Blair Lodge - An Integral Part of the History of Hamilton

The following information is taken from the Brisbane City Council's Heritage Citation.

‘Blair Lodge’ was constructed circa 1907 for the Munro family as their residence and designed by prominent Brisbane architect Claude Chambers. Built at a time when Hamilton was undergoing rapid growth, expanding its status as a suburb of the elite and well-to-do, Blair Lodge is an excellent representative example of the extensive middle class residential development that occurred in the Hamilton area at the beginning of the twentieth century. It is also significant for its considerable aesthetic qualities.

 Period Federation 1890-1914

Style Queen Anne

Construction Roof: Terracotta tile; Walls: Timber

History

Hamilton was recognised as a desirable residential suburb from the mid-nineteenth century. From the 1860s large residences were constructed on its elevated land overlooking the Brisbane River. The suburb was close to recreational attractions including the Hamilton Hotel and the racecourse, and access to the city was provided via Hamilton Road (later renamed Kingsford Smith Drive) and the Breakfast Creek Bridge. In 1899 this accessibility was further improved with the extension of a tram line to Racecourse Road. Services including Hamilton State School (1907) and a reservoir on Bartley’s Hill (1907) provided for the growing population in the early twentieth century.

The land upon which Blair Lodge was built was part of a larger estate established in 1880. Sections of the estate were subdivided and sold off from 1900, with the portion on the very corner of Hamilton Road and Crescent Road purchased by Agnes Munro, wife of James. James Munro was a businessman who served on the boards of numerous eminent companies, including the Queensland National Bank, British India Company, Marine Board of Queensland and the AUSN Company.

The Munros engaged architect Claude Chambers to design a large residence for their new site. Chambers was a prominent architect who had been working in Brisbane since 1885. He was twice president of the Queensland Institute of Architects, and was president of the Australian Institute of Architects 1916 to 1918. He resided mainly in Sydney from 1915, but remained in partnership in Brisbane with Lange L Powell 1911-20 and EM Ford 1920-35. Chambers was particularly known for his designs for commercial buildings; when engaged by the Munros, he had just finished the design of the Commercial Travellers Association Building (QHR 600110). Other Chambersdesigned commercial buildings include the Finney Isles Building, or ‘The Big Block’ (QHR 600142), Perry House

(QHR 600103), and the first Winchcombe Carsons Woolstore, Teneriffe (QHR 600326). His residential work was nonetheless a conspicuous portion of his work and he designed other villas for wealthy clients, such as ‘Indoocombe’ (later ‘Ross Roy’) in Indooroopilly and ‘Wybenia’ in New Farm. ‘Blair Lodge’ is representative of his residential designs, displaying a broad range of his stylistic hallmarks.

The Munros’ elevated site was easily visible from the river and the design of the house took advantage of its feature position, with an eye-catching gabled, terracotta tiled roof, projecting dormers and high chimneys. Internally the airy rooms included pressed metal ceilings and stained glass windows in art nouveau style. Steep stairs provided access from Hamilton Road, and a lane ran at the back of the house. Hamilton appealed to Munro for its proximity to the river, and his new residence provided long verandahs overlooking the shipping on the river.

The house was sufficiently erected to be referred to by the Hamilton Town Council as a ‘residence’ in 1907, when a petition was raised for a road at the back of the house. The Munros had taken up residence in their new home by 1908. They named it ‘Blair Lodge’, Blair being Agnes’s maiden name. Munro died at the house in 1915 and his widow Agnes stayed on for some years before moving to Clayfield to live with her children. Blair Lodge was sold to the Ferguson family in 1920, and then to Edward Fowles in 1922. Both families owned property in central Queensland, and Blair Lodge appears to have been the Brisbane residence for both. Following Edward Fowles’ death in 1931 Blair Lodge was transferred to trustees for his widow, and the house was leased to a series of tenants.

The grand residence was used to host numerous social events from the 1930s. Blair Lodge was a commodious home and was ideal for dances, parties and fundraisers held by its occupants. Lady Goodwin, wife of the governor, attended a bridge party at the residence in 1931, and parties were held for the visiting Earl of Inchcape in 1940 and 1949.

Hamilton’s continued growth in the interwar period impacted slightly on Blair Lodge. The predominantly residential suburb was considered one of Brisbane’s most beautiful areas, not least due to attractive residences like Blair Lodge. Hamilton became known as part of Brisbane’s ‘dress circle’, a desirable address for Brisbane’s elite and working professionals, and its population nearly doubled between 1911 and 1921. This in turn brought increased traffic to Hamilton Road, rapidly overwhelming it. Small segments of the Blair Lodge land were resumed to widen the road and increase its capacity in the 1920s and 1930s.

In 1949 Blair Lodge fell vacant and was offered for sale. By this time the fashion for large houses had diminished. Family sizes became smaller in the post-war period, requiring less space, and the upkeep required for large houses like Blair Lodge was significant. The trend for post-war owners of grand nineteenth and early twentieth century houses was to convert them to boarding houses, separate flat dwellings or put them to use in commercial enterprises. Blair Lodge was reported to have 21 rooms, too large for most families, and it was proposed that the house be used to host wedding receptions and other events. The tenants of the 1930s and 1940s had demonstrated the house’s aptness for such functions. However, Hamilton residents raised concerns over noise levels and the conversion does not appear to have proceeded.

The house was sold to Robert Bond in 1950 for £8,000. Greek emigrant Bond was a businessman and proprietor of Bond Sweets Ltd. In 1951 he was engaged in constructing a new factory and work premises in South Brisbane (164 Melbourne Street, included on the BCC Heritage Overlay). One night in July Bond walked from Blair Lodge and was found dead the next morning along the riverbank at Pinkenba. Newly-widowed Mary Bond became the proprietor of Blair Lodge until 1959.

In the 1950s further road widening meant the stairs from Hamilton Road were relocated, Blair Lodge’s land was reduced from two roods and thirteen perches to just over two roods (a reduction of approximately 330m²), and a tall, stone faced retaining wall was constructed to Hamilton Road in front of the house. A garage facing Crescent Road was added in 1952. In the mid-1950s the house was divided into flats, though it was later reverted to use as a single family residence.

Telegraph (Brisbane, Qld. : 1872 - 1947), Wednesday 1 December 1915, page 7

---

DEATH OF MR. JAMES MUNRO.

Early This Morning

The commercial, shipping, and banking men of the city, of the state will regret to learn that Mr. James Munro died at 5.30 this morning, at his residence, Blair Lodge, Hamilton. Although Mr., Munro has. been an invalid more or less during the past five years, his death came rather suddenly and inconsequence all the members of the family could not be summoned.

For nearly 30 years Mr. Munro has been a prominent figure in the life of the citv. He came to Brisbane .from London in 1886, to take up the position of senior manager -of the British India- and Queensland Agency Company, Limited, which involved the management in Australia of the .A.U.S.N. Company, the B.I. Company, land  and other shipping and insurance concerns. In 1896, or thereabouts Mr. Munro joined the firm of Webster and Co., and retired there from about five years later. Since then he has occupied high positions as director (and for many years chairman) of the Queensland National Bank, also director or the Millaqin Sugar Company, and the Union Trustees, and for years was a member of the Marine Board since its reorganisation. An outstanding chacteristic of Mr. Muno was his invariable courtesy to all persons whatever their position. Mr. Munro is survived by his devoted wife and by three sons and two daughters, (Mrs. W. McKinnon Gray and Mrs. Hartnell). His sons are Mr. Munro, manager of the Q.N. Bank, Blackall, Mr. H. Munro, of Sydney, and Mr. D. B. Munro, of the Q.N. Bank, Brisbane. The late Mr. Munro was in his 65th year. The funeral arrangements will lie -ari-noi. need later.

Brisbane Courier (Qld. : 1864 - 1933), Saturday 20 August 1932, page 22

Telegraph (Brisbane, Qld. : 1872 - 1947), Saturday 21 April 1934, page 15

Courier-Mail (Brisbane, Qld. : 1933 - 1954), Saturday 24 September 1949, page 13

Milton House A Link to Cotton Growing in Brisbane

Cotton growing on Milton Farm is a historical feature of Milton House in Brisbane. Milton House was erected in 1852 or 1853 for retired Queen Street chemist Ambrose Eldridge. It was the first substantial house in the area and soon a local landmark, being prominent in early views of Brisbane. It was the base for Eldridge's experimental farming when the Moreton Bay region was struggling to establish itself, and later for JF McDougall's considerable pastoral holdings in the area. In 1855 samples of the cotton grown at Milton Farm were exhibited at the Paris Exhibition.

In January 1931 F. E. Lord in her 100 Historic Homes of Brisbane features in the Queenslander newspaper provided the following information on Milton House.

"An historic home indeed is Milton House, situated in sight of Milton Railway Station, and associated with it, as well as the old name of McDougall, are the other well-known names of Kent, Manning, Walsh, Crombie, and Dr. Hugh Bell. In its vicinity the names McDougall, Manning, Walsh, and Crombie are perpetuated in streets called by those names. Mr. Bartley tells us, on page 106 of his "Opals and Agates," that Milton House was built by Mr. Eldridge, the chemist. So, as he was a well-known member of Brisbane's community when Mr. Bartley first arrived in the old town in 1854, and the late Hon. J. F. McDougall purchased it in about the year 1855, Milton House must have been in existence for some years previous to this date. But whether it was named by Mr. Eldridge or by Mr. McDougall I do not know, nor the origin of the name. When Mr. McDougall purchased the property the house was a square, compact building of two stories, with a veranda running across the front He added the balcony, widened the front veranda, and continued it round the two sides of the house, and added quite a number of rooms at the back, consisting of maids' rooms, pantries, and store rooms, also a new kitchen and laundry. The original kitchen was detached, and there was not even the oldtime connecting gangway between it and the house, I understand. Mr. McDougall also added the wing of rooms seen in the view of the house taken from the side, which were used as visitors' rooms, I think. What were windows before the balcony was added by Mr. McDougall were turned into french lights. The room to the left of the middle door was Mrs. McDougall's bedroom, with a dressing room at the back, and the front and back rooms on the opposite side were the nurseries. The centre door on the balcony opened into a small vestibule, used by Mrs. McDougall as a sewing-room, chiefly. On the right hand side of the front door on the ground floor was the dining room, a fine, large room, and the drawing room was on the left. The staircase leads up to the second story from almost the centre of the rather wide hall, which is lofty, as are all the rooms in this fine old home, with its cedar woodwork and its many fireplaces. So, with its spacious tree studded grounds, its terraces, and its flower beds, Milton House was, and still is, a lovely home. It like all the old-time homes stood in many acres of land. A comparatively modern historian speaks of 20 acres surrounding it, but I have been told that its land originally extended as far as Samford, and took in what are now Windsor and Wilston. The cow yards were situated between, the house and the present Milton Railway Station, and, of course, there were the essentials, coachhouse and stables." 

The information taken from the State Heritage Register states that Milton House is a rare example of pre separation housing in Brisbane. Others are Shafston, Newstead and Bulimba House. It is a rare example of Colonial Georgian architecture and how the style was adapted for the river reezes with the wide verandahs added for cooling. 

