BRISBANE, Tuesday.—Mr. Albert Buzacott died at his residence, in Too-woomba this afternoon at the age of 66. For ten years he was the Toowcomba district representative for the Brisbane Courier and Courier-Mail. He was the second son of the late Mr. Charles Hardie Buzacott, at one time part-owner of the Brisbane Courier, who was instrumental in launching the Daily Mail and several provincial journals. In his early years Albert Buzacott was on the literary staff of the Courier, and later went on to the land at Ormiston and at Stanthorpe. In March last he joined the business staff of the Toowoomba Chronicle. He is survived by his widow, one daughter and one son.
Joshua Thomas Bell The Man Who Died at Rakeevan
J. T. Bell the son of Sir Johua Peter Bell one of Queensland's earliest squatters and land aristocracy married into another of Queensland's notable families when he married the daughter of John Ferguson MLA. One of early Queensland's wealthiest men John Ferguson had purchased Verneyand it was used by two of his daughters and their husbands as a family home. John Ferguson died in Sydney in
Joshua Thomas Bell (1863-1911), barrister and politician, was born on 13 March 1863 at Ipswich, Queensland, eldest son of Sir Joshua Peter Bell and his wife Margaret Miller, née Dorsey. He was educated privately and at Ipswich and Brisbane Grammar schools; in 1881-85 he attended Trinity Hall, Cambridge, where as president of the Union he debated with such luminaries as Austen Chamberlain. He was called to the Bar at the Inner Temple and in 1888 was a marshal on the Northern Assizes circuit. Returning in 1889 Bell became a director of the Darling Downs and Western Lands Company whose head-station Jimbour was the family seat. He was Sir Samuel Griffith's private secretary in 1890-92 and then, when the company collapsed, became member for Dalby in the Legislative Assembly in 1893-1911. In 1901 (Sir) Littleton Groom beat him for the Federal seat of Darling Downs.
After membership of the royal commission on land settlement in 1897, Bell became chairman of committees in 1902 and subsequently secretary for public lands in the Morgan and two Kidston ministries between 1903 and 1908. Home secretary for eight months during 1908-09, he was elected Speaker in 1909, a post which he held with distinction until his death. 'Joey' Bell's appearance, attitudes and 'somewhat pompous' bearing, inherited from his father, were apparently contradicted by his liberal views. Fashionably dressed, he was something of an aloof poseur with a superior air which, although it concealed shyness and insecurity, irritated Labor and conservative opponents alike. 'Smitth' of the Worker not altogether unfairly parodied Bell's manner in 1901:
But I'd like to—haw—to dwah
Your attention, Sir, to—haw—
To the way our time is wasted;
Sir, its weally quite a cwime;
While the Labah membahs theh,
talk of “Strikes” I do declah
that this horwid pwickly peah keeps on
gwoing all the time.
Nevertheless, he was able enough to represent the government in important Land Court cases and was a parliamentarian with an astonishing fluency, an unerring instinct for the correct word, and a mastery of polished, if stylized rhetoric, seldom found among Australian politicians. Bell's contemporaries considered that his tenure of the Lands Department, during which he encouraged closer settlement, improved public amenities and acquired private estates for small farming, was his main contribution to Queensland's history. His pioneering National Forests Act—perhaps his most important single legacy—and his alleviation of technical difficulties hampering farmers were impressive. His conciliatory role, when the rise of Labor had confused liberals and conservatives, is even more important.
Bell was a skilful electioneer. Hard pressed by Labor in 1893, 1896 and 1902 (when a family scandal temporarily lost him the Roman Catholic vote), his 'pocket-borough' was saved by his local appeal as a superb horseman and native pastoralist, and by provision of three branch railways for the Dalby area and assiduous favours for other constituents. A liberal without a coherent policy, he helped organize the Darling Downs members, then slowly stepped towards more radical attitudes. His liberalism was partly fuelled by his financial collapse: the Bells became virtual grace and favour residents at Jimbour, and he was dependent on his ministerial salary and his wife's income; he then sold Jimbour to the State for agricultural settlement. He could neither bring himself to join organized labour nor stomach the political and social stonewalling of the conservative establishment.
A keen rower and rifle-shot and patron of the arts (he secured the first grant in Queensland for a cultural society), Bell represented an increasingly anachronistic social group—the 'independent Australian Briton'. He combined in his person the manners and education of an English gentleman and the earthy political skills of the native-born, but his failure to attain the heights of brilliant contemporaries like Deakin and to really enjoy the rough-and-tumble of State politics suggested more an Indian summer than a springtime harvest.
On 25 July 1903 Bell had married Catherine Jane, widow of Sydney Jones, a Rockhampton solicitor, and daughter of John Ferguson; they had one son and one daughter. Between July 1910 and his death from septicaemia with peritonitis at Graceville, Brisbane, on 10 March 1911, Bell suffered agony from surgical treatment. A member of the Brisbane Synod of the Church of England, he was accorded a state funeral and buried in Toowong cemetery, high on the hill next to his father. His estate was sworn for probate at £4567.
John Ferguson MLA The Second Owner
Telegraph (Brisbane, Qld. : 1872 - 1947), Wednesday 9 May 1906, page 5
Late Hon.J.Fergson
Details of His Will. SYDNEY. May 9
Probate has been granted in the will of the late Hon. John Ferguson, M.L.C., Rakeevan, near Brisbane. The will which is dated 7th March last, appointed his sons- in-law Alfred Henry Chambers (of Sydney), Mortimer Moore Mackellar (of Marlborough, Queensland) , and James Ambrose Thompson, solicitor (Sydney), trustees and executors. He bequeathed Rakeevan, together , with its pleasure-grounds and appurtenances, to his trustees upon trus, for his widow during her life and after her death to his daughter Mrs. Catherine J. Bell, absolutely. The carriages, horses, household goods, furniture, etc.he bequethed to his widow, as well as a legacy of £1,000 for her immediate use, to be paid as soon as possible, after his death. To each of his daughters, Cathorine Jane Bell, Mary Ann Ferdinand- Chambers, Janet Mackellar, and Helen Margaret Hope, he bequeathed £5,000. To his daughter Helen Margaret Hope, 2,500 shares in the Mount Morgan Gold Mining Company; to his daughter Catherine Jane Bell, 4,000 shares in the business of Walter Reid, and Co., Limited, Rockhampton. £50 to his servant, Margaret Joyce who was also to receive 300 shares in the Mount Morgan Company, in the event of her being in his employ at the time of his decease. An annuity of £100 was devised to the testator's sister, Mrs. Christina Ferguson and an annuity of £50 to his brother-in law, Alexander Ferguson, in the event of his surviving his wife. Subject to the above mentioned legacies and annuities, the trustees were directed to hold the residue of the real and personal estate upon trust, and at their discretion to convert it into money, and invest therefrom a sum sufficient to pay his widow an annuity of £3,000 during her life or. widowhood. In the event of her remarrying, the annuity would be reduced to £1,000. The residue of the estate was bequeathed upon trust for the following children, in equal shares: John Henry Ferguson, Elizabeth Louisa Dalzeil, Catherine Jane Bell, Marv Ann Ferdinand Chambers, Janet Mackellar, and Helen MArgaret Hope. The net value of deceased's estate in New South Wales was sworn at £12, l79.
Rakeevan The Red Cross and Convalescent Home
Rakeevan has been used as a showground and a convelescent home while still in the possession of the Ferguson Estate. The western suburbs were still very much the rural and country outskirts of what we today know as Brisbane until the second world war. The Sherwood Divisional Board prior to the amalgamation of the town councils and shires to create the Greater City of Brisbane in 1925 was the controlling civic authority for the suburbs of Graceville, Sherwood, Oxley, Corinda and others in that area. In 1919 Mrs. Ferguson kindly gave permission for Rakeevan to be used by the Red Cross as a convalescent home for returned world war one soldiers.
For further information concerning Sherwood and the residential development of this area teh Wikipedia link is below.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shire_of_Sherwood#The_Sherwood_Shire_and_Urbanization
Telegraph (Brisbane, Qld. : 1872 - 1947), Friday 28 November 1919, page 3
Convalescent Soldiers.
Rest Home Opened. Rakeevan, Graceville.
Rakeevan, Graceville, the third convalescent home, under the control of the Queensland Red Cross Society, was officially opened by Lady Goold Adams, in the presence of a large gathering yesterday afternoon. Her ladyship who was accompanied by her sister, Mrs. Pemberton, was received on arrival by the chairman, Mr. W. T. Robertson, and the members of the Red Cross executive. Mr. W. T. Robertson, in briefly introducing the speakers, referred to the great generosity of Mrs. Ferguson, in placing the home at the disposal of the society for a period of three years. Brigadier-General Cannan, in praising the work of the Red Cross, said that he felt he was voicing the opinions of the 350,000 men who had benefited as a result of the work of the society. Everywhere he went in Egypt, France, and Great Britain, he came closely in touch with Red Cross work, in the various hospitals, and there, he was able to see for himself, the great benefits derived by the men as a result of the generous supply of comforts, &c., provided by the society. He spoke in high terms of the work of Lady Robinson, wife of the Agent-General for Queensland, who was always untiring in her efforts for the welfare of the soldiers abroad. Continuing, he stated that he felt the efforts he and others had put in were small in comparison with the efforts put in by the women over here, and when the history of the war is written, he expressed the hope that a large share will be devoted to the big part played throughout by the Red Cross Society. Mr. J. C. Henderson, Deputy Controller of the Repatriation Department, also paid a warm tribute to the work of the society, making special reference of the assistance it had rendered to the Repatriation Department at all times. Lady Gould-Adams, in officially declaring the home open, expressed her warm appreciation of Mrs. Ferguson's generosity in lending a home with such beautiful surroundings, for, in her opinion the society could not have had a more ideal spot for the purpose for which it was required. It was hoped shortly to have a boat house, and already two boats and two garden seats had been donated by the New Farm Girls' Clubs. Her ladyship pointed out that the chief work, now occupying the attention of the Red Cross, was the establishment through out the State of convalescent homes, and Rakee-van was the third home established by the society. It was hoped to open shortly a home specifically for the treatment of permanent consumptives. Her ladyship thanked General Cannan and Mr. Henderson for their remarks, and expressed pleasure in hearing that the work of the Australian Red Cross Society had been appreciated both here and abroad. In conclusion, her ladyship expressed the hope that the home may bring comfort and happiness to those for whom it is intended. Subsequently an inspection was made of the house, and afternoon tea was served by the members of the Sherwood and Oxley branches of the society. Throughout the afternoon the military band, stationed on the lawn, rendered a programme of music. Rakeevan, which until lately was the home of Mrs. J. T. Bell, is the property of Mrs. John Ferguson (Mrs. Bell's mother), stands in several acres of ground, extending down to the river bank. It is surrounded by beautifully laid out lawns and picturesque gardens, which at the present time are one mass of colour. A tennis court is situated at the rear of the house, and this in addition to boating, will provide ample recreation for the men. The ground floor consists of a beautifully furnished lounge in tones of brown, with large easy chairs and settees, which opens into a spacious dining-room. The furnishings of these two rooms have been carried out by the Rockhampton branch of the society, and it is understood that this branch is also providing a pianola for the use of the men. On the same floor is a suite of rooms for the matron, including a private bathroom, and a small dining room, has been screened off for the use of the matron, nurses, and V.A.'s. There are also large linen cupboards pantries, storerooms, and kitchen, containing a large cooking range, &c. The second floor is devoted largely to sleeping apartments, where accommodation is provided for 36 patients. Two large rooms with bay windows and French lights, are arranged with six beds, and a third contains eight, whilst the wide surrounding balconies will accommodate a large number of the men for sleeping out purposes. Several smaller bedrooms will be utilised for those cases needing special treatment. The bathrooms have hot and cold water laid on, and the septic tank system exists throughout the house The large stables have been repainted, gas has been installed, one part having been transformed into a spacious billiard-room. The home will be run under the supervision of Matron Waller, who will have the assistance of Sister Harden, and four V.A.D.'s.
The Sherwood Show Rakeevan 1920
Telegraph (Brisbane, Qld. : 1872 - 1947), Monday 25 October 1920, page 5
Sherwood's Day Out.
A Successful Show. "Breeding Production Spirit."
