Notre Dame University ND44 - Notre Dame Study Centre - formerly Broken Hill Chambers and the Grieve and Piper Buildings
28 Mouat St (was 44 pre 1938)
This two storey stone and brick building has corners rendered with an ashlar effect and zero setback from the pavement. There are low engaged pilasters on the parapet and at each floor to dado height. The windows and doorways are arched.
This block, Lot 48 was originally owned by Charles McFaull (1829-1837). It was transferred to Mrs Ann Pace in 1855 and remained with her until 1859. In 1877 it was owned by Mrs FE Scott.
The building was built c1890 and known as the Broken Hill Chambers. It became a hub for Lawyers and Customs and Shipping Agents:
1896 Mr. A. J. Edmunds, solicitor, announces having commenced the practice of his profession at Fremantle. His address is No. 9 Broken Hill Chambers. (reference)
1896 Messrs. J. C. Whiteman and Co., Broken Hill Chambers, Mouatt-street, Fremantle, report under yesterday's date: "We beg to hand you our report of the Indian market, received from our Calcutta house (Messrs. Stanley and Co.) per to-day's advices… (reference)
1896 A large number of gentlemen interested in mining attended the Stock Exchange, Fremantle, on Aug. 18 to consider a proposal for the formation of a company to purchase the Great Bountiful mine at the Black Flag. It was decided to form a company with a capital of £5,000 in 250 shares of £20 each Applications for shares are to be made to Messrs. M. J. Keane and Co., Broken Hill Chambers, Mouatt-street, Fremantle, where the plans of the property may be inspected… (reference)
1896 Fremantle Board of Health- Several occupants of offices in Broken Hill Chambers appended their signatures to a letter drawing the board's attention to the fact that a large quantity of soapy and refuse water was continually being discharged from the Victoria Restaurant, and that owing to defective drainage it collected in pools along the gutters. The proprietor of the restaurant wrote, stating that he would be prepared to lay down pipes to the sea if allowed to do so... (reference)
1897 Fremantle Oval Pavilion. Some few weeks ago the Fremantle council invited competitive designs from architects for a pavilion suitable for the Oval. The successful competitor was Mr. F. Burwell, of Mouatt-street, Fremantle, who receives the premium of £25, and is entrusted with the carrying out of the work. A sketch of the proposed building, which, when completed, will be a handsome adornment to the local recreation ground, is now on view in tho window of Messrs. John and Cleary, High street, Fremantle. (reference)
1904 Broken Hill Chambers, Mouatt-street, Fremantle, have now undergone complete renovation internally and externally, and their exterior appearance is in keeping with those of immediate neighbors, viz., P. and O. Hotel, Duncan Preston and Co., Strelitz Bros., and W. Sandover and Co. The contract for these improvements has been carried out by Mr. Winstall, and Mr. Fred Clare, as agent for the West Australian Trustee, Executive, and Agency Company, is entrusted with the letting of the spare offices. (reference)
1904 Messrs. Dunn and Co., 033 Hay-street, Perth, and 44 Mouatt-street, Fremantle, carriers, commission agents, etc announce that they are now in conjunction with the Interstate Express Baggage and Luggage Agents. Messrs. Dunn and Co. have been in the carrying business for the past seven years… (reference)
John Bryce Grieve and Charles Gordon Piper began working in partnership as import merchants and customs agents c 1905. Their partnership continued until 1936 but the business continued until at least 1954.
The firm of Grieve and Piper moved into Broken Hill Chambers in 1921- and stayed until at least 1954.
