In April 1913, the Port Melbourne Council developed plans to beautify their foreshore between the Town Pier and the Railway Pier. The Town Pier was at the end of Bay Street and Railway Pier is now called Station Pier. The project was costed at £3000 and the Council was hoping that the State Government would pay half on a £1 for £1 basis. (1)
Map of Port Melbourne - Railway/Station Pier is in the centre and the
Town Pier is on the right.
Municipality of Port Melbourne. c. 1921. Publisher: Anderson, Gowan Pty. Ltd.
See the full map at the State Library of Victoria here http://handle.slv.vic.gov.au/10381/118445
There were various reasons advanced why this beautification work was desirable -
That the current conditions gave a poor impression to visitors - Port Melbourne was a great gateway of the city, and new arrivals received first impressions there. Other councillors supported the request. It was stated that 50,000 persons visited the town pier last Sunday to see the steamer Melbourne, and several speakers confessed that they were ashamed at the present condition of the foreshore. (3)
That the late Premier, was in favour of it - This request was made in accordance with a promise given by the late Sir Thomas Bent. Several speakers urged the need for providing oversea visitors coming to Melbourne for the first time with a more pleasant outlook than the present foreshore. (4)
That it would provide a healthy environment for the locals - It was a boon for the people living in the small tenement houses to be able to enjoy the sea air. It was necessary that this should be so from a health point of view. (5) As Mr Edgar, the Minister for Public Works wanted - a line of improvements from Port Melbourne to Brighton. The seashore was a health resort, and it was the duty of the Government and the municipalities to provide a pleasant place for crowded people, with facilities to get there. (6)
That as the seashore was a health resort, it was considered the duty of the Government and the municipalities to provide a pleasant place for crowded people, with facilities to get there. (7)
That it would provide viewing opportunities for ship watching - [improvements would allow] vehicles might draw up and watch the shipping of the port without interfering with the ordinary road traffic or the trams. (8)
Mr Heath: The beach belongs to the Harbor Trust. (26)
Mr Heath contacted the Harbour Trust and a month later this was their response, as reported at a Council meeting -
"With regard to the foreshore at Port Melbourne, between the Railway and Town Piers, being kept clean, all has been done by this Trust that can reasonably be expected. If your council can make any suggestion for improving the condition of the foreshore the Commissioners will be pleased to co-operate with the council in carrying such suggestions into effect."
That the current conditions gave a poor impression to visitors - Port Melbourne was a great gateway of the city, and new arrivals received first impressions there. Other councillors supported the request. It was stated that 50,000 persons visited the town pier last Sunday to see the steamer Melbourne, and several speakers confessed that they were ashamed at the present condition of the foreshore. (3)
That the late Premier, was in favour of it - This request was made in accordance with a promise given by the late Sir Thomas Bent. Several speakers urged the need for providing oversea visitors coming to Melbourne for the first time with a more pleasant outlook than the present foreshore. (4)
That it would provide a healthy environment for the locals - It was a boon for the people living in the small tenement houses to be able to enjoy the sea air. It was necessary that this should be so from a health point of view. (5) As Mr Edgar, the Minister for Public Works wanted - a line of improvements from Port Melbourne to Brighton. The seashore was a health resort, and it was the duty of the Government and the municipalities to provide a pleasant place for crowded people, with facilities to get there. (6)
That as the seashore was a health resort, it was considered the duty of the Government and the municipalities to provide a pleasant place for crowded people, with facilities to get there. (7)
That it would provide viewing opportunities for ship watching - [improvements would allow] vehicles might draw up and watch the shipping of the port without interfering with the ordinary road traffic or the trams. (8)
The Herald reported on the current condition of the area - the stretch of beach between the town pier and the lagoon jetty, which is an eyesore. At this spot, right in front of Messrs. Harper's factory, the Metropolitan Gas Co. are constantly placing old stones and brickbats to save the constant washing out of the sand. If this precaution was not taken the company's tramway would be in jeopardy. (9)
To bring this project to fruition a deputation from the Council met with Mr Edgar, and the local M.L. A., Mr Sangster. The Council presented the plan which Mr A. V. Heath, the Council Engineer, Surveyor and Town Clerk, had prepared for completely remodelling the front between Beach street and the water line, the estimated cost of which was in the vicinity of £3000. This provided for the construction of a line of small rockeries, commencing from the present ashphalted footway. Beyond this, a carriage drive, 33 ft. wide, would enable vehicles to be driven around in a continuous line from Bay street to Princes street, and a promenade 20 ft. wide was designed between the carriage-way and the water front. (10) A rotunda and public conveniences, were also proposed, as well as a sea wall 1,100 feet along the shore. (11)
Mr Edgar said that he did not see how the Government could refuse to assist the council, as financial aid had been granted to other municipalities along the shores of the bay in carrying out similar works (12) and that he would visit the area with Carlo Catani, the Public Works Department Engineer.
