I was born in Richmond in the '50s (1857) and came over the Bridge into Hawthorn soon after.
My birthplace was in a Street off Bridge Road near Church Street Richmond. Buildings being scarce my late father built a house near the bridge (possibly in Mason Street). My sister was born there in 1859 (Anne Maria). The store was on S. W. corner of Burwood Road and Power Street. The land was owned by Michael Gibney who lived in a cottage on Burwood Road near Morang Road and to the west of Charles Nicholls Draper, which shop is now Mr. Cox's Newsagency. Mr. Nicholls in the '60s conducted the Post Office (the first as far as the postal authorities have any record, in 1862) and later on, 1867, the Savings Bank. Myself and three of the family being the first depositors. My book being No. 1 with a deposit of 1/- the minimum amount taken. We all paid in a similar amount, the books being numbers 1, 2, 3 and 4.
My father's store was the first of any size - anything for the building trade being attainable also groceries of all kinds, wines and spirits, paints and oils, ironmongery all sorts suitable for building and for the home, large stocks of timber were kept, also lime and cement. The store has since been demolished to make room for the tram swinging into Power Street. It was later occupied by P. H. Speedie for Drapery and also later by the E. S. & A. Bank, and the present Catholic Club. I have often paid cash into the then E. S. & A. Bank when Mr. Sidley was manager over 50 years ago. He is an old friend from the E. S. & A. Bank and frequently came along for music.
The N. E. Corner of Burwood and Power Streets now occupied by Mr. Pridmore as a wood and coal yard and grain store was, in the '60s, occupied by T. Williams, butcher.
The animals were slaughtered in the back yard in full view of the passing public going northerly in Power St. Jack Hallowes being the slaughterman after Williams. The place was used by my father/Mr. Utber as a carpenters shop and timber yard and later on by Law Oldfield as a timber Merchant during the latter occupancy. Mr. Miscamble now Commissioner of Railways for Tasmania lived on the premises with his parents who were caretakers. Mr. Miscamble started in the Victorian Railways as a porter and worked his way up to a Commissionership and later as Chairman for the Tasmanian Railways where he now is.
The shop next door to Mr. Pridmore's, now used as a Chinese Laundry, was occupied in the '60s by a Miss Pink as a fancy goods shop. The box factory next door was used later for the Road Board meetings. Miss Pink married a Mr. Metcalf later on. When I knew her she was slightly lame. I seem to remember her for her tops.
The S. E. Corner now occupied by the Bank was formerly the Sir Robert Nichol Hotel, Mr. Disney, step father to John Harrison painter and decorator, being the licensee. Mr. Harrison is now dead some years. One night the local residents were startled by the loud ringing of a bell on the top flour. One of the local wags, on the jolly side, had his head out of the window calling loudly to the people to roll up and see the live lion stuffed with straw - he had a lot more to say.
The N. W. Corner now occupied by Bergson, Butcher was bought by my father who built the present building more than 50 years ago. (the top storey overlapped at the corner where there was an entrance door). It was predicted at the time that it would fall over but it has stood now for over 50 years and appears quite safe. The corner of the building has since been built in.
This was about the first piece of land I think bought on the block and reached along Power Street to where the Railway Line now is and all that part was used as a timber yard. There was a Methodist Church on the land near Elgin Street and near where Harrison's Shop now stands, since removed elsewhere. I'm told it was of brick. I seem to remember it as a wooden Church 60 years ago. There is some doubt about the Church being there.
Owing to the slaughtering done at Williams' opposite, the locality was noted for rats. I got a wire trap and caught a large one which was doing some damage to the stock. I dipped it into coal tar and let it go again, it only stopped to clear its mouth and eyes of tar and scampered down its hole - this prevented any others coming to the place for some years.
The store to the west (Rigg Bros.) was built on our entrance reserve and where palings were once stacked. The corner store was sold by my father to W. D. Tate eventually. Then Mr. Rigg Snr. who was with my father went to Tate's and started later for himself, his son now carries on the business.
