Carlo Catani, Andrew Stenhouse and Captain Cook's statue in St Kilda

On March 6, 1915 Carlo Catani was presented with a small silver replica of the Captain Cook statue that had been unveiled on the foreshore in St Kilda the previous December. The gift was presented by Mr Andrew Stenhouse who had donated the statue in  recognition of the work Carlo had undertaken to improve the foreshore. The presentation was reported in The Herald. (1)

Carlo Catani honoured

The Herald March 8, 1915  http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article242277405

The only other newspaper report of the presentation that I could find was in the Barrier Miner of March 11, 1915 (2). This newspaper was published in Broken Hill, so it does seem an unlikely newspaper to report on such a local event, however Andrew Stenhouse had lived in Broken Hill so it was this connection that prompted the publication of the event. This is the report - 

At a dinner given by Mr. Stenhouse, one of the members of the St. Kilda Foreshore Trust, to his colleagues on Saturday night, Mr. Stenhouse took the opportunity to present to Mr. C. Catani, chief engineer for Public works, a small replica of the Captain Cook statue, made in silver. The gift, it was explained, was in recognition of Mr. Catani's unselfish labors in designing and carrying through

the St. Kilda foreshore improvements.

Mr Stenhouse had also been presented with a replica of the statue at the unveiling in December 1914,  the Prahran Telegraph reported that the Foreshore Committee has presented the donor, Mr. Stenhouse, with a small replica to serve to remind him of his generous gift. (3) It would be interesting to know where these two replicas are now - do they still exist in the back of a cupboard somewhere or are they proudly on display in a living room? 

We will have a look now at the statue and the life of Andrew Stenhouse.  The first report I could find about the statue was in 1913, when The Argus of December 18 reported that some short time since a well-known resident of St Kilda suggested to the St Kilda shore committee that St Kilda beach would be a fitting place at which to raise a memorial to Captain Cook. (4). Andrew Stenhouse offered £500 towards the purchase and the rest of the cost was later gathered from other donations. The Foreshore Committee decided that they wanted a  replica of the Cook statue in Whitby, which was the work of John Tweed (1869-1933) (5). Whitby was the town where James Cook lived for nine years from the age of seventeen, and Cook's ships, the Resolution and the Endeavour were both built there (6). The Committee contacted the Premier, who contacted the Agent General for Victoria, Mr Peter McBride, in London who investigated the issue. (7)

Mr McBride visited John Tweed's studio and he sent the Committee the following letter -

I have the honour to inform you that, as a result of my inquiries, I have ascertained that the statue of Captain Cook was presented to the town of Whitby by Mr W.G. Beckett M.P., and that the work was executed by Mr John Tweed, the sculptor. After communicating with Mr Beckett and Mr Tweed, I visited the studio of the latter gentleman, at South Kensington, on Monday last and inspected the cast of the statue which was an excellent piece of work. I now have pleasure in transmitting a number of photographs of the statue at Whitby, also views of it in situ. The pedestal of the statue is decorated in the front with the coat of arms of Captain Cook and on the back with his ship the Resolution I am also sending copy of a booklet containing illustrations and an account of the unveiling ceremony, which will be of interest to you and to the members of the committee. Mr Tweed is willing to supply a replica in bronze of the statue at Whitby with models for the panels and design for the pedestal for the sum of £1,000. Mr Tweed adds that he could, if desired, provide bronze panels representing scenes descriptive of some events in Captain Cook's life at the cost of an extra £100 each. The actual cost of a new statue of Captain Cook with pedestal and panels similar in every respect to that erected at Whitby, would be £2,400. Had the request been for an entirely original statue of Captain Cook, the cost would have been considerably greater. (8)  The St Kilda Foreshore Committee decided to go ahead with the sculpture but organised to have the pedestal and bronze made locally. 

On Monday, December 1, 1914 the statue of Captain Cook was unveiled by the Governor, Sir Arthur Stanley, in front of an audience of 200 people including Government Ministers, members of Parliament and local councillors. Before the unveiling took place, Cr. Gibbs, the president of the foreshores committee, thanked Mr. Stenhouse for his gift, and the latter, in a brief speech of acknowledgment.... mentioned the work done in connection with the St. Kilda foreshore by Mr. H. O. Allan (secretary of the committee) and Mr. Catani. (9)  

Captain Cook's statue, c. 1914

Image: John Tweed: Sculpting the Empire by Nicola Capon (Spire Books, 2013)

Carlo was recognised for his work on the St Kilda Foreshore by not only receiving the small replica of the statue, but by having the gardens named after him in October 1927. Before  the area was renamed for Carlo it was known as the Captain Cook lawns. Previous to this name change it was known as the Pier Lawns. The Captain Cook statue was moved from its original location in 1988 to allow for the construction of the Rotunda. (10)

The Captain Cook statue,  St Kilda foreshore. 

