The Kapunda Royal Visit: 1866

Originally posted on ' The History of Kapunda' on Monday, March 20, 2017

In 1886, Kapunda was graced with a Royal visit from the then Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Alfred,
Queen Victoria's second son. While visiting South Australia on a royal tour, Prince Alfred made a visit to Kapunda on November 6th, travelling to  Kapunda via train direct from Adelaide Station.
Once the Prince arrived at Kapunda Train Station, which had been adorned with pine branches and fronds (as had much of the town, simple decorations for simpler times), The Prince was whisked into an awaiting carriage. The ornamental carriage made its way towards the centre of town, surrounded by soldiers, and a large crowd of cheering and adoring Royal fans, keen to get a glimpse of the Prince.

Throughout the town, large Union Jack flags waved next to large banners with the words "Welcome to our Sailor Prince” written across them. Around the town were flags and signs of family crests and the flag of St George. Prince Alfred was taken via carriage to Mr Crase's newly refurbished North Kapunda Hotel. After a tour of the hotel from top to bottom, the Prince retired briefly to a sitting room upstairs that had been carefully prepared for his arrival.

A banquet held in his honour commenced in the rear ballroom (now demolished) of the hotel. Amongst the many dishes served was one dish usually reserved for the dining room of the Queen, and only served within the walls of the Palace. The Prince was very curious about this and asked for the cook to be brought to him for questioning.
The Prince questioned the cook on his preparation of the meal, asking how he knew the recipe. The cook informed the Prince, that he had been the Queen's personal chef prior to arriving in Australia, and now cooked and served in The North Kapunda Hotel. Upon hearing of the Royal Tour, he had become excited, and prepared the specialty Royal meal in the Prince's honour, to make him feel a little more like he was at home.

After a number of hearty speeches by town dignitaries, the Prince, and Mr Crase, three cheers of “Hoorruh” were given. Prince Alfred made his way back to the Kapunda Railway Station, where he boarded the Royal Train and made his way back to Adelaide continuing his tour of the country.

Researched and written by Allen Tiller © 2017

Para-Para: Ghosts of Gawler: Part 6

The Ghosts of Gawler Part 6

Para-Para

Para-Para Mansion, an icon of Gawler, situated in what is now Gawler West. 
Having grown up very nearby, it wasn't unusual for myself and my friends to wander onto the Para-Para estate as boys, walking along the river, we would find ourselves in the backyard of the mansion's property on occasion and marvel at all the farm equipment strewn about the place.

Of course, having grown up in Gawler, and going to school nearby, I inevitably heard the rumours of the Mansion being haunted. 
There were a great many stories to tell, most coming from when the building was unoccupied for many, many years, my favourite one isn't so much a ghost story but a practical joke of sorts, that could well have been an urban legend, it went something like this.

A group of older school boys led some younger schoolboys to the mansion to tell them some ghost stories, and generally spook the younger lads. They peeked through windows at the somewhat derelict insides, room by room, telling the boys stories of murders and suicides, when they got to the last room, the younger boys would freak out and run away...of course the older boys would fall on the ground in hysterics, because much earlier they had broken in and nailed all the furniture to the roof, making it seem, in the gloom of the evening, as though the furniture was floating up there!

Two other ghost stories I can remember, one involves a young lady committing suicide. She had fallen for a young man but had found him sleeping with the Mansions maid, she flung herself down the staircase and broke her neck. It was always rumoured that if you peeked through the glass of the door you would see her white face peek back.

The other notable story from my childhood involved a man of the house, who was someone of importance, being found by his wife having sex with the housekeeper in front of an open fireplace on the bottom floor.
 In her shock she grabbed a fire poker and stabbed him through the back with it, killing him, she then hit the maid over the head with a wooden rolling pin, killing her, then pushed them both into the fire...she then threw herself down the stairs and broke her neck landing on the floor...

So were any of these stories true?

Most likely not, the only death recorded in the house in local newspapers was that of the original builder and owner Mr Walter Duffield, who died on November 5^th 1882. It is most likely that the stories sprung from periods when the house was empty and local kids would find their way in, however, saying that, in 1939, The Bunyip, Gawler's local newspaper ran an article that mentions the rumour of a ghost "floating up and down the staircase”.

Another article, an extract of which is published here also mentions a lady on the staircase.

Para Para in 2012 - photo by K. Tiller

Other than it's infamous ghost stories and urban legends, Para Para also has a royal connection, with His Royal Highness, Prince Alfred, Duke of Edinburgh, staying at Para Para in 1867.

Plenty has been said about the history of Para Para, and rather than rehash what is already written, those of you who want to learn, or discover more are welcome to follow the link provided below.
http://www.hosking.wattle.id.au/~laurel/parahtml/parahistory.html



Para Para is now a private residence and should be treated as such. The legends of it being haunted, are just that, legends which seem to be attached to any old large house anywhere in the world.
If you wish to view Para Para, please do so from the road and DO NOT trespass as it is private property.

© 2013 Allen Tiller

www.eidolonparanormal.com.au