The extracts are written by P. Greenwood who was invited to write some reminiscences to celebrate the newspaper’s 60th anniversary. The collection was published in 1934.

THE VINEYARDS

Burrowa district is very suitable for fruit-growing, especially grapes. The late Mr W.B Pett established several vineyards, where many tons of grapes were grown each season. About a dozen men and boys were engaged for two or three weeks each season, picking grapes. A large quantity of wine was manufactured by my father and sometimes brandy was made by the late Mr Sol Cooper. As soon as the making of brandy was finished, the ‘still’ had to be handed over to the police. Just one nobbler would knock a person right out. Of course, it had to be broken down before it was made available for drinking. 

TRAGEDY

Like every town, there were some tragic happenings in Burrowa also. One incident comes up vividly before my mind. It is in regard to the sad death of the Rev. G.P Metcalfe (Church of England Minister) who was killed about the year 1916 by a lunatic. 

The clergyman, who had conducted service one Sunday afternoon at a church about ten miles from town, was returning home about five o’clock. He drove a horse and sulky, and when he was four miles from town, on the Lang’s Creek Road, he met the madman. It is supposed that the Rev. Mr. Metcalfe received fatal injury by being struck with a stone thrown by the lunatic. 

The horse bolted off towards the town and on the way for free from the sulky. I distinctly remember seeing the horse galloping into the town, and I wondered as to whatever could have happened. The unfortunate Minister was subsequently brought to town by some of the citizens. He was unconscious when taken to the Hospital. After several days he died without regaining consciousness.