State Library of Victoria Cyril Stainer collection of glass lantern slides, Image H2013.223/36

Carlo was clearly proud of the statue, even though it appears that not all locals showed the same respect. The Age had this report in January 1915 - 

Some facetious people at St. Kilda cannot let the statue of Captain Cook, on the foreshore, alone. At Christmas time, as stated in "The Age," they tied a "straw decker" hat in a rakish manner on his head. There might have been some excuse for that freak as being conceived in the spirit of seasonable good cheer and decoration. Yesterday morning, however, the captain appeared in a "bell-topper," also tied on. The great navigator remained wearing this anachronous covering until after midday, when Mr. Catani, Chief Engineer for Public Works, and designer of the foreshore embellishment scheme, with much indignation ordered its removal, and assisted Constable Davidson to hold the ladder while the Foreshore Trust's gardener mounted upon it and untied the hat. It is a fairly good bell-topper, and is being held by the police for identification. Something may be learned from the finger prints on it, or, possibly from a water mark. Anyhow, if by any chance, the person who mounted the head gear on the statue is caught, he will be made to pay dearly for his joke, not merely on account of the violence done to the feelings of those who consider public monuments should be respected, but for the sake of the actual damage likely to be incurred by climbing the statue to fix such garniture. Mr. Catani, with impulsive generosity, has informed the police that, irrespective of what the Foreshore Trust or St. Kilda council may do, he will pay £5 reward for information leading to the conviction of the jester. As there has been talk of a lot of other statues being ultimately included in the scheme of beach adornment at St Kilda, no doubt the prospect of Shakespeare being found some morning smoking a short clay pipe with the bowl downwards, or Dante with a shade over one eye and his aim in a sling, if this sort of thing is not stopped, makes Mr. Catani keen to have the matter traced home. (11) 

On August 11, 1916 a plaque was unveiled by the Mayor of St Kilda, Cr J.J. Love, which listed the names of the 96 crew of the Endeavour. This plaque, affixed to the pedestal of the statue, was also donated by Andrew Stenhouse. (12)

 Captain Cook Statue, Catani Gardens. 

Photographer: John T. Collins, taken January 21, 1975.

State Library of Victoria image H98.251/146

The instigator of the Captain Cook statue was Andrew Stenhouse, so from various sources (13) I have complied this biography. Andrew was born in Scotland in 1836 and  trained as a shipwright / carpenter. He arrived in Melbourne in 1862, where he worked in the building industry for three years. Andrew then went to New Zealand, where he lived for 16 years and worked in building and timber industries. He returned to Melbourne around 1881 where he worked the Union Sash and Door Company until 1887 when he re-located to Broken Hill.  In 1885, Thomas Stubbins had established the Willyama Timber mill in Broken Hill and it was this business that Andrew was employed with as the manager. Broken Hill developed, the mine grew and the Willyama Timber mill grew as it supplied timber products to the mine. By 1896 Andrew had taken over the ownership of the mill and the name changed to Globe Timber Mill. Around 1900 it employed 120 men and another business was opened in Port Pirie, the closest port to Broken Hill. The Globe Timber Mill was sold by Stenhouse in 1911 to  Globe Timber Company, a registered public company, according to the Barrier Miner of April 1, 1920.

Andrew Stenhouse, looking every inch the Colonial gentleman. 

Image from Cyclopedia of South Australia, on Find My Past

I am unsure when Andrew Stenhouse moved to St Kilda,  possibly around 1907. Here's what I know about his family life. Andrew was married to Mary Matilda Shiels (nee Barrett)  in 1872 in New Zealand.  She had been married before, to Robert Shiels, this marriage had taken place in Tasmania in 1860. Mary and Robert had four children -  George (born 1861 in Tasmania), James (born 1863 in Tasmania), Millicent Elizabeth (born 1865 in New Zealand)  and Robertina Mary (born 1867 in New Zealand). I have not yet found out when Robert died. Andrew and Mary had one son together, Andrew, who was born in New Zealand in 1873.  Robertina,  died on April 11, 1893 at the age of 25 at Redan Street in St Kilda.  Robertina had been operated on for  a tumour, she had been progressing well, then had a relapse and sadly passed away. She was buried at St Kilda Cemetery. Andrew and Mary's son,  Andrew Junior died February 3,1896 in Adelaide at the age of 22, and he was buried in the same grave at St Kilda Cemetery.  (14)

Marriage announcement of Andrew Stenhouse and Mary Shiels, which took place in Hokitika in New Zealand. 

West Coast Times March 8, 1872

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WCT18720309.2.7

Mary Stenhouse died in on August 19, 1909 at the age of 72, and her obituary said that she had arrived in Broken Hill in 1889, but had lived in St Kilda for two years. She died at their house Willyama, 7 Beaconsfield Parade, Willyama being the original name of their Broken Hill timber mill. Her  obituary also said she was the mother of  George Shiels of Melbourne and James Shiels of Broken Hill. She was buried in the family grave and when Andrew died at the age of 81 on August 6, 1918 he was also buried in the grave. (15)

Apart from funding the Captain Cook statue Andrew was also involved in other civic projects. In December 1913, he donated two life saving stations - one contiguous to Brookes's boat shed, and the other on the west beach near the Beaconsfield Hotel. The report notes that In both places it was customary for open sea bathing to be indulged in. Each station had cost £100, and Mr. Stenhouse had shown his generosity also in supplying seats and marble topped tables for picnickers in Shakespeare-grove. (16)

I will end this post with a family story - my grandparents, Walter and Veda Thewlis, lived in Middle Park for  a time at 199 Beaconsfield Parade. This was a block of four flats, at the time called Colbinabbin. They had the flat on the ground floor, on the right. They rented there from late 1936 to late 1939. My Mum said that when she was about 4 (it was 1938 - the year her sister was born) whenever her Mum needed some peace with the new baby, her Dad used to take her for a walk to see 'Jimmy Cook' - the statute of Captain Cook on the foreshore!  (17)

Postscript - On the morning of January 25, 2024 destructive vandals senselessly cut down the statue at the ankles and dumped it on the grass and graffitied the plinth. The Police are investigating and the Premier of Victoria and the City of Port Phillip have vowed to have the statue reinstalled. (18)

Cook's boots on the plinth, after it was vandalised on January 25, 2024.

