postoffice

The Rockhampton Post Office, a two-storeyed rendered masonry structure with an arcaded sandstone facade and corrugated iron-hipped roof, is located on the western corner of East and Denham Streets, fronting the East Street mall to the northeast. The Post Office was originally constructed as separate postal and telegraph buildings linked together by means of a clock tower and an arcaded sandstone facade to both street frontages. The two buildings were separated by a laneway, above which the clock tower was located. This laneway has since been enclosed and now forms the central entrance to the building. The arcaded sandstone facade is punctuated by projecting balconies which are supported by columns at each corner flanking entrance steps. The balconies are located below the clock tower and centrally along both street frontages. The ground floor arcade comprises arches, with expressed keystones, separated by pilasters and surmounted by a deep entablature with triglyphs. The ground floor arcade has a raised base with a terrazzo floor with non-slip applied finishes. Steps are located below the projecting balconies and at the corner of East. The northeastern clock face has the words ANNO 1890 DOMINI (literally translated as 'in the year of our Lord 1890') in relief above, and TEMPVS FVGIT CITO PEDE (literally translated as 'Time flies on winged feet') in relief below. The tower is crowned by a cast iron cupola, which consists of a central dome, surmounted by a spire, with pediments supported by columns on four sides. Source: apps.des.qld.gov.au/heritage-register/detail/?i

Looks about 1910, the PO has public phones, no cars though

A woman down the street is in an ankle length dress, earlier part of the date range, I'd say.

Hettie Mary J. Steel, Draper, in 1911

Probably taken after James McNeill left his job at the post office. and started his business at the Bridge End Bar

I thought Meta (Hettie's domestic) had a really rare name, maybe even a mistake or a nickname, but there are nearly 250 Metas in the census.

* Constructed in 1891, Bundaberg Post Office is a significant regional postal facility and an integral part of the city’s historic central civic and administrative precinct, stemming from its rich history as one of Queensland’s great coastal ports. * l Bundaberg Post Office is an example of the work of Charles McLay under the aegis of Queensland Colonial Architect, George Connolly. * l The substantial frontage and landmark tower embody prosperity and future confidence in the city of Bundaberg, supported by successful sugarcane, mining and horticultural industries dating back to 1870s. Function * Bundaberg Post Office belongs to the second generation of Australian post offices built between 1870 and 1929. These offices generally incorporate separate components for the telegraph and postal functions in addition to quarters for the postmaster, and in this case integrated government offices. * Notably, the office space was occupied by Crown Lands Department Office and French Cable Co. * French Cable Co. began exchanging messages through the Vancouver via New Caledonia undersea cable in 1893, which terminated at the first floor of the post office. Building description * The building’s Victorian Italianate frontages are a fine representative example of large post office buildings of the period. * The six-level clock tower is set 45 degrees to the bulk of the building and its angle diagonal to the road alignment is of strong artistic merits. * A double-height arcade screens the principal street elevations. The ground floor arcade columns are square chamfered components with a suggestion of a Tuscan capital carried in the molding sustained across the stilted arcades on the ground floor of each flanking pavilion. * The upper level contains a verandah with sculpted cornice, Romanesque cast iron columns, and plain masonry pedestals interspersed with a cast iron lace balustrade. * The external walls comprise rendered brick with ruled ashlar finish to principal street elevations, rusticated banding to projecting pavilions and the clock tower, and tuck-pointed face brickwork to rear elevations. There are also elaborate cast iron wall vents and cement moldings. Source: www.discoverbundaberg.com.au/downloads/file/98/bundaberg-...