Fairfield Park - a beautiful breathing place

Fairfield Park, on the banks of the Yarra River was officially opened on Friday, June 26, 1914. This park provided a beautiful breathing place for the people of Fairfield. Carlo Catani was at the opening ceremony, and donated six palm trees for the garden and in his speech on the day,  he also promoted the use of native flora in parks to blend with exotic plants.  Carlo returned to Fairfield in the October where it was reported that -  the main rookery at the Fairfield Park has been planted with shrubs from Mr Catani and the Melbourne Botanical Gardens. (1)

The following is an abridged report of the opening ceremony from the Heidelberg News. Of interest, apart from Carlo's contribution, is the fact that although Melbourne had 25 per cent of its area set aside for breathing and recreation places for the people, in the outskirts of the metropolis, as Fairfield was then considered, not more than 10 per cent of the area was available as breathing areas for the people. Even 110 years ago then, there were concerns about the provision of open space, or breathing areas (and what a great term that is) for the population. 

The Yarra River from the Fairfield Park

The Leader, July 4, 1914 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/92041742 (2)

Fairfield Park. Opened by the Minister of Agriculture 
Saturday last will long be remembered as a gala day in the history of Fairfield, as it marked the official opening of Fairfield Park. With marked natural characteristics of contour and situation and the Yarra, in one of its most beautiful stretches, bordering its southern and eastern boundaries, this park is destined to become one of the beauty spots of the metropolis. Fairfield has been fortunate in securing a recreation reserve of such natural advantages and future possibilities of beautification. Citizens, council and recreation reserve committee are to be congratulated on the happy result of their efforts. Future citizens will appreciate the foresight and persistency exhibited by them in securing a beautiful breathing place where all may resort and, freed from the comparatively narrow and cramped surroundings of their home or the sordid and harassing cares of business, may breathe in the pure air of Heaven, be inspired by the beautiful works of nature, may lift heart and mind to the contemplation of broad and noble issues of life.

With pennants and banners flying, many of, which were trophies that signalised the progress and achievements of the local sporting clubs, and the Heidelberg District Band, under Bandmaster Saville, discoursing sweet music, the Minister of Agriculture, the Hon. W. Hutchinson, accompanied by Messrs. F. Anstey, M.H.R., W. J. Evans, M.L.C.,  J.G. Membrey, M.L.A., and Catani, Chief Engineer of Public Works Department, arrived, and were welcomed by Cr. Ball, President of the Shire, and fellow councillors and members of the reserve committee. The path leading from the entrance to the speakers' stand was lined by the 53rd battalion senior cadets, under the command of Captain Clappison and Lieuts. Farrer and Lee, the Ivanhoe and District Scouts, under Scout masters Wilson, Biggs, and Groves, and the Fairfield Ambulance Corps. On the grounds were about 2500 people, among whom were several hundreds of children who headed by the above named contingents, had marched from the district school under Headmaster McLean.

School Children marching to the Park

The Leader, July 4, 1914 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/92041742

In opening the proceedings, Mr. Membrey, M.L.A., the member for the district, said it was his pleasing duty to introduce Mr. Hutchinson, a Minister of the Crown, on his first official visit to the district. He congratulated the people of Fairfield on having obtained such a valuable reserve, of 16½ acres, and one eminently adapted to the purpose. The efforts to secure a reserve dated back to the Paterson Government; but it was not until the Murray-Watt regime that they had seen the consummation of their endeavors. He also congratulated them on the improvement ready made in the reserve. In every part of his electorate extreme difficulty had been experienced in getting suitable breathing places for the people. In Fairfield the efforts of the reserve committee had been admirably backed up by the assistance of the populace. 

Mr Hutchinson planting the first tree

The Leader, July 4, 1914 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/92041742

The Hon. W. Hutchinson said he was delighted to be there in such happy surroundings and glorious sunshine to help to make Fairfield fairer.... He was pleased as he came down through the lines of boys and girls to observe their healthful happy looks. This reserve would make for the development of the young and give that means of recreation which was necessary for the development of the whole nature. Those who planned Melbourne had planned wisely and made generous provision for gardens and reserves - about 25 per cent of the whole area was set apart for such breathing and recreation places for the people.

In the case of the cities that had grown up since, on the outskirts of the metropolis, there was a lamentable lack of such recreation reserves, and probably not more than 10 per cent of the area was available as breathing areas for the people. He further congratulated them on having obtained a loan of £1000 towards the beautification of their valuable park. Man's existence had begun in a garden, and he hoped that the future of the race would be in gardens, where angels walked and seraphs were the guardians. Having formally declared the gardens opened, Mr. Hutchinson planted the first tree, and was presented by Cr. Stone with a gold medal, struck in commemoration, as a memento of the occasion.

Cr. Ball, President of the [Heidelberg] Shire, in thanking the Minister of Agriculture for his presence, said.... Mr. Catani had done a lot and desired to do more, but the Ministry stopped him. He hoped he would continue to do all he could for the beautification of the Yarra. Mr. Catani, in a brief speech, expressed the hope that they would not forget the native flora, but would blend some of their native trees with trees and plants of the Old World and America. He would ask them to accept from him a half-dozen palms.

Trees were also planted by Messrs. Membrey, Anstey, Evans, Catani, Mrs. Ball and the presidents of the various athletic societies, and other well-known residents, among whom we may mention Mr. Bentley, the oldest resident in the district. Calisthenic displays were afterwards admirably given by the Fairfield school children, under Mr. McLean, head teacher. Mr. F. J. Crabb and the reserve committee are to be specially complimented upon the happy results of their labors. (3)

The children of Fairfield should have long remembered this significant occasion as on the day they were presented with a commemorative medallion by the Shire of Heidelberg (4). I wonder how many medallions still exist?

Acknowledgment

It was my fellow historian, Isaac Hermann, who alerted me to Carlo's connection to the Fairfield Park. Thank you, Isaac.

Footnotes

(1) Heidelberg News and Greensborough and Diamond Creek Chronicle, October 24, 1914, see here.

(2) Photographs from the day - The Leader, July 4, 1914, see here and Weekly Times, July 4, 1914, see here.

