The Wokalup Estate, consisting of a large acreage was originally taken up in the 1840s by Marshall Waller Clifton, Chief Commissioner of the Western Australian Company. As part of the government’s push for closer settlement, the big estates were often purchased by the government (but not in this case) and subdivided ensuring that the land became more productive as smaller holdings could be owned and worked by the new pioneering families. On 12 March 1903 land from the subdivision of the Wokalup Estate went under the hammer in Perth and the initial purchasers are listed below. Some of those family names became synonymous with Wokalup and surrounds, but today many have moved out of the area.
SALE OF THE WOKALUP ESTATE.
This estate, which Comprises 4,226 acres, is situated 88 miles from Perth, on the S.W. Railway and surrounds the Wokalup Railway Station. It was first taken up from the Crown in 1844 by the W.A. Land Company [sic, Western Australian Company], and was last May purchased by a Victorian syndicate, and by them subdivided into township, orchard, and farm lots. On March 12, in the Mechanics’ Institute, at 11o’clock, quite one hundred and fifty persons faced Mr. Chas. Sommers, the auctioneer, and, although bidding for the country lands was not spirited, it could be seen that there was a desire to do business on the part of many present, and the following sales were effected, mostly privately. For the 15 township lots each containing about half an acre, there was keen competition, the following prices being realised: Lots 56, 57, 58, 59, Mr. K. Mackenzie, £12 each ; 60, H. Woodhouse, £10; 61, T. Hayward, junr., £12; 62, D. C. Taylor, £13, 63, J. Williams, £15; 64, T. Hayward junr., £15; 65, T. Walsh, £17; 66, J. Williams, £15; 67, J. Mitchell, £32; 69, M. Mulcahy, £34; 70 and 71, W. J. Kiffin Thomas, £22 and £28 respectively.
The orchard and farm lots sold were as follow. Lot 3, C. H. Cheesbrough, 20 acres at £6 10s. per acre lot 4, H. Woodhouse. 20 acres at £5 15s.: lot 7, H. W. Rigg, 20 acres at £6; lot 8, J. Mitchell, 20 acres at £6; lots 27, 28, 29. 30, Thos. Hull, 281½ acres at £3; lot 31, T. J. Niland, 79 acres at £3 15s. ; lots 33 and 84, J. Rodgers, 163 acres at £3; lot 40, A. Powell, 60 acres at £5; lot 42, H. McNeill, 166¼ acres at £2 7s. 6d.; lot 43, W. Rodgers. 183¾ acres at £2 5s.; lot 46, H. Teesdale Smith, 335 acres at £1 12s. 6d.; lot 76, H. Teesdale Smith, 242 acres at £1 12s. 6d. The total sales realised, £4,422.[1]
Map showing Wokalup Estate lot numbers.[2]
The following advertisements for the land sales at Wokalup paint a picture of what was on offer in terms of acreage, the fertility of the land and the availability of water, access to markets as the train had run from Perth to Bunbury since 1893 and of course, selling the dream of owning and working one’s own land. How much had the initial purchasers been seduced by the following advertising?
SUBDIVISION OF THE WOKALUP ESTATE.
Situated about 88 miles from Perth on the South-Western line is the far-famed Wokalup estate, which has been aptly called the Warrnambool of Western Australia. The estate comprises some 4,226 acres, and those have been subdivided into orchard and farm lots ranging from 8 to 651 acres. Wokalup is situated only 27 miles from Bunbury and the property lies on both sides of the railway line at the junction of the Mornington timber line with the main line, Wokalup railway station being in the centre of the estate. The owners have consented to submit for sale 22 township lots adjoining the station. Wokalup was secured as far back as 1844 by the West Australian Land Corporation, when the whole of the rich lands of the S.W. were open for selection, and the estate is undoubtedly the pick of that fertile district.
The rainfall is abundant, averaging about 36 inches yearly. Numerous creeks and springs provide water in abundance. The estate adjoins the well-known Harvey estate, and the equally well-known properties of Messrs. Clifton and Hayward. Fruit, cereals, and root crops grow to perfection at Wokalup, and the sale affords an opportunity not to be missed of securing rich lands close to a market and railway. Two trains leave Perth and Bunbury daily, giving buyers an opportunity of examining the land and returning the same day. Intending buyers will be met on arrival, and shown over the estate. Terms exceptionally easy. Inspection invited. Plans on application to the auctioneer, 260 St, George’s Terrace.[3]
Advertising is always interesting to read, especially in hindsight. Although wordy, this advertisement gives some historic context to the land sale.