Evansdale Road was formerly a short blind street ending at the station and used as a cab stand at the bottom of the hill. The cabs would stand there and await the arrival of the trains from Melbourne or come just in time for each train. This was before the line was taken on to Kew and Glenferrie and beyond. The cabmen would all shout out "Upper Hawthorn & Camberwell" and the Kew Cabs would call out "for Kew, Sir". Later I believe a line of buses was put on. The hill was too steep and the short Road too narrow for the buses so they waited for passengers on the top in Burwood Road. I frequently rode to and from School when the cabs were not full. I think one man was named West.
Mr. Howard pointed out that there was a Stockade just over the Hawthorn Bridge at the Tram Terminus. The Penal Department wrote that it was there in 1852, but handed over to the Police in 1855, 2 years before my time. I well remember the Toll Gate. Mr. Wheelin I think was the caretaker and Collector. I have often put 6d into his hand for the day when passing. Toll was collected once a day only.
Although I was born in Richmond and removed to Hawthorn soon after as evidenced by my Sister being born here in Mason Street, I was again in Richmond, for Mr. Burton's remarks remind me that his father had a boot shop opposite Bosisto's and I remember speaking to his sisters, who were small, through the fence. We were living next door at the time. Also opposite Bosisto's, there were other episodes to confirm this.
I remember also living in the house now occupied by Dr. Begg at the corner of Power Street and Swan St., the latter being the blind right of way to serve the shops in Burwood Road. This house has been occupied and altered by Mr. Bell, Dentist. Later we moved to Power Street to a house opposite St. Josephs Church (where my mother died in 1867) and where in 1869 I was laid up under Dr. Bragge for several weeks - pneumonia caught while mushrooming in Grace Park. At this time I attended Gladstone's Kew School, the time of the Franco-Prussian War, on which he lectured every Wednesday. Mr. Gladstone, since dead, was later removed to Manningtree Road School, not far from the noted Red Gum tree which must have been 100 years growing. The Botanic Gardens write that it may be over 500 years.
The whole of Lower Hawthorn must have been a red gum forest years ago for Grace Park was full of the trees till the Railways needed the space.
It may be of interest to know that Dr. Bragge and Bob Wylie, Chemist, lived in a house close to the M. U. Hall - the space is now vacant. I think it was of W.Board and the Verandah butted on to the path in Burwood Road. Visitors had to step on to the Verandah from the path. The rooms were ranged in a row, Dr. Bragge's room at West End, and Wylie's shop on the East End - he later built a brick shop, possibly now used as a cafe. (built for and occupied by John Collings in about the late '60s and early '70s). The M. U. Hall came next then Smart, bootmaker, then late Miss Pease. That house was exactly like "Woodthorpe". Now rebuilt two cottages occupying the place of one. The one next the right of way now, Thomas Street formerly, was noted for the red gum tree now removed and built over by the present owner. This and the Manningtree Road tree the Botanic Gardens Secretary wrote that it might be any age over 500 years. All lower Hawthorn was undoubtedly a red gum forest at one time.
The cottage next door was owned by Miss Barcham. This was the house lived in by us prior to leaving Hawthorn; it was here we had musical Evenings by my sister (piano), Weston Montague (violin), Ashton (flute), and my father (baritone). Mr. A. Montague was a noted teacher and celloist. The Argus articles (a column weekly for weeks) mentions him as 70 years teaching although now blind. The Argus says he has been associated with pupils of Mendelssohn, Chopin, Paginini and Czerny etc., these are among the experiences of Mr. Alf Montague who although 89 years is still engaged in teaching. He was teaching for many years at Miss Hobbs School, starting with over 30 pupils. This school was on the N. side of Burwood Road to the East of the Coffee palace. Miss Collings was a pupil there.
Mr. Montague was a first class teacher and he played the cello well; his brother Phil was a good violinist. These two and other leading musicians often came to the house for trios etc., all high class music, my sister playing Mendelssohn, Beethoven and similar music at sight. The "Moonlight Sonata" was a special piece and Mendelssohn Concerto in G. Minor for orchestra and piano.
