Norman Connel Superintendent Shenton Park Dogs' Refuge Home (1950).

Norman Connel Superintendent Shenton Park Dogs' Refuge Home (1950).

Norman Connel was the Superintendent of the Shenton Park Dogs' Refuge Home for many years. He came to Australia from Toronto in Canada in 1941 where he was an experienced breeder and judge of dogs. 

After the war Norman came to Western Australia and obtained the position as Superintendent at the Dogs Refuge Home in Shenton Park which had been closed for five years during the war. He helped established a world class facility in caring for dogs which continues today (Daily News, 30 August, 1947). 

Norman shared many stories about the dogs he came across in the newspapers. Some of those are copied below. 

Noman died in 1950 in Royal Perth Hospital.

The stories and photographs are from Trove, the database of the National Library of Australia. No copyright infringement intended. 

Geraldton Guardian, 20 June, 1950.

Death of Keen Dog Lover

Refuge Home Superintendent DEVOTION TO DUTY Perth, This Afternoon.

Described by experts as one of the finest judges in the world of all breeds of dogs, the superintendent of the dogs Refuge Home (Norman McConnel), aged seventy-two years, died at the Royal Perth Hospital yesterday. 

He came to Australia from Canada in 1941 as the chief dog judge at the Melbourne Royal Show. The war changed his plans of returning immediately to America and he started work in ammunition factory. In 1947 he came to Western Australia and re-opened the Dogs' Refuge Home at Shenton Park, making it one of the chief animal welfare centres in Australia. A true animal lover, Mr. McConnel unsparingly devoted his time to the care of the dogs, being often on duty for the seven days of the week.

Daily News, 23 March 1950

Unwanted Foxie May Be Australia's Top Dog

Superintendent Norman McConnel of the Shenton Park Dogs' Refuge Home left Perth last night on a mission which he hopes will bring prestige to West Australian dog-lovers — and fame to a dog which he first saw as an unwanted, dejected pup. 

He boarded yesterday's Westland with a 14 months old, wire-haired fox-terrier to enter in the Sydney Royal Show which opens next month. He will enter the terrier in the open class, is confident that it will either take the prize as open-class champion or be among the place getters. 

If Mr. McConnel is successful, the terrier's story may well go down in dog history as that of a canine 'Cinderella.' Six months ago the terrier was left at the Dogs' Refuge Home. It was a pathetic sight, obviously unhappy and in poor condition. 

Its owner left a guinea to help' pay for its keep as a stray at the home. But in. the terrier the practised eye of Mr. McConnel saw the makings of a champion. Examination of the dog and later inquiries revealed three crosses of the best class of wire-haired terrier seen in the U.S. for many years.

Daily News, 3 October 1949,

Manager Of Dog's Home,

Superintendent N. McConnel of the Shenton Park Dogs' Refuge Home has entered a 'Cinderella' dog for the Royal Show. The dog, a three-year-old cocker spaniel, was brought, unwanted to the home about a month ago. Despite its lean and rough condition — 'it looked like an angora goat'— Mr. McConnel recognised the spaniel's good breeding. 

He bought the dog for himself, and has registered it under his own name for the show. Although he has had little time to get it ready, it has already made rapid improvement under his skilled care. 'I haven't had the opportunity to prepare it to the stage where it could be expected to get a first prize, but it will not run last,' he said today. 

The spaniel is only one of many unwanted dogs of good breeding brought to the home in recent years. 'Many people think we have only mongrels here. We do get a lot — this place was built for the unwanted dogs,' he said. 

An international dog judge, Mr. McConnel has won many prizes in North America for his own entrants. Soon after he arrived in WA to take his present position with the Dogs' Refuge Home in 1946, he won a first prize at the Royal Show with a dog he brought with him from Victoria.

Daily News, 26 December 1949.

At Shenton Park Dogs' Refuge Home, Christmas Day began with 90 'boarders,' there for the holidays. It ended with 91, because the pekinese here had one tiny pup. And to mark the occasion, the new arrival was christened 'Santa.'

FORCED TO SHARE his bedroom with one of his restless charges because it refused to stop barking when left outside, Shenton Park dogs' home superintendent McConnel is shown here nursing the culprit on his knee.

Daily News, 8 January 1949, page 10

DOGS LEAD PERTH MAN A DOG'S LIFE

Because of the incessant barking of the dogs in his care, Superintendent McConnel of the Shenton Park Dogs' Refuge Home was not able to sleep for four consecutive nights.

He thought the matter over and eventually established peace and quietness in the home by putting one particularly restless dog to sleep in a crate in his bedroom. Reason for the excessive night barking at the home was the overcrowding due to so many people being away on holidays. 

'You can't blame the dogs,' Mr. McConnel said. 'They become very attached to their masters, and when placed in a strange home with a lot of strange dog companions they naturally start to yelp at night.' Starts 130 The dog which he took to his room to sleep was a crossbreed cocker spaniel — Australian terrier 'with a howl that would wake the dead.' The howling of this one dog was sufficient to start the entire 130 dogs yelping. Special treatment was required.

To keep peace, it was necessary to sort all the dogs out and group them suitably in the pens. When placed in the 'bed-room pen' the lone dog soon settled down and slept peacefully. So did the dogs in the outside pens.

Daily News, 26 May 1948.

Many Want To Adopt Stray Collie

Since a stray collie dog was pictured in yesterday's Daily News, the Dogs' Refuge Home at Shenton Park has been besieged with requests to 'adopt' him.

But so far the owner has not claimed him. The collie attached himself affectionately to a policeman on point duty yesterday, refused to leave. 

So an RSPCA officer, who was notified, collected the dog in a van and took him to the Dogs' Refuge Home. 

'Never Forget' 'I. will never forget that dog as long as I live,' said the home's superintendent Norman McConnel today. 'I was answering telephone calls till after 10 o'clock last night from people who would like the dog.' 

By 10 a.m. today the dog's home had had 36 calls, the RSPCA had had one, and a number of people had approached the Daily News about the collie. If the owner does not claim the dog, first priority will be given to a request from an old man who is still mourning the loss of his collie which died after 17 years with him. A man who looks after a dog as long as that deserves consideration in this case,' said Mr. McConnel.

Mr W.J. F. Thompson And His Cats... (1939).

Mr W.J. F. Thompson And His Cats... (1939).

Sometimes a researcher and blogger finds wonderful local history stories unrelated to their specific subject that they have to share. 

This is one of those stories about a man Mr W.J.F Thompson and his love of some stray cats he fed in the Supreme Court Gardens. He wanted a home for stray cats like the West Subiaco Dogs'' Refuge Home in 1939.