Image: Isaac Hermann January 26, 2024.

Trove lists - I have created a list of newspapers articles on Trove on the Captain Cook Statue and on the life of Andrew Stenhouse and his family, you can access it, here.

Footnotes

(1) The Herald, March 8, 1915, see here.

(2) Barrier Miner, March 11, 1915, see here.  

(3) Prahran Telegraph,  December 12, 1914 see here.

(4) The Argus, December 18, 1913, see here.

(5) John Tweed https://victorianweb.org/sculpture/tweed/index.html Photograph and an account of his career - The Age, August 22, 1936, see here; 

(6) https://www.captaincooksociety.com/ 

(7) The Argus, December 18, 1913, see here.

(8) Ibid

(9) The Leader December 12, 1914, see here.

(10) In conjunction with my colleague, Isaac Hermann, I  have written about this here https://victoriancollections.net.au/stories/carlo-catani-an-engineering-star-over-victoria/st-kilda-foreshore-gardens 

(11) The Age, January 18, 1915, see here.

(12) Prahran Telegraph, August 19, 1916, see here. 

(13) Andew Stenhouse entry in the Cyclopedia of South Australia, published in 1907, available on Find My Past; Article in the Barrier Daily Truth, May 11 2010 about the Globe Timber Mill (as at January 2024, no longer on-line); The Argus April 2, 1914 on Andrew Stenhouse, read it here.

(14) New Zealand Births, Deaths and Marriages    https://www.bdmhistoricalrecords.dia.govt.nz/ ; Tasmanian Archives https://libraries.tas.gov.au/tasmanian-archives/  Family notices in the newspapers, see my Trove list, here.

(15) Family notices in the newspapers, see my Trove list, here.

(16) The Age December 22, 1913,  see here.

(17) I have written more about this here       https://victoriaspast.blogspot.com/2021/08/walter-and-veda-thewlis-and-their-happy.html

(18) Melbourne Statues of Queen Victoria and Captain Cook vandalised on Australia Day eve https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-01-25/melbourne-captain-cook-queen-victoria-statues-vandalised/103386996

Carlo prepares a sumptuous repast in the High Country

In 1915,  a Ministerial party, which included Carlo Catani, traversed the country between Maffra and Mansfield and discovered a veritable tourist paradise,  with striking mountain scenery, varied with picturesque high plain grazing country in  winter snow-clad and in summer equable and refreshing in atmosphere. The trip was 133 miles, which required a number of overnight stops at which one Carlo provided the party with the evening meal.

The trip and Carlo's meal at the camp was reported in The Age, February 25, 1915. The journalist describes Carlo as of extremely optimistic temperament. The article confirms other accounts of Carlo's genial personality, his practical nature and the ease with which he mixed with all 'classes of society' as it it would have been called 100 years ago. You can read the full article, here.

Here, to use the description of Mr. Catani, was set "a sumptuous repast." Bread baked on the spot, and far superior to the product of any Melbourne bakery, was a feature of it. Mr. Catani, who had provisioned the expedition in a first class manner right through, added to it some Italian appetisers. Opening a brief bag, which had been much in evidence during the trip, he addressed the party en masse. "Who," he said, looking at a bushman who rejoiced in the name of De Courcy O'Donovan, and who was in charge of the pack horses, ''will have some Mortadella de Bologna ?" De Courcy, with the courage of the old crusader who bore his name, although he did not know what it was he was being offered, said he would try a little. Dinny and Jack, his mates, seeing Mr. Catani produce a Bologna sausage, also ventured and Ted, the cook, doubtfully said he would have a slice. Mr. Catani handed them a slice each as a trial, and having distributed tinned tunny, anti-paste salame, anchovies aux truffles and other delicacies among the party, proceeded to question the bushmen as to their experiences with the Bologna. "How do you like it, De Courcy ?" he asked "The polony was good." said De Courcy, "I'll have a little more.'' "Do you like it, Dinny?" was the next query; "Yes, Mr. Catani." was was the reply. "Well, have a little more," said Mr. Catani. "No thanks," replied Dinny, amid laughter. "How about you, Ted?" said Mr. Catani. Ted pondered, put his head on one side, and very slowly articulated, "Well, Mr. Catani, you know I can eat it." A roar of laughter greeted the verdict, and Ted had no more Bologna (1). 

There was another account in a paper of the trip of Carlo's sumptuous repast, this time describing the main meal. It was in the Gippsland Mercury of March 9, 1915, and was written by the aforementined De Courcy O'Donovan. The full article, which has a very interesting account of the trip,  can be read, here.

We arrived there early in the afternoon, and had a billy of tea and some luncheon. Then Mr Catani and I set about getting dinner. "We will have a most sumptuous repast," he said, and going to the bag which contained a lot of tinned vegetables he began picking out some tins, saying, "'We will have a leg of mutton boiled, and we will have green peas; we will have asparagus with melted butter on it; we will have plum pudding," and, pulling out a small bottle, he said, "We will have capers with the mutton." Someone remarked - I think it was the Surveyor-General -"I hope that the dignity of the Ministerial party will not be lowered by capers." (2).

Bryce's Hut, c. 1930 - where Carlo prepared the sumptuous repast for the Ministerial Party.

