Hobart Post Office, RECOLLECTIONS OF OLD HOBART, THE POST OFFICE BLOCK.
RECOLLECTIONS OF OLD HOBART
THE POST OFFICE BLOCK. (By G. W. Rex.)
Noticing at different times accounts of old Hobart, the writer thought it might be interesting to put down from his own recollections and from mention in publications of early days some account of the buildings in the block at the corner of which the Post Office now stands, their occupants, and their history. The writer may claim to have had a particularly large intimate connection with this part of Hobart, since his business hours have been spent in it for the last 54 years, from January, 1857, down to the present time. But his first acquaintance with it dates even further back than that, and man's allotted span of three score years and ten has passed since he was taken, very young indeed, to the house of Mrs. Seal, which in the forties stood, as is mentioned below, where "The Mercury" office is now built. This is, of course, one of the oldest parts of Hobart, though not the very oldest. In a plan made in 1811, seven years after the settlement, the streets bounding it are shown with their present names. Collins-street is, of course, named after Colonel David Collins, Lieut.-Governor from 1804 till his death in-1810. Macquarie-street was so named by Governor Macquarie, after himself. Elizabeth-street was called after his wife and Argyle-street after his native county of that name in Scotland. It would be desirable, by the way, if someone did for Tasmania what has been done for South Australia, and gave us the origin as far as can be ascertainable of our place names. It may be anticipated, however, that it would be something of a labour of love, and that the circulation of the work would not be large. The first Government House stood opposite the Commercial Bank, and the ball-room on the other side of this block, about where the entrance to the Town-hall is now. This was built of wood, the timber being cut by nine Government sawyers employed by Collins from the trees which in those days grew thick and tall along the Hobart Rivulet. Elizabeth-street terminated at Macquarie-street, and when old Government House was pulled down the street was extended to the wharf. It is said that the first private house in Hobart was a hut built by Lieut. Lord, a little higher up, near where Macquarie House now stands. Coming down to a somewhat later date, there stood in the forties on the site now occupied by the General Post Office the residence of David Lord, father of the late John and James Lord, but a distinct family from that ot Lieutenant Lord. The house had a neat flower garden in front, where Mrs. Lord was often to be seen in the morning watering her garden. After her death the house was occupied by Mr. John Lord and his family. Next door to Mr. Lord's, where "The Mercury" office now stands was the residence of Mr. Charles Seal, merchant and shipowner. His son, the late Matthew Seal, was chairman of the Fisheries Board, and died at the Great Lake while on a salmon fishing trip. The house was afterwards occupied by Mr. George Burn, auctioneer, and others. Adjoining this is the old "Mercury" printing establishment, still in the possession of Messrs. Davies Bros. Limited, and used as a store, etc. On this spot, in very early days, the business of the Bank of Australasia was started, and the word "Bank." in gold letters, is still visible over the blocked-up old-entrance. Later on it was used as the residence of Mr. John Moore, printer, and then as a boarding-house kept by a family of the name of Jones. At the back of this was a yard, abutting on which were the "Herald" and the ''Guardian" printing office, and a tinsmith's workshop. In June, 1854, the late Mr. John Davies, M.H.A., purchased the printing office, and the newspaper, and altered the latter's name to ''The Mercury," which it has borne ever since. About 1852 three shops were built in the front, and occupied by Mr. R. J. Edwards, tobacconist (who previously had a shop in Liverpool street, and was burnt out by the large fire which raged between Wellington Bridge and Messrs. Brownell Bros.), Mr. Ellis Williams, tinsmith, and Mr. W. Hissey, a taxidermist and hairdresser. At the corner of Argyle and Macquarie streets in the building now known as Norman's Coffee Palace, but then called Ingloehall, after Mr. Ingle, who at one time owned a large portion of this square, a school, the nucleus of the present Hutchins School, was conducted by the Rev.J. R. Buck land, who afterwards became head master of Hutchins School. Before this the building had been occupied by Messrs. R. Lewis and Sons as a drapery establishment. Like most of the very old buildings, it stands a little back from the street, and is probably one of the oldest buildings still standing in this block. A little later Mr. W. Robertson, who had previously had a draper's shop in Elizabeth-street, where Mr. Cumming's shop now is, moved to this house, out he afterwards went to Victoria, and settled at Colac. The writer remembers two Norfolk Island pines which grew in front