Temperance Hall, 456-458 Queensberry Street, North Melbourne
Butler, Graeme18/1/1985
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Title:
Temperance Hall, 456-458 Queensberry Street, North Melbourne
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Date of work:
18/1/1985
Reference number:
BIF-NORTH 108014
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Item from Collection: Heritage Collection (HC)
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GRAEME BUTLER 1983, CONSERVATION STUDY FOR THE CITY OF MELBOURNE OF NORTH AND WEST MELBOURNESHOP AND HALL,456-458 QUEENSBERRY STREET, NORTH MELBOURNEGrading as at 1983 : CPeriod : Early Victorian (1874)Grantee : A H Knight 1864These buildings, the Temperance hall and its attached shops, were built in 1874 and owned by the United Friendly Societies until at least 1895. The shops were rented to various tradespeople such as William Fewster, a tanner; a confectioner who had previously been in Boundary Road, Marion Hallinburgh; Charles Hill, a cabinet maker and Maurice Aarons, the bootmaker, later of Errol Street, North Melbourne. The hall itself was managed by such caretakers as William Nichol and George Inch.Friendly Societies in Victoria were a colonial offshoot of those in England providing social insurance benefits, but it was not until 1855 that an Act was passed providing some control over their registration and rules of operation. The measure of control was again extended by an act of 1877. [Victorian Year Book 1973 p 362] The societies in North Melbourne appear to have met in various hotels and schools around the area before the establishment of this hall, e.g. the Manchester Unity Order 'Alliance Lodge' at the Kings Arms, Queensberry Street. and the Victorian Tent, Temperance Society met at the national school. [Daley, Charles "History of Hotham and North Melbourne Football Club" 1939 p 12]The architect was W H Ellerker and Co. [The Argus 8 November 1873]Description- A two-storeyed, parapeted stuccoed brick hall and shops with an arched entablature, a bracketed and dentillated cornice, pedimented upper fenestration and two large timber shop fronts with a central arched entrance.Corinthian order pilasters are used at the upper façade corners, as are balustraded balconettes at the windows and Tuscan pilasters used at the ground level. Double, six panel doors, presumably once with cast-iron vent panels comprise the entrance with fanlight over.Integrity - The presumed balustrading to the parapet has been removed as have the presumed parapet urns/orbs; the shop fronts have been part sheeted over; and the side wall face bricks painted.Streetscape - Commencement and major part of a commercial streetscapeSignificance- Architecturally, it is sparsely decorated and conservatively designed, but possesses original elements, such as shop fronts. It is also part of a commercial streetscape: of regional importance.Historically, the only privately owned public assembly building in the area and thus a distinct 19th century building type not represented elsewhere: of high local importance.Recommendations - Replace balustrading in parapet as evidence suggests; secure and restore shop fronts, recording them for restoration data; repaint in original or typical colours.References:(RB= Rate book; D= Melbourne or Victoria Directory)1. RB 1875-76, 192-4; RB 1885-86, 204, 2062. D. 18843. RB 1892-93, 201; RB 1893-94, 203. 2044. Victorian Year Book 1973 p.3625. Daley. p.126. The Argus, 8/11 / 73.___________________________Note: Later called Legion of Mary or Magnificat House.___________________________RESEARCH ADDED BY GRAEME BUTLER 2025NEWSPAPERS (TROVE)1869Leader (Melbourne, Vic. : 1862 - 1918, 1935)Saturday 18 September 1869 - Page 11https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/196484338A NEW TEMPERANCE HALL.A public meeting of those citizens favorable to the erection of a North Melbourne Temperance Hall and Reading-room, took place on Tuesday at the Town Hall, Hotham. Mr James McCutcheon occupied the chair. A letter was read from the Rev. A. D. Kininmont, whose absence from the meeting was caused through a domestic affliction. The want of a temperance hall has long been felt in North and West Melbourne, and it is now proposed to erect a building, in the hall of which 200 persons can be accommodated, with a reading-room large enough to seat fifty persons comfortably, at a cost of £2000 ; and the projectors propose to carry out the object in view by a joint stock company, limited, with a capital of £2000, in two thousand shares at £1 each. The site of the building has been fixed in Victoria street. The meeting was addressed by the chairman, the Rev. Mr Lelean, and Messrs Kirkus, Clarke and Coulson ; after which shares, to the number of nearly 300, were taken up by those present..1874North Melbourne Advertiser (Vic. : 1873 - 1894)Friday 27 March 1874 - Page 2MR. MUNRO AT HOTHIAM.On Tuesday evening Mr. James Munro addressed the electors of North Melbourne in the new Temperance Hall in Queensbury Street. Mr. Munro may be ranked as a supporter of the Government so far as the reform of the Upper House is concerned, and very possibly he will be prepared to go considerably further than the Government may feel inclined to do. …
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| Type | Reference No. | Extent | Status/Desc |
|---|---|---|---|
| Original | 108014 | 1 PDF : 1153 KB ; A4 | Group of Items (May not be issued, may not be reproduced) |