Mason Firth and M‘Cutcheon printing office, later Bank House, 11 Bank Place, Melbourne
Butler, Graeme01/01/1985
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Total copies: 1
Title:
Mason Firth and M‘Cutcheon printing office, later Bank House, 11 Bank Place, Melbourne
Creator:
Date of work:
01/01/1985
Reference number:
BIF-CITY 100728
Level of description:
Item from Collection: Heritage Collection (HC)
Type of materials:
Graphic materials
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Series: Central City (BIF-CITY)
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UnrestrictedOpen access.
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UnrestrictedPlease contact City of Melbourne Libraries about obtaining permission to reproduce images.
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ASSOCIATED RESEARCH BY GRAEME BUTLERPeriod: EdwardianConstruction Date: 1903-Graeme Butler 1985 Melbourne Central Activities District Conservation StudyStatement of SignificanceHistory`The old brick building in Bank-place, known as Eldon Chambers is shortly to be pulled down to make room for a handsome three-storey brick and cement printing office. Mr. N. Barnet is preparing the plans...' noted `The Building Engineering & Mining Journal' February, 1903. True to his promise, Barnet had lodged an application to build in April, on behalf of the Diocesan Registry who still controlled large land holdings around St. James' old Cathedral. The builder was Clements Langford, of Richmond, and a long-term tenant, Mason Firth and McCutcheon, printers. At the other end of Bank Place, one year later, Barnet designed similar but larger premises for the renowned printers, Troedel & Cooper.DescriptionOriginally of three-storeys, the building now has six, with new cornice lines suggesting possibly a two-stage addition. The initial form possessed Barnet's typical tall-arched fenestration and bold Romanesque arcading at ground level, complete with deeply foliated capitals and bold forms. As the building extended vertically, the tall-archways were restarted, but when the top level wasreached, most detail had been renounced in favour of the blandness of Modern classical revival.External Integrity(refer alteration stages above)Windows have been reglazed and ground level rebuilt. The bricks have been painted.StreetscapeComplements the Troedel Building at 4 Bank Place and the balance of this important precinct in scale, period detail and materials.SignificanceAn altered warehouse-factory design, which was typical of its era and complementary in use and form to the adjacent 4 Bank Place. Contributes to a valuable precinct, in general form, materials, scale and period detail.FURTHER REFERENCES:Roll Plan 14 1866 - PROVCrown-section 15, Church of England ReserveLewis, M. Australian Architecture Index:76913 ARCHITECT: Barnet, Nahum OWNER: Diocesan Registry Melbourne VIC Factories Langford, Clement - 275 Bridge Rd Richmond 1903 04 25 899076916 ARCHITECT: Barnet, Nahum OWNER: National Mutual Life Association Melbourne VIC Factories Atkinson & Gordon - 87 Church St Rich. 1904 08 11 9408City of Melbourne Building Permit Application (4 index cards), PROV1924May 6360 ₤12,000 Alt to premisesNov 6935 ₤1100 additional storeys to office building . Etc erection of partitions1930 Feb 12161 ₤8000 additions to building…1942 Feb 22466 ₤4525 Alts to etc.NewspapersAdvocate (Melbourne, Vic. : 1868 - 1954) Sat 16 Dec 1871 Page 6 PUBLICATIONS RECEIVED.PUBLICATIONS RECEIVED.Old Tales of a Young Country. By MARCUS CLARKE. Melbourne :Mason, Firth and McCutcheon, Flinders street west.IN this book, which is handsomely brought out, we are furnished with some old tales illustrating eventful passages in the early history of the colonies. They are well told, and will be read with pleasure and interest by everyone who has made these lands his home. The book fully sustains the high reputation of the author in literary circles. Mr. Clarke deserves much credit for saving from his responsible duties sufficient time to so dress up these old incidents of Young Australia, that a knowledge of them will be commonly obtained.The Bendigo Independent (Vic. : 1891 - 1918) Fri 18 Jan 1901 Page 3 FIRE IN MELBOURNE.FIRE IN MELBOURNE. DAMAGE ESTIMATED AT £7000. LARGE PRINTING WORKS GUTTED. MELBOURNE, Thursday, Jan. 17.A disastrous fire occurred. to-night at Mason, Firth and McCutcheon’s printing establishment, McKillop street, a small thoroughfare at the rear of Queen street, running from Little Collins street to Bourke street. The building, which is a brick one of four stories, was shortly before .9 o'clock, found to be on fire in the upper portion. The fire brigade were brought by an alarm sounded by a passer-by. in the street fire signal.. By the time the firemen arrived the flames had a complete hold on the upper part of the building, and burst* through the roof, illuminating the city, sending up great showers of sparks, and" attracting, an immense crowd.Five steamers were soon at work pouring large streams of water on the burning building. The firemen got the mastery of it after about half an hour’s work. By that time the interior of the building had been pretty completely gutted, and a large and valuable stock was greatly damaged, if not .destroy ed. The Joss is roughly estimated at about £7OOO/ but it is hoped that the most valuable machinery, which was on the ground floor, is not permanently injured. The loss is understood to be