JACK BEASLEY AND TRANSPORT. Photo courtesy C. and G. Clements.

ALF. When his father got that complaint, you know, Jack (Beasley) had to leave school when he was twelve, and take over the horse team, his father's horse team. There was another boy (brother) and he got killed down on the Eden mountain with the horse team.....Leslie, ..... Anyway, Jack was coming home from Eden with the horse team and a truck was coming along. It was up the top of the mountain there, and the horses took fright. They wasn't used to the trucks, you know. They hadn't been around for very long. Anyway, the horses took fright and crushed him (Les) against a tree.
*** Excerpt from Alf Beasley's interview in 'The Forgotten Corner Interviews'

In 1843, Ben Boyd engaged two surveyors from Sydney to define a road from Boyd Town to Cathcart via Towamba, Burragate and Rocky Hall. Construction of which commenced in October 1843.
This first road followed the ridgeline where possible on its route over the mountains from the coast. On lower land, flat areas beside the river and any other natural features that would allow a road to be put through were exploited.
Roads, in the early days of settlement, were basic two wheel tracks cut through bush. In some cases they developed no further than bridle tracks - (only wide enough to ride a horse along).
It was a constant struggle to acquire funding from local councils to improve roads. They took into consideration population numbers and the flow of produce from inland to the coast. Local residents would undertake to improve the roads themselves, at times bargaining with Council to share the cost of the work.

'Bombala Times'
No date
WAGONS HAD A LONG TREK TO THE GOLD DIGGINGS
Submitted by Wilf Ingram
Researching the trek of the bullock and horse wagons taking supplies to the Kiandra Goldfields in the 1959-60's, Mr. Wilf Ingram, of Towamba, has established that they travelled via Honeysuckle, up the Bridle Track to Bibbenluke, the distance being 26 miles, from Bibbenluke to the Woolway, which involved crossing the McLaughlin River, was 40 miles, and from the Woolway to Middlingbank, was a further 20 miles - a very arduous trek indeed - and only part of the journey to the Kiandra Diggings.
Mr. Ingram's enquiries and research establishes that in the period 1832-1860 all the roads from the coastal ports of Eden, Pambula and Merimbula junctioned at the Roan Horse Inn at South Pambula, thence took the route to Honeysuckle near Wyndham, thence to the Stockyard Inn at Rocky Hall, crossing Cow Bail Creek through the Coal Hole, climbing the ridge to the Chimneys - this section of the mountain climb requiring two teams to one wagon - then on to the top at Woolingubrah (or Nicholson's as it was known), thence to George and Dragon Inn at Cathcart and finally, for the wagons and teamsters bringing supplies to the tablelands, to Bombala, Delegate and any of the big stations to deliver their stores and take back wool and produce to the coast for shipment to Sydney.
During Ben Boyd's much talked about occupation of the Tablelands, Boyd's Road was more direct. From Boyd Town on to Twofold Bay, to Towamba. The track came up the ridge to a place called Bee Hive, then followed the Gainor's Creek (or Nullica as now called), to the Figure Head, the Slabs (at Love's, Towamba) then to Towamba and continuing on the same course as today. It crossed the river there and followed it along to the Stockyard Inn and the road via Honeysuckle joining up near where the New Buildings Bridge is today - the last stage following the route previously mentioned from the Stock Yard Inn at Rocky Hall to the George and Dragon at Cathcart, via the Coal Hole on the Bridle Path (the latter being referred to by that name even today).
The Purgatory Line of road came down Big Jack, but was very steep and was rebuilt in the 1880's.
I have heard of the Mr.Darragh Bullock Track but cannot get much information about it to the Coast via Wyndham, writes Mr. Ingram.
Early Property Owners
Ben Boyd owned Towamba Station, then Stiles bought it when the Station was all Towamba to Pericoe. Alexanders bought in Pericoe and selected more land.
Stiles sold Towamba Station to Weatherhead of Nungatta and after the first World War the property was acquired and made into soldier Settlers' blocks.
Oldest Known Tracks
One of the oldest known tracks in the region was the Genore Track which followed the Genore River (Genore, of course, is now Genoa) through to Nangutta (now Nungatta), Boondi (now Bondi), the Spur, to Maharatta and the Snowy Mountains regions. The Aborigines followed the track to the Bogong Moth Feast. It was one of the earliest tracks known to the Tablelands and was first used by the new settlers around 1837.

Old bullock wagon.Towamba Homestead. Photo K. Clery

Unknown family in carriage. No date

* Objections to road closure north of Towamba Post Office. (This was the original crossing over the river before the first bridge was built in 1910-11)

Men putting in culvert between Towamba General Store and the Towamba Wine Saloon. c. 1903

'Twofold Bay and Maneroo Observer'
Friday 9 November 1860
"Nothing extenuate, nor set down aught in malice."
Parliament is to be dissolved, representatives are to meet their constituents, and the public are to decide whether they will have Mr. Robertson's bill, or one prepared by the Opposition; whether they will have free selection before or after survey. The measure is now fully before the country; the arguments on both sides have been exhausted, and any allusion to the matter at present would be superfluous and unnecessary. All the reasoning of which the mind of man is capable will not expedite the course of events; and anxious as we may be to have an equitable and liberal land policy adopted, by which the energy of the people may be concentrated in the enhancement of the prosperity of the country; let us not, in our haste to things of such vital moment, overlook matters of immense importance to our own immediate interests.
Ministers have succeeded in obtaining from the House a supply, sufficient at any rate to meet the immediate requirements of the colony, and as a great length of time must necessarily elapse between the dissolution of Parliament, and the formation of another body, it is imperative upon the people of these districts to demand at once, that a sum of money be set apart for re pairing the various thoroughfares that intersect this part of the country. No time should be lost; the subject is one of urgent necessity, and nothing should be allowed to interfere with its promotion. In the event of Parliament being dissolved without any provision being made for the repair of our roads, there is not a person in the community that will not be a sufferer. We have allowed time enough already to slip away, without paying due attention to this matter; week after week, and month after month, have we waited in the vain hope that the Government would turn their attention to its consideration, but nothing has been done; we are advancing into the middle of summer, and the work ought to have been accomplished last winter; we stand now on the brink of a dissolution of Parliament without any special provision having been made, and with a very slender hope that any will be made, unless we take energetic action ourselves, and send up a petition to the Government embodying the strong feeling that is entertained by the people in reference to this matter.
Promises innumerable have been made by the Government during the past six months the public mind has been kept in a constant glow of excitement by the various announcements that have been made. Now a report, is read and published, that lulls us for two or three months, then a wonderful scheme is alluded to that takes everybody by surprise, and draws us aside from the main consideration for a time,-now this thing, now that, -we are tossed to and fro in a sea of uncertainty, until at length we find ourselves; about to be plunged into the midst of a political crisis, without having realized a single hope, and are led to the inevitable conclusion that Ministers were only cajoling us, and that their promises were nought but " light and empty air."
It is of paramount importance to the people here that the summer be not allowed to pass without having something done. If the work is put off till next winter, the roads will be literally impassable, and it will require double the amount of money to repair them then that would now place them in good order, Besides, the loss that would be occasioned by such delay, both to the merchants in this town, and the settlers in the interior, would be immense. Independent of the main trunk line passing from here to Kiandra, there are other roads having equal claims on the immediate attention of the Government. The road from Eden to the township of Sturt, on the Towamba river, a distance of only twelve miles, is a disgrace to any government, and when it is taken into consideration that the land in that locality is of the richest possible description, yet quite valueless in consequence of the impassable condition of the road, it is no wonder that the people have arrived at the unpleasant conclusion that the Government are endeavouring to ignore this place a much as possible. It is useless to offer for sale land that is unapproachable, for although none will dispute the quality of the soil on the Towamba River, without a road presenting few difficulties to wheels, it might as well be a barren waste, or situated at the top of Mount Imlay.
Again, the road from Panbula to Bega is in a wretched condition. There are a few side cuttings, and two or three creeks bridged over with logs, and that is all that has been done by Government.
Bega, one of the finest agricultural districts in the colony, is completely locked in, and, whilst it is capable of producing an immense quantity of farm produce, its resources are crippled because the Government will not grant a paltry sum for the repair of the road, or the purchase of moorings for Tartara.
But looking at the matter in another point of view, the Government are merely the stewards of the people, and while it is their duty not to make a wilful or extra-vagrant expenditure of the money committed to their charge, it is equally incumbent upon them to disburse willingly and freely, such sums as are necessary for the general welfare of those from whom they received their trust. The people of these districts have invested large sums in various speculations; partly, in consequence of the promises made by Ministers at the commencement of this session; and if the Government allow the Estimates to be passed without marking down a sum, sufficient in some, measure to redeem their promises, we can only say that their conduct is highly reprehensible and de serving the condemnation of the people whom they have deceived.
However, public meetings should be called at once, and petitions adopted setting forth the opinion of the community. We believe this to be the only effectual course, as Ministers appear to have forgotten all promises made a few months ago; and unless the people take action themselves, by every constitutional means in their power, we have good reason to believe that the item will be wholly over looked.

Monday 15, April, 1861
'The Sydney Morning Herald'
* The population of Towamba is increasing, and if the Government could only be prevailed upon to render the road passable between that place and Eden, there is not a shadow of a doubt but that the township of Sturt would be a township indeed.

