Piesse Richardson Store. Piesse Richardson Store. Piesse Richardson Store. Piesse Richardson Store. Piesse Richardson Store. Piesse Richardson Store. Piesse Richardson Store. Piesse Richardson Store. Piesse Richardson Store. Piesse Richardson Store.
Frederick and Charles Piesse’s second store (1901) was built where the current (and third) building now stands.
Their first store (originally used as their mobile store) was opposite the railway station where the Royal Exchange Hotel now stands.
The F & C Piesse building (above) was built by the Piesse Brothers following the construction of their flour mill and their first store. Charles left the partnership and moved to Wagin around this time. Robert Lawson Richardson bought into the business and it was to become known as Richardson and Company Ltd until being sold to Perth based Foy and Gibson. In the “inHerit” website it states that the former F & C Piesse Store has high historical and social significance as it played an integral part in the economic and social development of the Shire of Katanning as it was the “pioneer” store of the district.
Piesse Richardson Store
The second set of extensions nearing completion
It also is associated with the most prominent families in Katanning, that of the Piesse family as well as the Richardson’s. The building also maintains a strong architectural and aesthetic significance, particularly in terms of its streetscape value, despite the alterations and modifications that have been made to the exterior. It was one of the most up-to-date stores of its kind in the state when it was originally built however the interior has little, if any, heritage significance today.
F & C PIESSE STORE
From “Cyclopedia of Western Australia – 1912”
Published 1913
Photographs by H. C. Biltoft, Katanning
F. & C. PIESSE & COMPANY
Argent Street, Katanning.
F & C Piesse & Company was a well-known trading firm of merchants, millers, vignerons, aerated-water manufacturers, electric light supply, orchardists, graziers, and farmers, was one of the oldest commercial enterprises established in the districts lying along the great southern railway line.
It was founded as early as the year 1880 by Frederick Henry Piesse in conjunction with his brother, Charles Austin Piesse, when it first operated from spot on the Williams River where the Perth-Albany Road crosses it. A town had begun to develop into the present township of Williams, then a small settlement of about half a dozen houses. The inhabitants were engaged chiefly in farming and the sandalwood industry. Shortly after at the Arthur River, 25 miles south of the Williams, a branch was successfully carried on by Mr. C. A. Piesse. The undertaking was enlarged considerably by an impetus which was given to the trade in kangaroo skins about this time. It is believed that, within a period of four years, over 500,000 skins were exported by the firm.
The brothers continued to make improvements at both their depots until the construction of the great southern railway was commenced by the Western Australian Land Company. The business of providing supplies to the workers engaged on the construction of the line, along with their families, was carried out by them until its completion in 1889. Permanent business houses were opened by F. & C. Piesse at Katanning, Wagin, and Narrogin. The Narrogin business was subsequently sold to Mr. J. T. Chipper and, in 1900 the existing partnership was dissolved. Mr. C. A. Piesse become sole proprietor of the Wagin branch and Mr. F. H. Piesse took over the interests at Katanning. The Williams branch was disposed of and the business at Arthur River closed.
Before these changes took place, however, the firm had enormously increased its scope of operations, adding agricultural, horticultural, and pastoral interests to the other branches of their enterprise. These included milling, viticulture and wine-making, the manufacture of aerated waters, electric light supply, and various other branches of industry and commerce.
The milling business was inaugurated in 1891 by the erection of the Premier Flour Mill at Katanning at a period when the number of bags of wheat produced in the immediate district would hardly have totalled more than 600.
The original plant was of only small capacity, the output being two and a half sacks, or 500 lb. per hour. In 1909 the plant was increased to a capacity capable of dealing with five sacks, or 1,000 lb., per hour, and, subsequently, further alterations were carried out which made possible an output of eighteen sacks, or 3,600 lb., per hour. The plant was then considered the very best example of its kind in Australia. The installation was entrusted to Messrs. Thomas Robinson & Sons, well-known milling engineers of Rochdale, England, and of Sydney, New South Wales, whose milling machinery was of world-wide repute. The firm had been given a free hand by F. & C. Piesse to carry out the work according to the latest ideas with the plant being handed over in perfect running order and maintaining its efficiency from that time.
