In the early days of this area mail arrived only sporadically from 'Home' - whether that be England, Scotland, Ireland or Germany etc., via bullock wagon or horseback - packets of letters, perhaps newspapers and ladies magazines, all with news well out of date, but eagerly awaited and avidly read.
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Many letters would have been 'crossed', vertical sentences written across the horizontal lines and occasionally, diagonally as well.
However, also of importance was to get the news what was happening around their new homes in this sparsely populated area.
Here are two references to the flour mill at Dundee.
Armidale Express 14 March 1857
Peter Bowers begs to inform the inhabitants of Glen Innes, Wellingrove and the surrounding district that he has leased the Dundee Mill and is prepared to receive wheat for grinding at 2/6 per bushel Dundee Mill, February 20th 1857.'
[Peter later worked at Henderson Flour Mill in Glen Innes ]
Read more:
Some of the earliest newspapers to reach Glen Innes before the first local paper, Glen Innes Guardian, was launched in 1871 were the Maitland Mercury and Armidale Express - newspapers first published in 1843 and 1856 respectively.
The Express then provides a good description of this mill on 30 October 1858 under the heading 'To Practical Millers".
Some of the earliest newspapers to reach Glen Innes before the first local paper, Glen Innes Guardian, was launched in 1871 were the Maitland Mercury and Armidale Express - newspapers first published in 1843 and 1856 respectively.
The Express then provides a good description of this mill on 30 October 1858 under the heading 'To Practical Millers".
"The Dundee Steam Flour Mill, together with the dwelling house and out offices, attached thereto.
Title Unquestionable. Terms of Sale. Mort & Co have been instructed to sell by public auction, at the Rooms, Pitt Street Sydney at 11 O'clock on Wednesday, 17 November.
That valuable freehold property known as The Dundee Steam Flour Mill, situate in the town of Dundee as it now stands, in complete working order.
OTHER NEWS
The buildings consist of the Mill and a substantial 4 room dwelling house all built of wood and in excellent repair.
The engine is high pressure of 8 horse power, driving four foot stones and grinding 200 bushels a week.
The whole occupy a block of land containing about 3 acres, 1 rood and 8 perches bounded by the Severn River and Hogues creek on two sides, and enclosed with a substantial 3 rail fence.
About 1/2 an acre of it is under cultivation as a garden and is enclosed with a close paling fence.
The above snug property is situated at Dundee, on the Great Northern Road, and one of the most rising towns in the Northern New England District.
It is about 80 miles from Armidale, and is in the centre of a finest agricultural districts in the Colony.
So good an opportunity is rarely to be met with for an Industrious Practical Man to establish himself in a flourishing and rapidly improving community. Plan viewed at the Rooms"
[Grinding stones rescued from Henderson's flour mill in the Glen Innes Mill Paddock may be seen at the rear of the Glen Innes museum]