(3) Heidelberg News and Greensborough and Diamond Creek Chronicle, July 4, 1914, see here.

(4) Heidelberg News and Greensborough and Diamond Creek Chronicle, June 13, 1914, see here.

What Carlo thinks of rockeries and the issue of cows in the Albert Park

This was in the Bulletin, published August 22, 1912 and I think it is very amusing. You can see the original, on Trove, here.

Melbourne continues to burst into eruptions of street rockeries, which Carlo Catani, Victorian Public Works engineer, once described in his mellifluous Anglo-Italian as “the stone age of gardening.” Hardly a suburban street nowadays but is transformed into the semblance of a macadamised waistcoat with a row of stone buttons down the middle, all in the sacred name of municipal gardening.The City Council is expectorating on its hands (purely by proxy, in order not to offend against the by-law) and is trussing up its bowyangs preparatory to forming a plantation builded upon a rock at the intersection of Molesworth, Harris,and Curzon streets, West Melbourne. Meanwhile, the designers of that portion of the city, aware that this form of art will cost £300, want to know why some of the rocks that will make the city beautiful are not being pounded into road metal to repair the dreadful highway and low ways and middle ways in the same ward. Perhaps when a councillor returning home by a late windy moonlight, has been manhandled by one of the hoodlums that are beginning to infest these rockeries o’nights, much as the Great Auk frequented the Allaloneston in Kingsley's fairy story, the City Council will be sorry spoke.

The journalist quotes Carlo's comment that rockeries are the stone-age of gardening. He made that comment at a public meeting in April 1907 where the fate of the Albert Park speedway (a trotting track at the Albert Park) was being discussed. The Speedway at Albert Park was officially opened on September 1, 1903, by the Chief Justice and Lieutenant Governor, Sir John Madden. It was established by a group of well known business and professional men and all they wanted to do was to have a place to drive a horse along, it wasn't for racing.  It was to have two tracks - one a mile in length and one of six furlongs (furlong is 220 yards).

Albert Park Speedway, 1903

State Library of Victoria Image H96.28/2   http://handle.slv.vic.gov.au/10381/462028

Many locals objected to the Speedway. The Mayor of South Melbourne, Cr W.J. Mountain, who attended a meeting organised by the Albert Park Trust on the issue was against the idea as it was a public park, and should be kept so. There was a roadway already formed for those that wanted to drive through it. The 'speedway' would be a source of great danger to children. (The Age June 17, 1902)  However, the Albert Park Trust did allow it to go ahead. So, no change there in the past 117 years with governments at all levels still allowing the alienation of public land into private hands.

It was a short-lived enterprise and at a report of the meeting that Carlo attended in April 1907, the Emerald Hill Record said the club under whose auspices the Albert Park Speedway was opened with such success nearly four years ago has regretfully come to the conclusion that the speedway as such has served its turn. Though the club had at the outset 103 members, and although from £1000 to £1200 was spent in preparing and fencing the track, constructing rockeries, and planting young elm trees— almost the only deciduous tree which will flourish on that soil — the enterprise has had to be abandoned. Very soon the members began to lose interest in the track, which was never really popular with the general public, because there was little for them to see. (Emerald Hill Record, April 27, 1907).

The speedway area was handed back to the Albert Park Trust, who then wanted to improve or beautify the area. One of the issues was, according to the Record,  at the present the casual visitor to the open spaces of Albert Park would be justified in the impression that it is the local cow which really counts. The depasturing of cows does not improve the park in any way. Naturally, when  a organisation wanted advice on the beautification of an area, they turned to Carlo for an opinion -

When questioned on the subject of the speedway, the chief engineer of the Public Works department (Mr. Catani) quickly demonstrated that there were difficulties in the way of beautifying the surrounding land, although he admitted that the speedway might be used as a drive. The presence of an existing road in the vicinity however, detracted to some extent from its value. "We might do something," he said; "the matter is open for consideration. Where ever possible we are taking down fences and planting flowers and shrubs, as in Alexandra-avenue, for our experience has shown that the public will respect their own property."

But you cannot expect a cow to learn the lesson of respect for property?

"Of course, where there are cows the fences will have to remain. Then as to the general  beautification of the park, the question of funds is an important one. The soil of Albert Park is, for the most part, sand, impregnated, except just at the surface, with salt. It could not support trees unless the surface were raised two or three feet. And as it would cost £10.000 or £12,000 to treat the whole of Albert Park, that is out of the question. It is not proposed to make any expenditure on the speed-way—we have too many claims on our limited funds. It will cost £70 to paint the fence every two years."

As to maintaining the rockeries?

"Rockeries are the stone age of gardening! I certainly would like marble balustrades, with nice caps and beautiful statuary, but we haven't the money! The purists say, ' You are doing monstrous things, but between nothing and rockeries there is a great gulf fixed. And even with rockeries it must be remembered that every improvement means maintenance, so that when a certain limit was reached the cost of maintenance would absorb all the money available from improvements. Cows? The Public Works department gets £350 a year from those cows, and it can't afford to lose it! It is a barbarous thing but we want the money. We can't do much with it, but we can do a little."  (Emerald Hill Record, April 27, 1907)

Albert Park Speedway  

State Library of Victoria Image H96.28/1   http://handle.slv.vic.gov.au/10381/321109

.........................................................................................................................

Sources:
People's Playground: a history of Albert Park by Jill Barnard and Jenny Keating (Chandos Publishing, 1996)
Article - Albert Park Speedway  Emerald Hill Record  April 27, 1907. Read full article, here.
Article -  Proposed Speedway at Albert Park  The Age June 17, 1902. Read full article, here.
Article -  Sporting Notions column The Bulletin  August 22, 1912. Link is here.