A cat haven has been operating in Shenton Park for over 60 years providing a range of services for cats and the community. One of their functions has been to take in stray cats and adopt them out as wished by Mr. Thompson. 

The articles and photographs are from Trove, the database at the National Library Library of Australia. No copyright infringement intended. 

  

Daily News, 11 July 1939.

DAILY MORSELS FOR HOMELESS CATS

WILLINGLY carrying on Mr. Thompson's work, Mr. Alf. Hunt feeds three of the Supreme Court cats.

Mr. W.J.F. THOMPSON . . . should be a cats' home

OLD MAN FEEDS STRAY CATS

For more than six years stray cats in the Perth Government Gardens have been regularly fed through the kindness of a 78-year-old West Australian cat lover. He is Mr. W. J. F. Thompson, of Cottesloe, a white haired, neat moustached jovial old gentleman, who thinks there should be a home for stray cats as well as dogs. For five years he has fed the cats personally, going every afternoon to the gardens with dainty tit-bits for the dozen or so animals which depend on his bounty.

He is now staying at Cottesloe but before leaving Perth he made arrangements with a young man to feed regularly the Government Garden cats. 'My sister, the late Miss Alice Thompson, started feeding the cats about six years ago,' Mr. Thompson said yesterday. 'If you had seen the thin, miserable, half-starved creatures became healthy-looking, as the result of regular feeding, would not have had the heart to stop the good work, either,' he continued.

DAILY DUTY 

'Therefore, when my sister died about five years ago I took on the job myself and visited the gardens every afternoon with scraps for the cats. 'They soon got to know my voice - as they had known my sister's - and, as I was retired and living in Perth, there was nothing to prevent me looking after them,' he said. Under kindly treatment they throve and before long there were over a dozen sleek-coated cats and playful kittens. 'About a year or so ago they got gastric influenza and several of them died,' Mr. Thompson added. 

KINDNESS BEQUEATHED 

When he left his Perth boarding establishment three months ago the cats were again numerous, and when he visited the gardens this week they responded to his call as before. 'Whenever my sister and I went away on holidays we al ways arranged for someone to feed them during our absence,' Mr. Thompson said. 'And I have always done the same since my sister died. 'It would be worse than cruel to leave them unfed once they had grown to expect it,' he added. 'I am an old man now and I hope someone will continue to feed the cats when I am no longer here.' Mr. Thompson said that the cats gathered in the lower gardens near the Repatriation buildings. Judging by the starved appearance they had before being regularly fed there was little in the way of food to be found there. He thinks someone with money should start a cats' home on the lines of the West Subiaco dog home.

Dog's Stories From The Shenton Park Dog's Refuge Home...(1948 -1953)

Dog's Stories From The Shenton Park Dog's Refuge Home...(1948 - 1953)

There are some wonderful stories about the lives of dogs at the Shenton Park Dog's Refuge Home from the early years of it's operation both in West Subiaco and Shenton Park. 

These stories about dogs with larger than life personalities who decided what they wanted from their human carers both at the Dogs' Refuge Home and members of the public were shared by the Home Superintendent with local newspapers in the hope of encouraging donations which the home depended upon for operation but also to encourage adoptions.

My favourite story is about a Subiaco man who picked a dog out called Rusty from the Dogs' Refuge Home in Shenton Park in 1953 on a previous post 'A Story About A Dog Called Rusty' is included here.  Rusty continually escaped from the backyard of their owner and followed them everywhere until he decided to take the little dog him everywhere. 

The articles and photographs are from Trove, the national database of the National Library of Australia. No copyright infringement intended. 

Daily News, 17 August 1948.

Unwanted Dog May Be A Champion

DOGS' REFUGE HOME superintendent McConnell with the Irish setter which was unwanted by its owner and left at the home and which, according to McConnell, may be one of the best bred of its type.

On Friday a man left a dog he did not want at the Dogs' Refuge Home at Shenton Park. He did not realise that the dog is one of the best-bred Irish setters in the world. Home superintendent Norman McConnel said yesterday that he intended to nurse the dog into perfect health. It could then be entered next year in a famous dog show at Madison Square Garden, New York, or at Morris Essex. New Jersey. 

A licensed international dog judge, Mr. McConnel has bred and judged many dogs throughout the world. Said he: 'I've been waiting all my life to get a champion of this, type, and one lands on my doorstep. The setter was in poor condition at present, and few people would recognise it as a champion, he said, but if he took it to America, dealers might offer him more than £300 for it, or tell him to name his own price. Mr. McConnel left yesterday for three weeks' holiday. His departure was postponed a week to enable him to place three dogs on ships for Brisbane and Singapore.

Daily News, 16 June 1949.

Pose By A Pekinese




THE PEKINESE with superior air sits up at Shenton Park Dog's Refuge Home and takes notice of  the cameraman.

Pomposity of A Pekinese. 

The characteristic of conceit is not confined to humans, according to Superintendent N. McConnel of the Shenton Park Dogs' Refuge home. He has a 'puffed up' Pekinese to prove his point.

The haughty-looking Pekinese, which has a registered pedigree, was brought unwanted, to the dogs' home about six months ago. Since he arrived the dog has taken no pains to conceal his air of superiority. For the few humans to whom he takes a liking, he 'shows off' by sitting up, begging or by walking in a circle on his back legs.

But to others his attitude is one of obvious disdain. He has bitten a number of people who approached him to admire his handsome head and brown coat. Even Mr. McConnel cannot touch the Pekinese. In canine company the dog considers himself a fighter, will tackle all comers, despite his poor combat ability. 

Some time ago a young woman who was impressed by the Pekinese decided to buy him. 

But because the prospective owner did not impress him, he bit her three times and the sale was declared off by Mr. McConnel. 

Now the Pekinese must decide whether he will accept another prospective owner.

Sunday Times, 28 June 1953.

THEIR NIGHTWATCHMAN WOULDN'T STAY SACKED

An establishment in Shenton Park has tried to sack its night watchman several times in recent months, but he just won't keep away.

Night watchman is a little red Pomeranian dog "Sulky" and the establishment is the Shenton Park Dog's Refuge Home.

In 10 months, since he was brought into the Home by a Council dog-catcher as a stray. "Sulky" has been sold 4 times. But he keeps coming back like that old song, and now the management have given it up.

They've decided to keep him on as night watchdog.

"Sulky" never took to the other dogs. He would fight any dog who approached him and the management had to allow him a free run outside the kennels.

A few months ago, a lady in Scarborough bought him for £1. 

His anti-social attitude had been attributed to not having a home of his home, and it was thought he would be satisfied in Scarborough.

But no. A few days later a Dog's home keeper heard a whining and found "Sulky" standing on the step. He had walked from Scarborough.

