage to Tahiti she was captured by the French privateer Bonaparte off the coast of Brazil, and taken to Rio Janeiro, where she was sold.
The keen interest taken in missionary enterprise soon led to another ship being bought and fitted out to take up the work of the captured Duff. This was the old man-of-war brig Camden, which, under the command of Captain Morgan, began her first voyage in 1834, and her name will always be remembered in conjunction with that of the martyred John Williams, for it was on one of her voyages that he was killed by the natives of Erromanga, in 1838. Since then the directors of the London Missionary Society have perpetuated the name of John Williams by giving it to no less than four of the society's ships — one of which forms the subject of this article. Sixty-eight days ago she sailed from Lyttelton (N.Z.), bound for Port Jackson, and up to the present nothing has since been heard of her; and there is now every reason to fear that her fate will remain one of the untold mysteries of the sea. Although since she was sold by the London Missionary Society, a few months ago, her name was changed to Kashgar, the brave little barque will always be remembered as the John Williams; and the story of her career, and that of those two other "John Williams" whose timbers lie deep in the blue Pacific, will be read with interest. At the present moment there is now speeding from island to island in the South Pacific another John Williams, a smart, handsome steamer, which was built to replace the gallant old barque that is now missing; but somehow, as Clark Russell says, one does not feel that interest and enthusiasm for a steamer, no matter how swift or beautiful she may be, that can be felt by both sailors and landsmen for a ship that has had a long and eventful career. And the "John Williams No. 3" had both.
But, first of all, about the first and second ships of her name, and to Captain Roger Turpie, who for thirty-eight years had sailed in all four of the London Missionary Society's ships, the writer of this article is indebted for all that is herein set down. The first, John Williams, was built at Harwich on the stocks, to replace the Camden. This was an 1844, and the directors of the L.M.S. quickly fitted her out for service an the South Seas. She was 296 tons register (N.N.M.), barque rigged, with the old-style single topsails (such things as double-topsails and topgallant sails were almost unknown then), and was reckoned one of the handsomest and smartest vessels that ever en-tered Sydney Harbor. She was commanded by Captain Morgan, formerly of the Camden. He remained in command until 1856, when he retired, and his chief officer, Mr. Williams, took command, and Mr. Roger Turpie became mate. She did good service, and the white sails of the 'vaka lotu' (missionary ship), as she was called by the brown-skinned people, became a familiar and welcome sight to every island from distant Rapa in the south-east to the New Heb-rides and Loyalty Groups. (These latter islands, it may be mentioned, are now under the care of the Presbyterian Mission, and have been so since 1866, when that society purchased their first mission ship, the schooner Dayspring.)
Twenty years of good service, and then one day, as the barque lay becalmed off the low coral island of Puka Puka (aptly named Danger Island on the charts), she drifted on to the reef, at a part where it shoots up like a wall from the blue ocean depths. She struck stern first, and soon smashed her stern-post and quarters in, and then foundered. Nothing whatever was saved from her, but fortunately, although there were sixty-four persons on board, not a life was lost. Needless to say, the natives treated the shipwrecked people with the utmost kindness, though their island yielded nothing but cocoanuts and a species of coarse taro called "puraka." After a few days, Mr. Turpie, the chief officer, was dispatched in the pinnace (which had been saved) to Samoa for assistance. The long boat voyage was safely accomplished, Apia was reached, and the British Consul, Mr. J. C. Williams (the son of the missionary killed at Erromanga) chartered the brig Lalla Rookh (a since well-known Sydney collier) to proceed to Danger Island to the rescue of the shipwrecked people, who were suffering from want of provisions. With Mr. Turpie on board, the brig reached the island, and safely embarked all the John Williams's company, and then returned to Samoa. From there she conveyed the European crew and passengers to Sydney. Among those on board the missionary ship when she was lost were the Rev. Charles Barff, of Huaheine, Society Islands (whose grandson is now Registrar of the Sydney University), the Rev. Henry Royle, and Miss Harriet Royle. So much for the first "John Williams"career.
The second John Williams was built at Aberdeen by Alexander Hall and Sons. She was of the same tonnage as the first ship, 296, and was a handsome clipper barque, very headily sparred, and a great sailer. She left London in January, 1866, and on the way out got severely damaged in a terrible gale (in which the ill-fated London foundered in the Bay of Biscay), and had to put into Portland Roads to repair. After a very stormy passage she reached Sydney, in July, 1866, and soon after sailed on her first cruise to the New Hebrides. Beating into the harbor of Aneih-jum she got on a coral reef, and suffered for it. Divers had to be sent down to nail quilted blankets with a "fothering" of tan, sawdust, bran, etc., to keep her afloat. Then the pumps were kept going night and day during the thirteen days that elapsed before she reached Sydney. She was ac-companied for safety by the Presbyterian new Mission schooner Dayspring, which had just ar-rived in the New Hebrides to begin work. In Sydney the John Williams underwent extensive repairs, and soon after, set out for the eastern islands of Polynesia. Her career, however, was destined to be a brief one, for in January, 1867, she drove ashore in a calm at Motulu, on the coast of Nuie (Savage Island). No lives were lost, all hands escaping safely in the boats, but with only what they stood up in. Again was Mr. Turpie called upon to bring assistance, and fortunately, on this occasion, had not to risk the dangers of a long-boat voyage, for just then a German trading schooner, the Alfred, touched at Nuie, and by her he took passage to Samoa.