The quality of the flour turned out under the “Premier” brand was recognised everywhere throughout Western Australian, even in the north-west where the climate made a severe test on flour. This was especially satisfactory to the public at large, inasmuch as it was convincing evidence that the one-time prejudice that existed with regard to Western Australian flour had been completely overcome. The number of prizes and medals won in competition, not only in this State, but also at the Franco-British Exhibition, demonstrated the superiority of the local product. Any further testimony that would have been needed was forthcoming in a feature in the history of the firm, viz., that its business was increasing rapidly, year by year, beyond all expectation.
Adequate storage sheds were situated at the rear of the mill in Austral Terrace and were fitted up with automatic hoists and connected to the mill by conveyors for the handling of the raw material and the milled product. The steam power for driving the mill was generated in two 200-h.p. Babcock & Wilcox boilers attached to a large Reader Coreiss engine.
Having secured a concession for the lighting of the town of Katanning by electric power, the firm of F. & C. Piesse had erected a plant complete with accumulators of the very latest design of the day. It was in connection with the mill that, in 1891, the first complete electric-lighting plant was installed in the State, whilst in later days Katanning had the distinction of being the first town in Western Australia to have electric light, and at the time was considered one of the best lighted country towns in the State. At the period of its first installation in connection with the mill the light was extended to the firm’s store, warehouses, aerated-water factory, and hotel. The firm then utilised electric power for all its outside purposes such as driving, hoists, pumps, tool-shop, etc.
Messrs. F. & C. Piesse later purchased the business carried on by Messrs. C. Piesse & Co., the manufacturers of the well-known “Piesse’s Dry Ginger Ale” which, for quality, boldly challenged importations, and became obtainable over most of Western Australia. Its excellent quality was due to the use of pure water and its manufacture in an up-to-date plant imported specially for the purpose. It combined with the thorough methods employed by the manager of this particular branch of the firm’s industry. The factory was complete with the latest machinery in use in the Old World, by the aid of which the firm not only manufactured the famous dry ginger ale but is also turned out successfully all varieties of carbonated waters and cordials. Messrs. F. & C. Piesse were also interested in the supply of water, which it conserved in a large reservoir situated half a mile from the centre of the town.
Having secured the agency of Messrs. William Sandover & Co., the Western Australian representatives for Messrs. H. V. McKay, of Sunshine fame, the firm then commenced catering for the farmers’ needs in this direction and, in addition became an agent for all classes of fertilisers and farm requisites.
The head office of F. & C. Piesse was at Katanning, where a fine suite of modern offices had been erected in Argent Street. The firm also had branches in Perth and Kalgoorlie. In October 1911, the flour-milling and electric supply were taken over by Frederik Thomas Roper Piesse, who continued to carry on business under the old name and, upon the demise of his father the late F. H. Piesse in 1912, took over the various other branches of the business.
FREDERICK THOMAS ROPER PIESSE
Frederick Thomas Roper Piesse
Frederick Thomas Roper Piesse was born at the Williams River on October 2, 1878, and was the eldest son of Frederick Henry Piesse, C.M.G. Until eleven years of age he attended the local State school, passing from there to the Albany Grammar School and, after two subsequent years of private tuition at home, completed his education at the High School, Perth. Having always displayed a decided bent for mechanics, after leaving school at sixteen, he entered the engineering firm of James Martin & Co., of Gawler, South Australia, which at that time largely engaged in the manufacture of locomotives where he remained for two and a half years.
Desiring to gain knowledge in a wider field of engineering he served a year at the Western Australian Government Workshops at Fremantle, and afterwards left for Scotland, where he joined the well-known firm of Messrs. Dubs & Co., of Glasgow, with whom he continued for nearly a year.
When Messrs. James Simpson & Co., of Grosvenor Road, London, secured the contract from the Western Australian Government for the pumping machinery for the Coolgardie water scheme, Mr. Piesse was successful in securing a position with that firm, and was engaged by them on several large works in England. Among these was the Cheltenham water supply and the Grand Junction and New River waterworks supply for the City of London.