"Woodthorpe Cottage" next to the late Miss Pease was an exact copy of Miss Pease's house in every respect. The attic overlooked the right-of-way which ended at our garden. This right-of-way has been turned in a street (Thomas Street) and runs into Manningtree Road now. In the front garden and under where the front room now is there was noted red gum stump which defied all efforts to remove it. It was of this stump that I wrote about to the Secretary of the Botanic Gardens, for it was over 6 feet across. I notice that since my absence it has been removed and a front room in Miss Barcham's house has been built over it. The attic as seen in the next house overlooked the right-of-way. I slept there over 50 years ago. At the back is Christ Church fronting on Thomas Street and looks as if it is on our old orchard. The orchard had several old-fashioned trees - Medlars - the fruit is edible when rotten only.
Dicky Dance and his noted bullocks: In the '60s and '70s a little old man might have been seen regularly at the head of his team slowly wending his way in the main road bringing in Bark and woods for the tanneries. The peculiarity noticeable was that the bullocks were not yoked as bullocks usually are with Iron and heavy red gum yokes but were harnessed in leather strapping as horses.
Dicky Dance was a humane man he was very kind to his team. He was never seen to strike them in the head with the thick end of the whip handle as I have seen it done often when in Tasmania. He simply guided his team with the whip and he fed the animals like racehorses are fed good chaff, bran, oats and green-stuff.
One day the team homeward bound took fright and bolted for home - Dicky went after them - he found them standing at his gate waiting for a feed. His home was past Union Road Surrey Hills, near the old Toll Gate in Canterbury Road. His cattle were turned each day into our block of land, it was rented by Dicky at 10/- (weekly l believe).
Many years ago about the '40s and 50s the British Government offered 5000 acres at £l/-/- per acre to anyone who would settle there. This is part of Elgar's Special Survey mentioned in Barnard's History page 33, and part of the land bought by my father, 100 acres at £15 per acre and now worth or has been sold at up to £20 per foot for business blocks. One greengrocer in Union Road told me some time ago that he paid £16 per foot for his block. The Canterbury Railway Station is at the west end, the line going through the property end to end, the Surrey Hills Station is at the East end., and there is a mile of Union Road frontage.
In the '70s I remember going out on foot (No railways in those days to Glenferrie even) with my mattock and lunch bag to hew down the saplings on land now worth over £20 per foot, corner of Canterbury and Union Roads where a grocer's Shop now stands. At a very low estimate it would be worth £200,000 today. Land was sold some time ago beyond Mont Albert I think, at £1000 per acre by the acre. Shakespeare says "There is a tide in the affairs of men, which taken at the flood leads on to fortune, omitted, all the voyage of their life is bound in shallows and in miseries". Surely my experience.
I remember the Ox roasted in Lynch's mentioned in the History. I was there when the feasting or some entertainment was held in the Old Town Hall and so rowdy it was and so crowded that I remember howling. My mother took me and left me alone when I was pushed into the door.
One of the oldest houses is I think a brick cottage in the old brick fields. I think Mrs. Hollaway lives there. My father built near the Yarra some where near the Red Lion Hotel.
In the early '70s Mr. C. Dalley and also Mr. Haines came to my father and. asked him why he did not got up for the Council being a land owner. He said his time was too much taken up. I remember Mr. Dalley in particular speaking to him.
Mr. C. Dalley's father and mother were well known to me. I had both photos quite lately, about a year ago but can not find them now. I may have thrown them out in Tasmania before returning here. I have often seen the Dalleys in the vineyards in Riversdale Road, making wine from grapes grown there. I think there were several acres but they did not come right up to Glenferrie Road within an allotment at the corner. One time in particular, the old gentlemen was complaining about the birds spoiling the fruit. He was hidden in the Verandah with his gun shooting all he could see of them.
In the '60's a new sect was heard of at Nunawading - Christian Israelites. They wore their hair long and folded it into their hats and hid it there. The chief man claimed to perform miracles. His daughter died when he tried to bring her to life again - he failed in the attempt. The Chief gave out that he was the coming Messiah. These men were charcoal burners and often drove with their loads on sale through Hawthorn. I saw several of the sect at Christmas time in Melbourne.
I notice an old identity, in Burwood Road near Mr. Burton's house. It is an old pomegranate tree which when in flower is very pretty. I don’t know how long it has been there, but long over 50 years ago it was there. Another old friend pointed out to Mr. Burton. a tall flowering shrub which was growing at the lodge in Grace Park. It may be seen where Parker & Birds timber yard is stacked. The 4 mile post was opposite Parker & Birds just outside Lynch's Lodge which was kept by Mrs. Timmins 50 years ago. The lodge gates were opposite Parker & Bird. Birchall's who I knew well had a house where Snow’s now is, there were a few old houses there but no shops about 50 years ago.