Mr Edgar and Carlo inspected the Port Melbourne foreshore on April 8, 1913. The Herald reported that the two men were met -by the mayor and councillors. The Mayor, accompanied by Councillers J.P. Crichton, W. Howe, and O.Sinclair and Mr G. Sangster, M.L.A.,were present. Mr Catani submitted views showing various designs of foreshore promenades on the Continents, and recommended the Council to adopt palm plantation and the setting of pittosporum. Mr Edgar said that the proposal meet with his entire sympathy, but in view of the near approach of the election he would make no definite declaration. (13)
The Port Melbourne Standard had a report on the visit -
Mr. Catani brought with him a quantify of views, showing a multitude of water fronts on the Continent. Some of these looked very fine and smart (better than anything South or St. Kilda way), and some had been constructed even where the area was more restricted than at Port Melbourne. He suggested the planting of tree palms, and said he had plenty of these in Melbourne.
The particular palm tree referred to by Mr. Catani thrived particularly well on sandy beaches, and was much in ornamental evidence on Continental sea fronts. A species of pittosporum, known as the Cheniese, which was illustrated growing close to the water's edge, was also loudly praised and said to be suitable. Of course this ornamentation was suggested in conjunction with promenades for pedestrians and vehicular traffic. Mr. Catani thought it would be well to induce the railway department to remove the cottages from the vicinity of the railway station, so that the promenade could extend from pier to pier. The cottages referred to are better known to residents as the pay office for the Stevedoring Company. (14)
Because this is a blog devoted to Carlo here are two more reports of his involvement -
Mr. Catani, who recently returned from an extended tour abroad, submitted a number of news of ornamental promenades on the Continent, where the area available was more limited than that at Port Melbourne. Mr. Catani recommended the plantation of certain species of palms as adaptable to the sandy beach, by way of ornamentation. (15) And a fourth report on Carlo's input was - Mr. Catani recommended the council to adopt a scheme similar to that with which promenades had been beautified in the Riviera, and mentioned palm and hedge plantations as means of beautification. (16) Carlo was much in favour of pittosporum as while on his tour abroad he had come across a pittosporum which, washed by the sea-water, grew luxuriantly on the foreshore. (17)
Mr Edgar said that the proposal meet with his entire sympathy, but in view of the near approach of the election he would make no definite declaration. (18)
Apparently, as The Age reported, Mr Edgar's position led to
An animated argument took place on the beach yesterday between the Minister, Mr. Sangster, M.L.A., and several Port Melbourne councillors as to the propriety of a definite Ministerial promise being made before the Legislative Council election takes place. The area is within Port Melbourne province, one of the representatives of which is Mr. Edgar, who is to be opposed at the election in June next. The Minister assured the councillors, that he was as favorably disposed towards the idea as any Minister possibly could he, but he did not think it advisable to make a definite declaration before the elections. He feared that any promise he might make at the present stage would be misconstrued into an act of favoritism towards his constituents. (19)
In May, the Port Melbourne Standard reported that the Mayor, Cr Russell met with Mr Holder, Chairman of the Harbour Trust Commissioners, with the object to get that disreputable piece of foreshore between the town pier and the lagoon put into shape....It was represented that if the pile driving was continued between the pier and the lagoon, so as to form a wall, that the intervening space between Beach Street and the piles would be filled in, a promenade made, and seats provided. (20). Mr Holder was supportive of the idea, and subsequently at a Council meeting held on May 27, 1913 the following motion was passed -
That the Council take whatever steps are necessary to borrow the sum of money for the purpose of carrying out the improvements to the foreshore, also the purchase of a steam roller and other purposes deemed necessary. (21) In July the Council moved a motion to borrow the money for this project and others, once loaning conditions and Interest become easier. (22)
Port Melbourne Foreshore in July 1898, before any beautification works. The Freemason's Hotel stands prominently on the corner of Beach Street and Stokes Street.
