Smiths Bay - Jacka

Kangaroo Island Farms.

No XVII. A SMITH'S BAY PROPERTY.

Some 18 miles from Kingscote, on the shores of Smith's Bay, is the prettily situated farm of Mr F. W. Jacka [Frederick Walter Jacka - see descendants report below], who (with his wife [Elizabeth Ann nee Spratt] and family [6 surviving children]) came over from Owen about two years ago, and acquired the property from Mr Martin Chirgwin, The area is 1,596 acres, taken up on a right-of-purchase lease, and comprises chiefly chocolate and red sandstone soils, interspersed with rich black peaty flats. A representative of the Courier, in company with a small party of friends, recently paid a visit to the farm, the drive out, although the weather was somewhat tropical, being most enjoyable. The homestead is situated close to the foreshore, and the scenic effects, embracing the hills as a background and a fine view of the sparkling blue waters of the bay, possesses a great charm for all those who love Nature.

On arriving at the homestead the visitors were cordially received by Mr and Mrs Jacka and family and, after partaking of their hospitality a lazy half hour was spent "neath the shade of the old mulberry tree," which, adjoining the homestead, is a splendid specimen of its race, affording a most agreeable shelter from the heat of the sun at noon-day and bearing a fine harvest of fruit. The next item on the programme took the form of a ramble up the Freestone Creek which tuns through the property and passes the homestead on its way to the sea. This forms one of the prettiest walks to be found on Kangaroo Island. The banks of the creek are fringed in places with the luxuriant growth of the blackberry bush, also a number of eucalyptus and wattle trees, and the hills on either side form a fine setting for this natural picture. Here and there also the maidenhair fern lends its delicate foliage to assist in the general effect.

After strolling for some little distance Mr Jacka's fine orchard is reached. It is about 3 acres in area, and comprises apples of ail varieties, pears, plums, peaches, apricots, nectarines, loquats, walnuts, almonds, currant grapes, lemons, oranges and mulberries. Some magnificent collections of apples and peaches have been sent away, from the garden in times past. Mr Jacka does not anticipate such a large fruit harvest as usual this year (although the apple trees appeared to the visitors to be well loaded.) The trees bad been neglected for some time but last year they were pruned and this will, therefore, necessarily mean a smaller harvest for the coming season, although, later on, the results should be well in advance of anything previously attained. Last season Mr Jacka disposed of 120 cases of apples which sold readily at an average of 5/-per case, while peaches realised 11/- a case and other stone fruits, correspondingly fair prices. A wheat bag of almonds made an addition to the treasury of £3 6/8. Vegetables also do well in the garden — such as melons, squashes, marrows, trombones, pumpkins and tomatoes growing in profusion, while onions and potatoes are a great success.

Near the orchard is a fine permanent spring of fresh water which never falls more than 3ft below the surface so that when the creek does run dry which only happens, perhaps, for a week or two during the year, there is no danger of a shortage of the precious fluid. The first year Mr Jacka and his sons went on the property they cultivated 100 acres of barley, wheat and oats. From 17 acres they secured 50 tons of hay, while the barley gave an average return of 30 bushels per acre, oats 35 bushels and wheat {Federation, Yandilla King and SilverKing) gave a return of 12 bushels. Last year the same area of land was put under cultivation, but owing to the severe floods (which on one or two occasions, were so much in evidence that the family had to temporarily abandon the homestead) the results were much lighter than those of the previous year. During the two years that Mr Jacka has been on the property a considerable amount of clearing has been done, and the farm otherwise substantially improved in the way of building and fencing. Since the floods a great deal of time has been taken up re-erecting fences and filling in ' washaways.'

