16a["Onslow News", The Northern Times (Carnarvon, WA), Saturday 11 July 1908, page 3]

...

With regard to the jetty it was pointed out to the visitors that the progress committee had outlined a new system so as to afford better shipping facilities for the settlers of the Ashburton, and reducing the cost of imports and exports. The suggestion or scheme is to erect a new jetty at a point on the ocean beach some 6 miles west of the present jetty, nearly opposite to Parkes Reef, as shown on the chart, connect same with the township of Onslow by a road over the sand between the proposed jetty and the Ashburton river (a distance of 30 chains), then a bridge across the Ashburton River, which at this point is about a quarter of a mile wide, and thus connecting on to Clandon-street, the main business thoroughfare of Onslow. The jetty would only require to be put out 900 yards, and at this distance will find three and a half fathoms or water. Thus it must be apparent that such a scheme will bring the shipping within two-and-a half miles of the township; whilst under the present system the goods have to be lightered from the ships about one and & quarter miles from the wharf, landed on a jetty, and carried over four and a half miles of tramway. Under the present system the shipment of stock is impossible, pastoralists being compelled to drove them to Roebourne or Carnarvon.

...

AB notes:

July 1907: "Under the present system the shipment of stock is impossible,..."

As of 1908, a site west of the Ashburton was the tentative choice.

The main street of Onslow was Clandon Street.

16b["Onslow's Claim To Attention", The Northern Times (Carnarvon, WA), Saturday 04 September 1909, page 2]

ONSLOW'S CLAIM TO ATTENTION.

OUR Ashburton and Onslow neighbors, if they wish to secure proper shipping facilities at the latter place, should make a strong move during this session of Parliament. Without saying that Onslow requirements should be subservient, it is as well to point out that heavy expenditure at other Northern ports – such as a new tramline at Carnarvon, railway at Port Hedland, new tramline at Point Sampson, and new tramline at Broome – has been authorised, and with the exception of the Port Hedland railway the work has been carried out. Other pressing wants which the ports stated may possess are purely of a local nature. But at Onslow the welfare not only of the town, but of one of the largest districts in the State hinges to a large extent on the facilities provided for conducting trade. Since the establishment of the town, and at the present time, these have been and are of a primitive description. In the early days of pioneering, when the stability of the industries commenced is open to doubt, there is strong justification for cautiousness in spending money on permanent work. But the Asbburton has many years ago emerged from its nonage stage. It is improving in richness each year, and from a pastoral point of view runs the Gascoyne district a close second for pride of place. Not only has it rich pastoral areas, but as a mining field we firmly believe it will become one of the most noted districts in the State. Gold, silver, and base metals exist over an immense tract of country, but to make copper or lead mining pay it is essential that working expenses should be reduced. Proper shipping facilities at the port would be a big step in that direction, and no doubt subsequently a good case could be made out for railway communication with the back country. From a pastoral point of view the district is also handicapped greatly through lack of proper means of shipping wool and of receiving goods. This must perforce be done by means of lighter at present, the expense of landing goods or shipping wool being consequently greatly augmented, whilst stock-shipping, except for small lots, is hardly known. The surplus stock from the district is either travelled overland to southern markets or shipped at Carnarvon. Though this is of benefit to the latter place, in all fairness to our Northern neighbors it is time their misfortune should be alleviated. The matter has several times come before the Onslow public, and the general consensus of opinion there is that a new jetty should be built nearly opposite to Parkes' Reef. By carrying such jetty out a distance of 900 feet a depth of three and a half fathoms of water could be obtained, which would be ample for vessels trading up this coast. To give communication between the town and jetty a bridge would have to be thrown over the Ashburton River, which at the most suitable crossing place is about a quarter of a mile wide. There is nothing in sach a programme which should frighten our State Treasurer; nothing but what any impartial person most say Onslow is entitled to. And from a financial aspect the Government would find the proposition a good one. Firstly, it would result in the sale of many additional township blocks; secondly, it would give increased income in the way of wharfage dues; and thirdly – perhaps the most important point of all – it would greatly assist in the expeditious development of some of the State's richest mineral and pastoral areas. The Onslow people have good and sufficient reason to formulate another request for such a jetty, and we would suggest to them that they request their member to bring the matter forward in Parliament, and that as a further preliminary step the Government be asked to send an engineer to Onslow to draw up a report and estimate of the cost of a scheme such as is above outlined.

AB notes:

September 1909: The Northern Times makes the case for a new jetty at Onslow.

Jetty improvement important everywhere, but critical to the future of Onslow.

16c["Wool Sales", The Northern Times (Carnarvon, WA), Saturday 05 August 1911, page 4]

Wool Sales.

A correspondent writing from Onslow recently, says:--"The wool has started to come in, and the season commenced once again. The country on the Ashburton River is in a shocking condition, and if no rain comes by the end of the month (July) the squatters will have a bad time in getting their wool into port."

16d["Nor'-West Necessities", The Sunday Times (Perth, WA), Sunday 24 November 1912, First Section page 3]

NOR-WEST NECESSITIES

OPENING UP OF ONSLOW

The Demand for a Jetty

An Onslow correspondent writes:--

It has been reported by a passenger arriving here from the city that it is understood there that the members of this town and district are divided in their opinion as to the jetty site at Beadon Point. I wish to flatly contradict this, as I can safely say that with the exception of one person in this town all are in favor of the site at Beadon Point or any other part of the coast that the department's engineer may decide on. A jetty for this port is becoming absolutely necessary, as the district is growing and more country is being taken up, which would be improved if better facilities were forthcoming.

The Beadon Point site is, as far as can be learnt, a very suitable one. A short jetty of not more than 1600 feet could be built, and most of it being on a reef would mean shorter piling. There is abundant stone ballast to be got near the point for a tramline, which could be built at a reasonable figure, as there is very little levelling to be done. There are only two narrow creeks to cross, which could be bridged at a small cost. In addition, good water can be got, which is a most important item where a stock jetty is concerned.

It would be folly to lengthen the present jetty, as there would be a mile and a quarter of structure in the water at a great risk and a great upkeep, but with only four miles of tramline to maintain.

Take the other site: there is only a quarter of a mile of structure in the water with 12 miles of tramline, which would cost at least one-fifth less than the other site to maintain. The people of this district are asking for a jetty, they care not where, as long as it is a suitable place, to enable them to ship their stock. A jetty built at Beadon Point probably would not suit the townspeople as much as the lengthening of the present jetty, but they can see that this town will never make any headway until a jetty is built and the district opened up. Therefore they are anxious to see a jetty wherever the engineer decides on.

Owing to the heavy drought for the last two years, the pastoralists have been unable to get their stock away, and this has caused great loss, which in most cases could have been avoided if stock could have been shipped at this port. The pastoralists would have been able to lessen their numbers and replace them when a suitable season commenced, but now they have to suffer the losses, and this being the position it will take some time to get the district back to its old form.

Again, the pastoralists cannot stock their country as heavily as they might do, as there is no get out for their stock, while a certain amount of country has to be kept in reserve for bad times. I am sure all who are interested in the welfare of the country they live in will give our member every assistance in the endeavor to supply the very urgent and necessary wants of this town and district.