Adelaide Darling Building

Built 1916 for the company, John Darling & Son, on site of Hugh Fraser’s former marble works, architect Eric McMichael, later used for various offices, vacant from 1997 until purchased 2013 by William Burton Leopardi Architects, renovated & re-opened 2016. John Darling had taken over R G Bowen’s Waymouth St grain stores in 1868, moving by 1876 to King William St. His son had joined the business in 1872 and the grain merchant & flour milling company was known as John Darling & Son. In 1888 the company transferred to Fraser’s premises in Franklin St.

 

“Cape Oats.— Prime Samples for Seed. John Darling, at R. G. Bowen's Grain Stores, Waymouth-street.” [Register 11 Apr 1865 advert]

 

“To Farmers and Others.— J. Darling begs to announce to the Farmers of South Australia that he has taken for a term those Large and Commodious Premises lately in the occupation of Mr. R. G. Bowen, and known as the Waymouth-street Wheat and Grain Stores, where he intends carrying on business as a General Produce Merchant. Wheat, Oats, and Barley Bought or Stored on the most reasonable terms. Bags lent for the convenience of farmers. John Darling.” [Register 12 Dec 1865 advert]

 

“Storage-room for 50,000 Bushels at the Waymouth-street Wheat and Grain Stores. John Darling.” [Register 12 Dec 1865 advert]

 

“Horsefeed, Barley and Oats (crushed and uncrushed), Chaff, Bran and Pollard. Waymouth-street Grain Stores. John Darling.” [Register 4 Jul 1866 advert]

 

“Wheat Market.— Millers’ Prices. . . Mr. John Darling has purchased wheat this day at 4s. 1d. per bushel for single drayloads.” [Register 7 Sep 1867]

 

“Wheat Market.— Miller’s Prices. . . Mr. John Darling has purchased wheat this day at 8s. 8d. per bushel for single dray loads.” [Register 21 Apr 1868]

 

“The tender of John Darling for the supply of bread to the establishments of the Colonial Government in Adelaide, including the labor prison Dry Creek, and excepting the Hospital, has been accepted at 2½d. and 3d. per 2-lb. loaf.” [Advertiser 19 Sep 1868]

 

“the advent of Mr. John Darling, of Waymouth-street, so well and favorably known to most farmers of extensive holdings in the South, gives assurance of an active trade, which, we .trust, will result in mutual benefit to himself and his patrons. . . Mr. Darling having abundant storage in Adelaide, will be able daily to relieve the mill of the grist in large quantities, to make space for fresh consignments.” [Chronicle & Weekly Mail 26 Dec 1868]

 

“Mr. John Darling has sent to our office a specimen of pearl barley manufactured at the Imperial Mills, Hurtle-square. The quality appears to be excellent, and we understand that it can be produced at a lower price than that of the imported article.” [Register 7 Sep 1869]

 

“John Darling & Son having again taken possession of the Imperial Mills, Hurtle-Square, beg to announce that they are Purchasers of Wheat at highest market price, or will Store on their usual liberal terms. Bags Lent. Cash advanced. Also to Bakers and others they are prepared to supply the Trade with Flour, Bran, and Pollard of the best quality at moderate rates.” [Register 17 Dec 1874 advert]

 

“Messrs. John Darling & Son have chartered the Girvan to load a full cargo of wheat at Port Pirie for the United Kingdom.” [Adelaide Observer 25 Nov 1876]

 

“City Mission Hall. . . The generous offer of £500 by John Darling, Esq., M.P., encouraged the Committee to undertake the erection of a new Hall.” [Advertiser 2 Oct 1877]

 

“instructed by the Trustee in the Assigned Estate of Hugh Fraser to sell by auction. . . Thirty-Seven Years’ Lease of Part of Town Acre 210. . . on which is erected the Buildings known as ‘Fraser's Chambers’ and Fraser's Marble Works. Also 100 Shares in the Glen Osmond Quarry Company. 500 [shares] Metropolitan Brink Company.” [Advertiser 28 Aug 1886 advert]

 