Image: Victorian High Country Huts Association Facebook page

De Courcy O'Donovan's article sets the sumptuous repast at Bryce's Hut, The Age journalist sets the event the next day at a camp erected by the lessee of the Plains, Mr Phillip's, of Mansfield. Or were there two sumptuous feasts?  It doesn't really matter, but in the interests of historical accuracy, I feel obliged to mention it.

Footnotes

(1) The Age, February 25, 1915, see here.

(2) Gippsland Mercury, March 9, 1915, see here.

Carlo witnesses Halley's Comet

Carlo, actually witnessed the rare Halley's Comet! My star engineer witnessing the most famous shooting star, how fitting! Halley's Comet, as you would know, can only be seen about every seventy five years (the next opportunity you may get to see it is 2061). Carlo saw it in 1910, apparently that year it was 'only' 22.4 million kilometres from earth and was the first time it was captured on camera. There is an interesting article on  Halley's Comet on the Space.com website, read it here.

Carlo's experience was reported in the Weekly Times of April 23, 1910.  It is transcribed below, or you can read it here, on Trove.

SEEN FROM MOUNT BUFFALO.
From Bent's Lookout, at the "Gorge," on Mount Buffalo, on Sunday morning about 5 o'clock, the Minister for Public Works (Mr Baillieu) saw Halley's Comet, and expressed his indebtedness
to Mr Catani, Chief Engineer of Public Works, who had called him up to view it.

"Viewed by the naked eye," said Mr Catani, "the comet looked like a tadpole diving for food. The body seemed to be about 2ft. long, and the tail about 4ft. long. At the junction with the body the tail appeared to be about 8in. wide and tapered off to a point. The best view was obtained from Bents' Lookout at the Gorge, but it could be clearly discerned from the verandah of the new State hospice just completed on the Mount. The situation approximately was ten degrees above the horizon, a little north of east."

Yarra River flood of July 1891

The Yarra River flood of July 12, 1891, left 1,000 people homeless. The Age of July 13, 1891 had a full report of the damage the flood caused (read it here) but here are a few stories- a house in Cremorne Street, Richmond had water to within a few feet of the roof, in Dover street, the water was  within a foot of the top of the some of the street lamps..... The Johnston Street bridge.... as a rule is considerably over 50 feet clear of the flood level, but last night the water was within 14 feet of the decking.  The flood also submerged 207 houses in South Yarra - the worst streets being  Clara, River, Tivoli and Karlsberg (The Australasian July 18, 1891, read full report here)

Great flood of July 1891 -  Looking east from Princes Bridge

State Library of Victoria Image H12675

A Board of Inquiry into the Yarra River flood of  July 1891 was established.  The Inquiry was investigating  (1) the causes and extent of river floods in and about Melbourne, and the extent to which they are contributed to, or intensified by, artificial or preventable causes , and (2) the measures that might be adopted for controlling or mitigating the effects of such floods, and for preventing, future damage therefrom.

The Board members were Mr Clement Hodgkinson, chariman; Mr. W. Davidson, Inspector general of public works; Mr Stuart Murray, chief engineer Victorian Water Supply department; Mr A. C. Mountain, city surveyor of Melbourne; Mr William Thwaites, engineer in chief to the Melbourne and Metropolitan Board of Works; Mr P. J. Nolan, city surveyor of South Melbourne; Mr H. Tolhurst, city surveyor of Collingwood; Mr A Clayton, C. E., city surveyor of Richmond; Mr H.T. Haynes, city engineer of Hawthorn; Mr William Calder, city surveyor of Footscray; Mr A. V. Heath, borough surveyor of Port Melbourne and Mr. T. B Muntz, C. E., engineer of the shire of Malvern. (The Argus, October 14, 1891)

The Great Flood of 1891 - Punt Road Richmond.

State Library of Victoria Image H12674

The Inquiry heard from a number of expert witnesses - Carlo Catani, being one and his friend, Ettore Checchi being another. Ettore, Carlo and their friend Pietro Baracchi,  had journey from Italy to New Zealand then onto their new life in Victoria in 1876. The other evidence that was given by the expert witnesses can be read in The Argus of October, 14 1891, here.

Carlo and Ettore's evidence was reported in The Argus of October 21 (see here) Ettore's evidence is interesting as it shows the huge volume of water that swept down the Yarra during this flood.

Mr Ettore Checchi of the Victorian Water Supply department, the first witness examined submitted a number of plans showing the levels of the floods at different points of the river. At Warrandyte the volume of flood water was 1,650, 000 cubic feet per minute ; and at Dights Falls he estimated the volume to be 2,290,300 cubic feet per minute. Other authorities had formed different estimates as to the volume at the last-named and a mean average of 2,167,600 cubic feet per minute was given. At Gardiners Creek the mean average as to the volume of the flood water was 2,206,200. At Prince's-bridge the discharge would be practically the same at at Gardiner's Creek. The discharge of water at the St Kilda road was 495,800 cubic feet per minute, with a volume of 147ft per minute. The mean volume of water at the Saltwater River was 1,188,600 cubic feet per minute. The total discharge of water at the junction of the Saltwater River was 2,899,000 cubic feet per minute, with allowance for diversion at Prince's-bridge only. The total discharge of water into the bay was 3,395,000 cubic feet per minute. (The Argus of October 21, see here)

Mr. Catani of the Public Works department,  said there was a discrepancy between the levels supplied by him and those furnished by the officers of the Harbour Trust as to the flood waters at the Queen's-bridge. Above and below the bridge the same level of water he found obtained, the abutments of the bridge offering no obstruction to the continuous flow of the water. The levels he had marked on his plans were in agreement with those obtained by the Railway department. From his own observation he had fixed the levels of the flood of 1891. (The Argus of October 21, see here)

One of the solutions to stop the Yarra River flooding was to widen the river and straighten it's course and this work, between the Princes Bridge and the Cremorne Railway Bridge, was undertaken by Carlo Catani and the Public Works Department in 1896 and 1897, you can read more about it here. This work also led to the creation of Alexandra Avenue and the Alexandra Gardens, two other projects of Carlo's.

