Page 24 Souvenir - Charters Towers, 1872 to July 1950
"CURLEWS". CHARTERS TOWERS, 1912
Top Row: W. Robins,F F. Lewis, J.
Ashworth, C. L. Davey, P. Millican, S. Carvolth, J. Brown, N. Poole, R.
Yeo, F. Millett.
Second Row: A. S. Millett, T. Brown, J. T. Lewis, H. Walsh, G. N.
Dougall, J. C. Jones (librarian), H.Carvolth, E. Kearney, F. C. Garner,
R. B. Jenkins,
R. Wurtz, H. Featherston.
Front Row: R. D. Shepherd, D. Quinn, J. Harris, J. Thomas (Treasurer),
R. Hall (Conductor), Reg Gard (Pianist), J. Williamson, P. Newton, T.
Jones, J.
O'Connor.
Mr. J. C. Jones, F. Lewis and Paul Millican still on
Charters Towers. J. C. Jones was Secretary of Choir for many years and
took over Conductorship after late Richard Hall.
were the two Miss Olsen's (Mrs. Knipe and Mrs. Goldsworthy), Sam
Goldsworthy and J, D. Knipe.
The year 1892 saw a big endeavour to stabilise male voice singing with
the formation of the Leidertafel, Fred Pfeiffer donating £100 and
Hugh Mosman £50 and Dr. Marnow being appointed conductor at
£100 per annum. Mr. Manhatten was secretary. But toneyness,
social status, dress suits and sparse attendances of the "best class"
brought financial stringency. Dr. Marnow resigned and S. H. Hall
succeeded him in 1892. In that year S. H. Hall was conducting the
orchestra, Leidertafel and Wesleyan choir. In 1893, J. D. Knipe
succeeded S. H. Hall as Leidertafel conductor and J. D. Williams
leaving the field, the Orpheus Glee Society disbanded, most of its
members joining the Leidertafel, which by then had dropped its social
barriers.
One of the high lights of 1893 was an attempt by J. D. Knipe to revive
the custom of carol singing on Christmas Eve. An intimation and list of
pieces was sent to citizens and at midnight on the Eve a party of 16
singers beg.an the rounds, first singing at the Crown Hotel whelre the
crowd in the street were entertained with half a dozen carols.
Then they moved on to Alan B. Bright's, Fred Pfeiffer's (where the
champagne corks popped merrily), Dr. Clatworthy's, W. J. (Cap'n)
Paull's and Walter Jarvis's. It was here that Walter, expressing
his and his wife's thanks, suggested whisky. Fifteen faces glanced
affirmation; one voice (Frank Maskell's) spoke "No, thank you, Mr.
Jarvis; we've just had champagne where we were last." Deep silence
followed the remark; then Walter and all the
rest roared with laughter. Eventually they reached W. D. Casey's at 6
a.m., weary,
