The Australian Stock Saddle
and the Saddlers that made them
CAPTAIN MAYNE - Messrs Hall and Alderson made the Captain's patent saddle
Source: State Library of NSW
Maryborough Chronicle, Wide Bay and Burnett Advertiser (Qld. : 1860 - 1947), Tuesday 22 October 1889, page 3
PATENT STOCK SADDLE. (Extracted from Telegraph.)
Some ingenious improvements have been invented and patented by Mr. N. Lade, of Queen Street, for the Stock Saddle, and specimens of the improved article will be exhibited at the forthcoming Exhibition. The improvements are threefold, Firstly may be mentioned a more convenient and safer method of fastening the stirrup-leather to the spring bar. The bar is raised half an inch so as to allow it to appear above the main flap under the smaller flap. This permits of the leather being passed on to the bar without being passed through a hole in the flap, as in the general run of Stock Saddles, and in the event of an accident, will allow the stirrup to come away clear of the saddle, should the rider become thrown and remain entangled with the stirrups. The result of this arrangement is that the knee pads can be raised higher, giving a firm grip over the thighs, instead of the knees, and making the seat securer and far more comfortable. A minor improvement is in the fastening of the stirrup leather, doing away with the old chafing buckle, and making the stirrup leather lie perfectly flat. The remaining Improvement is in the fastening of the girth, which is so arranged that the saddle must remain firm on the horse, and not jump, as is frequently the case with the old girth fastening. The improvement are valuable ones, and will doubtless attract considerable attention at the Exhibition. Some specimens are now on view at K. Lade's, 53 Queen Street, Brisbane.
N.B. An illustration of this invention was not available as the Patent was never registered
Transcontinental (Port Augusta, SA : 1914 - 1954), Friday 18 February 1921, page 1
Utility Saddle, SOUTH AUSTRALIAN INVENTION.
Ample evidence has been forthcoming that the young Australian does not lack brains, but unfortunately this country is smitten with much old world conservatism and hatred of new ideas, that the man with the brains usually gravitates to some other country where his talents are more appreciated and his initiative receives some little encouragement. Occasionally, however, somebody is found ready to back a good idea with financial assistance, and to hold out a helping hand to budding genius. The resourceful Australian is found in greater numbers back o'beyond in the bush, where initiative is constantly needed, and it is this type of good Australian who frequently comes to the fore. A case in point is furnished in the case of Archie W. Rogers. For some years he was on Glengyle and Amandale stations in the Northern Territory, and the idea struck him that a good utility saddle would meet the needs of hundreds of men outback, and in the settled parts of the country too. So he set to work to construct one, and the result has been highly satisfactory. The Patents Office has now granted a patent for 'an improved riding saddle' by young Rogers, one of which may be inspected at Holden & Frost, Saddlers, Adelaide. The inventor has picked out all the best features of saddles of all countries and incorporated a great many new ones, the result being a compact piece of harness. A series of flaps; conceal hooks and buckles, designed for many purposes. The saddle is primarily built for use by "stockmen", and especially for service in branding camps; its purpose being to enable the lasso to be attached to the strongest part of the saddle. A flap instead of the usual stirrup leather is a handy substitution and no matter how unruly a calf may be while being lassoed for branding purposes, the horseman's legs cannot get entangled in the rope as is often the case with the old style saddle. The riding seat can be easily removed, likewise the stirrups, and the saddle can then be used as a pack saddle. Provision is made for every possible contingency. Mr Rogers left last week for the Kimberley country in West Australia, where he will again engage in station work.