'Empire'
September 2, 1861
Country News
EDEN TWOFOLD BAY
(From our correspondent)
The Roads:-- This subject is again in the ascendance.
The climax is reached-the expenditure is commenced: and after all the public meetings that have been held and all the excitement and agitation that have originated in consequence, the old system of trusteeship is again resorted to, and from present appearances, I might say in the worst features. It will be remembered by many who have any interest in this district, that considerable agitation was caused by this subject some time ago, and previous to the discontinuance of the Observer newspaper, it was shown that out of an item of £700, only £280 was actually expended on the repairs of the roads, the balance of £420 being consumed in overseers' wages, used in the cost of rations and tools for the men. The people protested against this, held public meetings, and forwarded a petition, numerously signed, to the Government, praying that the trustee system might be abolished. The petition was posted in Eden on the 29th June last, and received by the Government shortly afterwards. The sums of money to be disposed of were various; among others were £77 for the repair of the road from Eden to Sturt (eleven miles); and £675 for the main road from Eden to Cathcart, a distance of forty-five miles. During the great excitement which prevailed about Kiandra, $4000 had been placed on the estimates for improvement between Eden and Chalker's. When the estimates were before the House last session, Mr. Secretary moved that this item should be struck out. After great opposition from Mr. Wilson, but very little from Mr. Egan, the item was expunged. Afterwards supplementary estimate was prepared, and £200 were substituted for "special works from Eden to Chalker's." The petition was addressed to the Minister for Works by mistake, instead of to the Secretary for Lands. It was received, however, and referred to the Surveyor General for report. Nothing further was heard of it till the other day, when a letter from the department of lands, bearing date the 20th instant, was received, informing Mr. Egan, and through him, the inhabitants here. "That it has been decided that Mr. Road Superintendent Weber shall have charge of the expenditure of the money (two thousand pounds) voted for the improvement of the ascent of the Monaro table-land."
"The money, two thousand pound," is the most extra-ordinary part of the letter. As I have stated above, there was another vote of £675; and why the two thousand pounds are to be expended by a Government official, and the other portion by trustees, I am at a loss to understand. The £675 have been placed to the credit of trustees, and they have commenced to expend it. They have engaged twelve men, and three overseers, to look after them. I am informed, by a very good authority, that the overseers' wages is to be £1 per day each. The twelve men were hired in Sydney, and brought down in one of the trustee's vessel, at £2 each. Here are £24 to commence with. In addition to this, the men's expenses are to be defrayed till they commence work; add to these, £18 per week, as overseers' wages, cost of tools, etc., etc., and we may easily conceive how little of the money will be spent on the roads. The next paragraph in the letter says, in reference to the road from Eden to Sturt, "Except on the ground of opening up Crown land (of which it is reported by surveyors that there is not much available at or beyond Sturt)-a ground which may be urged to support of hundreds of roads in the colony, Mr. Secretary Robertson cannot ace that, considering the very few purchases or residents at Sturt, any further allowance than that authorised should be made to this road." If this paragraph does not display great want of legislative ability, I am at a loss to conceive what does. The fact of the "few purchases and residents" is easily explained: the land at Sturt is valueless, because there is no road to it. It is a false idea to grant money for the repair of that road, as it was never made. The worst portion has not been yet touched. If any surveyor has reported that the land at Towomba-which is Sturt-is of an inferior quality for agricultural purchases, he has done so either from ignorance or design, for better land was never turned over. The absurdity of the plea that the road would not be made to "open up", the country, because it is a ground that might be urged in references to hundreds of other roads in the colony, is apparent to the most superficial thinker. This is a short-sighted policy, that has kept our colony where it is.

'Empire'
Friday 1 June 1866
While money is thrown away on works badly planned and unskilfully carried out, for the accomplishment of what might have been secured at a trifling cost by the use of advantages which nature has provided, nothing can be spared for roads to connect the producing districts with the towns and harbours of the colony. The fact mentioned by Dr. LANG, that there is no road from the only available land for agricultural settlement within a moderate distance of Eden, at Towamba, so that the carriage of potatoes over the few miles between those places actually costs more than the price of the same quantity of potatoes in Sydney, and the freight of them to Eden, might be paralleled in many districts of the colony. The department of public works has been in past years suffered to fall into a very inefficient state.

'The Sydney Morning Herald'
Friday 2 April 1875
SUBORDINATE ROADS UNDER TRUSTEES
CLASSIFICATION AND PROPOSED DISTRIBUTION FOR
1875.
Towamba to Perico, 6 miles, £90

'The Bega Gazette and Eden District or Southern Coast Advertiser'
25 April 1883
Rocky Hall.-From Bombala Times we clip that the first meeting of the Rocky Hall Progress Committee was held on Saturday last. Mr. T. Collins was elected chairman. These motions were carried:-"That the Hon the Minister for Works be respectfully requested to cause immediate action to be taken re the erection of the bridge across the Towamba River at New Building." "That the Secretary be instructed to write to Messrs Garvan and Clarke, asking them to urge upon the Minister for Works to clear and form the road between Candelo and Wyndham." The next business discussed was a mail service between Candelo and Towamba, and it was agreed to petition the Postmaster-General, praying that such a service might be established, the same to leave Towamba on Thursdays, meeting the Manaro mail at Wyndham, and returning on Fridays from Candelo in time to catch the up Manaro mail. The writer reports feed fairly plentiful and dairying prospects cheering. He thinks the day is not far distant when Rocky Hall will take its place as an important dairying district, judging at least by the number of selections that have been recently taken up.

September 5, 1883
'The Bega Gazette and Eden District or Southern Coast Advertiser'
Works.-Some very busy people have expended a quantity of fuss over the Towamba and Eden Road, and some have not doubted their thorough ability to direct the Road Superintendent, and instruct him how he ought to do his work. Whilst the " brick's man " was writing letters over other folks' names, Mr. Postle's report had gone in, recommending an expenditure of, we believe, about £3,380 upon 17 miles of road. If this suggestion is carried out, the Towamba people will in time have a capital road to the port, a good road, the gradients of which will be very easy. We expect before long to hear that a commencement is made in expending the first £1000 on this line.

'The Bega Gazette and Eden District or Southern Coast Advertiser'
22 December 1883
Towamba.-The Towamba people are justly anxious to travel over the road between Towamba and Eden, but, from what we can glean, there is misunderstanding about the action and intention of the road superintendent, and about the responsibilities of road contractors. We find that certain sums of money have been available for Towamba contracts let to Mr. Collins, but the direct line from Eden to Towamba has not yet been dealt with, except by the surveyor; this is the line Towamba people wish to use as soon as possible.

April 12, 1884
'The Bega Standard and Candelo, Merimbula, Pambula, Eden, Wolumla, and General Advertiser'
Towamba. Complaints.- A correspondent asks what steps have been taken in reference to alterations suggested by Mr. Stiles and others, in the proposed deviations in the Towamba-Eden road. We can only say that pending an appointment being made by Mr. Postle to inspect the deviations suggested, nothing can be done. Mr. Postle promises that so soon as he knows the money is available, he will inspect the road and lay out the work. Another Towamba resident asks, ' what about the school buildings promised so long ago? 'This is another instance of the promptitude that marks all government proceedings. Possibly the plans are ' pigeon-holed ' somewhere in the Sydney office.

'The Bega Gazette and Eden District or Southern Coast Advertiser'
4 June 1884
Roads.-We hear that Mr. Postle, Road Superintendent, has arranged for the expenditure of this year's votes on nearly all the roads in the Towamba district. At present he is examining and surveying deviations on the line between Towamba and Eden. He expects to finish this work by Wednesday next, and will then return to Bega.

The Bega Gazette and Eden District or Southern Coast Advertiser
21 June 1884
Roads.-Towamba end.-Mr. Postle, Road Superintendent, returned on Thurs day last from an inspection of the Eden to Towamba Road. The weather in this district has been recently very unsettled, and the work of exploration and survey was done nearly the whole of the time in the rain. A partial survey of the Eden to Towamba Road was made last year, but the officer in charge of the work left several intervening lengths with very steep gradients and difficult to deal with. Before recommending construction on the surveyed portions, it was thought desirable by the Road Superintendent that the possibility of constructing a road of easy grade on these lengths should be ascertained, as only the continuous length of road free from the present terribly steep hill would meet the requirements of the district. We understand that it is estimated that the special vote of £1000 will only permit of a part of the road deviation being done, probably that portion of the line between Mr. Clements' residence and the Black Gap. In the centre of this length, at the Woman's Camp Creek, there is one of the unsurveyed lengths referred to above; here Mr. Postle graded and defined three distinct lines, as he wished, as far as the time at his disposal would permit, to exhaust the question of the best route. The whole of the three lines were found to be practicable, but the last line explored and graded was surveyed, and will be recommended. We learn that a portion of the money at Mr. Postle's disposal for the year will be ex pended in several minor but very necessary works at Towamba, including the erection of a culvert, with approaches, to save the climbing of two small hills. The approaches to the river leading to the station, and Perico, will also be improved. On the Perico Road a short deviation has been surveyed, to avoid a steep hill, but as the vote is only £42, very little can as yet be done. Mr. Postle intends we understand, to cut and improve the surface of the Eden to Towamba Road, particularly that portion of it that will not eventually be rendered useless by the deviations.

'The Sydney Morning Herald'
Friday 5 December 1884
BOMBALA
A railway meeting was held at Rowley's Imperial Hotel yesterday afternoon, when the room was crowded to excess. Mr. Edmund Hyde was voted to the chair, and briefly explained the object of the meeting. It was pointed out that what was needed to meet the requirements of the district was a railway from Cooma to Bombala, and from the latter place to Eden. A resolution was passed that trial surveys from Bombala to Eden via Maharatta, Bondi, and Towamba, be urged on the Government. The following gentlemen formed them selves into a committee to carry out the views of the Railway League: Messers. Poulton, R. Campbell, J. P., T. C. Burnell, J.P., E. Jonas, J.P., H. M. Joseph, J.P., John Cruickshank, J.P., E. Hyde, J. E. Wright, F. E. Mackenzie, E. Nichol- son, J. R. Cummins, C. L. Tweedie, G. W. Crommelin, and T. Nicholson. It was the opinion of the meeting that, had greater attention been paid to the wants of the district, a sum of money would have been placed on the Estimates for the construction of a railway from Cooma to Bombala, as originally proposed, the same as to other towns through- out the colony. A large amount of money was collected in the room, to enable the League to more effectually press the requirements of the district.