nearly, or quite, covered by insurance in several offices. About 70 hands were employed at the factory, and will be thrown out of work for a time. The firm's lithographic and color printing factory is situated in another portion of the city and has therefore not suffered.Walker, May and Co. printers, who occupy the adjoining premises, sustained some slight damages.The origin of the fire is unknownThe Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957) Sat 31 Jan 1903 Page 13 AdvertisingTENDERS are REQUIRED for the ERECTION of PREMISES Bank place Collins-street (Eldon chambers site) for Messrs Mason Firth and M‘Cutcheon. Plans and specification can be seen at the office of the architect Trustees -chambers 412 Collins street Tenders to be delivered on or before Monday February 16th at Io noonThe lowest or any tender not necessarily accepted NAUUM BARNET ArchitectThe Herald (Melbourne, Vic. : 1861 - 1954) Wed 17 Oct 1917 Page 1A SOLDIER'S JOB MELBOURNE PRINTING FIRM - ADOPTS UNUSUAL ATTITUDEPrivate Ernest Albert Bennetts, 18 years and a month, of - the Recruits' Depot, Broadmeadows Camp, declares that Messrs Mason, Firth and McCutcheon, of Bank Place, printers, to whom he was apprenticed, placed an endorsement on his indentures, when he enlisted, to the effect that they re fused to undertake to receive him back into their service if he returned safely from the war. He is now in training to serve his country at the front. This is the case which was first mentioned in "The Herald" of October H, when a statement by Mr J. W. Leckie, Chairman of the State Recruiting Committee, was published, to the effect that a city employer6 had denied an apprentice the right to resume his indentures after his military service ceased. Mr Leckie expressed the opinion that such an attitude by employers, if general, would seriously militate against recruiting. "It is absolutely true that Mr R. G. McCutcheon endorsed my Indentures, as stated, on my enlisting," remarked Private Bennetts, when seen at the camp yesterday. "I had served two years of my time, and, on reaching my eighteenth birthday I ex pressed my wish to enlist, Mr McCutcheon remarked to me: 'You have served only two years of your time. If you enlist I shall cancel your indentures.' I enlisted, and he endorsed my indentures as follows:— At this apprentice's request we are permitting him to enlist, but this, permission Is given on the distinct understanding that we do not undertake to receive him back Into our service or to complete these indentures. He leaves at his own risk. Private Bennetts was asked if any reason existed, apart from his enlistment, why his indentures should practically have been cancelled, and he replied: — "I know of nothing. One or two minor complaints have arisen in connection with my work, but that f was still employed by the firm up till the time of my enlistment is reasonable proof that nothing occurred to justify cancellation of my indentures. It seemed to me that the general feeling among employees of the firm, after I had Stated my Intention of going into camp, was that I was not receiving fair treatment. But the endorsement on my indentures speaks for itself. It sets forth that I was enlisting at my own risk."Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic. : 1869 - 1954) Sat 26 Oct 1918 Page 26ObituaryMr Robert George McCutcheon, head of the firm of Mason, Firth and M'Cutcheon, printers, of Bank Place, Melbourne, died on October 20 at his home, "Tarella," Chapel street, St. Kilda. Mr M'Cutcheon was born at Omagh, County Tyrone, Ireland, in 1841, and came to Australia in 1861. Having- learned his trade as a compositor and printer, he spent some .years at Port Fairy.Returning to Melbourne he joined the firm of Mason, Firth and McCutcheon, of which his brother was a partner. In 1902 Mr M'Cutcheon entered the Legislative Assembly as member for St. Kilda, which constituency he represented until his retirement last year. He was an honorary member in the last Peacock Cabinet. He leaves a widow, five sons (two of whom are on active service) and three married daughters.Record (Emerald Hill, Vic. : 1881 - 1954) Sat 7 May 1927 Page 6 OBITUARIESThe friends of the late- Mr. Robert Allardice will regret to hear of his death, which occurred rather suddenly on Monday last. Deceased, aged sixty-six years, resided with his sister at 209 Bridport street, Albert Park, and was a native of South Melbourne. He was connected with the firm of Mason, Firth and McCutcheon, general printers, Melbourne, for a number of years. His funeral, largely attended, took place on Wednesday afternoon. A large number of members of the firm being present. His remains were laid to rest in the Presbyterian portion of the Melbourne General Cemetery. Floral tributes were numerous.The pallbearers were Messrs. W. F, and L. T. McCutcheon, T. A. Barrow, A- L- Dickinson, C. Hugh.es and A. Rushworth. The Rev. Chas. Tregear read the burial service. Mr. w. J. Garnar (T. Rentle) conducted the mortuary arrangements for each of the foregoing funeralsThe Australasian (Melbourne, Vic. : 1864 - 1946) Sat 24 Nov 1928 Page 19DEATH OF MRS. R. G. McCUTCHEON...By the death of Mrs. R. G. McCutcheon, widow of the late Mr. R. G. McCutcheon, M.L.A., which occurred at her residence, Ardoch Flats, Dandenong road, East St. Kilda, Melbourne has lost a valued citizen. Always inspired by a strict sense of duty Mrs. McCutcheon never spared herself in working for