“The firm of Messrs. John Darling and Son, whose offices have for many years been in King William-street, have purchased the freehold of the premises in Franklin street known as Fraser Chambers, where Mr. Hugh Fraser had his marbleworks. Messrs, Darling & Son have hitherto had two offices, one in the city and another at the Port, but owing to the difficulty which has been experienced in working the steamers and the separation of the affairs of the firm, the whole of the business has been concentrated in the new premises.” [Express & Telegraph 13 Sep 1887]

 

“Seed. Seed. Seed. Oats — Cape, Algerian, Grey, and Tartarians, Wheat. Purple Straw, Steinwedel, Dart's Imperial, Hay Seed, &c., Cape Barley. John Darling and Son, Franklin-street.” [Evening Journal 27 Apr 1898 advert]

 

“Owing to the death of Mr. John Darling a change in the management of the business of Messrs. John Darling & Son has taken place. All departments of trade in Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney, and Fremantle will, however, be carried on as heretofore, but under the management of the late Mr. John. Darling's trustees, who are Mrs. John Darling, Mr. Harold G. Darling, and Mr. W. J. Hill.” [Advertiser 17 Apr 1914]

 

“Messrs. John Darling & Son have accepted tenders for the rebuilding of their premises at the corner of Franklin and Bentham streets. The old building which was originally erected by Mr. Hugh Fraser, was used by that gentleman for a number of years in connection with his marble business. Mr. John Darling took possession in 1888, and the business of Messrs. John Darling & Son has been conducted there. The new building will consist of four storeys and a basement. It will be of brick and reinforced concrete. . . The interior is to be elaborately fitted, the main office being similar to an ordinary banking chamber. Every convenience will be provided for the staff, including luncheon and retiring rooms. [Advertiser 13 Jul 1916]

 

“Prevost's (now Messrs. Prevost, Selth, & Co.) at their new premises, Darling Buildings, Franklin Street.” [The Mail 6 Apr 1918]

 

“The twenty-ninth Convention of the Pastoralists' Federal Council of Australia commenced its sittings at Darling Buildings, Franklin-street, Adelaide.” [Advertiser 19 Apr 1918]

 

“Red Cross Information Bureau. Darling Buildings, Franklin Street. All who are anxious to seek news of sick, wounded, or missing men enlisted from this State are invited to call at or write to the above Office, and the Red Cross will endeavour to help them.” [Register 9 Jul 1918]

 

“Temporary Typiste Stenographer wanted at once . . . Broken Hill Proprietary Co., Darling Building, 28 Franklin Street.” [News 21 Apr 1928 advert]

 

“Learn at once by mail in spare time and qualify to meet today's requirements. Mechanical drawing, architectural drawing, building construction taught rapidly and practically. . . Learn Woolclassing. . . Practical bookkeeping. . . Special courses to help those who have missed part of their schooling. . . Howard Correspondence College, Note New Address — Darling Bldgs., 28-30 Franklin st.” [Advertiser 31 Jul 1937 advert]

 

“Learn Diesel engineering at home in your spare time. What you study now affords security in future years. Write or call. Howard Correspondence College. . . Proficiency in bookkeeping and arithmetic leads to better jobs. Study now to ensure security in future years, inquire at Howard Correspondence College, Darling Bldgs., Franklin st.” [Advertiser 3 Jun 1952 advert]

 

JOHN DARLING – FATHER & SON

“DARLING.— On the 10th April, at his residence, ‘Thurloo’, Kensington-road, Norwood, John Darling, sen., aged 74 years.” [Advertiser 11 Apr 1905]

 