'The Bega Gazette and Eden District or Southern Coast Advertiser'
4 February 1885
Eden.-Burton has just finished his contract on the Eden-Towamba road, making a fine easy gradient, and saving a couple of miles. Mr. Postle is so satisfied that he has let him another contract on the same road. Lawler and Whelan have also a contract on that road, which when completed will make it not only the shortest but easiest route to Bombala, with good "turns out," and carters ought to avail themselves of it. The copper mine at Reedy Creek, near New Building bridge, is doing well, specimens of which may be seen at the A. J. S. Bank, Eden. Some of the more sanguine ask fabulous prices for shares-but it will not realise what they imagine, though it may be good. Twofold Bay may at last, boast of a resident blacksmith, Mr. Henry, late of Cobargo, having set up a forge near Mr. Charles Peisley's Hotel. Mr. Harrison of the Nullica Saw Mills is busy building a good sized steamer to carry timber. I believe he is also cutting timber for lengthening the wharf, some £4000 being granted for same. We had a flying visit from the gentleman deputed to carry out the Bombala-Eden railway survey, who rode down for the purpose of viewing the general features of the country, piloted by Mr. C. Roberts of Towamba, who, better than anybody else, could point out to him, being thoroughly conversant with every inch of land in that part of the district, the most accessible route. Some little excitement was caused by an old gentleman of the name of Boyd having come by the Sunday night steamer, people who are in possession of jumped land thinking that they would have to give up their land.- Correspondent Bombala Herald.

'The Bega Gazette and Eden District or Southern Coast Advertiser'
11 February 1885
The Eden Correspondent of the Bombala Herald says:-" Mr. Surveyor Dyer is busy at Eden with the permanent survey, but the start is the most difficult part, as grades have to be taken in various places to the nearest deep water. A few years ago Towamba was hardly known outside its own little surroundings, butter could not be bought, and very few milked more than two or three cows for their own use-now kegs of butter roll in for the Sydney market, and from two factories I saw some very good cheese, some 60 in number, bearing Perico and Perico Park brands respectively, being shipped by the I. S. N. Co's boat Kameruka. All the Marino wool has not yet been shipped as some came down on Saturday. What with work on wharf and railway, Eden will soon not know itself, for having lain dormant for so many years, the residents have got into a jog trot way which it will be very hard to break themselves of, and they will have either to better themselves of, or go to the wall. I am just informed that the terminus will be close to the present wharf, and that the station for shunting engines &c., will be near Mr. Keon's house; the line from thence will bear in a N.W. direction till it joins Mr. Robinson's survey. Mr. Dyer hopes to make the line in 38 miles to Bega, with one ¼-mile tunnel.

'The Bega Gazette and Eden District or Southern Coast Advertiser'
14 February 1885
Towamba.-A correspondent says:- " You will no doubt be pleased to hear that we have succeeded in forming a Progress Committee in this locality, and are sanguine of its future success. The following gentlemen were elected:-Chair man, Mr. R. Bridle; Secretary, Mr. S. Martin; Treasurer, Mr. T. Hite; Committee, Messrs John Richards, C. J. Stiles, D. Gilpin, H. Richards, M. Corcoran, J. Mitchell, G. Martin, W. Purnell, H. Bridle, J. Smith, W. Ryan, with power to add to the number. The terms of member's subscription are 2/6 per annum to defray postage, advertising, and other expenses. The first committee meeting was held on the 7th, and was well attended. Several matters of importance were discussed, and it was resolved to forward a petition to the Minister for Works, requesting a grant of £1,500 for the completion of the Towamba-Eden road."

'The Bega Gazette and Eden District or Southern Coast Advertiser'
18 March 1885
Towamba.-At the monthly meeting of the Towamba Progress Committee on March 14 :- Present, Messrs R. Bridle, (Chairman); D. Ryan, S. Martin, Sec., D. Gilpin, T. Hite, J. Mitchell, J. and H. Richards, H. Bridle, and G. Martin. Minutes of last meeting were adopted. The petition to the Works Department was received and ordered to be sent to Messrs Clarke and Garvan for presentation. The Secretary was instructed to write to the proper quarter asking that money for fencing Towamba Cemetery be granted. Also to write to apply that the road Pericoe to Towamba be placed in third class, same as the Towamba and Eden road.

August 10, 1894
* I notice great improvements on our local roads. Kraanstuyver and party have just finished a large culvert in Burragate, which reflects great credit to the contractors. We are also blessed with a good maintenance man in J. Collins who is doing grand work on our roads.

March 15, 1895
Road Work at Wyndham
* Road work in Oak Street (on Burragate side) .... was very much wanted as the road was positively dangerous to travel on a wet day. This being the main, and in fact only road to Burragate, Towamba and Southern Country there is considerable traffic on it.....

April 5, 1895
Road Work at Wyndham
* Sir,...when a man living at Wyndham talks about the shortest and best to Towamba being by the Honeysuckle or New Buildings, I leave your readers to judge about his knowledge of the geographical situations of these places.

August 30, 1895
Burragate
...(Letter from Public Works Dept., Sydney) ... in regard to the necessity for the repair of the crossings over the Towamba and Wog Wog Rivers on the road from the Towamba to New Building Road Burragate to the Towamba to Bondi Road about two miles from Towamba... approved the sum of £45 being granted.

'Pambula Voice' June 10, 1898
PERICOE
* The road from Pericoe to Wog Wog is in a fearful state, being axle deep with mud. Those who have to travel it are to be pitied. Unless something is soon done it will be impassable. A maintenance man should be put on the road at once as there is a great deal of traffic on it at present.

'Pambula Voice' July 1, 1898
BURRAGATE
* The Burragate-Pericoe road on the 'Lyndhurst' Estate has been undergoing some extensive repairs and the work reflects great credit on Mr. Kennedy and his sons who are certainly the right men in the right place.

'Eden Free Press and Eden District Advertiser'
11 January 1899
Water Supply on Eden-TowambaRoad.
Mr. G. R. Phillipps referred to the action taken by residents of Towamba and others with the object of conserving water for the use of teamsters on the road between Towamba and Eden. The Towamba Progress Committee are applying for a special grant for the purpose of having a well sunk on the roadside about half way between Eden and Towamba.

July 13, 1899
'Delegate Argus and Border Post'
* In a letter to the ' Voice,' a correspondent signing himself 'Traveller,' states that the Pambula-Wyndham road in the vicinity of Six Mile Creek is a disgrace to the department. The sharp curves and narrow cuttings are a continual source of danger to teamsters and others, while large stones are frequently seen protruding above the surface in the middle of the road, and in one or two places big boulders and trees threaten to tumble down from the hillside and crush any unwary passerby; while it is not an uncommon thing to see teams in a dreadful fix through trying to pass each other on one of the narrow cuttings.

June 8, 1900
'Bombala Times and Manaro and Coast Districts General Advertiser'
* As an item of interest to teamsters and others it may be mentioned that on Mon day last Mr. E. Bartley, carrier, left Twofold Bay with his team of 11 horses taking seven tons of loading for Southern Monaro by way of the Big Jack. Mr. Bartley says this is probably the heaviest load that has been conveyed by team from Twofold Bay to Monaro by this route.

'Pambula Voice' June 8, 1900
PERICOE
* Again during the recent rains the urgent necessity for a culvert over Pericoe Creek has been fully demonstrated. It has a very bad crossing and should have been bridged long ago. We must try again for we are justified in asking in asking for it.

'Pambula Voice' September 28, 1900
PERICOE
* Several weeks ago three maintenance men were removed from the roads in this locality and the residents wish to know why. The road from Pericoe to Wog Wog should certainly have been put in a fair state of repair before the men were dismissed as it cuts up so quickly in bad weather whereas a little attention at the start would save a big outlay later on. Mr. Coombes the maintenance officer who is the right man in the right place cannot be expected to keep all the roads in good repair however energetic he may be.

Bullock wagon at Towamba No Date. No information

June 7, 1901
Rocky Hall
* It was also resolved to apply for a grant to complete the cutting on Rixon's Hill, on the Wog Wog - Rocky Hall road.

'Evening News'
20 July 1901
Mr. Stuart, inspecting engineer of the Railway Department, is at present on a visit to Bombala district. He is engaged in looking through the country from Bondi to Towamba. Certain routes have been suggested for the proposed railway from Bombala to Eden, as being better than the one already surveyed, and Mr. Stuart is examining these routes with a view of reporting as to whether a re-survey is desirable.

September 22, 1903
'Singleton Argus '
While Mr Beileiter, with two of his family, was proceeding in a buggy from Eden to Bombala, via Towamba, he attempted to cross Nullica Creek, which was in flood. The buggy was overturned, and the contents, consisting of musical instruments and apparel, were lost, and one of the two horses drowned. Mr Beileiter succeeded in rescuing his two daughters.

October 28, 1904
'Bombala Times and Manaro and Coast Districts General Advertiser'
(To the Editor of the Bombala Times,)
Sir. - Kindly allow me the privilege of replying in your paper to a letter appearing in your last issue, signed ''J. E. Wright.' I think Mr. Wright is wrong, inasmuch as he makes statements he cannot possibly substantiate. I will confine my remarks to those portions that apply to the carriers, leaving other parts to be refuted by those more directly interested. As regards the carriers going to Eden, if they want the loading they must go where the shippers send it, but as for the majority of the carriers being willing to go to Eden they most decidedly are not willing for reasons I will explain. Firstly, there is not permanent water within three miles of Eden wharf, the nearest to Eden being at Palestine, the supply being quite inadequate for many teams, and for which in dry weather I have paid sixpence every time I watered my team when waiting for loading. Secondly, the well, pump, and trough, at Eden are sufficiently good and the water may be palatable to Mr. Wright but my horses refused to drink it, and there is not sufficient water between Pambula and Eden to supply heavy traffic in dry seasons, the best water procurable being at Gregg's Flat, about nine miles from Eden and at least sixty chains from the main road at a crossing between Spear's and what used to be Blund's property, and which would also be quite inadequate for the daily supply of a number of teams in dry weather. Both there and at Palestine the carriers would have to depend on the generosity of (as Mr. Wright puts it) private individuals who could not be expected to have the water spoiled by a number of teams daily, whereas the Illawarra Co. pay £26 per annum for use of water and trough at Merimbula for the convenience of teams. As regards the turnout, there is not a decent turnout between Pambula and Eden, or Towamba and Eden, either for grass or water. Thirdly, the Big Jack Mountain is more dangerous, as there is not the same room on it as there is on Tantawanglo, and there are plenty of places on the Big Jack road independent of the Mountain where loaded teams could not possibly pass- instance Wolumla and six mile cuttings. Fourthly, I have earned my living as a carrier for forty years on the roads from the table lands to the Ports of Merimbula and Eden, and in re ply to Mr. Wright's assertion re handling wool at Merimbula, the teams draw up by a boarded floor to unload wool, and if the floor is damp a tarpaulin is laid on the floor to receive the wool, and if it is raining Mr. Clinch will not allow the wool to be unloaded. Mr. Clinch, or his clerk, is always in at tendance to note the condition and take the number of the bales, thereby insuring care and cleanliness in transit from the waggon to store. A certain amount of dust accumulates on the bales in transit from shed to port but I suppose there is not any dust on the Eden road. If any gentleman choosed to go incog. to Merimbula he will (I feel sure) be quite satisfied with the treatment his wool receives at the hands of the agent. Lastly, any of the old carriers who have carried to Eden in dry weather can substantiate all I have said re road, water, and grass. Trusting you will accord me the favour I solicit, re publishing this letter, l am; Yours Respectfully, THOMAS WOOLLETT.

