The Pilliga P P Board was first located at Pilliga, which explains the origin of the name. The Pilliga P P Board was operating in the early 1900's with a meeting notice issued on 8th October 1904 stating that the "next meeting of the Board takes place on the 15th inst. When we understand that Mr R D Barton of Burren intends to resign from the Board of Directors"
A recorded meeting of the board of Directors was held in the Stock Inspector's office on Saturday, 24th March 1906, the members in attendance being W R Holcombe (in chair), A E Powell, C Capel, and G Phelps. The following items are noted from the minutes.
Bank book statements of A/C showing credit at the Bank on the 19th ins. of 128.8.10 pounds. Cheques outstanding 43.12.03 pounds leave 84.16.07 pounds. Rates still due for 1905, 23.0-0.02 pounds makes an actual credit of 107.16.09 pounds
Correspondence read: Mr Baarton's resignation read and received.
Samuel Slack-Smith asked for an inspection of his newly erected netting fence
Letter from John Wangmann asking for a supply of 5 miles of wire netting
Proposed by Mr Powell. Sec. by Mr Capel at the Secretary's reply to Mr Wangmann's letter and inform him that his application for netting will be the first one to be considered by the Board. At present, we have no netting and cannot say how long it will be before the Government supplies com to hand. Carried
Proposed by Mr Phelps and Sec. by Mr Powell that the opionion of this board that the present system of laying phosphorus for rabbits is unsatisfactory and for this reason all landowners on North side of the Barrier Fence be notified by notices in the Government Gazette and Wee Waa Echo to systematically distibute phosphorus baits over the whole of their Lands the first week in each month until further notice to come into force first week in May. Carried
Proposed by Mr Powell and Sec. by Mr Capel that 3/8d on sheep and 2 1/2d on large stock be levied for the current year, money to be paid into the Bank of Australasia. Wee Waa on or before the 31st May. Carried
Because of the rabbit menace that was so prevalent at the time, netting fences were considered advantageous, and landholders received 1/2d off their stock rates per head if they erected netting fences on their properties.
In November 1907, the final decision was made to move the headquarters of the PP Board to Burren Junction because it was considered a central place for the majority of stock owners and directors included within the board. Also, by that time, Burren Junction was in receipt of a daily train service, enabling the Stock Inspector to receive mail daily and to attend to his business more promptly
Following the move to Burren Junction, a room was rented from Mr Mulckey, and the first meeting was held there on 21st December 1907 with Mr C Capel as Board Chairman and other directors in attendance being F Long, L L Rostron, M D Barton Williamson, F Phelps, A Powell and P Kennedy. Banking for the board was conducted with the Bank of Australasia, which was situated at Wee Waa. When advice was received that a branch of the Commercial Bank was opening in Burren about the end of April, early May 1910, the board banking account was then transferred to the Burren Junction branch.
In February 1920, the Board's headquarters were moved to Houlahan's Office building and remained there until the present building was erected in Waterloo Street about November or December 1929. The premises were erected on land purchased from Mr Samuel Slack-Smith at a cost of 35 pounds. A Mr Wallace was the successful tenderer for the construction of the building with a quote of 836 pounds, which was accepted by the Board Members.
In later years, Mr C. P. Charlie Holcombe was a long-standing Board Chairman up until 1979, when he was succeeded by Mr Joh Hunt, who served as director from 1961 to 1964 and deputy chairman from 1964 until he was elected chairman in 1979. Mr Hunt served in that capacity until the board's closure in 1985.
Some P P Board secretaries have been William McGee from 1923 until about 1925, when his serious illness would have forced his resignation. Dick Garvey would have been appointed to the position in the late 1920's, and he remained in that position for a number of years until his son Richard served in that position in the 60's. Succeeding secretaries have been Mrs Pauline Wallace, Mrs Eslen John and Mrs Sandra Moy, who stayed on until the Board's final closure in 1985.
During the 1930's, Mrs Joan Radford (nee Holcombe) worked as a secretary at the P P Board office for Mr Garvey, and Mrs Jim Brumby also worked there for a number of years.
Some early Stock Inspectors who are listed in the Country Directories are Charles White(1910), A Hessin(1915), Warburton(1920), and H C Kennan (1930). The earliest Stock Inspectors were supplied with feed for their horses, and all their gear (saddlery) was also supplied by the Board. Later, a Buick car was purchased from Mr Conyard for the use of the Inspector in fulfilling his duties. Some other Stock Inspectors were Bot Smithers in the 1950's, followed by Ron Housie, Richard Garvey, Vince Wallace and Rodney John, who was the last appointment before the board's closure.
Link to next number