Morning Bulletin (Rockhampton, Qld.: 1878 – 1954 Friday 8 May 1925 BY J. T. S. BIRD SIXTY YEARS IN QUEENSLAND MEMORABLE PIONEERS No.59 WILLIAM ALLEN Few were more closely identified, with the progress of Rockhampton in its early days than Mr. William Allen. He was in close connection with most of his struggles of the early dwellers on the Fitzroy to make headway against the many disadvatages that confronts the pioneer while race in a torrid land. That the climate, even in its worst aspect, was not really unsuitable was shown by the fact that though not a strong man, Mr. Allen withstood his inclemency for more than forty years, and died about midway between seventy and eighty years of age. He was always a business man of ability, and at all times was keenly interested in thc welfare of thc city and its inhabitants. Though not a popular man, in the usual acceptation of the term - He was no sportsman - he was always held in respect for his earnestness, ability, and kindly dispostion. IN EARLY LIFE William Allen was born in the North of Ireland about 1828, and received a good education, probably at Belfast. He was not long out of his teens when he resolved to try his fortunes in the new land of Australia, which was every day attracting greater attention in the home countries. This was before the discovery of gold, so that it was the commercial opportunities this southern land presented that was the attractlon. In those days comparatively few vessels were sailing for Australia when reckoned by the number of a few years later. Mr. Allen secured a passage from London in the mail ship Kelso, with Captain Roxburgh. The Kelso was not a steamer, for no steamers as yet voyaged to Australia, and even her Majestys mail had to be delivered by sailing vessel. There were only eleven passengers, and the voyage proved an enjoyable one, and the Kelso did well to make the trip in exactly four months. She left the London docks on September 1, 1847, and sighted Sydney Heads on January 1, 1848. No need to explain the pleasure of being once more on terra firma ground after a voyage of four months. The new land seemed delightful and young Allen was charmed with it. Us letters of introduction quickly secured him a position, and he was not long in recognising that there were better prospects for a young man in Sydney than in the old land, He soon saw all opportunity of starting < Tor himself, and did so. Then carno the excitement of the gold discoveries, and thousands came crowding into Australia from all countries. ARRIVAL IN ROCKHAMPTON The separation of Queensland from New South Wales, and the rapid advancement of settlement in the new State had its effect on young Allen, who in 1862 decided to settle in Rockhampton, at that period the most progressive of all the new districts opened In the northern country. On arrival in Rockhampton Mr. Allen found there were no premises vacant on which be could start a business, consequently he had to buy land and get the necessary buildings erected. This was done in Bolsover Street, on the southern side of what is now the John Knox Church. Up until that time East Street waa almost empty of buildings below the function with Fitzroy Street, the bulk of the business and shops being in Little Quay-street (now Quay-lane). Having the needed premises Mr. W. Allen opened with a general retail mercantile business, being much more extensive than his retail groceries of later days. The business advanced with quick strides, and Allens soon became a popular shop for all classes. The writer well remembers, in 1863, that Mr. Allen fully understood the uses of advertisement. He drew out an attractive advertisement every week, the change being usually made for the Saturday paper. The Bulletin was then published on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays only. William Allen was a fine penman, and under all circumstances could get a great quantity of composition on one page of paper. The comps who had to set up the advertisement copy by the light of a kerosene lamp used to bless him for not spreading it out a little more. The late Mr. Thomas Kelly was Mr. Allens manager and so well was the business progressing in the early 1864 that Mr Kelly was sent to the new town of Clermont to open a branch. BUILDING SPECULATIONS It soon became evident that East Street could, not be passed over for Bolsover Street as the leading thorough fare of the city, and Mr. Allen was one of those to early recognise it. He secured thé land extending from the present Bulletin Office to G. S. Curtiss Rooms, and built shops right round tho corner. They let quickly, and of course helped to draw customers to that part of the town. Mr. Allen also built other shops in East Street which were let before they were finished. So profitable had these speculations proved that at one time he received over £1500 per annum for rents alone. FOUNDING OF ALLENSTOWN In recent times it has become the opinion that in early days land for building purposes in the streets of Rockhampton could be obtained very cheaply. Such was far from being the case, however. The half acre on which James Stewarts now stands, divided between “Stewarts” the Bulletin and Northern Argus cost