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- 1913 'MR. WILLIAM MARWICK
MR. WILLIAM MARWICK
A Yeteran of York
Of that vast army traversing the old Coolgardie-rôad from York to-the' El Dorado who can forget the old names associated with the period? Some of them are merely, memories. that graduaally are drifting beyond common usage' that are rarely recalled, where owners are dead and beyond the vale.
The swampers and teamsters who baited impatiently at Reen's Soak, Woolgangie Boorabtin,Bullabullag and the other camping places can be still remembered by the old farm of William Marwick and Sons or still better are Marwick Bros
The Marwicks were amongst the first to take to the track in that Wild rush. With York as their 'headquarters they estabilished a station" or sub-base at Woolgangie, adding to the carrying busíness that of produce merchants and forming a terminal depot at Coolgardie.
In the swirl of dust on Fly Flat there was many a man who could have testified to the good hearts and generosity of the family. There were "Web" and "Spider" Marwick principally to be seen on the wagons whilst Warren was closely identified with the work but mostly stayed in York. "Joe" to took a hand in the business.
Poor old "Web" and William jun pegged out their last earthly shows some years ago. Their memories are still green to the early goldfielders who know them as they were white men in the true sense of the term
The other Marwicks have settled down to steady work at York, and now no longer the creaking wagons and sweating Horses ply the old back tracks up to the fields the long disused ruts have run into watercourses, and the only reminders ', of the early traffic are the grass grown camping spots where the rusty tins are stacked or scattered about and are fast decaying to dust.
Heigho what a lot the pioneers owed to tinned dog But that is another theme. This little letterpress is the subject of the gentleman whose photograph appears herein Mr. William Marwick the founder of the family.
This fine example of the Australian pioneer is now 80 years of age. He came to WA. when a very young man, from Cambridgeshire, England, and accepted work down the Great Southern as a stockman.
Wages In those days very microscopic compared to those Obtaining now, whilest the food (which was a part thereof) was rather queer "tack," consisting of damper, and occasionally very, very occasionally smoked and corned mutton. Kangaroo was an article of diet much relied upon, but somewhat sickening as a surfeit.
He came from Wisbeck, England, in 1852, and eventually took up land and engaged in transactions so successfully that he became practically independent when the 'Coolgardie rush had commenced. However; his business instincts were too keen to allow him to repose at such a stirring period in the State's history.
His properties. are mostly at York, and, having married he handed over his farming to his sons who now have something like 12,000 acres, under cultivation in that district Of this they reap about 4000 acres of cereals every year, 4000 acres remain dead fallow for thc next year, whilest the third 4000 acres are being prepared for the fallow of the next year.
This farming on the three year principle Mr. Marwick has always held, is the essence of successful farming; hence the sons do as the father commenced. The Marwick sheep flocks number approximately 10,000, and are productive of a considerable income every year Since taking it easy Mr. Marwick has travelled extensively, having visited America, Canada, New Zealand, in addition to almost every country in Europe, and on three occasions he has re visited his native town, Wisbeck.
As a result of his trips, there have been notable additions to the State sheep studs, besides many valuable animals possessed by the firm at York. On Mr. Marwick, sens, recent arrival from England hs brought with him nine Lincolns, three English Leicesters and two Shropshires.
These are declared by Mr. Marwick, as the finest woolled sheep he has ever seen, and each was insured for the voyage at 23 guineas. Several of the rams he purchased at the recent Lincoln Fair, some in the North of England, and others in Shropshire.
No one would, on appearances, credit Mr. Marwick with having spent over 80 years on the earth's surface, for every way he is bright and keenly interested in all his surroundings. Despite the fact that he arrived by the Africa a few weeks ago, he speaks being back in the Old Country for Christmas. It is astonishing the activity of these old stalwarts, and we remarked it to our ancient friend.. "You young fellows are too apt to take the easiest ways," he said, "and they a not always the healthiest. It sounds right, too, doesn't i? [1]
- 1910 'ORCHARDING IN ENGLAND
ORCHARDING IN ENGLAND.
Mr. Chas. Harper, of Woodbridge, has shown me an interesting letter from Mr. Marwick, sen,, formerly of York, who is now residing in England and Mr. Marwick keeps in touch with Western Australia by regularly reading the "Western Mail," and gives the following little incident as indicating how the fruit crops failed in some districts last season.
Mr. Marwick states that he was chatting with a fruiterer and florist in Wisbeck re fruit crops, and an orchardist present made an offer to sell all the crop on some 500 ten year old healthy and vigorours trees, all choice sorts, for the sum of 3d. Mr. Marwick continues: "I said as a joke, 'I will go halves with you in that deal," and I paid my half of the purchase money.
No fruit had been gathered from the apple trees that season by the owners or by any other person. My partner in the purchase and I arranged to be at the gate in the garden next morning, where we were met by the owner. We went over the 500 fine young trees, and collected about four stone, or say a small bushel of apples.
We became rash in our speculative venture and bought from the same gentleman in the same garden all and every plum which wc cculd gather from about 400 beautiful ten year old Victoria plum trees for 6d The owner went around with us to see that we got our fruit.
The yield amounted to five pounds, worth 3d per lb. or 15d., so that we had 9d to divide between us. The owner stated that the trouble was caused by sharp frosts at the time of blossoming. Wisbeck is the greatest fruit country I have seen in all mv travels. For miles around there is nothing but gardens and fields of fruit.
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