Townsville mail

The Townsville Mail was a newspaper published in Townsville, Queensland, Australia from 1885 to 1954. Here are some key facts about the newspaper:

• The Townsville Mail was first published on June 12, 1885, as a weekly newspaper.
• The newspaper was founded by John Douglas, a prominent businessman and politician in Townsville.
• The Mail was initially published every Thursday, but later changed to a daily publication in 1891.
• The newspaper was known for its coverage of local news, politics, and events in Townsville and the surrounding region.
• The Mail was also a strong advocate for the development of the sugar industry in North Queensland, and published articles and editorials on the topic.
• In the early 20th century, the Mail was one of the largest and most influential newspapers in North Queensland, with a circulation of over 5,000 copies per week.
• In 1954, the Townsville Mail merged with the Daily Bulletin, another newspaper published in Townsville, to form the Townsville Daily Bulletin.
• The Daily Bulletin continued to publish until 1999, when it was merged with the Cairns Post to form the Cairns Post and Townsville Bulletin.
• Today, the Townsville Bulletin is still published and is one of the major newspapers in North Queensland.

Some notable events and stories that were covered in the Townsville Mail include:

• The construction of the Great Northern Railway, which connected Townsville to the rest of Queensland in the late 19th century.
• The development of the sugar industry in North Queensland, including the establishment of sugar mills and plantations.
• The construction of the Ross River Dam, which provided water and hydroelectric power to Townsville in the early 20th century.
• World War I and World War II, including coverage of local soldiers and events.
• The Great Depression and its impact on the local economy and community.
• The post-war development of Townsville, including the establishment of the University of Queensland's Townsville campus and the growth of the city's tourism industry.

Overall, the Townsville Mail played an important role in the history of Townsville and North Queensland, providing news and information to the local community for over 60 years.