federation

Museums of History NSW - State Archives Collection Here's another theory ...Corner of King Street and Pitt Street looking West towards darling Harbour, possibly the first day of cable tram operation in September 1894. (The bunting looks pretty tatty for Federation, but willing to be proved wrong!). Cable cars were replaced by electric trams between 1902 and 1905. Intrigued by the circle with the middle distance "VICTORIA THE ???" - can Records help us, do you have a higher res pic?

John Cowper Sure can, I've replaced this with a larger version. Circle says: "VICTORIA THE GOOD" -- AB

Museums of History NSW - State Archives Collection That leaves two other options - Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee (1887) - too early no trams in King Street then - or her Diamond Jubilee in 1897. The civic fathers (no civic 'mothers' in those days) would be more likely to erect a 'Victoria the Good' sign for her Diamond Jubilee than Federation. Therefore, suggest respectfully, that the caption should read "King Street, Sydney, decorated for Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee - 1897" John

Well thought out John. Yes the decorations do look too subdued for the Federation procession of 1 January 1901. But the year is correct, although the images was most likely taken in May. This image shows King Street decorated for the visit to Sydney of the Duke and Duchess of York (later George VI and Queen Elizabeth) on Monday 28 May 1901. They were in Australia to open the first Federal Parliament. Even this shot of King Street and the related image at State Library of New South Wales NSW which is Government Printing Office image St1782 acms.sl.nsw.gov.au/item/itemDetailPaged.aspx?itemID=175085 seem subdued when compared with decorations for the visit in other streets. This was because of the death of Queen Victoria on 22 January 1901. King Street was decorated as the 'Queen's Avenue' as it ran to the statue of Queen Victoria in Queen's Square. The 'Queen's Avenue' was designed as a memorial to Victoria and the decorations are accordingly muted. The memorial wreath, 15 feet wide, with the words 'Victoria the Good' hung across King Street and was made of everlasting flowers. Wreaths from NSW country towns hung from garlands strung between the venetian masts topped with silver crowns. The bunting was a suitable mourning colour of purple. The decorations are described in the Sydney Morning Herald Tuesday 28 May 1901 page 7 trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/14387711. Victoria's statue in Queen's Sqaure was also under-decorated by the standards of the time, with garlands and greenery as shown in Government Printing Office images St1779 and St1780 at the State Library of NSW acms.sl.nsw.gov.au/item/itemDetailPaged.aspx?itemID=175082 acms.sl.nsw.gov.au/item/itemDetailPaged.aspx?itemID=175083 We will amend the title and add in the May 1901 date. Thank you for bringing it to our attention. JS

Museums of History NSW - State Archives Collection All makes eminent sense to me! They sure loved their parades and decorations in those days! But the opening of the Federal Parliament was pretty special! And what a great idea creating a street as a memorial to the late Monarch - King Street no less. Thanks for the city history lesson! I hope all this wonderful material is being made available to schools so our youngsters appreciate the city they live in ... better still why not a Facebook site on the City's history? JC

Uncle John the composer I have several times referred to Ireland’s Uncle John Henry Nicholson, the older brother of the composer’s mother Annie. John emigrated to Australia and became known as a teacher and writer. However, he also turned his hand to a certain type of composing, namely patriotic songs. Several were published, with John providing words and melody only, one of the most commercially successful being Sons of Britannia. This song was much reviewed and very popular, praised for its inspiring sentiment, sonorous ring, and ‘valuable addition to what may be termed the literature of Anglo-Saxon unity’ (Brisbane Observer, 15 December 1898). This unity is seen in the splendid cover created for the song. Described as a ‘federation song’, it was ahead of its time, as the official Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act was only formalized on 1 January 1901. Other songs in a similar vein included Rouse, Australians! and Sunrise. Source: johnirelandmusicpeopleplaces.wordpress.com/tag/john-henry...

The street off to the left with the horse bus was Devonshire Street which is now only the Devonshire Street pedestrian tunnel. The street was obliterated by railway tracks leading to the new (existing) Central Station when it moved further north.

Thanks GrenadierGuardsDmr for that interesting information! Am now able to pinpoint the area in my mind's eye!

Another view: