Charles Edward Drury (1865 - 1951)

TO SOUTH AUSTRALIA.
MR. C. E. DRURY PAYS VISIT.

Mr. C. E. Drury (Glenthorne), accompanied by his daughters, Miss Clarice Drury, B.A. (Parramatta High School), and Miss Beryl Drury (Glenthorne), left Taree on Tuesday night, December 20, by train for Adelaide in order to visit his eldest daughter, Hilda.

The latter is Adjutant Mrs. Wells, wife of Adjutant Wells, Salvation Army. It will thus be seen that Mrs. Wells holds the rank of Adjutant, the same as her husband. Adjutant Mrs. Wells has been engaged in the social work of the Army for about 27 years — and always in South Australia. For six years and a half prior to her marriage she was stationed at the Boys' Home, Mount Barker. After marriage, about 19 years ago, the couple went on to Prison Gate Brigade work. Later, they were transferred to the Eventide Home, Eden Park, Tusmore, situated four miles from Adelaide, where they are now located. At present there are 83 men to look after, the staff numbering about a dozen. Some of these men, though they have pensions, go out to do some work, making this their home.

Mr. Drury and Miss Beryl Drury were away three weeks. Miss Clarice Drury has yet to return for the remainder of the school holidays. She is spending a week at Austinmer. Altogether, the journey occupied three nights and two days. The itinerary was as follows: Forward journey, left Taree Tuesday night, Dec. 20; arrived Sydney Wednesday morning; spent night in Sydney; left Sydney Thursday night; arrived in Melbourne 10 or 11 a.m. Friday; spent day in Melbourne; left Melbourne for Adelaide Friday night; and arrived Adelaide Saturday morning. Return journey: Left Adelaide Monday night, Jan. 2; arrived Melbourne Tuesday morning; spent Tuesday in Melbourne; left Tuesday night for Sydney; spent Wednesday night in Sydney; and returned home on Thursday. Considerably over 3000 miles were travelled by train.

This was Mr. Drury's first trip to South Australia. He says he found both Melbourne and Adelaide to be very clean and well laid out cities. There more attention is paid to the growth of trees (one of Mr. Drury's hobbies) than in Sydney. There was a bit of a shower in Sydney, but no rain was experienced in South Australia or Victoria. Mr. Drury saw great crops of wheat all along the railway line in South Australia and Victoria, but not so much in New South Wales. He says that in South Australia were the greatest stacks of wheat he ever saw in his life — all bagged up. Wherever there was a bush fire it went to the tops of the trees, both in N.S.W. and Victoria, more particularly in this State.

For some unknown reason, but it is believed to allow the second division of the train to pass, the train in which they were travelling was on one occasion deviated for 40 miles. They saw large meatworks from which immense quantities of meat are exported. They were informed that the Ford Motor Co. expects to have 3000 men at work in a factory there. They also saw at the same place the framework of a large factory for the International Harvester Co. This shows, says Mr Drury, that the manufacturers are going to Victoria. Mr. and the Misses Drury travelled in the Spirit of Progress train from Albury to Melbourne and vice versa. This is a beautifully clean, air-conditioned train and it is most comfortable riding on the 5ft. 3in. gauge of rail.

Mr. Drury enjoyed the trip to South Australia immensely. They had intended to return from Adelaide to Sydney by boat, but learned that there was no accommodation available, berths being booked up for two months ahead.

MR. CHARLES E. DRURY.

One of the esteemed pioneers of the Manning in the person of Mr. Charles Edward Drury, J.P., passed away at the M.R.D. Hospital early on Sunday, at the age of 86 years.

The son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Edward Drury, he was born at Jones' Island. In 1865 and spent most of his early life on the Lower Manning and at Lansdowne. He came to Glenthorne in the early eighties and later married Miss Esther Ladd, on 21st March 1888 in the Glenthorne Wesleyan Church. His wife predeceased him in 1938. Except for four years Mr. Drury spent the remainder of his life at Glenthorne. Throughout his life he worked untiringly for the progress of his district serving for over 50 years on the committee of the M.R. Agricultural and Horticultural Society (and for a long period as trustee).

At his death he was a life member of the society. He was a member of the M.R.D. Hospital Committee for many years. He was always interested in farming and dairying and was a foundation member of the Primary Producers' Union — serving this society as president, secretary and delegate until recent years, when his age prevented his attendance at meetings throughout the district. He was then made a life member. He represented C Riding in the Manning Shire Council. As a member of the Taree Methodist Church he was interested in its welfare and attended the service each Sunday until just prior to his death. The district's present position is due in no small degree to the foundation laid by such pioneers as the late Charles Edward Drury.

Surviving children are: Hilda (Adelaide), Mary (Sydney), Daisy (Wollongong), Clarrie (Sydney), Beryl (Taree), Leonard (Wingham), Jack (Taree), Arthur (Glenthorne), and Reg. (Taree). One daughter (Lilian) predeceased her parents. Deceased had one sister (the late Mrs. McAlpine), and nine brothers, viz., Nathaniel (deceased), William, Edward, Jonas, Alfred, Andrew, George (deceased), Harold and Stanley. A service was held at the Methodist Church, Taree, on Tuesday afternoon last, 24th, conducted by Rev. G. A. Knight, who also conducted the service at the Dawson Cemetery.