Kate Beckett with her children Lawrie, George and Nell, Port Melbourne, July 3, 1898. Photographer: Thomas Beckett. Museums Victoria https://collections.museumsvictoria.com.au/items/773190
Nothing had happened by November 1913, but the community was optimistic, and it was reported that -
Ex-Cr. Armstrong....said that although Port Melbourne foreshore was not as attractive now as it should be, he looked forward to the time when the new pier was completed and the improvements on the foreshore made that they intended to make. When that was done - the improvements at the St. Kilda end were only the beginning - despised Port Melbourne would be the best part of the foreshore yet. (23)
In September 1914, the Port Melbourne Council was told by Mr Hagelthorn, the Minister for Works that ornamental works such as the Port Melbourne beautification scheme was not being funded by the Government. As the scheme relied on Government funding for half the cost, this put the project back. They were refused funding again in February 1915. However, in the November of that year, Mr Hagelthorn said that if the Council funded the whole project £3000 then they will be refunded half after the War ends. (24)
The Council did find the money and in August 1916 the Port Melbourne Standard could report on the progress of the beautification works -
At a cost of £3,000 the work of beautifying the foreshore at Port Melbourne, between Bay Street and the railway station, is nearly completed.....The plan of ornamentation, which is greatly admired, and particularly so by visitors to the town, is that of Mr. A. V. Heath, town surveyor. A concrete wall longitudinally divide the beach into two sections. The portion of the shore washed by the sea has been left in its natural state, and the stretch of foreshore on the road side of the wall has been transformed into asphalted promenades, lawns skirted with shrubberies, and gravelled walks. Opposite Princes street there is a gravelled ring, in the centre of which a band will play in summer. Along this front in the warm weather, thousands of people will be able to get a blow of sea-cooled air, resting on the seats or strolling along the walks in delightful surroundings. (25)
It appears that the only thing now that marred the Port Melbourne foreshore was the fact that some of it was under the control of the Harbour Trust and who were not proactive in keeping it clean. At a meeting of the Port Melbourne Council Public Works Committee in August 1916, Cr Gill had this exchange with Mr Heath, the Council Surveyor and Town Clerk -
Cr. Gill: The beach between the wall and the sea is very dirty. Filth and rubbish has been accumulating there. Could it be cleaned up? I would suggest employing some men to clean it up.Mr Heath: The beach belongs to the Harbor Trust. (26)
Mr Heath contacted the Harbour Trust and a month later this was their response, as reported at a Council meeting -
"With regard to the foreshore at Port Melbourne, between the Railway and Town Piers, being kept clean, all has been done by this Trust that can reasonably be expected. If your council can make any suggestion for improving the condition of the foreshore the Commissioners will be pleased to co-operate with the council in carrying such suggestions into effect."
Cr. Gill: A good deal could be done on the foreshore by the trust. Firstly, all the stone ballast left in bygone days just about low water mark could be removed. Secondly, old posts left standing could be removed. Thirdly, all the refuse from ships floating into the beach could be removed. Now that the mailboats moor to the new Railway Pier, if the beach between the old Railway and Town Piers were cleared up, it would remain clean. We want a stretch of clean sand for the thousands of people who will visit the beach in the summer. I move that the trust be advised accordingly.
Cr. Tucker: The beach is strewn with half loaves of bread and lumps of meat. (27)
Sinclair Parade was named for Owen Sinclair (1862-1927). He was a Port Melbourne Councillor at the time of his death in June 1927 and had served in this role for twenty one years; he was also a Member of the Legislative Assembly from 1915 until 1917. (29)
Cr. Tucker: The beach is strewn with half loaves of bread and lumps of meat. (27)
We can gauge the success of the Port Melbourne Foreshore Beautification scheme by this report in The Herald in January 1919, under the headline - Dull Places Brightened. Post Melbourne Reserves made Florally Attractive.