'The Bega Budget'
11 November 1905
TOWAMBA.
A general meeting of the Towamba Progress Association was held at the local hall on Saturday night last. Mr. J. Hartneady occupied the chair. The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. Correspondence was read as follows: - From the Public Works Department (through W. H. Wood, Esq): In reply to your letter of the 24th ultimo, stating that certain land near Towamba through which the road to Yambulla at present in use runs, has been sold, and the purchaser intends to fence same, thus blocking the traffic: I have the honor to inform you that the maintenance men have been instructed to clear a bye-track.
With reference to your letter of the 7th August last, urging the construction of a culvert and approaches at the township of Towamba, on road from Eden to Towamba: I have the honor to inform you that the Minister has approved of tenders being invited at once for this culvert, and instructions will be issued accordingly. With reference to your letter of the 22nd August, presented by you from the Towamba Progress Association urging the clearing of the road from Towamba to the cemetery, I have the honor to inform you that it is reported this is a fair track, following a sound granite ridge which has been sufficiently cleared by the residents for all reasonable requirements, and it is not the practice of the Department to grant moneys for improvements to country cemeteries. The Minister cannot see his way to approve of any expenditure on this road. With reference to your letter bearing date 8th August, presented by you from the Towamba Progress Association applying for a grant of £150, for the purpose of road from Kelly's store across Towamba River, terminating near the Public School, I have the honor by direction to inform you it is reported that the existing improved road is sufficient to meet all legitimate traffic requirements, and the Minister cannot therefore see his way clear to sanction a grant as asked. With reference to your letter of the 10th August, presented by Towamba Progress Association, urging the construction of a bridge over the Towamba River at Towamba, on the road from Towamba via Bondi to Maharatta Bridge, I have the honor to inform you that it is not considered the extent of traffic and the obstruction caused by the river justify the very large cost of a bridge, and the Minister cannot therefore see his way to accede to the request. With reference to your letter of the 8th August respecting the dangerous state of culvert in front of Police Station on road to Yambulla, and urging the erection of hand rails, I have the honor to inform you that instructions have been issued for this work to be carried out. From the Postmaster-General: - With reference to your communication of the 8th August last, asking, on behalf of the Towamba Progress Association, Towamba, for a delivery of telegrams within a radius of one mile of the local post office, I desire to inform you I have had inquiry made in the matter, and enclose herewith a copy of a report submitted by the Deputy Postmaster-General, Sydney, together with a recommendation by himself and the secretary to the effect that the delivery applied for would not be justified, and this recommendation has been approved. After some discussion about the last matter it was resolved that the following letter be forwarded to Mr. Chapman: - I have been instructed by the Progress Association to thank you for your efforts in connection with our application for the delivery of telegrams within a radius of one mile of the Towamba post office. With reference to the report as submitted by the Deputy Postmaster-General, and on which our application has been re fused, we wish to say we are of the opinion that (although our re quest may not be justified) we have been over-ridden with individual influence in the matter, inasmuch the interrogator has to some extent been misled. It was resolved that the secretary draw up a petition to be signed by all concerned in the construction of a traffic bridge across the river, and forwarded to the Minister for Works through Mr. W. H. Wood, M.L.A. It was decided that application be made for the suspension of the Act with regard to the registration of dogs for the Towamba district, owing to the incessant increase of rabbits. Subscription lists in connection with the School of Arts movement were laid on the table by the secretary, and it was decided that a public meeting be convened for the 25th inst. for the purpose of electing a committee to carry out the work.

June 5, 1909
'The Bega Budget '
Eden and Bega Railway League.
The following report will be sub- mitted to the annual meeting of members to be held at the School of Arts on Friday next, 11th inst.: Gentlemen, - Your committee have pleasure in reporting that during the past year twelve committee meetings were held, with the following attendances, viz.: -
President Manning 12, Messrs. James Sirl 12, W. Boot 9, W. M. Boardman 9, Thomas D'Arcy 8. E. I. Pell 7, James Hayden 7, F. W. Zingel 6, T. J. Kelly 5, James Cochrane 4. A petition was drawn up for presentation to the Minister for Works urging the expediency of constructing a line of railway from Bega to Eden, which reads as follows:-- The Petition of the Residents of the Bega Electorate and Sur rounding Districts sheweth : - (1.) That after twenty-seven years' agitation for the construction of the Eden-Bega via Wolumla Railway, the time has now arrived when the work should be carried out. (2.) That in the year 1884 the sum of £606,000 was voted by Parliament for the work, and never expended on it. (3.) That the work is of national importance for Defence purposes as well as of great local importance, and would form part of the main South Coast Railway, and the proposed line as far as Wolumla would also form a section to connect the Tableland with Twofold Bay. (4.) That the Port of Eden is the natural outlet for this electorate and surrounding districts. (5.) That if the work is completed it would open the markets of the world for our productions, and would also give quicker and better communication with Sydney. (6.) That since the Public Works Committee reported on this work in 1903, the production of the district has considerably increased, and therefore the traffic over the railway would also be increased, thus reducing the estimated loss at that time. (7.) That this electorate being so isolated the construction of this railway would be of vast benefit to it, and remove the serious loss suffered at present by shippers of live stock and perishable goods through the want of a proper port and quicker communication with it. Copies of the petition were for warded to Brogo, Tanja, Bemboka, Numbugga, Candelo, Clarkson's Crossing, Millwood, Wolumla, Kameruka, Pambula, Eden, Towamba, Yambulla, Kiah River, and a copy was taken around the town of Bega by Mr. T. J. Kelly, with the result that 2300 persons signed the petition. On the 15th July last a conference of representatives of the various leagues was held at Wolumla, when various matters in connection with the agitation for the construction of the railway were discussed, and at that conference it was decided to present the petition about the 20th August. A deputation of about thirty influential representatives from every centre in the whole district, at tended in Sydney at the Department of Public Works, on the 18th August last, and presented the petition to the Minister for Works. The Hon. W. H. Wood, Chief Secretary, introduced the dele gates, and Messrs. Pell, Morgan, Ward, and others supported the petition. The deputation was kindly received by the Minister, and he promised to visit the Bega district to collect data which would assist him in submitting the proposal to Parliament, to have it forwarded on to the Public Works Committee for investigation. Your committee felt somewhat concerned when the Chief Commissioner for Railways and the Chief Traffic Manager, visited the district to report on the Tathra tram line proposal; and a public meeting was called for the 18th December, to protest against the Minister's action. When the date of holding the meeting arrived, it was deemed unnecessary to proceed any further, as intelligence came to hand that Parliament had just referred the Eden-Bega railway proposal to the Public Works Committee for investigation. During the middle of January last the standing Committee for Public Works paid a visit to the Bega district for the purpose of inspection only. Later on during the middle of April last another visit was made when evidence of a convincing nature was given at Bemboka, Candelo, Pambula, Bega, and Eden. Your committee trust that the ensuing year will be even more successful than the past, and when the incoming committee next report the railway will have been commenced. (Signed), WM. MANNING, President. JOHN D'ARCY, Hon. Sec.

'The Land' Excerpt from First Edition. Vol. 1 No. 1. 1911
On January 3, Mr. John Perry, senior vice-president of the F. And S.' (Farmers and Settlers) Association of New South Wales, commenced an organising tour of the Monaro and South Coast. After leaving Cooma, Mr. Perry was joined by another executive councillor, in the person of Mr. James Drummond. On returning to Sydney, Mr. Perry set down some of his impressions.
"Between Bombala and Cathcart, there are a good many farms, and the land seems good, especially around Cathcart. I never saw potatoes growing better, and some of the wheat and oats were as good as one would wish to see.
"Although I admit our trip did not embrace a very large area of Monaro, what I saw proved it a rich pastoral district, and with a railway to Eden, there is a great future for the farmer and grazier in the fat lamb and frozen meat export trade. It cannot be a large agricultural district, as there is too much stone and hill, but where land can be cultivated good results are obtained. Some say that cereals grow slowly there; if so, let the people try artificial manures.
" There is, in my opinion, however, one thing certain, and that is, until Monaro people get the railway constructed to Eden, they cannot prosper to the full, they should give no Government peace till that port connection is an accomplished fact. Another matter of great importance is the connecting of the railway from Germanton with Nimitybelle, which would bring the Riverina farmers so much nearer to a port, than congested Sydney, besides opening up a very large area of Crown land for settlement.
"Big Jack Mountain, three miles from Cathcart, is heavily timbered, steep and rough, and little of it is occupied only by Brer Rabbit, and his number is legion. A great change takes place in the soil, from volcanic to granite, as you get down the range. Rocky Hall is well named, it being surmounted by very steep mountains. What little farming is done here is maize growing. Around this part the drought has played sad havoc with the dairying industry, the country being in a very bad state for want of rain.
"On toward Wyndham the country opens out more, but the agricultural area is very limited. Between Wyndham and Towamba, the country is a little more under cultivation, but dairying is the main industry. The river flats are very good, but limited, and the holdings, as a rule, are small.
"From Towamba to Eden, for the first eight or nine miles, there are a good many farms, and the river flats are much larger, but the mountains are very rough, and heavily timbered, the road winding in zig-zag fashion around the spurs of the hills, till you get right on the top of a mountain range, and descend in the same fashion. I think the road from Towamba is the worst I ever travelled. To live in these places, the settlers must have hearts like lions; they deserve all the consideration the Government can give them. The mountains are immense forests of timber in the virgin state, and when one hears of the shortage of timber, and then sees such fine areas, it is enough to make think it is all talk.
"I am told that fully 75 per cent of the South Coast lands are still Crown lands, and the problem of getting them under settlement, will be a tough one for any Government to tackle. The railway to Eden from Monaro must first be built, and then the land opened for settlement at about 2s 6d per acre under C. P. lease (enough to pay survey fees only).

