Tuesday, December 29, 2020

Stirling Rogers - Carlo's Engineering Pupil

The Ambassadors Theatre opened in Perth on Saturday, September 29, 1928. This was a grand day for Perth and the Perth Daily News printed a sixteen page supplement describing all aspects of the theatre design, construction and fit-out, which was designed by Charles Bohringer of the firm Bohringer, Taylor and Johnson. 

The theatre was the start of new era in theatre going - The love of beauty was given a fillip that resounded throughout the land, the knowledge of art spread more surely and purely, the study of music became intensified... the investigation of histrionics bore new fruits, and the science of architecture took on a bolder and more aesthetic outlook.

The Dream Fugue of the Ambassadors has culminated in a blaze of real beauty that will bring honor and glory to all connected with it. The theme is one that contains endless variations, variations that will bring joy and sorrow, variations that will find a solatium for the sadness and sorrow that come to all without distinction. The populace will extol the Union Theatres Ltd. for this matchless building, the apotheosis of grace and as beautiful as the curtain of Solomon (1) 


Ambassadors Theatre, Perth, c.1935
State Library of Western Australia Image 095902PD

The paper also had interviews with people involved with the theatre and its construction, including Stirling Rogers, the contractor. It worth quoting in full to give us an idea of Mr Roger's experience and training and the fact that he had a connection to Carlo Catani.

From the time the first sod of earth was turned until the magnificent theatre, which has been fashioned under his expert guidance, throws open its doors to an admiring public, the contractor will have kept a strict eye on the work of construction. Contractors are remarkable men, be cause they seem to possess the faculty of doing several things at once. Mr. Stirling Rogers, contractor for the Ambassadors, has done so at all events. An army of artisans has done its work under his practised eye. They have been engaged at full pressure for fourteen months, but at last the climax has been reached and the public sees and sums up the reward of their labors.

Mr. Rogers has the unique distinction of being the youngest master builder engaged in big construction works in Australia. The foundations of his extensive knowledge were built under the expert tuition of Carlo Catani, formerly Chief Engineer of Public Works in Victoria, and he claims that he could have had no finer tutor. The technical and practical aspects of civil engineering in their entirety were studied by him firstly at London University and afterwards at Melbourne University.

Already claiming a comprehensive knowledge, and expert instruction in the various branches ol his profession, Mr. Rogers, who is now only 29 years of age, served the Australian Navy for some time on the work on hydrograpical surveying. Then he became attached to the Electricity Commission for the stupendous works associated with the brown coal scheme at Yallourn, Victoria. With plenty of practical experience behind him, as well as his embracing theoretical knowledge, Mr Rogers engaged in contracting independently, and as he himself said, from that time onwards 'he did not have a night's rest.' He has been contracting for the fast six years and in that period has been responsible for the constructional work on £750,000 worth of property. Most of this has been represented by theatres, but other works have also been carried out, such as bridge construction, roads and earthworks. A huge gasworks in Melbourne and a big bridge which introduced the first air lock in Australia have been other enterprises on which he has engaged.

It can also be claimed by Mr. Rogers that he was associated with a work of construction which set up a record in Australia for building rapidity. This was the erection of the Green Mill, the first, atmospheric house of entertainment to be built in the Commonwealth. It was finished within six weeks to the minute scheduled for its opening, and at a cost of £30,000. Over 500 men were engaged.

Only recently the company of Stirling Rogers, Ltd., with Mr. Rogers as its head, was formed in this State to engage in construction work in Western Australia. Mr. Rogers retains his business interests in Sydney and Melbourne (2).

Stage of the Ambassadors Theatre, Perth, c. 1928
State Library of Western Australia Image 013021PD

The Perth Truth also interviewed Stirling and reported this tribute to Carlo - Returning to Melbourne [after the War] he completed the serving of his time  with the Victorian Public Works Department under that fine engineer, Carlo Catani. "He was one of the best," says Stirling Rogers, referring to Mr. Catani, "a grand engineer and a grand man, and I owe pretty well all that I am to him." (3) 

Stirling's career began in the Public Works Department in May 1915, however like many men at this time, his career was interrupted by the War and he enlisted in the A.I.F on April 3, 1917 at the age of 18. His occupation was listed as 'pupil engineer' and his file includes this  letter, on Public Works Department letterhead, signed by Carlo Catani (4).


Carlo Catani's reference for Stirling Rogers
National Archives of Australia www.naa.gov.au 
First Australian Imperial Force Personnel Dossiers, 1914-1920

Carlo's letter reads - 
Public Works Department - Office of Chief Engineer - 22 March 1917
To whom it may concern,
Mr Rogers has been an engineering pupil since the 24th of May, 1915. During that time he has given proof of his intelligence and industry while his conduct has been unreproachable. He has passed with credit the prescribed examination for pupils and I have no doubt he will be found to be a very useful assistant in road-grading and road making, in setting out earth work and similar work in which he has already had valuable work in this department.
Signed C. Catani.

Now we know where and how he met Carlo and he could not have had a finer tutor. After the war had ended, though prior to his return to Australia, Stirling attended the University Tutorial College, London from June 14 to October 1, 1919, in order to obtain his Matriculation certificate. He returned to the Public Works Department after the war and we know this because he sent a letter on Public Works Department letterhead on September 30, 1921 to the Officer in Charge, Base Records asking for particulars of his service so he could sit for the Municipal Engineers Examination (5).

