The 1890s decade is affected by a severe financial depression. Many banks close, businesses flounder, and landholders are forced to walk off their holdings.
• Ganger Spain is sinking a well at the railway gates near Axedale, standing on a ladder taking measurements, falls to the bottom of the excavation. He strikes the bottom with his head and shoulders and it is a wonder he is not killed instantly. He is attended by Dr. J. M. Eadie.
• The Licensing court determines that the inhabitants of Axedale is numbered at 915.
• 270 acres of valuable agricultural and grazing land about 2 miles from the Axedale Railway Station and adjoining the properties of Messrs. John Burke and D. McNamara is auctioned, under instructions from Mrs. E. Peterson. The compact farm is well improved, being securely fenced and subdivided into five paddocks, 120 acres cleared and now in good heart, having been under grass for the last four years, the quality of the soil being rich loam and fertile river flats. The balance is well studded with valuable timber, and all the paddocks are plentifully supplied with water by Mosquito Creek, in addition to a well at the farm house, and the Campaspe River close to the property. The homestead consists of comfortable six-room dwelling, dairy, barn, chaff house, stabling, milking yards, pig paddock, and all necessary improvements suitable for the advantageous working of the property as a dairy or agricultural farm.
• Cr. Hoskins, Sandhurst City Council, asks as to the cost per yard of bluestone procured at Axedale and delivered at the Sandhurst Station. He wants to test whether the Axedale stone would be better for road metalling than the reef stone being used. The Surveyor reported that it was harder and should last three times longer. Quartz was a favourite but bluestone was superior. Metalling the roads would effect a considerable saving in gravelling.
• The road bridge over the Campaspe River at Axedale catches fire. Buckets of water from the river are used in an unsuccessful attempt to put it out. Firefighters scorch their shoes in a pile of ashes. About 30 or 40 feet [9m or 12m] of the bridge is completely destroyed. Mr. J.D. Bywater, McIvor Shire Councillor, noticed the fire on his way into Sandhurst. He at once engaged a number of gangers [Repairers] employed on the railway to try and put the fire out, and also to place timber across the roadway so as to prevent persons with vehicles passing along there.
The bridge was built by the Government some twenty seven or more years ago and was regarded as one of the best bridges in the colony. It is thought that the fires started in flood debris under the bridge. The council attracts some criticism for not clearing debris from under the bridge after floods. At the railway bridge, a short distance away, men are engaged after every flood to remove and burn debris. Had the council adopted the same plan, the present trouble would not have arisen.
A letter to the McIvor Shire, is read at a meeting, and reported, amongst other things:
"From Engineer of same [Strathfieldsaye], stating to the effect that he had visited the bridge over the Campaspe at Axedale, and did not think their council responsible for the injury done to it by the fire, as it was four chains on the McIvor Shire side. That if the McIvor Shire Council considered they had a claim, he would call a special meeting of the council to deal with the matter. That the rubbish had been cleared from the bridge by their council. Mr. J. Bywater throughout the Strathfieldsaye Shire Council were responsible for half the damage, and moved they be applied to for half the cost of repairing. Seconded by Cr. Tehan. Cr. Tehan stated the Strathfieldsaye Shire should be informed that they have a claim and requested to call a special meeting, and counsel's opinion be taken as to the responsibly of the Strathfieldsaye Shire. The Chairman considered the Strathfieldsaye Shire should be requested to call a special meeting at once. Insert precise details from article.
• Mr. Jeremiah Heffernan, jun., is appointed trustee of the Axedale Racecourse. He replaces Robert O'Brien.
• McIvor Shire and Shire of Strathfieldsaye debate over who has responsibility for repairing the Axedale road bridge over the Campaspe.
• Mr. Shackell has a letter from the Railways Commissioners regarding a milk train being put on to leave Axedale at 6.22pm and arrive in Melbourne at 11.48pm.
• Mr. E. Harrop complains that Mr. J.D. Bywater has closed the road to the Knowsley Railway Station at Knowsley. Although not surveyed, it had been used for 20 years. The other open road was not passable. Cr. Bywater explained that it was his son's selection and there was a gate. The Engineer is to inspect and report.
