1876 - The following selections were taken up at the Tumut land office on Thursday the 12th October -

Bridgot Leary 100 a Ellerslie;

Michael Cowan 4()a Ellerslie; - (Ref- Australian Town and Country Journal (NSW : 1870 - 1907)(about) Previous issue Saturday 21 October 1876).

1889 - A FATAL ACCIDENT. - On Tuesday last Mr. M. Tuohy, the Tumut coroner, held an inquiry touching the death of Mr. Charles Henry Webb, the manager of Ellerslie Station, near Adelong, when the details of this lamentable event were elicited.

On Sunday morning Mr. Webb drove Mr. William Peterson, one of the owners of the station, to Wagga to the train. On his way back one of the horses Mr. Webb was driving (an animal he was driving for the first time) began to kick. Mr. Webb applied the whip, when both horses started off at a fast gallop. The vehicle came in contact with a big stump, and became a perfect wreck. The driver was thrown out upon his head, and fractured his skull.

Mr. W. Crain, of Mount Adrah, who saw the accident, did all that was possible, and sent for Dr. Lyttleton; but Mr.Webb died on Tuesday, never having regained consciousness. The deceased was much respected in the district. He has left a young daughter, whose mother died some years ago in giving birth to the Child. - (Ref- Australian Town and Country Journal (NSW : 1870 - 1907)(about) Previous issue Saturday 7 December 1889).

1911 - VALUABLE FREEHOLD PROPERTY AND STOCK, For AUCTION SALE, AT AARONS EXCHANGE HOTEL, SYDNEY on THURSDAY, 19th OCTOBER, l911, AT 3 P.M. . EDWARD TRENCHARD AND CO, - in conjunction with NEW ZEALAND LOAN Company and MERCANTILE AGENCY CO., LIMITED, have received Instructions from M. J. Clifford, Esq., and the Trustees, Executors, and Agency Co., Ltd., the exectors of the late William Peterson, and F. G. Simal. Esq., and the Trustees, Executors, and Agency Co, Limited, the executors of the late Sir Trcdentk T. Sargood, to SELL by PUBLIC AUCTION, at AA0NS EXCHANGE HOTEL, SYDNEY, on THURSDAY, 2ND OCTOBER Next, at 3 p.m..

Containing about 20,028 acres freehold title land;

700 acres Crown land; total, 20,728 acres, situate in the south-eastern division of New South Wales, in the parash of Wallace and Ellerslie, county Wynyard, said district about 9 miles from Adelong, 11 from Mount Horeb, railway stations, and 22 miles from Tumut.

The country consists of open undulating foreland, chiefly stringy-bark, box apple, and other trees, the whole of which has been ring barked for many years, reserving picked trees and ample Umber lol fencing and other purposes. It is now improved and clear open country, much of which presents a phi like appearance, and there are also well grassed flats on the frontages, and the hills are good fram land.

The soil is principally reddish loam, with dirt loam in tile gullies, interspersed with some loam flats, suitable for root crops, cereals, etc. It is all good grazing and wool-growing country, and much of it is fattening and agricultural hand is amply and permanently watered In all parta and in all seasons Yaven. Naska, Huton's, Mount Pleasant, Turner's, Ferguson's, and numerous other running creeks and streams throughout, and the annual avg annual rainfall is about 30in. Water races could be cut to convey water by gravitation from the water courses of the hilly country to irrigate portion of the low-lying country at a small exnense.

The fencing is all good, and the boundaries are netted with 32 miles of 3 wires, 1 barb wire, netting, S3 miles of dividing fences of the same description, 27 miles of dividing fences, and 7 wires, and 8 miles fire-break fences.

The Improvements are comfortable, W.B. Family Residence, with semi-detachcd brick building, and all necessary store rooms, outhouse, and horses, stables, loose boxes, sheds, men's quarters, etc, woolshed of iron, 10 stands, Wolseley machines, manager's cottage, shearers' quarters, and two other cottages, 5 sets of sheep drafting and 3 sets of inarb ing yards, conveniently placed throughout the ma. u gelber with STOCK:

About 16,500 grown sheep, mcrinc-Bonmfy Hm.cross, carrying good fleeces,

7000 lambs. . ISO cattle, milking herd, and r-ogtnr, m team of working bullock-. 00 station working horses.

Also,Complete plant for working the property. Household furniture and stores.

This property has been successfully worked for a number of years, and has now to be realised upon to wind up the eatates.

