Richard Henry Watt CARLINGTON 1845-1902, b. Redruth, Cornwall, England, to Richard Watt CARLINGTON and Susanna TRENWITH, was married in 1867 at Ballarat, Victoria to Mary WILLIAMS 1848-1939, b. Montacute Mine, South Australia, to Henry WILLIAMS and Honour TRENWITH.
Richard Henry Watt CARLINGTON was a teacher for many years (Ballarat, Merino [1876-1880], Charlton, Chiltern, Colac, Clunesand Melbourne, Victoria)
Richard and Mary CARLINGTON had 5 children from 1868-1880, 4 of who died at young ages from diptheria.
1876, March : Head Teacher, Scarlet Fever at Merino State School.
"The Hamilton Spectator" (Vic.) Saturday, 4th March 1876.
MERINO. March 1.--I am sorry to state that one case of scarlet fever has proved fatal--that of a child aged two years, the son of Mr. John Patterson, who lives at Mocamboro. It was only ill for a very few hours. Several cases have been reported since last week, but none of them have assumed a dangerous form. Our State school is considerably thinned in its attendance by the absence of those who are ill, and those who are afraid of becoming so. Mr. Carlington, our schoolmaster, takes the precaution of inquiring every morning as to the spread of the disease, and whether it is in the house of any of the scholars ; if so, they are not allowed to attend school till all are well.
1876, November : Head Teacher, a new State School to be built at Merino.
"The Hamilton Spectator" (Vic.) Saturday, 11th November 1876.
MERINO. November 8.--Merino is now in a fair way to have a new State school built, and very shortly, too. The present edifice is too small for the attendance, and the Inspector has directed the head teacher, Mr. Carlington, to obtain temporary accommodation for a few months, during which time the Inspector says a new school will be started. Application was made for the use of the Mechanics' Institute as a temporary school-room, but it is met with very determined opposition by some of the committee, who have been instrumental in having such a creditable mechanics' institute built. They fear, and not without good cause, that it may suffer considerable damage at the hands of the children, and although the proposition that the Institute should be let was carried, and the amount of rent fixed, it is more than probable at the next meeting of the committee, notice to rescind the motion will be given, and if it is, it will assuredly be carried. But that should not militate against a new school being commenced immediately, as there are other buildings suitable for a temporary school-room for about fifty children. The committee of the Institute also fear that if the Education Department are allowed the use of the hall as a school-room, they will not be in any particular hurry to build a new one. And as this has been the case in more than one instance, it was only natural the committee should have no wish to be made fools of, or give the Government any chance of an excuse for delay.
1879, January : Head Teacher, opening of the new Merino State School.
"The Hamilton Spectator" (Vic.) Saturday, 1st February 1879.
THE OPENING OF THE NEW MERINO STATE SCHOOL.
The Opening of the new State School took place on Monday last. The Minister of Education was invited, but not being able to attend, he deputed Mr. Tytherleigh to act in his stead. Several other members of Parliament were invited, also the Hon. Mr. Rose, M.L.C., but none of them were able to attend, Great preparation had been made by the Board of Advice, and Mr Carlington, the head teacher, for giving the children a picnic on the cricket ground a concert in the evening, and a social banquet afterwards. There were a great many friends from the neighbouring townships, and although all the business places were not closed, it was almost generally a holiday. At noon, the achool children, numbering about 130, were marched to the new building by Mr. Carlington and his assistants, and it must have been very pleasing to that gentleman to see so many parents and friends assemble to witness the ceremony of declaring the school open. Mr. Meldrum, the correspondent on behalf of the Board of Advice, read a letter from the Minister of Education, expressing his regret that he could not personally attend, and deputing Mr. Tytherleigh to act for him. He had great pleasure in introducing Mr. Tytherleigh.