• Messrs. A. Mill, M. Gleeson and twenty three other ratepayers request council to open a road along the south side of the railway line from Knight's gate and the railway station yard at Axedale. The request is referred to members of the Axedale Riding. [There is some suggestion that Knight's gate may have been Cemetery Road crossing].
• McIvor Council receives a communication from the City of Sandhurst, asking if favourable to send a delegate to deputation, with a view to construct a tramway from the Axedale railway to the bluestone quarry. Cr. Hill did not favour it, Cr. Bywater moved that a delegate be sent as, if it were not for the City of Sandhurst, they would not have got the railway from Kilmore. Cr. McMaster seconded the motion, the quarry being in the shire and is rateable. Cr. Hill then said the quarry puts the matter in a different light.
• Cr. Craike presents a petition from Terence Canny and 76 other residents for permission to use the Axedale Racecourse siding for the loading of wood and produce. The petition is forwarded to the Railways Department and subsequently refused.
• At the Presbyterian Sunday School Anniversary, an instrumental portion of the service is rendered by Adelaide Cahill, and Misses Cahill and Ingham [Alice Louisa] receive a grateful mention for their assistance during the year.
• A numerous and representative deputation will wait on the Minister for Railways to urge on him the necessity of constructing a tramway from Ingham's quarries at Axedale to the local railway station [It should read railway line]. The stone cannot be surpassed for road making.
• The Secretary for Railways acknowledges receipt of the Shire of Strathfieldsaye's letter enclosing a petition from residents near the Axedale Station in reference to a siding [actually the Axedale Racecourse Platform] being opened for loading wood and produce.
• Mr. Norman, Railways Engineer, is to arrive in Sandhurst at 10.55am to proceed to Axedale by the 12.30pm train in order to see what is required to connect Ingham's quarry with the railway to Heathcote. The Shire of Sandhurst Surveyor will accompany him. On arrival at Sandhurst, Mr. Norman is met by Mr. G. Minto, Snr., City Surveyor. They drive out to Axedale and inspect the site of the proposed tramway. A report will be supplied in due course. [I have not found any evidence that the tramway was constructed. However, a dead-end wood siding, to be known as Ingham Siding, will be created on the south side of Heffernan's Marydale property in October].
• District Engineer, Mr. Norman, arrives in Sandhurst and is met by Mr. G. Minto, Snr., City Surveyor. They drove out to Axedale and inspected the site of the proposed tramway from the Heathcote railway to Mr. Ingham's bluestone quarries. A report will be supplied in due course.
• A fire occurred on Mr. Andrew O'Keefe's Adelaide Vale Estate on the Campaspe River where a quantity of grass and firewood was destroyed. A third and more serious fire is now raging in the Whipstick.
• The Axedale races take place with a special train leaving Sandhurst for Axedale Racecourse at 1.15pm, returning at 5pm.
• The Railways Department does not agree to the Axedale resident's request to use Axedale Racecourse for loading wood and produce.
• Mr. Sterry, MLA, on a visit to Axedale, was alerted by some residents, to the necessity of having sheep yards erected at the railway station. Despite an earlier agreement from the Commissioners, the yards had not been provided. He is advised by Mr. Speight, Chairman of Commissioners that, as retrenchment is the order of the day, the work could not be undertaken and had to stand over until some future time.
• A young man whose proper name 'has not yet been found' causes quite a sensation in Axedale. He purchases some powder and caps at the local store, and goes round the town flourishing a revolver. He is met at Drake's Hotel by Constable Nonmus. After a scuffle, he is conveyed to the lockup. His swag contains a large sheath knife and he expresses regret at not being unable to get to the knife so that he can run it through the Constable. The man resists violently on the way to the railway station and Nonmus has to have assistance to get him on the train. He gives several names but remarks that he is 'too knowing' to give a policeman the correct one. A bunch of keys is found on him.
• The United Bands Of Hope hold a monster picnic at Axedale. A special train from Kangaroo Flat, calling at Golden Square 'and local stations' is packed almost to capacity.