two thousand, one hundred pounds in 1863. At any rate no allotment could be got near the business part of the town at such a rate as to encourage workers, to try and build. In these circumstances William Allen conceived the idea of purchasing land at the foot of the Athelstane Range, on the southern side of the upper part of William Street above the stand-pipe. There he purchased two portions probably each containing several acres. This land he had cut up into suitable Allotments for building cottages on. Then Instead of selling the allottments by auction Allen placed a value of fifteen pound each on them and gave each purchaser nine months in which to pay the full price. This was a great bonus to men with small menus, and the allottments sold on their own. The first piece of land was purchased by the local postman and in a month he even built a cottage on it as did other purchasers – no sooner had the postman finished that he took possession of it. A friend asking the postman where he had shifted to was told by the postman that he had moved to “Allens Town”. The name caught on and was a guide to those occupying the numerous cottages and that neighbourhood became “Allenstown” and should always remain so as a guide to a populous and interesting locality. The idea was so good, and was such a success and a convenience to many people that William Allens name always be perpetuated in connection with it, and this is how it is without any solicitation or effort on his part. TURN OF FORTUNES WHEEL. Mr. Allen made such a successful commitment in his new home, that nothing but prosperity seemed to lie ahead, but when the bad times came in 1865 and 1866 every business man in the State felt the blow. Unemployment was rife in all parts, land values dropped in a remarkable manner, Station owners were ruined, and properties fell into the hands of the bank. The Rockhampton district escaped as well as most, mainly from the fact that the many “alluvial” gold fields in the neighbourhood were putting gold into the hands of the outdoor workers, and they in turn were passing it onto the business people.It was indeed a great reaction to Rockhamptons previous prosperity, and it took several years to bring about anything like a complete recovery. Mr. Allen to some extent was caught in the financial maelstrom, but he emerged more successfully than many and some years later subsequently went into partnership with the late Mr. George Acheson, under the title of Acheson and Allen, another fine business was established. AS A TOWNSMAN Though any project that promised to be for the advancement of Rockhampton met with his approval and support, he never, featured prominently in the situations of the city. He preferred to discuss public matters in the columns of the daily papers. He was an Oh- sen .mt ard öoinctlmcs trenchant critic, and put his views clearly and logically before the readers of the papers. He appeared to have a strong desire to live in the suburbs of the town, and for many years occupied a house near the Crescent Lagoon, subsequently building a more picturesque residence near the top of the Range, just on the western side of the crest in Denham Street. He lived there for some years, but ultimately came to live in closer proximity to his daily duties. AN ASTHMA CUBE. William Allen was largely responsible for the statement that the plant Euphorbia Pilulifern was a cure for asthma. Probably more than forty years ago Mr. Allen wrote to the Bulletin announcing the fact that he had cured himself of asthma, by drinking the water in which the weed or plant had been boiled. He gave full particulars and the subject was discussed in the columns of the Bulletin. The late Mr. Thomas Ingham, who had a chemists shop in William Street, at the time, was supposed to analyse the Euphorbia concoction, and stated that it would probably benefit the complaint. He prepared the Euphorbia in a more scientific manner and sold it as an asthma cure. Since that period the alleged cure appears to have gone out of use. The writer knows of people who tried the tea and Mr. Allen advised, but received Iiltle or no relief there from, but of course, there are different kinds of asthmas’ and many degrees of affection. Furthermore, the Euphorbias would probably be of more or less potentcey according to itsage or the locality in which it was grown. That the potion cured or greatly relieved Mr. Allen there is no doubt, but years later the writer always had a desire to know if he kept cured or if he got a return of the distressing and persistent complaint. FAMILY MATTERS. Mr. Allen was twice married, hie first wife being the eldest daughter of the Rev. Robert Hartley. His second wife survived him. He died in 1903, and in addition to his widow, was survived by two sons and a daughter. Mr. R. Hartley Allen, one of the sons, holds a prominent position in the Civil Service of the State, and Mr. Kennedy Allen, the other son, is our well-known, successful, end popular barrister-of-law. Miss K. Allen married a Mr. F. Myers, and lives in Sydney. Mr. Myers was well-known in Rockhampton some years ago and is now a partner in Myers & Crothers, advertising agents.
Posted on: Sat, 16 Aug 2014 10:42:07 +0000