My immediate forebears were handclappers from way back... I am King Billy of the backsliders
Way back the Argents Hill reunions produced a constant parade of 7 toed, wok eyed gimps (all looking uncannily alike)
...... yes in the early days the winters nights were cold... and the fences low....
....but then.....
COPY AND PASTE FROM THE
Windsor and Richmond Gazette Saturday 18th May 1889
The Mormon settlement in New South Wales is situated on the south side of the Nambuccra River, about six miles from the little town of Bowra.
Those who selected the spot knew what they were about. The settlement is in a beautiful valley, down the centre of which meanders a crystal stream.
The sides of the valley are of surpassing fertility, are fringed by noble forests and about 150 Mormons have settled here.
The settlement was formed about 15 years ago, when a Mormon Elder visited the north coast, making Mormon converts, many of whom, however, became backsliders.
The farms and dwellings of the Mormons are specially noticeable on account of the care taken of them and the skill displayed in their cultivation.
The houses are extremely neat, and each is provided with what is a rarity on the north coast-indeed in the whole of the colony-with splendid flower gardens in front and kitchen gardens in the rear.
The latest and most improved agricultural machinejy is used, and whatever weather may prevail the Mormons always have good crops.
Their reputation for probity is of the very highest among business men, and they are all in comfortable if not independent positions.
They never quarrel with their neighbours, and their own quarrels if they have any are settled amongst themselves by their own tribunal-a court in which an Elder and two who would be called assessors preside and there are, singular to say, no appeals to the ordinary courts from this court.
Polygamy is not practised. This is considered by orthodox Mormons as an innovation on the pure doctrines of Mormonism as promulgated by Joseph Smith, and was introduced by Brigham Young.
The younger women are extremely comely, and I very much fear that the growth of the settlement -and it is growing- is promoted more by the fascinations of these fair daughters of Moab than by the preaching of the Book of Mormons.
The girls marry none but Mormons I must say, however, that no proselytisation is ever attempted.
In the meeting house in the centre of the settlement an unpretentious building the Mormon ritual is regularly held, and it is free and open to all and sundry.
Drunkenness is absolutely unknown, as the virtue of hospitality is practised in the same boundless style it was in the good old times.
No stranger passes the settlement without being made at home, and can stop as long as his conscience will permit him, no questions are asked where he comes from or where he is going to. The house is his as long as he chooses to stay.
Altogether, this is a quaint and curious settlement, and perhaps may form the germ for a future politico social problem. At present it is simply a curiosity among the settlements of New South Wales.