AUSTIN SAWERS' BULLOCK TEAM. Jean McPaul Collection, Eden Killer Whale Museum No date.

Harry Grant Jean McPaul Collection, Eden Killer Whale Museum No date.		Harry James Grant Jean McPaul Collection, Eden Killer Whale Museum No date.

'Pambula Voice' April 21, 1911
* The maintenance men are making headway with the culvert and road from the south end of the bridge, and connecting with Pericoe road. It will be ready for public traffic in about 14 days.

March 29, 1912
'South Coast Times and Wollongong Argus'
EDEN.
* A team that attracted much attention in Eden lately was one consisting of one horse and four bullocks, driven by young Hazelgrove, of Lower Towamba. We are informed that, this unique team can get over the journey between Eden and Towamba, with greater speed than any of the horse teams on that road.

Novel team owned and driven by Mr. E. Hazelgrove, Lower Towamba. 1912

October 12, 1912
'The Bega Budget'
Twofold Bay Motor Company,
TWO LORRIES TO BE PURCHASED.
* The first meeting of the directors of the Twofold Bay Motor Transport Company Ltd., was held at Candelo on Wednesday. Mr. Thos. Heffernan was voted to the chair. The secretary, Mr. J. C. Heerey, gave an account of his canvass for shares, and also of his recent trip to Melbourne to interview the merchant and shipping companies in that city.
It was resolved that the solicitors be instructed to prepare the necessary documents for registering the company. The voting power was fixed as follows: One vote for 10 shares, two for 25 to 50, three for 50 to 100, and four for 100 and over. As soon as the registration of the company is completed, it is proposed to commence operations by placing two lorries on the section between Bemboka and Eden embracing the towns and factories of Towamba, Pambula, Wolumla, Candelo, Numbugga and Bemboka. As funds become available for the purchase of further lorries, Monaro and other districts will be catered for. Shareholders are requested to forward their application money as soon as possible.

March 25, 1916
'The Cobargo Chronicle'
* Dr. Cozens, on a recent trip from Towamba to Eden got his car bogged in the quicksands of a creek near Wyndham. A team of bullocks was obtained after a walk of four miles, to release the car.

September 17, 1919
'The Bega Budget'
When returning from Towamba on Sunday Mr. Pell had an apparently unavoidable accident. Mr. Maurice Pell was at the wheel and immediately after starting a tyre blew out, and almost in a moment the car went over the side of the road where there was a small embankment, and turned over against a fence. Mr. Henderson was the only other passenger. The three were thrown out and Mr. Pell had one hand rather severely scratched. After righting the car and adjusting a new tyre the journey was resumed, and the party arrived home without further trouble.

January 21, 1920
'The Argus'
MOTORING.
SYDNEY TO MELBOURNE.
ALTERNATE COASTAL ROUTE.
Varied and Picturesque
By G. R. BROADBENT.
The alternate route between the two principal cities of the Commonwealth follows the coast south from Sydney to Eden, and, reaching Victoria near Mallacoota, traverses Gippsland from end to end. It is commonly termed the "coast" route, as distinct from the "direct" route through Albury. The distance between the capitals by the latter course is 565 ¾ miles as against 280 miles via Mallacoota - a difference of about 115 miles - practically an extra day's travelling. As previously mentioned, Sydney was gained by the direct route, and at the conclusion of the motor show in that city a return was made by the longer course by the same party.
The route leads through the beautiful Bulli Pass and the Illawarra district, and continues through well settled country to Kiama and Nowra (105 miles) - a fair road - but improves at a few miles beyond to Milton, 144 miles, our first day's run. The second stage led through Termeil (161) rather poor - but thence to Bateman's Bay, Moruya, Narooma (a beautiful spot), Tilba Tilba (in rugged country), Cobargo, the furious Brogo Pass and Bega (282), the grades and surface generally good, while the scenery is magnificent, the road being metalled or formed through practically an unending forest which covers the ranges. It is one of the most pleasing stretches of roadway to be found in the Commonwealth, and extends another 35 miles to Eden, on Twofold Bay (316 miles from Sydney) - 115 miles of charming tourist road from Termeil.
Continuing from Eden we faced the heavier section to Kiah River of 12 miles, and, learning that the crossing place at the Nullica River midway was impassable, a detour was made first along the Towamba road (for three miles), from which we turned to the south and regained the main road after fording the Nullica River at a shallower spot. On reaching Kiah River we were checked, the bridge, which was swept away 10 months ago, having not yet been replaced, whilst the temporary crossing was so much damaged as to be impassable. Hence a team of three horses was requisitioned to draw the car across the stream - about 2ft in depth. Resuming, hilly country, with a rough surface, was traversed for 30 miles to Genoa, where a temporary bridge is available, when we followed what is perhaps the best graded mountain road in the State over a distance of 32 miles across Mt. Drummer to Cann River, with a further run of 57 miles, still over magnificent grades and through charming country, to Orbost, 233 miles from Melbourne, the only section of poor trick being from the Cann River Valley until Toughi Creek (with temporary bridge) was crossed a distance of about five miles. From Orbost to the city the road is more familiar - very rough and badly worn in places through Hospital Creek to Nowa Nowa and, improving to Swan Reach, it is infinitely better to Bairnsdale and beyond to Stratford Sale and Traralgon, when, through Morwell and over the Haunted Hills, there are some poor sections which are being improved. We met many motor cars on the route, even in the far east of Gippsland and on the Genoa-Eden stretch, most of which contained interstate tourists.

May 11, 1923
The Bombala Times
(EXCERPT)
New Mountain Road.
VIA MOUNT DARRAGH GRADE 1 IN 20.
Not many settlers have so far hewn their way into the forest at Mount Darragh, a few miles to the north of Cathcart, but those that have established themselves there come of good old British stock. They have the tenacity of the British bull dog,
and once having taken hold it requires more than a prick from a hat pin, to make them let go. Evidence of this is visible to those who visit the settlement, where can be seen neat little homes built out of the forest timber, and clearings round the homesteads made ready for the plow- cleared at much expense of labor and time, as can be judged by the size and density of the surrounding trees and scrub. If more evidence of their tenacity is needed it is at hand. They have satisfied themselves that a new mountain road is desirable, and they have set out on the somewhat heart-breaking task of convincing the State Government that such a road would not only be in the interest of the settlers but in the interest of the community at large. A picnic was held there on Monday, at which, by special invitation, Messrs. Perkins and Rutlege, M's.L.A., were present. We will now let the residents speak for themselves. The Chairman, Mr. O. Harrison, ex tended a welcome to Messrs. Perkins and Rutledge, ' 'Though a small centre,' he said, ' and comparatively a new settlement, we recognise our obligations to assist the advancement and progress of colonisation, and as a branch of The Twofold Bay Development League, we desire to contribute our quota of effort in community interests. We welcome you as our representatives in Parliament, and feel encouraged by finding you solicitous of our welfare and how best to serve us in the general scheme. Our Members have not favored us so in the past, nor shewn any great desire to push this part of the State on proportionately with others, consequently we have acquired the undeserved but true title of ' The Last Province of N.S.W.' We hope the title will now be for gotten, and that with you gentlemen as advocates we may view the future of the South with confidence. Already an earnest of your deep interest in the development of the South Coast and Southern Tablelands is given in the achievement of the visit - at their own cost- of a very representative Parliamentary party to personally investigate the possibilities of our province. This visit to meet us on our own ground, and to hear our de sires and petitions gives us further reason to congratulate ourselves and further the great project, of Closer Settlement with consequent increased production. Our general requirements are patent and our special wants, will be voiced to-day. We feel that our interests and future welfare are safe in your hands, and trust you will sufficiently enjoy your visit here to repeat it.' The Chairman called on 'Mr. Withrington, Engineer of the Imlay Shire to give a description of the route and his opinion of it. Mr. Withrington said he was enthusiastic on the matter, not for the sake of the people of Mount Darragh alone, but from a broad national point of view. He was in the unfortunate position of having in his care two mountain roads with grades as bad as 1 in5, and he could see that each of these roads was liable to heavy landslides. The Big Jack had cost a tremendous lot of money for the removal of these slips. There was one portion which when it did come down would close the road entirely. The proposed hydro electric scheme from the Snowy River appealed to him as one that would come, and when it did Twofold Bay would have to be opened up and there would be a city there requiring a considerable water supply. The only places he could see for the storage of a perfect supply were in the Towamba Valley, which would close the Big Jack road and in the Tantawanglo Creek, which would close the Tantawanglo road. And it would therefore be necessary, in the years to come, if not now, to put another road down. This road, via Mount Darragh was the most direct to Twofold Bay. It would tap Cooma, Cathcart and Bombala districts. Someone mentioned the Rockton road. This was good to Towamba, but then there was a very bad mountain. He had been through this road and could get an excellent grade with a bit of engineering of 1 in 20 to Wyndham. The distance would also be shortened by about six miles. There was good
road-making material handy to it. He strongly advocated if money was not available for the complete work at present, a survey be made, and agitation continued for a first- class road. There would be a tremendous lot of traffic on this road and nothing but a first-class road would carry it. There would be no engineering difficulties, and no bridges. It might inconvenience a few people, but the convenience would be for the many, and it would be for the general benefit of the community at large. The Imlay Shire Council was very favourable to this proposal, and the President had hoped to be there that day, but was prevented.