The problem of weeds in Albert Park Lake - Carlo has a solution

On January 13, 1904 the South Melbourne Council discussed the interminable question of cleansing the Albert Park Lake of weeds (The Age January 15, 1904) Three suggestions were put to the Council to resolve the issue. One suggestion was a simple one - Cr. Strangward asked if hand-pulling had been tried, as he had seen a small amount of work done near the Yacht Club shed, and he thought it might be possible to do it by hand-pulling. (Emerald Hill Record January 16, 1904)

A second suggestion concerned swans.  Cr. Craine's idea was that a number of swans would keep the weeds down. He had got several down from Bairnsdale, but one was stolen, one had been killed, and two had gone over to the Botanical Gardens.....Cr. Craine said he would like to see the swans given a trial. During a trip to Gippsland he had seen them in the lakes, and had taken particular notice of them. They had the same weeds growing there, and the swans kept them clear. He would be prepared to get a further supply if they were looked after. So a nice idea, but it seems that some of the swans preferred the more up-market address of the Royal Botanic Gardens.  (Emerald Hill Record January 16, 1904)

The third suggestion was from Carlo Catani - a high-tech solution, with a dual purpose of being useful but also a source of pleasure to the locals. Mr. Catani had reported that it would be necessary to build a paddle steamer with a weed cutter at the rear to deal with the weed nuisance. It was proposed to use the steamer also for excursions, improve the island, and hold concerts and entertainments on it.  (Emerald Hill Record January 16, 1904)  A report in the  North Melbourne Courier of January 15, 1904 suggested the ways in which the Lake and Island could be improved - Steps will probably, be taken to make the Albert Park Lagoon a somewhat similar sheet of water to Lake Windouree [Wendouree], Ballarat. A scheme has been formulated by Mr. Catani of Public Works Department, for the eradication of the weeds, by means of a steamer, which would also take passengers for trip. There is also a plan in contemplation to erect kiosks on the island, and other attractions.

What did they decide? It was the Albert Park Lake Trust that made the decision and it was announced,  at a community meeting, by the South Melbourne Mayor, Cr. Baragwanath, who caused some surprise by announcing that the trust had, at its last meeting, authorised the sending of a cable message to England ordering a weed cutting steamer on six months' trial at a cost of about £300, with the proviso that if it proved unsuccessful the trust would take no responsibility. The steamer was not, however, as originally suggested, to be used for carrying passengers on the lagoon (The Age, April 19, 1904)

Other reports said that the cost of this steamer would be £270 to £300 and the annual cost for maintenance £80. There was a number of criticisms - it was too expensive, other methods had not  been tried and a question was asked why they were importing a machine when,  a local resident, Mr. Donald, had invented a machine which was fully capable of dealing with the weeds, and had proved itself by trials, at one of which the trust was represented. He asked why such invention had not been given consideration before accepting an offer from an English firm ?  (Emerald Hill Record, April 23, 1904)

Motor Weed Cutting Launch, Albert Park Lagoon

The Leader  April 29, 1905   http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article198166236

The steamer from England arrived and  a trial was held. We will let The Argus of November 18, 1904 tell us how it went and how it worked  - A public trial was given yesterday on the Albert Park Lake of a new weed-cutting machine purchased by the committee of management to clear the lake of weeds which had grown to such an extent that aquatic sports were greatly hampered. Amongst those present were Mr Davidson inspector-general of public works, Mr Catani, engineer, members of the Albert park committee the South Melbourne and St Kilda councils. The boat, which is about the size of an ordinary ship's boat, has a stern wheel, which is driven by a low-speed oil engine. The engine also works two V shaped knives which are fixed on each side of the boat and work underneath it, clearing a space 10ft wide. Those present expressed themselves highly pleased with the result of the trial. The committee of management of Albert-park were so well satisfied with the test that they have decided to purchase the cutter and motor launch at a cost of about £275. 

There is a detailed technical description of the weed-cutting steamer in The Leader of  April 29, 1905. You can read it here. The same article says that the trustees of the Albert Park lagoon have found great difficulty in getting rid of the weeds, which grow more or less all over the lagoon. Much money has been fruitlessly spent upon this work, and many devices tried, amongst them being a steam dredge (costing about £2000, which was unsuccessful, and was, eventually sold at the price of old iron). £2000 - that was a lot of money, in those days. The article held higher hopes for the steam launch - The motor launch ... has in a very short space of time almost cleared the lagoon, and it, is claimed that it will in time stop the growth of these noxious weeds by keeping them cut, thus preventing the generating power of air and light having any stimulating effect, and weakening them to such an extent, that they will cause very little trouble.

The Age also had a report that suggested that the steam launch was a success. It reported on the Albert Park Easter Regatta - On Saturday the ten-mile course was sailed, for the first time in several years, over the whole length of the lagoon, an improvement due to the successful operations of the weed cutting steam launch imported by the Albert Park committee of management providing a clear sailing area. The improvement made in this fine sheet of water was greatly appreciated by contesting yachtsmen. (The Age April 24, 1905)

In the end, the weed-cutting steamer wasn't designed so it could also be used for excursions, as Carlo had proposed, but it does appear that it was a success in removing the weeds.


I have created a short list of articles on the weed-cutting steamer from 1904 and 1905 on Trove. You can access the list, here. All the articles referenced here are on the list.

Carlo creates a plan for Warragul Park

The site for Warragul Park was gazetted on October 1, 1888. It was just over 29 acres and was situated south of  the railway line.

Land set aside for Warragul Park

Victorian Government Gazette, October 5, 1888. p. 3039

https://gazette.slv.vic.gov.au/images/1888/V/general/91.pdf

Map of Warragul, showing the Public Park and Garden Reserve, south of the railway line. 

State Library of Victoria - click on this link for the complete map http://handle.slv.vic.gov.au/10381/108451

The landscaping of the garden moved very slowly; in 1891 it was reported that the Council had to take such proceedings as shall be necessary to remove all persons who are illegally in occupation of portions of the Warragul Town Park reserve (1). Three years later the issue was still not resolved as the Warragul Guardian reported that Some of the occupants of holdings on the Warragul Public Park reserve recently offered to give up possession upon receiving certain compensation from the Council. The article then lists the compensation that had to be paid  a few years previously to occupiers of land near the railway station for removal of buildings and damage to property in connection with the rearrangement of the Warragul station yard in the years 1887-88 (2).  