The wreck was sold in Samoa by public auction, and was bought by the famous "Bully" Hayes for £100. Hayes had then command of the brig Rona, and this vessel was chartered to bring the crew and passengers of the John Williams to Samoa and take the missionaries and their families to their various destinations in Eastern Polynesia. (The notorious "Bully" engaged in mission work must have been a most edifying spectacle to both whites and natives.) He, however, performed his contract to the letter, but was well paid for his labor, as not only was a very stiff passage money paid, but he saved a good deal of cargo from the wrecked ship before she broke up and disappeared in a gale. Hayes then set sail with his passengers to land them at various islands in Eastern Polynesia. It is not on record whether he tried to teach any of these reverend gentlemen the art of playing poker; most probably not. None of them having any money would have proved an insuperable bar to a gentleman of Captain Hayes's exceedingly practical turn of mind.
Among the articles saved from the missionary ship was her mission flag, an enormous pennant representing a dove carrying an olive branch, and with the inscription "Messenger of Peace" in large white letters on a blue ground. The genial Bully was excessively proud of this, and on entering the port of Apia in the Rona he flew it from his foremast truck, to the intense amusement of the white residents of the gin-drinking seaport. The present writer has often heard Hayes, with a merry twinkle in his eye, narrate the incident. By the way, those who have read of the doings of Hayes in the Pacific, many of which were certainly irregular, will be interested to know that Captain Turpie found him a man with many good points in his character. "'He would rob you in the most open, barefaced manner, and then, be-cause you were 'a good fellow,' give it back again." (The writer remembers at least one such instance, when in one of the Gilbert Islands Hayes laid violent hands on a bag containing fifty gold pieces belonging to a trader, asserting that he must have stolen it. The trader's protesting his innocence of theft somewhat mollified Hayes, who, however, told him that 'having so much gold in his possession was a temptation to the natives to murder the owner and steal it; also it might be spent in the purchase of drink. Being a peace-able kind of a man, the trader had to submit quietly; but Bully, moved with compassion, gave him in return for his 50 sovereigns 250 dollars in base Bolivian silver, worth about 1s 3d each.
Whilst the Rona, with her "Messenger of Peace" banner, was beating up to the eastward with her cargo of missionaries, under the care of the bearded "Bully," Captain Williams and his European officers had gone on to Sydney in the brig Tawera. From Sydney he went home in the old clipper Nourmahal; and then after considerable discussion and delay the directors of the L.M.S. decided to build a third John Williams— the subject of this sketch. The building of the new ship was again entrusted to Hall and Sons, of Aberdeen. Her tonnage was 186—less by 100 tons than her predecessors. The object of this was to render her more easily tow-able by her boats in those dreaded calms which had proved so fatal to the other two ships. She was also provided with two enormous sweeps as an experiment. These proved to be utterly use-less, and Captain Turpie, when he assumed command, quickly condemned them after some very exciting trials. Even in the calmest weather there is a certain amount of swell, and when the sweeps were buried in the water and the ship rolled, they took charge, knocking the men about like ninepins and pitching them about stunned and senseless. Not having an hospital staff on board as an accessory to the sweeps, Captain Turpie discontinued further experiments.
During the building of this John Williams Captain Turpie was sailing out of Sydney in command of vessels in the China trade—the brig Zephyr and others. The new ship arrived in Port Jackson in 1869, and she at once entered upon a long and useful career, Captain Turpie taking command of her in 1871. Island after island and station after station were added to her work, including the little known coast of New Guinea and the islands of Torres Straits, until it became impossible to meet the growing requirements of the mission with a sailing ship, no matter how smart her performances. The number of islands visited was 50, exclusive of New Guinea and the Torres Straits islands. These islands were situated in the Austral Group, the Society Group, the Hervey Group, Samoa, the Tokelaus or Union Group, Ellice and Gilbert Groups, and the Loyalty Archipelago. Some time in the early seventies an arrangement was come to with the Boston Board of Missions, whereby that society retained all islands situated north of the equator and the London Missionary Society those to the south. Not only was this very pleasing to the natives of the Kingsmill Group, but to the white traders as well, who were always at loggerheads with the ill-con-ducted Hawaiian teachers of the American Mission, and charged them with trading—with perfect justice too.