January 11, 1924
'The Bombala Times'
Proposed Railways.
In submitting the proposed Bombala-Eden Railway to the Public Works Committee, the Secretary for Public Works (Mr. Ball) said: The length of the proposed line is 74 miles 9 chains; the estimated cost, £2,852,800, or £38,687 per mile, exclusive of land and compensation. This proposed railway commences at Bombala Station, crosses the Bombala River, and proceeding in a south-easterly direction crosses Warburton, Saucy, and Out skirts Creeks; it crosses the Dividing Range, passes about 3½ miles south of the village of Burragate and through the village of Sturt; it crosses the Towamba River and terminates at the town of Eden, Twofold Bay. The works are heavy with a ruling grade of 1 in 50. The sharpest curve is 10 chains radius. The Railway Commissioners in their statutory report, dated 11th December, 1923, give the estimated cost (approximately) at £2,862,800. This estimate is subject to revision, being based on quantities taken at a survey made some years ago.

July 5, 1924
'The Southern Record and Advertiser'
Messrs G. H. Hite, B. D. Beasley, T. and R. Doyle, Towamba, asking that road be constructed from G. Parker's rails up to Mr B. D. Beasley's gate. (Referred to the Engineer and to ascertain what assistance the residents will give.) Messrs R. H. Richards, B. D. Beasley, W. and A. Parker, of Towamba, asking that road between O. Young and B. D. Beasley's properties at Lower Towamba be cleared and offering to assist in the work. (Engineer to instruct the maintenance man to clear the road with the assistance offered.)

March 21, 1925
'The Southern Record and Advertiser'
* Messrs Murphy Bros, have taken over the old-established carrying business of Mr W. Hazelgrove, and have converted it into a motor transport service. The passing out of 'Bill' Hazelgrove, with the last of the horse teams, is quite an event. The old man has been a historic figure on the Candelo-Tathra road for very many years, and goes into retirement with the goodwill of the community he has served so well.

January 8, 1926
'The Bombala Times'
* The Public Works Committee arrived in Bombala on Tuesday and went on to Towamba, and Eden on Wednesday to take evidence regarding the proposed Bombala- Eden Railway.

'The Farmer and Settler'
24 May 1929
Developmental Road
Rich Area Between Towamba and Kiah.
The divisional engineer of the Main Roads Board (Mr. Donaldson) recently inspected a route for the proposed developmental road from Lower Towamba via Kiah River to the Prince's Highway at Kiah, a distance of twelve and a half miles.
The area capable of development by a road includes some of the richest alluvial flats in the far South Coast.
It is not provided with a road, and much of it is now accessible only by horseback. It is stated that crops of 100-bush, of maize to the acre cannot be marketed, but have to be fed off to pigs, which, when fat, are driven through the bush tracks to the roads, for transport to market, Mr. Donaldson said that he had never seen settlers living in such isolation.

April 30, 1929
'The Sydney Morning Herald'
ROADS NEEDED.
FARMERS' DIFFICULTIES.
EDEN.
* The Main Roads Board divisional engineer (Mr. Donaldson), recently inspected a route for the proposed developmental road from Lower Towamba via Kiah River to the Prince's Highway at Kiah, a distance of 12½ miles. The area capable of development by a road comprises some of the richest alluvial flats in the far South Coast. It is not provided with a road, and much of it is now accessible only by horseback. Crops of 100 bushels of maize to the acre cannot be marketed, but have to be fed off to pigs, which, when fat, are driven through the bush tracks to the roads, for transport to market. Mr. Donaldson said that he had never seen settlers living in such isolation.

'Magnet' May 1929
* Take over of all main roads in shire by Main Road Board.

'Magnet' July 13, 1929
* A Shell bowzer has been installed by Mrs. E. I. Parker at her store. It will, we feel sure, be a boon to motorists both local and travelling.
* Mrs. L. M. Love returned from Sydney last week with a four door Chrysler sedan.

'Magnet' July 20, 1929
* Burragate residents have just invested in new cars.
Mr. Norman Ryan 'Essex Challenger'
Mr. Cornford 'Superior Whippet'

PRINCE'S HIGHWAY.
Main Roads Vol.9, No. 4
c.1929
At the present time, the Highway from Nowra to the Victorian Border performs the functions which other parts of the State are rendered by railways, for which reason it is of special importance to the development and progress of the whole of the South Coast District. It passes through the Municipalities of Nowra, South Shoalhaven, Ulladulla and Bega, and through the Shires of Clyde, Eurobodalla, Mumbulla and Imlay. There are seven roads connecting the Highway with the Southern Tablelands, viz., the Tomerong-Braidwood Road via Nerriga (Main Road 267); the Bateman's Bay-Braidwood Canberra road (Trunk Road 51), traversing the Clyde Mountain; the Moruya-Araluen-Braidwood road (Main road 271); The Bega-Bemboka-Nimmitabel road (State Highway No.4 Monaro Highway); the Bega-Candelo road (Main Road 275), which junctions with the Prince's Highway about 5 miles south of Bega; the Pambula-Mount Darragh-Bombala road (Main road No.274); and the Towamba-Burragate-Wyndham road, which junctions with M.R. 274 at Wyndham (M.R. 276). The Prince's Highway is also linked to the Port of Bermagui by Main Road 272 from Tilba Tilba and by M.R. 320 from Cobargo, also to the Port of Tathra by the Monaro Highway from Bega.
At the establishment of the Main Roads Board in 1925, the road surface for almost its entire length was of either earth, gravel, or broken stone, whilst south of Eden for some miles it was little better than a bush track through State forests.

August 22, 1929
'Wellington Times'
Still Use Pack Horses.-- The right of every settler to a road of access to his holding was re-affirmed by the Farmers and Settlers' Conference last week. There are a dozen or more settlers on the rich pockets of the Kia River between Eden and Towamba, who have been appealing in vain for over 25 years for a road. For a quarter of a century the pack-horse has been the only means of transport possible to these dauntless pioneers. And this within a few miles of the Prince's Highway, the delight of touring motorists. At last a road has been surveyed to give them touch with the world outside the Kia Valley. It is to be commenced shortly if no one slips on the promise.

September 1929
New Main and Developmental Roads Proclaimed.
Developmental Road No. 1045.-The road from Main Road No. 276. near Towamba to State Highway No. I, at Kiah, within Imlay Shire.

January 2, 1930
'The Sydney Morning Herald'
TWOFOLD BAY.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD.
Sir,- I was much interested in the letter on the possibilities of Twofold Bay appearing in today's issue of the "S.M. Herald," and as one who has done the trip by motor cannot understand why the possibilities of the road via Rockton, White Rock Creek, Nungatta Creek, Pericoe Creek, and Towamba River, via the low level bridge at Sturt, and thence to Eden, are not brought under the notice of persons desiring to avoid the steep mountain passes of Big Jack and Tantawanglo. The road via Rockton is an excellent dry weather one, and if bridged at White Rock Creek and Pericoe, with a few wet crossings between Nungatta and Pericoe attended to, could be travelled in any reasonable weather.
I cannot understand what the people of Eden and Bombala are thinking about that they don't agitate for the road being put in proper trafficable order. I was lucky when we travelled through. We struck a dry time, and had a most delightful trip - no steep descent to the coast, and no mountain that we thought worth troubling about.
I am, etc.,
A CASUAL MOTORIST.

'Magnet' February 1, 1930
SORROWING TOO SOON
Residents of Rocky Hall are bewailing the fate that will be theirs when the new Mount Darragh Road is completed and open for traffic. They fear that with the deproclaimation of the Big Jack Mountain Road, Rocky Hall will be left high and dry and deadended so far as road communication is concerned. They may be sorrowing too soon in advance of the anticipated event. Deproclaimation will certainly mean the reducing of the status of the Rocky Hall - Big Jack Road from that of a main road to that of a secondary road but not necessarily its closure and nothing has yet been decided to indicate that the road will be allowed to lapse into an untrafficable condition.

'Magnet' February 15, 1930
* Messers J. Arnold and O. Love went to Sydney per car on Monday. It is rumoured that Mr. Love will bring back a new car with him.

Hazelgrove team outside Towamba Wine Saloon. No Date

August 22, 1930
'The Sydney Morning Herald'
EDEN
A public meeting of residents of Towamba, Rockton, and Pericoe unanimously resolved to protest against the Imlay Shire Council's proposal for the reallocation to other roads of the grant of £800 from the unemployment relief fund which was originally to have been spent on the improvement of the Towamba-Rockton road.

'Magnet' August 30, 1930
TOWAMBA-ROCKTON ROAD
The highly explosive outburst which took place at Towamba last week, consequent upon the action of the Shire Council in trying to procure the allocation to other roads, of a grant of £800 from the Towamba-Rockton Road, has reverberated throughout the shire. That public dissatisfaction was caused by the Council decision to ask that the money be spent elsewhere than on the road for which it was granted, is not a matter for surprise. Had the grant been originally allocated to the Candelo-Bimbaya and Candelo-Wyndham roads and an attempt been made to get it spent on the Towamba-Rockton Road, one can imagine what a howl of indignation would have been heard from the North-Western end of the shire. Whether or not the action protested against was the outcome of "fair-mindedness" or parochial interest or otherwise, is a question that has been keenly discussed but there is a general feeling of wonderment that any attempt should have been made by the Council to disturb the original allocation.
The brunt of aggressive criticism at the Towamba meeting was directed against the shire president who prefaced the Council's action by stating as his opinion that the money should be spent on more important roads and that there were other roads in the shire which needed money spent on them than did the Towamba-Rockton Road. With this statement, councilors of A and B ridings agreed as also did the shire engineer who stated that though second on the list which he had prepared the Towamba-Rockton Road was the least necessitous. Asked by the President to state the roads on which, in his opinion the grant should be spent, the engineer said he would like to see some money spent on the Wonboyn Road but as that was only a tourist road it would be preferable to ask that £500 be allocated to the Candelo-Bimbaya Road and £300 to the Candelo-Wyndham Road. The way was thus clear for the course that was decided upon.We understand that the President took the view that it would be in the best interests of the Shire that the grant should be spent on roads on which work was most urgently required and that as the shire engineer considered other roads were more necessitous, he, (the President) was justified in expressing the opinions he did. There are many, however, who, while giving the President credit for acting conscientiously consider that from every reasonable viewpoint, a bigger and inexcusable mistake was made in interfering with the original allocation, not the grant. They point out that the listing of the road for a grant, sufficiently indicated its necessitous condition and they hold that the grant should have been unconditionally accepted and that other grants should then have been applied for - or reapplied for - for other necessitous roads.
Unfortunately, not only has the Towamba-Rockton Road been deliberately deprived of its grant but by the Shire Council's action it has been placed at a decided disadvantage in regard to the chance of obtaining for its improvement an adequate grant in the near future. It is regrettable that this potentially important western road from Eden to the tableland - a road that would also be a part of the proposed road from Wangrabelle to Rockton - has received so calamitous setback.