One of the most interesting evidences of well directed effort, in improvements that can be effected with plant life, is to be seen along the foreshore that fronts Beach street, between the town pier and the Port Melbourne railway station. Within the last three years a change that was considered impossible has been effected. When the suggestion was made that plants should be cultivated there it was ridiculed. It was contended that the sea air would make successful growth impossible. A scheme, prepared by Mr Arthur V. Heath, C.E., the town clerk, treasurer, and surveyor, of the Port Melbourne municipality, was approved of, and results have exceeded anticipations. Inside a concrete structure that breaks the wash of the waves, an open garden has been created, and various kinds of flowering plants bloom throughout the year within a few feet of the sea, without any protection other than that which sunken beds provide. This place is known as Sinclair parade, and the general lay out of it reflects credit on the skill and taste of Mr Heath. (28)
Beach Street, Port Melbourne, c. 1920s after the beautification works.
The Freemason's Hotel is on the left.
The rotunda was erected in 1918, I will write about this soon.
Photographer: Rose Stereograph Co. State Library of Victoria image H32492/4655
Before we leave Port Melbourne we will have a quick look at the life of Mr Heath, who was responsible for the beautification works. Arthur Victor Heath died on November 23, 1939 and the following is from his obituary in the Emerald Hill Record -
Mr. Heath entered the Port Melbourne Borough Council in 1887, when Mr. Edward Clarke was town clerk, and served under Mr. E. C. Crockford, Town Clerk, from 1891 to 1910, when he was appointed city engineer and town clerk. He had been city engineer from 1892. Mr. Heath retired in 1920, when Mr. S. S. Anderson became town clerk of Port Melbourne. Though he had resided in Tasmania most of the time since his retirement, Mr. Heath had never lost interest in the town he served so long and faithfully. He was keenly interested in the Centenary celebrations, and regretted that indifferent health prevented him playing an active part in honouring the historic occasion. (30)His Age obituary added this interesting fact -
While he was in Port Melbourne Mr. Heath, who was an authority on mathematics, prepared a thesis on quick gears, and his work on the subject was highly commended by Melbourne University. (31)Trove list - I have created a list of articles on Trove connected to the Port Melbourne Foreshore Beautification works, access it here.
Footnotes
(1) History of the Town Pier https://www.pmhps.org.au/2022/03/town-pier/
(2) The Herald, April 8, 1913, see here.
(3) The Herald, April 2, 1913, see here.
(4) The Age, April 4, 1913, see here.
(5) The Age, April 4, 1913, see here.
(6) The Herald, April 2, 1913, see here.
(7) The Herald, April 2, 1913, see here.
(8) The Age, April 4, 1913, see here.
(9) Port Melbourne Standard, April 12, 1913, see here.
(10) The Herald, April 8, 1913, see here.
(12) Port Melbourne Standard, April 5, 1913, see here.
(13) The Herald, April 8, 1913, see here.
(14) Port Melbourne Standard, April 12, 1913, see here.
(15) The Argus, April 9, 1913, see here.
(16) The Age, April 9, 1913, see here.
(17) The Herald, April 2, 1913, see here.
(18) The Herald, April 8, 1913, see here.
(19) The Age, April 9, 1913, see here.
(20) Port Melbourne Standard, May 17, 1913, see here.
(21) Port Melbourne Standard, May 31, 1913, see here.
(22) The Herald, July 2, 1913, see here.
(23) Port Melbourne Standard, November 29, 1913, see here.
(24) The Herald, September 30, 1914, see here; The Age, February 11, 1915, see here; The Age, November 10, 1915, see here.
(25) Port Melbourne Standard, August 12, 1916, see here.
(26) Port Melbourne Standard, August 12, 1916, see here.
(27) Port Melbourne Standard, September 9, 1916, see here.
(28) The Herald, January 11, 1919, see here.
(29) Emerald Hill Record, June 25, 1927, see here; http://parliament.vic.gov.au/members/owen-sinclair/
(31) The Age, November 25, 1939, see here.