The council must have eventually removed some of these people (but not all, as we shall find out later) as in 1898, ten years after the park was gazetted - 

A short time ago the Warragul Shire Council obtained a number of young trees for planting in what will some day be a beautiful public park, whilst others were obtained from one of the State nurseries, and four Queensland cedars were kindly presented by Mr. M'Cullough. Planting operations were commenced on Wednesday morning ......Over sixty trees have thus far been obtained, and they are mostly of a choice and ornamental character (3). 

This is what Warragul looked like around the time Warragul Park was gazetted in October 1888.

Warragul, c. 1886. Photographer: Nicholas Caire. State Library of Victoria H17888

Another ten years later, in 1908, the Council had received a letter from their local member -

Hon. J. E. Mackey, re obtaining assistance of Departmental Curators of Parks and gardens, stating that he had arranged with Mr Catani, of the Public Works Department to pay a visit to Warragul as soon as possible, and prepare a design for the Park (4).  

The locals were obviously excited that Carlo had agreed to design the garden and the West Gippsland Gazette printed an article which started with -

In view of the approaching visit to Warragul of Mr. Catani, one of the principal officers in the Public Works Department, in order to evolve the most effective design for the laying out of the Warragul public park, the following appreciative notice in last week's "Australasian" will be read with interest (5). The paper republished the Australasian's glowing report of Carlo's work on the  Alexandra Gardens (read it here)

In June 1908, Carlo came back with  the plan. The Yarragon Settlement News described Carlo as a man who as a landscape designer has few equals and that the plan presented would make the cheerless looking area a thing of beauty and a joy for ever. (6). 

The West Gippsland Gazette published this detailed and flamboyant description of the plans -

the plan provides for the various winding paths and shubberies incidental to all public pleasure grounds. Mr Catani has, moreover, utilised the magnificent flow of clear water to the fullest advantage, and with the consummate skill of a trained landscape gardener, has designed a circuitous stream whose pellucid waters will ripple over a rock-bestrewn bottom as they flow " on for ever," like Tennyson's immortal brook, to join the Moe river. At the narrow end of the Park a small lake is provided for, and towards the Shire Hall another and more expansive sheet of water of artistic configuration is designed to embellish the eastern end of the park. The two lakes are connected by the stream, which in its course flows over a beautiful little artificial cascade. In the centre of the larger lake is a small island, which is intended to meet the nesting proclivities of water fowl and swans, which always add to the life and interest of our public gardens. The stream itself is diverted to the longitudinal centre of the park, and the excavation work, though not extensive for such a scheme of beautification, provides for the widening of  the stream to 12 feet, the material being used to make sloping banks and lawns. Mr Catani expresses a very natural regret that the land is all flat, with no rising ground, and hints that if practicable the Council might obtain at least a portion of the higher ground to the south of the park. This is a matter worthy of consideration. (7).

The plan was accepted, some money obtained, but a year later work still hadn't started. One of the issues was Mrs Connor - 

interesting development's are expected concerning Mrs. Connor's occupancy of the public park. The lady in question is living in a weatherboard house, situated on a corner of the park, and, according to very good authority, she has no title whatever. As the shire council proposes to effect a number of improvements to the park, Mrs. Connor, together with other occupiers, was offered a sum of money to quit; but she refused the offer, and agreed in writing that the question should be settled by arbitration. Arbitrators were appointed, and the sum of £100 agreed upon. A cheque for this sum was tendered Mrs. Connor, and she refused to take it (8). I am not sure if Mrs Connor ever moved from the park!

This article from the West Gippsland Gazette  in June 1909, is worth repeating here as it shows the high esteem with which Carlo was held - 

The designing of a local park marks an epoch in the history of any district and Warragul is now engaged in such an undertaking. The future pleasure ground of the people has already been designed in part and now trees have to be selected and planted...[the Council]  recognised that in selecting the trees due regard must be paid to the scenic effects for although we have a beautiful park in the making for the rising generation, it is a very easy matter to spoil the whole effect by selecting unsuitable trees and placing them in wrong positions, necessitating transplanting and often loss in the future. In any case such a blunder would unnecessarily throw the work back...... Only those who have had some experience in such work fully realise the difficulties involved in landscape gardening ; in fact, it is a profession by itself, and Councillors after pondering over the problem wisely decided that it would be prudent to consult Signor Catani, who has already achieved a high reputation in landscape gardening; as the result of the splendid scenic effects which he has designed and carried out on the St Kilda road and the Alexandra avenue. It was Signor Catani who very kindly designed the Warragul park and with that artistic instinct, which is such a prominent characteristic in his own countrymen, he would naturally feel a personal interest in the ornamentation of the pleasure grounds which have been partially laid out according to his design..... It is hardly a fair thing either to impose such a responsibility upon the shire engineer, who as an Engineer is not expected to be an encyclopedia of all knowledge and experience including landscape gardening. Expert opinion should be obtained so that the people's park may be made as beautiful as it is possible to make it, and in future years councillors, as custodians of the people's property will be commended for their wisdom in obtaining the best advice available for such an important work (9).

The other issue that delayed the commencement of the park was that the Council had asked Carlo for a list of trees that should be planted. By all accounts, Carlo was an amiable and genial man, but he must gave despaired at times with all the requests he received from Councils regarding matters, not central to his role as Chief Engineer.  In May 1910, the West Gippsland Gazette seemed peeved that Carlo had not provided the list of suitable trees -

It is a great pity that Mr Catani was too busy to give the Council a detailed list of trees suitable for the purpose from a landscape point of view. If he still has too much to do to render this assistance he might be able to recommend a landscape gardener and failing this Mr Guilfoyle, late curator of the Botanical gardens, might be written to. Although almost an invalid from rheumatism he will doubtless be acquainted with the best men in the profession.  Failing any such assistance there would be no alternative but for the Park and Gardens committee to meet and draw up an entire scheme of landscape decoration, availing themselves of such local knowledge and experience as is obtainable. Their heart, however, was in the right place as they ended the article with it is however most essential that the trees should be planted.They can then be growing into beauty while the people sleep.(10)

It appears that the council sought no advice elsewhere and by 1911 some Councillors were losing enthusiasm for the park due to its location. It was low-lying, wet and swampy, could not be properly drained and  the drop in the temperature from the surrounding country was too great for the spot to be healthy, and the lake there would attract myriads of insects, particularly mosquitoes and snails (11). These sort of discussions went on until 1915, when there are no more reports in the papers that I could find, due no doubt because the Community was focusing on the War effort.