In the '70s my father bought a store at Wilcannia near Broken Bill and Mendie on the Darling. The Darling is one of the largest rivers in the world.
Boats can get up only when the river is high and when it falls the boat may be caught and held for two or three years even. When the river is up all stores must be rushed off to Echuca (c/o McCullock & Co. 50 years ago). Then flour would fetch up to £100 per ton and even £20 per bag. For a Mr. Walters a squatter up there I had to get a tin of infants food for his infant (50 years ago) and post it to make sure of its getting there. The postage would be more than its original cost. The boats were flat bottomed to ride on a low tide. I remember my father relating how the boats often lost their course in flood time and got a long way onto shallow land and the captain had to get a team of bullocks from a local station to drag it back again. This looks like a romance but a visitor to the library one day confirmed the story and said it was quite true. We did our business with Pyne, Beath & Co. (now Beath, Sahiess & Felstead).
There were no banks on these places then. I remember when the mail came in it was full of orders on the stations. When my father died, something like £20,000 was due in Bills - David Beath was the executor. We owed him £11,000 and Mr. Ducket many thousands (all since paid). I held a list of Bills payable a few years ago signed by Beath & Co., but the accountant who signed it, also W. Beath and all the original firm are dead, but I remember the amount. We have done business with Ducket for 60 years in fact Albert Ducket said one day I was before his time and he could tell me nothing.
Prior to going to the Kew School I and my brother went to the National School close to the Christ Church near Bridge. The master lately showed me a medal he had found there left by a former pupil in 1858. It is of silver and 2" long and engraved:
1st Prize National School of Victoria
to Ellen H. Stone for General proficiency and good conduct.
Hawthorn 1858
This school was founded in 1853 as a common School then it was a National School, then a state School, I and now a Central or High School.
With reference to Christ Church, I well remember the Rev. W. Woods he was lame and stiff, had a bent leg and walked with his head bent sideways. Judge Molesworth went there regularly walking from Auburn Road, His house is now a Maternity Hospital. Sir James Balmer also was a regular attendant. I remember when I was very young asking my attendant why the man (Rev. Wood) had come without changing his nightgown? This was in a loud whisper and startled the congregation (he had his surplus on). Mr. Bob Fry blew the organ for the choir practice in those days.
We have many notable residents. Mr. Owen Dixon Barrister, only son of J. W. Dixon so many years resident. My oldest friend, is now a very noted barrister, and has been twice to England for the Government. Miss Carruthers leader of the Conservatorium Orchestra, daughter of my friend of the '60s was a noted violinist. My eldest sister was known to be a star pupil of Montague. Miss Nellie Collins who was a school mate will remember that. She was noted as a sight reader of classical music. Mrs. Hazzart, whose son Frank also was a capable brick maker, was noted for her ability to make up to 800 bricks daily. She was able to make the pace of any man. I think she once lived in Kinkora Road, where her bricks may be seen in the fence wall there and in many houses. Mrs. Treacy her daughter told me recently that she was after mistaken for her - so young looking with all her hard work.
One of our old and noted residents the Robertsons of Wienberg Road. Victor and Clarice went to Rosman’s School with me. They had a large orchard there, the land has since been cut up and sold. Mr. Robertson (the father) was on the ill-fated ship "London" which was lost in the Bay of Biscay in the '60s. There were many noted people on board. I think there were only 19 saved.
One Easter about 1869 John Collings made up his mind to drive to Mordialloc. I borrowed a horse from Charles Quiggin on the Easter Sunday to be ready to start early and gave it a trial run up Burwood Road as far as the Town Hall. Being spirited and well fed it nearly got me into the hands of the police as it bolted with me. While at Mordialloc (Miss Nellie Collins was there also) we came across some blacks eating bandicoot. She remembered it distinctly and spoke of it lately. It must have been in the late 60s.