Kelso Street, Richmond, July 1891 flood. Photographer: Paul and Gerald Turner.

State Library of Victoria Image H96.160/1996



Twenty nine houses were 'rendered uninhabitable' by the flood, and you can see why by this photo.
Clara Street, Hawksburn, 1891 flood. Photographer: Cyril Robert Stainer.
State Library of Victoria Image  H2002.130/6

There are many photos of the 1891 flood on the State Library of Victoria website, www.slv.vic.gov.au

Where did Elvira, Eugenia and Enid attend school?

We know that Carlo's sons attended Melbourne Grammar, but I wondered where his daughters went? Carlo and Catherine had three daughters - Elvira May, known as Vera, (born May 31, 1888); Eugenia Anastasia (born August 13, 1895) and Enid Marguerite (born November 3,  1899). I did some research on Trove and fortunately schools in the past often published reports of examinations and speech days, so I have found a few references.

Elvira attended the Strathclyde Ladies College. In December 1900, there was a report of  a Speech Day at the Strathclyde Ladies College and Elvira received a B for Conversational French. In October 1901, Elvira passed a French examination at the  Alliance Francaise of Victoria. The only other report I could find of Elvira's school days was in January 1902 when the examination results for the Strathclyde school were listed in The Australasian, and Elvira obtained  a D for French. In the 'Extra subjects' Elvira received a prize  for Drawing, a  prize for Conversational French and an Alliance Francaise Certificate. (The Australasian January 18, 1902)

The City of Stonnington has a history of  education in their area and it has this very short history of the Strathclyde Ladies College. In the 1880s, Daniel and Martha Connelly opened Cornelia College for Ladies in Horsburgh Grove, Armadale, which later moved to Albany Road.  The School was taken over by the Misses Rudd in the 1890s and renamed Strathclyde. You can read it, here.

Eugenie attended the Harborough Girls' School, which was a 61 Rose Street in Armadale. The fourth annual prize distribution of the Harborough Girls' School and Kindergarten took place on December 17 1903 and Eugenie, who was in Kindergarten,  received a First Class prize for writing. If this was the 'fourth annual' prize night, I presume the school only started in 1900. This is supported by a report of a function held at the school on December 10, 1914 to farewell the Misses Knights, who, are a period of fifteen years are retiring from the school. (The Argus, December 21, 1914) It was co-ed school and possibly just a primary school.

In 1910,  both Eugenie and Enid were at Lauriston Girls School - Enid was listed as receiving an Honour Certificate and Eugenie received an Honour certificate and the Scripture prize. (The Argus, December 19, 1910)  According to their website, Lauriston Girls' School was established in 1901 by Margaret and Lilian Irving, daughters of the eminent Victorian educator Professor Martin Howy Irving. 

In 1913, we find a report that both Eugenie and Enid were at the Melbourne Church of England Girls' Grammar School.  Enid was in Form IV and was awarded the '2nd standard prize' and also received a prize in the Intermediate Division of the Diocescan Divinity Examination. Eugenie received a hockey stick as a Games Trophy. (The Argus, December 20, 1913)  In their Speech Day report held December 15, 1915, they had the following, lovely tribute to Eugenie, who had been school captain,  after her tragic early death at the age of 19, on August 1, 1915. How brilliant she must have been  and how tragic it is that she died so young.

Melbourne Church of England Girls' Grammar School Speech Day report, December 1915
The Age, December 18 1915

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article154921390

I have created a short list of articles that refer to the school days of  Elvira, Eugenia and Enid Catani, you can see it here, on Trove.

Paolo Dattari - Architect, Silversmith, Entomologist, Cartographer and Inventor

Carlo Catani  came to Australia from Italy via New Zealand, with Pietro Baracchi and Ettore Checchi. They were joined in Melbourne by other Italians including Paolo Dattari. A.S. Kenyon, Engineer with the Department of Agriculture, a member of the Royal Society of Victoria and the Historical Society of Victoria, called the men, the Florentine Quartet (The Argus, April 15, 1939) I thought we would find out more about Paolo - who was an Architect, a silversmith, an entomologist, a cartographer and an inventor - he was extraordinarily talented and clever.

Paolo arrived in Melbourne in 1877, married Margaret Yeomans in 1881, they had three children and then in February 1894, the family leave Melbourne for Italy. That is the last trace of Paolo I can find, but I have discovered more about Margaret. This is a chronology of the Dattari family - there are a few gaps, I still don't know when Paolo died, I wish I did.  I wish I knew more about what his life was like when he returned to Italy - did he indulge his passion for silversmithing or his passion for beetles? I just hope he was happy.  I do not know when Margaret died either, but I do know she went went to the United States, and she was still alive in 1935 when her son Luigi/Louis died. Anyway, here's what I know.

c. 1850 Paolo Dattari born in Leghorn (also known as Livorno) in Tuscany, Italy. His 1881 marriage certificate list his parents as Luigi Dattari, Gentleman, and Eurichetta Mareschia. 