The following web link provides more detailed information.

https://apps.des.qld.gov.au/heritage-register/detail/?id=600253

Ambrose Eldridge Milton House First Owner - Cotton Grower

Darling Downs Gazette and General Advertiser (Toowoomba, Qld. : 1858 - 1880), Thursday 17 May 1860, page 3

THE LATE MR. AMBROSE ELDRIDGE.— Among the men of Queensland is most indebted stands the name of Ambrose Eldridge. In speaking of him it can serve no selfish purpose, as he is now numbered with the dead. To the foibles, the failings of a man, from which none are exempt, he united the virtues of a patriot and the errors of an enthusiast. Impulsive in his nature, and constitutionally reckless of self, he abandoned the cool councils of providence in the pursuit of an idea. He had determined to render Queensland an agricultural and a cotton producing colony. Misled by the representations of the Charlatan of the South, he recklessly risked his all on the production of cotton, in a climate unfitted for European field labour, in a community too sparse to afford any. The result was ruinous to himself, and compromised to some extent his character for prudence as a cautious man, and as a prudent adviser. But he proved a case. If not the one be attempted to demonstrate. He proved that enthusiasm, united to great energies and means, was insufficient to render, under such unfavourable circumstances, the dreams of Dunmore Lang more than fiction. He has ceased to be, but there remain those to whom he was dear, and they are destitute. The friend, the father, husband, protector, is no more, but the orphans, the widow, survive in indigence until those whom he has warned by example, benefited by dearly-bought experience, and stimulated to exertion, shall substantially recognise in his claims on the living their duty to the dead North Australian.

Brisbane Courier (Qld. : 1864 - 1933), Friday 11 March 1921, page 6

Breakfast Creek and Eagle Farm

Cotton.

Mr. A. O. Parminter, of Rigby-street, Wooloowin, claimed yesterday that his grandfather, the late Mr. Ambrose Eldridge, who had a cotton farm at Eagle Farm many years ago, and who was also a chemist, named Breakfast Creek. One morning, he said, Mr. Eldridge was returning home, and on reaching the creek, where some men were working, he alighted and had billy tea with them. He then proposed that the creek should be named Breakfast Creek. Mr. Parminter states that Mr. Eldridge grew the first cotton here and sent a sample to the late Queen Victoria, who forwarded to him a medal and a number of small reels, on which some of the cotton had been spun. Mrs. E. M. Parminter, of Wooloowin, is a daughter of Mr. Eldridge.

The Courier Mail Saturday March 20 1954

Courier-Mail (Brisbane, Qld. : 1933 - 1954), Saturday 20 March 1954, page 2

---

A Station HOMESTEAD Celebrates Its CENTENARY

IN THE HEART OF BRISBANE Historic Milton House is to become a Church College

BY A SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

AN historic station homestead in the heart of Brisbane is celebrating its centenary this year. It is Milton House, after which the suburb of Milton was named. This stately home in McDougall Street, Milton, soon will become a college for deaconesses if the plans of the Presbyterian church in Queensland are fulfilled. The two-storied house with its tall chimneys and wide verandas recently has been acquired by the Church. People whose names are synonymous with the development of Queensland have lived in Milton House. Built in 1854 by Ambrose Eldridge who was Brisbane's first chemist, the house of slab stone and timber stands with few additions and in almost perfect condition. Eldridge had sold his business to take up farming on the north side of Brisbane in 1853. Late the following year, on the rise above the long reach of the river, he built a square, compact two-storied building with a veranda across the front and called it Milton House. Shallow steps to dark cellar. Most of the large rooms had fireplaces, and cedar was used extensively, particularly in the winding stair case which leads from the big wide hall in the front of the house. Several shallow steps lead down to a dark three-roomed cellar, where the rough-hewn stone shows bare and strong. It is interesting to note that in recent years an architect, surveying the foundations, said they could not be faulted. Eldridge was a scientific agriculturist and, at Milton Farm, which was scattered over most of the present suburb, he experimented with sugar cane and cotton, exporting the latter. On the site of Milton station were his cowyards, and scattered between them and Milton House were several cottages, stables, and outbuildings. Very few homes of any size were erected in those days: New settlers were off to the diggings in search of gold. Eldridge looked ahead. He bought another large tract of land at Eagle Farm and, once it was partly developed, sold Milton House to John Frederick McDougall, a squatter from Texas (Q). McDougall came from old colonial stock. His father had settled in Parramatta (NSW) in 1796. Blacks camped near home. McDOUGALL, his wife, and one child travelled from Parramatta to Milton House in a big buggy in 1855. Their servants and luggage travelled in other vehicles and led a mob of horses. During the journey a second child was born to the McDougalls. McDougall extended the property, and soon the whole beautiful stretch of river from Milton to Moggill, including Taringa, St. Lucia, Long Pocket, Indooroopilly, Brookfield, and Kenmore with the hills and dales of its reaches, held under lease from the NSW Government, became McDougall's station, with Milton House as its homestead. The only approach to it was by a convict-built road which skirted the river bank for some distance, and was called Moggill Road. In later years this same route become River Road, and later Coronation Drive. Many blacks were camped close to the homestead and were often seen stalking through the scrub with spear and boomerang, while the obsequious gin, laden with dillie bag and piccaninny followed. Sounds of an occasional corroboree were not uncommon to the McDougall household. Property cut into farms IN 1859, the year of separation, John McDougall became one of the 12 members of the Queensland Legislative Council. The following year he helped Sir Maurice O'Connel and Sir Charles Nicholson to open the first Parliament. Guests were numerous at Milton House, and, as the kitchen was detached and had no connecting gangway, the McDougalls set about making a few alterations. They built on a kitchen, laundry, store, and servants' rooms at the back, a wing of rooms for visitors on the side, and to the top floor they added a balcony and widened and extended the original verandas. The first child to be born at Milton House was their daughter Louie, who later was well known in Toowoomba. With an influx of free settlers to Moreton Bay their lease hold was cut into farms. A Mr. Payne bought the area bordered by Sylvan Road and Toowong Park and a Mr. Cribb bought St. Lucia, naming it Lang Farm after Dr. Lang. Dr. Fewings built Carslake in 1863 and a Mr. Drew took several blocks either side of the now almost covered Toowong Creek. He named the area Toowong after the aboriginal name for the bend in the river just below the Indooroopilly Bridge. He turned from politics By 1864 McDougall's thoughts had turned from politics to pastoral pursuits again, and he purchased Rosalie Plains station from Messrs. Kent and Wienholt. To this station home the family trekked as before — in a buggy and leading a mob of horses. The suburb of Rosalie took its name from his new property. The Kent family, who had been living at Rosalie Station moved into Milton House, renting it from McDougall. The next tenant was Judge Manning, a brother of Sir William Manning of New South Wales. He lived there for several years, and the spacious tree-studded grounds with terraces and flower beds were fully developed. In 1877 the Hon. William Henry Walsh, MLC, a pioneer of the Burnett and one-time Speaker in the House, rented Milton House from the McDougalls, and lived there for nine years. When his wife and three daughters left for a trip to England the place was sublet to Mr. James Crombie of Greenhills Station. In the following year, 1887, the whole property was sold to a syndicate consisting of the Hon. John Stevenson, the Hon. B. D. Moorehead, Mr. D. T. Seymour, and others. Land was booming. The river front allotments were auctioned and purchased by Mr. John Hicks. 

The once huge station property was cut to about twenty acres bordered by River Road, Cribb Street, Park Road, and the railway line. The entrance was at Cribb Street, with a long drive winding up to the front door. To Milton House from his tiled cottage in Adelaide Street came Dr. Hugh Bell to spend the evening of his days. One-time Medical superintendent of the Brisbane General Hospital and later a general practitioner in the town, Dr. Bell was a reformer in hygiene and made many practical tests with a view to improving the sanitary conditions ol Brisbane. An "impossible task" He had an almost impossible task, for the people were so accustomed to sordidness that they didn't see why a few cranks should look for anything better. Dr. Bell was not only a medical man and surgeon, but a lover of art and good music. He would while away many a pleasant hour on the terraces, with his son-in-law Godfrey Rivers, portrait painter, and honorary curator of the Public Art Gallery. At his death in 1904, the property which had been reduced in size to about three acres bordered by Park Road and McDougall Street, was sold to Mr. William Siemon of Ipswich, later well known in the Brisbane markets. The Park Road allotments were the next to go, leaving a frontage only to McDougall Street. The stables gave way to a modern garage and the outbuildings have long since disappeared. The house remained the property of the Siemon family until last year. Only the chimney tops are visible from the River Road, but the deaconesses, when in residence, will be able to survey the many miles from the upstairs balcony as did their predecessors, several of whose names are per-perpetrated in nearby streets — McDougall, Manning, Walsh, and Crombie.'

Grangehill

 Grangehill A link to Brisbane's Scottish Merchant Heritage

The link to Scotland is still prevalent today with many of those original homes built by the Scottish immigrant merchant class standing proudly as reminders of the work done by these people to establish the retail and industry of early colonial Brisbane. Grangehill was a statement in the 1860s as the wealthier merhant class moved from the inner streets of Brisbane to its outskirts. In the 1860s the retail industry was establishing within what we know today as the central business district. The wealthier were moving to the outer ridges that surrounded the town. Wickham Terrace and Gregory Terrace, Leickhardt Street, Bowen Terrace and St.Pauls Terrace were all popular areas that were above the flood plain, provided views and cooling breezes. Grangehill on Gregory Terrace was established by and home to the Alexander Raff family. Alexander's brother George Raff was involved in shipping having his own well established business.

One of the first reported susbstantial floods in Brisbane was in 1863. This report that follows talks about the flooding below Grangehill and references to the current Victoria Park, Exhibition Grounds and Downey Street area around Bowen Bridge show that when house Grangehill was built with flooding in mind.

Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), Monday 23 March 1863, page 2

QUEENSLAND.

By the Yarra Yarra, from Brisbane, we have papers to the 19th instant.

ANOTHER FLOOD—We have scarcely ceased to write about the recent flood before another one calls us to record its disasters. This time, however, the scene of its operations is more 1imited, and the sufferers are chiefly dwellers in Brisbane. In the suburbs the rain tell on Tuesday night in tremendous quantities, filling creeks and gullies in an incredibly short space of time. There has not been in York Hollow and Spring Hollow, such an accumulation of water for many a long year. Again all the brick clay pits have been filled, and the work of the brick-maker completly put a stop to. So high did the water rise that it swept over the bridge that crosses the road a little beyond Mr Alexander Raff s house. During the last flood it never in this part rose so high, and yet at Bowen Bridge, only a little further on, it rose much higher on the former occasion. At Milton on the other side of the town, the creek rose nine feet in less than two hours. But the greatest damage was done, strange to say, in the centre of the town. The shopkeepers were the sufferers this time, not the farmers, at least so far as we have yet ascertained. Our town readers are aware that on the north side of Queen-street there runs a small creek, which in hot and dry weather becomes a stinking nuisance; but, inasmuch as it is the outlet of the reservoir, and drains a large area of ground between the reservoir and the town, in wet weather it runs brimful of water. In certain parts this creek is converted into a drain, and covered, and in other parts it is open. The drain is too small for the body of water that during floods comes rushing along; and, moreover, some parts of it being open, and subject to receive all kinds of rubbish, from empty cass to immense boxes, when such a fall of rain occurs as that by which we were visited on Tuesday night, some disaster must happen. This very serious and sudden watery visitation was not occasioned bv the bursting of the reservoir, as some persons thought, but simply by the drain behind that portion of Queen-street to which we have referred being too small, and some parts of it getting blocked up with empty boxes, boards, and rubbish. We have been furnished with the following trustworthy details by two gentlemen who were witnesses to the scene, and who, we are sorry to say, are also sufferers by the flood.

Alexander Raff

Alexander Raff

Wikipedia Information

Alexander Raff (1820–1914) was a politician in Queensland, Australia. He was a Member of the Queensland Legislative Council. Raff was born in Forres, Elginshire, Scotland, in July 1820, as the third son of James and Margaret Raff. Raff arrived in New South Wales in 1845, following his eldest brother, George Raff, who had arrived in 1841. After first settling in Victoria pursuing pastoral interests, Raff arrived in Brisbane, aboard the Souvenir schooner on 9 April 1851. Raff purchased two blocks of land on what was to become Gregory Terrace in Spring Hill on 14 May 1860 for £312.4.3. A third adjacent block was subsequently bought by Raff in 1864 from the original 1860 purchaser, John Frederick McDougall. In January 1861, Raff was seriously injured when he was thrown from his horse.