Three times within the next few weeks, the Scarborough lady collected "Sulky" but inside a few days each time, he was back again at his old lodgings.

Finally the Scarborough lady gave it up, and "Sulky" was purchased by a Bayswater resident. True to form, the little fellow ran away again.

Two other people have purchased him since but have been walked out. During the last couple of months of his interrupted stay at the Dogs Home 'Sulky" has been employed as watchdog.

His aggressive nature makes him a good one. "We've adopted him into the household now," a spokesman of the Home said yesterday. "You just can't keep him away."

Sunday Times, 26 July 1953.

SEEING A DOG ABOUT A MAN

When Ted Dray of Subiaco picked out Rusty from a bunch of barking tailwaggers at Shenton Park Dogs' Refuge Home he didn't realise what was ahead of him. 

Three times this week Rusty has sought out his owner in Perth after being left at home in Park-street, Subiaco. Once he found Mr. Dray in Boans, another time at Nicholson's and then one afternoon at the Shaftesbury Hotel. 

So Mr. Dray has now decided that when he comes to town he'll bring Rusty with him. Maybe that second glass is for Rusty Dog's Life At The Shenton Park Dog's Refuge Home.

Betty Bridge Director Of Guide Dog Training...(1951).

Betty Bridge Director Of Guide Dog Training...(1951).

Betty Bridge set up and ran the State guide dog training centre that would assist to give blind people get independence and security by providing them with a trained guide dog in Western Australia.

Their first home was two old trams joined together on land at the Dog's Refuge Home in Shenton Park before moving to a specially built centre in Belmont. 

The articles and photographs are from Trove, the database of the National Library of Australia. No copyright infringement intended.  

West Australian 30 November 1951.

FOR GUIDE DOG TRAINING IN W.A.

Miss Betty Bridge, who arrived in Perth yesterday, will be the first director of guide dog training in Australia. A new training centre has been established near the Dogs' Home in Shenton Park, and Miss Bridge will begin immediately to train guide dogs for blind people. 

She is seen renewing acquaintance with Mr. Arnold Cook and his guide dog, Dreena, which Miss Bridge trained in England, and had not seen for nearly a year. Miss Bridge said that she was impressed with the enthusiasm which had been shown by the president of the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association (Mr. J. A. Dimmitt, M.L.C.) and the committee responsible for establishing the new centre. "It is the intention of the association to provide trained guide dogs, free of cost, to blinded people, and for this purpose substantial public financial support is required, as well as a steady flow of suitable dogs, aged from ten to 18 months," Miss Bridge said. 

Any big dogs with a shoulder height of 20in. were suitable, particularly collies, border collies, labradors and retrievers. For preference they should be females. One golden labrador and several collies have already been given to the centre, and several others will shortly come from the Geraldton and Carnarvon districts. About 20 applications for guide dogs have already been received from blind people in this State, and others have come from every part of the Commonwealth. Dreena had been a "tremendous help" to her master, it was stated, and the lives of other blind people would be broadened when dogs similarly trained could be provided for them.

Western Mail, 28 October 1954.

Devotion of trained dogs gives the blind independence

NEXT time you rush outdoors on an impulse to visit a friend or see the shops, stop and think. Blind persons could not do this. They would first have to find someone with the time and readiness to take them. Often what they would like to do today has to wait till next week. Their almost complete dependence on the generosity of others is one of the most difficult things they have to bear.

No matter how well disposed and understanding a guide may be, intrusion on the thoughts and privacy of the person being led is inevitable. Where the guide is not so understanding, well-meant efforts to assist and make conversation are often a source of great irritation, but one which must be suffered in silence.

Another great disadvantage suffered by the blind is a lack of exercise, which may adversely affect their health and general outlook. In both respects, a guide dog is the ideal answer.

Since the inauguration in this State of a guide dog training centre, new prospects have opened up for blind people. The centre, which is run by Miss Betty Bridge at Belmont, supplied five dogs to blind people last year, and, with an accelerated rate of training in the next few years, many blind people who are today dependent on others to take them where they want to go will be given a measure of independence and security they have never known before by the possession of a guide dog.

It all began when Miss Bridge passed through Fremantle in 1951 to join her parents in New Zealand. So persuasive was a delegation of blind people headed by university lecturer Arnold Cook that she consented to return to Perth and carry on the work she had begun under the world-famous Captain N. Liakhoff, director of guide dog training in England. It was from Miss Bridge that Mr. Cook, then studying at London University, had obtained his black Labrador retriever Dreena, which has since become a familiar sight in Perth streets.

The first home of the centre was in two old tram bodies that once jolted and rattled through Perth streets. It was situated on land lent for the purpose near the dogs' refuge home at Shenton Park. The new home, equipped with concrete kennels, has just been opened at Belmont.

There is no charge to the recipients of the guide dogs but the cost of training each animal to date has averaged 350 hence the urgent necessity of securing funds. It is expected that as the output of trained dogs increases the cost per dog will be lowered, but it will always be expensive.

THERE is no comparison, Miss Bridge explains, between these animals and the "blind man's dog" of other years. They are carefully selected animals which have undergone rigorous training. They are taught to respond to a set of commands, to be able to lead their owners to named destinations and around obstruction, to look both ways before crossing roads and to allow sufficient room for their master to pass people.

The whole basis of training rests on the devotion which humans are capable of inspiring in dogs. There is no question of compulsion, for the animal's willingness to do the work is a first essential in guide dog training. Unless a dog shows willingness it is rejected before training commences, and if unwillingness develops during the training period or even after the animal is fully trained it must be rejected.

The best dogs for the job are Labradors, Border Collies, Alsatians and Boxers. Miss Bridge, however, prefers Labradors, and nearly all dogs at the centre are of this breed.

The dog has to be taught not to sniff at objects. Chasing cats is strictly forbidden and to recognise another dog in the street just isn't done.

Dogs are awarded on the basis of priority and on the suitability of the animal for the owner. Dog and master must be temperamentally matched and take to each other, otherwise the right relationship essential for guide dog work will not be established. Before a dog graduates, Miss Bridge teaches its future owner how to use it. Tuition may occupy a month or two, and during this time affection has to be transferred from Miss Bridge to the new owner. However, it may take a year before the dog can be allowed to take over all responsibility when out walking, and so allow the owner to relax completely.

The centre is the only one of its kind in Australasia and possibly south of the Equator.

It is essential work, but costly. Salaries are small, for the training director and her kennel assistants are enthusiasts, but with the cost of food, medicines and the maintenance of equipment it represents a considerable annual outlay. To meet this, the association looks towards a sympathetic and generous public.




TOP: Miss Ann Green (24), with her Border Collie guide dog, enters Government Gardens. She travels to work each day from Armadale.






