banana

She's at Circular Quay, near Princes Stairs; we are looking south west. See note about buildings at right. 1895 interactive map - alignment of St Philips Church to the left of the hip-roofed building. www.nla.gov.au/apps/cdview?pi=nla.map-rm3443-sd&rgn=0... I wonder what all the rough stone was for? What was being built? Also seen here -

beachcomber australia B R I L L I A N T work! And the stone is intriguing, hmmn ...

The hipped-roof building behind features in Arthur Streeton's 'Circular Quay' 1892 - artsearch.nga.gov.au/Detail-LRG.cfm?IRN=47963&View=LRG Almost a reverse view, maybe the fruit-seller is in the painting too . . . ?

Probably piles of woodblocks to pave the streets. (On a first quick look it appears to be all sandstone, but it isn't) Large bluestone in the foreground, of the type used for kerbing.

State Library of New South Wales Aha woodblocks! That might provide a date. I did some snooping on Circular Quay woodblocks a few months ago and came up with an 1887 date from this - SMH 16/8/1887 p.7 'News of the Day' Para 4 - trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/28350536

" WE are informed that arrangements have been made for the continuation of the wood-blocking of Circular Quay, which for some time past has been at a standstill. The portion at the south-east corner, including the frontage to Messrs. Flood and Co.'s wool stores and McMahon's New Bond, and the north-eastern portion, from the Orient Wharf past the Messageries to the Government boat shed, are now under orders for completion without delay. "

See comments here -

"Come Mr. Tally Man, tally de Banana daylight come and I want to go home" (somebody had to say it)

I think that the guy on the rudder, is Fu Manchu.

...instead of a train !

Chinese labourers were an important element of the workforce hired by Europeanlandowners to operate the sugar cane farms. The Chinese were also renowned for their practice of market gardening in the Cairns district. Market gardeners grew an extensive assortment of fruit and vegetables which was vital to the sustenance of early settlement in the region. Besides sugar, the local Chinese population was heavily involved in the cultivation of bananas, especially around Geraldton (now Innisfail) and the Johnstone River. This was a major agricultural export industry, which the Chinese helped to expand until the mid-1900s. Regrettably, the local Chinese population was greatly reduced as a result of the post-Federation legislation designed to limit the arrival of Chinese immigrants and restrict the productive activities of those who remained in Australia. As part of the 'White Australia' policies, these legislative changes had devastated the Chinese as a distinct group in agriculture in the Cairns district by 1920. Source: www.academia.edu/18059032/The_Chinese_Contribution_to_Agr...