Mr. Tytherleigh said that he had anticipated the pleasure of meeting his friend the "Major," but that gentleman not being able to attend, he had the pleasing duty of declaring the school open, and hoped that it would continue to improve as it had done under Mr. Carlington. Mr. Tytherleigh alluded to Mr. Leo Cussen, whom he had the pleasure to see present, and hoped that this would not be a solitary case of a Merino school-boy taking such high honours at the University. He then declared the school open amidst great cheering, and called for three cheers for the schoolmaster ; Mr. Calington in responding to the hearty cheer, said he felt very happy to see so many people present, he was happy at the thought that he should so soon occupy the building they were now celebrating the opening of. The disadvantages he had laboured under in the old school were many. But when he got to the present new building, the want of which had been so long felt, both by himself, the children, and the parents, he would do his best to make the school one of the most successful in the Western district. Cheers were then given for the Board of Advice, for Mr. Meldrum, and for Mr. Tytherleigh, after which the children formed in line and marched to the cricket ground, where swings, bats and balls, &c., were provided for their amusement, tea was made, and served out with sandwiches, buns, tarts, &c., which bad been provided by the parents of the children in abundance and to apare. The members of the Board of Advice viz :--Messrs. Jas. Anderson, Meldrum, Rhodes, and Jas. Tait, also Mr. and Mrs. Carlington, are deserving of special mention, for their untiring efforts to make the whole of the programme, such a successful one, races, jumping, and throwing the cricket ball were indulged in, till six o'clock when more tea and good things were served out, fruit was so plentiful that large basketfuls had to be scrambled. The only drawback to the whole day's pleasure was the heat, and with that exception, everything was most successful.
THE CONCERT
was one of the most successful concerts we have had in Merino, both in attendance and merit of performers. Mr. James Anderson president of the Board of Advice occupied the chair, with Mr. Tytherleigh on his right. The chairman explained that the proceeds of the concert as well as the money contributions, wonld, after paying actual expenses, go towards forming the nucleus of a prize fund, for the Merino State school. The first on the programme was the piano duet, by Miss Hill and Miss Ford. Mr. Hodgson sang a couple of songs very well indeed, it is seldom that this gentleman has appeared in better voice than he did on this occasion, Miss Hill and Mrs. O'Brien sang two duets, very prettily and were deservedly applanded, Miss Boardman also came in for a good share of applause on the rendering of two pretty pieces. Miss M. Silvester played a piano solo with great ability, and received loud and deserved applause. Two young ladies made their debut to a public audience for the first time. Miss Kerby, a visitor, and Miss Cussen of this township, and both received quite an ovation, Miss Kirby for her singing and Miss Cussen for her execution on the piano. Mr. M'Kinley also sang a song. Mr. Ford was called on for a speech, but that gentleman craved the indulgence of the audience, as it was unexpected, and volunteered a song instead, he sang an old fashioned song, and was encored. Mr. Tytherleigh was also called on for a speech, and it is to be regretted that he did not volunteer a song instead also. Mr. Carlington proposed a vote of thanks to the ladies and gentlemen who had contributed so handsomely towards the day's pleasure, not forgetting those ladies and gentlemen who had assisted at the concert.
An adjournment was then made by those who had received invitations to the banquet, which was held at host Northcott's, where about 30 sat down to a very good supper got up in the host's usual good style. Mr. J. Anderson occupied the chair, and Mr. Meldrum the vice-chair. The usual toasts of "The Queen," "The Governor," were proposed by the chairman. Mr. Ford proposed "The Parliament of Victoria," coupled with the name of Mr. Tytherleigh. M.L.A., who, he said, had consistently stuck to the programme he had marked out for himself before his election.
Song by Mr. Hodgson--"Kiss me and caress me."
Mr. Lillie proposed "The Commercial Interest of Merino."
Mr: James Fulton responded.
Song, by Mr. Mitchell--"Nothing else to do."
"Success to the Education Act" was proposed, and Mr Nicholson, jun., responded.
Mr. Meldrom proposed "The health of the visitors."
Mr. Hodgson, Mr. Cutten, and Mr. Nicholson responded.