of Ingle-hall, being taken up and replanted in front of St. Andrew's Church, Bathurst-street, where they are still growing. Turning to Argyle-street, the first place was an oil and colour warehouse occupied by Mr. O. H. Hedberg. Mr. Hedberg, who was a Swede by birth, and a man of great strength and energy, was also superintendent of the Fire Brigade, and the Tasmanian Fire Insurance Company's manual fire engine was kept on his premises. The buildings next to these were occupied by Mr. James Burdon, coach-builder. They are still used for the same purpose, being occupied by Vout, Chisholm, and Co. The place at the corner of Argyle and Collins streets was occupied by Mr. Alex. Gellie, merchant and corn-dealer. Later on Mr. Guillois, a Frenchman, carried on the mattress-making business on these premises, and at his death Mr. Mangan, who still carries it on, took over the business. In part of the same premises in Collins-street Mr. R. Sawyer had a boot and shoe establishment. This part of the town was then something of an educational centre, for the next place up Collins-Street was a children's school, kept by Mrs. Metheringham. Next to her Mr. Alex. Fraser, who was also superintendent of the Melville street Wesleyan Sunday school, carried on business as a coach builder. Later on he went to Melbourne, and finally became Minister for Lands and Works in Victoria. His business here was taken over by Mr. J. McPherson, but later on the place was bought by Mr. G. S. Crouch, who carried on the business of an auctioneer there. The building next to this has had a very varied history. In those days it was used as auctioneering premises, and as such occupied by Messrs. Lowes and Macmichael, then by Mr. T. Y. Lowes, and then by Messrs. Brent and Westbrook. After this Mr. Daniel Graham carried on business there as a grocer and tea dealer. When he retired the place was renovated, and turned into a dancing saloon, called "the Polytechnic." It then reverted for a time to auctioneering uses under Mr. Thomas Westbrook and finally became the office of the "Tasmanian News." Where the building now occupied by Mr. Nettlefold stands there was in those days a gable ended building. To this Messrs. Ferguson and Co. at a later date built a front and carried on a wine and spirit business there. Before long building and front alike will probably be things of the past. On the corner where tho A.M.P. Society's buildings now stand were the stores of Messrs. L. Stevenson and Sons, drapery importers (in whose office Sir Philip Fysh and his brother were accountants), and occupied the place. Later on they moved to where Tattersalls now stands. Horwitz and Marks then occupied it, and Mr. J. G. Parker succeeded them on the corner. His business was that of a general importer, and there was also a bark mill near by. The building was a very old one, and, stood back a few yards from the footpath ; finally the A.M.P. Society bought it, and erected their present premises. Next door, in Elizabeth-street, was a small tailor's shop, occupied by a Mr. Capurn, who hailed from Lincolnshire. After him it was occupied successively by John Dean (baker and store), Messrs. Boyle Robertson Patey (agent), Robin Hood (picture-frame maker), and W. Le grand (old book-dealer), and finally became a tea-room. The place next-door was an upholstery and cabinet warehouse, occupied by Mr. Leonard Pear| son. After his death Mr. Henry Hopkins; jun. (son of Henry Hopkins, who built Westella, and is said to have been the first to export Tasmanian wool) carried on business as a machinery importer there. The place was afterwards purchased by Mr. James Robb, saddler, who still occupies it. Next door to this Mr. M. Fitzgerald had a tailoring business which afterwards passed to Mr. Henry Cook. and is still carried on by his son. It is interesting to notice that on this spot there stood, in still earlier days according to J. H. Walker's Early Tasmania, the Derwent Hotel, which was in its time the best inn in the town, and was kept by Mr. William Thomas Stocker, who was appointed by Lieut.-Governor Collins captain of the night watch soon after the first settlement of Hobart. Down Lord's Lane (now known as Cook's Lane) was a third-class educational establishment, a select academy and boarding-school for young gentlemen, conducted by Mr. Henry Wolff, the father of Mrs. George Levy, who is still a resident of Hobart. In addition to this, there were in the lane buildings occupied by Mr. C. E. Wilmot (registrar of births), Mr. J. Gill (solicitor, father of the late Mr. J. W. Gill), and other tenements and stables At the corner of Lord's Lane facing Elizabeth-street, stood Mrs. Gilford's choice silk, satin, and drapery establishment. Later on, Mr. McGregor used this as an office, and ultimately it, together with Lord's corner with which we began our catalogue, was bought as a site for the now Post Office. This fine building, which now adorns the city, is of course of very recent origin, the foundation stone having been laid on July 6, 1901, by our present King, George V., then Duke of York.