Being situated In diane! not subject to drought It is particularly adapted to work in connection with a large Riverina town, and as a subdivision proposition ii would readily change up into dairy farms, grazing areas, orchid, Pine are in course of preparation, and foitliĞ particulars can be had, on application, fron to

EDWARD TRENCTIARD and CO., COUDS STREET. MELBOURNE; or -, NEW ZEALAND LOAN ond MERCANTILE C0, LIMITED, COLLINS-STREET, MELBOURNE, & SYDNEY. - (Ref- The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954)(about) Previous issue Saturday 16 September 1911).

1915 - IN MEMORIAM. - TIBBITS.-On the 26th April, at Ellerslie Station, Adelong, N.S.W., Robert Mayfield, dearly beloved and only child of Alan and Ivy Tibbits. Aged 2 years and 6 months. - Ref- Morning Bulletin (Rockhampton, Qld. : 1878 - 1954)(about) Previous issue Monday 10 May 1915 Page 1).

1935 - Burrinjuck Electrical construction. -Gundagai Retail District-Adelong-Ellersile Extension, erection of 19kV transmission line: H. M. Colemao, Grariville Street, Fairfield (lowest, accepted), 89 Pound. - (Ref- The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954)(about) Previous issue Tuesday 30 April 1935).

Newspaper 1936 Townsville Daily Bulletin - It is understood about £200,000 was paid for the noted Ellersile Station, near Adelong, which changed hands last week. It was the largest station property transaction made in Southern New South Wales for many years. It was effected by Harold H. Bridge and Co., of Yass, in conjunction with Raleigh Bros, of Wagga, who sold the station for Campbell Bros. Ltd. to the New Zealand and Australian Land Co. Ltd. The property consisted of 85,000 acres of secures lands, and includes some of the finest wool growing country in the State. It's comeback clip, which this season holds tbe record price of 28d., Is one of the most eagerly sought after in the Commonwealth. Included in the sale are 27,000 high class sheep, 1,600 cattle and extensive plant. Delivery was given and taken last week. - (Ref- Townsville Daily Bulletin (Qld. : 1885 - 1954)(about) Previous issue Thursday 19 Marchdditional Newspaper clipping 1936).

Newspaper - Western Star - 1936 STATION SOLD FOR £200,000. Big New South Wales: Transaction. -

It is understood that about £200,000 was paid for the noted Elleralie Station, near Adelang, N,S.W., Which changed hands last week. This Was the largest station property transaction made in southern New South Wales for many years. The property consists of 35,000 acres of secured lands, and includes some of the finest woolgrowing country in the State. - (Ref- Western Star and Roma Advertiser (Toowoomba, Qld. : 1875 - 1948)(about) Previous issue Wednesday 25 March 1936 Page 1).

1949 - Ex-Servicemen Settle On Land - By A STAFF CORRESPONDENT -

RETURNED Servicemen going on the land under the War Service Closer Settlement Scheme are helping each other as they learned to do during the war.

An example of this is the way in which ex-Servicemen who have been placed on blocks at Ellerslie Estate, Adelong (N.§.W.), are pulling together in the everyday problems which arise.

The men are young and strong, and all of them have previous knowledge of the land. The original 40,000 acres estate was acquired by the State Government and divided into 29 blocks.

Of these, 27 are for grazing and fat lamb production, and two are for dairy farms. A community centre of 50 acres has been set aside on the estate for public utilities and amenities for all the settlers.

Community Shed - On this 50 acres is a 21-stand woolshed, which is the chief meeting place of the returned Servicemen. There they exchange ideas, discuss problems, and arrange to help each other when help is needed.

This is the way it works out. Last week Fred Davis, on Block 22, decided to drench and inoculate his sheep. He called on his neighbours,

Harleigh Hanrahan,

Harry Humphrey,

Johnny Reakes,

Barney Casey,

Len Greer,

Reg Edwards, and

Jim Robertson, to give him a hand.

The next day a similar pooling of labour enabled Harleigh Hanrahan to drench and wig his sheep.

Barney Casey's branding of calves brought the same neighbourly gang on to the job.

The ex-Servicemen have set up a special fire-fighting squad to guard against their most-feared enemy, the bushfire.

Fred Davis and Harleigh Hanrahan made fire-beaters for the squad.

Ellerslie is situated between Wagga and Tumut. It is about 2,000 feet above sea-level, is watered by permanent creeks, and has an average rainfall of 28 inches. Under the Government's scheme the ex-Service settler pays no rent for the first 12 months and receives a living allowance.

Boundary rider's hut of Ellerslie Station, on block now held by ex-Service settler FRED DAVIS, who is seen (left) discussing his new truck with his neighbour, HARLEIGH HANRAHAN.

