...The Ouse village is but small, just a few houses along the roadsides, an inn, post and telegraph office, school, church, etc. An excellent bridge spans the river, which, a little more than a mile south flows into the Derwent. It is about 10 miles hence to Hamilton, the principal township of the municipality, and just now you are sure to meet a caravan of drays and waggons laden with wattle bark, or returning empty, every few miles along the well-made road. A large business is done with this product by Mr. Bond, of Hamilton, who there has large yards full of huge stacks of it, and a steam plant for grinding. Some scores of men and horses are employed. But for this industry the township would be lonely, as except those of the local trades- men found everywhere, this is the only one. The population is set down at about 400, which includes all within the proclaimed limits....1

• 1. The Mercury 14 March 1885