• Numerous complaints are being made by Axedale district residents about woodcarters cutting down and stealing fences. Mr. Ingham loses a portion of his fence and 190 sheep stray.
• Cr. Burke inspects the road near the station at Axedale to see the inconvenience caused to residents on the south side, with difficulty in approaching the station either with passengers or goods. Access might be modified by purchasing some land on the south side or repairing the road on the north side. There is some doubt as to the ownership of a small plot of land. The matter is deferred to next meeting as efforts were being made to direct wood traffic to another part of the station. [These efforts may be associated with the Axedale Racecourse Platform petition, which has been refused by the Commissioners].
• A railway platelayer [Repairer], John Ryan, wins against storekeeper, W. S. Cahill, in his application for the 56 acres of land of C. J. Nelson's forfeited selection. Both had applied for the same piece of land. Cahill is a storekeeper residing in the township of Axedale, and wanted the land for a grass paddock. Ryan states that he wanted the land to assist him in maintaining his family. Mr. Macoboy, for Ryan, argued that his client had a better claim. The Board decides to recommend Ryan's claim.
• The adjourned case against Alfred Henry Betts continues at the Police Court. Napthali Ingham agreed to supply Betts with a quantity of bluestone to the Axedale Railway Station for £11. A truck of stone is subsequently supplied. Works are associated with the Forest Street Wesleyan School in Bendigo. Betts is committed for trial.
• A well known local butcher, Mr. Burns [Axedale], is driving along the Heathcote road, and when some distance past Ingham's, the front axle of his buggy suddenly breaks. This causes the horse to bolt and Burns, unable to control it, is sprung out of the vehicle. He alights on his head, but fortunately, on a soft part of the road, for if his head had come in contact with the hard metal road, he would undoubtedly have been very seriously injured if not killed. The frightened animal continues its career for about three miles before it is captured.
• Mrs. Tait, visiting a family living at Ingham's Siding, about two or three miles [3.2km to 4.8km] east of Axedale, has with her, her little girl about two years old. The girl falls into a dam near the siding. A passing neighbour, sees the child's floating hat and, it seems, two hands raised above the water. Unsuccessful efforts are made to resuscitate her. The child is said to have always had a strong aversion to water to the extent that it was almost impossible to get her to take a bath.
• A shooting accident occurs:
"A married man about 35 years of age, named Joseph Bell, one of the leading hands employed by the contractor for the foundations of the new Law Courts at Bendigo, met with a dreadful and very singular shooting accident, by which he was maimed for life. It being Cup day, the contractor granted a holiday to his employees. Not a few of the men proceeded to Melbourne to witness the great race, but Bell, being very fond of shooting, preferred to pass holiday in the bush with his gun to the attractions of the Melbourne Cup. He therefore went out to Axedale for a day's shouting.
Having arrived there he called at a house in the vicinity of the Axedale railway siding and inquired of a woman the best direction to follow so as to meet with game. Whilst he conversed with the woman he placed the loaded gun in front of him, and was leaning on the muzzle with his hands. Presently a child came out of the house and commenced to play about the mother and Bell. The little one, unnoticed by either Bell or the mother, eventually turned its attention to the gun and inadvertently touched the trigger, with the result that the charge in one of the barrels exploded. The palm of Bell's right hand and three fingers were shot clean off, only the thumb and small finger being left. The sufferer was brought into Bendigo and taken to the hospital, where the terrible injury was dressed and he was put to bed. He was very weak from loss of blood. Mr. Bell has a wife and family living in Bendigo.
The manager of the works going on in connection with the new Law Courts states that Bell was a "setter" or "fixer" of the stones which are utilised to build the foundation, and that he was the best hand employed on the works. The manager further states that it will be difficult to find a man to replace him, as Bell was a thorough tradesman and fully conversant with the mode of erecting extensive buildings, etc., strictly in accord with the plans and specifications provided for the Contractors' guidance. Great sympathy is felt for Mr. Bell and his family in the sad calamity which has overtaken him."