I was ill in 1869 with pneumonia, and could not ride when I was ten I was sure. (I was ten in 1867). There can be no mistake there must have been a few blacks about. At the same time I saw some in Gardiners Creek while I was fishing, in the late 60s. The History page says, "all since the '50s traces of these strange people have disappeared in Hawthorn as well as on all sides of Melbourne for many miles".
In Mornanes paddock (now Xavier College grounds) Mrs. Treacy (nee Hazzart) related to me how she often as a girl saw the blacks having a corroboree there as, they often did on moonlight nights. They lit a fire, the men in the front of it, the gins all in the background, and cooked an opossum. They tore it open with the hands throwing portion over their shoulders to the gins at the back. I remember the Mordialloc ride well as I was very tired and sore for a week after the long ride.
In the early '60s I remember we engaged Riley's Cab for a trip to Kew and Studley Park. Studley Park was all bush then and Kew not much better - we had to dodge the trees and overhanging branches. We were then living at the corner of Power Street and Swan Street where Dr. Begg now lives.
When I was staying in Hobart with my uncle he pointed out Truganini and Lallahrookh as the last of the Tasmanian Blacks. I wonder how they got into the history page 9. Their casts I am sure I saw here in the Museum, also J. Lance.
I omitted to mention a noted school Rosman's. They all know Rosman's. It was at the top of the right-of-way on the South side of Weinberg Road close to Glenferrie Road. (The Prevots lived close to it Ted Prevot was a noted footballer; they kept a lot of pigs there.) Rosman would have been a good subject for Dickens.
He was very cruel to the boys. He delighted on a real cold and frosty day to get the boys along and without apparent cause beat them on the hands with a cane; he then sent them to the tap to cool them. Sam Lloyd was expelled because he would not take the beating meekly so his father sent for Mr. Rosman and on enquiry found that Sam was in the right. He then took Rosman into Glenferrie Road by the neck and pants and kicked him into the gutter and left him. That was where the bank now is. His butchers shop was an old land mark in the '60s and '70s.
Hawthorn residents often ask what has become of my brother Hardie (Charles Hardie, born 1860). He was so named after a relative (uncle, married to Harriet Fysh), Captain (William) Hardie, who for saving from his sinking ship in the Bay of Biscay, a large number of passengers received a silver cup for so doing. For many years I had the photo of the cup and testimonial. My brother went to Queensland many years ago and for 32 years was the Council Clerk and general adviser until death lately occurred. His enlarged photo is hung in the Council Chamber and his daughter is appointed assistant by the Council. The local paper gave him a full column. They greatly missed him; he was known as a copper plate writer and a first class accountant. He was taught in Hawthorn in the '60s and '70s.
In 1920 my cousin’s Tasmanian business was floated into a public liability Co. by an old Hawthorn resident. J. B. Were (& Son). For many years while living at Hawthorn, my father managed the Melbourne Agency and I after him at his death. The net published profits were £25,000 yearly P. V. Fysh Ltd. (should this be P. O.?) and is quoted on the Stock Exchange. The prospectus I have.
Addendum
On reading the books - History of Hawthorn and of Kew, I find I know almost every name mentioned therein. Even the printer of the Kew Plume E. F. G. Hodges I recognise as an old friend from the N. W. Coast. of Tasmania (Latrobe). He was there 23 years ago when I was living there; it must be the same man as he was in the printing line there or at Devonport next town. All the Hentys, Herbert in particular who had his office with me at No. 1 Queen Street, City. J. P. Fawkner who was a relative of the Babman's. Frank Barnard the author is an old schoolmate. James Burston, I was at his wedding to Miss McBean.
I met Mr. Wallace in the City one day lately and in talking of old times he said on passing the corner at Flinders Street E. "I used to cart water from a stand here many years ago to my home in Brunswick". That is very strange. I am sure I have seen him doing so. I saw someone in '60s and '70s early. He also told me that his nephew was once with my uncle (T. Luke) at his Bourke store on the Darling. At one time in the '70s my father and relatives held many stores there. Wilcannia (Fysh & Fewsley), Bourke (Thompson Luke & Co.) Walget, Wanaaring (C. Lush, my cousin) Brewarrina.
I remember these names also W. Finger.
Mr. Wallis also remembered about bullock fetching boats back to the River.