32 Pakenham St

32 Pakenham Street (pre 1938 - 62 Pakenham Street), Chinese laundries,

From 1903- 1940 there were Chinese laundries on this site. The first Chinese commercial laundries were probably established in the late 1880s. There is a report of a 22 year old Chinese man employed in the Ying Lee Laundry in Market Street, Fremantle, in 1891 (reference Atkinson p 219). This laundry (aka Yeong Lee/Young Lee) operated at no 48 (now 42) Market St until 1900 when it continued up the road at no 39 (now 31) Market St, near other Chinese owned buildings. In 1893 Yeong Lee (from San Francisco) also opened a laundry in 64 (35) Packenham St (reference) and in 1903 there was a Chinese Laundry on Hampton Road, Beaconsfield. (reference)

From at least 1985 there were two or three terrace houses at 62-66 (now 32-35) on the corner of Packenham and Bannister Streets, which incorporated Chinese shops and laundries. They shared a common backyard and variously contained laundries run by Hong Wah (1902-1928), Cheong Lee (1929-1941) and a Japanese brothel (c 1902-1917) (reference)

Hong Wah from 1903 - 1928

In 1889 ‘Hang War’ had a laundry in Murray St, Perth (reference) In 1902 Hong Wah applied for a licence to open a laundry in North Fremantle. This was initially refused by the Council Health Committee-with no explanation given. (reference)

By October 1902 Hong Wah had opened a laundry in Packenham St. It cant have been easy- an incident in Perth in 1893, where a ‘practical joke’ had been played on Sam Lee’s Chinese Laundry (an official yellow streamer bearing in large black letters the word ‘‘smallpox’ had been pasted on his window), highlighted the harassment Chinese laundries faced. (reference) They were an easy target for drunken men and bullies, and were rarely protected by the courts:

Oct 1902, CHINESE LAUNDRY RANSACKED. Before the Fremantle Police Court this morning, Richard Williams was charged with stealing two parcels containing clothing from Hong Wah, a Chinese laundryman. The accused stole into the plaintiff's premises in Packenham-street and ran off with two parcels in which were newly-washed clothes. The accused said he did not know anything about the affair, and would therefore be obliged to plead guilty. "It must have been a drunken lark," said the accused, " for I would never think of doing such a thing in my right senses." (reference)

Dec 1903 A Drunken Freak. In the case of David Buckley (37), who was charged with being unlawfully on the premises of Hong Wah, it was shown that the man was intoxicated, and, apparently, not responsible for his actions. He was discharged with a caution. (reference)

1904 ‘Celestial Laundryman in Trouble’. Hong War, a Chinese laundryman was charged with having unlawfully detained various articles of clothing valued at 15s. 6d., the property of T. Aldridge. Accused, through an interpreter; pleaded not guilty. The complainant stated that the accused called at the Madrid Restaurant and was given the articles mentioned in the information to wash. On the following Saturday he called with a parcel which contained clothing that did not belong to witness. The defendant told the Court that he had not made any mistake. but the Bench found in favour of the complainant, and. in imposing a fine of 13s. 6d. with costs, advised the defendant to adopt some better system for distinguishing the various parcels. (reference)

Despite racism and being treated unequally by some, the Chinese community tried to participate in WA society. in 1905 Hong Wah with other members of the Chinese business community contributed funds towards the new Perth Public Hospital ( reference)

1907 At a meeting of the Fremantle Local Board of Health a report on the condition of premises in the town was submitted by the Health Officer (Dr. J. W. Hope) and the Health Inspector (Mr. T. Wilkinson). It included a description of ‘‘Pearse's Buildings’’- Laundry occupied by Hong Wah, living-room very dirty. Dirty habits of occupants. Floors of the whole of these need raising to level of street. This is in consequence of raising for drainage purposes of the yard being provided. House in this block at corner of Packenham and Bannister streets needs ventilation.” (reference)

The impact of the racist White Australia Policy- so prevalent in 1910 can be seen in the responses to a report from Dr. Owen Paget, the Fremantle Municipal Medical Officer;