A followup article states: "Bell had been talking to Mrs. Smythe, the wife of the railway Gatekeeper when the accident occurred. Shortly afterwards, the train for Bendigo arrived and it was flagged down by Mrs. Smythe. She informed the driver of the circumstances and Driver Boswell, holding a Departmental Ambulance Corps. Certificate, saw that Bell was in danger of bleeding to death and placed a tourniquet above his elbow. He was then placed in the Guard's van and the train resumed its journey to Bendigo."
• Land applications are considered: James Weston, 3 acres, west, and adjoining N. Ingham's holding, Martha Weston, 3 acres, Alice L. Ingham, 3 acres, and Napthali Ingham, 3 acres, all in the Parish of Axedale.
• The original Axedale Hotel passed into history a short while after Michael Costelloe sold it and left the district. Permission is granted to change the name of the Acott Hotel, much closer to Axedale, to Axedale Hotel.
• Messrs. J. Hayes and Co. disposed of the right to the gates and publican's booth at the forthcoming Axedale races. Mr. J. Barrow was the purchaser, the price for the whole being £15/10/0.
• The Shire of Strathfieldsaye Clerk of Works, reports that he has visited the road from Crows Native Gully to the Axedale Railway Station, and found that the surveyed line is not practicable as it is much cut up with ruts. He does not care to take the responsibility of making out a new line, and he suggests that the members for the riding should assist him. [It appears that the unsuitable 'surveyed road' is an extension of Burns Street, to run basically parallel to the line, to the Axedale Railway Station.]
He had also visited the road for repairs to which Michael Moloney claimed £5, and he had not in any way changed his opinion that unless some Councillor promised him something for the work, Mr. Moloney had no claim. Under any consideration, the work was not worth more than £2/10/0. The roads of the Shire were generally in fair condition.
The report is received, and the Clerk's suggestion in regard to a new road to the Axedale station is adopted. It is also agreed to pay £2/10/0 to Mr. Moloney, as Cr. Young says that the work was done just before the last election, and he believed something had been said by a Councillor.
• It is understood that there is to be an alteration in the railway timetable at the end of the week, which will cause the evening train from Sandhurst to start earlier than usual.
• The new rail timetable lists passenger trains to leave Sandhurst at 6.30am and 4.42 pm, arriving at Wallan at 11.11am and 9.20pm respectively. For return trips, departures from Wallan are at 7.55am and 7.30pm, arriving at Sandhurst at 11.30am and 11.35pm respectively. Such trains stop at Strathfieldsaye, Axe Creek, Axedale, Knowsley, Derrinal, Heathcote, South Heathcote, McIvor Road, Tooborac, Pyalong, High Camp Plain, Moranding, Willowmavin, Kilmore, and Wallan.
• Local railway stations are responding well to the appeal made on behalf of the Melbourne poor. An amount of £10 has been forwarded as a first instalment. Owing to Guard Dowsett's [the one involved in the bushranger Ned Kelly's capture at Glenrowan?] good offices, the residents of Knowsley have joined in and the Stationmaster, Mr. Middleton, has despatched ten trucks of firewood, whilst Mr. Page, Stationmaster Axedale, has despatched nine trucks to the Metropolis.
• Allotments 14 to 16, Section 9, Parish of Axedale, on the Axedale railway line, containing 31a, 2r, 19p are offered for sale.
• A painful accident befalls the Fireman, Joseph Lowerey, on the Up Wallan train. He was standing on the line at Ingham's Siding near Axedale, shunting, when some of the carriages came along behind him, and before he could get out of the way, his right arm was crushed between the buffers, fortunately without breaking any bones. The Porter at Axedale Station took Lowery's place on the engine with Driver, C. Main, and the train proceeded on its journey. Lowery returned to Bendigo by train. After treatment at hospital he was then able to go home.
• Napthali Ingham complains of damage to his fencing at Axe Creek and offers a reward of £5 for information leading to conviction of the offender. [This property should be that on the west side of what is now Murphy Lane.]
• There are now three mail trips per day to and from Axedale Post Office and the Axedale Railway Station.
• St. Andrew's Sabbath School picnic will be held at Axedale. Special trains will run between Bendigo and Axedale at 8.30am and 10.30am.