'Magnet' September 30, 1930
* Miss Parker of Towamba gained her driver's licence.

Jim Beasley and horse team with covered wagon. c. 1920

WOOL TAKEN BY BULLOCK TEAM. Courtesy Jean McPaul No date.

Jack Connolly's bullock team, taken in front of 'Wendaree'. The lady is Beulah Ingram. Courtesy Whitby Family

'Magnet' October 18, 1930
* Proposed road from Burragate to Wyndham inspected.

'Magnet' November 15, 1930
TOWAMBA STREETS
It was resolved to comply with the requisition by Towamba P & C Association for the repair of streets in the village of Sturt on the return of the tractor from the Rockton Road.

'Magnet' January 3, 1931
* First section of Kiah to Lower Towamba development road is being constructed. "Should not take long to push a 12 foot road through to Towamba".

'Magnet' July 11, 1931
* Donaldson Highway put through from Kiah to Towamba.

'Magnet' July 25, 1931
* Mrs. L. M. Love. Ph. 7. Towamba. " I shall be running a car from here to Bega fortnightly come August 4, 1931. The car will travel either through Eden or Burragate to suit passengers. Fare £1 return."

Main Roads, September 1931
Contractor De La Torre has completed the construction of 2 miles of new earth formation on the Kiah-Lower Towamba developmental road (No. 1,045), in the Shire of Imlay. This is the first section of a new road providing access to rich dairying country along the Towamba River.

Shifting House. Annie (Bub) Farrell married Jim Rixon and settled in Rocky Hall on property called 'PENTLIN' (spelling?) Jean McPaul Collection, Eden Killer Whale Museum No date.

'Magnet' February 6, 1932
* Mr. Maurice Egan Snr. as a child he brought over the hills from Rayner's Mill in Nethercote the sawn timber used in the construction of "Ocean House" the business emporium of Mr. A. I. Nicholson. "Fair up the steepest ridges and over the mountain top ran the rocky road to Eden in those days", he said.

'Magnet' August 20, 1932
* Mr. J. Hartneady has purchased a Baby Austin car.

THEY SAY (column)
...that we are thinking of purchasing a milk bowzer for Miss T's (Thelda Hartneady's) Baby Austin car.

September 30, 1932
'The Bombala Times'
Road Connection.
LONG ADVOCATED. MUCH NEEDED.
A road which before the depression was persistently asked for and was approaching some measure of success is the connecting link between Southern Monaro and Prince's Highway via Rockton and Nungatta. It will short en the distance between Bombala and Genoa and Mallacoota by 28 miles, and between Bombala and Wangrabelle by 54 miles. About 1½ miles of the 11 miles on the N.S.W. side to be constructed is in the Bibbenluke Shire and the balance to the Border in the Imlay Shire. The Bibbenluke Shire Council has already signified its intention of doing its length when the Imlay Shire Council and the Victorian Roads Board are prepared to do their bit. Mr. Dave Cross, a resident of Wangrabelle, recently made a trip from Wangrabelle to Bombala by motor bike, and relates his experience in the Eden Magnet. He travelled from Wangrabelle along the Prince's High way, Via Towamba, Burragate, and Wyndham to Bombala, and found the speedo registered 112 miles, although they were only 42 miles from home. The alternative routes home were via the Cann River or through Nungatta, the former being 100 miles. They chose the latter, but found it was the shortest and slowest. The writer concludes: - ' Briefly, the position is this. Wangrabelle is situated, roughly, midway between three towns, Orbost 105 miles distant, Eden 56 miles, Bombala 112. Bombala is the nearest town, but by the nearest practicable road is furthest. 'The case for the linking up of Wangrabelle with Bombala by a good direct road has been stated many a time and oft, and the advantages of such a connection should not be allowed to be lost sight of. To me these appear to comprise the following: More trade, from the inter change of goods between the two districts, with direct advantage to each; an extension of cultivation and expansion of primary production in the borderland district, associated with the absorption of unemployed; great saving of time and monetary cost of travel; and the providing of an outlet for what is now a dead end to a nationally-designed developmental road. Settlement would be increased; transportation costs reduced to a minimum; tourist traffic from the tableland to Mallacoota Lake, the Killarney of Australia, would he facilitated; and the nearest hospital (Bombala) would be brought appreciably nearer to the people of the borderland. 'The trouble is, of course, the old one, that in an interstate - in reality a nationally important - matter, we are cursed by duality of control. Our destinies are in the hands of two shires, neither of which is sufficient ly sympathetic with our needs to make any effort to minister to them. But the trouble is capable of being overcome if the councillors of the two shires will simultaneously take co-operative action to obtain grants to enable the junctioning-up work to be done. Relief money could not be more wisely spent. It would afford relief to necessitous unemployed and to necessitous producers and would-be producers alike. The call for progressive action is clear and urgent. To whom may we look for response.'

October 13, 1932
'Delegate Argus'
* Imlay Shire Council has received advice from the Transport Board that a sum of £4,500 would be made available to the Shire for expenditure in constructing a further section of the Kiah-Lower Towamba developmental road.

'The Sydney Morning Herald'
February 9, 1933
NEW SOUTH COAST ROUTE.
EDEN
* Pending the replacement at Narrabarba Creek, south of Eden, of the bridge that was washed away by the recent flood, interstate traffic has been re-established by taking an alternative route from Eden to Cann River, by way of Rockton. This route branches out from the Prince's Highway three miles south of Eden, proceeding through Towamba and Pericoe to Rockton, and thence follows the Kings Highway to Cann River, where it rejoins the Prince's Highway. The road is good, and is only six miles longer than the Cann River-Eden section of the Prince's Highway.

Source Main Roads, August 1933
Contractor G. Warne has completed the construction of a second section of 4½ miles of the Kiah-Lower Towamba developmental road (No. 1045). The first 2 miles from the Prince's Highway at Kiah were constructed in 1931, as a first step in the opening up of rich dairying country along the Towamba River. The road now extends for 6¼ miles up the valley. Formerly the only means of access was along the river bed. The country is very steep and broken, rendering it necessary to adopt a formation width of only 12ft, with passing places at intervals. The contract price for the second section was £3,951, equivalent to £930 per mile.

January 26, 1934
'The Southern Record and Advertiser'
* A car, containing three men, two Alsatian dogs, and a litter of pups, plunged into a 17ft. deep washout on the Towamba-Burragate road one day last week. The car was badly smashed, but the passengers got off with a bruising and shaking. A pole and a bush barrier had been erected by the Shire Council's men to divert traffic away from the washout, but apparently the pole had been re moved. The car had crashed through the bushes. The driver of the car was a representative of A. J. King & Co., of Sydney.

'Magnet' September 1, 1934
* The Imlay Shire road grader has been through here and, as usual, had done excellent work.

'Magnet' November 3, 1934
LETTER
To the electors of 'C' Riding, Imlay Shire,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Having accepted nomination as a candidate for 'C' Riding, I am again asking you to accord me your support as at the previous election. During my term of three years I have endeavoured to have carried out a programme of progressive works balanced by economy.
Probably never in the history of the shire has so much been accomplished for 'C' Riding for one term. By the construction of bridges and culverts at Jingera, Stony and Dry Creeks (Towamba-Burragate Road) and Cow Yard and Basin Creeks (Wyndham-Rocky Hall) the opening of Big Jack Mountain; two culverts on Towamba-Rockton Road and numerous wooden and pipe culverts throughout the Riding, a vast improvement has been effected. In the new year it is the Council's intention to have Nullica Creek bridged and with the completion of the Kiah to Lower Towamba Developmental Road, we will have a network of roads to serve the districts requirements. Council has endeavoured to carry out considerable street improvements to Eden including a lighting subsidy and with prospects of a paper/pulp factory at East Boyd it is becoming convincingly evident that a grant is needed to have the Wharf Hill improved.
Regarding the outlying centres of the Riding we have done our best but owing to an abnormally wet season it was impossible to give the relief necessary which also applies to Nethercote Road.
A pleasing feature of the year apart from the flood Relief Grant was two amounts paid to this shire by the M.R.B. £60 towards cost of survey Kiah-Lower Towamba Developmental Road and £40 for clerical expenses.
It has always been my aim to have a clear and businesslike understanding between Council and electors and by dealing with matters such as a Sanitary Contract also road and bridge contracts in the manner we have, the best possible results have been obtained for the people concerned.
Regarding the criticism of the high cost of administration of the shire I would like to state that I was instrumental in having Councilors' travelling allowances reduced by one third. And as to officers' salaries, members were not unanimous that any reduction should be made other than that brought about by the respective awards. Assuring you that I will continue to do my best if elected as one of your representatives.
Yours faithfully,
A.L.Mitchell.

'Magnet' March 2, 1935
* Mr. A. J. Dicker had a stroke of ill luck earlier in the week when a motor truck which he had just acquired for transporting sleepers from the forest beyond Pericoe to Eden, met with a mishap. On a steep hill near Pericoe and with a full load the engine stalled and the outcome was almost irreparable damage to the engine and the truck generally.

Ron McPherson and George Dickie. Towamba Road. No date Photo courtesy M. Mitchell

'Magnet' March 9, 1935
* Motor lorries have been particularly busy of late passing through the district with large supplies of sleepers and wattle bark.
* Mr. Oscar Love has invested in a new Fargo motor truck and is at present using it in his general carrying business.