LEFT: A newly trained dog being tried out by volunteer helper Rochelle Smith (17), of Mt. Lawley, who is blindfolded. The dog waits at an intersection till the traffic is clear.

LABRADOR PUPPIES at the new training centre at Belmont give one another an affectionate greeting. Dogs of this breed are now used almost exclusively by training director Miss Betty Bridge.

COMFORTABLE MODERN KENNELS at the Belmont centre. Said to be the most modern in Australia, they were erected at a cost of £900. The kennels are built of concrete cavity bricks with asbestos roofing. Each has a concrete-paved yard enclosed with link-mesh netting.

West Australian, 4 August 1954.

ARMY GIRLS ADMIRE YOUNG GUIDE DOG FOR BLIND

Miss Betty Bridge (left) with her one-year-old trainee guide dog, Coleen, who is being admired by Sapper K. Thompson, Pte. B. Allison, Pte. S. Nicholas and Cpl T. Stewart, of the Women's Royal Australian Army Corms.

The army girls donated £20 collected from their winter ball to the Blind Dogs Association. The dogs, usually Golden Labradors, are trained at the association's kennels in Belmont-avenue, Belmont.

Constance Horrocks Hon. Secretary S.P.C.A. In Subiaco (1913).

Constance Horrocks (Hon. Secretary S.P.C.A. Subiaco).

Constance Horrocks has been given credit for starting the Dogs' Refuge Home in West Subiaco/Shenton Park and was honourary secretary for many years of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in Subiaco. 

Constance was born in England and spent most of her life living in Western Australia. She trained as a nurse and worked in various hospitals around the State. 

During her life Constance continually wrote letters to local newspapers raising awareness of the treatment of cruelty to animals including domestic and farm. In January 1913, she wrote a letter about a boy's act of kindness towards some rams locked in a truck who gave them some food and water during the hot temperatures in December 1913. 

She wrote in her letter how wonderful it was to see children with such compassion for animals  "...I should, like you to give publicity to these true facts, which prove what a splendid thing it is to meet children imbued with a feeling of pity and mercy for animals. This lad, by his thoughtfulness and kindness, saved the animals from indescribable suffering..." (Daily News, 4 January, 1913). In another she raised the issue of the inhumane practice of boiling crabs and other shellfish alive (West Australian, 9 April, 1913).

In an introductory speech for the opening of the Dog's Refuge Home in West Subiaco in 1935... "the president of the committee (Mr. H. E. Denson) paid a tribute to the founder (Mrs. C. J. Horrocks) and the honorary secretary (Mrs. H. A. Plttman), and asked that the excellent work which they had done for a humanitarian ideal should receive from the public the support which it richly deserved. ..." (West Australian, 21 October 1935).

Constance died on February 17, 1948 aged 81. An brief obituary was published on the 22 February, 1948 in the Sunday Times about her stated "...When she came here in the 90's as a nurse, one of her earliest appointments was Matron of Kalgoorlie Govt. Hospital when housed in tents. 

Her health being unequal to the strain she resigned after 6 months and founded the Grosvenor Hospital at Beaconsfield. She succeeded Miss May Moore as hon. secretary of the RSPCA during inspectorates of Titus Lander and R. G. Sexty. 

Among her later activities was the Dogs' Refuge Home as foundress, and the British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection owes much to her zeal."

Constance left the majority of her estate of 7338 pounds to her husband and three organisations that cared for animals including the Shenton Park Dog's Refuge Home, the RSPCA and the WA Branch for Abolition of Vivisection (Daily News, 15 September, 1948).

The articles and photo are from Trove, the database at the National Library of Australia. No copyright infringement intended. 

Daily News, 4 January 1913.

BOYS ACT OF KINDNESS

Sir,— On December 10 last there was consigned to Gilgerring, and arrived there in the early morning, an open truck containing three rams. The temperature was 105 on the 10th, 109 on the 11 and 102 on the 12th. These unfortunates were left without shelter, water, or food. On the morning of the 11 th a school boy passing, near the railway, heard a faint bleating, and looked into the truck and saw the poor animals licking the iron of the truck; be threw down his schoolbag and ran as fast as he could a quarter of a mile for a bucket; of water, which he put into the truck; he then went a considerable distance to a farm and begged a bundle of hay, which this Samaritan gave to the perishing creatures. A resident of Gilgerring, hearing of this lad's act, was so pleased with , it that he communicated with me, asking that some notice be given the boy, and thanks sent him from , the Society, which was promptly done, and a small present sent him in the shape of a book. I should, like you to give publicity to these true facts, which prove what a splendid thing it is to meet children imbued with a feeling of pity and mercy for animals. This lad, by his thoughtfulness and kindness, saved the animals from indescribable suffering, if not from a cruel, death, as with such a temperature they could hardly have, survived 72 hours in an open truck. This boy's name is Robert Heron, aged 15. - Yours faithfully,  CONSTANCE. H. HORROCKS. 22 Hamilton-street, Subiaco, Office of the S.P.C.A, January 2, 1913.

West Australian, 9 April, 1913.

CRUELTY TO' CRABS AND SHELLFISH. 

To the Editor. Sir, I was pleased to read a letter in your issue of the 5th inst. protesting against the cruel custom of putting shellfish into cold water .and bringing them slowly to the boil. One would hardly believe it possible that professedly civilised people would commit such an abominable act, if it were not well attested by evidence and generally admitted. While there is reasonable ground for assuming that the crustacea, being a lower organism, have not the intense capacity for suffering possessed by the Mammalia, yet it is certain that they do suffer an agonising death when boiled alive: as anyone who has seen them will testify. Your correspondent, with the best intentions, suggests this as the proper method of killing them, but I am sure that "K.E.B." and other humane, people will like to know that there is a better way. I am informed by an enthusiastic "crabber" that he always immerses the live crabs in cold fresh water, and that they drown in about 30 minutes. If the municipal Councils would take this matter up, as your correspondent suggests, pass the necessary bylaws and place notices along the river, intimating that shell-fish must be drowned in fresh, water before being boiled, I feel sure it would help to overcome the difficulty; and this Society's inspectors would do their best to co-operate in seeing the by-laws enforced. I am also hopeful that the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act may be amended to deal with this subject. In the meantime I trust the public will stop this hateful practice. Yours, etc., CONSTANCE H. HORROCKS, Hon. Sec. S.P.C.A.

The opening of the Dogs Refuge Home in 1935. 

Nellie Hopman (Volunteer At The Dog's Refuge Home In West Subiaco (1954).

Nellie Hopman Volunteer At The Dog's Refuge Home In West Subiaco (1954).