 Raff married Elizabeth Millar Patterson, the elder daughter of a prominent Scottish medical family, in Sydney on 5 June 1862. The newly-weds arrived in Brisbane aboard the Balclutha on 13 June 1862. Raff and his wife Elizabeth had seven children, six of whom survived to adulthood. At some point prior to the birth of his first child, Jessie Watson, on 18 April 1863, the now heritage listed house Grangehill was built on the Gregory Terrace site and occupied by Raff's family. In 1865 Raff was appointed to the position of Official Assignee of Insolvent Estates, and in 1868 he was promoted to the position of Curator of Intestate Estates. The Official Assignee was responsible for collecting the assets of an insolvent debtor and distributing them among the creditors; the Curator of Intestate Estates administered the estate of deceased persons, thought to have died intestate.

Raff continued his pastoral interests in Queensland, on his property, Logie Plains on the Darling Downs. For many years from the 1880s, Raff was a partner of Smellie and Co, looking after the financial interests of the company. In August 1884 Raff was appointed to the Queensland Legislative Council. Raff was an active member of various organisations and societies, including the Brisbane School of Arts, where he was elected treasurer in January 1854; the Pilot's Board; the Queensland Horticultural and Agricultural Society and the Queensland Philosophical Society, in both of which he acted as treasurer during the 1860s. Raff was the first president of the Young Men's Christian Association in Queensland. Other organisations of which he was a member include the Queensland Steam Navigation Company; the Board of National Education pending the passing of the Education Act in 1860; and, later, the men's steering committee for the Brisbane Children's Hospital established in 1878. Raff was a director of the Scottish Mutual Land and Mortgage Company; the Agricultural Company; the Brisbane Gas Company and National Mutual Life Association. Raff was an elder in the Presbyterian Church. Raff retired from the legislative council on 10 June 1910 (he was approaching his 90th birthday). Raff died on 26 January 1914. He was buried in the Toowong Cemetery on 27 January 1914.

Alexander Raff and the Smellie Company

Evening News (Rockhampton, Qld. : 1924 - 1941), Friday 9 October 1925, page 4

---

The Late Mr. James Milne.

Brisbane 8-10-25, The death of James Milne deprives the commercial and financial world of the State of one of its personalities. The late Mr. Milne was born In Lanarkshire, Scotland, In December. 1850. As a youth he entered the employ of the Arm of which lie was afterwards destined to become the head Messrs. Smellie and Co. Subsequently he became a partner with the Hon. Alexander Raff, and his son James Raff. When Alexander Raft retired from the firm the business was floated into a limited liability company, with Mr. Milne as managing chairman of directors, which position he held until the time of his demise. He was chairman of directors of the London board of Messrs. Thos. Brown and Sons Ltd., and was this morning to have attended a meeting of the local hoard of directors. He occupied the position of chairman or directors of the Queensland National Bank, and also held the post as director of the Union Trustee Company and The United Insurance Company.

Death of Alexander Raff

Beaudesert Times (Qld. : 1908 - 1954), Friday 1 May 1914, page 5

---

Big Estates. Brisbane; April 28.

Probate has be granted in the will of the late Mr. Alexander Raff, M.L.C., of Grange Hill, Brisbane. Deceased left property valued for probate purposes at over £57,273. All the real and personal estate is bequeathed to his wife,his son James, and the trustees upon trust, with instructions to realise subject to the following annuities: — £1000 a year to Mrs. Raff, £200 a year to his daughter, Elizabeth Kelly; £80 a year to his wife's sister, Mary Kirk of Yass (N.S.W.); £80 a year to his wife's sister Agnes H Paterson, of Glasgow. All his plate, jewellery, furniture, find other personal effects are left to his wife. He also bequeathed £50 a year to the Seamen's Institute, Brisbane. The residue of tho trust estate is left for the benefit of certain of testator's children and grandchildren.

Grange Hill as a Hostel and Home

Daily Mail (Brisbane, Qld. : 1903; 1916 - 1926), Wednesday 5 December 1917, page 3

---

GRANGE HILL CONVALESCENT HOME,

The trustee in the estate of the late Alexander Raff, recently made available. "Grange Hill," .Gregory-terrace, as the first convalescent home in Queensland for returned soldiers. The committee in charge of tho home have been working assiduously in an effort to raise the nessecary funds to furnish the place and provide the required foodstuffs. Gifts of money or in kind will gladly be received and splendid results have so far attended the efforts of the committee. But in one particular way country people can assist. The institution is in special need of a few dairy cows. Mr. A. F. Moore. M.L.A., has generously donated one beast, and a large city firm have promised another but a couple of others are still required, Communications should be addressed to Mrs. S. Balls, "Bon Hill," Ascot,

Daily Mail (Brisbane, Qld. : 1903; 1916 - 1926), Wednesday 17 October 1917, page 8

Prince Edward V111 Visits Grangehill 1927

Brisbane Courier (Qld. : 1864 - 1933), Tuesday 5 April 1927, page 33

---

THE HEIR APPARENT.

THE visit of the Prince of Wales to Australia in 1920 is of such recent date that there are few residents in Queensland who will not be able to recall his genial personality and smiling features. His genuine, good nature, fondness for outdoor sports, and his partiality for dancing at once endeared him to people of all sections of the community, and he earned for himsef such titles as "Prince of Smiles," "Prince Charming,'"etc.

Friday, July 30, the fourth day of the Royal visit, was a little less strenuous than the previous days, nevertheless the Prince's time was fully occupied." According to the official programme the morning was "free," and his Royal Highness seized the opportunity to pay another visit to Ascot Racecourse, where he rode several horses at exercise and, incidentally, put up a new record for the track. The principal engagement in the afternoon was the People's Reception in the Botanic Gardens, and it is estimated that about 9000 persons were present. Subsequently the Prince visited the Grangehill convalescent home and the Military Hospitals at Rosemount and Enoggera. In the evening he was the guest of the Queensland Club at dinner, and subsequently he attended the Shakespearian ball. Affectionate demonstrations marked the progress of his Royal Highness during the day, and in the evening scenes of enthusiasm were witnessed as his motor car passed through the city en route to Bulimba.

James Raff -The Second Generation at Grangehill

Telegraph (Brisbane, Qld. : 1872 - 1947), Friday 8 September 1939, page 16

---

Late Mr. James Raff

The late Mr. James Raff was the eldest son of the late Hon. Alexander Raff, member of the Legislative Council of Queensland. Mr. James Raff commenced his commercial career with Smellie and Company in 1889. On the death of his father he carried on in partnership with the late Mr. James Milne until the company was converted into a limited liability company in June 1909 and was engaged actively until his retirement in December 1915. He remained a director until his death. Since his retirement he had spent several years abroad, being particularly interested in Italy. He also visited Mexico. He was greatly interested in Italian literature, paintings, and was a collector of Italian glass. Of recent years he spent most of his time at Russell Island. He never married.

Townsville Daily Bulletin (Qld. : 1907 - 1954), Thursday 9 November 1939, page 10

---

MR. JAMES RAFF.

Left Estate of £40,000.

An estate of £40,000 was left by James Raff, 72, retired business man, who was found dead on August 26 in his flat In Cordelia Street, South Brisbane, where he lived alone.

This was stated in the Brisbane Coroner's Court by Constable Joseph Edward Griffiths, Woolloongabba, at tbe inquest. Raff who was a son of the late Mr. Alexander Raff, M.L.C., had been a director of the firm of Smellie and Co., city, Griffiths said. He had lived in Italy for about 12 months. Before going to Cordelia Street he had lived at the Queensland Club. His flat was well appointed and he had every comfort. He had property at Hamilton. Beneficiaries under his will were James Raff, of Warwick, and Dr. A. Murphy, nephews, Mrs. E. B. C. Cullen, of Hamilton, a niece, and Frank Raff, of Warwick. Griffiths added that there were no suspicious circumstances about Raff's death. Harold Victor Jost, of Melbourne Street, South Brisbane, said that Raff owned the block of flats in which he lived at the back of Jost's shop. He used to buy food there and apparently cook it himself. On August 26 he came into the shop complaining that he was ill. Jost said that he had rung the surgery of Dr. Murphy, who, however, was in America. Jost then rang another doctor. The Coroner (Mr. J. J. Leahy) closed the inquest.

Grangehill Goes Up For Sale 

Brisbane Telegraph (Qld. : 1948 - 1954), Friday 20 May 1949, page 25

Courier-Mail (Brisbane, Qld. : 1933 - 1954), Thursday 9 March 1950, page 5

---

R.C. ORDER BUYS OLD MANSION

GRANGEHILL, on the spur of Gregory Terrace, near the Exhibition, one of Brisbane's oldest homes, has been sold to the Discalced Order of Carmelite Fathers as a retreat for laymen for £15,000, exclusive of furniture. Archbishop Duhlg said the money which was paid for the building was supplied by the mother house in Dublin. The Discalced Order, said Archbishop Duhig carried on principally the work of retreat for men, who wanted to spend; quiet week-ends listening to lectures. Members of the order also assisted diocesan priests in various ways. The order would be able to accommodate 20 men at a time at the home. A chapel would be installed later. Grangehill has been conducted as a guest house. It was formerly the home of the Raff family, a member ol which, the late James Raff, was a member of the Legislative Council. T. B. McGuire and Co., estate agents, introduced the buyer to the Union Trustee Co. of Australia, Ltd., which is handling the Raff estate.

Cremorne The One By The Bay

 This home called Cremone is not the only heritage listed with this name. The other one is at Hamilton in Brisbane. Both homes have significant links to Brisbane's entertainment history and the home of a legendary Australian entertainment family. Family names such as Overell, McCallum and architect Lange Powell all link to this home at Sandgate This particular Cremorne is definitely a piece of Brisbane's historical evolution as a city. What is of interest is that both heritage listed homes with the name Cremorne all link back to the Cremorne Theatre in South Brisbane. The publican J. D. O'Connor who built the home Cremorne at Hamilton was also the publican of O'Connor's Hotel, South Brisbane which in 1903 was reported to have gardens on an extensive site and include a theatre called the Cremorne Gardens. It is believed that this is the site the Cremorne Theatre was built on. The Cremorne Theatre name today still lives on at the Queensland Performing Arts Centre at Southbank in Brisbane. The modern Cremorne Theatre is not very far from where the original theatre was situated.

The following is taken from the Brisbane City Council's Heritage Register.

https://heritage.brisbane.qld.gov.au/heritage-places/1434

This unusual house is most likely a 1922 amalgamation of two houses built for John McCallum. The houses were already on site when McCallum purchased the two properties in April and December 1921. At that time architect Lange L Powell was engaged to design extensive alterations. The altered house was named ‘Cremorne’ after McCallum’s well-known theatre in Stanley Street, South Brisbane. The house was host to famous theatrical figures and other prominent people, as McCallum and his wife entertained frequently and had friends come to stay with them at the seaside resort of Sandgate. McCallum also became involved in Sandgate’s social and civic affairs, and served as the inaugural president of the Sandgate Progress Association. In 1925 Cremorne was sold to the Carrick family, who hosted garden parties and fetes at the property. Subsequent owners leased the residence to tenants and Cremorne was converted to flats in the 1930s.

History

Sandgate began as a small seaside village but closer development was sparked by the completion of the railway line to Sandgate in 1882. Brisbane residents took advantage of the improved access between the city centre and distant seaside Sandgate and built permanent or holiday homes along the esplanade. In the 1890s Post Office Directories estimated that a fluctuating population of about 500 joined the approximately 1,700 permanent Sandgate residents in the holiday season.

