Western Australia - Colonial: 1861-1901.
Transmission forms used at Eucla: WA-DO-3.


Details of the Western Australian transmission form WC-TO-3 are given elsewhere. On this page, two examples of the use of that form at Eucla for messages to Perth are presented:

Background.

In the two telegrams shown on this page, three names are recorded:
  1. Hon. John Forrest - started his career as a Surveyor around Bunbury. In 1869, he was appointed to accompany Ferdinand Muller on an expedition to find Leichardt. Soon after, when Muller was unable to manage the trip, Forrest was placed in charge. During the expendition, he explored and accurately chartered huge areas using stellar observations. He brought back many specimens for botanists and Geologists. Later that year he conducted a survey to improve on Eyre's work along the coast between Western Australia and South Australia. One result of this expedition was to show that a telegraph line could be constructed along the coastline. Unfortunately, Forrest could only identify one new pastoral area.
    In 1871, Forrest was appointed Government Surveyor for the Northern District and, in part, lead an expedition from Geraldton through the interior to Peake Hill on the Overland Telegraph route. During part of 1878 and again in 1883, he served as Commissioner of Crown Lands.
    About this time and for a while after, Forrest and other senior figures in the Government began to develop "adverse opinions" about the dictatorial manner in which the newly appointed Governor Sir Frederick Napier Broome managed government procedures.
    Further details about Forrest can be obtained elsewhere.

  2. Governor Sir Frederick Napier Broome - was born in 1842 in Canada and, in 1857, he migrated to New Zealand to farm. Details of his subsequent life can be obtained elsewhere.
    In 1875, he was appointed as Colonial Secretary in Natal and subsequently moved to Mauritius. In June 1883, he became Governor of Western Australia - a position he occupied for six years. From 1884, he strongly urged the Colonial Office in London to move as quickly as possible towards a parliamentary system of government for the Colony.

  3. Mr. Everard Lempriere
    The Geraldton Victoria Express of 20 February 1884 (but dateline of article 13th) reported as follows:
      The wealthy syndicate of English capitalists which has lately taken up a large quantity of land in the Eucla District, evidently means business, as the gentlemen of whom it is composed have lately sent out an agent to look at the country. Mr. Lempriere, the gentleman referred to, has just left overland for Albany, whence he proceeds to Adelaide. From there he goes to Fowler's Bay, and thence overland to the country he has come to inspect. This surely seems to show that the land is meant to be made use of in some manner, and not to be held only as a monetary speculation. The one cry here now is "money" and if only a little of that commodity were introduced, things would look more cheerful. As it is, men have got their cash sunk in land and are now quite unable to realize a penny".

    The West Australian of 8 August 1885 noted that "On the order of the day (in the Legislative Council) for the consideration of the Governor's message, forwarding an application from a Mr. Everard Lempriere, for encouragement in the shape of a grant of land towards establishing ostrich farming in this colony".

    See also Ostrich Farming in South Australia - Western Mail 20 February 1886.

Source: National Archives of Australia NAA-K1209 Eucla 5.
WC-TO-3A: transmission form dated 30 July 1884 used for a message from Mr. Lempriere to Hon. John Forest CMG -
then Commissioner of Crown Lands. The message reads - to the best of my ciphering skills :-(.
"Arrived Eucla last night from Fowlers Bay Go on to Madura probably tomorrow to see Bourg which I understand is progressing satisfactorily afterwards inspect blocks three fifty two and three fifty three and then await instructions from Sir Robert expected end of month Do not think I charged(?) you ?? one use of horses will you convey my thanks to the Port Master General for same Any news of the Ostriches will you write me explaining present and in event of Eucla Railway falling through future position of Crown Lands and lands leased from the Crown in this district as ?? perceptive might an extension of lease respecting".
Source: National Archives of Australia NAA-K1209 Eucla 5.
WC-TO-3A: transmission form dated 29 July 1884 used for a message from Mr. Lempriere to Governor Sir Frederick Broome KCMG.
The message reads - again to the best of my ciphering skills :-(.
"Received your telegram eve of departure for Eucla no opportunity to reply needless to say how much I should like to go home with ?? ?? but feel impossible as I cannot at the very earliest leave Adelaide before middle of October it may probably be later depends on instructions from Sir Robert please let me know if you heard from Richards cannot imagine why he has not written".