"I desire to draw your attention to the various Chinese laundries in the municipality. These businesses are in many cases carried on in unsuitable buildings, often only having a small yard area for drying, and the disposal of waste water. Usually these waters are discharged into the jarrah storm water channels or drains to which attention was drawn in my yearly report. A further objection is the face that most of these premises are kept in a state of semi-darkness by means or blinds, painted windows, etc. The windows, too, seem to be rarely if ever open. Sunlight and fresh air are powerful disinfectants, and it is not right that soiled linen from possibly infectious cases should be kept in a haphazard or insanitary manner. Further, the habit of Chinese laundrymen when ironing of sprinkling the clothes with water held in their mouths is nauseating, and is a probable source of disease... I strongly suggest to your Council that the licensing of these premises to Chinese should receive your consideration, and that the Chinese engaged in this work should be compelled to keep their premises well aired and healthy, and also be called on to give a guarantee that their methods are such as will be compatible with the health of the community in which they live."

Cr. Cooke: I agree that the matter is an important one, but I'll say this, that if people will send their clothes to these Chinese they deserve to get them spat on.

Cr. McLaren: The question is a vitally important one. I move that it be referred to the health committee for consideration.

Cr. Healy: I second that. Some little time ago one of the members of this Council moved that no fresh laundry licences should be issued to Chinese, and a wise motion, indeed, I consider it was. There is not a shade of doubt that a great percentage of the diseases that are so be found in our cities can be traced to these Chinese dens with their ill-ventilated rooms and stuffy backyards.

Cr. Cooke: Let white people desist from patronising them. They would soon clear out of the country.

Cr. Healy: We, unfortunately, cannot get them to. The motion was carried unanimously. (reference)

1911 Margaret Bale alias Martin Able recorded taking her suits to be laundered at the local Chinese laundry, Hong War (Wah). When Martin found the clothes had stains on them and Hong Wah refused to give him his money back- Martin returned to Hong War's shop at the corner of Pakenham and Bannister streets, and had a heated argument over the counter. Finally Wah ordered Martin off the premises… (reference)

1917 …it was stated that the Chinese laundryman was compelled to erect a sort of aerial platform on which to expose his "washing" to the purifying influence of the backyard breeze. Otherwise, with the limited space at his disposal, it would be impossible to "dry" more than one shirt at a time. The applicant explained that he catered more particularly for the Italian element in the Port – than for any other section of the community. (reference)

The upstairs rooms were continually raided by Police who considered it an opium den:

In 1908 There was a raid on the Bannister St ‘den’ and about 25 people were arrested. A few days later Hassin Dicton was beaten up at the Chinese Club on Packenham St by 4 sailors who connected him with the raid and accused him of tipping off the police. (reference)

June 1925- A Chinese Club- Leang Dan, alias Ah Ching was charged with being the occupier of premises 64 Packenham St, on which a quantity of opium was found by Customs officers… Ah Ching said he was the manager of the Chinese Club, which had about 150 members and the tenant of the building was in China. An upstairs room was fitted up for the purpose of opium smoking, complete with an opium smoking lamp, and other essentials. There was a Chinaman named Ah Num on the premises and opium was found on his possession. The house was used as a meeting place or club for Chinese. A lady’s handbag containing crude opium and a stocking, which also contained opium was also found in the ceiling. Altogether 78 ounces of crude opium were discovered, together with 4 ounces of opium ash and two ounces of liquid opium. (reference)

Again in 1928 the upstairs was raided and charges laid against Caretaker Wong On (73), (reference)

In 1928 Hong Wah sold the laundry to Cheong Lee and went to open a market garden near Mends St Jetty, on the Esplanade in South Perth. His business went bankrupt in 1934. (reference)

1929 - 1952 Lee, Cheong (Laundry)

OCCUPANTS

Lot 425:

1855 - 1859 Pearse, William

1876 - 1878 Pearse, George

1899 Bowman, Mrs Maggie

1900 Newman, Mrs. B. (Boarding House)

1901 - 1902 Defrataus, F. (Boarding House)

1903 - 1928 Wah, Hong (mispelt War, Hong) (Laundry)

1929 - 1952 Lee, Cheong (Laundry)

1941 - 1945 Philip, Kuon

1946 - 1949 Quan, P

References: Anne Atkinson's Dictionary (Bicentennial Vol V - Asian Immigrants to WA)- (C): Colonial Secretary's Office Records (CSO), 1842-1900. (Acc 527: Battye Library, Alexander Library Building, WA) and (G): Records of the Department of Immigration. (Department of Immigration, W.A. Branch, General Correspondence. PP 6/1: Australian Archives, W.A. Branch).