• Mr. D.C. Sterry, MP, receives a communication from the Postal Department, in reply to a petition from residents of Axedale, against the removal of the Post Office to the railway station and states that the change must be carried out in accordance with the general policy of retrenchment, adopted by the Government. The Postmaster General will be asked to reconsider. [Retrenchment is a product of the current financial crisis].
• Since the telegraph machine was taken away from the Axe Creek Station some little time back, Mr. Sterry, MP, has been in communication with the Department endeavouring to obtain telephonic connection between Axedale and Axe Creek stations so that vignerons and orchardists can communicate with the telegraph office at Axedale. Mr. Sterry receives a letter stating that telephonic communication could be established between the Axedale Post Office and Messrs. Craike and Son's Bowmont Vineyard for a rental of £21 per annum. It is unlikely that this 'prohibitionary' offer will be accepted.
• Charles Seward, an elderly man, is arraigned on a charge of unlawfully and maliciously setting fire to a place. Briefly stated, Seward called at Mr. Ingham's hotel at Axedale, and had a drink. He had been engaged to work for Mr. T. J. Cooney, of Campaspe East for 8/- a week. Ingham said that he would engage him for the same amount. When ordered to take a barrow and go out for some firewood, Seward refused. He was then told to head for his original destination. He was then seen setting fire to a brush fence on Ingham's property near the Toolleen road. Seward is found guilty.
• Seward's sentencing:
Charles Seward, who stated that he was 64 years of age, and a labourer, was placed at the bar to receive sentence on a charge of maliciously set fire to a fence belonging to Mr. N. Ingham, at Axedale. The prisoner said he had nothing to say to his Honor except to inform him that he had four little children depending on him for support.
His Honor said that unfortunately for the children, if the prisoner's statement about them were correct, he was unable to take that matter into consideration when deciding what sentence should be passed on the prisoner. The offence, of which the prisoner had been found guilty, showed him to be an extremely malicious, lazy and wicked man (Prisoner: I'm innocent of the charge.) The prisoner was evidently one of those men who belong to the unemployed, who pretend to be looking for work, but don't want to find it. It was men like the prisoner who alienated the sympathies of all right thinking people from those unemployed who are honestly looking for and anxious to get work. The prosecutor, Mr. Ingham, had kindly offered to give the prisoner work, but all the time prisoner was at the place he was trying to raise excuses against work, and then when he found that he could not get any more beer he went away and maliciously set fire to the fence, utterly regardless of what the consequences might be. The whole countryside might have been reduced to ashes for all he cared. And then, not content with doing that, the prisoner when arrested and brought into court attempted to fix the blame on to the man who had detected him in the act. The only thing that saved the prisoner from receiving a lengthened and severe sentence was his old age. Seward was then sentenced to 12 months' imprisonment.
• Mr. Page, the Stationmaster at Axedale, is transferred to Merrigum. He has been 'most courteous and obliging to all with whom he has come in contact.'
• Herbert Dolley sustains a painful injury, working in Mr. N. Ingham's quarry at Axedale. He was removing a pin from a winch when he caught the first two fingers of his left hand in the cogwheels. The first finger was nearly severed while the second one was badly crushed. The tip of his first finger is amputated.
• The M. U. Oddfellows advertise that they will be mounting a Boxing Day excursion to the Axedale Racecourse.
• There was heavy passenger traffic at Bendigo, but everything went smoothly. In addition to the regular trains, many specials ran, besides which about 3,500 people were carried in excursion trains to Trentham, Marong, Axedale, Echuca and Harcourt.
• The new rail timetable lists passenger trains to leave Sandhurst at 5.53am and 4.42 pm, arriving at Wallan at 10.40am and 9.20pm respectively. For return trips, departures from Wallan are at 7.50am and 7.20pm, arriving at Sandhurst at 11.30am and 11.35pm respectively. Such trains stop at Strathfieldsaye, Axe Creek, Axedale, Knowsley, Derrinal, Heathcote, South Heathcote, McIvor Road, Tooborac, Pyalong, High Camp Plain, Moranding, Willowmavin, Kilmore, and Wallan.