The War had just finished when the West Gippsland Gazette published this attack on the park in January 1919 - The present flat, called  "the park," instead of being a blessing, is the bane of Warragul. Because this rich swamp is called a "park," no effort is made to get a real park which would be a boon to the people and a source of joy and gladness and health to the children (12). 

Thus after thirty years the Council made a decision and sold off some of the park and purchased ten acres, between Albert and Clifford Street, north of the town on  much higher land. The West Gippsland Gazette praised the Council for this decision as, for a start, it did not cost the ratepayers any money and secondly when properly laid out and developed will constitute a beauty spot second to none in Gippsland. The curator of the Botanic Gardens, Melbourne, Mr. Cronin (13),  recently visited Warragul at the invitation of the council, and has kindly consented to apply his landscape gardening ability to the laying out and beautification of the park (14). 

The open space with the line of trees is, I believe, Civic Park - the street with the five small cottages fronting it is Albert Street. 

Panorama of Warragul Photographer: Rose Stereograph Co.State Library of Victoria Image H32492/3594

Once again, things seemed to take a long time to get going and it wasn't until 1926 that some landscaping was done as much of the Council's budget needed to be spent on roads -

but it is only now that a little money has been available to set about the work in earnest. Some thing over a hundred pounds was spent upon it in laying paths some time ago, and although these have been grown over since, they will cost less to restore, than if the Council had to begin do novo. The money for this work was furnished by the Government in order to give employment to returned soldiers at a time when there was much distress in Melbourne through the scarcity of work. (15).  In the July a fence was erected around the park and planting commenced and by 1927, 120 trees had been planted (16). 

The Shire was very lucky that Veterinary Surgeon D. T. Jones, who is an enthusiastic flower lover lived  in the area - Dr. Jones offered the Council to donate and plant bulbs and other flowers, in the raised ornamental oval at the entrance. He did so, and as mentioned last week, this spot has been a blaze of color, with the magnificent blooms of 500 choicest gladioli, including nearly seventy varieties....In addition to gladioli, there are clarkias, cosmos, dahlias, and other flowers, which indicate what it is possible to do in this, the people's park "Doc." Jones, indeed, has set a splendid example of citizenship (17).  

Finally the people of Warragul had a park, which is still there and now named Civic Park. I assume the name change happened around the time the new Warragul Shire Offices were opened in Albert Street in March 1965 (18).  I have three books on the history of Warragul and none of them have  a photo of the park or a plan. The Path of Progress: from forests of yesterday to homes of to-day by Hugh Copeland  (Shire of Warragul, 1934) had this to say about the park - Improvements to the public park had been considered by the Council, and the assistance of the late C. Catani was obtained, who designed a complete plan for laying out the grounds. A small portion of the design was afterwards carried out, but very little of the work suggested by Catani has since been attempted.  Interestingly,  he doesn't mention that the park had two locations, however some of the plantings may remain in the old park, now called the Burke Street Park which has a lot of netball courts, a caravan park, a bowling club, an athletic track and some nice looking treed areas. Certainly, Carlo had no hand in the design of the Civic Park.

We will finish off this post with this letter to the Editor of the West Gippsland Gazette of April 24, 1928 - which sums up the Council inertia and inadequate activity regarding the park in Warragul -
Sir - The action of the Warragul Shire Council in providing a recreation ground for children in the Albert Street park is to be commended but many mothers and others in charge of children often like to go with the little ones. At present, however, the only means of entry is through a hole in a barbed wire fence. This is not only awkward, but dangerous, and keeps many away. Would it not be possible to have a small gate provided? It would be much appreciated.- Yours, etc. PARENT. (19).

Yes, 40 years after being granted land for a park, the Council seemingly could not plan for something as simple and necessary as a gate.

Trove list - I have created  a list of articles on the history of Warragul Park on Trove, access the list, here. 

Footnotes

(1) Warragul Guardian, April 14, 1891, see here. 

(2) Warragul Guardian, May 4 1894, see here. 

(3) West Gippsland Gazette, October 4, 1898, see here. 

(4) West Gippsland Gazette, February 18, 1908, see here. 

(5) West Gippsland Gazette, May 5, 1908, see here.

(6) Yarragon Settlement News, June 25, 1908, see here. 

(7) West Gippsland Gazette of July 7, 1908, see here. 

(8) The Age, June 23, 1908, see here.

(9) West Gippsland Gazette, June 22, 1909 see here. 

(10) West Gippsland Gazette, May 31, 1910, see here. 

(11) Yarragon Settlement News, February 20, 1913, see here. 

(12) West Gippsland Gazette, January 7, 1919, see here.  

(13) John Cronin (1865 - 1923) Mr Cronin was born at Clunes and was the first Australian born director of the Royal Botanic Gardens. He started at the Gardens in 1898, under William Guilfoyle, previously having been at the Department of Agriculture. In 1908 he became the Principal of the Burnley Horticultural College, but resigned the following year to take over from William Guilfoyle, who had retired, as the Director of the Gardens. His time at the gardens was influenced by a drought, lack of funds and labour due to the First World War and by the fact that he was seriously ill with cancer. (People and Plants: a history of gardening in Victoria by Mary Ellis (published by the author, in 2003). 

(14) West Gippsland Gazette of July 15, 1919, see here. 

(15) West Gipplsand Gazette, June 8, 1926, see here. 

(16) West Gippsland Gazette, June 28 1927, see here.

(17) West Gippsland Gazette, February 8, 1927, see here, 

(18) Forests old, pastures new: a history of Warragul by Sally Wilde (Shire of Warragul, 1988), p. 294

(19)  West Gippsland Gazette of April 24, 1928, see here.