It was Sherwood's day out on Saturday. The annual show, the inception of which dates back three years, attracted large crowds to Mrs. J. T. Bell's, paddocks, Graceville. Delightful weather prevailed. Although the entries, which totalled 1,500, were 400 less than the previous year, it was not because of any lack of enthusiasm on the part of the residents. Last year, poultry exhibits came forward in overwhelming numbers, and so great was the expense in housing them that the committee found It necessary this year to place a limit on the section. Hence the poultry entries were reduced by over 500 from 700 to 130. The cattle section was also eliminated, because last year it was far from being a profitable one. There were 160 dogs entered. IN THE PAVILION. In the pavilion one found much to admire and criticise. The women's work, in which the entries totalled 300, was, of course, the feature here. "Wonderful" was the word used by the judge in describing the collection of sweets. Few suburban shows stage such a tempting assortment of lollies. A centre of attraction were the one man farm exhibits. Although there were only two entries in this class, what was lacking in quantity was quite made up for in quality. It was, indeed, a creditable display, and included some fine specimens of potatoes, which spoke of the fertility of the soil on Oxley Creek. Both Mr. T. Bowden and Mr. T. Mullen, the one man farm exhibitors, showed varieties of maize, swedes, chaff, hay, ensilage, and pumpkins. And great pumpkins they were. One, exhibited by Mr. Mullen, weighed at least 50 lbs. In a corner of the marquee, the reporter came across splendid specimens of soldiers' handicraft leather bags, baskets, carving work, toys for the kiddies, &c. This exhibit was mainly the work of the soldiers at the Rakeevan Hospital, Graceville. Mr. S. V. Colville, of Chelmer, exhibited wireless telegraph and telephone instruments, which he himself constructed and designed. Mr. Colville is the organiser of the Queensland Wireless Institute, of which he is the founder, and which has a membership of about 50. It was in-teresting to hear him explain the wonders of wireless telegraphy, in which he has since 1912 been experimenting at his home at Chelmer. One instrument he had on view has a range of 2,000 miles, and Mr. Colville has "picked up" many messages with it. One of his latest experiments has been with wireless telephones between his residence and the institute in Edward street. Promising progress has been made in this branch of Mr. Colville's hobby, which, by the way, he pursues merely for the advancement of the science, and definite results may be expected in the near future.
OFFICIAL OPENING. The president of the local progress association, Mr. J. W. Hammond, officially opened the show. He said their aims and ambitions were to breed the spirit of production in the community. Australia's greatest need today was production, and there was no better way of bringing that home to the people than by those annual shows. Although the exhibits were not so numerous as the previous year, their quality was far superior. On behalf of the committee, he thanked Mrs. Bell for the use of the grounds. He thought the time was ripe for the establishment of an agricultural, horticultural, and industrial society, and with that end in view he appealed to residents to cooperate with the progress association.
An Interesting But Brief Occupant
While there is no mention in the Queensland Heritage Register of this occupant but George Houlton Mocatta is mentioned in the newspapers as having his address in late 1933 and 1934 as Rakeevan. It is possible that the house was rented as the politician Felix Ditmer took ownership in 1938. George had his first attempt to enter politics in the 1932 state election. Then in August of 1934 George Moucatta had a second attempt at entering politics when he nominated for the federal seat of Griffith. He was unsuccessful on both cases but he was obviously establishing a profile in the community. A solicitor and navy man he was a Leiutenant in the Naval Reserve but somehow he did serve in all services by the end of the second world war.
The United Services Club on Wickham Terrace recognised the contributions of Wing Commander George Houlton Mocatta OBE (1903-77) to the early establishment and management of the club. He was commissioned in all three services. On the fall of
Singapore he sailed a junk to Perth and was club honorary solicitor for many years.
In October of 1934 George Mocatta was mentioned in Parliament concerning the controversial tender for the Mackay Harbour Development. He was the solicitor for a company that questions were raised about concerning the tender process. In 1935 an interesting hotel development was proposed for the former home of P. J. Murphy at Hamilton. Glostermin the home of the former politician and Brisbane identity was proposed to be turned into a residential hotel called Chevron. One hundered thousand pound was the amount floated by the company to be raised by shares in the concept. George Mocatta was part of the board, solicitor and shareholder. The venture never proceeded but the house Glostermin did become a residential set of flats through to the 1960s. Currently the unit complex Glostermin in Whyenbah Street, Hamilton is where the Chevron Hotel venture was to take place.