NLA Reference trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/10070110
Hobart Post Office, RECOLLECTIONS OF OLD HOBART, THE POST OFFICE BLOCK.
RECOLLECTIONS OF OLD HOBART
THE POST OFFICE BLOCK. (By G. W. Rex.)
Noticing at different times accounts of old Hobart, the writer thought it might be interesting to put down from his own recollections and from mention in publications of early days some account of the buildings in the block at the corner of which the Post Office now stands, their occupants, and their history. The writer may claim to have had a particularly large intimate connection with this part of Hobart, since his business hours have been spent in it for the last 54 years, from January, 1857, down to the present time. But his first acquaintance with it dates even further back than that, and man's allotted span of three score years and ten has passed since he was taken, very young indeed, to the house of Mrs. Seal, which in the forties stood, as is mentioned below, where "The Mercury" office is now built. This is, of course, one of the oldest parts of Hobart, though not the very oldest. In a plan made in 1811, seven years after the settlement, the streets bounding it are shown with their present names. Collins-street is, of course, named after Colonel David Collins, Lieut.-Governor from 1804 till his death in-1810. Macquarie-street was so named by Governor Macquarie, after himself. Elizabeth-street was called after his wife and Argyle-street after his native county of that name in Scotland. It would be desirable, by the way, if someone did for Tasmania what has been done for South Australia, and gave us the origin as far as can be ascertainable of our place names. It may be anticipated, however, that it would be something of a labour of love, and that the circulation of the work would not be large. The first Government House stood opposite the Commercial Bank, and the ball-room on the other side of this block, about where the entrance to the Town-hall is now. This was built of wood, the timber being cut by nine Government sawyers employed by Collins from the trees which in those days grew thick and tall along the Hobart Rivulet. Elizabeth-street terminated at Macquarie-street, and when old Government House was pulled down the street was extended to the wharf. It is said that the first private house in Hobart was a hut built by Lieut. Lord, a little higher up, near where Macquarie House now stands. Coming down to a somewhat later date, there stood in the forties on the site now occupied by the General Post Office the residence of David Lord, father of the late John and James Lord, but a distinct family from that ot Lieutenant Lord. The house had a neat flower garden in front, where Mrs. Lord was often to be seen in the morning watering her garden. After her death the house was occupied by Mr. John Lord and his family. Next door to Mr. Lord's, where "The Mercury" office now stands was the residence of Mr. Charles Seal, merchant and shipowner. His son, the late Matthew Seal, was chairman of the Fisheries Board, and died at the Great Lake while on a salmon fishing trip. The house was afterwards occupied by Mr. George Burn, auctioneer, and others. Adjoining this is the old "Mercury" printing establishment, still in the possession of Messrs. Davies Bros. Limited, and used as a store, etc. On this spot, in very early days, the business of the Bank of Australasia was started, and the word "Bank." in gold letters, is still visible over the blocked-up old-entrance. Later on it was used as the residence of Mr. John Moore, printer, and then as a boarding-house kept by a family of the name of Jones. At the back of this was a yard, abutting on which were the "Herald" and the ''Guardian" printing office, and a tinsmith's workshop. In June, 1854, the late Mr. John Davies, M.H.A., purchased the printing office, and the newspaper, and altered the latter's name to ''The Mercury," which it has borne ever since. About 1852 three shops were built in the front, and occupied by Mr. R. J. Edwards, tobacconist (who previously had a shop in Liverpool street, and was burnt out by the large fire which raged between Wellington Bridge and Messrs. Brownell Bros.), Mr. Ellis Williams, tinsmith, and Mr. W. Hissey, a taxidermist and hairdresser. At the corner of Argyle and Macquarie streets in the building now known as Norman's Coffee Palace, but then called Ingloehall, after Mr. Ingle, who at one time owned a large portion of this square, a school, the nucleus of the present Hutchins School, was conducted by the Rev.J. R. Buck land, who afterwards became head master of Hutchins School. Before this the building had been occupied by Messrs. R. Lewis and Sons as a drapery establishment. Like most of the very old buildings, it stands a little back from the street, and is probably one of the oldest buildings still standing in this block. A little later Mr. W. Robertson, who had previously had a draper's shop in Elizabeth-street, where Mr. Cumming's shop now is, moved to this house, out he afterwards went to Victoria, and settled at Colac. The writer remembers two Norfolk Island pines which grew in front