Edwardes Park and Lake in Reservoir and Thomas Dyer Edwardes

In December 1843, Thomas Dyer Edwardes (1807 - 1885) purchased Sections 11 & 12, Parish  of Keelbundora which consisted of  1,875 acres.  The land was situated between the Merri Creek and Darebin Creek. According to  Harley W. Forster, in his book Preston: Lands and People, 1838-1967 -  Edwardes did not get a good return for his investment; apart from selling some land to the Commissioners of Sewers and Water  Supply for  £897/13/9. to make the Yan Yean pipeline and tramway, he had to be content with leasing his land, rents in 1858-63 totalling  £250 per annum. An early sub-divisional plan for Keelbundora 12 was not proceeded with as the land, in the Reservoir area, was still remote from the main centres.

Edwardes (who, like his son, is referred to as Dyer Edwardes in some sources) had arrived in New South Wales in 1828 after spending some time in China. In 1832, he went into a partnership with Matthew Dysart Hunter, and they imported goods from France and Batavia and also had most of the China tea trade.  Edwardes returned to England and in June 1835 he married Martha Sharp in Warwickshire. Their son, also called Thomas Dyer Edwardes, was born July 21, 1847 in London. (Hunters Hill Trust Journal, April 1992)  According to his obituary in the Sydney Morning Herald of March 3, 1885, Edwardes returned to Australian in 1844 and 1873. I presume the visit listed as 1844 (was it actually 1843?) was when he purchased the land at Preston.

When Thomas (the son) was about 20 he came to Victoria and apparently spent about ten years here. He sub-divided some of his father's land  and Forster writes that one estate was known as the Leamington Estate, after the Edwards family home place in England. The settlers were described as stout-hearted for as late as April 1915 they were carrying water to their houses and taking washing up to 1½ miles to be done. 

In 1878, Thomas (the son)  was back in England where he married the grandly named Clementina Georgina Lucy Drummond Villiers and they lived at Prinknash Park, Gloucester. They had a daughter,  Lucy Noel Martha, who was born on Christmas Day (hence the name Noel)  in 1878. Noel, as she seems to have been known,  married the Earl of Rothes in 1900. As an exciting twist to the Edwardes story - Thomas and Clementina and their daughter, Noel the Countess, all sailed on the Titanic! Thomas and Clementina disembarked at Cherbourg in France, however Noel continued on to New York. She survived the sinking as did her travelling companion,  her cousin, Gladys Cherry, and her maid Roberta Maioni. You can read about the Countess and her parents on the Encyclopedia Titanica. This a great website that has biographical information on all the Titanic passengers and an interesting account of the spirited Countess in the lifeboat. You can access the post on the Countess, here, and that links to the others who travelled with her.

Edwardes died on February 10, 1926 in Naples and he left an Estate of £206,463 - with property in England and Victoria. The beneficiaries were his daughter and her children. There were various codicils to the will including one dated July 31, 1924, that said that he and his wife had agreed to live apart - she was left some money in the will and an annuity. Another interesting codicil that was reported was that he had recently joined the Holy Catholic Apostolic Roman Church, and desired his body to be cremated and the ashes placed in a mausoleum to be built on a piece of land which he wished consecrated as a Roman Catholic burial ground.  (The Herald, August 10, 1926) The Encyclopedia Titanica website entry on Edwardes (see here) says that it was his wish that Prinknash be given to the order of Benedictine monks who still occupy the estate.  Even monks have  website these days, you can view it here  You can also read about them and Mr Edwardes here   https://btsarnia.org/2017/10/04/prinknash-and-fr-dolling/

Before we leave both of the Thomas Dyer Edwardes and move onto Carlo Catani, Thomas (the son) donated a peal of thirteen bells to St Paul's Cathedral in Melbourne, in 1889. You can read about the Dedication service and a description of the bells, here. The St Paul's Cathedral website (see here) it is one of the few peals of thirteen bells outside the British Isles. Thomas also donated £3,000 toward  the cost of the £6,000 organ which was installed at St Paul's Cathedral.

The bells of St. Paul's Cathedral.

Donated by Thomas Dyer Edwardes.

Australasian Sketcher December 26, 1889

In September 1914, Thomas Dyer Edwardes donated thirty four acres of land for a park and lake to the Shire of Preston,  so this was part of the land that his father had purchased in 1843. The Argus of September 16, 1914 had this report-
At the Preston Shire Council meeting on Monday evening a letter was received from the solicitor for Mr Thomas Dyer Edwardes's Leamington Estate, North Preston intimating that Mr Edwardes (who is at present in Great Britain) had acceded to the councils request that he would present to Preston citizens land for a recreation reserve and lake site. Instructions had come to hand that 34 acres should be handed over for this purpose. This announcement was received with warm applause. 
The land in question forms portion of what was once an artificial lake, but the embankment was carried away by floods some years ago. It is understood that the council intends to rebuild the weir, and to name the area "Lake Edwardes."

A letter to the Editor of the Preston Leader, December 4, 1915  from Mr J.S. McFadzean of the Reservoir Progress Association can add more information about the history of the site - on the site of the lake that was formerly constructed by private enterprise in 1888. With a dam some 60 yards wide and 22 feet high-of which more than half is still standing solidly-a fine sheet of water of over 25 acres in extent was at that time impounded on the Edgar Creek. There were boat sheds and refreshment rooms there, sports were held on the lake, and a start was made to connect Heidelberg and Coburg by tram running past the lake. Then the collapse of the land boom put an end to this great improvement work which would have made Preston one of Melbourne's show places if it had been carried through.

At the Council meeting of April 12, 1915 the following motion was put - Cr. Howe moved that a letter be sent, through Mr. Membrey, M.L.A, to Mr. Catani, of the Public Works Department, asking that he prepare a plan for the laying out of Edwardes Park. (Preston Leader April 17, 1915)  In June the Northcote Leader reported that  Mr. Catani, chief engineer of the Public Works Department, has already visited Preston to advise as to the best means of laying out Edwardes park.... Cr. Howe reported that Mr. Catani was most enthusiastic in regard to the site, and his visit, so far as the council is concerned, was very satisfactory. Another report said that when Mr. Catani, chief engineer of the Public Works Department, first visited it he was charmed with its natural features and greatly enamoured with its possibilities of beautification. (Northcote Leader August 5, 1916)

Before the park was officially opened on Saturday July 29 1916 the Shire had purchased another 12 acres of land to add to the park; the Reservoir Progress Association had fenced the whole property and by the September over 700 trees had been planted. The opening ceremony was attended by many residents and Mr J. G. Membrey, M.L.A, Shire President, Cr C. Stanlake, Mr Henty who was representing Mr Edwardes and Mr J.S. McFadzean of the Reservoir Progress Association. Trees were planted on the day by Mrs Membrey, Mrs Stanlake, Mrs McFadzean and  Mrs Rae.