After the Public Works Department one report from 1926 says that one of his first tasks was to carry out a Topographical Survey of the Yallourn township. This was done so well done that he was given the difficult job of carrying out a hydrographical survey of the entrance to Port Phillip. Tunnelling under a river in N.S.W., during which some intricate air-lock work was necessary, was another of his tasks (6).  A slight variation of this work history was presented by Stirling in a 1928 interview where they say  he became attached to the Electricity Commission for the stupendous works associated with the brown coal scheme at Yallourn, Victoria (7). The State Electricty Commission (SEC) was established in 1919 and in June 1920, Sir John Monash, became the General manager.  The open cut mining at Yallourn commenced in 1921. Once he left the SEC, Stirling commenced a career in theatre construction.


Capitol Theatre
Capitol Theatre, designed by Walter Burley Griffin, showing auditorium from dress circle, c. 1950. 
Photographer: Lyle Fowler. State Library of Victoria Image H92.20/3397

His first project was most likely the Capitol Theatre in Melbourne which opened November 7, 1924 (8). The theatre was designed by Walter Burley Griffin and Solon Alonzo Peck. The building works were supervised by H. Byatt and Stirling Rogers. His new career in the constrution of major projects was no doubt aided by his connection to the architect, Solon Peck, who was his father-in-law. 


Report of the construction of the Capitol Theatre

Another of Stirling's projects was the Green Mill dancing palais on the corner of St Kilda Road and Sturt Street, which opened on September 7, 1926 (9).  It was designed by Bates, Smart and McCutcheon.  The main feature was the Green Mill and this was surrounded by a cluster Dutch cottages and formal gardens, and the scene will be characteristic of the Hollandic landscape. The cost of the building was £30,000 and £5,000 was spent in electric lighting. The design is the outcome of travels abroad of Mr Carlyon and Mr W. O. McCutcheon, who has spent three years studying theatre decoration and in methods of designing amusement buildings. Two hundred workmen, under Mr W. S. Rogers, are engaged on the work (10).


The Green Mill, was partly destroyed by fire in 1940.
Green Mill dance hall, looking South down St. Kilda Road, Melbourne, c. 1941. Photographer: Lyle Fowler.
State Library of Victoria Image H92.20/1186

Clearly working on these projects in Melbourne gave Stirling the experience required to build the Ambassadors Theatre in Perth.  Stirling then moved from Perth to Auckland where he built the Civic Theatre, which opened in December 1929This theatre was also  designed by Charles  Bohringer (11). Stirling's next career move was to introduce the game of mini (or midgit) golf into New Zealand. His father, George Rogers, was a founder of the Woodlands Golf course in Mordialloc, so a love of 'golf' ran in the family (12).

Stirling Roger's foray into midgit golf.

Speaking of his father, we will now have  a look at Stirling's family life. He was born February 11, 1899 to George Hunter Rogers (1865-1952) and Isabella Wilhemina Stirling (1868 - 1938). His older brother, called George Hunter after his father, who was a teacher, had been born in 1896. Stirling married Wilga Mary Doreen Peck, the daughter of Solon Alonzo Peck and Hetta Evelyn Eva Mitchell, on October 20, 1922 at Scots Church in Melbourne (13).  As a matter of interest, Solon Peck's father, John Murray Peck, who was born in New Hampshire, had arrived in Australia in 1853 with Hiram Cobb and was part of the Cobb & Co. coach company (14)


Stirling Rogers in 1928
Perth Daily News September 28, 1928 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/85154349#

Stirling and Doreen had two children, Solon William born March 11, 1924 (15) and a daughter Shirlie Mitchell, born August 26, 1925 (16). I believe that after New Zealand, in the early 1930s, Stirling moved to England and separated from his wife.  Doreen was listed in the 1934 Electoral Roll at 7 High Street Mordialloc, but he was not listed (17).  The 1939 Register (18) which was compiled at the start of World War Two,  lists very civilian in Great Britain and Northern Ireland. On the list are Stirling (occupation Civil Engineer), his father George (occupation 'private' means') and interestingly in the same household, Ann Rogers, born April 2, 1907 (occupation Secretary and Interpreter).

Doreen died in 1967 and her death certificate states that she was still married to Stirling at the time of her death. Stirling died in England in 1985 and his death notice in The Times lists his wife Ann and a son Hunter, and no mention of his two children with Doreen.


Stirling's death notice in The Times.
The Times January 21, 1985,  Newspapers by Ancestry,

What remains of Stirling's grand theatre constructions? The Ambassadors Theatre in Perth closed on February 2, 1972 and was demolished in 1973 (19).  The Green Mill later became the Trocadero, which closed in the 1950s. The site is now occupied by the Arts Centre (20).  The Capitol Theatre in Melbourne (21) and Auckland's Civic Theatre (22), still remain to remind us of his work. Stirling Rogers was clearly a talented, ambitious and confident man, and we will end this post by repeating his generous tribute to his mentor, Carlo Catani, a grand engineer and a grand man, and I owe pretty well all that I am to him (23).

Acknowledgement
I was originally alerted to Stirling Rogers's connection to Carlo Catani by my fellow historian, Isaac Hermann. Thanks, Isaac.

Trove list
I have created a list of newspaper article in Stirling Rogers on Trove, access it here.