Atkinson, Anne, `Chinese Labour and Capital in Western Australia, 1847 – 1947, PhD thesis submitted to Murdoch University, 1991 (LINK)

FOTHERGILLS BUILDING, Adelec Buildings

26 - 36 High Street (pre 1938 - 44/54 High Street) originally Black Swan House

Fothergill's Building, 32 High Street, also known as the Adelec Buildings, 28-36 High Street was designed by Architect: F.W. Burwell and built by J McCracken c. 1906.

It is a two storey corner building designed in the Federation Free Classical style. The walls are rendered and have ashlar effect, engaged with pilasters with decorative capitols. The ground floor has a truncation across the corner and has ashlar effect pilasters separating each shop. The first floor has decorative engaged pilasters aside pairs of arched stucco with keystone above the semi circular fanlight with a pair timber casement windows below. The name ‘Adelec Buildings’ appears in the parapet.

The property was originally owned by Capt. Edward Henry Fothergill, merchant and mariner. E H Fothergill was Mayor from 1909 to 1910 and Councillor from 1920 to 1923. His father ran the Cleopatra Hotel and E H Fothergill lived at 8 Hampton Road. The trustees of his estate undertook the construction of the building known as the Fothergill Building.

Before there was the Fothergill Building there was the Black Swan House started by W. F. Williams, a tailor and ‘outfitter’ in 1892 (reference):

1894 Attention is called to the advertisement of Mr. W. F. Williams, Black Swan House, Fremantle, from which it will be seen that in addition to the usually large and varied stock of tailoring and general outfitting goods, just arrived for the winter season, Mr. Williams has also added to his stock all kinds of miners requisites, including tents, rugs, blankets, flys, water bags, belts, straps, sheath knives, etc. (reference)

1895 That extensive establishment, the Black Swan House, conducted by Mr. W. F. Williams, is among the more largely patronised houses at the port. Gentleman, or working man, artisan or clerk, will find all his requirements for an outfit of any description or dimensions at a remarkably cheap rate. (reference) See Ad for Batger & Daddo (tailors) who bought the business in 1898 and Kelly & Co (boots) in 1899.

Dixon Hearder (born South Wales 1879) arrived in WA in 1894 and in 1901 was called to the WA Bar. He opened a practice in High Street, Fremantle in 1902, received a commission in the Fremantle Artillery and in January 1905 was gazetted Captain and obtained command of the Corps which he retained until 1908. In civic life he represented the East Ward in the East Fremantle municipality. In 1908 he married Dorothy Booth. He had an office from 1911-1913 in this building (no 34). He served in 1915.

1915 LADIES' TOILET SALOON, Mrs. K. Taylor advertises in our miscellaneous columns that she has just returned from Sydney and Melbourne, and has opened up toilet rooms at No. 5O High-street, Fremantle (opposite Hotel Orient). All the latest and most up-to-date methods of face and scalp massage and hairdressing; also, manicure, pedicure, chiropody, etc. Mrs Taylor also advertises that children's hair is carefully attended to, and that hair combings are made up in any style. (reference)

1926 And still another proud Chev. owner is Mrs. Kay Taylor, of High-street, who would be lost without her weekend run to the hills. (reference)

1926 Mrs. Kay Taylor is being rushed with applicants for permanent waving. The wet weather is taking the curl out of the shingles, so something has to be done. The wave is lovely, and washing it as often as you like, makes not the slightest difference. (reference)