A GREAT LAND SALE.
THE SUBDIVISION OF WOKALUP ESTATE.
ACQUIREMENT OF AN OLD FREEHOLD.
UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY TO SELECTORS.
He who travels from Perth to Bunbury by train most often have wondered why so much of the good land penetrated is waste and uncultivated. The few spots which agricultural operations have been carried out indicate in a most pronounced degree the fertility of the bulk of the land abutting on the railway. In the face this encouraging feature there is room for wonderment at the scanty settlement which has taken place between Perth and Bunbury. Admittedly the rainfall excellent, averaging about 36 inches, while in other directions the land offers every inducement to the would-be tiller of the soil as the site on which the pursuit of his calling might be profitably undertaken.
A Vicious Land Principle.
The inquisitive traveller bent on getting at the truth of a state of affairs responsible for the non-utilisation of some of the most favored soils in Western Australia will have no trouble in arriving at a correct solution of the problem. The reason why so much valuable land is closed to settlement is because in the early days of the history of the State large areas of it were alienated – without any improvement conditions whatever being insisted on – to absentee landlords. The advisers of the land corporations of that period performed their services faithfully. Consequently the richest and most advantageously-situated lands passed away fifty or sixty years ago from the control of the State and became the property of non-residents. As the latter acquired the land at a purely nominal rate, it was no hardship for them to hold it, waiting for the State to prosper and become the home of a large population. This vicious land principle has been largely responsible for the unsatisfactory condition of things represented by the bulk of our rich and easily accessible lands being in their native state.
A Silent Revolution.
An important change is, however, quietly coming about with regard to these same lands. On the one hand the State is acquiring, under the terms of repurchase legislation, a number of these large freehold estates, and is subdividing them into suitable farms, which are sold on long terms and easy rates. On the other hand private enterprise is also filling the gap, and by judicious purchases is enabling those desirous of obtaining land to acquire it on reasonable conditions. To the experts on land matters, whose mature judgment has been responsible for much of the recently successful close settlement that has resulted on private estates, the country is indeed under deep obligation, for the prosperity of this State is so indissolubly associated with the permanent occupation of its rich soils that all who contribute to the achievement of that consummation are doing valuable work in this direction of building up the country.
An Apt Case in Point.
The Wokalup Estate, situated 88 miles from Perth, on the South-Western railway, is a property which but till lately was not available to would-be selectors. Selected in 1844, it is one of the best of the unimproved properties situated on the fertile lands at the base of the Darling Range. During the past ten years many efforts have vainly been made to have it thrown open for selection. It is only a few months ago that the arrangements were completed by which the estate can now be offered in suitable lots to intending applicants. The survey is now completed on the lines of the plan we publish herewith, and purchasers at the sale to be held in the Mechanics’ Institute, Perth, at 11 a.m. on Thursday, March 12, will be enabled to take possession of their lots immediately.
Magnificent Orchard and Farming Land.
Wokalup contains 4226 acres of rich land, well suited to cereal and fruit production or dairying. The low-lying grounds take the form of a rich black alluvium, while on the uplands the soil is of a genial chocolate nature. As will be judged from an inspection of the land, water is obtainable everywhere and of the best quality. Citrus trees thrive especially, and an inspection of the orchard belonging to Mrs. Waller Clifton, which joins the estate, will at once carry conviction on this point. Wheat and oats yield heavy crops, while potatoes and roots produce abundant returns. Adjacent to the district are the Mornington and Worsley saw-mills and the Collie coalfields, which, peopled by a large and growing population, offer an exceptional market for all that can be produced. In order to meet the requirements of settlers, provision has been made in the subdivision for a township at Wokalup, near which station 23 blocks have been surveyed, varying in area from a quarter of an acre to an acre and a half.
A Unique Opportunity.