Footnotes
(1) Perth Daily News September 28, 1928, p. 13, see here.
(2) Perth Daily News September 28, 1928, p.18, see here
(3) Perth Truth, September 23, 1928, p. 13, see here.
(4) His Service Number was 20856. You can read his personnel dossier on the National Archives of Australia website, here. He Returned to Australia November 15, 1919.
(5) The letter regarding the particulars of his service is page 37 of his personnel dossier,
(6) Perth Daily News December 31, 1926, p. 5, see here.
(7) Perth Daily News September 28, 1928, p.18, see here
(8) Report of the opening of the Capital Theatre and a description of the building can be found in The Argus, November 8, 1924, see here and The Age, November 8, 1924, see here.
(9) The Green Mill - reports of the opening can be found in The Herald, September 7, 1926, see here and the Emerald Hill Record, September 11, 1926, see here.
(10) The Herald, September 1, 1926, see here.
(11) New Zealand Herald, November 19, 1929. Read the article on Papers Past, here. Auckland Sun,  April 8, 1929, see here; Auckland Star, October 8, 1929, see herePapers Past is what I call New Zealand Trove, https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/ ;
(12) The Age, May 30, 1950, see here.
(13) Family information comes from the indexes to the Victorian Births, Deaths and Marriages. There were various reports of their wedding on the papers, including this one from the Prahran Telegraph of November 17, 1922, here.
(14) John Murray Peck's obituary was in The Argus, November 20, 1903, see here.
(15) Birth  notice, The Argus, March 22, 1924, see here.
(16) Birth Notice, The Argus, September 5, 1925, see here.
(17) Electoral Rolls are available on Ancestry.
(18) Read more about the 1939 Register on Find My Past  https://www.findmypast.com.au/1939register/what-is-the-1939-register
(19) Cinema Treasures website, http://cinematreasures.org/theaters/9328
(21) Capitol Theatre, now owned by RMIT, https://www.rmit.edu.au/the-capitol/history
(23) Perth Truth, September 23, 1928, p. 13, see here

Friday, December 4, 2020

Plaque to honour Carlo's work installed at Morell Bridge

The Carlo Catani Centennial Commemorative Committee is pleased to announce that a plaque commemorating the work of Carlo Catani was installed on the bluestone wall of the Morell bridge on November 26, 2020. 


The Plaque
Photo: Isaac Hermann


The plaque in situ, and the Yarra River and the City
Photo: Isaac Hermann


The plaque and the Morell bridge. 
Photo: Isaac Hermann

Installation of the plaque took three years of negotiations with the City of Melbourne Plaques and Memorials Committee. Permits were also required from the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, the MCC Planning Department and Heritage Victoria. This skilful and patient negotiating was undertaken on behalf of the  Carlo Catani Centennial Commemorative Committee by Isaac Hermann, who was also the convenor of the Committee. The efforts of Committee members Eddie Schubert, until recently the Heritage Officer, Department of Transport and Paul Balassone, Principal Heritage Advisor, Melbourne Water were extremely valuable in seeing this project through to fruition. 

The plaque is yet another well deserved honour for Carlo Catani and the Carlo Catani Centennial Commemorative Committee and, in particular, Isaac should be congratulated on this project.

Sunday, November 15, 2020

Carlo comes to the rescue at Koonoomoo

In October 1906, the Murray River flooded and inundated the surrouding countryside including Koonoomoo, a small town which is located south of Toucumwal, north of Yarroweyah (which I have written about here), northeast of Strathmerton and northwest of Cobram. Over 2,000 acres of crops went under water (1). Carlo Catani inspected the flood area and while he was there went to the rescue of Mrs Hart and her three children. I have reproduced three newpaper accounts of his bravery and then we will look at the life of Mrs Hart and the Koonoomoo community.

This is an account of the flood -
Koonoomoo Settlement Submerged - Miles of Country flooded
The Murray has broken through the levee bank in several places between here and Tocumwal, and the intervening country is one vast stretch of water. The flood of this country has had the effect of lowering the river by at least three inches at the Cobram bridge, but although the stream is receding, the water is rising inland very rapidly owing to the gaps in the levee being made deeper. Koonoomoo township is under water, and every settler has shifted to higher quarters. 
(Riverine Herald, October 12, 1906, see here)

I have found three accounts (2) of Carlo's heroism and even though they are similar in some aspects I have reproduced them here because this is a tribute blog to Carlo and to paraphrase William Shakespeare, I come to praise Carlo.

Koonoomoo Settlement Submerged - Miles of Country flooded
During Tuesday afternoon an exciting incident happened. Mrs Hart, one of the settlers residing to the north-west of the village, had decided to remain with her three children in her home, thinking that the flood would not reach them, but as the water was rising at the rate of 4 inches per hour her situation was becoming critical. Mr Catani, who visited Koonoomoo during the aflernoon, learned of Mrs Hart's position, and be procured a boat and with assistance set out to rescue her. After going about 50 yards, however, the boat proved so leaky that Mr Catani was prevailed upon not to risk his life. Constable Tennant, who had been busily employed in the neighborhood, happened along, and he readily volunteered to go to Mrs Hart's rescue, in company with Mr Joe O'Connor, the well-known footballer. The pair had a difficult task to reach Mrs Hart's dwelling, but by dint of much baling the cottage was reached and all the inmates taken aboard. The boat was then rowed out between the front gate posts, and shortly afterwards a great quantity of water came aboard through one of the party shifting. The rescuers promptly dropped out into 3ft. 6in. of water and baled the boat dry, and subsequently managed to land Mrs Hart and her children on high ground.
(Cobram Courier October 11, 1906, see here.)


Local residents of Koomoonoo, 1920.


Koonoomoo Settlement submerged. Miles of country flooded.
An exciting incident occurred during the swamping of the settlement, which was the work of a few hours, as the water rose at the rate of five inches per hour. Mrs Hart, with her three young children, decided to stay at their dwelling, thinking the flood would not reach them. It did so, however, and Mr Catani, of the Public Works department, procuring the only boat available, made an at attempt to go to their assistance. After going 50 yards the boat leaked so badly that Mr Catani decided to come back.

