James Oliver's row houses, 599-601 King Street, West Melbourne
Butler, Graeme11.01.1985
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James Oliver's row houses, 599-601 King Street, West Melbourne
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Date of work:
11.01.1985
Reference number:
105356 517900 517901
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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 MELBOURNEGrading as at 1985 : CPeriod : Early - Mid Victorian (1874, 1879)Grantee : Thomas Stevens 1853HistoryAs James Oliver was a carpenter by trade he built these homes, although some years apart, No. 599 King Street in 1874-75 and No. 601 King Street in 1879. He continued to own them for over twenty years, residing in No 599 until he passed it on in 1884 to Thomas Oliver presumably his son. Tenants in No. 601 included George Stooke, the butcher, James Deas and Andrew Shiels.DescriptionA two storey, wide frontage, stuccoed brick and parapeted row house pair with a two level cast iron verandah, iron fence and arched parapet entablature with flanking scrolls and associated urns. The iron balustrade is of an unusual pattern (possibly imported) whilst the more typical friezes are set in panels. A large top and side lit entrance doorway is unusual for the early construction date.Integrity - Generally original.Streetscape - Contributing part of a valuable residential streetscape.SignificanceArchitecturally, an early generally original example of a common form with interesting details also part of a significant streetscape, of regional significance. Historically, another example of a builder- owner- developer who chose to live in his product and thus has built a relatively well appointed pair of houses.Recommendations - Repaint in original or typical colours..References:(RB= Rate book; D= Melbourne or Victoria Directory; PA= CITY OF MELBOURNE BUILDING PERMIT APPLICATION )1. D. 1875, 2371; RB 1879, 2571; RB 1896-97, 1909, 10; RB 1884, 2646; RB 1882, 2646;PA 5916/1874___________________________Graeme Butler & Associates, 2015. West Melbourne Heritage ReviewWhat is significant?James Oliver was the builder of this ten-room row house pair that included 599 King Street (built in 1874-75) and 601 King Street (built by 1879). He continued to own them for over twenty years, residing in 599 until it was occupied by his son Thomas Oliver in c1884. Tenants in 601 King Street included George Stooke, the butcher, James Deas and medical man, Andrew Shiels. James and Alex Oliver were listed as builders of a number of West Melbourne projects in the Victorian-era.James Oliver died a wealthy man but his will was contested by members of the family. The case was widely publicised across Australia and conducted over many days. The tenant at 601 King Street, Shiels, gave evidence that he had known James Oliver for years and `looked upon him as a shrewd and thrifty man'. Son and sole benefactor, Thomas Oliver, who had applied for the granting of probate and lived at 599 King Street, was implicated as being an alcoholic during the trial. Thomas had worked with the Union Steamship Company until 1888, and the firm of Dean, Clark and Company until 1895. These firms were particularly relevant to West Melbourne with the shipping terminals nearby.Contributory elements include:two storey, stuccoed brick and parapeted row house pair, each with a wide frontage;face brick side wall to lane for 601 with scalloped parapet profile;arched parapet entablatures with flanking scrolls and associated urns or orbs;two level cast iron verandahs, with panelled friezes, brackets, dentilated eaves, and balustrade panels of an unusual pattern (possibly imported);tiled pathways and verandahs;cemented and corniced chimneys;cemented architraves to openings;double palisade iron fences on dressed stone plinths, with cemented piers;large top and side lit entrance doorways that are unusual for the early construction date; andcontribution part of a valuable residential streetscape.How is it significant?James Oliver's row houses, 599-601 King Street, are significant historically and aesthetically to West Melbourne.Why is it significant?James Oliver's row houses, 599-601 King Street, are significant.Aesthetically, as an early, generally original example of a common row house form with interesting iron details also a contributory part of a significant Victorian-era streetscape; andHistorically, a well-preserved example of a builder-owner developer who chose to live in his product and thus built a relatively well-appointed pair of houses; also closely associated with James Oliver and his family who were well publicised nationally after his death; and representative of a major growth period (Victorian-era) in West Melbourne..References:GRAEME BUTLER 1983, 1985 CONSERVATION STUDY FOR THE CITY OF MELBOURNE OF NORTH AND WEST MELBOURNEBUILDING