1859  Margaret Elizabeth Victoria Yeomans is born, in Hagerstone, London. Her 1881 marriage certificate lists her parents as Charles Yeomans, hat maker and Charlotte Anne Prime. Charlotte died in 1869 at the age of 45.

1870  10 year old Margaret Yeomans and her father Charles, aged 45,  arrive in Melbourne on the Ninevah.

1877   Paolo arrives in Melbourne on the Somersetshire (1) and soon after starts work in the Department of Crown Lands and Survey.

1880 - Whilst at the Lands Department, one of Paolo's duties in his role as a draughtsman was the creation of Parish Plans -  I have found some on the State Library of Victoria website -  in January  1880, he compiled the Parish of Kapong plan - Port Fairy region (view this plan, here); in March 1880 the Parish of Glenelg Plan, counties of Follett and Normanby - near the Victorian/ South Australian border (view this plan, here)  and in 1882 the Parish of Tharanbegga Plan - near Tungamah (view this plan here) 

Paolo's attribution from the Kapong Parish Plan. 

State Library of Victoria http://handle.slv.vic.gov.au/10381/96071

1880 June  Elected to the Field Naturalist Club of Victoria (2).  Club members were interested in and presented papers on all things connected to plants, birds, animals and insects. Paolo had an entomological interest. If you search Trove there are many mentions of his activities within the Club, for instance Mr. Dattari exhibited dynastes Hercules and two large buprestis (Australian Sketcher, September 4, 1880);  peculiar form of fungoid growth on the larva of the hepialus or large brown swift moth, by P. Dattari (The Argus, February 21, 1881);  A paper was contributed by Mr Dattari being, the first part of a series of papers "On the Locomotion of Coleopterous Insects." This described the anatomy and structure of the antennae of the different families of beetles. (The Argus, August 12, 1884) Paolo also had an interest in ferns, this is one example of a fern that he exhibited at a Club meeting by Mr. P. Dattari, a frond of Pteris tremula from near Drouin, 5ft. 9in. long (The Argus November 15, 1886)

1880 November  Poalo Dattari, along with Carlo Catani, Ettore Checchi and Pietro Baracchi were appointed Italian Jurors at the Melbourne International Exhibition. At the time they were all working for the Department of Crown Lands. Dattari was also appointed an International Juror in the Goldsmiths' and Silversmith's Work as well as the Jewellery and Precious Stones class.  You can read about this in Ruth Dwyer's article Paolo Dattari, Jeweller and the Italian Court at the Melbourne International Exhibition, 1880-81 (details in Sources)   The Melbourne International Exhibition opened on October 1, 1880 and closed April 30, 1881. The Exhibition attracted 1.3 million people. Read more on the Exhibition, here.

1881 April 7   Paolo marries Margaret Elizabeth Victoria Yeomans at the Victoria Parade Congregational Church. The marriage certificate lists her age as 22, and his age as 31. His occupation is listed  as Architect, Margaret is listed as a 'Lady' The Marriage notice (below) describes her as the youngest daughter of C. Yeomans, Northamptonshire, late of London.  

Paolo and Margaret's marriage notice from The Age of April 23, 1881.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article204050717

1881 May  Paolo creates one of the handsomest pieces of silversmith's work that has been turned out of a Melbourne workshop. It was a presentation casket, made for Captain Frederick Standish for his retirement from the Victorian Police Force. The casket is 16in. long by 8in. broad, and 9in. deep. It contains 165oz. of Victorian sterling silver and 18-carat gold. The design is handsome and very appropriate, and is the work of Mr. Dattari. You can read more about Paolo's fine work in The Australasian Sketcher of  May 28, 1881, here

Paolo's handsome silver casket, made for Captain Frederick Standish.

Australasian Sketcher, May 28 1881. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article244701723

1881 November  City of Fitzroy Rate Books list the Dattari family living at living in 'North Brunswick' Street, in a 6-roomed house owned by William Thomas Hoskings. Paolo occupation is Architect. 

1881 December 4  Charles Yeomans dies, aged 58, in Melbourne. 

1882 January 1  birth of son Luigi Charles Richmond Dattari. The birth notice said they were living at Florence Cottage, Waltham Street, Richmond. 

1882 July 27   Paolo is granted a patent for  the Dattari's Parallel Goniometer

Victorian Government Gazette August 4, 1882

1882 October 4   Commences work at the Victorian Railways Department as a Draftsman (3)  

1882   City of Prahran Rate Books list the family living in Barry Street, South Yarra, in a six-roomed house,  owned by Arthur Hobday. 

1883 March 25   Birth of  daughter Eurichetta Charlotte Florence. The birth notice lists their address as Florence Cottage, Barry Street, South Yarra.

1883 September 5   Paolo is granted a patent for the 'Dattari and Edwards Electro-control'

Victorian Government Gazette  October 12, 1883

1883 December Paolo Dattari had five cases against him in the Petty Sessions Prahran Court from December 1883 to August 1885 and one case at the Carlton Court in December 1886.  In each case he owned money - once to Evans Bros, W.J. Hunt & Co., Mills & McInnes and one name I can't read and twice to R. G. Pollard - he owed them just over 13 pounds in July 1885 and just over 9 pounds in August 1885 - both of these cases were settled out of court. Was he having liquidity problems or was he just a bit lackadaisical about paying bills?

Victorian Petty Sessions Registers Carlton Court December 15, 1886

From Find My Past 

1884   Designed a two-storey extension to 33 Grey Street, East Melbourne. Read about this in Ruth Dwyer's article Paolo Dattari, Architect - a building (details in sources) 

1885  City of Prahran Rate Books list the family still living at 12 Barry Street, South Yarra, in the house owned by Arthur Hobday.