Constable Tennant, from Cobram, who had been helping the flooded settlers all the morning, came along, and with Mr Joseph O'Connor, got into the boat and proceeded to Mrs Hart's house. They had hard work to steer the boat in a safe course and to keep it bailed out, but eventually they reached the dwelling and put the inmates on board, When returning by a more easy course, Mrs Hart leaned to one side, causing the boat to partly fill, and Constable Tennant and Mr O'Connor had to jump out into four feet of water and bail out the boat. Eventually the party reached high land and were taken care of. 
(Riverine Herald, October 12, 1906, see here)

Damage at Koonoomoo. Mr Catani's adventure. 
During Mr Catani's visit he underwent a thrilling experience. Not far from the levee at Koonoomooo is the homestead of a settler named Hart, who had left some days previoulsy, leaving his wife and three childen at home. During the night the river rose, and when Mr Catani arrived the house was standing in the centre of a surging mass of yellow water. The flood had already invaded the house, and there was every indication that it would rise, and carry away the woman and her children. At imminent risk to himself, Mr Catani entered a boat to rescue them. He appealed to several men for assistance, but they declined to venture out, asserting that they could not swim. Mr Catani then rowed to another part of the bank, and offered a young man a sovereign if he would assist in the work of the rescue. At this moment the police, who had rendered great assistance during the flood, came to the scene, and Mrs Hart and her family were removed to a place of safety.
(The Argus October 13, 1906, see full article here)

The township of Koonoomoo was proclaimed on December 18, 1885 (3). We can get some idea of the early history of Koonoomoo from  the history of the school from Vision and Realisation (4).  In September 1886 the community applied to the Education Department for a school, which was knocked back due to insuffucient numbers. In September 1890 the community applied again for a school and provided a list of thirty nine potential students. This time they were successful, a site was selected and the school opened in September 1891 in an old weatherboard house that had been moved to the block. Another site was selected in 1897 and in the December the school building from Dargalong was moved there and classes started in the 'new' building in March 1898, with an enrolment of 51. The building was condemned by the Council Health Officer in 1904, and another disused school, this time from Pine Lodge West, was shifted to the town. The school closed in February 1953 and the students moved to Cobram Consolidated School (5).

There is also a description of Koonoonoo in a letter written by May Davenport to Aunt Connie, the editor of the children's pages in the Weekly Times on June 1, 1901
Dear Aunt Connie,
Koonoomoo is a village settlement about 2 ½ miles from the Murray River. There is a lagoon running through it. On the other side of the lagoon there are some sandhills, on which there are several vineyards. The country on this side of the lagoon is pretty flat, and one time when the river overflowed, there used to be a flood now and then, but now there is an embankment made to keep back the floods. There is a flood gate in the embankment to let sufficient water into the lagoon. It is a pretty sight to see the water rushing through it. There is a lot of wattles on river banks. They look very pretty when, they are out. There are some sandbanks along the river, and we go down on them some times for picnics. Cobram and Yarroweyah are the nearest townships. Cobram is about five miles from here. It is the terminus of the Goulburn Valley railway line. Yarraweyah is about three miles from here. I got two prize books this year. One of them, which I got from the State school, is named Glen Luna and the other, which I got from Sunday school, is named the Wide,Wide World. I think they are both nice books, but I like the Wide, Wide World the best. We have had a nice fall of rain, and the grass is growing nicely. The mice are very bad here this year.
With love to you, I remain, your loving niece, May Davenport.
(Weekly Times June 1, 1901, see here)


This township map of Koonoomoo, shows the lagoon running through the town as mentioned by May in her letter to Aunt Connie.
Public Records Office of Victoria, view a high-res version here.
The State Library of Victoria also has a plan of the Koomoonoo Village Settlement and the township, here.

Koonoomoo was clearly a small town as in the 1906 Electoral Roll there were only twelve people listed with a Koonoomoo address (6) and in 1908 there were 28 (7) including Hugh and  Matilda Hart. The occupations listed were either farmer or labourer for the men and home duties or farmer for the women - no shopkeepers or blacksmiths, so Koonoomoo appears to actually be more of  a locality rather than a town.

It was Matilda Hart and her three children who were rescued from the flood. Matilda Hancock had married Hugh Hart, in 1896; the marriage was registered in Deniliquin (8). They had two children in New South Wales - Isabella, born in 1897 and Myrtle (9) in 1899; the births were registered in Tocumwal. Hugh was born in 1904, and his birth was registered at Strathmerton.  Matilda Hart had a previous escape from calamity in December 1898 when she was struck on the head, as the report below tell us.


A report of Matilda Hart's accident - note the interesting way the bleeding was stopped.
Sydney Evening News, December 7, 1898  http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article114042720

In one of the flood reports it said that the Harts had lost 30 acres of crops in the flood (10).  In the 1908 and 1909 Electoral Rolls Hugh's occupation was listed as a farmer and also listed at Koonoomoo was a Patrick Hart. After 1909, Hugh's occupation was listed as a labourer and Patrick was no longer listed, so I wonder if Hugh and Patrick worked the farm together and if Patrick moved on, so they decided to sell the farm and Hugh worked as a labourer. 

Matilda was in the newspapers again in 1916 when the Tungamah Shire Council charged her with failing to register her three dogs.


Report of Matilda Hart's failure to register her dogs with the Tungamah Shire.
Nurmurkah Leader December 15, 1916 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article132754538

On October 1925, Matilda Hart had to attend a hearing in Numurkah to show cause why her licence to lease 70 acres of Crown Land should not be forfeited. I don't know what the outcome was, but it is interesting that the property was in her name and not in Hugh's name. They also have the address of the property as Yarroweyah. It appears that in common with many rural areas there was a blurred line between locality boundaries, in this case that of Koonoomoo and Yarroweyah. This may also explain why there were so few people listed in the Electoral Roll with a Koonoomoo address.



