Shire of Highfields explained

The Shire of Highfields is a former local government area on the Darling Downs in Queensland, Australia. It existed between 1879 and 1949.

History

On 11 November 1879, the Highfields Division was created as one of 74 divisions within Queensland under the Divisional Boards Act 1879 with a population of 1998.^[1] It was divided into three sub-divisions with estimated populations of 480, 891 and 627 for Sub-divisions 1, 2 and 3 respectively, a total of 1989.

On 18 January 1884, there was an adjustment of boundaries between Highfields Division's subdivisions Nos. 1 and 2 and Esk Division.

In 1886, the Highfields Division was extended to incorporate the areas of Perseverance, Ravensbourne, Crows Nest, Djuan, Emu Creek, and Cooyar.

With the passage of the Local Authorities Act 1902, the Highfields Division became the Shire of Highfields on 31 March 1903.

In 1910–11, there was considerable pressure to persuade the shire council to relocate their office from Cabarlah to Crows Nest.^{[2] [3] [4]}, but the shire council did not wish to put the issue to a referendum.^[5] This led to further agitation to create a new shire with Crows Nest at its centre.^[6]

On 25 January 1913, part of the Shire of Highfields was excised to create the Shire of Crows Nest.^[7]

On 19 March 1949, the Shire of Highfields was abolished and split between the Shire of Crows Nest and the Shire of Gatton.^{[1] [8] [9] [10]}

Chairman

The following men were the chairmen of the Highfields Divisional Board and the Highfields Shire Council.

• 1880–1888: F. T. Gregory
• 1888–1913: D. Munro
• 1914: J. Leane
• 1915–1917: D. Munro (again)
• 1917–1919: John Kynoch^[11]
• 1920–1921: B. J. Yaldwin^[12]
• 1921–1939: John Kynoch (again), died in office^{[13] [14]}
• 1939–1947: H. Franke
• 1947–1948: W. F. Quinn
• 1948–1949: S. Purtill

References

-27.429°N 151.968°W

Notes and References

1. Web site: Highfields and Highfields Shire. Queensland Places. Centre for the Government of Queensland, University of Queensland. 20 September 2013.
2. News: REMOVING A SHIRE OFFICE. . . 10 August 1910 . 21 January 2014 . 5 . National Library of Australia.
3. News: HIGHFIELDS SHIRE COUNCIL OFFICE. . . 19 December 1910 . 21 January 2014 . 5 . National Library of Australia.
4. News: Highfields Shire Council Office. . . 22 February 1911 . 21 January 2014 . 4 . National Library of Australia.
5. News: HIGHFIELDS SHIRE COUNCIL. . . 17 February 1911 . 21 January 2014 . 6 . National Library of Australia.
6. News: HIGHFIELDS SHIRE. . . 10 January 1912 . 21 January 2014 . 5 . National Library of Australia.
7. Web site: Crows Nest Shire. Queensland Places. Centre for the Government of Queensland, University of Queensland. 20 September 2013.
8. News: DOWNS SHIRE APPROVED. . . Brisbane . 18 March 1949 . 20 September 2013 . 6 . National Library of Australia.
9. News: READER SAYS:. . . Brisbane . 17 April 1951 . 20 September 2013 . 2 . National Library of Australia.
10. News: Gatton Shire Loses—But Will Gain. . . Ipswich, Queensland . 8 December 1948 . 20 September 2013 . 6 Edition: DAILY . National Library of Australia.
11. News: 31 March 1917 . ALL ABOUT PEOPLE. . LI . 5 . . 77 . Queensland, Australia . National Library of Australia . 29 July 2022.
12. News: 15 May 1930 . PERSONAL . LXIX . 6 . . 125 . Queensland, Australia . National Library of Australia . 29 July 2022.
13. News: 24 May 1939 . OBITUARY . LXXIX . 8 (DAILY.) . . 16,380 . Queensland, Australia . National Library of Australia . 29 July 2022.
14. News: 8 June 1939 . COUNCILLOR'S GREAT RECORD . 27 . 5 . . 41 . New South Wales, Australia . National Library of Australia . 29 July 2022.