Nellie Hopman was a tourist from Holland who volunteered at the Dog's Refuge Home in Shenton Park, in 1954. January was particularly busy time for the Dog's Refuge Home as many people went on holidays and their animals were left to wonder the streets.

This wonderful photograph of Nellie feeding the dogs was published in the West Australia in January 1954.  

The article and photo are from Trove, the database at the National Library of Australia. No copyright infringement intended. 

West Australian, 22 January 1954.

DUTCH GIRL FEEDS DOGS AT REFUGE HOME

A home in Shenton Park is catering for about 200 boarders. An extra hand has been employed to help with cleaning and to keep them in food and drink.

It is the Dogs' Refuge Home and its numbers have increased since Christmas because many families have gone on holidays and left their pets to roam the streets. Nellie Hopman (22), from Holland, who has been in Australia for about four months, was besieged by dogs when she visited the home yesterday and went into one of the yards with some food. 

Usually the home cares for about 150 dogs, but even with the influx it has not been necessary to refuse to take any. The three regular workers were unable to cope with the jobs at the home.

A Story About A Dog Named Rusty...(1953).

A Story About A Dog Named Rusty...(1953).

Another wonderful story about man from Subiaco and a dog from the Dog's Refuge Home in West Subiaco/Shenton Park published in the Sunday Times in 1953. 

The article and photograph are from Trove, the database at the National Library of Australia. No copyright infringement intended. 





Sunday Times, 26 July 1953.

SEEING A DOG ABOUT A MAN

When Ted Dray of Subiaco picked out Rusty from a bunch of barking tailwaggers at Shenton Park Dogs' Refuge Home he didn't realise what was ahead of him. 

Three times this week Rusty has sought out his owner in Perth after being left at home in Park-st., Subiaco. Once he found Mr. Dray in Boans, another time at Nicholson's and then one afternoon at the Shaftesbury Hotel. 

So Mr. Dray has now decided that when he comes to town he'll bring Rusty with him. Maybe that second glass is for Rusty.

Dog's Refuge Home in West Subiaco (1936).

Dog's Refuge Home in West Subiaco (1936).

This is a wonderful story about the dogs of Subiaco and their human friends who came together to create a home for dogs in 1936. 

In 1935 an honourary committee was formed to establish an organisation that would help care for the dogs in the local area. The aim was to return lost and wandering dogs to their owners and keep others until a suitable home could be found. Those dogs of old age or with disease that could not be kept would be put out of their misery by humane means. The committee also wanted to provide free veterinary advice and treatment to the owners who could not afford it. 

A year later the community had provided enough funds that the construction of a dog's home in Nicholson road, West Subiaco commenced on land provided by State Government (West Australian 3 July, 1935). In 1936, the West Australian newspaper reported that after a year of operating the West Subiaco Dog's Home had serviced over 1 100 dogs that included paying boarders and admitting strays. 

The buildings were complete and over 500 dogs had been found good homes in the city or country and a number of lost dogs had been restored to their owners. "Over 140 dogs were  painlessly destroyed at the 'interests of mercy, for such reasons as incurable disease, severe injury or advanced age...There were many dogs waiting adoption...Each dog has its own temperament and personality which fits it for some useful sphere in life-perhaps a worker, a guardian, a watcher, a playmate for children, or a good constant pal..." The Dog's Home was run entirely on voluntary contributions from the public (West Australian 22 October, 1936). 

In 1943 the Dogs Refuge Home at West Subiaco closed for the duration of the Second World  War. (Daily News, 15 March 1943) and reopened after the war ended on the 1 September, 1947.

The article and photographs are from Trove, the database at the National Library of Australia. No copyright infringement intended. 

Sunday Times, 8 March 1936.

Perth's Strangest Boarding House

PAID FOR GUESTS AND GUESTS

WHO LIVE ON CHARITY The Daily Round at West Subiaco Dogs' Home

PADDY

Perth's strangest boarding-house ? We nominate Dogs' Home at West Subiaco, where boarded dogs, rich men's dogs, poor men's dogs and dogs who have no home to go to and who would otherwise have to run the streets hungry, are under healthy conditions and receive all the care and attention.

With the waifs among the dogs it was once against time. Every day strays were impounded, for some soul came along to take them away,  them nearer to their doom. 

Now it is all so different, for every stray who wants a home can get it and a good one at that at the new home at West Subiaco, made possible by generous if limited subscriptions and donations from prominent business people and others.

Though all members who, special praise must go to Denson, who along with his ensure the success of the une to go along with others and which had to be completed spacious and spotless kennel the thoughtful few who banded together and formed a committee to make the Dogs' Home possible.

The committee have been untiring in their noble to the president and joint trustee, Mr. H. E. Denson and his wife who have devoted most of his spare time to the under taking. Mr. Denson has not been frightened to take off his coat and set about the manual labor before a dog ever got inside one of those where his lot was to he made a happy one. Mr. Denson the home is still a dream, lix its completion, for he hopes to make it one of the show places of Western Australia and bring it into line with similar institutions in the Eastern States.

lt is not a very long look back to the days when the home was just a vision, but after zealous endeavour the original committee's work saw fruition with the opening of the institution little over six months ago by the Lieutenant-Governor (Sir James Mitchell), himself a dog lover and the patron of the movement).

Delighted at the opportunity to let "The Sunday Times" have a look over the place was the superintendent, Mr. Ingram Moody, who was busy bandaging the paw of an old stager when  our representatives happened in on him.

Mr. Moody for many months gave his services voluntarily, even though he was loathe to discuss this phase of bis association with the home.

"I love dogs and I am always happy amongst them," he told us as he filled his pipe and prepared to take us on a tour of inspection. "I have always been interested In dogs and I used to breed them and show them for many years. Those are à couple of little cocker pups over there.''

Be motioned to a nearby kennel! where two goo-goo-eyed, long-eared little silky coats were frolicking In the sunshine.

"Both of those are very well bred, and I have great hopes for them."

But all dogs are alike to Mr. Moody pedigreed or not he loves them all equally.

And there ls plenty of reciprocity on the part of the dogs, for of the sixty housed out at the home at present, playful dogs, moody dogs, barking dogs and dogs of all temperament.

Mr. Moody revels in his kind and unselfish work. all chum op with the keeper. He knows and calls each one by name, and they all do his bidding;.

The splendidly constructed kennels are so divided that boarded dogs, which at present constitute the majority by a huge percentage, are separated from the waifs as are the bigger dogs from their smaller brothers.

"We have been remarkably successful at getting good homes for waifs who come In here, and many a lucky dog seeker has left with a 

FINE ANIMAL," 

the Superintendent told us. "At present there are only seven or eight waifs left and yon can look them over for yourself."