Notice of Matilda Hart's licence to lease Crown Land hearing.
Victoria Government Gazette October 10, 1917.  http://gazette.slv.vic.gov.au/images/1917/V/general/168.pdf

Hugh died at the age  of 78 on June 5, 1932 at the Mooroopna Hospital. Matilda was still listed at Koonoomoo in the 1936 Electoral Roll. She died in Carlton on August 11, 1948. Her death certificate said her usual place of residence was Deniliquin. She was 83 years of age (11)


Death notice of Matilda (nee Hancock) Hart.

Matilda and Hugh's three children survived to adulthood - Isabella died in 1973, aged 76. She had married Charles Henry Schultz in 1914. He died in 1931 and she then married Arthur Tredrea in 1935. Myrtle married Edwin Sitters in Tocumwal in 1923 and she died in 1968 at the age of 68. Hugh died in 1969 aged 64 (12). As you can see by Matilda's death notice, she had a step-daughter. Hugh's death notice said he had been married twice, but no children from either marriage were listed on his certificate for some unknown reason.

Did the Harts regale their families with stories of the flood and the daring rescue for the rest of their lives - saying to their children or grandchildren - Did I ever tell you about the time we were rescued by Mr Catani?


I could only find one historic photo of Koonoomoo on-line. 
It is from 1939 and titled Boys with rabbits near Koonoomoo. This would be not much different from how Koonoomoo looked when Isabella, Myrtle and Hugh Hart were growing up in the area.
State Library of New South Wales Image IE1713999

Acknowledgment
I found out about Carlo's daring rescue at Koonoomoo from my research colleague, Isaac Hermann. Isaac also supplied the information about Mrs Hart's dog registration issues and her Crown Land licence hearing.

Footnotes
(1) The Age, October 11, 1906, see here
(2) There is actually one other report in The Age, October 11, 1906, see here
(3) Proclamation of the town was in the Victoria Government Gazette of December 24, 1885 http://gazette.slv.vic.gov.au/images/1885/V/general/124.pdf
(4) Blake, L. J (editor) Vision and Realisation: a centenary history of State Education in Victoria,  (Education Department of Victoria, 1973)
(5) Blake, op. cit.. v. 3, p. 835.
(6) The 1906 Electoral Roll list the following with a Koonoomoo address - James Boland, Mary Boland, John Brown, Emily Hiles, Joseph Hiles, Thomas Lambert, Annie O'Connor, Johanna O'Connor, William O'Connor, Arnold Schultz, Christina Schultz and William Schultz.
(7) The 1908 Electoral Roll list the following with a Koonoomoo address -  Margaret Blowes, Annie Clouson, George Davenport, Elizabeth DeAble, Hugh Hart, Matilda Hart, Patrick Hart, Emily Hiles, Ester Hiles, Maud Hiles, Elizabeth Holmes, Catherine Hutson, Robert Hutson, Thomas Lambert, May Lynch, Maud Mansell, Annie O'Connor, Johanna O'Connor, William O'Connor, Walter Prayle, Edward Rowe, Ethel Rowe, Catherine Ryan, Mary Ryan, Matthew Ryan, Robert Teitz, Charles Thomas, William George Thomas, William James Thomas.
(8) Index to the New South Wales Births Deaths and Marriages. Matilda's death certificate lists her father as William Thomas Hancock and her mother's surname as Carmichael and says she was born in Collingwood. As she died in 1948 and her age was listed as 83 then that makes her birth year around 1865. In the Victorian Index to Births, Deaths and Marriages there is a Matilda Hancock born in 1869 in Collingwood to William Thomas Hancock and Mary Henderson.  I assume this is our Matilda, but I cannot account for the discrepencies in the year of birth and the mother's surname. According to Hugh's death certificate his full name was Hugh William Fisher Hart and being 78 in 1932, it means he was born around 1854. His parents are not listed and his place of birth is listed as Woodstock, a town north of Melbourne on the intesection of the Broadford Road and Donnybrook Road. The only birth of a Hugh William Fisher Hart in Victoria was in 1864, to John Fisher Hart and Sarah Ann Wall. The birth was registered in Kyneton, that's ten years after the date suggested by the death certiticate. I don't have an answer for this. 
(8) The Index to the New South Wales Births Deaths and Marriages list Myrtle as Bertha. This may be a transcription error or she changed her name.
(10) The Age, October 11, 1906, see here
(11) Death date of Hugh and Matilda comes from their death certificates.
(12) Information on Isabella, Myrtle and Hugh comes from the Victorian Indexes to the Births, Deaths and Marriages.

Sunday, September 27, 2020

Federation Star Bed, Alexandra Gardens


Rare postcard of the Federation Star Bed, soon after planting (1).

One of the features of the Alexandra Gardens, which was designed by Carlo Catani in 1904, is the six pointed Federation Star Bed, which was also known as the Commonwealth Star Bed.  This was laid out by Carlo and George Cooper, the curator of the Gardens. We know it was in existence in 1905 as it featured in a painting by Laurence William Wilson (2), called Melbourne 1905. The painting is held by the State Library of Victoria and their exhibition caption states that Wilson travelled to Melbourne in 1904 to undertake this commissioned painting. 


Melbourne 1905 by Laurence William Wilson.
State Library of Victoria collection.
Photo: Isaac Hermann.  The frame has been cropped from the image.


Close-up of the Federation Star Bed from Melbourne, 1905 by Laurence William Wilson.
State Library of Victoria collection. Photo: Isaac Hermann. 