1926 Complaints were made about Mrs Taylors training of girls who paid for tuition at the Toilet Saloon:

Our information is to the effect that the course of tuition given by Kay Taylor is totally inadequate for this purpose, and mothers have found out to their regret, that they have expended their money to no good purpose and the girls have, practically wasted several months of their time… (reference)

1927 Snaden's Pianos Limited- We have pleasure in announcing the opening of a branch of our Business at 48 High-st, (Central), Fremantle -Where we have full stocks of Pianos, Players, Phonographs, Player Rolls etc. Our local manager (Mr. R. Horner) will at all times, be pleased to attend to the requirements of clients… (reference)

OCCUPANTS

Lot 61 owners: 1829 - 1837 Dod, P H, 1855 - 1879 Francisco, Alex

No. 26 (was 44 pre 1938)

1908 "Sunday Times" (office)

1909 Westralian Union Flour Milling Co. Ld. (show rooms)

1911 - 1916 Higham, J J & F G, estate agents (1911 Higham, J J)

1915 - 1916 Scottish Union & Nat. M. Co

1917 Vacant

1918 - 1919 10th Light Horse Comforts Fund (1918 Depot)

1920 - 1921 Bolton, Jackson, independent & estate agent (1920 Bolton, Harry E) W A Insurance Co Ltd (Bolton & Jackson, agents)

1921 - 1925 Beach, Hicks, Ltd, exporters & importers

1926 Vacant

1927 - 1932 Greco, N, tailor

1933 - 1934 Lewis F & J, refreshment rooms

1932 - 1935 Dando I V, refreshment rooms

1935 - 1937 Gibson F, refreshment rooms

1937 - 1938 Foley D H, com. agent

1938 - 1945 Harrison W, com. agent

1946 - 1949 Bill's com agents

2020 Breglia’s Piccolo Lunch Bar

No. 28 (was 46 pre 1938)

1913 - 1916 "Daily News" (E H Brewer, rep)

1917 - 1919 Vacant

1920 - 1934 Steel, Syd, tobacconist & hairdresser

1934 - 1939 Ireland Mrs Annie, tobacconist & hairdresser

1939 - 1941 Ireland Phillip, tobacconist & hairdresser

1941 - 1942 Vacant

1942 - 1949 United Electric Co Ltd, electrical appliances-retail

No. 30 (was 48 pre 1938)

1909 - 1912 "Daily News" (office) (1912 E H Brewer, rep)

1913 - 1914 Rainsford, B, watchmaker

1914 Rainsford, H C

1915 - 1916 Dickinson, A E, watchmaker

1917 - 1919 Vacant

1920 - 1922 Cryer, William F, furniture dealer

1923 George, Bertram, Vita Studio

1924 - 1926 Smith & Co, W furniture dealers

1927 Kakuller, A, fruiterer

1927 - 1944 Snaden's Pianos Ltd, piano dealers

1945 - 1946 Brown Miss Shirley, dancing teacher

1947 - 1949 Beryl-Anne, florists

No. 32 (was 50 pre 1938)

1908 - 1909 Graham J H, tent & tarpaulin maker

1912 Rainsford B, watchmaker

1912 - 1913 Rainsford H C

1914 Harris W H, poultry supplies

1915 Frederick J. sailmaker

1916 - 1921 Taylor, Mrs K, ladies' toilet saloon/beautician

1922 Philip & Slocock, toilet rooms

1923 - 1927 Taylor, Mrs Kay, toilet rooms

1928 Levings, Mrs J, toilet rooms

1929 - 1938 Morris, Miss E, toilet saloon

1938 - 1940 Vacant

1940 - 1943 Four Square Gospel Mission

1944 - 1946 Vacant

1947 - 1949 Roberts W J, taxation consultant

1985 Peppy’s Tea and Coffee, S.C.F opportunity shop

No. 34 (was 52 pre 1938)

1897 Day James, hairdresser & tobacconist

1898 Batger W, civil & military tailor

1899 - 1902 Batger & Maddison, tailors (1899 Batger & Daddo)