'Magnet' April 20, 1935
IMLAY SHIRE COUNCIL
Burragate-Wyndham Road
* It was decided that the president, when in Sydney, interview the president of the Main Roads Department in support of Council's request that the Burragate-Wyndham Road be proclaimed a Main Road.

'Magnet' July 20, 1935
* A Main Roads Department steamroller improved the Pambula-Merimbula road considerably during the week and shire graders, power and horse, have been doing good work on Eden-Towamba road.

IMLAY SHIRE COUNCIL NOTES
* A bad spot in the street in village of Sturt is in a low lying portion of the roadway. Pipes were put in but the filling is not sufficiently high. It will cost about £8 to gravel the portion required and as this portion of the street is not used (there being no through traffic) it would appear the cost is not justified. Mr. Beasley to be informed. A report shows the work is not necessary.
NEW ROAD PLANT
* Tenders to supply plant to replace council's power-grader were received from Waugh and Josephson Ltd., British Standard Machinery Company, Armstrong Holland Ltd., and Motor Tractors Ltd., Resolved 40 H.P. diesel tractor be purchased from Waugh and Josephson and a Britstand grader from the British Standard Machinery Company at a total cost of £1,260, half the amount to be paid on delivery and the balance at the expiration of six months.

'Magnet' September 28, 1935
IMLAY SHIRE COUNCIL
Engineer's Report.
* The shire engineer reported that he had inspected the road near Mr. Hartneady's store at Towamba and that it would cost about £5 to fill the road and form to the existing grade outside Mr. Hartneady's property.
The road, Pericoe to Yambulla, had been inspected and was in fair trafficable order but care was necessary to negotiate some of the portions. A considerable amount of work had been done by miners and long stretches of corduroy had been constructed. About £30 would be required to make the road anything like safe to travel and probably the miners would assist.

'Magnet' October 19, 1935
* In the possession of Mr. James McMahon of Kiah River is the box of a wheel of one of Benjamin Boyd's bullock drays that ninety years or so ago used to travel between Boydtown and the Monaro. The wheel box, made of cast iron, is a massive looking affair, is seventeen inches in length and its bore tapers from about six inches diameter at one end to seven and a half inches at the other. For a few inches from the middle of the interior the bore was recessed so as to provide space for grease to lubricate the axle. The nave of the wheel, Mr.McMahon says, was a section of a hollow log into which the wheel box was driven and the axle itself was of wood. When an axle became too worn for further use it was replaced by one of approved hardwood, generally iron bark or box.

'Magnet' October 19, 1935
KIAH
Developmental Road - Its completion urged.
Residents of Kiah and Lower Towamba are bestirring themselves in an effort to bring about the completion of the developmental road recommended by Mr. Donaldson and approved by the Main Roads Department a few years ago and part only of which has so far been constructed.
Following is the text of a requisition which has been addressed to the Department by farmers and settlers concerned and for which support was requested and granted at Imlay Shire Council meeting yesterday.
"Kiah River, 18 October, 1835.
The Chairman and Members of Main Roads Department,
Sydney.
Re: Developmental Road No. 1045 - Kiah to Lower Towamba.
Gentlemen:- We respectfully invite your consideration of the position arising from the fact that in the course of the next few weeks, about eight miles of the above-mentioned road will have been made leaving about five and a half miles to be constructed to complete this - to us - vitally important developmental road.
In connection with this matter we desire to:-
1. That the opening of this road to the extent indicated has been productive to a degree of dairy farming development fully equal to that which could have been reasonably expected to result as a consequence of the work that has been done.
2. That the development effected fully justifies your Department's policy in determining to open up this road and furnishes convincing evidence of the urgency of the need for the completion of this road so as to make it available for through traffic as soon as possible.
3. That the opening of the road to through traffic will remove a tremendous disadvantage and will be of district-wide benefit by rendering possible a maximum of profitable production by enabling a great saving in cost of transport and by facilitating access to markets; and that until this has been done the purpose for which the construction of the road was undertaken cannot be fulfilled.
We therefore ask that you will be so good as to make available to Imlay Shire Council a sum of money sufficient to enable the construction of the remainder of the road to be completed by September, 1936 in time to serve the needs of the increased production that is planned by the producers concerned and generally to enable the objective of this developmental road to be achieved.
In conclusion, we take the liberty of suggesting that if Mr. Donaldson, Divisional Engineer, who inspected the route for this road some years ago, will now inspect the roadwork that has been effected and see the development that has taken place on the farms benefited by that work. He will be convinced that your Department's decision to make this road has been amply justified and that our request for the completion of the work as herein asked for, is one that in the local and general interest is fairly put forward and should be readily complied with.

Jack Sawers and Moina South. Towamba c.1940

'Magnet' December 7, 1935
BIG MEETING AT BURRAGATE
Proposed Daily Mail Service
Mr. I.W. Ryan, President, and Mr. J. Anderson, Vice-President, of Burragate Progress Association visited Bega on Saturday with a view of finding out the disposition of Bega people towards a proposed daily mail service between Towamba and Bega to run through Burragate, Wyndham and Candelo. The mission was very favourably received.
At a meeting held the following Wednesday at Burragate, Mr. Ryan gave a detailed account of their reception in Bega by the Bega Businessmen's Association and gave great praise to Mr. Anderson, (Vice-President B.P.A.) who, he said, deemed to know everyone in Bega and put before them forcibly the requirements of residents of Towamba River Valley in regard to this mail service. He said that increased business would accrue to Bega not only through the mail service but by passengers travelling that route to join up with 'plane, car and train services from Bega and Nimitybelle to Sydney, not to mention the number who would go to Bega to do their business. Bega was the business centre for the South Coast today and it would mean a lot to the people of Towamba and district if this service were inaugurated. Their business was at present done in a round about way via Nimitybelle or Pambula which made it very costly; this could not be called progress. it was astounding to find that centres enroute were not at present linked to Bega by a main road. From Wyndham to Candelo was a by road - with innumerable bends and turns. The Bega Businessmen had suggested that all centres enroute cooperate with them in urging that the present Candelo-Bega daily mail service be extended to Towamba.
Mr. Ryan asked the meeting for its support. A motion was placed before him "That Burragate cooperate with Bega in its suggestion and ask Towamba, Wyndham and Candelo to support." The motion was carried unanimously. It was also decided to write and inform Bega Businessmen's Association and the Municipal Council of the meeting's decision.

'Magnet' February 1, 1936
STURT HIGHWAY
* It was decided to grade a road from below Towamba's Church to connect with the Pericoe - Towamba Road, the cutting to be 3ft deep in front of Heartneady's store. Repairs to Barney Street also to be effected.

'Magnet' May 9, 1936
* In regard to representations made by Burragate Progress Association concerning the desired provision of a through mail service between Towamba, Burragate, Wyndham and Candelo in lieu of the existing services, Towamba - Wyndham, Wyndham - Candelo and Candelo - Bega, the PMG's Department has arranged that when tenders are being invited for renewal of the three services from the 1st January, 1937, alternative offers will also be called for the proposed daily mail between Towamba and Bega.

'Magnet' July 11, 1936
NULLICA-BOYDTOWN DEVIATION
* It was resolved that Imlay Shire Council be requested to urge the Main Roads Board to proceed as soon as possible with the construction of the proposed road shortening deviation of the Princes Highway from Brandy Creek through Nullica flat to the Boydtown turnoff.

Road along the Towamba River looking up river towards Rocky Hall

'Magnet' June 3, 1965
HIGHWAY COMPLETELY SEALED
* The Department of Main Roads has completed the sealing of the Princes Highway from Eden to the Victorian border.
Tenders, closing on June 15, have also been called for the construction of a bridge over the Nullica River about four miles south of Eden.
* The bridge will be reinforced concrete with an overall length of 448 feet and a 28-foot carriageway. A footpath will also be provided.

Magnet July 5, 1979
TOWAMBA ROAD NAME
* Imlay Shire Council has officially named what was known locally in Towamba as Cemetery Lane, as 'Ben Beasley's Road'. The road runs from the junction of the Towamba-Pericoe Road to Towamba Cemetery.

'Magnet' January 24, 2019
TOWAMBA ROAD TO BE SEALED FOLLOWING NSW GOVERNMENT FUNDING ANNOUNCEMENT
( Note: This funding has been an ongoing challenge since 1885 for residents of Towamba village for a decent access road to Eden on the coast)

Tony Ovington, Andrew Constance, Kaye Bowles and members of the Towamba community and BVSC were all smiles after the funding announcement.
In a massive win for the Towamba community, $10million will be allocated to fixing the road between the township and Eden.
Member for Bega Andrew Constance visited the region on Sunday, January 20, to make the announcement to seal 27kms of Towamba Rd between Eden and Burragate. The work will include sealing/resealing, pavement stabilisation, new guardrail and drainage.
When speaking to a hall filled with community members on Sunday, Mr Constance said there had been too many near accidents as well as a couple of accidents on the road.
"I think it will go a long way to make the livability in this region much more improved," he said.
"This is one of the longest patches of sealing I've seen in a long time."
One result would be that more people would spend money in Eden as it would be easier to reach along an improved road, he said.
He said the funding was tied to the Towamba Rd improvements which was also confirmed by Bega Valley Shire Council general manager Leanne Barnes.
"This is absolutely just for this road and will be spent on this road. We will have to report that to the state government," Ms Barnes said.
Towamba Community Progress Association president Tony Ovington has lived in the area for 33 years and said he had "waited a long time for the road".
He said cars had run off the side of the road before, including one such accident he witnessed himself, with a major issue being the fact there was such poor mobile phone reception along the road if there was a crash people struggled to call for help.
"In some parts you go around a corner and the corrugations bounce you sideways," he said.
The association's secretary Kaye Bowles said couriers and local businesses would not take deliveries to Towamba because the road was in such poor condition.
"So this all might mean we get more services," she said.
"I think it will be a great increase in people's confidence here."
Mr Constance hoped the work would start on the road this year, estimating it would take six to 12 months before construction began.
"The Towamba Burragate Roads safety upgrades will be funded through a special purpose grant under RMS," he said.