This site, allotments 4 and 5 of section 6A in the town of Sandgate, was part of the former police paddock reserve. In October 1882 it was purchased by Thomas Roderick Gray, co-owner of a boot shop in George Street. Sometime after his purchase, Gray had a holiday cottage constructed on allotment 5. Although the precise construction date is unclear, the house appears to have been standing by 1900. Gray died in 1911 and his ‘comfortable and convenient cottage’ was offered for sale in 1913. Retained by Gray’s family, it was leased to tenants through the 1910s. Gray had not developed allotment 4, which was a corner site with frontage to Seventh Avenue (then called Tully Street) and Flinders Parade, and it was sold separately from the house on allotment 5. During the 1910s it was owned by some of Brisbane’s successful merchants, including indent agent Alexander Stirling, who built a house called ‘Tangaluma’ on the site around 1913, and Marie and William Hobart Overell of the eponymous drapery business in Fortitude Valley. The Overells offered the ‘charming seaside residence, right on the beach’ for sale in 1920. The house, renamed ‘Elanora’, included drawing and dining rooms, four bedrooms, a breakfast room with coloured glass windows, maid’s room, verandahs on three sides and a smaller side verandah. 

Elanora attracted the attention of theatre proprietor John McCallum, who operated the Cremorne Theatre in South Brisbane. The Cremorne was established in 1911 and became one of Brisbane’s most popular live theatre venues. Over the course of his management in the 1910s and 1920s, McCallum engaged performers from around Australia for the 1,800 seat theatre. Sandgate appealed to McCallum as a pleasant suburb to raise his growing family, and for the relaxing drive to the bayside from the theatre. The McCallum family took up residence in Elanora in January 1921, and renamed the house ‘Cremorne’. Title to the property did not pass to McCallum until December of that year, but in the interim he purchased the adjacent allotment 4, on which Thomas Gray’s holiday cottage still stood. In December, he engaged successful and popular architect Lange L Powell to design extensive alterations to these properties.

Powell practised as an architect in Queensland from 1912 until his death in 1938. When designing McCallum’s alterations he was practising as a solo architect, but had been partnered with Claude Chambers from 1912 to 1915, and later partnered with Powell and Hutton (1922-5), Atkinson, Powell and Conrad (1927-31) and George Rae (1931-1933). Powell contributed greatly to the development of the architecture profession in Queensland, and was appointed a fellow of the Queensland Institute of Architects in 1918. In addition to a large number of commercial buildings and churches, Powell designed houses and additions or alterations to houses for well-to-do Brisbane residents, including ‘Kurrowah’ in Dutton Park [QHR 602827]; two houses in Eldernell Terrace, Hamilton; and ‘Fingal’ in Moreton Street, New Farm. His residential designs featured a number of elements visible in Cremorne, including solid brickwork, tall chimneys, casement windows, broad entry stairs leading to a timber verandah, and timber shingles used as wall cladding. Powell’s alterations for McCallum produced an unusual house. There is no indication that Powell removed the houses already standing on the sites. The main part of the structure is likely to be the residence Elanora, while the portion to one side is possibly the remnants of Gray’s cottage or Powell’s own design. Powell is likely to have added the octagonal music room and the boundary fence with brick entrance archway, though no plans of the alterations have been uncovered.

The McCallum family moved out of Cremorne while work was in progress. McCallum put his Bowen Terrace, New Farm residence on the market, as well as the ‘almost new and up-to-date furnishings of his Sandgate Residence’. ‘Mr. McCallum selected [the furniture] only 12 months ago…,’ advertisements noted, ‘but owing to his not having room to store the furniture while his home is being remodelled [he] has decided to dispense with the lot at auction.’ After the alterations were completed, the McCallum family divided their time between Sandgate, Sydney and Europe. McCallum’s son, his namesake and future actor John McCallum, recalled Sandgate life with his younger brothers as featuring ‘tricycles under the house, a large garden, bulldog and a ersian cat, and a wonderful old couple who had retired from the theatre.’ McCallum senior took an interest in Sandgate’s progress, establishing and chairing a Sandgate Improvement Association which held its inaugural meeting at Cremorne. Even after he left Cremorne, McCallum became patron of the new Progress Association and returned to the area to promote the possibility of developing Sandgate as a ‘garden city’.

In 1925 McCallum advertised the house for sale to move to his newly-built Sydney residence, though he retained management of Cremorne Theatre. The house was offered to purchasers for £5,000. It featured a twenty feet (6m) long entrance hall, with lounge and dining rooms at either end. It also included four bedrooms, nursery, maid’s room, sleeping-out verandah, kitchen and music room, while ten feet (3m) wide verandahs provided views of the ‘delightful laws and gardens’. A double garage opened onto the Tully Street frontage. Newspaper advertisements included a series of photographs of the property, which were also featured in later sales notices. Douglas and Caroline Carrick purchased Cremorne in August 1925 and moved in shortly after. Carrick, a prominent contractor and master builder, was engaged in the construction of Brisbane City Hall [QHR60065] while he lived at Cremorne. Despite this time-consuming project, Carrick took an active interest in the Sandgate community, building stalls for the Anglican church fete and joining the Sandgate Bowls Club. He was also one of the ‘prominent citizens of Sandgate’ appointed as a trustee of the Sandgate Band in 1927 . He offered Cremorne for sale after Caroline died in 1927, but retained it until his own death in 1934. In the interim, Cremorne was leased to tenants, including William Overell’s brother John. Cremorne became a centre for social and fundraising events in Sandgate in the 1920s and 1930s. The large garden made it a useful venue for fetes, which were held for the Presbyterian Church, Country Women’s Association and Town Band. Illustrious visitors included the governor’s wife Lady Wilson, who attended the CWA parties.

The property was offered for sale in 1936. Advertisements emphasised the house’s social aspects, including its billiard room, smoking room, card room, breakfast room, bathers’ bathroom and dressing room. Externally the property featured lawns, fernery, flagpole, statuary (some still extant), an ornate brick fence and ‘exceptional view of bay and islands’ . The 1935 auction of the ‘fashionable residence’ was attended by 150 people but the house was passed in.

In 1937 new owners Oliver Bull and Catherine Ferguson engaged architect Sydney Prior to convert the property into flats. The growing acceptance of flat residences and the popularity of Sandgate made the conversion a viable option. The alterations, reported in the newspaper, converted the property into ‘six modern flats, equipped with such conveniences as refrigeration and a hot water system’ and, as the house was large, each flat was to have ‘two bedrooms, lounge, sleep-out, kitchen and all over services.’ Builder AA Newell constructed the alterations.

Cremorne became a popular holiday residence after its conversion and the flats’ proximity to the RAAF Station in Brighton proved a boon during WWII. Parents and wives of pilots training at nearby Eventide took up residence in the flats. A doctor also ran a practice there from 1946 to around 1949. Cremorne Flats were sold several times in the late twentieth century with some alterations made in the 1970s. In 2016 the property remains as flats and makes a striking contribution to the Sandgate esplanade townscape.

Description

Cremorne is a large high-set timber-framed and -clad residence converted to flats standing in an extensive yard on a prominent corner site on the foreshore in Sandgate. The frontage to Flinders Parade, a principal thoroughfare and esplanade, has a low facebrick fence with an eye-catching archway entrance featuring the letters ‘CREMORNE’. The fence originally had a timber palisade, which has since been removed. The front boundary is densely planted with a mature hedge of Acalypha wilkesiana, a plant that is characteristic of the 1920s – 1960s and is complimentary to the colour scheme of the fence. A concrete path with diamond-shaped decorative treatment (a signature treatment by Powell) leads from the archway to the front stairs. This path was sheltered by a pergola now removed. The house is composed of two obvious parts, which likely relates to the merger of the two earlier houses. A large hipped-roofed section stands to the south eastern side (toward the street corner), which is probably the reworked Tangaluma (c1913) and a small gable-roofed section attached to the northwestern side, is possibly heavily altered Grey’s cottage (c1900). The front of the smaller portion has another signature Powell element – a prominent facebrick chimney featuring a diamond pattern adjacent to the entry stairs. This is a very high-quality and intact element that features an inglenook with casement windows and has a distinctive silhouette. The broad entry stairs lead to a timber verandah that unifies the composition of the two sections as it wraps around the house. The bricks of the chimney, the stair, and the front fence are the same and form a strong, distinguishing entry sequence. The house is designed in a mix of an Arts and Crafts and Art Nouveau styles, which may indicate that Tangaluma was in an Art Nouveau style when Powell, who was known for his Arts and Crafts style, made his 1922 alterations. The larger portion of the house has Art Nouveau elements including a corner octagonal room with a cupola and stained glass leadlight casements, timber shingles used as wall cladding, and sweeping organic verandah post brackets. The smaller portion and projecting gable rooms at the rear have Arts and Crafts elements including heavy, bowed timber brackets on the verandah, sheets and battens cladding to approximate half-timbering, plain small-paned casement windows, wide eaves with slatted ventilation, and heavy, prominent chimney breast with tall tapering chimney. Cremorne’s roof is clad with corrugated metal sheets with the cupola clad with flat metal sheets. The cupola has lost its original finial. The understorey of the house is enclosed along its perimeter by timber shingles with lattice ventilation panels in decorative diamond patterns. Early metal hoods survive and some areas of the verandah have been enclosed with later windows that are not of cultural heritage significance. As the genesis of the house is complicated, a forensic examination of the house could reveal further important aspects. A gable-roofed, timber-framed and -clad double garage stands to the side behind the house opening onto Seventh Avenue. This garage has detailing that matches the main house and appears to be contemporary with the house’s 1922 transformation. The garage is typical of those built during the 1920s, with its simple form and construction, location relative to the main house, and function. The house has outstanding views across its broad front lawn to the foreshore and to Moreton Bay beyond. Statuary and large planter urns believed to date to the McCallum’s brief ownership stand in the yard. Although there have been some post-1946 alterations, including small side extensions, these are minor and reversible and Cremorne remains highly-intact in its 1922 arrangement and on its original allotment.

The Original Cremorne Theatre - The following is taken from Wikiwand

https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Cremorne_Theatre

The Cremorne Theatre was located on the river side of Stanley Street, South Brisbane, between Peel and Melbourne Streets, just to the north of where the Victoria Bridge crossed the Brisbane River from the cityThe street alignments were changed with the South Bank development in the 1980s, with Stanley Street removed for much of its length from Vulture Street up to today's Stanley Place. The old Theatre site is under the current Queensland Art Gallery, not far from the 1985 QPAC theatre complex. QPAC's site on Melbourne Street adjoins the Cultural Centre Tunnel which turns under what would have been that street's intersection with Stanley Street and then follows the old street alignment past the Cremorne Theatre site.

Brisbane Courier (Qld. : 1864 - 1933), Monday 27 October 1902, page 4

---

CREMORNE GARDENS.

The Cremorne Garden concerts at Mr. O'Connor's hotel. Stanley-street, South Brisbane, were reopened on Saturday night. It must have been very gratifying to Messrs. Hazelwood and Neal's Empire Company of variety artists to see such a large gathering as assembled. The programme on Saturday evening was an interesting and varied one, and the audienco on more than one occasion expressed its appreciation by hearty and unstinted applause. The first part contained some very good items-namely-, the ballad " The anchor's weighed," sung by Mr. J. A. Jones ; comic song, " Better get out and walk," sung by Mr. De Montforce ; and the ballad. " The sweetest story ever told," by Miss Alice Melrose. The other artists were all well received, especially Mr. H. Lawrence, whose comic songs and clever corner work were very much appraclated. The second portion went off smoothly, and was very entertaining. Mr. and Mrs. Hazelwood were very successful in their part sangs, while Miss Melrose and Messrs. C. Mcintyre, I. Lingard, H. Crawford, Da Montforce, and.Langridge were successful in their various contributions. The evening was brought to a close by a farce, entitled " Domestic Troubles," in which Mr. and Mrs. Hazelwood and H. Crawford took part. The entertainment will be repeated until further notice.

Truth (Brisbane, Qld. : 1900 - 1954), Sunday 13 August 1911, page 7

---

Cremorne Theatre.