1886 June   Paolo presents a paper to the Victorian Field Naturalist's Club of Victoria. The Argus of June 15, 1886 reported that A paper was read by Mr P. Dattari "Notes on the new Australian beetle, Phalacrognathus Muelleri." The author briefly reviewed the history of this splendid insect, and stated that in his opinion the specimens exhibited would probably be found to represent more than one species.  The paper was illustrated with enlarged coloured drawings of the mandibles, &c (Read article here)  The State Library of Victoria has a digitised copy of Paolo's paper - read it here.This was a significant paper, the Weekly Times of June 11, 1938 referred to it - More, than half a century ago - 1886 to be precise - members of the Field Naturalists Club of Victoria were presented, by P. Dattari, with a pamphlet on the "New Australian Beetle, Phalacrognathus Muelleri." (read the rest of the article, here)

 

One of the illustrations in Paolo's paper - Notes on the new Australian beetle, Phalacrognathus Muelleri. The paper does not list the illustrator.

State Library of Victoria    http://handle.slv.vic.gov.au/10381/281652

1886 December 1  Paolo served with a Supreme Court writ by William Thomas Clapham, Paolo had signed  a promissary note on August 4, 1886 promising to pay Clapham six pounds, fourteen shillings and ten pence by November 7 and had failed to do so. I don't know the outcome of this case. His address  was Station Street, North Carlton and his occupation was listed as draughtsman. (4)

1887  Birth of son Paolo Giovanni Carlton. I can't find a birth notice in the newspaper, so I don't know the exact date.

1887 October 11   Victorian Railway Department 'dispense with his services' (3)

1887 December   Family sails for London via Suez and Naples on the Ormuz

1891 March   Family arrives back in Melbourne on the Oceana

1891 November   City of Prahran Rate Books - the family are back in Barry Street, South Yarra, this time at No. 47, in a five-roomed house owned by Elizabeth Suckling.

1892 December  City of Prahran Rate Books - they are living at 50 Barry Street, South Yarra,  a four-roomed house owned by Jane Wilson,

1894 February   Family leaves for London via Ports on the Austral. This is the last trace of Paolo Dattari that I can find, I presume he died in Italy sometime between 1894, when he left Australia and 1902 when Margaret leaves Italy for the United States.

1900 June 5   Luigi Dattari arrives in New York on the Hesperia, which sailed from Naples on May 17. He is listed as 18 years old, his occupation appears to be Chemist, but it is hard to decipher. His Nationality has been indexed as Austrian, but I believe that it is Australian. His American contact is a 'relative' is  Frank Healey of 88 Gold Street, New York. 

1900 August 15  Ernesto Sacchi, 29  years old, arrives in New York also on the Herperia on August 15, 1900, which sailed from Naples on July 28 June 1900. Ernesto is the future husband of Margaret Yeomans Dattari. Ernesto was Naturalised in 1906, his occupation then was listed as upholsterer. 

1902 July 17   Margaret (listed as Margherita) aged 43 and Eurichetta, 19, and  Paolo (15) arrive in New York on the Karmania, which left Naples June 28.  Their American contact is Luigi Dattari.

1904 November 30   Eurichetta marries Henry Stefanoty, in New York. Henry was born in Florence in 1879 and arrived in New York in March 1904. They had six children - Margaret (born 1905), Teresa (1906), Henry (1912), Evelyn (1914) and twins Eugene and Ernestine (1915) (5)

1909  May 13    Paolo, aged 22,  arrives in New York on the Konigin Luise, which had sailed from Naples on April 10. I can't dechiper his occupation and his American contact is Emilio Sacchi.  The Census record for Paolo said that he arrived in the United States in 1903, so did he visit Italy and return in 1909 or does this record refer to another Paolo Dattari?  I  feel that is unlikely given the contact is a Sacchi. I found this reference early, which led me to research other Sacchi/Dattari connections, which is how I found the 1910 Census Record, below, showing that Margaret Dattari had married Ernesto Sacchi. I cannot find a marriage record for them.

1910   United States Federal Census - Borough of Manhatten, New York. This record was 'enumerated' on April 16, 1910. Paolo junior, now known as Paul,  is listed twice - once with his Mum and once with his sister!
Sacchi, Ernest - 36 years old - occupation: upholsterer. Born in Italy, parents born in Italy. 
Sacchi, Margaret - 51 years old - occupation: none. Born in England, parents born in England.
Dattary, Paul - 23 years old - occupation: Collector in the Insurance Industry. His place of birth is listed as 'Ata English', as is his sister and his other entry, below. I presume this was the abbreviation for Australia. In other Census records they list birthplaces as Ire English, Scot English etc.  His father  is listed as Italian,  mother English. 

      Part of the Sacchi / Dattari entry from the 1910 United States Federal Census on Ancestry

1910   United States Federal Census - Newark City, New Jersey. This record was 'enumerated' on April 23, 1910. 
Stefanotti, Henry - 30 years old - occupation - Jeweller. Born in Italy, parents Italian. 
Stefanotti, Henrietta - 27 years old. Birth place 'Ata English', father Italian, mother English.
Stefanotti, Margaret - 4 years old. Father Italian - mother 'Ata English' 
Stefanotti, Teresa - 3 years old - as for Margaret. 
Hijeck, Annie - 18 years old - occupation - servant. Born in Austria Poland.
Dattari, Paul J - 25 year old  - occupation - Life Insurance. Birthplace 'Ata English', father Italian, mother English. 