The sale of Wokalup will naturally appeal to many people as a unique opportunity of acquiring a noble home in one of the most fertile, best-watered and most easily accessible districts of the State. In the South-West nature has bestowed her gifts most lavishly, and has so endowed the soil that its prolificacy is almost amazing. The new arrival in the State will stand on the same footing as the resident of 30 years’ standing so far as Wokalup is concerned. The first opportunity of becoming the owner of portion of it will occur on March 12 next, and it may be taken for granted that Mr. Sommers, the auctioneer, will be faced by an eager audience on the morning of March 12 when, mounting his rostrum at the Mechanics’ Institute, he submits to public competition the splendid lands under review.[4]
TEN REASONS WHY EVERYBODY and EVERYTHING is PROSPEROUS at WOKALUP:—
- No Drought.
- Close to Markets: Perth, 88 miles; Bunbury, 27 miles.
- Low Freight.
- Railway Station in centre of the Estate.
- Rich Quality of the Soil.
- Splendid Rainfall; 36 inches.
- Enormous Yields of Potatoes, Onions, Fruit, etc.
- High Prices for all Produce Grown.
- Good Train Service.
- Land at Reasonable Prices, on easy Terms.[5]
BLACK Soil and Running Water on the WOKALUP ESTATE; railway station in the centre of the property; the best land in the State. Auction March’ 12. CHAS. SOMMERS, Auctioneer.[6]
SPLENDID SEASON COMING. BUY a FARM at the AUCTION, in MECHANICS’ INSTITUTE. THURSDAY, MARCH 12. CHAS. SOMMERS, Auctioneer, 260 St. George’s-terrace.[7]
AT WOKALUP the hum of the chaffcutter will soon be heard cutting the enormous hay crops the district is noted for. Send for plan of the Estate: Auction March 12. Chas. Sommers, Auctioneer; 260 St. George’s-terrace.[8]
AFTER the Sale of the WOKALUP ESTATE, the railway officials at Wokalup Station will soon be hard at it trucking the produce grown, and the lucky buyers will be equally busy raking in the golden sovereigns. Have a look at Wokalup before the 12th March. Send for plan to Chas. Sommers, 260 St George’s-terrace.[9]
In October 1904 the remaining 1000 acres of the estate were to be sold:
UNDER THE HAMMER.
On Thursday next, October 13. Mr. Chas. Sommers will offer the balance of the famous Wokalup Estate. The property consists of 1,000 acres of rich alluvial soil cut up into lots ranging from 10 to 240 acres) and it will grow anything. Lots will be sold on liberal terms.[10]
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[1] 1903 ‘SALE OF THE WOKALUP ESTATE.’, The West Australian (Perth, WA : 1879 – 1954), 13 March, p. 2. , viewed 16 Sep 2024, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article24857111
[2] 1903 ‘A GREAT LAND SALE.’, Sunday Times (Perth, WA : 1902 – 1954), 8 March, p. 7. , viewed 16 Sep 2024, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article57221300
[3] 1903 ‘SUBDIVISION OF THE WOKALUP ESTATE.’, The Daily News (Perth, WA : 1882 – 1955), 21 February, p. 1. , viewed 16 Sep 2024, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article83159586
[4] 1903 ‘A GREAT LAND SALE.’, Sunday Times (Perth, WA : 1902 – 1954), 8 March, p. 7. , viewed 16 Sep 2024, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article57221300
[5] 1903 ‘Advertising’, Evening Courier (Fremantle, WA : 1902 – 1903), 9 March, p. 1. , viewed 16 Sep 2024, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article257042005
[6] 1903 ‘Advertising’, The West Australian (Perth, WA : 1879 – 1954), 5 March, p. 7. , viewed 16 Sep 2024, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article24856408
[7] 1903 ‘Advertising’, The West Australian (Perth, WA : 1879 – 1954), 9 March, p. 7. , viewed 16 Sep 2024, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article24856781
[8] 1903 ‘Advertising’, The West Australian (Perth, WA : 1879 – 1954), 6 March, p. 7. , viewed 16 Sep 2024, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article24856572
[9] 1903 ‘Advertising’, The West Australian (Perth, WA : 1879 – 1954), 9 March, p. 7. , viewed 16 Sep 2024, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article24856781
[10] 1904 ‘UNDER THE HAMMER’, Sunday Times (Perth, WA : 1902 – 1954), 9 October, p. 3. , viewed 16 Sep 2024, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article57195949