After finishing his engineering course Mr. Piesse returned to Western Australia in 1902 to join his father in his many undertakings at Katanning. He was made an associate member of the Institute of Mechanical Engineers, London, and was a member of the Western Australian Institute of Engineers. Mr. Piesse had always been fond of athletic sports, particularly lacrosse and tennis; and he was a very keen horticulturist. In 1905 he married May, daughter of Mr. W. H. Jackson, of Balmain, Sydney, and had one daughter.
RICHARDSON & CO.,
Universal Providers,
Austral Terrace, Katanning.
Robert Lawson Richardson JP
ROBERT LAWSON RICHARDSON, J.P., who was the Managing Director, and later, owner of the firm of Richardson and Co., the son of the late William Richardson, of Dalveen, South Australia, where was born on December 30, 1862. Concluding his education at the local State school when fifteen years of age he gained employment with store-keeping pursuits at Georgetown and started on his own account at Clarendon in 1897.
After five years he disposed of his connection and came to Western Australia, turning his steps to Katanning after a few months on the goldfields. In 1904 Mr. Richardson purchased an interest in the store-keeping business of F. and C. Piesse, which then carried on under the name of Richardson & Co., merchants and general importers. F. H. Piesse, C.M.G., continued to be associated in partnership with Mr. Richardson.
The firm traded in all lines of merchandise, but confined itself to store-keeping, the supervision of the numerous departments carrying with it considerable responsibility. These included drapery and millinery of the most up-to-date fashion, a provision and grocery department, hardware and furnishing department, boots and shoes, farmers’ requisites, oils, paints, glassware, clocks, electroplate, and every conceivable class of goods that may have been inquired for in a country district. From when Mr. Richardson was included in the partnership branches were established at Woodanilling, Kojonup, Ngowangerupp (now Gnowangerup), Tambellup, Nampup (now Nyabing), and Badgebup which followed the general character of the parent business and aided in the development of the districts.
Mr. Richardson gives the major portion of his time to the demands of his business but serves as a member of the hospital board and of the local board of health. He takes a deep interest in the advancement of the Baptist Church at Katanning, of which he is a member. In 1885 he married Eliza, daughter of the late Mr. C. E. King, of Georgetown, South Australia, and has seven daughters and a son.
HISTORY
From other various sources.
The Piesse brothers first established a one-room store in the town of Katanning in 1889, the store originally used as his ‘mobile’ store servicing the railway building crews, at the time the Great Southern Railway was established. Owing to their success, they were later, in 1901, able to replace this with a more substantial wood and iron structure. In 1905 the Piesse complex was erected – the third and finest of their stores. The building was designed by E Summerhayes, of Perth, and built by J H Brown, the contract price being over £3000.
The store as built by Frederick & Charles Piesse
Prior to any extensions.
The Great Southern Herald described the new and up-to-date building as it was being completed: The retail shop, with its handsome plate-glass front is, of course, the central feature in the building. Its dimensions are 52ft x 50ft and is entered by two imposing approaches having tiled floors and screen lobbies the latter being provided for keeping dust out of the building.
The shop itself is provided with handsome shelving and fittings for the display of the various goods on sale and the five counters form a very effective and detailed part of the work and all have been arranged with drawers and bins for the reception of goods. [GSH; 5/1/05, p. 3]
Some of the other special features of the new complex included the mirror in the millinery department which was “7ft x 4ft, surrounded with beautifully designed embossed glass panes, the initials of the firm being conspicuously worked thereon”; the main staircase; the six offices; the lead-lights’, the showroom on the upper floor, the Italian style of the front elevation and the verandah floored with “patent granolithic paving”. The whole building was serviced by electric light. [GSH, 5/10/05, p.3]
The facade is Federation Italianate in style with emphasised piers and balustrade parapet. The building also features a central pediment with a rural motif above the name F & C Piesse. From here the Piesse brothers continued their successful trading operations and, in 1904, Robert Lawson Richardson entered into the partnership and the store became known as Richardson & Co.Richardson took the store into a very successful period, whereby other branches were being opened up all over the Great Southern and Richardson becoming a household name.
