View of East Street, Rockhampton featuring the Post Office and horses


News of the Day

East Street Merchants

Catholic Press, Thursday 25 April 1918, page 42

W. KASCH AND SON, EAST-STREET, ROCKHAMPTON.

The trend of things is rapidly leading people to the most extravagant mode of living. The home nowadays must be fitted up in a style that some ten years ago would not be thought of. The result is that furniture warehouses have completely changed, and furniture of a very superior workmanship is produced. This is most noticeable at W. Kasch and Son, East-street, Rockhampton. They turn out most artistic suites of the best woods, and are most reasonable in their prices

ROW AND CO., EAST-STREET, ROCKHAMPTON.

One of the most noted of drug stores in Rockhampton is that of Row and Co., in East-street. Mr. J. P. J. Gordon, Ph.C., N.S.W. and Queensland, is the principal in the firm, and what he does not know about drugs and medicines is not worth knowing. Their big store is simply stocked with all the essentials of their business, as well as all the odds and ends in cosmetics, soaps, perfumes, and suchlike wares that a chemist is expected to retail for woman's pleasure and vanity.

PATERSON AND SON, EAST-STREET, ROCKHAMPTON.

This is a season when it is deemed ultra fashionable for women to wear the severely tailored in skirts and coats, and the motor coat of the moment, too, must be tailored. Paterson and Son., of Rockhampton, are having a particularly busy time, executing orders for costumes, as well as supplying their men clients with their usual winter suits The firm makes clerical suits just perfect, giving every satisfaction in cut and style; their materials are the very best.

H. A. SKYRING AND SONS. LTD.

At Bundaberg, Toolooa, Gladstone, and Rockhampton, the well-known firm of H. A. Skyring and Sons, Ltd., have branch offices. They are sawmillers, timber merchants, and joiners of long-established fame. Their work is just about the best going. The timber used is well-chosen, well-seasoned, and of the quality best suited for the purpose. As the firm has an expert to choose the timber, one may feel certain it is just the finest procurable.

A. W. KIRBY AND CO., LTD., ROCKHAMPTON.

For the moment everyone is intent on the all-important matter of autumn and winter frocking. Although in Rockhampton there is really no severe cold, yet femininity delights in viewing and selecting all the newest and daintiest in coats, skirts and costumes, as well as the smartest in millinery. It is to A. W. Kirby and Co, Ltd., they wend their steps, feeling certain that the most. delightful of surprises in autumn fashions await them there.

MARTIN RYAN, 170 EAST-STREET, ROCKHAMPTON.

Owing to the cyclonic storms that recently played such havoc in Queensland, the last month or so has been spent repairing and rebuilding, so business men are much in demand; they have to supply such big orders on shortest possible notice. Martin Ryan, 170 East -street, Rockhampton, who is a well-known galvanised iron worker, plumber and gasfitter, is not allowed a day of rest; he has more to do almost than he can comfortably manage.

F. J. PFITZENMAIER, ROCKHAMPTON.

Queensland, like New South Wales, has had the experience of an unusually wet season, so raincoats have been much in demand, the Mitchell (proof) raincoat being one of the best and most suitable to the Rockhampton climate. It is worn by nearly everyone. F. J. Pfitzenmaier, the well-known tailor, is sole agent for it. He has also some particularly good winter coats, light in weight, but warm and excellent wear.

Background

In 1858, the town of Rockhampton was officially proclaimed. The town was surveyed at this time and the first sales of building allotments were held that year. In 1859, gold was discovered at Canoona. Miners rushed to the new field, using the site of Rockhampton on the Fitzroy River as the nearest navigable port. The Canoona field proved to be very disappointing and thousands of would-be gold seekers were left stranded at Rockhampton. Although many returned south, others stayed, adding to the infant town's population.

By 1861, the town boasted a regular newspaper, banks, court house and School of Arts. Direct shipments of imported goods and migrants from the United Kingdom began to be received during the 1860s. During the 1860s and 1870s Rockhampton developed as the main port for the developing Central Queensland hinterland; the main export at that time being wool.

 


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