In 1906 the National Rose Society planted out the Federation Star Bed with roses. The Leader newspaper reported on the National Rose Society Annual General Meeting held on June 26, 1906 and the report included this snippet which tell us how the society was given access to the bed: Mr. J. H. Simpson, at a members' meeting, had moved that the authorities be approached with, a request that a bed on the Alexandra Avenue be placed under the society's charge. A sympathetic reply was received, and Messrs. Brunning (3), Annear (4), Hogg (5), Oliver (6) and Simpson (7) met Mr. Catani of the Public Works department. A very fine plot, known as the Federation Star Bed, was selected, and Messrs. Brunning, Oliver and Simpson were appointed a sub-committee to lay out and plant a rose bed. There will be between 200 and 300 plants and the site will be used as a model for all interested in rose culture (8).


The planting of the Federation Star Bed by the National Rose Society July 11, 1906. You can see the poles which are fixed for the future training of climbing varieties (see below).
General view of the proceedings 

The rose bed was planted out on Arbor Day, July 11, 1906, with 200 roses of 120 varieties (9).  It consisted of a six-pointed star representing the Commonwealth with interposing circular beds signifying each state. The main bed, the six pointed star, was laid out with standards, half standards and dwarf -types are arranged, so as to fall away in size from the centre, while poles are fixed for the future training of climbing varieties (10). The  points of the star plot were picked out with a dwarf crimson variety, Madame Levasseur (11). There were also six smaller circular beds representing each state, which were planted with different coloured roses - Victoria claims Belle Siebrecht and her sister roses of the pink section, while the mother State is favored with the exquisite blooms that are confined to the white varieties. The deep crimson of Prince Camille de Rohan will be the distinguishing color in the South Australian bed, and Queensland will be a shade lighter, with the reds. The yellows are given to Tasmania, and the Western State will have the more varied types of the bronze-yellow roses (12).  The arrangement was designed by Society members, J. Oliver, H. Brunning and J.H. Simpson (13).

On the day of the planting, the President of the Society, Mr J.J. Morris (14) made a speech and said the Society was indebted to the Public Works department for the privilege of possessing such an admirable site for this special purpose (15). The Public Works Department was represented on the day by the Secretary for Public Works, Mr Martin (16) and Carlo Catani. William Guilfoyle, the Curator of the Royal Botanic Gardens (17) his brother John, curator of Reserves Metropolitan Parks and Gardens (18) and a large number of rose enthusiasts were also present (19). Mrs Morris had the honour of planting the first rose and Mrs Martin also planted a rose (20). I do not know whether Carlo planted a rose.


The Federation Star Bed, Alexandra Gardens.
This is dated c. 1906 (21)
State Library of Victoria Image H96.200/607 http://handle.slv.vic.gov.au/10381/383768

For some years the Federation Star rose garden was the location of the National Rose Society  annual pruning exhibitions, however it turned out that the rose garden was short-lived, as this article from The Leader of March 21, 1914 tell us: What was once the Commonwealth rose bed in Alexandra-avenue Gardens is now well stocked with choice dahlias, which may be expected to give a fine show in a few weeks' time. As a rose bed it was pretty much a failure, and after maintaining it for six years the National Rose Society gave it up about twelve months ago. Some of the bushes were removed to higher ground, where they at once improved, and are now doing well (22).


Another view of the Federation Star Bed


Dahlias in the Federation Star Bed, 1917.
Alexandra Gardens - Dahlias in full bloom

Beautiful Alexandra Gardens, showing the Star Bed on the left. 
Photographer: Rose Stereograph Co. 
Dated c. 1920-1954. State Library of Victoria Image H32492/7290. http://handle.slv.vic.gov.au/10381/67482


This photo was taken June 22, 2018 and clearly shows outline of the star and 
the original rock work centre. 
Photographer: Isaac Hermann.


The Star Bed, October 6, 2022
Photographer: Isaac Hermann

Acknowledgements
The Weekly Times photo of the planting out of the National Rose Society Federation Star Bed was found by my colleague, Isaac Hermann. There are three photos of the event, which you can see, here, in the Weekly Times of July 21, 1906, here. He also supplied the photo of the Laurence William painting and the 2018 photo of the gardeners working on the Star Bed and some of this research was also undertaken in conjunction with Isaac.

Trove list
I have created a short list of articles on Trove relating to the establishment of the Federation Star rose garden, access it here

Footnotes
(1) We came across this postcard in a secondhand book shop in Melbourne and we were so thrilled to find it. It was posted on July 11, 1908 to Miss Alden, 'Little London', Tyabb. I have another postcard addressed to the Alden Family and I have written about them here, https://victoriaspast.blogspot.com/2020/05/alden-family-of-little-london-tyabb.html
(2) Laurence William Wilson (c. 1851 -1912). The State Library of Victoria caption which accompanied this painting said that Wilson studied art in England, before migrating to New Zealand in the 1870s. As we saw, he travelled to Melbourne in 1904 as he was commissioned to paint this scene. He filed for bankruptcy in 1883 and that is all I know about him.


South Canterbury Times, Issue 3120, April 3 1883 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/

(3) Herbert John Brunning (1864 - 1949). A founder of the National Rose Society, son of George Brunning, who established Brunnings Nursery in St Kilda. You can read Herbert's obituary in the The Argus, May 25 1949, here and you can read George Brunning's entry in the Australian Dictionary of Biography, written by R.F. Erikisen, here.
(4) Annear William of Auburn, member of the National Rose Society.  
(5) Thomas Hogg of Surrey Hills. Member of the Society and lectured and wrote on rose culture, see here, for an example. He was featured in Table Talk's 'Men of the Moment' in 1909, read about him here. Thomas was a director of the company Miller & Co., rope and twine manufacturers.
(6) John Oliver, Curator of Queens Park, Moonee Ponds who worked for the City of Essendon from 1890 until 1938. He presented a paper on roses and rose culture to the Society in 1901, it was reported in The Leader, June 29, 1901, see here.   
(7) J. H. Simpson. I believe this is James Henry Simpson who was a foundation member of the Society. his death was reported in Rose Society's annual report of 1935/1936, see here in The Australasian of July 18, 1936.  
(8) The Leader, June 30, 1906, see here.
(9) The Leader, July 14, 1906, see here
(10) The Leader, July 14, 1906, see here
(11) The Herald, July 11, 1906, see here.  
(12) The Leader, July 14, 1906, see here
(13) The Australasian, July 21, 1906, see here.
(14) James Jackson Morris, President of the National Rose Society. Died January 19, 1920, read his obituary in The Argus, here.
(15) The Leader, July 14, 1906, see here
(16) David Martin (1841-1927) The Secretary for Public Works. Read his Australian Dictionary of Biography entry, written by R. Wright, here.
(17) The Herald of July 11, 1906 reported that the the Messrs Guilfoyle were in attendance, so I believe this is William and John.  William Robert Guilfoyle (1840-1912) was the curator of the Royal Botanic Gardens. Read his Australian Dictionary of Biography entry, written by Alan Gross,  here.
(18) John Guilfoyle. William's ADB entry says that John was the curator of the reserves under the Melbourne Metropolitan Parks and Gardens Committee in 1891-1909. He died on January 29, 1909, read his short obituary in the Weekly Times, here.
(19) The Herald, July 11, 1906, see here.  
(20) The Australasian, July 21, 1906, see here.
(21) The postcard is dated c. 1906. Not sure if that is correct, it looks nothing like the 1905 painting (second and third image in post). There are no stakes in the ground that were required for the climbing roses and later the dahlias, so perhaps it is an artistic impression.
(22) The Leader, March 21, 1914, see here.

Saturday, August 22, 2020

Carlo organises an excursion to Wilson's Promontory

The Victorian Committee, formed in connection with the proposed visit in 1914 of the British Association for the Advancement of Science, met for the first time at the Melbourne Town Hall in August 1912. This meeting was chaired by the Governor of Victoria, Sir John Fuller. Committees to plan for this visit had been formed in each State and it was expected that 150 men eminent in the scientific world (1) would visit Australia.  The Commonwealth Government had set aside £15,000 for the delegate's travelling expenses and the various State Governments would provide free railway travel (2). 

A Handbook to Victoria was published by the Government for the delegates. It was 382 pages in length and included maps, statistics and photographs of Victoria. There were also essays on Education, Local Government and Public Works (written by Colonel Monash); Labour laws and Social conditions, Land Settlement, Mining and Geology amongst others. The eminent men could also chose from a number of excursions, the destinations being - Bacchus Marsh, Marysville, Warburton & cement Creek, Macedon District, Emerald, Ballarat & District, Bendigo & District, Ventral Research Farm at Werribee, the Irrigated area at Bacchus Marsh and Wilsons Promontory (3)

The Victorian Committee formed a number of sub-committees, the members of which were a 'Who's Who' of Victorian society, government and the scientific world. Of particular interest to us is that Civil Engineer, John Monash was in the Executive and Scientific Committee and Carlo's fellow Italian immigrant, Pietro Baracchi, the Government Astronomer was also on the Scientific sub-committee. Carlo was on the Excursions Committee. 


The sub-committees of the Victorian Committee to plan the visit of the British Association for the Advancement of Science.

The visit of members of the British Association for the Advancement of Science was a success. In the end the party consisted of 350 members, who arrived in Perth, then made their way to Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney and afterwards to either Brisbane or New Zealand (4). They arrived in Melbourne on August 13, 1914 (5) nine days after World War One was declared. You can read about some of the activities and lectures that took place in Melbourne, here and here (6).  

A special map of Melbourne was produced for the delegates showing landmarks such as Hotels, the University, the Public Library, Flinders Street and Spencer Street Railway Stations and the Government Offices at 2 Treasury Place, East Melbourne where Carlo's office was located.


Map of Melbourne for the use of members of the British Association for the Advancement of Science, Australian Meeting 1914, created by Sands & McDougall.
National Library of Australia https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-229922746/view

The excursion to Wilsons Promontory was organised by Carlo Catani and the itinerary was published i the Handbook to Victoria - 
Week-end excursion to the National park - Wilson's Promontory - Friday (midnight) - Monday, 14th-17th August, 1914.
Leader - Mr C Catani, Chief Engineer, Public Works Department.
Programme
The Lady Loch will be berthed at Port Melbourne on Friday afternoon, 14th August. The visitors should send their luggage during the day, and board her as soon as convenient, after the reception, which will be held that night. The Lady Loch has comfortable accommodation for twelve guests. A start will be made about midnight on Friday.

The party will reach the western slopes of the Promontory by midday on Saturday. The Glennie Islands and the adjacent bays will be inspected and, weather permitting, a landing for a short time may be effected, but probably it will be better to push on and land at the lighthouse. The Anser Group will be circumnavigated and the party landed with comfort at the lighthouse. According to the time available, small excursions near the lighthouse will be arranged for, and the members will then return on board, and the characteristic bays and peaks of the eastern slope will attract attention. The boat will retire for shelter into Sealer's Cove or thereabouts, weather permitting, on Saturday night.