• Notice is received from postal authorities, that, as soon as arrangements can be made, the Axedale Post Office will be removed from its present site to the railway station. A petition is formulated and forwarded to Mr. D.C. Sterry, MLA, for presentation to the Postmaster General. Mr. J. Heffernan, JP, to proceed to Melbourne with other Axedale residents to protest against the removal. [The relocation will move the Post Office from a position within the town, to about 1 mile out of town].
• The Shire Secretary (Mr. M. Brennan) incidentally mentions, as showing the absurdity of high railway tariffs, that the people of Axedale actually drive into Bendigo and home again, alongside of an empty train, because of high fares. Cr. Burns states that he has eight tons of tallow to send in from Axedale, and he has to send it by road owing to the high railway freights.
• The deficit for 1893-1894 is expected to be £500,000.
• Heathcote trains are arriving late in Bendigo without any reason being given. Axedale and Axe Creek passengers are driving into town rather than using the uncertain trains. [This may be due to the financial crisis, as well as passengers being conveyed by mixed trains that are required to shunt at intermediate stations from time to time].
• Patrick Milley is brought up on remand, charged with having, at Axedale, attempted to commit a criminal assault on a little girl named Emma Harrowfield. The defence tries to get Milley discharged on the technicality of evidence not being pre-sworn. Milley is discharged and then again charged with the offence. The victim's family lived in a tent at Ingham's Siding and had to walk through Heffernan's 'Marydale' property to attend the Axedale State School. Milley is committed for trial.
• At Axedale, the Primitive Methodist Sunday School picnic, a large number of children were enjoying themselves in innocent recreation on the railway bridge which crosses the Campaspe near the racecourse, when suddenly a train on its way to Bendigo came in sight and a panic ensued. It was almost impossible for all the children to have got out of danger in time, but the prompt action of Driver Strauhair in pulling the train up, avoided a calamity. He was warmly and sincerely thanked for his resolute action. [Innocent recreation: playing on a 30 ft. high railway bridge over a river? Not the safest of activities for a Sunday School picnic I would have thought].
• Mr. G. D. Guthrie, and one of his Bendigo Pottery employees, drove out to Mr. N. Ingham's quarries and, having transacted his business, resumed his seat in the buggy. When descending the steep hill leading to the Campaspe bridge [Ingham Road], the horse became unmanageable and suddenly swerved at the foot of the hill, capsizing the vehicle. Mr. Ingham and several others ran to the assistance of the buggy occupants who were thrown onto some large boulders.
• Mrs. Donaldson is transferred from Rokeby Station to Ingham Siding and Mrs. Moss is transferred from Ingham's Siding to Rokeby Station. [This could possibly be as a direct result of their husbands changing employment location].
• The prevalence of bushfires in this district is creating some anxiety among property owners. There have been fires in the Knowsley area, stated to have been caused by a spark from the railway engine. Another fire, supposed to be from the same cause, breaks out between Knowsley and Axedale. There is another on the western portion of the Heathcote common.
• The Long Gully Bible Christian Sunday School holds their annual picnic at Axedale. The children, together with their teachers and friends, and numbering 300 altogether, were conveyed to the local railway station [Sandhurst] in special trains. They then embarked on a special train to Axedale, where the pastimes incidental to all such outings were indulged in on the banks of the Campaspe River.
• Tickets for the United Sunday Schools picnic at Axedale are much in demand. Special trains will leave Bendigo at 9am and 10.30am, returning at 5pm and 6pm.
• St. Andrews' and West Sandhurst Presbyterian Sunday Schools and the Methodist and Baptist Schools, hold a combined picnic at Axedale - one of the most successful yet held under the auspices of the schools. There must have been over 2,000 of the children and their friends on the ground during the day. The picnickers desire to acknowledge the kindness and attention of the railway officials who did their utmost to make everyone comfortable.
• An accident, where a train divides on its approach to the Axedale station, is mentioned in The Argus, in conjunction with the Westinghouse Automatic Brake system:
One of the great advantages of the Westinghouse railway brake is that in the event of a coupling breaking, and a train becoming divided, the brake at once comes into action and both sections of the train are brought to a standstill. Without this or some other automatic brake in readiness, the breaking of a coupling on a decline generally means collision between the two portions of the train. Many of our goods and mixed trains are run without the Westinghouse brake, and therefore, such collisions are of comparatively frequent occurrence. A recent accident at Axe Creek is a case in point.