of Ingle-hall, being taken up and replanted in front of St. Andrew's Church, Bathurst-street, where they are still growing. Turning to Argyle-street, the first place was an oil and colour warehouse occupied by Mr. O. H. Hedberg. Mr. Hedberg, who was a Swede by birth, and a man of great strength and energy, was also superintendent of the Fire Brigade, and the Tasmanian Fire Insurance Company's manual fire engine was kept on his premises. The buildings next to these were occupied by Mr. James Burdon, coach-builder. They are still used for the same purpose, being occupied by Vout, Chisholm, and Co. The place at the corner of Argyle and Collins streets was occupied by Mr. Alex. Gellie, merchant and corn-dealer. Later on Mr. Guillois, a Frenchman, carried on the mattress-making business on these premises, and at his death Mr. Mangan, who still carries it on, took over the business. In part of the same premises in Collins-street Mr. R. Sawyer had a boot and shoe establishment. This part of the town was then something of an educational centre, for the next place up Collins-Street was a children's school, kept by Mrs. Metheringham. Next to her Mr. Alex. Fraser, who was also superintendent of the Melville street Wesleyan Sunday school, carried on business as a coach builder. Later on he went to Melbourne, and finally became Minister for Lands and Works in Victoria. His business here was taken over by Mr. J. McPherson, but later on the place was bought by Mr. G. S. Crouch, who carried on the business of an auctioneer there. The building next to this has had a very varied history. In those days it was used as auctioneering premises, and as such occupied by Messrs. Lowes and Macmichael, then by Mr. T. Y. Lowes, and then by Messrs. Brent and Westbrook. After this Mr. Daniel Graham carried on business there as a grocer and tea dealer. When he retired the place was renovated, and turned into a dancing saloon, called "the Polytechnic." It then reverted for a time to auctioneering uses under Mr. Thomas Westbrook and finally became the office of the "Tasmanian News." Where the building now occupied by Mr. Nettlefold stands there was in those days a gable ended building. To this Messrs. Ferguson and Co. at a later date built a front and carried on a wine and spirit business there. Before long building and front alike will probably be things of the past. On the corner where tho A.M.P. Society's buildings now stand were the stores of Messrs. L. Stevenson and Sons, drapery importers (in whose office Sir Philip Fysh and his brother were accountants), and occupied the place. Later on they moved to where Tattersalls now stands. Horwitz and Marks then occupied it, and Mr. J. G. Parker succeeded them on the corner. His business was that of a general importer, and there was also a bark mill near by. The building was a very old one, and, stood back a few yards from the footpath ; finally the A.M.P. Society bought it, and erected their present premises. Next door, in Elizabeth-street, was a small tailor's shop, occupied by a Mr. Capurn, who hailed from Lincolnshire. After him it was occupied successively by John Dean (baker and store), Messrs. Boyle Robertson Patey (agent), Robin Hood (picture-frame maker), and W. Le grand (old book-dealer), and finally became a tea-room. The place next-door was an upholstery and cabinet warehouse, occupied by Mr. Leonard Pear| son. After his death Mr. Henry Hopkins; jun. (son of Henry Hopkins, who built Westella, and is said to have been the first to export Tasmanian wool) carried on business as a machinery importer there. The place was afterwards purchased by Mr. James Robb, saddler, who still occupies it. Next door to this Mr. M. Fitzgerald had a tailoring business which afterwards passed to Mr. Henry Cook. and is still carried on by his son. It is interesting to notice that on this spot there stood, in still earlier days according to J. H. Walker's Early Tasmania, the Derwent Hotel, which was in its time the best inn in the town, and was kept by Mr. William Thomas Stocker, who was appointed by Lieut.-Governor Collins captain of the night watch soon after the first settlement of Hobart. Down Lord's Lane (now known as Cook's Lane) was a third-class educational establishment, a select academy and boarding-school for young gentlemen, conducted by Mr. Henry Wolff, the father of Mrs. George Levy, who is still a resident of Hobart. In addition to this, there were in the lane buildings occupied by Mr. C. E. Wilmot (registrar of births), Mr. J. Gill (solicitor, father of the late Mr. J. W. Gill), and other tenements and stables At the corner of Lord's Lane facing Elizabeth-street, stood Mrs. Gilford's choice silk, satin, and drapery establishment. Later on, Mr. McGregor used this as an office, and ultimately it, together with Lord's corner with which we began our catalogue, was bought as a site for the now Post Office. This fine building, which now adorns the city, is of course of very recent origin, the foundation stone having been laid on July 6, 1901, by our present King, George V., then Duke of York.
NLA Reference trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/10070110