There is not the slightest doubt that Mr Jacka's property is admirably adapted for mixed farming. Sheep thrive on the country and prove a very payable asset, as Mr Jacka secured 9d per 1b. for wool this year. The flock is being reduced in number, there being only 150 on the property just at present, but there will be a considerable increase as time goes on and the area of cleared country becomes greater. They are of the Shropshire—merino cross and, at the time of our visit, were, in common with the horses and cattle on the farm, in remarkably fine condition. A flock of 6 turkeys brought over by Mr Jacka from the mainland on his arrival here, have increased to the respectable number of 130, irrespective of those who have met untimely deaths at Christmastide and other festive seasons of the year. In September of last year Mr jacka sent ten turkeys away to the mainland, and the birds averaged 10/5|d. each, although turkeys at that time were low in price. They realised 7¼d per lb. live weight. The property is also an ideal place for fowls. Incidentally it might be mentioned that Professor Laurie has more than once stated that K.I. is one of the finest districts for poultry breeding in the world. When Mr Jacka arrived at Kingscote he brought with him, in addition to the turkeys, a dozen fowls, and these have increased to 130 or 140, in addition to a large number which have figured as an adjunct to the bill of fare. Mr Jacka has been a member of the Kingscote Egg Circle since its inauguration and has sent away, through that body twelve dozen eggs per week.

Shipping facilities on the property are excellent. There is a splendid shipping place within a short distance of the homestead, and no trouble is experienced in loading cargo on the steamer. Last year 200 bags of grain was shipped on the Karatta within two hours. Shipping facilities are also afforded on another portion of the property, at Dashwood Bay.

Visit to Smiths Bay.

Mr F. W. JACKA'S FARM.

Opinions seem to differ considerably as to the impending results of this year's harvest on K. I., but anyone inspecting the crops at Smith's Bay would not be left long in doubt, so far as that part of the Island is concerned, at any rate, for there one sees crops of cereals that will equal anything on the mainland.

A representative of this paper recently paid a visit to the property owned by Mr F. W. Jacka (who has been in possession a little over twelve months) and was surprised at the excellence of the crops there, considering the spell of dry weather they have lately had to contend with. Starting on a tour of inspection Mr Jacka led the way first to the plot where vegetables in great variety are thriving, including rhubarb and potato onions. From there a fine crop of Silver King wheat (between 5 and 6 feet high) was seen. This crop is very thick and should give a splendid yield. On a little further crops of Algerian and Cape oats were passed, also Spring barley, which showed excellent growth. A cross crop of Federation wheat and Algerian oats was next on the list and this, like the other crops, would be hard to beat anywhere.

The course then led to the garden which, up to last year, had been neglected, but, notwithstanding that fact, in apples alone Mr Jacka took over 70 cases from the trees. Since then the various trees have been pruned and sprayed, and peaches, apricots, apples, plums, lemons, and vines show promise of a splendid yield. Here one sees, along the banks of a creek, blackberry bushes growing in profusion and these, together with different varieties of fern, present a very pretty sight to see wandering up the creek in the shade of the lofty gums.

Presently Mr Jacka piloted the visitor to what he terms his champion crop of barley on the way to which was passed a crop of Federation, Yandilla King and Silver King wheats. This was showing slight effects of the lack of rain but, for all this, was looking well. The crop of Lancefield barley of 50 acres would indeed open the eyes of those croakers who affirm that Kangaroo Island cannot grow oereals. It is situated on the top of a hill with a gentle slope and presents a lovely sight as it waves and rustles in the breeze. On the way home another crop of Yandilla King wheat was passed and this ' holds its own' well with the rest of the crops. Altogether a very pleasant and interesting time was spent and the hospitality of Mr and Mrs Jacka left nothing to be desired.

Descendants of :

Frederick Walter JACKA

For sources and more details, click here

Generation 1

1. Frederick Walter JACKA was born 30 Apr 1861 in Adelaide, SA and died 08 Aug 1931 in Clare, SA. He married Elizabeth Ann SPRATT 20 Jun 1883 in Melrose, SA. She was born 12 Nov 1863 in Melrose, SA and died 18 Dec 1914 in Adelaide, SA.