The new open-air theatre "The Cremorne" in Stanley street, just below the bridged has proved a popular place of resort since its opening last week by Mr. Edward Branscombe's new Musical Costume Comedy Co. There, every evening after 8.15, "The Dandies" can be seen. The company is a very capable one, and submit a truly delightful performance, in which many unique features are presented. The seating accomadation is extremely comfortable, and the lighting arrangements perfect. A visit to this place, of entertainment affords a pleasant change to theatregoers. 

Brisbane Courier (Qld. : 1864 - 1933), Thursday 27 February 1930, page 5

---

BRISBANE OPERA PREMIERS

The monthly meeting of the Brisbane Opera Premiers Society was held in the rooms on Tuesday evening. Excellent progress was reported to have been made in the preliminary chorus work. Mr. May has been appointed musical director, and Mr. H. Borradale producer, and Mr. Rivkin ballet master. The opera "Dorothy" will be staged for seven nights in Cremorne Theatre, commencing in May.

Telegraph (Brisbane, Qld. : 1872 - 1947), Monday 10 March 1930, page 16

---

BRISBANE COMIC OPERA COMPANY

The members of the Brisbane Comic Opera Company are hard at work preparing for their six nights' season to commence at Crcmorne Theatre on Tuesday, March 18. under the capable direction of Mr. Jack Kennedy, the producer, splendid progress has been made at rehearsals, and intending patrons are assured of a good night's entertainment. Tho three-act farce, "The Tragedy," will be presented. It is a comedy of snappy dialogue, with unexpected climaxes, abounding in many humorous situations. The cast comprises Mr. Stuart Fraser (Mr, Grayson), Miss Beryl Overell (Mrs. Merry), Miss Kitty Miller (Mrs. Grayson), Mr. J. Kennedy (Preacher), Mr. Eric Knox (Scotland Yard man), Miss Edna Lake (Mary, the maid),. Miss Ina Shortnll (Stokes, office boy). The comedy roles are well entrusted to Mr. Franklyn Evans (John Philip McReady- Burbage) and Mr. Cyril Carter (Air. Merry). The second comedy, "Much Married," will commence on Friday, .March 21, and will conclude on Monday, March 24. Among the principals are Misses Phyllis Dauth, Jessie Lees, Beyrl Overell, Moya Glaasey, Messrs; T. Fraser, and Jim Kelly. In addition to the entertainment each evening a mannequin parade will take place on stage between the acts. The box plan for the season opens at Paling's on Tuesday next, March 11.

Telegraph (Brisbane, Qld. : 1872 - 1947), Saturday 6 January 1940, page 18

---

"Mutiny on the Bounty" Revived at Cremorne

A true chapter from maritime history, "Mutiny on the Bounty." returns for a limited season to the Cremorne Theatre. Starring Charles Laughton, Clark Gable, Frnnchot Tone and a huge supporting cast, this adventure film stands alone, and far above anything of its kind that has ever seen filmed. The little square rigger, H.M.S. Bounty sails for the South Seas on a scientific mission to transplant breadfruit in the West Indies. Quickly the story of the Bounty progresses; a grumbling crew lashed by many storms that lengthen the voyage, living on scant and rotten food because the Captain took the better food; a snarling Captain Bligh raging incessantly at his embittered crew; floggings, scurvy and death. Adventure after adventure follows the mutiny which has no parallel in naval history. Bligh is put over the side in an open boat with a few of his men. The voyage is continued to Tahiti. Blgh is rescued and organises a dogged pursuit of the mutineers years later. Some are captured and finish on the gallows, whilst others escape to Piltcairn Island where hundreds of their descendants live to this day. Portraying  Captain Bligh, Charles Laughton gives his finest performance on the screen, and Clark Gable as Fletcher Chrisian. leader of the mutineers, with Franchot Tone as Roger Byam are excellent. Supporting attraction on this programme Is Pack Up Your Troubles one of Laurel and Hardy's most successful comedies.

Brisbane Telegraph (Qld. : 1948 - 1954), Saturday 18 February 1950, page 10

---

Students in Opera

In the Brisbane Opera Society's production of Verdi's "La Trovatore," which begins at the Cremorne Theatre on February 25, the majority of the leading roles will be taken by scholarship holders under the State Opera Scheme. The leading tenor and soprano roles of Manrico and Leonora are being sung by Michael Azar and Dorothy Jeserich. Roy Bonney will be heard as Count di Luna, and Margaret Geater as Azucena. Moir Campbell and Pauline Reeve share the role of Inez. Opera Society members who will be singing leading parts are Brian Steiner, Edgar Kenyon, Joseph Million, Elsa White and Joseph Rush.

Courier-Mail (Brisbane, Qld. : 1933 - 1954), Friday 19 February 1954, page 1

---

£100,000 BLAZE AT CREMORNE THEATRE

40,000 Cram in South Brisbane

FORTY thousand people crammed South Brisbane last night to watch flames raging through the old Cremorne Theatre. Damage estimated bv a film executive at more than £100,000 was caused in the blaze, which was visible for miles around Brisbane. The fire sped through the film centre, destroying more than one million feet of film. It will cause some dislocation in Brisbane suburban theatres and country centres. At 1 am today the building a burnt-out shell with walls standing was still smouldering. Reserve police squads were called out to control huge crowds and record traffic which jammed streets within a half-mile radius. People stood 50 deep opposite the blazing building in Stanley Street before intense heat drove them back. Within minutes of the alarm — at 7.36 pm — six fire reels were pouring thousands of gallons of water into the blazing building. A gigantic pillar of smoke swirled skywards, and reddened by belching flames, illuminated several city blocks brightly, although electricians had blacked out the area. Within 30 minutes the building was blazing from end to end and the roof was collapsing. Smoke eddied over South Brisbane. Hundreds of people in nearby shops, hotels and residentials ran to open streets when they heard the roar of flames. Hundreds watched from Victoria Bridge, and thousands jammed Coronation Drive and North Quay across the river from the fire. The old Cremorne Theatre had just been completely renovated into luxurious offices, leased to Brisbane film distributing companies.

It had been renamed the Film Centre. The building is owned by Mr. John McCallum, father of film actor John McCallum. Many thousands of pounds worth on equipment was destroyed. Companies leasing offices in the building include British Empire Films, Universal International, Columbia, Twentieth-Century Fox and National Theatre Supplies. Equipment owned by Western Electric, who had their workshop in the build ing, was totally destroyed. Mr. Owen Knowles, Queensland manager for Universal International, estimated the damage as about £100,000. Cable U.S. 'it will be a bad blow to film distribution, in certain centres,' he said. Workshops, offices, and new furniture and fittings, films, motion picture equipment, publicity posters and display sheets, together with many thousands of photographs were lost. Tomorrow we will cable America for urgent replace ment of films.' Mr. Knowles added that new prints of films for local distribution would be available in about a week. More than 150 feature films had been stored in the building. One of the latest films to reach Brisbane 'The Glenn Miller Story,' was lost in the fire. Brisbane Fire Chief (Chief Officer George Healy) saw the fire from his apartment above his Ann Street Headquarters before the first alarm. He said, after directing the fire fight, that it had been one of the sharpest battles he had known. We had it under control at 8.40 pm— about 30 minutes after the first alarm,' he said. The building was still burning in sections several hours after the first call, bul there was no danger. One fireman was over come by fumes and another lacerated by broken glass during the fire. Both were treated by ambulance and withdrew from duty.

Eye-witnesses said the fire appeared to start from an explosion in a storeroom at one end of the building. Blazing debris cascaded from the building and in Stanley Street incinerated two cars parked outside. Mr. Lou Hughes, boarding at a residential opposite the Film centre, said: 'I saw a fire glow through the storeroom windows and suddenly there was a gush of flame from the side of the building. ' Blazing film containers shot across the street like tracer bullets and bounced off the front of the residential.'

Brisbane Telegraph (Qld. : 1948 - 1954), Tuesday 5 October 1954, page 2

---

SITES PICKED IN COUNCIL OFF-STREET PARKING PROPOSAL

Sites for proposed off-street parking areas have been selected by the City Council Officers' Planning Board. The sites had been referred to the senior Council valuer (Mr. H. T. Watts) for a submission on estimated costs in acquiring them, the Lord Mayor (Ald. Roberts) said today. "When this has been done an Officers' Planning Board recommendation will be submitted to the Establishment and Coordination Committee," Ald. Roberts said. It was expected the recommendation would be made soon. The Officers' Planning Board consists of the Town Clerk (Mr. Slaughter) and departmental chiefs, Mr. P. A. W. Anthony (Electricity), Mr. G. A. Cowling (Water Supply and Sewerage) , Mr. C. Mott (Works), Mr. G. A. Preston (Transport) , and Mr. J. D. Mabbett (Health). Ald. Roberts said it was likely a special sub-committee of the traffic advisory panel would consider Council proposals. Likely sites it is understood the proposed off-street parking sites are on the perimeter of the inner city. They are believed to be under the Story Bridge, near the old Cremorne Theatre site, and in the Valley and Normanby areas. The Council was interested in the North Quay land sold by auction for £33,000 last wednesday to a sydnicate of 10 city businessmen who aim to build a multistorey parking station on the half-acre lot. It is understood that the Council intended to negotiate to buy this site as a parking area if bidding had failed to reach the reserve.

The McCallum Family

John McCallum senior and his family are the link between the South Brisbane Cremorne Theatre (1911-1954) and the home named Cremorne at Sandgate. The Australian actor John McCallum famous in the 1950 and 1960 period of films was born at the Sangate home Cremorne in 1923. I have provided a link to a very well written article by historian Peter Ludlow on the McCallums and the interview that he conducted with John McCallum Jnr.

Brisbane Courier (Qld. : 1864 - 1933), Saturday 7 April 1923, page 6

Telegraph (Brisbane, Qld. : 1872 - 1947), Saturday 18 May 1935, page 9

The John McCallum Interview 

Historian Peter Ludlow has a very detailed post regarding Cremorne and an interview with John McCallum

https://peterlud.wordpress.com/2022/08/20/cremorne/

Theatre historian Toby Simpkin has an excellent web site regarding brisbane's theatre history. This is the link to his research on the Cremorne Theatre.

https://tobysimkin.com/brisbane-theatre-history/#Cremorne_Theatre_1911-1954

John McCallum Snr. and the Cremorne Theatre

Truth (Brisbane, Qld. : 1900 - 1954), Sunday 29 July 1917, page 6

---

"COURTIERS." 

Much interest attaches to the opening of Mr. John McCallum's new costume comedy company, the "Courtiers." at Cremorne theatre next Saturday evening. The company will be supported by an orchestra, composed entirely of ladies, who have an exceptlonally fine repertoire, and all are capable, and talented artists. Special mention must be made of' Mr. Leslie Holmes one of the comedians, who will be the chief laugh maker also, Mr. George Edwards and Mr. Harry Boradale. Miss Rozalle Lyons Is a pupil of Mme. Slapoffskl, and Miss Madge Griffith and Miss Violet Silvester have both been associated wlth J. C. Williamson Limitcd. Miss Linda Dale is a very charming dancing comedienne, while Miss Maggie Foster is a brilliant young violnist. The other members of the company are Mr. Sydney Mannering, tenor and producer Mr. Colin Crane baritone and Mr. Henry Penn accompanist.

Cremorne Today 

https://completedrafting.com.au/2020/08/28/historic-gem-our-qld-award-winning-design/

The 2020 redevelopment of Cremorne by the company Complete Design and Drafting

Toorak House Our First Federal Minister's House

In 1901 Toorak House came on the market for the first time it was described as the finest in the colony. Now that may be a good advertising turn of words but 120 years later it must  be agreed that Toorak House does still create an outstanding profile high on the hill above Hamilton. Of the two Hamilton hills (Toorak and Eldernell or Bishopbourne) Toorak House stands like a magnificent castle overlooking the fine array of homes below. From a far it does look like a Norman Castle but it is desribed as being architecturally in the Gothic style. Still distintive and commanding attention it has stood the test of time and the early families that occupied it are a reminder of our colonial past.