By this time we were in the kennel housing the bigger dogs among the waifs, and as the gate clicked behind us a big roo dog came bounding at us. "He only wants to play, don't you Paddy?" and Mr. Moody showered affection on Paddy, that good looker who peeps out at the top of this page. Paddy came to the home from near the Lemnos Hospital. 

NOT-TO-BE-PARTED PAIR

Toddy (left) with his mother Pommy, from whom he refuses to be separated. Taking him away means nothing to Toddy, who always finds the way back to the Dogs Home and his parent.

Don't the pair look contented?

His all-defined lines show that there was an aristocracy about his family in a not-far removed generation. Perhaps he was lost off a country truck, and his owner was unable to find him even though Paddy was advertised soon after his arrival at the home.

Two fine-looking Airedales got their share of pats before we passed on to the next kennel, where we were met by Tushca who bounded forth in greeting. Tuscha is a wire-haired terrier. And has that dog intelligence? Just take a look at those pleading eyes of Tuscha (pictured here). Wouldn't anyone be proud to own a doggie like that?

In a corner of the kennel reclining near the wire fence we were introduced to Pommy. We had no sooner made our introduction to the little Pom than there was a scratching at the wire outside.

"What's his name?" we inquired.

"That," said the superintendent, "is Toddy, a little son of this little dog.

"I must tell you a story about them. Toddy and his mother were brought to the home and left during the night. Toddy escaped over that fence and was waiting outside for his mother for two days. In the evening of the second day I took his mother out on a lead to try and catch Toddy. She slipped her collar, and she and her son 

SLIPPED AWAY 

to the house at Victoria Park which some kind owner may be able to make them even happier by taking them both away to live privately.

The round of the waifs concluded and we passed along to look over the paid for guests, the dogs who are boarded out by people holidaying or away from the State. There they barked and frisked about and enjoyed each other's company.

"Dogs love company, and they are all very happy here," the superintendent remarked.

"When the home was started boarders were scarce, but a number of people soon gave us their patronage, and the boarding fees and donations now help to keep the place going. Usually the percentage of waifs and paid for dogs ls about equal, but at present we have only the few waifs I have shown you.

"This will be a fine place some day," he continued. "We have a grant of about seven and a half acres of land down here, and we hope to make a home, when funds permit, for sick and resting horses."

On our way back to the superintendent's quarters we encountered Brownie, who stretched his legs and walked forward to claim the affection which had been given to a lot of the other inmates.

"Dear old Brownie! " escaped from Mr. Moody, as he bent down to give the old chap a pat. "He is nearly fourteen, and he has been with us since the home opened. I wish I had met him years ago."

TUSCHA

There's intelligence written all over that face. Tuscha at present is living on charity down at the Dogs Home they formerly occupied. Not long after, the Government Inspector caught the mother and brought her back to me, and two days later Toddy returned.

"In search of her and was caught after two days Toddy was sold to a Cottesloe resident, but he and his mother were not to be separated, for only a s week had gone when Toddy, thirsty and exhausted, turned up at the home and lay down near his mother's kennel. Now they are together again and both are happy. I don't think they could ever be parted."

Don't the pair of them look happy and contented in that picture in the centre of the page? Perhaps. "For nearly thirteen years his former owner had him and she brought him here about six months ago. She has never been to see him since, and not even a telephone ring has come from her inquiring how he is doing. I can't understand some people."

Perhaps she will claim him some day, it was suggested. "Claim him! Brownie is never going to leave me. The place could not get along without old Brownie. It would take a lot to get him away from me now. He sleeps at the end of my bed every night."

You could have a lot more dogs here? was inquired. "Yes. Some time ago a letter was sent to the City Council asking that all the stray dogs impounded be sent here. For a time there was no reply, but later we got a letter saying that we could have the unclaimed lot those that nobody wanted to take back or did not want to buy. Still, these things happen."

Here we left the dog lover to his unselfish work. But there was need to reflect on the attitude of the City Council. This seems rather absurd. Why pay poundkeepers and why destroy the left-over dogs when they can get a good home out at West Subiaco ?

The City Council might well let the home have all dogs picked up on the streets. Why should any dogs go to the lethal chamber, and if a few shillings is to be made by sales why should not the dogs' home get the benefit ? After the home has done more for dogs than the City Council is ever likely to do.

Every animal lover would prefer to see the straying, unlicensed, and not wanted dogs thus accommodated. The dogs' home is an institution long wanted, and those who have now been told of its functioning and the work it is doing will surely give any little help possible.

For people who want a dog the location of the home is under the subway out near the West Subiaco station and along the road to the old speedway. Anyhow, road signs will give ample directions, from then on.

Though a lot of the dogs to be secured for a nominal amount, pensioners and old people who can't afford it are not asked to pay anything. There are many who are not pedigreed, there are some fine little and big fellows out there.

After all, they are all dog. And that ls all that should matter!

"Does anybody want a little yellow dog without a pedigree?" Thus run the words of the welt known song. Yellow, brown, white, black or brindle, there are always lovable, four-footed waifs out at West Subiaco who would never forget a kindness l

Brownie. No matter how much Brownie appeals, the home superintendent won't part with him. Brownie is nearly 14 years old, but there's lots of life in the old dog yet. He is another of the "star" boarders.

An Apple A Day...(1934).

An Apple A Day...(1934).

In 1934 in Western Australia a record crop of apples was forecast. 

This wonderful photograph of two children eating apples in their backyard in Subiaco was published in the Daily News newspaper to encourage people to eat apples.  

The articles and photograph are from Trove, the database of the National Library of Australia. No copyright infringement intended.  

Daily News, 7 June 1934.

'An Apple a Day— Will Keep a Glut Away'

Due to the prolific season for apples in this State, most of the available refrigerator space in the metropolitan area has been taken up. This photograph, taken today in a Subiaco garden, shows one way of preventing a glut.

The photograph and articles are from Trove, the database at the National Library of Australia. No copyright infringement intended. 

Kalgoorlie Miner, 29 December 1934.

RECORD CROP OF APPLES.

FORECAST FOR COMING SEASON ESTIMATED AT 1,250,000. BUSHELS. Perth. Dec. 28.

A record crop, of apples for the 1934-1935 season is forecast by the Superintendent of Horticulture, Mr. G. W. Wickens, in his report to the Director of Agriculture, Mr. G. L. Sutton. It is estimated that the crop will show an increase on the 1933-1934 season, except in the case of pears, which will have estimated drop of 9000 bushels.

In his report, Mr. Wickens states that out of 20,670 acres used for the production of fruit (exclusive of grapes; in Western Australia, 59 per cent, or 12,207 acres, are under apple trees, and this season a record crop is in sight. Only twice has the million bushels mark been exceeded — once in the season 1928-1929, when 1,122,713 bushels were harvested, and again in 1931-1932. with 1,014,054 bushels. 