Other events in the life of Frederick Walter JACKA
Residence: BET 1908 & 1915, Smiths Bay, Kangaroo Island, SA

Children of Frederick Walter JACKA and Elizabeth Ann SPRATT:
i. 2. Frederick Arthur JACKA was born 22 Mar 1884 in Melrose, SA and died 12 Mar 1949 in Semaphore, SA
ii. Florence Elsie JACKA was born 29 Jul 1885 in Melrose, SA and died 25 Apr 1890 in Melrose, SA
iii. 3. Thomas Edgar JACKA was born 03 Jul 1888 in Melrose, SA and died 08 Nov 1981
iv. 4. Ruby Mabel JACKA was born 03 Jul 1888 in Melrose, SA and died 21 Sep 1970 in ACT
v. 5. Percival Coombe JACKA was born 22 Feb 1890 in Melrose, SA and died 11 Dec 1963 in Mintaro, SA
vi. 6. Lancelot Ernest JACKA was born 18 May 1892 in Melrose, SA and died 06 Nov 1979
vii. 7. Harold Greadon JACKA was born 18 Jun 1897 in Melrose, SA and died 19 Sep 1970 in Stanley Flat, SA

Generation 2

2. Frederick Arthur JACKA was born 22 Mar 1884 in Melrose, SA and died 12 Mar 1949 in Semaphore, SA. He married Olga Isabel Alexa DELPEAT 23 Oct 1917 in Adelaide, SA. She was born ABT 1889 and died 07 Jan 1930 in St Peters, SA, daughter of Frederick Theodor DELPEAT.

3. Thomas Edgar JACKA was born 03 Jul 1888 in Melrose, SA and died 08 Nov 1981. He married Rose TURNER 12 Apr 1916 in Wisanger, Kangaroo Island, SA. She was born ABT 1895 and died 23 Jul 1986, daughter of George TURNER and Mary Amelia ROPER.

Children of Thomas Edgar JACKA and Rose TURNER:
i. 8. Dudley Thomas JACKA was born 24 Jan 1917 in Adelaide, SA and died 31 Aug 1977
ii. Eric George JACKA was born 09 Sep 1919 in Mintaro, SA and died 24 Oct 2001
iii. 9. Mary Elizabeth (Bessy) JACKA was born 04 Apr 1924 in Mintaro, SA and died 12 Nov 2017
iv. Rosemary JACKA

4. Ruby Mabel JACKA was born 03 Jul 1888 in Melrose, SA and died 21 Sep 1970 in ACT. She married Norman COOK 1921 in Sydney, NSW. He died 07 Aug 1967 in ACT.

5. Percival Coombe JACKA was born 22 Feb 1890 in Melrose, SA and died 11 Dec 1963 in Mintaro, SA. He married Hilda Millicent PAUL 29 Apr 1922 in Prospect, SA. She was born 12 Jul 1885 in Head of the Wakefield, SA and died 13 Jan 1957 in Clare, SA.

6. Lancelot Ernest JACKA was born 18 May 1892 in Melrose, SA and died 06 Nov 1979. He married Pearl TURNER 26 May 1920 in Wisanger, Kangaroo Island, SA. She was born 09 Feb 1897 in Wisanger, Kangaroo Island, SA and died 05 Oct 1992, daughter of George TURNER and Mary Amelia ROPER.

7. Harold Greadon JACKA was born 18 Jun 1897 in Melrose, SA and died 19 Sep 1970 in Stanley Flat, SA. He married Jessie Lenver TURNER 21 Oct 1926 in Wisanger, Kangaroo Island, SA. She was born 11 Jan 1901 in Kangaroo Island, SA and died in Clare, SA, daughter of George TURNER and Mary Amelia ROPER.

Other events in the life of Harold Greadon JACKA
Burial: Clare General Cemetery

Children of Harold Greadon JACKA and Jessie Lenver TURNER:
i. Richard JACKA
ii. Geoffrey JACKA

Generation 3

8. Dudley Thomas JACKA was born 24 Jan 1917 in Adelaide, SA and died 31 Aug 1977. He married Effie Joyce JACKA - m. She was born ABT 1919 and died 18 Jul 1977.

Other events in the life of Dudley Thomas JACKA
Burial: Burra Cemetery

9. Mary Elizabeth (Bessy) JACKA was born 04 Apr 1924 in Mintaro, SA and died 12 Nov 2017. She married Allan BLIGHT.

Last updated : 23 Oct 2021