Late in 1922 an imposing two storied commercial building was under construction in Victoria Street, near the intersection with Manning Street. This was to become the new premises of Francis Hobson.1
Three-year-old Francis had arrived in Australia in 1882 as part of a family group with his parents and siblings.2 As a young man he showed a great aptitude for woodwork and joinery and, having married Jane Spark in 1903, he moved to Taree with his wife and young family, opening an ironmonger (hardware) business on the southern side of Victoria Street in 1909.3
In 1922 the opportunity arose to purchase a site from the English, Scottish and Australian Bank on the opposite side of Victoria Street. The bank had placed a covenant on the title which, among other things, required any building on the lot to be constructed of brick, stone or concrete and to be worth not less than £1,200.4
The first floor of the premises was originally occupied by the Southern Cross Assurance Company, which proudly proclaimed its address as “Hobson’s Chambers”.5
Trading in later years as F Hobson and Sons, the store remained under the proprietorship of the Hobson family until 1971.6
Although the shopfront element has been radically altered, the upper façade continues to display the insignia “Estd 1909 Francis Hobson”.
Author: Penny Teerman
References:
1 Northern Champion Saturday 21 October 1922 P4
2 www.ancestry.com.au – NSW Assisted Passenger Lists 1828-1896
3 Boolambaayte to the Manning 1854-Taree and Lower Manning-2004 P62
4 NSW Land Registry Services – Vol: 3837 Fol: 181
5 Northern Champion Wednesday 29 August 1923 P3
6 Manning River Times Centenary Supplement 1869 – 1969 P51 and NSW Land Registry Services – Vol: 3837 Fol: 181
