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Memories of St Kilda (Balaclava area) circa 1920 |
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Life moved at a slow pace in the 1920/30 era but generally everyone was friendly and helpful. Banking hours were 10am – 3pm Mon – Friday. On rare occasions the State Savings Bank at Balaclava would open for a short time on Friday evening (gas lift). I remember interest rates for Government Bonds were 4% and 4 ½% - this was indicated on notices on circular discs at the bank. I remember asking my dad what did it mean! Post Office hours were 9am – 6pm Monday to Friday and 9am – 1pm Saturday. Two mail deliveries were made daily and one on a Saturday. Mailmen walked or rode a bicycle. Postage was 1d per letter then 1 ½d. Around 1938 postage rose to 2d (the extra ½d was to pay for social service benefits introduced at the time but never came to bear. When WW2 broke out postage rose to 2 ½d (not immediately) – regular postage for letters was always printed on a red stamp – the mail service was very reliable. Credit was almost unknown and customers just purchased according to their means. Shopping hours varied but 8.30am – 6pm Monday to Thursday and until 9pm Friday were general weekday ours and on a Saturday hours were about 8am – 1pm. It depended on the traders – butcher, baker etc but confectioners were open all hours. The week after the Pacific War started Friday night shopping was abandoned. The war brought many changes to our lifestyle and we seem to be still trying to sort ourselves “out” fifty years on. A reference back to shopping. Cash payments were the order-of-the-day so money changed hands all the time. In some shops only authorised persons were permitted to “use the till” and change was given by said authorised person. This protected employees and no doubt prevented stealing! I recall (Fogarty) at one time employed a girl who sat in an elevated desk in the centre of the shop and ALL transactions were given her for processing. Fogarty at one time used a large silver coloured cash register where employees struck their allotted ABCD – then the amount, wound a handle to open cash drawer and carried out transaction. There were various types of cash registers used. Away from Balaclava one large retailer O.GILPIN sold manchester goods – he seemed to employ female labour in his shops only. Staff did not handle money and when a sale was completed the salesgirl would call a senior who wore a strong black apron where cash was carried in the pockets. The senior girl then completed the transaction. Some very large stores had a central point (elevated) with wires leading to sales points. Dockets and cash were placed into a carrier and propelled along the wire to the cash office where an operator carried out necessary admin and returned, by gravity, the carrier and change. Some carriers operated by pneumatic tubes for propulsion. In the early 1930s very large ash registers were introduced. At busy times one girl would operate same viz: each salesgirl seemed to have a number and when she handed the head girl her dockets this number was struck causing a certain drawer to open to complete the transaction. Apparently to keep each salesgirl’s separate. It seems a bit complicated and I have little knowledge of the system. DAIRY PRODUCTS Although on a much smaller scale deli shops were similar to today’s operation. Dairy products were sold and also bread – usual line of butter, chooks, hams and eggs. Butter was in 56lbs cartons and when a customer asked for a lb (of butter) the shop assistant would take two wooden “pats” dip them in water and slice off an amount – this was weighed, priced then wrapped. It was uncanny how accurately the salesgirl/man would assess the amount. There were two shops in Carlisle Street. One was quite large and employed many girls and the other run by a Mrs Palmer and her daughter – seemed to specialise in cooked meats. Supplies were delivered to the shops by the manufacturers – horse drawn or early motor van. Mrs Palmer would cut a loaf of bread into slices (for sandwiches) by using her hand operated meat slicer – cost was 1 ½ per loaf if you bought same from her stock. This was before the days of sliced bread. In the late 1920s a small business opened on the south side near Williams Street – I guess it was a dairy produce store with a difference. The shopkeeper was an American and he was enterprising. Apart from the general sales of meats etc offered a service that did appeal to housewives – which included my mother. Viz: Rabbits were a popular dish at the time – it is hard to imagine that the cost of a rabbit could be as low as 3d (two cents) – needless to say trading was good – customers would place an order for a cooked rabbit and it was available at a given time – then later the shopkeeper offered a further service – he would cook a meal (rabbit for meat) and make same available. Idea was to leave a billycan (plus lid) during the day and arrange to pick-up the complete meal around 5pm – rabbit, and vegetables plus gravy – this was all placed in the billycan piping hot and brought home for evening meal. The cost was extremely low, but it saved much time and effort when a busy housewife may have had other things to do – surely this was the forerunner of take-away foods! BEER This was a very strictly controlled commodity. Selling hours were 10am – 6m (six o’clock closing) in hotels and licensed shops. Supplies came in barrels and bottles (no stubbies). Hotels were the focal point and the breweries would send supplies by horse drawn drays to the outlets. Barrels were lowered direct from the drays – drivers would place a ramp on the side