A look back at previous editions of the paper 50 and 25 years ago.

50 years ago

WHAT was thought to have been another attempt at mineral exploration at the Wannon Falls near Hamilton was thwarted last week by the secretary of the reserve’s committee of management, Mr. Horrie Fry. Mr. Fry intercepted a group of men who had gone down to the falls with maps and “miners’ picks” and warned them it was illegal to search for minerals in the area. Subsequent investigations have revealed the vehicle in which the men were travelling was registered in the name of Shell Development (Australia) Pty Ltd. Some months ago reserve officials were angered by damage caused to the falls by people blasting for minerals. Describing the latest incident, Mr Fry said yesterday he had been on a tour of inspection of the falls when he noticed the car pull up and the men get out.

SOME district goal and boundary umpires are likely to run eight quarters of football on a Saturday this season following the introduction of independent officials to the WBFL. Western District umpires’ coach, Alan Gravier, said this yesterday, but added these officials would not mind being able to earn more, while it will cost the league less in travelling expenses. He said he believed it would have been better for the league to have brought the two grades in over two years. Mr. Gravier was commenting on the Western Border League introducing independent goal and boundary umpires during a lively meeting at Casterton on Friday night. “We have the numbers to handle the seniors, but will have to recruit a few more goal and boundary officials for the reserves.”

25 years ago

AUSTRALIA Post fears rural residents will be the losers if the Federal Government accepts a report that almost all its services be deregulated. The National Competition Council report recommends 93 per cent of Australia Post’s revenue be open to competition by the end of next year. The NCC suggested that the private sector be allowed to deliver business and international mail, with only standard personal letters reserved for Australia Post. Australia Post fears the erosion its revenue base will imperil its ability to provide an Australia-wide standard letter service at the same price. Australia Postal Corporation chair, Linda Nicholls, slammed the report saying, if adopted, it would raise the prospect of different prices for city and country business mail.

FORMER Hamilton Imperials ruckman, Bud Walker, could return to the Bulldogs for the 1998 Western Border Football League season, but the news about exciting Darwin Wanderers utility, Brad Mawson, is not as promising. Walker had expressed an interest in returning to Imperials, but club president, Gerard Sheehan, said Walker’s return was not definite. “Bud has contacted the club about returning, but as yet we have not met with him to discuss his situation,” Mr Sheehan said. Walker had originally planned to play for Queanbeyan in the ACT Football League. “We are hopeful of getting Bud back at the club for the 1998 season and if we do, it would be great,” Mr Sheehan said on Thursday.