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James Waddell
Adaminaby c1878

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Death of James Waddell
Manaro Mercury, Cooma in 1920
From Perkins Papers

Sep 15 - Death of James Waddell -  late Post Master at Adaminaby, died at  Epping. Was P.M. at Adaminaby 38 years. Leaves a widow. 3 sons James Norman and Arthur and two daughters Eva and Stella

 

Obituary - Mr. James Waddell,

Adaminaby Advocate September 1920 (Contributed)

 

There died at Epping on the 11th instant, a great and good old man in the person of Mr. James Waddell, who was widely known and respected for his sterling honesty and uprightness as a public servant. The late Mr. Waddell was in the Post Office at Adaminaby for about 38 years or over, as Post and Telephone Master. Few, I venture to say, can beat such a long record of faithful service in a bush township. Although often offered more lucrative appointments, he absolutely refused to accept them, preferring to remain where he first started, as he often remarked "Everyone knew him and he knew every one."
 

With your permission, a brief history may interest the younger generation, as to the progress made in forty years, previous to the discovery of gold at Kiandra. In those days there was no post office at Adaminaby, but after Kiandra went ahead an office was established at Adaminaby. The first postmaster was a storekeeper named Stokes???; Next was the late Mr. Mould, and after him came our old friend Mr. S. Mackay, but I believe the latter did not do any of the office business, a deputy postmaster doing it. Mr. Mackay however was the officer in charge and had all the responsibility. When nuggets of gold began to be unearthed at Kiandra a telegraph was erected between Tumut and Kiandra, and a line was also run from Cooma to the gold field, this line going through the main street of Adaminaby. After some years the local residents thought a post office should be established, and a letter was sent to the then Postmaster General urging its' establishment. A reply was received  stating that from enquiries made that income from the post and telegraph office would not be sufficient to pay the salary of an operator; but added that if three persons to be approved of by the Department would act as guarantors for payment for an operator's salary an office would be established. Further, two rooms were to be provided free for a period of five years. Mr. Sam McKay came forward and lent two rooms, and the late Mr. James Delaney and the late Mr. G. McKay and Mr. J Arrundell, who was in business at Adaminaby were suggested and were at once approved of. In due course an outfit arrived and a young man as operator. The guarantors were advised to report to the department any laxity of duty. The young chap was rather fond of cards and billiards, and the guarantors were compelled to report him. As soon as he got news of the report, he cleared out.
 

Then Mr. Waddell was appointed from head office. In those days, the mail only came once a week on horse back, but years before he left there was a daily coach and mail service, and Adaminaby became a general office as branch offices were established al over the place. Adaminaby office was like the proverbial mustard seed under Mr. Waddell's generalship. However when the books came to be made up, it was found there was a deficiency in the amount guaranteed of £ 80 for twelve months. The Department demanded payment of the deficiency from the guarantors, and the latter were not too disposed to such a big sum for the benefit of the whole public. It was decided that someone should go down and interview the Postmaster general, and writer was appointed and journeyed to Sydney. I laid the case before him in real wayback style, the best I could. The Postmaster General at the time was the late Mr. F.B. Suttor, who later became Sir Francis Suttor and president of the Legislative Council. He pointed out that when men signed a bond of p.n. they knew what they were doing. Your scribe replied that circumstances altered cases. The general then inquired what sort of man was in the office now. The reply was that if the present post master (Mr. Waddell) had been in charge from the beginning, the income would have shown a surplus.

 

Mr. Suttor who was a good fellow and sympathetic, said that on the assurance of that he would give us six months to test the statement and stay proceedings. We were not far out in our estimation of Mr. Waddell, for the result was that the income increased to such an extent that the guarantors were not called upon to pay one penny owing to the energy and honesty  of our departed friend.

 

Mr. Waddell was not without his troubles, and sorrow, for a son was killed it is said through a horse falling on him. He was a teetotaller and saved for his old age, but he was induced to speculate in a Sydney land company, which was said to be paying  10 per cent or over. The company went bang and he lost all previous to retiring.

 

On leaving Adaminaby, he was presented with a gold watch and chain and a purse of sovereigns and an illuminated address, while Mrs. Waddell was handed a silver service. All these valuables were packed in a trunk on the Cooma railway station and this was the last link we held. The late Mr. Waddell was reared on a farm and was not afraid of hard work, and before and after office hours he would be busy with his cows or digging his garden or doing other odd jobs about the house. he held various positions in Adaminaby, and took a great interest in all the churches and clergymen were always welcome at his home.

 

He reared a good family, all of whom are building good positions. Two sons are electrical engineers, while another boy and two daughters are in Government positions. In his wife he had a good helpmate, who was appointed assistant at Adaminaby.

 

The foregoing is only a brief obituary of a sterling man, with rare qualities. May he receive the reward of the good and faithful. - R.I.P.

 

 

Manaro Mercury, Cooma, Friday September 17th 1920

Death - Waddell

September 11th at his residence "Uloola" Chesterfield Road, Epping, James beloved husband of Mary

Waddell. Formerly for 38 years Post and Telegraph Master at Adaminaby Aged 70 years. Thy Will be done.

 

Death of Mr. J. Waddell

AN OLD ADAMINABY RESIDENT

The death is announced of Mr. James Waddell, an old resident of the Manaro district, which occurred at his residence, Epping, on Saturday last. The late Mr. Waddell for a period of 38 years acted as Post and Telegraph master at Adaminaby, having retired some few years since from the Postal Service. During his residence at Adaminaby Mr. Waddell was a general favorite among those with whom he came into contact, his courteous manner being much appreciated by all doing business with the office. He was always to the fore in the Public matters of the town and spared no exertion in the interests of the community in which he lived.

The funeral took place on Monday at the Methodist cemetery, Field of Mars, there being many relatives and friends present at the graveside. The deceased leaves a widow, three sons Messrs. James, Norman and Arthur, and two daughters the Misses Eva and Stella Waddell.

 

Will 107548 P

Buried Field of Mars Ryde 26475

 

Submitted by: John Richards <jrichrds-at-bigpond.net.au> 20.06.06



Descendants of James Waddell

 
John Richards <jrichrds-at-bigpond.net.au> 05.07.06
Kenneth W G Smith [lorisken-at-adam.com.au] 30.10.07
 

    Recompiled from the new Monaro Pioneers database: 1.11.07 

 

Descendants Report

 

 

 

 

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