“Mr. Darling [father] will be remembered as one of the ablest business men South Australia had, and as the founder of the largest firm of wheat merchants in Australasia. He was born in Edinburgh in 1831, and was educated at the George Heriot School, a well known institution in the Scottish capital. For 13 years he was engaged in the type foundry of Marr & Co., in Edinburgh. In 1855 he came to South Australia, and at once interested himself in the producing industry, first in connection with the business of Messrs. Giles & Smith, grain and general merchants, of Adelaide, and afterwards in partnership with the late Mr. R. G. Bowen, whose business Mr. Darling eventually took over. Liberally endowed by nature with Scotch shrewdness and enterprise, Mr. Darling soon made himself one of the leading grain merchants and exporters of the province. Mr. John Darling, jun., became a partner of his father in 1872, and the firm was thereafter known as J. Darling & Son, millers, grain, and general merchants. . . member of the House of Assembly. . . Legislative Council. . . Commissioner of Public Works. . . left a widow and family of seven sons and one daughter, viz.—Messrs. John Darling, jun.; Robert Darling, of Geraldton, Western Australia; Charles A. Darling, manager of the firm's London house; George Darling, of Melbourne; James Darling, of Kilmone, Victoria; Frank Darling, of Melbourne; Joseph Darling, the international cricketer, who is now on his way to England, and Mrs. H. E. Hall, of Melbourne.” [Advertiser 11 Apr 1905]

 

“DARLING.—On the 27th March, at Melbourne, Victoria, John, the dearly beloved husband of Jessie Darling, of ‘Lynton’, Kent-terrace, Norwood, aged 62 years.” [Advertiser 30 Mar 1914]

 

“His father founded the firm in 1883. . . Mr. Darling [son] was for some years president of the Employers' Federation and president of the Chamber of Commerce, and had for seven years held the position of chairman, of directors of the Broken Hill Proprietary Company. . . Mr. Darling was born at Edinburgh on January 24, 1852. When he was 4 years of age his parents migrated to Australia and arrived at Adelaide. . . when the son reached the age of 20 years he was taken into partnership, thus forming the firm of John Darling & Son. . . eventually became a. director of (the Port Adelaide Dock Company. He was also a president of the Shipowners' Association of South Australia. In 1896 the deceased was elected to represent the East Torrens electorate in the State Parliament. . . The deceased has left a widow, three sons (Messrs. Harold, Leonard, and Norman Darling) and three daughters (Mrs. F. W. Young, wife of the Commissioner of Crown Lands, Miss Grace, and Miss Gertrude Darling).” [Daily Herald 30 Mar 1914]

 

HUGH FRASER

“Mr. Hugh Fraser. . . with his four brothers, came to the colony in 1863, and at once went to Mintaro, where he worked in the slate quarries, and subsequently owned one himself. In 1867 be returned to Adelaide, and was appointed manager of the Delabole slate company. . . Subsequently he established himself in the city as a marble mason.” [Register 12 Nov 1900]

 

“It is sixteen years since Hugh Fraser disappeared from politics, in which he was a leading figure for seven years. He was a rugged, blunt, eloquent Scotchman, wily, obstinate, and pertinacious. His chief success in Parliament was to take his revenge on the press by imposing postage on newspapers.” [Port Pirie Recorder 14 Nov 1900]

 

“FRASER. —On the 10th November, at his residence, Chapel street, Kensington, Hugh Fraser, 63 years. Inverness papers please copy.” [Register 12 Nov 1900]

 

“Hugh Fraser, of the Delabole Slate Yard. . . has removed his Working Premises from Waymouth-street to the Corner of Bentham and Franklin Streets (next Duncan and Fraser's). . . A splendid assortment of best Italian Marble now in stock and to arrive. Gravestones carefully packed and forwarded to any part of the Colony. Tombs, Monuments, Iron Railings, always in Stock. Mintaro Flagging, Willunga Flagging, Roofing Slate. Marble and Slate Mantlepieces. . . Baths, Tanks, Sinks, &c. Air Bricks, Drain Piupes.” [Express & Telegraph 10 Feb 1876 advert]

 

“Hugh Fraser Has returned from Europe with an Immense Stock of New Goods. . . Mantlepieces in Italian, Pyreneese, Belgian, French, English and Irish marbles. . . Vases. . . Statuettes. . . in the Finest Parian, Alabaster, and Statuary marble. . . Fraser’s Marble Works, Franklin-street.” [Weekly Chronicle 7 Jun 1884 advert]

 

 

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