IDENTIFICATION FORM 1985___________________________Newspapers:`The Argus' (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957) Tuesday 19 August 1902(see also The Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1889 - 1931) Friday 6 June 1902, Kalgoorlie Miner (WA : 1895 - 1950) Monday 9 June 1902 p 6 , `The Argus' (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957) Thursday 21 August 1902 and `The Argus' (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957) Friday 22 August 1902 where the judgement upheld the will)`INTERESTING WILL CASE.JAMES OLIVER'S ESTATE.In the First Civil Court yesterday, before Mr Justice Hodges, the hearing of thecase arising out of the will of the late James Oliver, of West Melbourne , was continued. Under the will property to the value of over £ 12,000 is bequeathed to testator's son Thomas Oliver, and his wife, the personally, £5,270 absolutely, and the realty, £7,020, in trust for their children.Against this will Isabella Hutton, daughter of testator, and J. S. Oliver, a grandson, have entered caveats, and the case is being taken on the first one. The grounds of objection are (a) that the will was not executed by testator: (b) want of testamentary capacity, (1) confined to the period shortly before and at the time of execution, (2) existing before such period and due to imbecility, of which the symptoms first manifested themselves on or about November 1, 1898; (c) undue influence exercised by the applicants, Thomas Oliver and Jessie Stirling Christie Oliver; (d) the documents did not express the testator's will.Mr. Duffy, K. C., and Mr. Stark (instructed by Mr. C. J. M'Farlane) appeared for the executors and executrix, Thomas Oliver, W. B. P. Crocket, and Jessie Stirling Christie Oliver, in support of the will; and Mr. Purves, K.C., and Mr. Agg (instructed by Messrs. Fink, Best, and Hall) appeared for the caveator.Thomas Oliver, one of the beneficiaries, continuing his evidence, said his father had spoken about getting his will made, but refused to go to a lawyer. He said lawyers "are a' scoundrels." (Laughter.)After his father had spoken more than once the witness got a will form, and at his father's request made a will out in favour of himself and his wife, but that was never executed, and later his father produced a will of December 1 last, drawn up by Crocket. As his wife's name was not put in in full he pointed this out, and his father on December 5 handed him the contested will, asking him to keep it. His wife handed it back, saying that testator might wish to alter it. His father was mentally clear and physically strong for his age at the time he made the will, and continued to be so afterwards. He related the different dealings with properties given to other members of the family by testator before his death.Cross-examined by Mr. Purves, witness said he had been under medical treatment recently.For alcoholic poisoning?-- I presume that is it.Witness (continuing); -- His father knew of his drinking habits, but had never complained of them. He had never been told he had delirium tremens. He left the Union Steamship Company in 1888, when the inspector had ordered him to the head office in Dunedin to submit to inquiry.When he resigned he had about £300 in the Metropolitan Bank. He had got debentures from his brother-in-law, Mr. Hutton, to repay debenture he had borrowed from an estate he was trustee for several years ago. When he went out of the firm of Dean, Clark, and Co. in 1895, he got the money he paid into the firm back in cash and bills. He had never heard that his father promised his brothers on their deathbeds to look after their families.Under the will of 1892, the estate was divided into fourths, one to go to each child or his or her issue, subject to a deduction of any advances made in testator's lifetime.Mr. Purves, -- There were no breaches between your father and his children or their descendants between that will and your alleged will? -- Certainly there were with the boys in connection with properties at Gembrook and Narre Warren.Those were after the date of the last will?-- I cannot say that for certain. I do not know why my father left me no personal interest in the estate in the will of March, 1898, and did not make me an executor.Did he not tell you he would cut you off with a shilling, and you said, "Give me the shilling, and I'll go and get two drinks"?