On the 27th of May, the 5.15am mixed train from Bendigo to Wallan divided between Strathfieldsaye and Axe Creek. The engine driver noticed the occurrence, and to avoid being run into by the rear portion of the train, ran half a mile beyond the Axe Creek station relying upon the Guard to bring his portion of the train to a standstill at the station. The Guard, however, did not succeed in doing this, and there was a collision which smashed up two trucks and slightly injured some passengers, who have been compensated.
The commissioners now announce that both the Guard and Enginedriver are held to be culpable in the matter, the former for not properly applying his brake, although he alleged he had done so, and the latter for not proceeding further along the line so that all possibility of the accident would have been avoided. It is explained that in order to ascertain whether the Guard could have stopped his portion of the train on the decline leading into the station, an experiment was made with a train under proper test conditions. The two officials have, however, not been severely dealt with. The Guard has been reprimanded and fined £2, and the Driver simply cautioned. [This is another example of confusion as to the locality. There is no decline in the Up direction towards the Axe Creek station. There is, however, a decline between the Acott mine site and Axedale station in that direction. An earlier, Argus article mentions Axedale as the location and, also states that the Guard was fined 2 day's pay.]
• The Government accepts Mr. N. Ingham's tender for the supply of firewood to Bendigo.
• An A.N.A. picnic is to be held at Axedale, with special trains "all morning."
• The Forest Street and Quarry Hill Congregational Sunday Schools hold their annual picnic at Axedale. About 700 of the children and their friends were conveyed by special train, and the usual methods of enjoyment were taken full advantage of. A sports program was gone through, about 90 events set down for competition, and in addition, a cricket match was played between the two branches of the Sunday School. Quarry Hill scored 119, of which C. Jorgensen made 45, and Forest Street were all disposed of for 32. The Superintendents and Teachers of the two schools were very energetic in promoting the enjoyment of everybody.
• Mounted Constable Allis, the officer-in-charge of the Axedale Police Station, notices smoke rising from the railway bridge crossing the Campaspe River at Axedale. The smoke is on the Strathfieldsaye side where the bridge is about 20 feet above the ground which gradually slopes down to the bed of the river. He obtains a large bucket from the Police Station about half a mile away, and returns to the bridge. Filling the bucket with water, he climbs on the bridge and finds a sleeper almost burnt through. He extinguishes the fire and meets one of the gangers, whose attention had been directed to the fire by a person named Fitzpatrick, living nearby, as he is about to go to the railway station. The fire is evidently caused by a hot coal from the locomotive of a train that had passed over the bridge about an hour earlier.
• The Axedale railway station is broken into and robbed. However, it is to be March, 1897, before the offenders are brought to justice.
• An old resident of Muskerry, and the mother of Mr. R.P. O'Dwyer of the Moorabbee Hotel, Knowsley, dies and is buried in the Axedale Cemetery.
• Mr. Craike moved, seconded by Mr. Maguire, that the Clerk of Works be instructed to write to the Commissioner of Railways, calling attention to the manner in which crossings are superintended on the Heathcote rail line in the Axedale Riding.
• The Annual United Sunday Schools picnic is to be held at Axedale. Special trains are scheduled to leave Bendigo at 8.45am, 9.10am, 10am and 10.30am, returning at 5pm, 5.30pm and 6.30pm.
• An Axedale reader, A Subscriber, is surprised to read that the Railways Commissioners have granted increments to the Clerks in the Department receiving under £150, and not to those Stationmasters who are receiving less than that amount. [Was the writer the Axedale Stationmaster?]
• A new rail timetable lists passenger trains to leave Sandhurst at 5.30am and 4.10 pm, arriving at Wallan at 10.35am and 9.05pm respectively. For return trips, departures from Wallan are at 8.10am and 5.0pm, arriving at Sandhurst at 12.55am and ??.??pm respectively. Such trains stop at Strathfieldsaye, Axe Creek, Axedale, Knowsley, Derrinal, Heathcote, South Heathcote, McIvor Road, Tooborac, Pyalong, High Camp Plain, Moranding, Willowmavin, Kilmore, and Wallan.
