Old Melbourne firm
The Argus (Melbourne, Vic.: 1846-1957)23 October 1924
Archives
Total copies: 1
Title:
Old Melbourne firm
Date of work:
23 October 1924
Reference number:
MELB 101197 2
Level of description:
Item from Collection: Heritage Collection (HC)
Type of materials:
Data files
Part of:
Sub-collection: Melbourne (HC_MELB)
Access restrictions:
UnrestrictedOpen access.
Use restrictions:
UnrestrictedPlease contact City of Melbourne Libraries about obtaining permission to reproduce images.
General notes:
OLD MELBOURNE FIRM. Growth of Henry Francis and Co.`Growth of Henry Francis and Co.For 75 years Messrs. Henry Francis and Co., chemists and druggists, have been established in Bourke street, and the pre sent proprietors have now purchased the freehold of their premises at 280 Bourke street. The vendor was Mr. George Francis, the elder son of the late Mr. Henry Francis. The price has not been disclosed, but as the premises are situated in the busiest retail section of Melbourne the value per foot is very high. The frontage is 20ft 1½in., which is exactly the same as the frontage owned by the firm at 107 Collins street. The Bourke street business was opened in 1849 by Mr. S. J. T. Croad, who had been an assistant to the London Quaker firm of Allen and Hanbury. Mr. Henry Francis purchased it in 1860.The Collins street business was established in 1849 by Mr. Cade, who sold to Mr. Francis in 1886. The Bourke street pharmacy is now situated one door eastward of the original site but for many years it was conducted four doors to the westward of No. 280. Mr. Henry Francis was the son of an apothecary who practised at Woodbridge, Essex. His father's family had been associated with pharmacy for many generations, dating back to the reign of Charles II. His relatives are still actively connected with the wholesale drug trade England. Mr. Francis arrived in Victoria in 1852, and after prospecting on various goldfields and trying his luck in other ventures, he purchased Mr. Croad's business. The elder son, Mr. George Francis, succeeded to the businesses on the death of his father in 1904; he had been manager for many months previously. The younger son, Mr. Tracey Francis, was trained as an assayer and later was severely wounded at the war. The purchase of the Collins street business followed the gradual drift of doctors from the west end of the city to the east end of Collins street.
Related material link:
Record types:
Online resources
Record number:
1246930
| Type | Reference No. | Extent | Status/Desc |
|---|---|---|---|
| Original | 101197 2 | Unknown | Single Item (May not be issued, may not be reproduced) |