This post provides not only information on the house itself but also stories on some of the first occupants of Toorak.

Front Driveway Entrance

    

Eastern View of Toorak House

Toorak Hill showing the position and extent of the original Toorak Estate

The House 

Queensland Heritage Register Reference

https://apps.des.qld.gov.au/heritage-register/detail/?id=600216#tab-history

This two storeyed stone residence was erected c1865 at Breakfast Creek for Brisbane businessman James Robert Dickson. Dickson appeared to be living at Breakfast Creek by March 1865, and references to the Dicksons at Toorak appear later that year.

Dickson arrived in Brisbane in 1862, and was in business with Arthur Martin as an auctioneer and land agent until August 1864 when the partnership was dissolved. Martin continued business under his own name, and Dickson formed a new partnership with James Duncan, as general auctioneers and land and commission agents. The firms of A Martin and Dickson and Duncan appear to have been responsible for much of the land subdivision and sales in Brisbane during the mid-late 1860s. Dickson entered Parliament in 1873 as the Member for Enoggera, and held various offices until he resigned in 1887. After failing to regain a seat in the 1888 general election, Dickson did not re-enter politics until 1892 when he won the seat of Bulimba. Dickson became Premier in October 1898, holding this position until December 1899. A strong advocate of Federation, Dickson was a member of the Australian delegation to England for the passage of the Commonwealth bill through the Imperial parliament. Dickson was a member of the first Federal Parliament and appointed the first Commonwealth Minister of Defence. Dickson was involved also in various companies including the Royal Bank of Queensland, the Brisbane Permanent Building and Banking Society, Queensland Trustees and the Queensland Insurance and Land Mortgage Company. Knighted on the day of Federation, he died 10 days later.

William Robert Howe Weekes of Brisbane was granted almost 32 acres of land in 1864. This land included four (4) allotments in the Parish of Toombul, fronting the Brisbane River. Subdivision of this land appeared to commence the following year when Dickson acquired part of the land. By 1873, an area of just under ten (10) acres of land, which included Toorak and grounds, had been transferred into Annie Dickson's name (Dickson's wife). Following Annie's death in 1880, the land was held by Dickson, as trustee.

Toorak was built of stone reputedly from the nearby Petrie quarries at Albion. The design and name of Toorak are believed to have been derived from a house at Toorak in Melbourne designed by a cousin of Dickson. The design of Toorak reflects the influence of the English Picturesque movement on Australian domestic architecture of the late nineteenth century.

A photograph of Toorak taken c1885 shows that the house was originally single storeyed with a two level entry hall protruding through the verandah roof. The second storey appears to have been added by the 1890s. An upper section was added to the tower by the 1890s. Dickson, accompanied by four of his daughters, travelled to Europe in early 1890, returning to Brisbane in late 1891. It is believed that while Dickson was overseas, he acquired the two marble lions which stand at the entrance of Toorak, and that he hired Italian artists to undertake decorative work inside Toorak.

Following Dickson's death in 1901, the land was transferred to Power and Agnes Dickson (two of his children) as trustees. By this time, Toorak stood on an area of just over four (4) acres. Toorak was leased by Eton High School (later St Margaret's School) run by the Sisters of Sacred Advent in 1907. Although Toorak was regarded as an ideal healthy environment for boarders, it was considered to be "too great a climb for day pupils", and the Sisters moved the school to Donatello c1910.

Additions to Toorak were undertaken by Richard Gailey in 1915. Toorak was acquired by grazier George Moffatt in 1916, and then in 1929 by John Gibson of the pioneer sugar family. Subsequent owners were Brisbane businessman Patrick Woulfe, prominent grazier, philanthropist and art collector Harold de Vahl Rubin, and pastoralist Sir William Allen in 1963. Since Allen's death in 1977 Toorak has remained in the Allen family, and stands on an area of 7535m2 (just under two acres).

Wikipedia Reference

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toorak_House,_Brisbane

Hamilton Today Blog / Newspaper Reference 

https://hamiltontoday.com.au/why-toorak-on-annie-st-is-a-house-of-prominence-in-hamilton/

The First Sale

Telegraph (Brisbane, Qld. : 1872 - 1947), Saturday 13 July 1901, page 14

Auctioneers' Announcements.

 TOORAK ESTATE TOORAK ESTATE TOORAIC ESTATE TOORAK ESTATE TOQRAK ESTATE TOORAK ESTATE TOORAK ESTATE TOORAK ESTATE TOORAK ESTATE TOORAK ESTATE TOORAK ESTATE TOORAK ESTATE TOORAK ESTATE TOORAK ESTATE TOORAK ESTATE . TOORAK ESTATE TOORAK ESTATE TOORAK ESTATE TOORAK ESTATE TOORAK ESTATE . TOORAK ESTATE TOORAK- ESTATE.

BREAKFAST CREEK. BREAKFAST CREEK. 

THE WELL KNOWN RESIDENCE AND GROUNDS of the late SIR JAMES R. DICKSON, D.O.L., K.O.M.G. TO BE SOLD BY PUBLIC AUCTION, ON THE GROUND, AT 2.39 O'OLOOK P.M., SATURDAY, JULY 27. BY ORDER OF THE TRUSTEES. AN UNPRECEDENTED OPPORTUNITY OF SECURING ONE OF BRISBANE'S CHOICEST RESIDENCES and GRANDEST BUILDING SITES  Yet offered to public competition in the HISTORY OF THE COLONY. 

JAMES R. DICKSON & COMPANY, and POWER L. DICKSON, Auctioneer, in conjunction, have been favoured with instructions from the Trustees to sell by public auction, ON THE GROUND, on SATURDAY, JULY 27, AT 2.30 O'CLOCK P.M. SH ARP, TOORAK HOUSE WITH ABOUT 4 ACRES OF LAND. 

Also, ABOUT 20 ACRES, Now being Subdivided for purposes of Sale into MAGNIFICENT BUILDING SITES. IMMEDIATELY OVERLOOKING THE CITY, BRISBANE RIVER, MORETON BAY, AND ITS ISLANDS. 

Commanding magnificent panoramic views of the whole surrouuding country, and presenting magnificent scenes far outreaching the wildest imaginations, and fairly baffling description within the limits of an ordinary advertisement. 

TOORAK HOUSE is substantially Built of Stone, and Roofed with slate, the whole of the interior containing upwards of 22 rooms and halls is plastered, heavily corniced, and decorated throughout in the latest up-to-date style. Verandas surround tho house on threc sides, having a front of 84 foot, in length, with End Verandas abutting on extensive Bow Windows. The Servants' Quarters', Kitchen, Laundry, Dining Hall, &o., are built of brick, roofed with iron, and connected to the main building by a glass-covered way. Tho whole being supplied with Gas and Water; the Gas Fittings being the best obtainable, even to tho Geyser in the Bathroom. 

THE OUTBUILDINGS, being Stables, continuing Five Stalls and Fodder-room, also Coachhouse, Harness, aud Man's Rooms, are all built of brick, roofed with iron, and are in the best of preservation in every respect first-class. The whole of the improvements are all that can be desired by the most exacting and fastidious, and are replete with every convenience. 

In addition to the water being laid on. the improvements are supplied with water from TWO EXTENSIVE UNDERGROUND BRICK AND CONCRETE TANKS, with a capacity of 30,000 Gallons, in addition 10 large Galvanised Tanks having a capacity of 29,000 gallons so there is at all times a NEVER FAILING SUPPLY OF THE BEST WATER apart from the Waterworks.

 TOORAK is the most Attractive and Comfortably finished Residence, with most comfortable and commodious apartments, admirably arranged and excellently ventilated. The rooms are lofty and spacious, the general arrangements are so convenient, and the internal finishing and fittings so superior that, for comfort, substantiality, durability, aud convenience.

TOORAK stands unequalled in the Colony as a First-class Residence. The situation is incomparable, commanding as it does views marvellous in their magificence and extent, in every direction, forming a varied panorama of ineffable loveliness mid grandeur. It is almost impossible to say too much in placing the merits of this fine property before the public, more- particularly intending purchasers, as this is the the first time such an opportunity has presented itself for placing a property without parallel before the investing public to secure a Magnificent Residence or Sites so Handsomely Situated and Convenient to the city. What is said of the House Property holds equal good with the whole of the TOORAK ESTATE, every subdivision having been surveyed with the greatest euro, giving all sites access at the rear, in addition to the Frontage, where practicable. Opportunities for securing BUILDING SITES such as are presented by the sale of TOORAK ESTATE will never occur again, as they are absolutely unobtainable, having no existence. 

TOORAK ESTATE TOORAK ESTATE stands so conspicuously und confidently to tho front that uiiy person of only ordinary powers of observation cannot havo failed to havo noticed the marvellous growth of this choice suburb during tho past few years, and now, with the trams extended into its midst, with it service every few minutes, eoimcoting with tho city, TOORAK ESTATE TOORAK ESTATE presents opportunities to tho investor nowhere else to be found, either regarding Situation or Certainty of Handsome Return in the immediate future, The Auctioneers, therefore, with the utmost confidence, recommend Intending Purchasers to inspect prior to the DAY or SALE, SATURDAY, JULY 27, . so as to he prepared for action, as the ORDER is to SELL, which will be acted up to to the letter. .......................

JAMES R. DICKSON & COMPANY, AND POWER L. DICKSON, AUCTIONEERS (in Conjuction). Offices : 88a and 359 Queen Street.

James R Dickson 

The following is taken from Scootle 

https://www.scootle.edu.au/ec/viewing/L9557/about1.html

James Dickson (1832–1901)

DICKSON, Sir JAMES ROBERT (1832–1901), businessman and premier, was born on 30 November 1832 at Plymouth, Devon, England, only son of James Dickson and his wife Mary Maria, née Palmer. He was educated at Glasgow High School, and served as a junior clerk in the City of Glasgow Bank before migrating to Victoria in 1854. He worked first in the Bank of Australasia and then in his merchant cousin's firm, Rae, Dickson & Co. In 1862 he moved to Queensland, taking a position with the estate agent Arthur Martin until establishing his own business in the early 1870s. As an auctioneer and estate agent he acquired wealth and built Toorak House on a magnificent site near the Brisbane River, where he enjoyed what the family firm, in characteristic style, described as 'views marvellous in their magnificence' and 'a varied panorama of ineffable loveliness and grandeur'. Despite these distractions he remained assiduous in his attentions to business and was chairman of the Brisbane Permanent Building and Banking Co. from 1876, foundation chairman of the Queensland Trustees from 1883, and chairman of the Royal Bank of Queensland in the crisis year of 1893.

In 1873 Dickson won the Enoggera seat in the Legislative Assembly. Ministerial office followed rapidly; he was secretary for public works and mines in May–June 1876, and colonial treasurer from June 1876 to January 1879 and from December 1883 to August 1887. In this era of optimism and lavish borrowing he showed his expertise by handling the £10 million loan of 1884. He resigned in August 1887 after disagreement with more radical colleagues over their proposals for a land tax and with the ringing pronouncement that he had yet to learn why it should be 'a crime to be a freeholder'. His constituents seem to have approved the resignation, for his vacation of his assembly seat, to test their judgment, was followed by overwhelming victory in a keenly contested by-election in September. But his seat was less secure than this win suggested: after a redistribution of constituencies and the intervention of a rival Liberal candidate he was defeated in the Toombul portion of his old electorate in the 1888 general election.