In carrying out her visitations the John Williams was actually underway eight months out of the twelve from 1870 to 1894. Her annual cruise covered not less than 2000 miles, carrying passengers and supplies to and from one group to another. Her average number of passengers on each trip was 40, on occasions as many as 80, all more or less connected with the mission work. During the whole of her splendid career the ship was kept constantly covered against all risks by insurance, but in no case was a call ever made upon the insurance companies. This is a re-cord that Captain Turpie may well feel proud of when the dangers to navigation from the erratic currents, countless reefs badly surveyed, &c., of the South Pacific are taken into consideration— only those who have had experience can appreciate how dangerous. Nor was there any serious accident met with either to ship or crew, al-though the boats were constantly employed in crossing the surf-beaten reefs, of numerous is-lands. In connection, with this part of the work Captain Turpie speaks enthusiastically of the native crew he carried. They were—and are now— on the new John Williams natives of Aitutaki, and as boatmen have not their equal the world over. Some of these men have been with Captain Turpie for 20 years, retiring only in favor of a son or other relative. They are manly, obe-dient, and of unquestioned loyalty and integrity, proud of their ship and captain, and absolutely devoid of fear in the face of danger. There is always a great desire among the young men of the Hervey Group, Savage Island, Manhiki, and Penryhn's Islands to don the blue serge jumper of the L.M.S., and those who have seen half a dozen of Captain Turpie's old hands walking along George-street cannot but admire their physique and smart seamanlike appearance. In 1893 the directors decided to replace the old ship by a steamer, and the trusted Captain Turpie went home to consult with them as to the type of ship required, the result being that Messrs. Napier and Sons, of Govan, were entrusted with the building of a new steam yacht. She was designed and watched over by Mr. Gilbert Goodwin, naval architect, of Liverpool, and cost £17,055.
After visiting the principal home ports she was dispatched on her first voyage under the command of Captain Turpie, who had now sailed for 38 years under the L.M.S. flag as mate and master. She arrived in Sydney in September, 1894; and then Captain Turpie resigned his command in favor of her present master, Captain E. C. Hore. Since then the steamer has taken the place of the brave old barque, and is kept constantly at work. As soon as the steamer was placed in commission, the sailing ship was offered for sale, with the proviso that her purchasers were not to employ her either in the labor trade or the liquor traffic in the South Pacific for two years, and her name was to be changed. She was bought by Captain Bruce Young and others for the merchant service, made a voyage to Noumea and back, and was then put into the New Zealand trade under the name of Kashgar. Over 60 days ago she sailed out from Lyttelton for Sydney, and has never been heard of since; like her two forerunners, the gallant little barque, it is now concluded, lies at the bottom of the sea.
In connection with her seaworthiness when she was sold, Captain Turpie expressed every confidence in the hull of the ship. She was carefully overhauled every twelve months, under the personal supervision of Captains Banks and Pockley, marine surveyors. To show what care was taken over her maintenance it may be mentioned that her average annual expenditure during the whole of her career was £2400—a large sum for a little vessel of 186 tons. At the time of her sale she was well found in sails and gear, boats, &c., and every other requirement for successful navigation. She was always a fast weatherly vessel (how often has the writer watched her dashing along the reef-bound shores of the equatorial islands under a full press of canvas and admired her grace and symmetry), rather tautly rigged, and, it must be admitted, rather wet when under much sail in lively weather. She carried about 80 tons of permanent iron ballast, which, with a flooring of shingle, water, stores, &c., ran up to about 100 tons; so that she was always in good trim and stiff as a church. Every possible, and indeed much un-sought information, as to the weak points of the ship was given to her buyers; amongst other things mentioned was the advisability of reducing her spars. This was in a measure attended to by Captain Young. When in the mission service the John Williams was unarmed. Those employed and sailing in her, from her commander to her native crew, were strictly forbidden to engage in trade or commerce of any sort. Sometime in the seventies the present writer, when living on Nanomaga, ran out of provisions—a not unusual occurrence in the low-lying sandy atolls of Polynesia—and a continuous diet of old cocoanuts and fish began to pall upon his appetite. One day the John Williams came flying down before the south-east trades from Niutao, and the ever welcome cry of 'Ua pu te folau! Te vaka lotu!' — "A ship! The missionary ship!" —was called from house to house, as the brown people prepared to launch their canoes. Among the first to board her was the writer, who straightway told his tale of woe to the captain, and explained the pitiable condition of his internal economy resulting from a diet of old cocoanut. Would he sell some provisions? "No, I won't; but I'll give you what you want to tide you over till your ship comes," was his reply. And give them he did with the utmost cheerfulness and good nature on behalf of the L.M.S. And many a trader similarly situated has met with a like experience. Well, the old ship has gone now; and by-and-bye, when the news reaches the brown people on many a distant island that the 'vaka lotu' is "tu'ia" (wrecked), they will recall the pleasant memories connected with her, and be glad to know that her old commander did not sail with her on her last voyage.
THE JOHN WILLIAMS, WHEN LAST IN THE MISSION SERVICE.
THE JOHN WILLIAMS. (1896, May 23).Evening News (Sydney, NSW : 1869 - 1931), p. 9. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article108784613