1929 EAST-WEST AIR MAIL First Plane Arrives- Packed in seven large cases, the first of the de Havilland 'Hercules' airplanes for the W.A. Airways Ltd's East-West service, arrived at Fremantle from England this morning by the Aberdeen Commonwealth Line's motor ship Taranaki. One of the cases weighed 5½ tons and was 48 feet in length. Owing to its size it was necessary to carry this package on the vessel's after deck. A start was made to the unloading of the biggest case immediately the vessel had berthed and shortly before 10 a.m. the case 'was hoisted off the deck by the ship's derrick, and safely deposited on a long jinker. Special permission having been obtained from the traffic authorities by the clearing agents, Messrs. Grieve and Piper, the horse-drawn jinker commenced the journey by road to Perth. The East-West service is to be officially opened on June 3 and Major Brearley anticipates that the plane landed today will be flying by the end of the month. (reference)
Piper’s first wife Mattie died in 1930. He re-married in 1933 but after catching his wife with another man in 1934, retired (see story below) and in 1935 dissolved his partnership with Grieve and was given a divorce. (reference)
1934 Shortly before midnight on Friday, Charles Gordon Piper (52), of the firm of Grieve and Piper, brokers and customs agents, of Fremantle, was found lying in a garage at his home in Peppermint Grove, bleeding profusely from a flesh wound in the forehead. He was dressed in pyjamas and dressing gown, and a revolver, two bullet from which had been discharged, was lying at his side…Piper had been suffering from nervous trouble for some time. (reference)
1937 After an illness of some months, Mr. John Bryce Grieve, of Queenslea-drive, Claremont, managing director of Grieve and Piper, Ltd., Fremantle, died at a private hospital in West Perth. He was very widely known on account of his many business associations, his active interest in music, and his enthusiasm for lawn tennis and other outdoor sports. The late Mr. Grieve was born in Victoria 63 years ago. He came to this State in the early days of the Coolgardie Goldfields, and over 30 years ago set up in Fremantle as a Customs agent, in partnership with Mr. C. G. Piper. On December 31, 1934, Mr. Piper's active interest in the concern ceased, and at the end of 1936 the partnership was finally dissolved, and the business was converted into a limited liability company known as Grieve and Piper, Ltd., with the late Mr. Grieve as managing director. He was a widely-known and popular figure in the business life of Fremantle, and was a prominent member of the Fremantle Rotary Club. As a conductor of choral music the late Mr. Grieve was perhaps most widely known. For some time he was the leader of the Fremantle Quartet Party… (reference)
1953 Funeral: A Presbyterian Service for the late Mr. Andrew Bryce Grieve, of 11 Victoria-avenue, Claremont and late of Messrs. Grieve and Piper Pty. Ltd. Fremantle… (reference)
1954 JUNIOR girl reunited for office duties, no Saturday work. Grieve and Piper Pty. Ltd., Box 10 P.O. Fremantle. (reference)
The building was converted in 1976 for well known Jeweller and Silversmith, Eric Carr and became his Gallery and residence.
A Fremantle Award for this place in 1983 was for three town houses behind the original building.
In 2002 the place was occupied by the Australian Maritime Officers Union.
It has since been purchased by Notre Dame University.
OccupantS
Lot 48 owners:
1829 - 1837 MacFaull, Charles
1855 - 1859 Pace, Anne
1877 - 1878 Scott, Mrs F E
No. 28
1897 - 1916 Harvey & Co. A. general merchants & commission agents
1897 Broken Hill Chambers:
1 Norris Huntington & Co. shipping & forwarding agents until 1898
2 Tobias Brothers (Coolgardie) (J.C. Norman. rep)
4&5 Keane & Co. (M.J.), auctnrs. &co
6 Elliott & Co. (W.F.) com. agts
First floor
CUZENS A.J. (representing- Richard Allan & Co. warehousemen, Melbourne, John McBritney & Co, Melbourne, York Street Flax Spinning Co. Limited, Belfast, J.F. & H. Roberts & Co. Limited, calicoes &c., Borsdorff & Co. P.D. corsets, Rochussen Brothers, Eastern merchants, Brooks, McGlashan & McHarg, Melbourne, Austin & Baillieu, woolen warehousemen, Bradbury, Greatorex & Co. Lim. London)
CUZENS W.B. (representing E.S. & A. Robinson & Co. Lim, Bristol)
Burwell F. architect,
Reid & Watts, typist
Edmunds A.J., solicitor
1898 Broken Hill Chambers:
F. E. RANDELL & Co, general importers, produce merchants, forwarding agents &c.; Coolgardie, Fremantle, Kalgoorlie, Menzies & Norseman
Whiteman & Co. (J.C.), merchants Allen & Turner, customs, shipping & forwarding agents WRIGHT & CO. (G. & C.), indentors, land, estate & general commission agents
HENDERSON & MACGEORGE LIM. customs & forwarding agents, forage merchants &c. ; & at Coolgardie, Kalgoorlie & Menzies- agents for China Traders Insurance
1899 Broken Hill Chambers:
McKenzie & Webster, produce & commission agents,
Brew Miss, typist
Dancker A. C
1900 Broken Hill Chambers:
MacKenzie John P. produce & commission agent
Dancker & Manthorpe, mercantile brokers
1901
Dancker & Manthorpe, com. agts
Baxter Geo. contr
Norris. Huntington & Co. customs agts. & carriers until 1902
1903
Huntington J.B. customs agt. & c until 1906
Vann Theo. S. customs agt
Akroyd-Stuart H. engineer
1904
Clare Fredk, shipping & ins. agt
Government Labour Bureau until 1905
1905
Dunn & Co. carriers & forwdg. agts until 1907
1906
Scott James until 1907
1910 - 1920 Thorn W J & C, carriers
1916 - 1918 Crawcour, J A, (successor to A Harvey and Co), general merchant, importer & agent.
1919 - 1920 Merchants' Co-operative Society Ltd (R M Clifton, secretary)
1921 - 1949 Grieve & Piper Ltd, customs & forwarding agents, also agents for South British Insurance Co (1934-1937) and Union Marine Insurance (1929-1932) and Sadleir Ltd, R C, custom agents (1927-1928)