Next year Dickson retired from his auctioneering business and travelled widely in Europe. Soon after his return, at a by-election in April 1892, he won the Bulimba seat by supporting Sir Samuel Griffith on the need to resume the importation of South Sea islanders for labour in the Queensland tropics. However, he had to wait for ministerial office until February 1897 when he was appointed to the minor role of secretary for railways in the Nelson government. Thereafter, Dickson's rise was rapid; he became postmaster-general in March, home secretary in March 1898, retaining this place in the Byrnes ministry, and premier, however stopgap, in October after Byrnes died suddenly and (Sir) Robert Philp was reluctant to accept the office. Alfred Deakin later maintained that Philp, favoured for the premiership by the Liberal caucus, withheld his candidature on the understanding that Dickson, who, as Queensland's representative in the Federal councils of 1886 and 1888 had opposed the colony's participation in the Convention movement, should now fight the Brisbane commercial-oriented opposition to Federation and rally support for the cause. Whatever the truth of this contention, or of Sir Thomas McIlwraith's less-charitable observation that Dickson supported Federation primarily to promote his own self-esteem, the ministry was chiefly notable for its successful conduct of the Queensland referendum on the Commonwealth bill, on 2 September 1899. Deakin was to acknowledge Dickson's 'invaluable assistance' in the contest, noting that 'his government was by no means unanimous for federation, Parliament distinctly critical, the Assembly about equally divided, the Council emphatically hostile', and the metropolis opposed to a measure which seemed to threaten Brisbane's trade. Prudently Dickson had introduced a provision whereby Queensland might be divided for the purpose of electing members of the Senate, and this prospect, naturally attractive to the sparsely inhabited north, was a factor, if only minor, in solidifying North Queensland's overwhelming and decisive vote for Federation. 

The Dickson ministry did not long survive the referendum, but its successor, the Anderson Dawson Labor ministry was promptly rejected by the assembly, and Dickson returned to office as chief secretary in Philp's administration. He thus became a member of the Australian delegation to England in connexion with the passage of the Commonwealth bill through the Imperial parliament. In England he sided with Joseph Chamberlain in opposing the proposed abolition of the right of appeal from the High Court of Australia to the Privy Council. Dickson's stand symbolized the man: the enthusiastic Imperialist, whose ministry had seen that Queensland was the first colony to offer troops to vindicate the Imperial cause against the Transvaal, and who disapproved of colonial separatism; and the 'commercial man' who welcomed the British House of Lords as a security for property and business interests in a Federation which might move in a radical direction. It also reflected, according to Deakin, the continuing influence of Griffith, still manipulating the affairs of Queensland from the Queensland bench. In the event Chamberlain, Griffith and Dickson secured only a severely qualified success.

The final stage of Dickson's career was tragic, dramatic and brief. Appointed K.C.M.G. in January 1901 and minister of defence in the first Federal administration, he was taken ill at the Commonwealth's inaugural ceremonies in Sydney, and died there on 10 January after one week in office he had been a diabetic for about eighteen years. Queensland provided a state funeral for the businessman-politician who somewhat accidentally had become one of its leading Federal spokesmen. He was buried in Nundah cemetery. Dickson was for many years a prominent layman in the Church of England, particularly as financial adviser to the diocese of Brisbane. He was a justice of the peace and a fellow of the Royal Geographical Society of Great Britain and of the Royal Colonial and Imperial Institute. He married first Annie Ely (1838–1880) on 8 November 1855 at Collingwood, Victoria, and second, on 5 January 1882 at Carcoar, New South Wales, Mary MacKinlay (1841–1902) who became the first headmistress of the Brisbane Girls' Grammar School. He was survived by six sons and seven daughters of the first marriage. His second son, Frederick (1859–1928), became Crown prosecutor in Brisbane and as acting judge of the Arbitration Court handed down the Dickson award for the sugar industry in 1916. Portraits are in Parliament House, Canberra, and in the board room of the Brisbane Permanent Building & Banking Co.

Queensland, 1900 (Brisbane, no date); C. A. Bernays, Queensland Politics During Sixty Years (Brisbane, 1919); A. Deakin, The Federal Story, J. A. La Nauze ed (Melbourne, 1963); Brisbane Courier, 10, 14 Jan 1901; private information.

D. D. CUTHBERT

Reproduced by kind permission of the Australian Dictionary of Biography Online, http://www.adb.online.anu.edu.au, The Australian National University.

Brisbane Courier (Qld. : 1864 - 1933), Saturday 12 January 1901, page 5

---

THE LATE SIR J. R. DICKSON.

ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE FUNERAL.

CLOSURE OF PUBLIC OFFICES.

THE REPRESENTATIVES OF SOUTHERN COLONIES.

FURTHER EXPRESSIONS OF SYMPATHY.

ARRIVAL OF SPECIAL TRAIN.

The coffin containing the remains of Sir James R. Dickson came from Sydney by special train, reaching the Central Railway Station at 4.20 p.m. yesterday. Mrs. Cyrus Williams, Mrs. Leeper, Miss Dickson, Miss Lucy Dickson, and Mr. Power Dickson, members of the family, were passengers in the same train. As it was considered that the returning relatives would prefer their arrival in Brisbane to be as quiet as possible, there was nothing in the shape of a formal reception, and the Government was not represented. A large number of people had, however, assembled in the vicinity of the station, though the platform itself was kept perfectly clear by the police, under Sub-inspector Burke, and the railway officials, under Mr. J. F. Thallon, the Deputy Commissioner, and Mr. R. Dunbar, the district traffic manager. Among those present were the Bishop of Brisbane, the Rev. A. Maclean, the Rev. S. C. Harris, the Hon. A. H. Barlow, M.L.C., the Hon. P. Macpherson, M.L.C., and Mr. S. Grimes, M.L.A. As the train steamed into the station it was seen that the front car, containing the coffin, was heavily draped with black. Those who were awaiting the tram immediately bared their heads, and remained uncovered while the coffin was borne by the railway officials to the hearse standing by in readinoss. A number of beautiful wreaths from Sydney were placed in the hearse, which was then driven to Sir James's late residence.

Queenslander (Brisbane, Qld. : 1866 - 1939), Saturday 19 January 1901, page 124

---

THE LATE SIR JAMES DICKSON.

AN IMPRESSIVE STATE FUNERAL.

The funeral of the late Sir James Dickson, which took place on Saturday afternoon, war one of the largest and most impressive ever seen in Brisbane. It was marked by the fullest expressions of public esteem and regret. The whole city was in gloom, and on the part of the great mass of the people sympathy with the bereaved family was mingled with a realisation of the loss which the State of Queensland has sustained in the termination of a career which might, even in its closing years, have wrought much good to the State and to the Commonwealth. Business was practically suspended throughout the city, and all who could possibly do so issued forth to take some part in showing how deeply the popular reelings have been stirred. 

All Saints Church Brisbane Site of the Funeral for Sir James Dickson

Those who were unable to take any part in the procession showed their sympathy by lining on either side the streets along which it passed, and reverently baring the head as the hearse moved slowly by. From the starting point and along the Breakfast Creek road the ranks of those who thus looked on were, as might have been expected, not so crowded but when the cortege turned into Ann street and reached the junction of Brunswick street it had to pass through a densely packed throng. At the meeting of Wickham and Boundary streets the density of the gathering was even greater, and a large stream of people to right and left accompanied the procession up to All Saints Church, where the memorial service was held. After the service the procession was continued to Roma street station, where it entrained for Nundah. 

On arrival at Nundah Station the coffin was transferred to a gun carriage, in charge of Lieutenant Macartney, of the Royal Australian Artillery. A large number of local residents lent their presence and their sympathy to the melancholy ceremonies. The Bishop of Brisbane, who accompanied by Archdeacon David, the Rev. T. Jones, and the Rev. A. J. Maclean, had driven out from town, joined in this final procession to the German Station Cemetery. A score or more of vehicles fell in behind. The march played by the band was Beethoven's. Less than a mile away, on a gentle knoll, the marble tablets and monuments of the little cemetery glistened in the sunlight. It was a quiet spot. A large number of people had collected in the vicinity of the grave, and the great number of vehicles outside the ground showed that many of them had driven miles to be present at the rites. At the cemetery gates gates the choir boys took their place at the head of the cortege. There are degrees of impressiveness. The scene at the grave, as is fitting, was the most impressive of all. Pride of place or authority no longer carried with any distinction. Self reemed to be forgotten in the presence of the augurt dead-in the presence of those whose grief at his loss was not to be measured by words. "Man that is born of a woman hath but a short time to live, and is full of trouble." The words were intoned by the Rev. T. Jones amid a silence that was broken only by the rustling of the leaves of a solitary palm tree overhead. Alongside the coffin stood the men of the Naval Brigade, who had carried it to its resting place, and who were finally to lower it into the opening into which, for the last time, the sun's rays were penetrating. The priest had scarsely finished the prayer when the choir, with voices had seemed to come from afar, broke into the strains of a beautiful hymn. "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on Thee." The music was plaintively touching. It rent the heart strings of a few, and brought tears to the eyes or raised lumps in the throat, of the many. His Lordship the Bishop recited the concluding portion of the service. The coffin was committed to the ground, and sorrow stricken ladies bent over the grave, into which they threw flowers, expressive of affection and reremembrance. The tension was at its highest when the choir struck a cheering note. " Jesus lives ! No longer now can thy terrors, Death. appal us." As the last " Alleluia" died away the Bishop prenounced the benediction, and all was over. The last rites had been performed with a solemnity befitting the occasion. Queensland had done its duty by the remains of its respected public servant, as Sir James R. Dickson, in life, had done his by Queensland.

 SIR JAMES R. DICKSON, CHIEF SECRETARY OF QUEENSLAND. AND MINISTER FOR DEFENCE IN THE COMMONWEALTH MINISTRY.

Sir James R Dickson's Grave Nundah Cemetry Brisbane

George Moffatt Esq.

Not a lot is known about George Moffatt apart from him being a grazier and pastoralist. It is obvious that those who purchased Toorak House were people of considerable wealth. 

Telegraph (Brisbane, Qld. : 1872 - 1947), Saturday 22 April 1922, page 16

John Gibson and Family

From my research I am of the opinion that the Gibsons may have rented Toorak House for a short period of time in the late 1920s to early 1930s. Research states that John Gibson was part of the Gibson family who were pioneers in the sugar industry in Queensland. The John Gibson of Toorak Houe was brother to Angus Gibson M.L.C. and the son of William Gibson founder of the Gigson family sugar empire.

Telegraph (Brisbane, Qld. : 1872 - 1947), Saturday 29 May 1920, page 7

---

Death of Hon. A. Gibson, M.L.C  SUGAR GROWING PIONEER.

Hon. Angus Gibson, for 21 years a distinguished member of the Legislative Council, and one of the pioneers of the sngar growing industry in Queensland, died in Brisbane yesterday, after along illness. He passed away at his home, Kilmaurah, Hampstead road1, named atfer his birthplace in Scotland. Mr. Gibson was 78 years of age, and had spent 57 years of his life in Queensland, having  come to this country with his father in 1863, to be followed shortly afterwards by his mother and brothers. They settled on Doughboy Creek, at what is now Hemmant, and tried market gardening. Sugar growing was then beginning to excite, interest, and the family ventured into this new iudustry on the Brisbane River,  with much success. The crushing of the cane was effected under novel conditions, the necessary plant having been installed on a river boat, the Walrus, which steamed from the plantation to the city, carrying out the crushing en route. Later the family set up their own crushing plant. In 1884 the Gibsons sold out and joining the Howes brothers turned their activities to the more tropical Bundaberg district, where , they acquired the Bingera plantation, which until two years ago remained the chief seat of Mr. Angus Gibson's remarkable activities. He was a thorough student of the whole sugar Industry, and when in 1899 he was given a seat in the. Legislative Council he quickly established his value as an authority. on this subject. He was thus enabled to bring most important influences to bear on all the legislative movements affecting the Industry. He continued to be a leading light in the Upper House until a year or two ago, When advancing age drew him into comparative retirement. During his 36 years in the Bundaberg district, he threw himself heart, and soul into the task of advancing the interests of that part of the State. ..........................................