of the dray to the footpath then roll a barrel to the top of the ramp – place two ropes around same and gently lower to the cellar – it was quite skilful. Bottle supplies were wheeled in (on a trolley) to the hotel. Trading was very brisk between 5pm and 6pm when men called for their drinks after work. The drinking became know as Six O’clock Swill and efforts were made to have the hours altered without avail. About every eight years there was a referendum held on a yes/no basis to see if the public wanted to continue the sale of alcohol but the no vote always won. Drinking hours were very much a topic of the day. Just on 6pm publicans would call time gentlemen please – last drinks thank you and customers would start to move away. It was unlawful to carry a bottle of drink away from a hotel without same being well wrapped and (more or less) concealed – indeed rules were very tight. If a publican was caught selling grog after hours he could be heavily fined and possibly lose his licence. Licensed grocers sold grog and it was their main source of income. Fogarty (whose business survived 80 years in Balaclava) on corner of Carlisle/Woodstock Streets held the local licence. Bottled beer and spirits were held in large supplies and sold over the counter. At 6pm on a Friday evening it was a requirement that the liquor was locked away by means of boards being placed in front of the shelving displaying stock. The law was very strictly enforced and inspectors would call at any time to check. When Fogarty’s store closed the licence was transferred to Coles Supermarket, which had opened opposite. Outside nearly all hotels a horse trough was installed to provide a drink for our faithful friends. SOFT DRINKS Not a great many varieties were available with lemonade the most popular. Grocers, confectioners and sometimes greengrocers sold soft drinks. Marchants Ltd and Loy Bros were the well-known manufacturers of the day. A large bottle (size unknown to me) would sell for 6d could reduce to 5d or a special 4 ½ d (per dozen). A penny charge was made on the bottle and refunded when returned. Loy Bros were very famous for ginger beer and most of their supplies were made direct to homes by means of a two-horse vehicle with the supplies displayed along the top. Ample supplies were carried in the body of the cart. The containers were not glass bottles but stoneware and exchanged about every 14 days. Deliveries were very regular. Glasses of soft drink were sold at confectionery shops and a drinking straw was available. A well know and popular drink was a “spider” which was merely lemonade and a scoop of ice cream. CLOTHING SHOPS Not a great many tailors in the suburbs and I do not recall one in Balaclava yet the name of HIAMS registers! A well-known manchester supplier was Holt’s Fair – the shop was on the north side directly opposite Woodstock Street. It was a long narrow shop with counters running along both sides and rather crowded. The store was operated by a Mr Holt and his sons with some female staff. Holt’s Fair advertised frequently and one consistent ad read “one woman tells another about Holt’s famous prices” – the business seemed to thrive and was in operation for many years (as of 1995 I think it may still operate). SHOE SHOPS & BOOT REPAIRERS I recall three in Carlisle Street – Swan, Speed and Greer – all seemed to do good business. The owners would go to much trouble to give personal service to ensure a sale. Shops were quite small with many boxes (of shoes) stacked high on side walls. My father once purchased an excellent pair of boots which cost 6/- (60c) – such a price is hard to imagine but they were a very good pair and gave dad good service. In addition to footwear other items sold were laces, polish, shoe horns etc. On occasions a sale might take place but this was generally in the bigger city stores. A row of seats in the centre of the shop allowed customers to site and salesmen would then draw up a small seat in front which had a sloping side for the customer to rest the new shoes as he/she tried same for size. It’s much the same today perhaps with some modern furniture. Shops carried a “clamp” which, when screwed would slightly ease the size (bigger of course) if purchase were a tight fit. In the late 1920s x-ray machines were introduced for customers to see how their feet fitted into a shoe – this fascinated people but I understand the system was abandoned as the x-ray caused damage to some. Repairers of footwear were good tradesmen who really gave good service. Most jobs were carried out at the shop but some had contract work and boots/shoes were taken away to factories and returned next day completed. Costs varied from 5/- to 6/6d for men’s shoe repairs nearly as much as a new pair but people preferred to repair rather than buy new stock. The repairers also mended bags and other leather goods using their sewing machines – service was always ”with a smile”. A repair shop still existing in 1995 was known as the American Shoe Repair s- situated first shop from the railway bridge on the north side. Another repairer with a good business was J. Mahoney on the south side. HATS The wearing of hats by both men and women was certainly the “order of the day” in the 1920s – however during the 1930 era it was the custom to go hatless – especially with men. Women continued for the most part – generally there was an easing off and somehow I feel the custom never really recovered. Men’s suppliers were known as hatters whilst ladies suppliers were generally known as hat salons. Balaclava supported three stores – one by a Miss Doris Quinton, near William Street, south side, another was on the north side near Nelson Street