As a result, a new wing was added to the store in 1908 to meet the demands. In 1924 the business was floated into a limited company under the name of Richardson and Co. Ltd, with Richardson as the Chairman of the Board. Extensive additions and alterations were carried out to the building in 1927, costing over £8000, when the premises were purchased from the Piesse estate. The architects were Oldham, Boas, Ednie-Brown and the contractors were Hine & May.
The building with the second extensions almost completed in 1927.
Under the new management, and with the up-to-date renovations, the business was promoted as “the Pioneer Store of the District: First in 1889 – Still First in 1939”. [Webse, p.38]
The store has had many tenants since Richardson & Co Ltd closed its doors and, by 1980, it lay vacant. In 1985 local businessmen refurbished the building making it a modern shopping complex and several businesses began trading under the one roof. There are also boarding rooms on the upstairs level.
Richardson & Co. Ltd. c1930
Richardson & Co. Ltd. c1940
The building has undergone many renovations and alterations, particularly in 1985. The original timber posted verandah was removed and replaced with cantilever style awning. The face brickwork has been painted and disabled toilets added in June 2002.
The Piesse/Richardson building today showing none of its original grandeur
BUSINESS EXPANSION
BIG BUSINESS DEAL
Richardson & Co. Ltd. at Wagin
Malcolm’s Store Purchased.
Great Southern Herald
22 April, 1933
For some time it has been rumoured that negotiations were being conducted by the firm of Richardson and Company Limited, of Katanning, for a merger with the firm of Malcolm and Co. Ltd. (in liquidation), of Wagin.
On Friday, however, it was announced by a director of Richardson and Company Ltd. that the firm had purchased the entire stock and plant of Malcolm and Co. Ltd. (in liquidation), the change of ownership taking place from Monday next. The purchasers, of necessity, will need to make preparations for re-opening the business, and it is anticipated this will take place early in May.
The new business will be conducted on a scale adequate tor such an important town as Wagin, and the excellent service provided by Richardson and Co. Ltd. at all their establishments will be maintained in this, their newest enterprise.
Mr. R. M. Richardson, only son of the late R. L. Richardson, the founder of the firm, has been appointed to the management of the new branch, and will depart shortly to his new sphere of life.
Since its inauguration in the district, the firm of Richardson and Company Ltd. has made steady and sound progress, and it is a tribute to the company’s stability that such a move at expansion was possible in the present times of depression. Including the central store and the acquired business, branches have been established at Broomehill, Woodanilling, Badgebup and Kojonup.
An interesting feature of the new acquirement is that it brings back under one management the two branches of the original business established by the late firm of F. and C. Piesse.
FOY & GIBSON
BUSINESS MERGER
RICHARDSON’S AND FOY’S AMALGAMATE
Great Southern Herald
21 October 1949 – P2
It was announced this week that, following protracted negotiations, a merger had been effected between Foy and Gibson (WA.) Ltd., and Richard son and Co. Ltd. Although Foys had procured a controlling interest in the share capital, the selling portion of Richardson & Co. Ltd., their branch stores and both management and staff, were not effected by the merger.
The policy of the past two and a half decades, to provide a comprehensive service at competitive prices, is to continue and the merger will provide Richardson’s with tremendous buying power and the residents of the districts already served by Richardson & Co. Ltd., will now be able to participate in the splendid bargains offered by metropolitan shops.
Foy & Gibson History
Foy & Gibson (also known as Foy’s) was one of Australia’s largest and earliest department store chains. A large range of goods were manufactured and sold by the company including clothing, manchester, leather goods, soft furnishings, furniture, hardware and food. Gibson established a branch of the business in Perth in 1895. In 1955 the company was bought out by Cox Brothers. In 1964 Foy & Gibson (WA) Ltd, including ten stores in Western Australia, was sold to David Jones. Read more
FOY’S CHRISTMAS CATALOGUE
1949
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