The deceased gentleman is survived by his widow  and five daughters, and three sons, Mesdames A. Al. Wilde (South Brisbane), Boreham (wife of Lieutenant-Colonel J, F. Borehain, Bundaberg), A. C. Wiles (Sydney), I,. A. Westcott (Wellington Point), H. S. Westcott (Catumnal station), and Messrs. W. G. Gibson (Bingera)l, D. L. Gibson (Melmoth station), and Angus Gibson (Mount Morgan"). Mr. John Gibson (of the Thornhill and Gibson Pastoral Company), is the only surviving brother of the deceased, and his sisters still living - are -Mrs. W. Stirling and Mrs.Aird. both of South Brisbane. Mrs. Thomas Gillies, of South Brisbane, is a sister-in-law. At the expressed wish of the deceased, the interment, which has been arranged for tomorrow afternoon, will take place in the South Kolan Cemetery, near Bingera plantation.

Week (Brisbane, Qld. : 1876 - 1934), Friday 19 August 1927, page 27

---

MRS. JOHN GIBSON

The sudden death of Mrs. John Gibson, Toorak, Hamilton, Brisbane, came as a shock to a wide circle of friends. Mrs. Gibson, who was a daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. James Kennedy, was of Scottish birth. In her youth she was a teacher, and served at the Petrie Terrace and Normal Schools. She was extremely popular with her pupils. She was the possessor of a beautiful contralto voice, and her duets with her sister, Mrs. James Maitland (then Miss Annie Kennedy) were fea-tures of many of the city's concerts. She also sang frequently at the services of St. Paul's Presbyterian Church. After her marriage Mrs. John Gibson settled at Bingera. Subsequently Mr. Gibson took up Thornhill, Leura, and Maryland stations. Mrs. Gibson for some time past had been a resident of Brisbane, living first at Bowen Terrace and later at Toorak. She is survived by her husband, five daughters, who are married, reside at Clifford and Chainwood. The single daughters are Misses Jessie, Olive, and Lorna Gibson, and the son Mr. Douglas Gibson, Hunter's Hill, Gore.

Patrick Woulfe

Toowoomba Chronicle and Darling Downs Gazette (Qld. : 1922 - 1933), Wednesday 18 March 1931, page 8

---

REDUCED PRICES. WOULFE AND SON'S SUITS.

Messrs. Woulfe and Son, tailors, announce that they have decided on drastic reductions in selling prices in the hope that increased business will make further price reductions possible. Mr. P. Woulfe, manager of the firm, states that the success of their business was due to volume in trade, keen buying, and the adoption of the most efficient methods of production. The firm, he pointed out, bought direct from the textile mills, and the 2.5 per cent, discount allowed by the manufacturers of cloth more than wiped out the handling charges between mill and workrooms. In Woulfe and Son's extensive premises in Little Roma-street overhead costs were worked out to fractions of pence. Pointing to the offers of low-priced suits to the public, Mr. Woulfe said that the firm was alive to every opportunity such as was presented at the beginning of the week, when, in face of a rise in the price of wool, he was able to make a big purchase of woollen fabrics at former prices. This material would be used in the making of winter suits. A separate section of the Woulfe workrooms is entirely devoted to the execution of Government contracts, which include the manufacture of police, railway and fire brigade uniforms. While cutting machines tend to reduce production costs, a large squad of expert cuttcrs with manual shears devotes attention to the cutting of suits, graded according to price. Similarly, while in the sewing-room 100 girl operatives, all highly trained, are busily engaged at a huge battery of machines, which include eyelet and button-holers and padding machines, a similar number of tailors and tailoresses are plying their needles. 

All Woulfe and Son's suits, the firm emphasises, are hand-finished. Pressors using gas-and-air irons are fully occupied, and here again the efficiency of the plant tends to reduce cost. At the end of the long process a staff of examiners ensures that every suit sent out is without flaw. The country order department, on an average, deals with between 80 and 90 orders daily. The firm posts to all inquirers full range of patterns, together with a scientifically-planned self -measurement form. Mr. Woulfe said that, although it was difficult for a country customer to make a mistake in measurements, the details of every order were checked by experts, who were quick to see technical mistakes, and the client was advised accordingly. Mr. Woulfe says that the price range of suits from £3/3/ to £6/10/, was in accord with the drop in national income: he was desirous of meeting the requirements of the public in a difficult time.

Brisbane Telegraph (Qld. : 1948 - 1954), Thursday 1 April 1948, page 2

---

DEATH OF MR. PATRICK WOULFE

Mr. Patrick Woulfe, who died at his home, Toorak Hill, Hamilton, this morning, was well known in business circles. Mr. Woulfe, who was 59, was born at Paddington and had lived practically his whole life in Brisbane. He was founder of the tailoring firm of Woulfe and Son, Adelaide Street. In 1913 he was making eight suits a week, but by 1939 the total had risen to between 700 and 800 a week. He was a generous benefactor to the Roman Catholic Church and other religious bodies. His wife, seven children and two grandchildren survive him.

Courier-Mail (Brisbane, Qld. : 1933 - 1954), Tuesday 13 July 1948, page 3

---

Estate of £95,235

Patrick Woulfe, a company director, of Hamilton, Brisbane, who died intestate on April 1, left £95,235, of which realty represented £12,506 and personalty £82,729. Letters of administration were granted in his estate yesterday. 

Harold De Vahl Rubin

The following is taken from the Australian Dictionary of Biography by Lynn Seear published 2002

 Harold De Vahl Rubin (1899-1964), grazier, art-collector and philanthropist, was born on 3 January 1899 at Carlton, Melbourne, younger son of Mark Rubin, a diamond merchant from Kovno, Russia (Lithuania), and his Victorian-born wife Rebecca, née Davis. Harold began his education at Broome, Western Australia, where his father owned a pearling fleet. After the family moved to London, he attended University College School, Hampstead (1908-15), and Eton College (1916). Commissioned in the 5th Battalion, Coldstream Guards, in February 1917, he served with the 38th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment), and was promoted lieutenant in January 1918. He returned to civilian life in 1919.

On 8 July 1925 at the Synagogue, Hampstead, Rubin married Marcelle Yvonne Raphael; the marriage was to end in divorce. Left a fortune by his father (who had died in 1919), he set up as a pearl merchant in London in the mid-1920s. During the 1930s he expanded the family's pastoral holdings in Queensland and Western Australia, and began to collect paintings. His next three marriages also ended in divorce: at the register office, Westminster, he married 20-year-old Leila Hyde on 17 October 1940, 25-year-old Elizabeth Wilkie Cameron on 11 July 1945, and 24-year-old Marie Spain on 30 December 1948. He was again commissioned in the British Army in October 1941. Demobilized in 1945 with the honorary rank of major, he worked as an art dealer at 20 Brook Street, London.

Major Rubin returned to Australia in 1950 to run his extensive grazing interests which included Queensland Pastoral Estates and properties on the De Grey River in Western Australia. He lived at Toorak House, a mansion built by Sir James Dickson at Hamilton, Brisbane, but regularly visited his 17,000-acre (6880 ha) property Pikedale, near Stanthorpe, and kept a flat at the Astor in Macquarie Street, Sydney. On 18 November 1959 at the general registry office, Brisbane, he married Julia Eleanora Gvozdic, née Hanselman, a 30-year-old divorcee known as Julie Muller.

In 1959 Rubin facilitated the Queensland Art Gallery's acquisition of seven important European paintings from his private collection, comprising works by Picasso, Degas, Renoir, Toulouse-Lautrec and Vlaminck which were valued in all at £126,504. The most significant was Picasso's 'La Belle Hollandaise' (1905), painted in the years between the artist's 'blue' and 'rose' periods. Rubin was prescient in recognizing what he called its 'exquisite tenderness'. The painting is frequently requested for inclusion in major international exhibitions of Picasso's art.

After undergoing a major operation in 1956 at St Vincent's Hospital, Sydney, Rubin became a benefactor of the hospital. In 1958 he financed St Vincent's purchase of Babworth House, Sir Samuel Hordern's home at Darling Point, and provided the money needed to equip it as an after-care annexe, which was opened in August 1961. Overall, he gave an estimated £500,000 to hospitals and medical research.

Rubin was a man of eccentric habits, but he initiated many of the bizarre stories about himself, making it difficult to distinguish fact from fiction. In the late 1950s he founded the Queensland chapter of the International Goldfish Club (membership was restricted to those who were prepared to swallow a live goldfish) to raise money for the Miss Australia Quest. His city residences were filled with paintings, stacked face to face, as well as with live and stuffed exotic and domestic birds—'parrots, lorikeets, budgies, canaries, finches and sparrows'. He bought entire exhibitions of work by young painters; Robert Hughes, who became an art critic, benefited from his largesse.

In 1962 Rubin was converted to Catholicism. He died of cancer on 7 March 1964 at St Helen's Hospital, South Brisbane, and was buried with Catholic rites in Canberra cemetery. His wife and their son survived him, as did the son of each of his first and third marriages; the son of his fourth marriage predeceased him. Rubin's estate was sworn for probate at $949,342. He bequeathed eighteen paintings to the government of Israel. The bulk of his art collection, which had once numbered four hundred works, including sixty paintings by (Sir) William Dobell, was sold by auction between 1971 and 1973.

Courier-Mail (Brisbane, Qld. : 1933 - 1954), Saturday 31 March 1951, page 1

£200,000 ON NEW LAND IDEAS:

THE QUIET MAJOR PLANS AN EMPIRE By R. F. CORNISH

MAJOR Harold Rubin has spent more than £200, 000 in Queensland to back his ideas on new sheep land management. Unassuming and quietly-spoken. Harold Rubin, who is in his early fifties, looks more the part of a retired Army officer than the chief figure in vast land enterprise. In an interview yesterday he and his newly-appointed general manager in Queensland, Mr H. G. (Rex) Whitty, told something of the aims and ambitions of the Pastoral Estates. This is the all over name registered to cover the activities of the 10 Rubin properties in Queensland. 

Sunday Mail (Brisbane, Qld. : 1926 - 1954), Sunday 18 March 1951, page 3

---

Wealth of pearls and pastures

PEARLS have played a big part in the life of rich pastoralist Major Harold Rubin, who last week added another to his string of Queensland stations. His father, Mark Rubin, became one of the biggest pearling men in Broome (W.A.), and Harold later was one of the best-known pearl dealers in the Persian Gulf.

The father, once rated in Paris as a millionaire, acquired wide pastoral interests in Western Australia. Then, early in the century, Queensland entered the picture —and there was a new touch of pearling—when Mark Rubin formed a partnership with other pastoral pioneers, James Clark ("The Pearl King"), and Peter Tait, to Northampton Downs station, in the Blackall district. Last week Major Rubin bought North Toolburra, in the Warwick district, for about £80,000, including stock. This brought his station purchases in the south-east Queensland corner to around £250,000 in less than a year. North Toolburra was part of the first station occupied on the Darling Downs by the Leslie brothers. Major Rubin's other properties around the Downs are Melrose, one of the oldest properties in the Killarney district, and part of historic Pikedale in the Stanthorpe district. He also owns Northampton Downs and Alice Downs, and West Hill, in the Blackall area. These three properties can run more than 67,000 sheep. In Western Australia, he is principal shareholder to the big De Grey River Pastoral Company. 

KEEPS COUNSEL Out Blackall way, people know Major Rubin as a man who keeps his own counsel. He is middle-aged, of medium height, and has a military moustache. In Brisbane he bought Toorak House, Hamilton, recently for £23,000, and there he has valuable pictures and antique furniture collected in world travels. And he has a luxury launch in the river waiting to take him out to his favourite hobby fishing in Moreton Bay. Recently Major Rubin said that he had served to two wars, had served with Montgomery's Eighth Army, returned to Australia last August, and wanted to live permanently to Brisbane.