 

Aerial view of Edwardes Park and Lake, December 21, 1928. Ten years after it opened, there has been very little landscaping carried out.
Photographer: Charles Daniel Pratt. 

State Library of Victoria Image H91.160/1754.

Click here if you want a higher resolution version http://handle.slv.vic.gov.au/10381/20210

In September 1916,  the Governor of Victoria, Sir Arthur Lyulph Stanley visited the park - His Excellency inspected the park and the plans of the proposed improvements by Mr. Catani. Edwardes Park is formed of 36 acres of undulating land, presented by Mr. Edwardes, of Hyde Park, London. A creek runs through the land, and the Shire has purchased 10 acres to form a bank for the other side of the lake into which it is proposed to convert the present creek. (Punch, September 21, 1916) The Governor also planted some trees, including a Moreton Bay fig.

The locals were very optimistic about the park, even hoping that  a large ornamental lake be formed in the park, which it is hoped will eventually become one of the attractions of the metropolitan area. (Brunswick & Coburg Star, February 25, 1916). The land, as we said before, already contained a lake, where the embankment had washed away and Harley W. Foster wrote that  J. S. McFadzean and others organized the construction of  a concrete weir and spillway in 1919 and this allowed the Preston Rowing Club to be reformed. The Preston Leader of September 23, 1916 said that a plot has been made to be planted with trees by relatives of those who have fallen on the battle field. I don't believe this ever happened, however, the new weir which was erected, using a Repatriation grant (perhaps organised by the community minded Mr McFadzean) was inset with an Armistice Memorial stone. The weir was officially opened April 3, 1920 by Brigadier-General Brand. (The Age, April 5, 1920, read about the opening, here.) During the Depression, men were employed on weeding and bluestone edging the Edwardes Lake.

Edwardes Lake, Reservoir, c. 1945-1954.  Victorian Railways Photographer.

State Library of Victoria H91.50/267

On February 5, 1935 The Age published a letter from 'A Resident' of Reservoir about Edwardes Lake, which points out years of Council neglect - Residents are pleased to note that the council is about to do something. Mr. Ben. Johnson's statement that the Preston council cannot be accused of neglect is humorous. Why was the grass allowed to grow so rank that the newly purchased cutting machine could not cut it ? What will happen to the young trees recently planted if a fire starts in this rank grass ? The council is patting itself on the back because it planted these trees; so it must, accept full responsibility if they are destroyed by fire. The town clerk talks about schemes for improvement. Residents have been listening to this talk for years...... Twenty years ago a mere handful of residents decided to form working bees and improve the park. They first of all fenced it, then planted hundreds of trees, and cared for them. They did their job well, as can be seen by the growth made by these trees. Then the rowing club members constructed the fence around the arena, and even the Preston council became enthusiastic. The members decided to help the sporting bodies, and commenced filling In the holes in the arena. That was two years ago. To day the job is still unfinished. The council's efforts fizzled out, and last year the Eastern carnival, usually held, was abandoned because the controlling bodies will not allow their members to compete for games because of the danger of sprained ankles, &c....

The next year it was reported that Preston council needed finance to carry out a scheme of beautification of Edwarde's Park and Lake. With that object in view, application was made to the Employment Council asking for a grant of £3000 to carry out the work. At its meeting this week the council was disappointed to learn that the grant cannot he made just yet. (The Age June 25, 1936)

Before we get onto Carlo's plans for the park, I came across this interesting proposal for the park. The Preston Leader of February 20, 1915 reported on this visionary plan -  F. W. Donovan wrote to the council on Monday evening suggesting that it would be a mistake to apply the "pretty little flower-garden method" in dealing with 36 acres. A plan should be laid down on bold lines that could be gradually and permanently developed....the retention of some of the virgin forest, which had been such a glaring omission in the past. The site, in his opinion, was unique in its possibilities to produce a good representation of the native flora and fauna. It could be made a sanctuary for the protection of Australian bird life, where the cry of the plover and the cacchination of the laughing jackass could be heard. The artificial lake could be stocked with wild duck, and other aquatic game could "claim kindred and have their claims allowed"

Edwardes Park and Lake, Reservoir, attributed to Carlo Catani.

What were Carlo's plans? He must have drawn some plans as they were inspected in September 1916, by the Governor of Victoria, when he visited the park -  His Excellency inspected the park and the plans of the proposed improvements by Mr. Catani. (Punch, September 21, 1916).  The Preston Leader of September 23, 1916 said that the plan for the future improvement of the area embraces the construction of a large lake, recreation ground, lawns, lengthy drives, rest houses, boat sheds, a bathing reserve and rowing course. The estimated cost of constructing the lake is £2540. This plan is not attributed to anyone in particular - was it Carlo's plan? 

We have this plan, above, which is attributed to Carlo Catani, however my research colleague and Catani authority, Isaac Hermann, feels that it is unlikely that he would have named the drive after himself and I have to agree as, from all accounts, Carlo was modest and did not seek out the limelight. This plan was presumably a Council plan and the original (which currently appears to be lost) was from the City of Preston and thus possibly inherited by the Darebin Council.

When Harley Foster published his history of Preston in 1968 he wrote while the lake was used for pleasure boating, and for the Rowing Club, which was strong and successful in the twenties, the rest of the park was little developed, and has not reached its potential to this day.  It does appear that even though Carlo was charmed with its natural features and greatly enamoured with its possibilities of beautification - this beautification may never had taken place.

