hyde

Hmmm ... where's this? Hyde Park Barracks?

Yes! - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyde_Park_Barracks,_Sydney. "From 1887 to 1979 law courts and government offices were based at the Barracks." Previous to these plans, from 1848-1886 it was "a place for the friendless female" - www.migrationheritage.nsw.gov.au/exhibitions/friendlessfe...

" ... Shortly after 1 o'clock Mr. Clarke [the Minister for Justice] left his office, for the purpose of inspecting the new additions and alterations at the Hyde Park Barracks. The only portion of the work Which is now nearly completed is that connected with the new offices for the Examiner of Patents, the City Coroner, and the Inspector of Weights and Measures. These offices hare been constructed in the line of buildings adjoining the Immigration Depot, and formally known as the Sheds, and used as barracks for the unemployed some time ago. The change which has been wrought is very striking', and the work done is exceedingly creditable to those who have had it in hand. As one enters the premises the first offices to be seen are those which will be used tor tho Examiner of Patents. The first is the Examiner's prívate room, with a small waiting-room adjoining. Then there is a public room, and a room for exhibiting inventions adjoining those first mentioned. After the Patents Office will be the Coroner's Court room, and the various rooms for the jury, clerks, and the Coroner himself. These offices will, no doubt, bo found very convenient for their purpose ; and the Coroner's Court, which is provided with a dais for tho Coroner, and also jury and clerks' boxes, & c., already present an excellent appearance The offices east of the Coroner's private room are to be used by the Inspector of Weights and Measures. Mr. Clarke inspected tho whole of the premises in a very careful manner, and expressed himself well satisfied with the progress which has been made. The new structure now being built at the rear of the Immigration Depot for the Equity Court-room has been begun, and various alterations are now in process of being made in connection with the new offices of the Curator, Master in Lunacy, and other departments. Mr. Clarke hopes that the Coroner's Court and other offices thereto adjoining, will be ready for use by the beginning of next month, but it is hardly likely that the Equity Court and offices in the main building will be ready for occupation before the month of November. ... "

From SMH 18/8/1887 p.8, col.3 - trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/13659113

that plan appears to be signed by James Barnet.

See also ...

RACQUET CHAMPIONSHIP.; Williams and Soutar Ready for First Game of Series for Title. By Marconi Transatlantic Wireless Telegraph to The Yew York Times. LONDON, April 5. -- Great interest is evidenced in the match to-day at the Queens Club for the professional racquet championship of the world between Charles Williams, the professional of Harrow School, and Jock Soutar, who holds a similar position with the Philadelphia Racquet and Tennis Club. The New York Times, April 5, 1913, Saturday, page 16, 423 words

Pierre Etchebaster, a Basque from St. Jean de Luz and the Jeu de Paume of Paris, beat the best court tennis players in the U. S. last week in Philadelphia. Jock Soutar, Britisher, met him in the finals for the national championship in the Racquet Club of Philadelphia. Source: www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,880968,00.html?... 2006 Jock Soutar Tournaments: The Racquet Club of Philadelphia hosted the annual Jock Soutar Singles and Doubles Championships. Combined with the Jimmy Dunn court tennis tournament and an invitational squash tournament, the Jock Soutar weekend is massive whirlwind of racket sports and parties. Source: www.northamericanrackets.com/htm files/Philadelphia.htm

Rackets (British English) or Racquets (American English) is an indoor racquet sport played in the United Kingdom, United States, and Canada. The sport is infrequently called "hard rackets," possibly to distinguish it from the related sport of squash (formerly called "squash rackets"). World champions 1911–13, 1929–35 Charles Williams (Great Britain) 1913–29 Jock Soutar (USA)

Thank you both for your informative comments.

Beautiful capture absolutely lovely ! Well done!!



Thank you for your Encouragements............

The title "Copy of artists impression of Central Railway Station, Sydney (NSW)" is very misleading. The plans were for a station closer to the centre of Sydney in St James Road, at the northern end of Hyde Park. It would have meant bye-bye to the park. The current site of "Central" is the resulting compromise, only a couple of blocks north from the original Redfern Terminus.

See another view -

Imagine if that had been built here - Google Street View

There was over a decade of argy-bargy in the 1890s about extending the railway to the city centre - " In 1888 Railway Commissioner Eddy asked the New South Wales Government if the terminal station could be moved closer to the City. Subsequently, a lengthy Royal Commission in 1891 recommended two stations: a terminal station at the Benevolent Asylum site to the north of Devonshire Street for long distance trains; and a station in Hyde Park facing King Street for suburban trains, with a branch to the eastern suburbs. The 1890s Depression put a stop to any action being taken on new stations at this time. The subsequent Railway Commissioner made a strong request for a new station in 1896 and this led to yet another Royal Commission in 1896/97 on the City Railway. This Royal Commission concluded that having two separate terminal stations would be impractical, and recommended a single larger station at the Hyde Park site facing St James Road. However, with public opposition to the loss of parkland and with a change of government in 1899, the St James Road scheme was abandoned. Interestingly, the first reference to Central Station appears to have come from an initial report of the Royal Commission into this scheme. [maybe explains this 'faulty' title?] The abandoning of the St James Road scheme was much to the disappointment of the Railway Commissioner. In 1900, State Parliament accepted a compromise solution that was the brainchild of the then Minister for Public Works, E.W. O'Sullivan. He proposed that a new station be built just north of Devonshire Street, a stone's throw from the existing terminus. However, to both commuters and the Railway Commissioner, it did not constitute a City railway extension. " from - www.cityrail.info/about/history/central_station_in-depth

beachcomber australia Imagine how much noisier Sydney would be if Central Station was at Hyde Park! Quicker to get to, though :) Thanks for your research into this. I'll update the caption to say "Copy of artist's impression of (a possible) Central Railway Station at St James Road, Hyde Park signed 'W. Bowry .98'" Hopefully this will make more sense. AB