(By the Tramp)
I was doing the sights of Harvey under the able guidance of Danny McLennan… We started to do the orchards first, and had to pass the local hotel. I excused myself to Dan, as I wanted to go in and see what time it was. There was a fat fellow behind the bar, not a bad looking chap though. He didn’t have much to say. Just “I don’t mind if I do.”
Uduc Road, Harvey 1908, the building in the middle of the photo was the first building used by the Harvey Road Board as an office.
Just as I was going out, I was electrified by hearing a voice in an adjoining room “Them there blamed instruments of mine ain’t come out yet.” I investigated ; it was as I thought, “our Joe.” It appears Joe was on a secret mission. He didn’t tell me for whom, but his objectives to test his instruments on the big drains they are making out here. You see, they can make drains out here to carry off storm and other waters, with a fall of three inches to the mile. Joe’s orders were to adjust the dumpy to the gradient of the drains, seal it up, and come straight in. So I suppose the various drains that are troubling Bunbury will be settled soon.
Rejoining my guide, we passed (alongside the hotel) a very nice orchard of about ten acres belonging to Mr Snell. It is in lovely condition, and the trees are looking splendid. The next block belongs to Mr E. M. Clarke. It is about the same size but the trees are younger. Passing along, we come to Mr Larsen’s, on which he has built a new and up-to-date villa. The trees here are looking well, so is the show of fruit.
Adjoining Larsen’s, Mr Alex Smith has what is generally considered the show orchard of Harvey, bounded on the South by Larsen’s, on the north and east by the Harvey river, and on the west by a barb-wire fence about 12 feet high. I think Alex must have been in South Africa, and taken the idea from the blockade fences used in the war. Why, you would want a flying machine to get over it. Fortunately, there is a gate, at which we met his genial manager, Mr Tom Berry, who kindly asked us inside. My word, the trees are a sight, literally breaking down with oranges. Though there are only 1100 trees, six to seven years old, the estimated yield this year will be about 1500 cases, equal to a profit of over £700. To wander through this orange grove makes one wonder what the possibilities of Harvey will be in another ten years.
Across the river is a huge orchard of about 80 acres belonging to Teesdale Smith. Further down the river is the old homestead orchard owned by Dr Harvey and Mr Hayward. Dr Williams, of Bunbury, has a very fine place here ; one that would make even a dyspeptic smile. Everything looks so neat and trim ; even the trees seem to be in a hurry to turn their burdens from that rich deep green color to the golden tint that looks so enticing in a fruiterer’s shop. Harvey should be a healthy spot, for in addition to the above, Dr Horrocks has selected here, and Mr Dermer has planted about 20 acres which in a year or two might tempt him to leave dentistry alone and follow the more congenial undertaking of extracting silver from the public in exchange for his golden harvest.
The above are only a small minority of the numerous orange groves that are rapidly making headway in this thriving little settlement. I was introduced to the new engineer for the roads board, Mr Stewart. He is getting quite at home. Harvey got a big lift in population when he arrived, for he brought nine children with him from Coolgardie. Had to leave some behind, as it was found that it would disorganise the train arrangements if they all came at once, so he was forced to bring them down on the instalment plan.
They have a fine debating society here, but Danny advised me not to go down. Jack Grieves has had the floor for five nights, and as he carries his butcher’s cleaver with him, they do not dare to interrupt his flow of eloquence.
Grieves Butcher Shop, Uduc Road, Harvey. Photo courtesy of Harvey Districts Historical Society.
Wandering alone one night with my faithful guide, I heard sounds of music and laughter. “What’s that?” I asked. “Come on down,” he replied. “That’s Alec and Jim Gloster giving one of their free entertainments.” We duly arrived at a store and I was introduced to the proprietors, new arrivals here, but evidently up-to-date business men. The whole population of Harvey seemed to be in or about the store. On the counter was one of the latest phonographs, and on the floor cases of records. Seating myself on a case outside I resignedly prepared myself to hear the usual clap-trap nasal sounds that exude from these instruments, but I was pleasantly surprised to hear a record start a clear sweet chorus from “Florodora,” followed by one from “Pinafore” and various other operas, intermingled with vocal selections from the leading artists of Europe. Truly a pleasant way to end an evening in the country. (Bunbury Herald, 21 May 1908, p. 3.)
Alex B Gloster, Harvey, Cash Store. Photo courtesy of Harvey Districts Historical Society.
South Western Advertiser, 7 December 1910, p. 1.
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