others. For many years she was indirectly connected with politics through the Australian Women's National League. When the league was formed in 1904 she was a member of the first committee, and she was also a vice president from that year until 1922 when she re signed. On three occasions Mrs. McCutcheon was acting president during the absence of the president, and she administered the affairs of the league with tact and clear judgment. In 1910 she was made a life member of the council. Mrs. McCutcheon interested herself in many of the philanthropic movements of St. Kilda, where she and Mr. McCutcheon lived for many years, and celebrated their golden wedding. During the war Mrs. McCutcheon set an example by making a weekly house- to-house collection for the Red Cross. Born in Yorkshire, Mrs. McCutcheon was educated at a boarding school at Exeter. She came to Australia with her parents when she was aged 17 years. She married Mr. R. G. McCutcheon, who was a member of the firm of Mason, Firth, and McCutcheon. printers, and she was the mother of 10 children, seven of whom five sons and two daughters survive her They are Mrs. W. J. Atchison, Mrs Spencer Brownell (Hobart), Mr. Robert McCutcheon, Mr. W. F. McCutcheon, and Mr Leonard McCutcheon (members of the firm of Mason, Firth, and McCutcheon) Mr. Oliver McCutcheon (NS.W.), and Dr. Allan McCutcheon. Mrs McCutcheon had 40 grandchildren and eight great-grand children. She was aged 81 years.The Age (Melbourne, Vic. : 1854 - 1954) Wed 13 Sep 1944 Page 3 OBITUARY Mr. W. F. McCutcheonAnother of the survivors of the torpedoed troopship Ballarat passed away yesterday in the person of Mr. William Firth McCutcheon, South-road, Brighton Beach. Mr. McCutcheon was a native of Melbourne, and was one of the directors and secretary to the old established city printing firm, Mason, Firth and McCutcheon He was in his '69th year.Deceased served in the first World War with the ,39th Battalion, and was one of the survivors of the troopship Ballarat, He leaves a widow and three daughters. His remains will be taken to the crematorium at Spring Vale at 3.30 p.m. to-day; and the service will be conducted by Rev. B. C. A. Eva, of St. Peter's. South Brighton. Messrs. J. Monkhouse and Son have charge of the mortuary arrangements.The Age (Melbourne, Vic. : 1854 - 1954) Wed 13 Sep 1944 Page 3 OBITUARY Mr. W. F. McCutcheonAnother of the survivors of the torpedoed troopship Ballarat passed away yesterday in the person of Mr. William Firth McCutcheon, South-road, Brighton Beach. Mr. McCutcheon was a native of Melbourne, and was one of the directors and secretary to the old established city printing firm, Mason, Firth and McCutcheon He was in his '69th year.Deceased served in the first World War with the ,39th Battalion, and was one of the survivors of the troopship Ballarat, He leaves a widow and three daughters. His remains will be taken to the crematorium at Spring Vale at 3.30 p.m. to-day; and the service will be conducted by Rev. B. C. A. Eva, of St. Peter's. South Brighton. Messrs. J. Monkhouse and Son have charge of the mortuary arrangements.The Age (Melbourne, Vic. : 1854 - 1954) Sat 1 Sep 1951 Page 11FIRST NEWSPAPER "MISSING"...Richmond MysteryA priceless copy of Melbourne's first newspaper, the "Advertiser" is missing — believed stolen — from Richmond Public Library. The "Melbourne Advertiser" was published in 1838 by John Pascoe Fawkner, co-founder of Melbourne. The missing copy is one of the first produced. Mason, Firth and McCutcheon, one of Melbourne's earliest printing establishments, made the copy, which was presented to Richmond Library shortly after it was founded in 1871. For years it has been one of the library's prized possessions, Numerous historians have taken a lot of interest in the relic."Was Stolen"Fawkner began publishing the "Advertiser" on January 1, 1838. The Richmond copy was the second Issue of the paper. It comprised two sheets containing hand-written news and small advertisements. The two sheets were framed. Richmond librarian (Mr. J. P. O'Brien) said last night the relic had been removed by some unauthorised person. He had no receipt for it and was convinced it had been stolen. - Mr. O'Brien said that since he joined the library in 1899 he had taken a keen interest in Melbourne's early history. He had read Fawkner's paper countless times. The old paper brought back pleasant memories of the past. He recalled the night "way back in the ' 1920's" when the then mayor of Richmond (Cr. G. O'Gonnell) invited Louise Lovely, great screen star of the silent films, to look at the council's prized possession a model of the old single span Princes Bridge decked with flags and decorations for the Duke of Edinburgh in 1873."But when the film star came to the library she was more interested in Fawkner's old paper than Princes Bridge,"Mr. O'Brien said, with a grin on his face Richmond council assistant town clerk (Mr. O. O. Eyres) has made an extensive but fruitless search around the town hall for the missing newspaper. He has reported it to the council's public works committee, which is to meet on Monday night.
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Research and reports
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1179748
| Type | Reference No. | Extent | Status/Desc |
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| Original | 100728 | 1 PDF : 636 KB ; A4 | Group of Items (May not be issued, may not be reproduced) |