and a men’s supplier was in a store built into railway property at the foot of the up ramp at the railway station. Both men’s and ladies’ hats were displayed on tall poles – there was rarely any special display of any kind – just hats. Despite the “easing-off” of wearing hats during the 1930s there were still plenty to be seen and some wonderful creations were available for women. In some men’s stores it was not uncommon for a kettle to be continually boiling and the steam was sued to ease a tight fitting hat. Ties and shirts were available from some stores. GROCERS Grocers were very much a mainstay of local trade. Some shos were large and some very small. Employees were required to wear a white apron and be tidy. Packaged goods (as known today) were rare. Sugar was kept in large bags with a tin scoop always on top, as was salt, oatmeal and seed. Customers would enter a shop and a man would go forward to serve. He would get each item required and place it on the counter in front of the customer. Items would then be totalled and money paid – such was the pace of life in the 20s and 30s. As time moved on grocers would pre-pack sugar, salt etc in brown paper bags and have same ready for immediate sale. Tinned goods were becoming popular and colourful labels attracted customers. Honey was purchased by bringing a glass jar to the shop – it was weighed and filled for costing. Crofts Stores were a large (of the day) chain and operated in quite a few suburbs. Each Friday and Saturday morning two specials were offered and they proved popular. On these two days the shops were always very crowded as householders complete the weekly shopping. Orders would be called for and delivered on the same day. At the end of 1920s self service stores came into operation and people became fascinated with the idea but it was very slow in becoming fully accepted. Customers would enter a shop and take a (wicker) basket and serve themselves then proceed to the counter where the items had to be priced before the customer could pay and leave – in early days the stores were known as cash and carry stores. The goods were packaged at the store by the owner – not delivered like today – this was the forerunner of the supermarket and introduction was very much delayed by the outbreak of World War Two – there was a shortage of supplies and staff. (Reference is made to a TV soapie – The Sullivans – in this show a grocery shop operation is shown and gives a good coverage of the way of life was pre and during the war). CHEMISTS There were several chemist businesses in Balaclava. All offered the same service. Doctor’s prescriptions were the backbone of trade no doubt. Most would open for two hours on a Sunday morning and just before the war the chemists “got together” and decided to open “one at a time” each Sunday. I do not know how the system operated but they seemed happy at the idea. Chemists did not carry the extensive variety as is carried today and specials were unknown. Names of some owners I recall were – Frank Newman then his son took over, WFB Porz, ET Church, Dick Maxwell, W Lloyd Williams, Dorothy Mason and others. BUTCHERS Butcher’s shops were always clean and attractive – I understand hygiene standards were strictly enforced yet they would hardly compare with today’s requirements. Meats were attractively displayed in the shop window and prices clearly marked (it was a requirement to have a price list on the shop wall for perusal – not always carried out). Parsley was used to give an attractive look for a special offer and many shops had a system where water trickled down the glass window. Floors were usually of concrete (red) and a heavy covering of sawdust (actually it was very slippery and one had to be careful). A chopping block was positioned in the centre of the shop and meats were suspended on hooks from railings, which were constructed around the shop. Meat was handed to a girl who was working behind the counter who weighed same, wrapped and priced the purchase and registered the payment. Until well into the 1930s meat could be wrapped in newspaper providing the meat did not touch the newsprint (an inner wrap of clean paper was used). Newspapers were bought from the public at 1d per lb – children made many pennies from such dealing. Not all shops employed a girl at the counter and the butchers themselves often carried through the entire transaction. Circa 1920 the price of meat was almost unbelievable (compared with today) biz: a leg of lamb (nearly three lbs) would cost 3/6d (35c) sausages were 3d per lb. Courtesy and service were key words and often a notice appeared – “special attention given to children” which, of course, meant that when a child brought a note from mum for a purchase the butcher would ensure his best effort was made. Saturday morning was a very busy time at the butcher’s shop – 8am – noon was usual trading hours and there was a big turnover. Staff would take orders during the week and then on Friday about midnight would start preparing orders. Meat was cut, wrapped and priced then placed in a cold room ready for collection in the morning – it was long hours for the staff at weekends. Rarely did a mistake occur. Butchers wore a striped apron and had their knives and sharpening steel strapped around their waist – just like today. Meat supplies were delivered to shops during the week – sometimes by horse drawn vehicles, or later, by motor van. Drivers would carry the sides of meat on their shoulders protected by a sack, which was positioned over their heads (and shoulders) – it was placed in a cold room at the rear of the shop.. SPECIAL COMMENT With today’s high standards of hygiene I refer to deliveries I