Highfields

Highfields post office, 11 km north of Toowoomba, first opened in early 1866 before closing later that year (see article below). It then re-opened on 18 September 1876 and was renamed Koojarewon on 30 September 1877 before reverting back to Highfields on 15 March 1907

• Datestamp type 5b (3 November 1908 - 10 October 1910) rated 5R - $75 on cover

Highfields numeral 280 HERE.  Highfields registered HERE

Datestamp Type 5b

1908

Highfields datestamp type 5b dated 3 November 1908. Rated 5R. Seen in a private collection

1909

Highfields datestamp type 5b dated June 1909. Rated 5R. Seen on Stampboards

1910

Highfields datestamp type 5b dated 10 October 1910. Rated 5R. Seen in the Queensland Stamp Collecting Facebook Group

Highfields datestamp type 5b dated October 190-. Rated 5R. Courtesy of Dave Elsmore

Highfields Post Office

THE HIGHFIELDS POSTAL SERVICE.

The following letter has been received by the Hon. Member for Drayton and Toowoomba:-

Sir-I am directed by the Hon. the Postmaster-General to acknowledge the receipt of your letter dated the 13th ultimo, addressed to the Acting Colonial Secretary, enclosing a petition bearing the names of sixty-nine residents at Highfields, praying that the mail service between that place and Toowoomba may be resumed.

In reply, I am to state that you will confer a favour upon the honourable the Postmaster-General by inform-ing the petitioners that the mail service in question was discontinued at the suggestion of the person then holding the office of Postmaster at Highfields, who stated that the neighbourhood was deserted, which statement induced the hon. John Douglas, then Postmaster-General, to advise the termination of the contract.

I have the honour to be, Sir, Your obedient servant,

F. E. SALISBURY, Chief Clerk.

W. H. Groom, Eaq., Toowoomba.

[With reference to the above letter we learn on enquiry, that shortly after the destruction of the Highfield Mills, the settled population at that place decreased to such an extent that the number of letters posted at the office went down by two or three weekly, and sometimes the bag returned minus a letter. When the Government Inspector came out he questioned the utility of continuing the office in its then position, as the neighbourhood seemed to be deserted, and Mr. T. J. White, the Postmaster, subsequently suggested it removal either to Perkin's or Moss's Hotel, where a large population was permanently settled, and by whom it advantages would be made available. The mail subsequently to that, commenced to run to Perkin's Hotel, and continued to do so until just recently, and its discontinuance, at the present time, has been a matter of surprise to the late Postmaster as well as to others.] Darling Downs Gazette 9 April 1867 p. 3