- No. (Laughter.)Witness (continuing), -- He did not dictate the instructions his father took to Crocket. He would not swear for his wife at all. He had not taken steps to keep members of his family from seeing his father alone.James Scott Ridley, retired bank manager gave evidence that the testator wasa shrewd, capable man at the time the will was made and afterwards.Jessie S. C. Oliver, wife of Thomas Oliver, and one of the beneficiaries under the will, said she had handed the document back to testator, saying he might want to alter it, but he replied that he did not change like the wind. Mrs. Hutton was the only one who objected when the will was read, and she said it was most unjust. Visits had been exchanged between testator and other members of the family freely, but not so frequently of late years. Testator had complained of the conduct of certain of his grandchildren.To Mr. Purves,-- She did not prevent any members of the family from seeing testator alone. She did not hear testator say after making the last will that he was going to leave his property equally. Some time before the accident her husband was drunk, and Mr. Oastler came in and held him. She did not complain of his treatment, nor did the testator say that he had knocked his old father down.Joseph Whitaker, medical practitioner, said that he knew testator, and had not noticed anything to show he was suffering from mental decay.Reverend James Gibson gave evidence that the testator was a mentally and physically strong man, "as strong as most Scotchmen, and that is saying a good deal." (Laughter.)Mr. Purves,--Are you a Scotchman?--No; I'm an Australian, but -I was a Scotchman.I presume he was Scotch enough, and sane enough, to put 3d. in the plate ratherthan 6d.?--That is not always a Scotch characteristic.Andrew Shiels, medical practitioner, said he had known testator for years, and looked upon him as a shrewd and thrifty man.To Mr. Purves,-- When he was asked his opinion he had said that testator was perfectly capable of making a will, but certainly it was not what he would have expected of him, and he could not understand him putting his son in the position of trustee. He had written that he could not understand him making such a will as that in question.William Low, medical practitioner, also gave evidence of testator's strength of mind and body.To Mr. Purves,--He had treated Thomas Oliver several times in the last two and a half years for alcoholism. You prepared him for this trial?--YesHe wanted patching up?-- I suppose so. Did you patch him up for the funeral of his father?--Witness hesitated.Come along, you'll leave all the lawyers in town after you if you go on. Did you?--Yes.Several other witnesses of the testator's capability of managing his own affairs having been examined, the hearing of the case was adjourned till 10 o'clock this morning.'___________________________Lewis, M. Australian Architecture Index:`71767 Oliver, James Oliver, James West Melbourne VIC City of Melbourne registration no 5916 [Burchett Index]. Fee 2.10.0 two-storey house 1874 06 2'Alex and James Oliver listed as builders in many Building Permit Applications.___________________________Sands & McDougall Directory of Victoria1880Edwards, Thomas, grocer279 Stones, FrederickRoden st281 Oliver, James, carpenter and builder282 Shuttleworth, WilliamMcGregor , John, wood and coal yardHawke stBAPTIST CHURCH-Clarke, Rev. A. J.Victoria st1893W SideRoden st581 Troup, Dr J. K.583 Bowman, James585 Malchow, William587 Dewar, James589 Fetherstonhaugh, Dr591 Reid, John A.593 Stones, Frederick, contr599 Oliver, Thomas601 Shields, Dr Andrew603 Ekman, R. A., stables609 Morton, R. G., farrierHawke st1904591 Reid, John A.Vacant593 Stones, Mrs E.599 Oliver, Thomas601 Marsh, .lames603 Allison, Thos., stbls609 Morton. R. G.,farrierHawke st1905595 Mrs Edith Stones597 Mrs Joan Kerr1910Roden st581 Mignot, Hyders583 Arthur, John W.585 Malchow, William587 Dewar, James589 Alexander, J., house decorator & snwrtr591 Jeffrey, Ellen595 Williams, Thos. N.Williams. Miss Amy R., matric coach597 Macfie, Mrs Margt.599 Oliver, Thomas601 Meany, Mrs Brid:609 Morton, R. G.,farrierHawke st1920577 Joubert. J. A.Roden st581 Jones, Wm. H., solic583 Arthur, Mrs Mary585 Fallan, Mrs Mary387 Dewar, Mrs Eliza589 O'Shea, Mrs Margt.591 Jeffrey , Denis595 Du From, Miss M. A., music tchr597 Taylor, Mrs Evelyn599 Oliver, Mrs J. S. 0.601 Ellis, Henry609 Prime, D., bott dlr609 Morton, R. G, farrierHawks st1930575-7 Phelan, Miss A., grocerRoden st581 Jones, Mrs Alice583 Arthur, Mrs Mary585 Cotsworth, Arth. C.587 Myers, Harold589 Danaher, Maurice591 Jeffery, Denis591 Jeffery, C. D., tailor595 Du Frocq. Miss M. A., music teacher597 Taylor, Mrs Evelyn599 Ellis, Henry601 McKenzie, Mrs H.607 Stables609 Hume, W. J., blacksmithHawke st.City of Melbourne Rate BooksNorth and West Melbourne Conservation Study 1983 cite599-601 King Street1875, 2371; 1879, 2571-2;1896-97, 1909, 1910;1884, 2646; 1882, 2646.Research notes state: wood house replaced by 10 room house in 1879, adjoining existing 10 room house, when Geo Stooke occupied the new house
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| Type | Reference No. | Extent | Status/Desc |
|---|---|---|---|
| Original | 105356 517900 517901 | 1 PDF : 675 KB | Group of Items (May not be issued, may not be reproduced) |