Sarah [7176]

  General Notes:

The Queenslander (Brisbane) Saturday 31 May 1924
CELEBRATIONS.
THE OLDEST RESIDENT.
Entries for the "Old Resident Competition," which is being held by the Brisbane Centenary Celebrations Committee, are now increasing in numbers.
An application on behalf of Benjamin Blocksidge, Warren-street, Brisbane, states that he was born in England in 1842, and arrived in Brisbane in 1854. He has lived here continuously since that date, and has never been outside the State. For the last 61 years he has lived at his present residence.
Mrs. Mary Ann Blocksidge, of the same address, states that she was born in Brisbane on Jane 10, 1845, at what was then called the Green Hills, near where the present Observatory stands. She has lived continuously in Warren-street for the last 70 years, and was informed by her parents that she was the first female child born in Brisbane.
Mr. Charles Melton, of the "Courier" office, Brisbane, states that he was born in England in 1844, and has lived 71 years in Brisbane. There was not a single house north of Edward-street then, he adds, and there were only 2530 people in Brisbane. He has been on the "Courier" staff for the last 66 years.
Mrs. Joseph Shilliday states that she was born in London in 1837, and arrived here on August 13, 1857. She landed at Short-street Wharf, and went to a depot where the new Treasury Buildings now stand. She adds: "I visited friends in Edward-street, and we had to cross over a plank, as there was a creek running across the street, I think they called it 'Big Creek,' near where Perry Bros.' new buildings now stand. We lived in a three-roomed cottage in Queen-street, where the Opera House now Stands. She has been married three times, the last ceremony being in May, 1907. She has lived continuously in Brisbane for 67 years, and is now 87 years of age. An interesting application for the souvenir which is being donated for the "Old Resident" competition controlled by the Brisbane Centenary Celebrations Committee has been received from
Mrs. Susan Sagar, Station-street, Albion Park. Mrs. Sagar states that she arrived in Brisbane in 1852, and that her father built the first house in Sandgate in 1857. She forwarded to the committee a letter sent by her mother, from the Valley to Sandgate, which, at ''that time", had to be despatched by hand. Mrs. Sagar also sent to the committee a photograph of the first Methodist Church, built in the Valley in 1856, and a reproduction of the first and second Albert-street Methodist Churches. Mrs. Jane Connor, Herston-road, Kelvin Grove, was born in 1859 on the site where the Treasury Buildings now stand, and has lived continuously within three miles of the General Post Office.
Mr. John Philp, Sandgate-road, Virginia, arrived in Queensland in 1864. He states that at that time the blacks were numerous around Petrie-terrace, and wild horses were sold at Kent's auction; rooms.
Mr. James Don. 137 Wharf-street, Brisbane, is 92 years of age. and he arrived in Australia in 1857. His wife was housemaid to Lady Bowen. He is proud of his grandfather, who died at the age of 109, his uncle at 104, and his father who fought in the Peninsula War, and lived to the ripe old age of 96.
Mr. G. Walker, of Nundah, was born in Brisbane in 1852, and with the exception of one year's residence in Gympie has lived in Brisbane ever since, . Mrs Martha Batch was born in Stanley-street, South Brisbane, in 1854.
The committee is particularly desirous to hear from the various bodies and individuals who have had favourable replies to their invitations.
A letter has been received from the Mayor of Bendigo stating that he has made arrangements for a meeting of the prominent Chinese residents to consider ways and means to ensure the loan of the Chinese dragon for tire Brisbane Centenary celebrations. An arrangements have been made with Mr. Betts, of the Brisbane Gymnasium, to state a series of athletic displays, including, parallel and horizontal bars, hand balancing, and pyramids, by male and female teams, at the Exhibition Grounds on Saturday, August 16. Exhibitions have also been promised by Mr. Tilbury, of the Saxon School, and Mr. Ricketts. of the Apollo Institute.

Sarah married Joseph SHILLIDAY [7178] [MRIN: 2483].