Telegraph (Brisbane, Qld. : 1872 - 1947), Friday 15 April 1932, page 9
MR. MOCATTA
Youthful and Energetic
Solicitor-sailor-farmer is George Houlton Mocatta, chosen to contest the Brlsbano seat in the Nationalist interest. He is also a youthful candidate being a year on the right sldo of 39. Born at Cairns. Mr. Mocatta spent his early boyhood on the Atherton Tableland, coming south to attend the Brisbane Church of England Grammar School. As sailors seem always to hanker to be farmers, lads from the country appear equally keen to be sailors. Mr. Mocatta was early attracted to tho blue water and since the age of 14 has been engaged in naval service of some kind or other. At present he is a lieutenant in the RA.N.R. and as a quarter-deck man has been six years on the committee of the United Services Club. After being articled to Mr. W. H. Hart, of Flower and Hart, be commenced practice as a solicitor in partnership with Mr. F. W. Murphy in 1927, acquiring his partner's interest in the business in 1929, later acquiring also the practice of Mr. N. R. Mighell when the latter was appointed chairman of the Assessment Tribunal for Soldiers' Pensions. Eight years ago Mr. Mocatta joined the Country and Progressive National Organisation and has actively assisted in several election campaigns. His love of warships and all things naval has not made him forget the land, for he carries on dairying at Woodford on his own account and owns a tobacco farm at Marecba. His interest in primary products extends also to sugar, since he is the solicitor of the Queensland Canegrowers Association. However, his legal, naval, farming, and political interests have not taken up all his time or energies. For three years he was chairman of the Brisbane Rugby League, is one of the founders of the G.P.S. Rowing Club, and a member of the Indooroopllly Golf Club.
George Houlton Mocatta made headlines when after being a barrister at law he applied to be disbarred.
Central Queensland Herald (Rockhampton, Qld. : 1930 - 1956), Thursday 17 February 1955, page 15
DISBARRED AT OWN REQUEST
BRISBANE, February 16. In what was described by counsel as a case without recorded precedent in Australia, an Abergowrie canegrower with 28 years legal background today successfully applied to be disbarred, at his own request, as a barrister of the Supreme Court to enable him to stand for election as grower' representative om the Sugar Cane Prices Board. A regulation of the Sugar Cane Prices Acts provides: "No member of Parliament and no member of the legal profession, other than a judge or person well versed in matters relating to the sugar industry appointed as chairman, shall be qualified to be or act as a member of the Central Board." The application, heard before the Full Court, was made by George Houlton Mocatta, of Yeronga (Brisbane) and Herbert Vale (Abergowrle).
In his affidavit he said he had practised as a solicitor to Brisbane from February, 1927, to April 1939, following which he was employed by the Cane Growers' Council as assistant secretary and legal adviser, until December, 1953.
He had not practised as a solicitor from May, 1939, to February, 1953, when he was admitted as a barrister. Since his admission, he had appeared only in jurisdictions and matters relating to the sugar industry, and then only on behalf of an Industry organisation or someone engaged in the Industry. He had been mainly concerned with canegrowing. Mocatta said that, following the resignation in December, 1954, of Mr D. D. Lehane as growers' representative on the Cane Prices Board he had been requested by many growers to nominate for election as representative. He held a cane assignment of about 196 acres and had a considerable investment in canegrowing. He had been directly and indirectly involved in matters relating to the sugar industry since 1937. His activities would be devoted to the industry and not to the legal profession. Mr W. V. Campbell, counsel for Mocatta, said that to his knowledge, there was no recorded precedent in Australia of a barrister applying at his own request to be disbarred.
The secretary of the Cane Prices Board (Mr L Ferguson) said today that the resignation of Mr Lehane, who had been appointed general manager of the Moreton sugar mill at Nambour, did not become effective until February 17. Until then it would not be possible to make any announcement on the forthcoming ballot for growers representative.
G.H. Mocatta President's Cup (1978 to Present Day) The Brisbane Golf Club
This competition began when George Houlton Mocatta’s widow provided $600 for a permanent trophy fund in his memory. The Committee at the time decided the format would be an 18-hole fourball best ball Stableford qualifying round with 64 pairs to qualify for 18-hole match play. It was said this would spread the competition over most of the golfing season and give a large number of members the opportunity to play off for an Honour Board event. In 1985 it was reduced to 32 pairs to qualify but in 1993 the format returned to the original concept of 64 pairs.
