Kirkston, 23 Rupert Street, Windsor, is the work of architect G. H. M. Addison and builder John William Young. This sprawling two-storeyed brick residence was constructed in 1888-1889 for John Henry Flower, a Brisbane solicitor and co-founder of the legal firm Flower & Hart. The name of the house was derived from that of Flower's wife, Dora Kirk.The only time it has not been a private residence was during World War Two when Kirkston was used by American military intelligence. (Ack: State Library of Queensland)
The following information is taken from the Windsor and District's Historical Society Journal May 2017.
Windsor & District’s Historical Society JOURNAL - May 2017 - PAGE SIX
In Kirkston we see a truly impressive
residence, successfully designed for Brisbane’s
climate by a prominent and talented architect,
G.H.M. Addison.
Addison who was a member of the Melbourne firm of Oakden, Addison and Kemp before setting up his own firm in Brisbane, also
designed The Mansions, Stanley Hall and
Cumbooquepa, as well as the (former) Queensland Museum.
Former Queensland Museum
Kirkston was built in 1889 for the solicitor John Henry Flower, and was named after his
wife, the former Dora Kirk. A large two-storey
brick residence surrounded by wide verandahs
finished with cast iron and lattice, the house occupies a prominent hilltop position. The slate roof
is a busy combination of gables, hips and chimneys, reflecting Addison’s somewhat unusual interior design of truncated wings rather than the
conventional symmetrical plan.
A remarkable account of the construction of Kirkston has survived in the diaries of
the builder, John William Young. The details recorded each day, give a fascinating picture of
a period when skilled artisans and specialised
craftmen practised occupations no longer viable
today. Young tendered for the construction of
J.H. Flower’s house on 17 July 1888. His tender,
for the sum of £3459, was accepted the following
day.
One week later the land was pegged out
by Mr Jopp, the surveyor, but the final house site
was not decided until a month later. The cement
foundations and cellar were begun on 10 September, the brickwork using Hendra brick facings
on 14 September.
A month later the first floor joists were
laid, and on 9 January the slater commenced the
roofing.
In April the whole lavish interior was ready or the Flowers to start moving in the furniture, some of which had been specially built to complement the various rooms, and still is in Kirkston today. The interior of Kirkston is typical of Addison’s work - embodying lavish use of times both local and imported, large areas of brilliant stained glass and leadlight, and colourful paving tiles. The library has a mantlepiece and surround of pale English oak, and a matching bookcase of the same timber. The living room mantle, of English walnut, is by Bartholomew & Co. and included an overmantle and cabinets exquisitively detailed with bevelled glass and fine beading: a matching corner whatnot stands opposite. The dining room contains an ornate suite of imported English oak. Here the locally made mantlepiece of Tasmanian blackwood is hand carved with the hibiscus motif which is featured in the brilliant glass of the fanlight and sidelights around the front door. The Flower family moved into Kirkston in June 1889, finding all to their satisfaction, and Mr Young received his final certificate for the job from Addison on 20 July. While it must be remembered that Young employed up to 50 men, the whole magnigicent construction was done in those days of manpower and horsepower, in under 12 months. Young himself was a man with an interesting past. Born in Somerset in 1845, he became the captain of a ship trading from Durban up the Zambezi River. Next he tried cotton growing in Houston, Texas, but returned to England before emigrating to Queensland in 1874. Here he began bricklaying in the Brisbane sewers, graduating to cottage chimneys, then to building whole cottages, and finally to houses and large buildings. The grounds of Kirkston were formerly ten acres in area, and although later subdivision has led to a proliferation of intervening houses, the original entrance survives at the foot of the hill, where two brick gateposts are flanked by two enormous weeping figs. (copied from a photocopy in the Society’s files from Historic Houses)
KIRKSTON 1943 Windsor & District’s Historical Society JOURNAL - May 2017 - PAGE SEVEN
FAMILY MATTERS
John Flower married Dora Kirk in 1886. Their family included 1886 - Dora Lynne Flower, 1889 - Clara Wickham Flower, 1892 - Amy Gladys Flower and 1897 Rupert (known as Bill) Wickham Flower. Hence Flower and Rupert Streets) The family story is in the Society’s files.
FELO
The Far Eastern Liaison Office was based at Kirkston during World War Two. They produced propaganda pamphlets which were dropped behind enemy lines. P.O.W.s who were imprisoned in a shed in the garden, acted as translators.
NOW SERVICES CLUB
Kirkston, an old Brisbane home in Rupert Street, Windsor, it being used as a mess for officers of the Australian army women’s services. It is open to officers of the A.W.A.S., A.A.N.S. and the A.A.M.W.S There is accommodation. for 25 officers from other States who are posted to Brisbane, country officers who are stationed here, or officers passing through Brisbane. (Copied from The Courier-Mail: 12 October 1944.)
ESTATE
The Kirkston Estate was offered for sale
on the grounds on Saturday 27 November 1920.
There were 40 allotments offered.
Daily Mail (Brisbane, Qld. : 1903; 1916 - 1926), Saturday 27 November 1920, page 16
The deaths of John and Henry Flower were reported in the newspapers of the day.
Daily Mail (Brisbane, Qld. : 1903; 1916 - 1926), Wednesday 9 October 1918, page 6
PERSONAL.
The death occurred yesterday morning at his residence, Kirkston, Bowen Bridge-road, of Mr. John Henry Flower, senior partner in the law firm of Flower and Hart, at the age of 66 years. The deceased gentleman had a wide circle of friends in Queensland, who will learn the news with deep regret. The late Mr. Flower in his profession had an exceedingly high reputation, and was known for his probity, courteous consideration, and conscientious concern for his clients' interests. He was beloved by his fellow members of the legal profession, and was a man that any city could ill afford to lose. The late Mr. Flower was born at Belfast. Victoria, and was the eldest son of Mr. Horace Flower, of Toorak, one time owner of Kolonga station, on the Kolan River. At about 15 years of age he left for England, where he completed his education at Bury St. Edmunds. He served his articles with Messrs. Taylor and Sons, solicitors, of Norwich, and remained for some little time in London before returning to Australia. He came to Queensland from Victoria in 1875 and became a partner of the late Mr. Graham Lloyd Hart. The firm subsequently became Hart, Mein, and Flower, but on the elevation of the late Mr. C. S. Mein to the Bench, the firm name reverted to Hart and Flower. On the death of Mr. Graham Hart Mr. Flower became the senior partner in the firm with Mr. W. Hamilton Hart, and later Mr. Victor Drury joined the firm. On the latter's retirement the name then became Flower and Hart. The deceased gentleman was a great churchman, having been a member of the Anglican body all his life. He is survived by a widow, three daughters, and one son. The funeral will take place at 11 o'clock this morning.
Daily Standard (Brisbane, Qld. : 1912 - 1936), Thursday 11 August 1932, page 1
MRS. D. FLOWER.
THE death occurred yesterday of Mrs Dora Flower, widow of Mr. J. H. Flower, at her residence, Kirk-ston, Flower-street, Windsor, at the age of 70 years. The deceased lady was born at Ballarat, Victoria, and 45 years ago came to Brisbane with her husband.
No comments:
Post a Comment