W. Pole

Obituary

Mr W. Pole, who died at Pingelly, Western Australia, on September 13 was one of the oldest residents of the Adelaide Hills. He arrived in the State with his parents in the Trusty in 1838. His parents selected land at the Reedbeds, near Henley Beach. Upon reaching maturity, he proceeded to the Victorian gold diggings. He was at first successful in prospecting, but later met With reverses which necessitated his engaging in other pursuits, among which was bullock-driving from Melbourne to Ballarat. In those days there were no macadamised roads. The waggons were often embedded to the axles. Mr. Pole also had experiences with the gentlemen of the road, and was in the Eureka Stockade episode, and was fortunate to get through with a whole skin. Like all gold diggers, the lever got in his blood and he was always among the first to reach any new field. He was in the first rush to the Northern Territory and had many exciting experiences. He started an orchard and market garden in the Adelaide Hills, at which venture he was very successful. When gold was discovered at Echunga he proceeded there, and afterwards to the Teetulpa rush. He again returned to his gardening pursuits until gold was discovered in Western Australia. He did not meet with any great success on the goldfields there. From that time until his death he journeyed 13 times between South Australia and Western Australia. Mr Pole was one of the first water diviners in Western Australia and also South Australia, and was very sucessful in locating the fluid. He was a trustee of the Ironbank Methodist Church the site of which he presented to the de nomination 40 years ago. He also presented the land for the tennis court which adjoins the church. He was a member of the Stirling West District Council for many years. His wife died in March. One son and three daughters are living ~ Mr. G. Pole, Ironbank; Mrs. G.J. Ricks, Pingelly, W.A.; Mrs; F. Newcombe, Underdale; and Mrs. Sawtell, Sydney. One son was killed during the war.<ref>Adelaide Chronicle, 2 October 1926. <ref>