Song--Mr. Patterson.
Mr. Nicholson proposed "Success to the Merino State School."
Mr. Leo Cussen and Mr. Carlington responded.
Song by Mr J. F. Cussen--"Rhine Wine."
Mr. Tytherleigh proposed--"The Health of the Ladies of Merino."
Dr. Matheson responded.
Song, by Mr. Wallis.
Mr. Tait proposed "The Press"
Mr. Craven responded on behalf of the Hamilton Spectator, and Mr. Cussen for the Casterton News.
The "Health of the Host and Hostess" brought to a conclusion one of the most successful and pleasant social gatherings held in Merino.
1879, June : Head Teacher, Inspector's Report for Merino State School.
"The Hamilton Spectator" (Vic.) Thursday, 3rd July 1879.
MERINO. June 30.
The Merino State School was visited, last week, by the Government Inspector--Mr. Ross Cox, who gives a most flattering account of his inspection ; and through the courtesy of one of the members of the Board of Advice, I am enabled to send you the report :-- Merino State School, No. 416 :--"Organisation : excellent, Instruction : The programme was observed in all the classes, and the instruction given was sound, and the method employed, excellent. I must make special mention of a lesson given by the head teacher to the whole of the Upper School, for the purpose of impressing on the children the bad effects of ill-ventilated rooms. The lesson was carefully prepared before-hand and illustrated by chemical experiments, which had the effect of firing the attention of the children, and giving them a strong interest in all that was told them : it was instructive and interesting to a high degree. The infants are well taught ; the writing throughout the school was much above the average. The children were well behaved, and the class drill was the best i have seen in the district. The management of the school reflects great credit upon Mr. Carlington, the head-teacher.--Signed, Ross Cox, District Inspector."
It is the intention of the Committee of the Mechanics' Institute to give a series of popular entertainments in aid of the funds of the Institute, and on Thursday the first of the series took place. The attendance, considering the inclemency of the weather, was very good. The first part of the entertainment consisted of songs, readings, and selections on the piano. Some of the performers faced an audience for the first time, and in their endeavors to please were well received. The names of the ladies who kindly gave their services were Miss Clarke, Miss Cussen, aud Miss Ford ; and the gentlemen, Messrs. Wallis, Adamson, Enscoe, Kohn, McLeod, and the Chairman, Mr. Carlington. The second part consisted of a Farce called "Cherry Bounce," which was played by Merino amateurs, and was voted by the whole audience a great success, this being their first attempt ; but encouragcd by the success they achieved on this occasion, they purpose trying again to please an audience. The characters were sustained by Messrs. B. Ford, G. Cussen, A. L. Craven, C. Kohn, E. Silvester, and Master F. Hughes. The Chairman announced that the next entertainment would be in about a month's time.
1880, June : Head Teacher, Merino State School (2 children died of dipheria).
"The Hamilton Spectator" (Vic.) Saturday, 10th July 1880.
DIPTHERIA AT BALLARAT--The Courier says:--Some weeks back an outbreak of diphtheria took place in the family of Mr. Carlington, a schoolmaster residing at Merino, in the Hamilton district. Two of the children died, and Mr. Carlington left the district for a time, and came to Ballarat, bringing his family with him, and went to stop with his brother, Mr. Duck, head teacher of the Black Hill school. On the 24th of last month another of Mr. Carlington's children was seized with fever, and the matter having reached the ears of the authorities, the local board of advice has sent notice to Mr. Duck not to return to school for a month.
1902 : Richard Henry Watt CARLINGTON, head teacher at North Williamstown State School, Melbourne, Victoria, died at Williamstown, Victoria and was buried in the Williamstown cemetery.
1939 : Mary CARLINGTON, widow of Richard Henry Watt CARLINGTON, died at South Yarra, Victoria and was buried in the Williamstown cemetery.
Richard Henry Watt CARLINGTON and Mary WILLIAMS had the following family....