Last season the total amounted to 93,049 bushels. This season, it is estimated that the crop will reach 1,230,000 bushels, and if weather conditions are propitious, with no excessive heat waves nr hail damage to upset calculation, the estimate is a conservative one.

Subiaco Children Taking Care Of Books...(1938).

Subiaco Children Taking Care Of Books... (1938).

This article "Library Training. Children Taught Care of Books" was published in the West Australian on 21 September, 1938. The article describes how children at the Subiaco State School were using a library of over 1000 books that had been established, and were taking care of those books themselves.

The photographs are from the Western Mail, 18 February, 1943 of the Children's Library in Perth established by the Little Citizens League. 

The article is from Trove, the database of the National Library of Australia. No copyright infringement intended. 

West Australian, 21 September 1938.

LIBRARY TRAINING. 

Children Taught Care of Books. 

Use of a card indexing system, voluntary giving, and efficient book repairing are features of a library of nearly 1,000 books maintained by the children of the Bagot-road (Subiaco) State school Not only are many hundreds of children gaining entertainment and a love of reading by taking out a book every week, but they are being taught to take care of them, knowing that the penalty of carelessness is either the need to repair the damaged item, or the replacement of the book by a new one at the expense of the library fund. 

The library is divided into two sections, circulating or fiction, and reference. Reference books may be borrowed by the children for study in classrooms, for preparation of lecturettes, and special permission may be obtained to take the books home when the children desire prolonged study of their subject. Books of fiction may be retained for one week, but if there is no inquiry for them, they can be taken for another week. 

The library was started with money donated by the Parents and Citizens' Association, and individual gifts of suitable books. For a time this foundation was built upon by the payment of a book or 1 d, but it was found that those children who most needed the use of a library could the least afford to pay.

Hence, all fees were dispensed with, and the library is now entirely free to every child in the schooL Periodically a grant is made for library purposes from the school fund maintained by the association to buy school sports equipment. 

Each class has two librarians (a boy and a girl), and assistants who understudy them. The pupils learn how to handle the card system, the card for each book showing the name of the borrower. school class, and dates the book was taken and returned. The card is filled with 26 entries, and is then passed to the head teacher, who can thus see which type of book is the most popular, to which class in the school it most appeals, and whether its popularity warrants its duplication. 

As each book is returned, the librarians scan it to see that it has been kept in good condition and, after due entry is made, it is returned to the shelves. There is a periodical check on the entire library, all books being called in for a week; and in the past year only one book was missing, records showing that it had been taken by a boy who left school and failed to return it. 

About half an hour is allotted to each class for library service, the pupils going into the library in parties of about 12, forming a queue to return their books and selecting others. 

The card system shows that some books have a keen demand, and several children in every class privately exchange their borrowings, thus reading two or more books in their week. One little girl in the fourth standard has read 74 books this school year. In her classroom, an inquiry showed that 94 per cent of those present had changed their books that week, while 12 had exchanged with their mates. 

Books become badly worn. but they were never defaced or destroyed by the children. When needing attention, they are listed and set aside for repair by the boys in manual classes, book-binding being one of the school activities. This class turns out a very workman like job. The finished product being as good as new. In addition, pamphlets. such as the "Rural Magazine" and leaflets issued by the Department of Agriculture are neatly bound into book form for the reference library. The stiff covers are then protected with envelopes of khaki drill, made by the girls under a teacher's supervision.

Have you a camera? Do you ever secure "snaps" which will interest other people? If so, why not forward your photographs to "The Western Mail." which seeks to reflect the life of the community.

Subiaco Children And Their Neighbours (1909).

Subiaco Children And Their Neighbours (1909).

So what was it like for children, families, residents and business owners trying to live together in Subiaco during the early 1900's ? 

There are many letters and articles published on Trove, the database of the National Library of Australia in newspapers about the topic over the years, not only from adult residents but from children themselves. 

In 1909 a series of letters from residents were written to the editor of the West Australian, titled 'Life In Subiaco' and were published. 

The initial letter published on the 15 February, 1909, complained about the negative conduct of children and young people playing in the streets of early Subiaco. However, not all residents agreed with the opinion of the original letter writing about children in their street.

The letters provide an interesting insight into the play both positive and negative of some children and young people experienced by the residents who lived there.

The letters are from Trove, the database of the National Library of Australia. No copyright infringement intended. 

The photographs taken are of children playing outside in the early 1900's in Perth and are from the Alexander State Library webpage. No copyright infringement intended. 

West Australian, 19 February 1909.

LIFE IN SUBIACO. 

To the Editor, Sir, 

I would like to ask if anything can be done to put a stop to the endless torment of life, day and night, in Subiaco. A few months ago the whole of our front gardens were destroyed, bulbs smashed down and flowers and plants everywhere ruined, by gangs of boys playing football, every day, Sunday and week days alike, throwing stones, climbing fences, and breaking windows with the footballs in our gardens and on the roofs, and simply everywhere that it pleased them to kick them. 

We have three very large vines full of grapes, but have not as much as had one bunch off them. One fig tree alone had over £3 worth of figs on it. Five of these boys climbed one tree a few days ago, and not content with taking as many figs as they could carry and eat, they broke whole branches off the tree, and 17 dozen of hard, unripe figs were picked up under the tree after they had gone, and the house had only been left without someone to watch it for a short half-hour. 

The other morning, at 4 o'clock, the firebell rang, and in a few minutes hundreds of yelling hoodlums were out in the streets. There was no fire to see, so they came back shouting at the top of their voices, opening everybody's gates as they went along, throwing stones on the roofs, barking like dogs, swearing and hooting as if they had just escaped from a lunatic asylum. There was no rest for anyone till nearly 6 o'clock, when it was time to get up. 

This morning (Sunday), at half-past 3 o'clock, a gang of 19 (oh yes, we counted them) came up from Shenton Park, young lads from 17 to 18 or 19 years old. They came into Bagot-road and made the morning hours simply unbearable. They were fighting and cursing and swearing in a fearful manner. It was utterly impossible for any person in any of the houses near them to sleep or rest. The streets are never free from them here. 

Let anyone go along Perth-street or Barker-road, or any of the streets here after school hours, and he will have a hundred chances of getting his head smashed or an eye knocked in, or some other damage, the trees that are planted in the streets for shade and ornament being full of boys with their pockets filled with stones to shy at the unfortunate foot passenger who dares to use the footpath. 

They get balls of string and tie them on the fences and the trees, and the same gangs steal our morning papers, and the milk and the jugs and cans that are left out for it and the early loaves of bread left for breakfast, and at night our fowls and wood are taken wholesale. We have made complaints over and over again, but things are getting worse than ever.