1905 Sumpton, W J, fruiterer

1909 Macrorie, Mrs E, costumiere

1911 - 1912 Hearder, Dixon, solicitor represented May Ahearn of the Black Angels fame in 1912

1913 King's Music Depot, James, J, propr. King's

1914 Michaels, Michael, tailor

1916 McCaw, Mrs S G, tea rooms

1919 WA Association of Soldiers and Sailors' Relatives (head office; A E Pady, general secretary)

1921 - 1922 Cryer, Wm F, furniture dealer

1923 - 1924 Vacant

1925 - 1926 Carpenter & Cooper, grocers

1927 - 1929 Smith & Co. W, house furnishers

1930 - 1932 Cowell, Alfred, confectionary and cool drinks

1933 - 1940 Vacant

1940 - 1943 Yellow Carrying & Parcel Express Co, forwarding agents

1944 - 1946 Sweeney Noel, haulage contractor

1947 - 1949 Johnson & Collins, customs agents

No. 36 (was 54 pre 1938)

1893 - 1898 Williams, W F, tailor, hatter & hosier & miners' outfitter -Possibly the Black Swan House

1898 Batger and Daddo, Black Swan House

1901 - 1904 Shrimski, Mark, clothier

1905 Samuels Morris, pawnbroker

1909 - 1917 Fitzgerald, Mrs S E, registration office

1910 - 1917 Macrorie, Mrs E, costumiere

1918 Jackson, Harry, drill room

1919 - 1925 Thompson Co Ltd, J A (E Randell, manager), sewing machine agency

1926 Fothergill & Co Ltd, agents for Buick cars

1927 - 1929 Smith & Co. W, house furnishers

1930 - 1932 Cowell, Alfred, confectionary and cool drinks

1935 - 1943 Yellow Carrying & Parcel Express Co, forwarding agents

1944 - 1949 Sweeney Noel, haulage contractor

A Heritage Assessment was prepared in July 2010 by the City of Fremantle for a DA submission to Council for replacing the existing awning with a verandah and for the building to be known again as the ‘Fothergill Building’. The name was changed accordingly from Adelec Buildings back to Fothergill's Building in the MHI database in 2010.

FOTHERGILLS BUILDING, Adelec Buildings.JPG

ND15 32 Mouat Street thru to 44 Henry St

Notre Dame University ND15 - Bateman Courtyard - Bateman Buildings

All the buildings in this group have historic significance and association with the Bateman family who were involved in the shipping industry in Fremantle in the nineteenth century.

The original owners, the Bateman family, arrived from England in 1830. John Bateman supplied provisions for the Swan River colony until his death in 1855. By 1859 his sons, John and Walter Bateman were the colony's leading importers and exporters, with their own fleet of sailing ships.

J & W Bateman's hardware and plumbing supplies, warehouses, etc occupied both sides of Mouat St through to Henry St (lots 37-38 Mouat St, lots 50-54 Mouat St and lots 67-72)

McDonald Smith Building

McDonald Smith Building 22-32 Cliff St

Architecture The McDonald Smith Building- designed, as ‘Cliff Street Chambers’, by architect Herbert Nathaniel Davis. It is a two storey rendered building with zero setback from the pavement. The building has a parapet with spheres crowning small-engaged pilasters and decorative pediments. The ground floor façade has arched doors and windows, with stucco above and a single level entrance on the south side; the first floor has sash windows.

History The McDonald Smith Building is built across 2 Lots: Lot 21 was originaly owned by Henry Vincent (1829-1837), transferred to Stockley (1855-1859). A cottage and warehouse were established on Lot 21 from the 1870s.

Lot 22 was retained by Henry Vincent (1829-1859). Both Lots 21 and 22 were then owned by William Vincent (1876-1879). The Vincent Family had a cottage and warehouse on the site in the 1870s and 1880s.

There are relics of a former lime washed and shingled house at the rear of this building. There were minor changes to the warehouse in 1961, 1962 and 1973.