1915   New Jersey State Census - Ernest born October 1874, in Italy, occupation: upholsterer. Age last birthday was 40. Margaret born March, 1877 in England, age last birthday was 38 - that is either a mistake or a lie, but that fact that he is listed as an upholsterer and she was born in England, suggests they are 'our' Margaret and Ernest.

1922 October 10   Louis Charles Richmond Dattari was naturalised in St Louis,  Missouri. His wife was listed as 22 year old Hazel of Chicago, no children. Louis died June 17, 1935. An application was made by his mother, Margaret Sachie (sic) of 500 Liberty Avenue, Hillside, New Jersey for a headstone to be erected by the US War Department. Louis had served from April 28, 1918 to January 17, 1919. As his mother applied for the headstone, it seems to indicate that Louis was no longer married.

1942 April 23   Eurichetta is naturalised under the name of  Henrietta Charlotte Stefanoty. It lists her birthplace as Melbourne March 23, 1883 and her arrival in the United States as July 17, 1902. The Naturalisation took place in California and lists the date of her marriage, birth date of her husband and children and where they were living in 1942. She died April 16, 1964 in Los Angeles. 

Eurichetta Dattari, from the photo on her Naturalisation paper.

Source: California, Federal Naturalisation Record, on Ancestry. 

Footnotes:

(1) Paolo's arrival in Melbourne - Ruth Dwyer lists this date in her article Paolo Dattari, Architect - a building. The passenger list for the Somersetshire is on Ancestry, and Dattari isn't listed, not saying its incorrect, just can't confirm this.

(2) Paolo's election to the Field Naturalist's Club - thanks again to Ruth Dwyer's article Paolo Dattari, Architect - a building.

(3) Paolo's commencement date and final date at the Victorian Railways is from Ruth Dwyer's Paolo Dattari, Jeweller and the Italian Court at the Melbourne International Exhibition, 1880-81

(4) Supreme Court Case Files, Public Records Office of Victoria - William Thomas Clapham v, P. Dattari - VPRS 267 Consignment number: P0007 Unit number: 680

(5)  Eurichetta's family details are listed on her Naturalisation papers, on Ancestry.

Sources

• Paolo Dattari, Jeweller and the Italian Court at the Melbourne Exhibition, 1880-81, by Ruth Dwyer published in the Italian Historical Society Journal, v. 5, n. 2, July-December 1997, read it here.
• Paola Dattari, Architect - a building by Ruth Dwyer published in the Italian Historical Society Journal, v.8, n. 1, January - June 2000, read it here.
• Public Records Office of Victoria shipping lists.
• Ancestry family History database - including US Census records, shipping records, Naturalisation records,  US Military Records and Victoria Rate Books www.ancestry.com.au
• Find My Past database.

101 years since Carlo passed away

It's 101 years ago, today, that Carlo passed away, Saturday, July 20, 1918. The Age and The Argus both reported on this sad event on Monday, July 22, which was also the day his funeral was held.

From The Age - The news of the death of Mr. Carlo Catani; formerly Chief Inspector of Public Works, which occurred at his residence, 'Wyndham,' Blessington-street, St. Kilda, on Saturday, will be received with general regret. Mr. Catani retired from the public service a little over twelve months ago, and until recently had been enjoying good health. Ten days ago while standing on a scaffolding superintending the erection of additions to his home in St. Kilda, he was seized with sudden illness, from which he never recovered.   The article then lists his major works and achievements.  Mr. Catani had a long and distinguished career in the Public Works department as an engineer of  high attainments.  As a public officer he earned a high reputation, and was greatly esteemed in private life for his unfailing courtesy and kindly nature. (The Age, July 22, 1918, read the full report, here.)

From The Argus -  The intimation of the death of Mr. Carlo Catani, formerly chief engineer of the Public Works department of Victoria, which occurred on Saturday at his home at St. Kilda, will be received with regret by his many friends.  There is then a short account of his life and achievements.  His most important undertaking, however, was the improvement of the Yarra and the Alexander avenue development, whereby he transformed the unsightly swamp on the south bank of the Yarra into the beauty spot it is to-day. The whole of this work was carried out under his supervision. Mr.
Catani had recently been closely associated with the improvement work at St. Kilda and Brighton. (The Argus, July 22, 1918, read the full report, here)

Carlo's funeral left from his home, Wyndham, in Blessington Street, St. Kilda, for the Brighton Cemetery, at 3 o'clock on Monday, July 22.

As The Herald was an afternoon paper, they reported on the funeral -  Though it was the desire of the family of the late Mr Carlo Catani that his funeral should be a quiet one, such was the general esteem in which he was held that a very large number of people and a lengthy cortege followed the hearse to the grave. Public departments, both State and Federal, were represented, and the councillors of St. Kilda attended together. Mr Catani was one of the most widely known and best-respected men in the departmental public life of Victoria.....Mr Catani had been under medical care for some time, but his death was some-what sudden. His physicians bad been in consultation after leaving his bedside, and had just left the house between six and seven o'clock when the patient sank and expired......The service at the grave was read by the Rev. F. G. Masters, of Holy Trinity Church, St. Kilda, where Mr Catani and his family were regular attendants and church workers. Mr W. G. Apps conducted the funeral. (The Herald, July 22, 1918, read the full report, here)

The Catani grave was without a headstone until last year, you can read about the unveiling, here.