On 16th August, after an early breakfast the visitors will land at the jetty at Sealer's Cove. A sufficient number of saddle horses will be provided, and a start made for the Committee's Quarters on the Derby River, where dinner will be partaken of. In the afternoon, the party, again mounted, will ride to the jetty in Corner Inlet, but, if time permits, the ascent of a peak about 1,600 feet high will be made, from which a commanding view of the Inlet can be had.

On arrival at the jetty the Committee's launch will be met, and the Lady Loch will be boarded at Seaforth. The return journey will then be commenced, and the vessel will arrive at Melbourne on Monday morning. If it should be desired, on the Monday morning a landing could be effected either at Sorrento or Queenscliff, and the party could reach Melbourne  in time for the meeting on Monday afternoon.

For the information of visitors I attach a few notes on the flora and geology of the National Park, kindly prepared by Professor Ewart and Dr. Hall, who are members of the Park Committee. (7)

I won't include the notes from Professor Ewart and Dr Hall, however as you can see it was an interesting excursion.  The Argus of April 18, 1914 (8) reported on the excursion, some of which differs from the itinerary set out by Carlo as they travelled by train rather than the  Lady Loch.  

VISIT TO NATIONAL PARK  - SCIENTISTS OFF THE TRACK
What was probably the most interesting of the weekend excursions arranged for the visiting members of the British Association was the journey made to the National Park, Wilson's Promontory, by a party of visitors under the leadership of Mr Catani, the chief engineer for Public Works.The members of the party were Professor Johnston (of Dublin), Professor Herring (of St Andrews), Mr Chornley (of Oxford), Mr Scharff, Dr Ashby (of Rome), Mr J. W. Audas, F. Z. S (of the National Herbarium, Melbourne) and Mr Kershaw (of the National Museum, Melbourne). Mr Audas rendered very useful service to the botanists of the party in the classification of the plants obtained. During three botanical surveys made of the Promontory in 1908, 1909 and 1910, in which Mr. Audas took part, it was discovered that of the 2,000 varieties in the Victorian flora more than 600 were indigenous to the Promontory. To this list another orchid was added during the last excursion. The National Park was therefore a hunting-ground likely to bring joy to the heart of the botanist.

The party left Melbourne by the South Gippsland train on Saturday morning and reached Port Franklin soon after noon. Having lunched there, the party embarked on a motor-boat for a journey across Corner Inlet. As they passed down the Franklin River scores of cranes and native companions were roused from their meal of crabs in the mangrove swamp that lined the river. Three hours were occupied in crossing the Inlet against a heavy wind and sea. Horses were waiting to carry the party to the rest house at the mouth of the Darby River on the western shore of the isthmus but it was half-past 8 o'clock before the last man reached his destination. 


Port Franklin, c. 1920. This is where the members of Carlo's excursion had lunch on their way to Wilson's Promontory, which can be seen in the background.
Image titled: Travel for Neptune Oil Company. Photographer: Albert Jones.
State Library of Victoria Image H2007.130/79

During Saturday night rain poured in torrents but the morning cleared bright and warm. An early start was made on horse back for Oberon Bay. The plans made by Mr Catani were that the journey to Oberon Bay, ten miles away should be devoted to a study of the beautiful coastal scenery. It was intended that after lunch at Oberon Bay the return journey should be made by an inland route through some beautiful gullies rich in botanical specimens. While crossing a steep and very rough saddle on Mount Oberon however one half of the party lost the track. After a vain search for more than an hour the remainder of the party pushed on and after lunch sent the ranger back to find the missing men. He came across them just as they were emerging from an impassable portion of the range in an unhappy mood, not improved by the fact that the nearest meal was nearly 10 mile away, over what was certainly the roughest country the visitors had ever seen. The party reunited at the rest house at 9 o'clock that evening to recount all the adventures of the day. Great enthusiasm was aroused by the sight of numbers of large wallabies and native bears.

The party returned to Melbourne yesterday evening delighted with the experience, and keenly appreciative of the efforts that had been made to ensure a successful holiday 
(The Argus, April 18, 1914, see here)

I am not sure if I would describe this as a holiday, it sounds more like a trip that in the end was endured rather than enjoyed. However, even though Carlo was 62 years old at the time of this trip it seems his enthusiasm, energy and delight in showcasing the beautiful coastal scenery was still as strong as ever. 


The rest house at Darby River, Wilson's Promontory. When Carlo and his party stayed there in 1914 it was a three room cottage, which had been built for the ranger. It was expanded in 1923, the building in the photograph (9). 
Image title: The Chalet, Wilson's Promontory. Photographer: Victorian Railways photographer, c.1945-1954. State Library of Victoria H91.50/1029.
..................................................................................................................

Notes
(1) The Leader August 10, 1912, see here.
(2) The first meeting of the Committee was reported on in The Leader August 10, 1912, see here and The Age August 7, 1912, see here
(3) British Association for the Advancement of Science Australian meeting - 1914 Handbook to Victoria prepared for the members of the 'British Association for the Advancement of Science,' on the occasion of their visit to Victoria, under the direction of the Victorian Executive Committee edited by A.M. Laughton & T.S. Hall (Government Printer, 1914)
(4) The Australasian, August 1 1914, see here and The Argus, August 27, 1914, see here.
(5) The Australasian, August 1 1914, see here 
(6) The Argus, August 18, 1914, see here and The Argus, August 19, 1914, see here.
(7) 1914 Handbook to Victoria, pp. 21-22. See Footnote 3 for full citation.
(8) The Argus, April 18, 1914, see here
(9) Garnet, J. Ros A history of Wilson's Promontory (Victorian National Parks Association, 2009) https://vnpa.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/A-History-of-Wilsons-Promontory.pdf