OCCUPANTS

1897 Cliff Street chambers: Thomas W. J. Kiffin, produce mer / STANBURY & SHAW, customs, shipping & forwarding agents.  First floor. HARROLD BROS. (Wm. A. Fraser, manager) , general merchants / Davis & WIlson, architechs / PYNE, TRELOAR & CO. customs, shipping & forwarding agents/ Wood Son & Co. (G.), grocers & importers / SIMONDS & CO. (ERNEST T.), forwarding & customs agents,Coolgardie / Fysh B. manufacturers' agent / Holman, Haines & Co. accountants &c., / Smith Harold E. accountant. & auditor / Atkins & Co. Limited (Charles), oil merchants (lubricating)/ Reuter's Telegram Co. Limited (Harold E. Smith, rep) / South Aust. Ins. Co. Limited (fire & marine) (H. E. Smith, agent) / Torbay, Karri & Jarrah Timber Co. (C. & E.Millar) (H. Teesdale Smith, manager) / Henderson Edgar J. architect / Gilfillan W. D. manufacturers' agent / Peterson & Co. (William), tea merchants (W. D. Gilfillan, rep) / McKenzie & Co. (James F.), importers (W. D. Gilfillan, rep) / CADD FRANK, customs, shipping & forwarding agent / South British Insurance Co. (fire & marine) (Frank Cadd, agent)   Right of way: Fremantle Stevedoring Co. (Capt. John Abbott), stevedores / Knox A. Graham, importer / Imperial Fire Ins. Co. Limited (A. Graham Knox, agent)

1898 Cliff Street Chambers:   Ground Floor: Flindell, Fraser & Co. customs agents / Thomas W. J. Kiflin, produce mer / Glassford, Cooke & Co. Proprietary Lim, (J. Murdoch, Mgr), produce merchants.   First Floor: Haines & Co. (O. L.), customs, shipping and forwarding agents / Moorhouse & Co. (O.L.), customs, shipping & forwarding agents / Webster William, marine surveyor / Wigmore F. E. customs agent / Wigmore H. J. commision agent / Crossland C. contractor / Guilfoyle William, customs agent / Calthrop Bros, mercantile brokers / Knox H. R. customs & forwarding agent / Doeling F. mercantile broker / Gilfillan W. D. agent for Wood Dunn & Co, Lim, produce merchants, Melbourne / Yeates & Co. customs & forwarding agents / Cadd Frank, customs, shipping & forwarding agent.    Off Cliff-street:  Fremantle Stevedoring Co. (Capt. John Abbot), stevedores

1904 - 1905 (30) Haywood F. M. customs agent / (32) Macfarlane & Co. Jas. provision merchants

1907 - 1911 (30) Gruer David J. customs & forwdg. agent

1912 - 1917 (32) Gruer Dav. J. customs. & forwarding agent

1909 (28) Adams & Co. (G. H), wine, spirit & gen. Importers

1912 - 1920 (24) Millars' Timber & Trading Co. Ltd. (H F Briggs, Mgr)

1915 (30) Davey Jas. Carrier

1917 - 1920 (28) O'Sullivan Jno. J. lime & stone merchants / Gruer, Dav J,. Customs & for agt

1931 - 1937 (32) Lanzar, Salvatore

1931 - 1932 (28) Lester, Mrs A, carrier / O'Sullivan, Jno J, lime & stone merchant

1936 - 1938 (24) Daly Bros., carriers/ (28) Lester (Mrs A.), carrier

1938 - 1943 (26) Nicola Candatore (Pres. Blessding of the Fleet c’mittee)

1938 - 1940 (off 32) Morris & Co. (M.), marine dealers

1941 - 1943 (28) Marchesi, Mrs. A.Corieri, Anopus

1940 - 1943 (off 32) Rodriguez & Lee, wool merchants

1941 - 1943 (30-32) Farindo, Cosmo

1944 (32) Lee (Eric E.), wool merchant

1946 - 1947 (20-32) Department of Navy

1949 (20-22) Rutland (R. A.), electrician & refrigerator engineers / (28) Sherborne (F. J.), customs agents

The buildings were also owned by Captain Lilly, and then J.E. McDonald and Smith from 1961 until the 1970s and then Tompkins and Company as a general store.