witnessed s a child – fresh meat was carried to shops on a horse drawn Jinker, viz: two wheels at each end of a carrier which was only a pole – a canvas roof was affixed – a canvas awning was fixed to one side and passed under the pole and then fixed to the other side – meat (sides of lamb and beef) hung from the roof. On making a delivery the driver would drop the canvas at the side and collect the meat. The only protection for the meat was the canvas, which passed under from side to side. Two horses pulled the vehicle. This may be hard to believe but I actually saw same and meat being delivered to the shop of Mr H Boundy in Carlisle St – wow! NEWSAGENTS Two shops operated in Balaclava – one held the authority to deliver newspapers and had a sub-agency in Inkerman Street and the other acted as a general outlet – both conducted libraries which were well patronised. Apart from newspapers sales of magazines, cards, pens, pencils and the general merchandise at such shops were effected. Newspapers were delivered each morning (very early) to homes – they were placed in a special box usually mounted on the fence. The idea of throwing a paper into a garden was taboo and every care was taken to ensure good service – paper would be replaced (sometimes) if they were not intact by the time the customer received same. The job of delivering morning papers was a much sort after extra and many people enjoyed a small second income with such a job. Deliveries were carried out, usually, by men riding bicycles with two sacks hanging from the handlebars – they stopped at each house and placed the papers into the box provided. Others had a “soap” box on wheels and pushed same along to each home. On wet days every care was taken to ensure a “dry” paper was delivered – for many years the Melbourne papers were (morning) Age, Argus (both cost 1 ½ d) then (1992) the Sun was published costing 1d. There was also The Morning Post, which was absorbed by the Sun after a time – no lack of newspapers for the citizens of Melbourne. In the evening two papers were published the Herald and Sun both cost 1 ½ d – the Sun was eventually withdrawn. In the early 1930s (about 1934) the Argus published an evening paper The Star – its launching was given a great boost and the paper sold well for some time – the last edition on a Saturday contained all the sports results and was printed on a green paper – naturally it became known as the Green Star. It was suddenly withdrawn at Easter time 1936 – almost without any warning and the Herald continued alone up until a few years ago. Other newspapers were The Sporting Globe (pink paper) was issued every Saturday with a mid-week edition on a Wednesday. Weekly Times, with country news was issued mid-week by the Herald and The Leader (also a Herald publication) seemed to be released on a Wednesday. The Argus published a mid week paper, The Australasian. Social papers were available weekly, one popular one being Table Talk. No Sunday papers were published in Melbourne so it was a “day off” for newsagents. Newsboys sold papers outside the shops and were paid a small commission. FACTORIES Referring to Balaclava area there were a couple of factories. I recall a plaster manufacturing company Stronga in William Street and a clothing factory in Nelson Street. I know nothing of pay conditions. From what I understand conditions were far from good and pay only “just”. However it was not “slave” labour and people accepted that way of life – it would be unfair of me to comment on something I am not familiar with. Such items as protective clothing and hard hats were unknown. Machines were driven by belts from a main shaft where applicable. Lunchrooms could be very primitive. Many men went to work in their work clothes travelling by tram or riding a bicycle. A cut lunch was the usual way of eating – hot water was made available to make a cuppa. Wages were “made-up” in a small pay packet and given employees usually on a Friday afternoon. (This system continued for years and well after the war – pay direct to a bank was unknown). AMERICAN RAPID SHOE REPAIRS The shop was situated next to the north rail bank in Carlisle Street, Balaclava. (It stills exists as of November 1995). I can remember back to early 1919, when the shop was operated by a Mr Harrop, who worked on his own. Mr Harrop and his wife – no family – lived on the SE corner of Westbury/Inkerman Sts and Harrop would walk to work each day along Westbury Street passing my home. He was always very pleasant and obliging. My knowledge of his business is thus: shoe repairs were very popular at the time and the conveniently located shop allowed for customers to leave footwear for repairs in the morning as they headed for work (by train) and collect same in the evening. I cannot be absolutely sure of costs but the amount of 6/6d for men’s boots and shoes (sole and heel) is very much in my mind. Mr H had a small business but must have enjoyed a good turn-over. Repairs would be sent to a nearby factory in Windsor and returned daily. Credit seemed to be allowed and Harrop wrote all debts into a long narrow book….just Govett 6/6d or whatever and every so often payment would be made. Harrop just crossed off the debt and everyone was happy (don’t know about the tax man). Payment was made in a small silver coloured cash register. A hand operated sewing machine was situated in the window of the shop and repairs would be affected to hand bags etc. There were no fancy trimming about the shop – just a happy and courteous relationship with customers. Mr Harrop told me he adopted the name American Rapid Shoe Repairs when he opened following a visit to America a couple of years before. I think he copied an idea he saw in the USA. In those times a visit to the USA was a dream. THE ST KILDA THEATRE This (picture) theatre was situated in Fitzroy Street near the George Hotel (Barkly St cnr). Talkies were never screened so the theatre would have ceased operating around 1930. I recall being taken there by my father about 1926 and shown the operating box workings. I found it interested (as a child) and always remember that a film about war was being screened. For some reason the operator used a blue filter at one stage to give a special effect. I can recall that incident even now. Dad and I stayed for the remainder of the show. It was the only occasion I ever visited the St Kilda Theatre. I understand that talkies were never screened at the theatre and it just faded out as a silent show. The building was (apparently) sold to Cinesound Productions of Sydney when that company was formed to produce sound pictures both newsreel and feature films. It was classified as Cinesound Melbourne studios. The auditorium was completed cleared and sound proofing installed. Overhead lights and camera towers were introduced and quite a few shows (mainly commercial ads) were produced. A developing and printing lab was installed in a small building to the rear and used mainly to produce Melbourne items of the weekly Cinesound Newsreel. About March 1938 the studio was hired by New Era Films a small company formed to produce feature films. Its director of productions was Mr AR (Dick) Harwood whose name is well known in early Australian film production. I understand that the Australian Government of the day had decreed that four Australian films had to be made each year to compete with the overwhelming supply of American produced features. Sadly there were some poor efforts but a start had to be made. New Era Films had a schedule of four productions – The Avenger, Lost in the Clouds (a story about the loss of the Southern Cloud), Show Business and one other. When Show Business was about to start production I was offered a job to sweep and clean the studio. I was paid 5/- per day, I certainly grabbed the chance to work as I was unemployed at the time and recall riding a bicycle from my home to the studio ready to work. I was very excited for, following two years out of work, I had a job and it was with a film company! So – with a bucket, broom and broad heart I set to and cleaned up a very dirty building. It took several days but I loved the job. The other members of the staff were getting ready to commence filming and there was much to do. Although a few actors were available a few more had to be selected so advertisements were placed in the local newspapers (Age, Argus, Sun-Pictorial) for interview and appointment. A time was set for interviews and I was asked to wear a suit (instead of overalls) and greet any applicants at the door. The old foyer of the theatre was still intact and steps led to the entrance – offices were to either side of the foyer. A few people arrived and were interviewed but one in particular stood out – a father with his 15/17 year old daughter arrived – daughter had just had a “page-boy” hair set and was neatly dressed. The father pushed his way forward and demanded to see the director of productions (he was a bit aggressive.) I blocked him but he was very adamant and pushed his way forward towards the door of Dick Harwood’s office. Mr Harwood was interviewing at the time but it seemed to make no difference and the man said, I am not talking to a staff member and for me to get out of his way”. I called for assistance and another staff member (Bert Todd if my memory is correct) came forward and we managed to stop this very determined person. The Director of Productions was informed and he came out of his office and confronted dad and daughter but would not interview them stating clearly that there was no part for a young girl in the production. After a few words and much disgust the man left with daughter. I wonder what happened to them? As the days passed and commencement of filming came closer it was suggested that the foyer of the old St Kilda Theatre could be used as a “set” (original intention was to use the foyer of a theatre at Northcote (The Plaza) but all came to nothing s a decision was made to take the company to Sydney and produce the show at the Pagewood Studios – cost of bringing Arthur and Tasman Higgins, well known cameramen of the day, plus equipment to Melbourne was too costly. So New Era Films packed up and headed by train to Sydney. I realised that my job and hopes were now dashed and was a very saddened person but luck was to intervene. I was classified as an actor and taken to Sydney with the company. We departed on a Sunday evening from Spencer Street station aboard the (new) Spirit of Progress (June 1938?) changed at Albury an headed for Central Sydney were Mr Harwood met us. Offices were rented at 300 Pitt Street and production commenced almost immediately at Pagewood. The film was eventually completed and distribution was made through Columbia Pictures organisation. It was a very low key show and I have no idea as to its success or otherwise. I do recall that my dad, mother and I went to a theatre in Sandringham to view the show one evening. A Sunday night private screening did take place at the Village Theatre, Toorak shortly after the film was completed and my mother and I were invited. Not long after this event an auction took place with a view to selling the studio but it did not eventuate at the time. A few commercial ads were produced. I lost contact with the old St Kilda Theatre – war came and I went away. |
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