The rental charged after 12 months is based upon 21 per cent, of the unimproved capital value of the land.

The highest rent paid by the settlers at Ellerslie on this basis is £191. and the lowest £102; the size and value of the 29 blocks varies.

The ex-Serviceman holds the lease in perpetuity; he can sell the lease after 10 years.

The 25 ex-Scrviccmen who have already taken over their blocks are delighted with their properties. Many are making good progress with sheep and cattle and with fencing and housing.

Some are earning income already from the agistment of cattle which come from drought-affected parts further west.

When I told Harleigh Hanrahan I would like to spend a week with him to see how the new settlers were faring, he told me that conditions were rough and that 1 would have to bring my own bed.

1 compromised by buying an, American-type hammock, which I thought I might string up between a couple of trees on the property. When 1 arrived, however, I found that the area had been so thinned of trees years ago that the only suitable one left was on the bank of the creek, and it was the tree in which the fowls roosted at night to get away from the foxes.

My sleeping with the fowls I appealed to the sense of humour of Hanrahan and his friend, Fred Davis, who had nicely set up former army hospital beds in a hut on Davis's block that was once the boundary riders hut on Ellerslie proper

This hut is equipped with a huge fireplace, at which Fred Davis exercised his cooking skill. He even turned on a baked dinner, complete with vegetables, in my honour.

Davis is the centre of activity of the settlers, because he is the only one with the telephone

He is the news-gatherer and chief message taker of the area He has been known to drive his brand new truck 10 miles to deliver an important message.

Davis got the idea of running fowls because he believed fresh eggs would be a welcome addition to the diet They are probably among the least cooped up fowls in the State, as they have no restraint on their activities except the boundary fences of the 20 acre paddock in which the hut is situated Yet they never wander and each night at dusk they hasten to their safe position in the tree.

Davis is fortunate because his wife and two children are living temporarily in the township of Adelong and spend such time with him as school routine permits.

Others, after years in the Services, are still facing separation from their wives and families until their homes are built on their blocks.

Eric Corbett has tackled the houseing problem by shifting a hut from the main homestead site to his block

Gordon Smith has his wife and small baby with him in a concrete brick garage which he built

Reg Edwards and Len Greer are living under canvas. Others are living in shearers huts adjoining the woolshed

Housing Problems -

Former light-horseman Jack Dixon is leaving his wife and family of five in an adjoining town while he baTches at the woolshed.

Harry Humphreys and his wife and small daughter are living in a shearers hut near the woolshed, as are Mr and Mrs Jim O'Donnell and their two young daughters.

Some of the settlers have had plans drawn by architects and are placing contracts with builders for homes that will make life in the country as comfortable as possible for their wives, who, in some cases, are utv bied

These homes will be mostly well appointed weatherboard houses. The scarcity of corrugated iron for roofing is a problem which has to be overcome.

Jack Nyland, a bachelor, was the fortunate man to draw the original homestead site of "Ellerslie" on his original block, so for him at least the housing problem does not exist.

The rabbit plague is practically unknown at "Ellerslie," because of the efficient management of the estate in the past. A splendid system of rabbit proof fences round the estate, supplemented by an effective programme of trapping and digging out inside the fences, has resulted in almost rabbit-free country.

Large numbers of foxes have also helped to keep the rabbits down.

Straying Stock - A former overseer of ''Ellerslie." Hughie Ferguson, is now employed by the Lands Department to assist the settlers in their problems. His wide knowledge of methods which have been successful on the area in past years is being a big help to the ex-Servicemen.

One of the, immediate problems facing the settlers is erection of fences on the limits of their blocks. As it is. sheep and cattle often stray into a neighbour's block. An honour system operates and the strays art being constantly returned to their rightful owners.

The Government has laid down a policy under which pasture protection is ensured and erosion minimised. Advances are made by the Government to enable the settler to purchase stock up to a specified amount for each block. Similar advances are made for home buildings (£1.500). outbuildings or sheds (£400), a motor vehicle (£700), and fencing.

The townspeople of Adelong, which is ll miles away, have taken The ex-Servicemen into the fold. The Adelong Returned Servicemen's Association organised a special welcome to make the new settlers feel at home. The N.S.W. Minister for Lands, the Hon. W. F. Sheahan, came from Sydney for this function. Experienced landholders In the district are taking a keen interest in the welfare of the ex-Servicemen. Everyone concerned praises the scheme, which is settling the men on first-class properly, and providing the help necessary to get them started. - (REf- The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954)(about) Previous issue Friday 28 January 1949).

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