Sources:
Preston: Lands and People, 1838-1967 by Harley W. Forster (F. W. Cheshire, 1968)  Thomas Dyer Edwardes and Woolwich by Diana M. Drake  published in the  Hunter's Hill Trust Journal, April 1992. https://huntershilltrust.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/Vol-21-No-1-April-1992_Part1.pdf

There are some interesting photos of Edwardes Lake and Edgars Creek, which was dammed to form the lake, in this report Knowing our creek: a history of Edgar's Creek by Stephen Northey published by the Friends of Edgars Creek in 2007) Read it here.

I have created a select list of articles, from Trove, on Thomas Dyer Edwardes  - the father and the son - and Edwardes Park and Edwardes Lake which mention Carlo Catani. The List can be accessed here and includes any articles which I have referred to in this post

Carlo designs May Park in Horsham

Amongst Carlo Catani's work in Victoria was the design of May Park in Horsham. The original piece of land where May Park is, was triangular in shape and was created in the 1860s by a new road which cut off the land from the adjoining allotment. The land was part of the Shire of Wimmera, but in 1882 when the Borough of Horsham was created it should have gone to them but the Shire retained control. Ever since then the borough ratepayers have been placed in the novel position of having within their territory, in a part which is capable of improvement, at blank piece of land over which they have no authority. Some years ago the Progress Association, after receiving a substantial donation from Mr. S. May, planted a few pepper trees on the reserve and euphemistically named it May Park. Since then it has been more or less a harbor for rabbits, periodically a grazing ground for favored stock, and ever a scene of desolation (Horsham Times, July 25, 1911) In 1912, the Wimmera Shire had plans to sell the land but that did not eventuate and around 1914, it was officially handed over to the Borough of Horsham and they decided to formulate a definite scheme for the improvement of the locality. (Horsham Times, April 10, 1914)

Views in May Park, published in Horsham Illustrated, by the Horsham Times, 1920s.

Digitised at the State Library of Victoria http://handle.slv.vic.gov.au/10381/245438

By good fortune, Carlo Catani, was in the town in July 1914, so the Council was able to obtain his expert opinion and advice. Two weeks later the Horsham Times could report on these plans -
In outline, his suggestions for the improvement of May Park are the erection of a screen of permanent trees right round the boundary, with shade trees and seats bordering on the paths. There is proposed a large lawn for the youngsters, a band stand and shelter, with conveniences, a fernery, rockery, and two small ponds, for acquatic and other plants, introduced about the centre of the Dimboola-road frontage. A palm group would be near the entrance, and, between this and the pond, would be flower beds. Outside, at the east end, would be an ornamental lamp post, on Grampian stone, with a tablet commemorating the fact that Major Mitchell passed close by in 1836, and at the north end a similar erection and tablet to mark Eyre's visit in I838. (Horsham Times July 24, 1914) Carlo also suggested enlarging the park by acquiring land from the adjacent road reserves.

Work was commenced later in 1914; a large double iron gate was donated by McDonald Brothers, builders and contractors, of Horsham in September 1916. In May 1917, the Horsham Progress Association made a canvass of the town for subscriptions to enable the gardens committee to have the necessary lawns planted in May Park and £160 was raised (Horsham Times, May 4 1917). A year later, in May 1918, Mr Frank Rushbrook, Honorary Secretary of the Horsham Progress Association wrote a letter to the editor of the Horsham Times saying that May Park is now nearing completion, and the flowers and shrubs are coming on well. He also urged that Let each one when in the park consider himself or herself one of its guardians, and do all that is possible to prevent any damage being done. (Horsham Times May 24, 1918).

Picturesque May's Park, Horsham, 1940s

Views of Horsham postcard series, State Library of Victoria Image H2001.132/4a

Before we go onto the opening of May Park, we will have a look at the man it was named after, Samuel May. Samuel was born in Cornwall in 1847 and the next year the family migrated to South Australia, where his father worked in the copper mines at Burra. He started his apprenticeship as a blacksmith in 1862 and in 1874 he established a business in Mount Gambier, with James Millar - May and Millar - Iron founders and agricultural implement makers. They very quickly moved the business to Horsham, where it traded under the May and Millar name until 1910 when Samuel traded under his own name. Samuel was very civic minded - he was an inaugural Borough of Horsham Councillor, on the Hospital Committee, Fire brigade, Oddfellows Lodge, Justice of the Peace, amongst other activities. Samuel married Christina Eglinton in December 1870. Mrs May died at the age of 59 on November 7, 1909. Samuel died October 28, 1914 at the age of 67. They had six children. We know that Samuel had donated money to establish May Park and he also left £805 in his will to be distributed to charities and public bodies and the May Park Improvement Fund received £100 of this money. You can read more about the bequeaths in the Horsham Times of April 13, 1915. You can read Mrs May's obituary in the Horsham Times of November 9, 1909 and Mr May's obituary in the Horsham Times of October 30, 1914.

 May Park, Horsham (Rose Stereograph Co.)

State Library of Victoria Image H32492/4691

May Park was officially opened on November 6, 1920 by the Mayor of Horsham, after being open to the public for some years. The Mayor, Cr J. Bennett, gave a short history of the park. The local parliamentarian, Hon. A.S. Rogers, M.H.R reminisced He could remember the spot they were now on a waste piece of ground until it be came the inspiring idea of one of their townsmen, the late Mr. Samuel May, to transfer it into a healthful spot that would become an addition to the lung power of the town, and after his death the beneficiaries under his will endowed the borough handsomely to make this park one of the beauty spots not only of Horsham but of the Wimmera. Mr J. Morcom, President of the Horsham Progress Association, spoke about the work of the organization in the town and the beautifying of May Park and mentioned that Mr. Catani was brought here and the park was planted to his plans. (Horsham Times, November 9, 1920)

We will finish this post with a rather nice tribute the Horsham Times made to Carlo Catani - Mr. Catani, of the Department of Public Works, one of the enthusiasts in landscape gardening, and botany and park-outlaying, whose names are familiar where-ever artistic cultivation has proceeded in the Commonwealth, has been consulted by the Horsham Borough Council [to design May Park]' (Horsham Times, July 24, 1914)

Trove list
I have created  a list of newspaper articles on May Park on Trove, it can be accessed here. All the newspaper references listed here are on the list.