• Congregational Sabbath Schools picnic will take place at Axedale.
• The St. Killian's Roman Catholic Schools picnic is held at Axedale. Over 1,800 picnickers travelled by rail and there must have been fully 2,000 people on the ground
• The A.N.A. holds their picnic at Trentham Falls and forsakes Axedale owing to the extraordinarily dry season.
• A man, W. Dixon, is brought to Bendigo by Constable Scherrer, of Birchip, and lodged in gaol on a charge of having broken into the Axedale Station on Friday, March 20th.
• W. Dixon, and others, are awaiting trial for various robberies. Dixon is also awaiting trial for the Axedale Station safe robbery.
• The station, under the charge of James Coates, Stationmaster, was entered and the iron safe, containing cash and stamps amounting to £9/16/10, was carried away. It is found broken open about 200 yards [183m] from the station the next morning in a paddock belonging to Mr. Harris. The accused were seen on the McIvor Road near Axedale on the day of the robbery. They were carrying a sledge hammer and a canvas bag. They had received short sentences for vagrancy. Dixon confessed to taking part in the robbery. He was discharged and then gave evidence on his accomplices. Dixon, and accomplices, were also charged with a number of other robberies.
• The organising committee is making final arrangements for the Gravel Hill and Quarry Hill State Schools' excursion to Axedale.
• The Gravel Hill and Quarry Hill State Schools' excursion is held at Axedale with a special train from Bendigo at 1.45pm
• The trials of Dixon and his accomplices resumes.
• An editorial comment on the train service in general. Bendigo to Melbourne via Wallan is said to be one of the most unpleasant and wearisome journeys over any 100 miles [160km] in the colony. This is so well recognised that it is a very rare occurrence, even in summer months, to find any passengers undertaking it. In the winter months, 20 or 30 miles [32km to 48km] is sufficient to form some idea of the total disregard the Department has for the comfort of travellers in not providing any means of lessening the naturally uncomfortable and wearisome journey of a mixed train.
• Knowsley has the reputation of being one of the best kept stations on the line and one of the busiest for firewood. Shunting operations there frequently take half an hour. Passengers either remain coiled up in the carriage or walk up and down on the platform to keep their blood in circulation. There is no warm waiting room. After travelling about 70 miles [112km] at a speed that might be creditable to a good buggy horse, one eventually arrives on the well-ballasted Up track of the North-Eastern line.
• The train usually arrives at least a half hour before the North-Eastern line train. Once again, people have to stand in the cold air. Wallan does not have a decent waiting room or refreshment room, but there is one a few miles away [Kilmore] where "there does not appear to be a necessity to stop longer than is required to enable local passengers to get out and get in.
• The Engine Drivers' Association decides that, in the event it is resolved not to hold sports in consequence of the condition of the cycling track in the Show Grounds [Bendigo], a picnic should be held at Axedale.
• Lost, from Axedale Station, steel grey horse, 3 years, white face, branded S on rump. Communicate Stationmaster, Axedale.
• Henry Acott, 65 years, is admitted to hospital and dies from alcoholism and the affects of heat.
• A bushfire has been burning since last Friday. Large sticks of timber at Ingham's Siding ignited and residents were powerless to stop the fire spreading. The Gatekeeper's residence in the vicinity was in danger of destruction. Mr. Middleton, Stationmaster at Knowsley, travelled along the line on a tricycle to see if he could be of any assistance. On reaching near the siding, he found that sleepers had caught fire. He continued to Axedale and sent information to Bendigo Station. By this time, the 4.10pm train from Bendigo had reached Axedale and the train from Wallan had also arrived at Knowsley and neither could continue on its journey. Necessary repairs were effected via Mr. McVeigh, the Ganger in charge of the line. The train at Axedale then proceeded to Knowsley. Train delays were about 2 hours. There was also an extensive fire near Leslie, near Wallan. Other fires also appear in the article.
• Report on the Acott Reef and an attempt to reorganise it.