Yours, etc., T. R. Subiaco, February 7.

West Australian, 24 February 1909

LIFE IN SUBIACO. 

To the Editor. Sir, 

In this morning's issue of the "West Australian" under the heading of "Life in Subiaco" I read a bitter infective against the youthful residents of various streets. Perth-street is mentioned, and that alone I shall defend, although I have no children of my own. 

As a resident of Perth-street for nearly three years I must protest against the charges laid by your correspondent. In all that time I have never experienced any of the behaviour "T" complains of.  Our milkman and baker call at 5 and 6 a.m. respectively, but we are always able to enjoy our morning's cup of tea, etc, and read the "West Australian" before starting the duties of the day. 

During the hot weather we have left doors open and chairs on the verandah, and the latter have never been removed. We also posses figs and grapes in abundance, but the trees have never been visited by these youthful marauders, that, according to, your correspondent, are in our midst. 

Poor "T.R." seems to "have fallen among thieves," or subject to a kind of persecution, and as for the pranks indulged in, such as stone throwing, and dirty water on the unwary passerby, it is a thing unheard of in Perth-street. 

Going along one sees groups of boys indulging in games of marbles, but so intent are they on the game and its attendant rules that not even a glance is bestowed on any passing individual. The girls are also engaged in play, noisy, but innocent and healthy. 

Your correspondent complains of their presence in the street, but Is it not to expect children to stay in their own backyards with very often ill smelling drains, or play around vacant allotments in an aroma of dead cat, thereby endangering their lives with the dread scourge, diphtheria or typhoid. 

Why, it is against the very laws of hygiene to think that any mother is going to deprive her children of the fresh air after their being cooped up in school often in a stuffy atmosphere. Surely "T.R." remembers his own childhood days, or is it so long ago he has forgotten how during school hours he looked forward to a game after school and tea? He complains of the noise. 

Why, we hear much of the decline of the birth rate, and it is almost an accepted fact that the dislike of children (these truants from home and heaven) in homes in the highest and lowest grades of society is a growing evil. It is refreshing to see and hear these groups of noisy, happy children at their play and the laugh of a child. 

God bless the children.  It would be a sad world without them.  Fancy a world of grown ups. Was it not Cardinal Manning  who, as he walked through the parks of London, blessed the children at their play? And another eminent ecclesiastic has said that where he met a child or band of children in the street he felt inclined to take off his hat to the little ones. 

I also take exception to the resection cast on our efficient staff of police Subiaco. They are courteous, obliging, and always anxious for the protection of the public.

Yours, etc.,  A LOVER OF CHILDREN. Subiaco. February 19.

West Australian, 24 February, 1909

LIFE IN SUBIACO 

To the Editor. Sir,

As another tortured resident whom necessity forces to live in Subiaco, I can endorse the assertions of your correspondent, "T.R." with reference to be seemingly uncontrollable vagaries of the rising generation in this salubrious suburb, and I may go somewhat farther and say that if the Government of the State or some other power does not take some active measures to coerce the lawless tendencies of the apparently semi-savage hordes of young larrikins and larrikinesses, too, who daily and nightly infest our byways and thorough-fares, Subiaco will soon be able to put forward a corps of young hoodlums equal, if not superior, to the world-famed "Rocks push" which terrorised Sydney, in bygone days. 

Doubtless, many will be found here and elsewhere to glamorously protest against this and who will endeavour to palliate the offences of the corps already referred to by quoting that perniciously stereotyped adage, "boys will be boys" and "girls will be girls," but if such unbelievers will only take the trouble to observe these young animals as they get off the State school chain on any day of the week, or if they will only walk around the streets of Subiaco between the hours of dark and midnight on any night of the week, they will hardly fail to realise the fact that neither "T.R." nor I have exaggerated the ruling policy of the numerous juvenile gangs which, like the mosquitoes, are everywhere to be met with. 

Nor is it to the juvenile portion of our population alone that life in Subiaco owes all its very unenviable notoriety. Besides the gangs already referred to, there are other gangs who, whilst their offspring rig many cases infest the street, will invade the shops and business places of the poor, struggling, tradespeople (newcomers particularly) and by almost every conceivable form of scheming, trickery, and  misrepresentation, endeavour to obtain credit which they have neither prospect nor intention of ever discharging, and the worst feature of this notorious, or rather I should say nefarious, practice is that the law as it stands, or at least as it is administrated, seems to aid and abet rather than punish this glaring system of public thieving, 

During my four years residence as a struggling shopkeeper in Subiaco I had many bitter lessons from customers of that stamp and many others to my knowledge can boast of a similar experience, but what strikes me as very familiar is the fact that Subiaco seems to be the favourite dumping ground of the proverbial "grass widow" with the usual "star boarder" or "genteel dependants". This class of individual whose husband is usually a mine manager, bank manager, or provost marshal of some unknown settlement, has been in reality the cause of many business failures in Subiaco as well as the cause of a part at least of the malodorous reputation which "Subi" now  enjoys; and to this class of individual I would respectfully draw the attention of those entrusted with the administration of justice. 

These experienced sharpers who, as a rule, are the personifications of plausibility, have very seldom any great trouble in victimising the unwary tradesman, but when, as not unfrequently happens, they are able, by the aid of lawyers or otherwise, to victimise justice in securing for themselves a mistaken leniency, it is high time the Government, or some other power, cast an eye in this direction and either by an amendment of the existing law or by some new enactment endeavour to ameliorate the troubles and trials of life in Subiaco. 

Yours, etc.,  STRAIGHT-OUT Subiaco, February 22

West Australian, 25 February 1909.

LIFE IN SUBIACO. 

To the Editor, Sir,

In reference to the letter in your valuable paper on the 7th inst., "Life in Subiaco," signed "T.R." about the boys in that neighbourhood.' "T.R." says that they play football in the streets, weekdays and Sundays alike. He is quite right on that point, and this ought to be stopped but he goes on to say that they break the windows with the footballs. That is incorrect; they broke a couple of windows playing cricket, but they all put in 6d. each and bought new windows. 

The boys also get up the trees planted by the Council, but they do not fill their pockets with stones to shy at the unfortunate foot passengers, as is stated by "T.B." 'T.R." said let anyone go along Perth-street or Barker-road after school and he is likely to get his eye knocked out. Such a thing has never taken place in Perth-street and never will, I hope.

Yours, etc., ONE OF THE MOB. Perth-street, Subiaco, February 23.

Children play on a wrecked boat on the shore of the Swan River, Fremantle. (1908).





Children playing outside with pets and toys (1912/1913).




Warren Family at play (1906 -1909).





Children and Teddy bear with billy cart (1908).