Temple Chambers – 138 Victoria Street, Taree

Manning born David Cowan had established a legal practice in Taree in 1899.¹ In 1921 a fire threatened his offices which were then located in the Belmore Hall, a timber building in Pulteney Street, Taree.² Following David’s death in 1922, his practice was acquired by Mr H C Cowan and Mr R S Butterworth who, in 1934, determined to build new brick premises in Victoria Street.³ 

By December 1934 Mr R C Scoular had been engaged as the contractor to oversee the construction of a two storied building to be known as “Temple Chambers”. The ground floor was to be occupied by Butterworth and Cowan with a separate entrance leading to the first floor which was available to rent.⁴

By April 1935 the building was ready for occupation and, besides Butterworth and Cowan, early tenants were Brown and Rose, Chartered Accountants and Mr Maiden, Secretary of the Manning River District Hospital.⁵

The building was one of the first in Taree to be connected to the sewer when the service became available in 1937.⁶

Although not work related, the construction of the building was marred by the accidental death by drowning of 42-year-old Albert Boyd, a bricklayer from Rozelle who had been engaged to assist with the build.⁷

Author: Penny Teerman