134 Capel Street

134 Capel Street
North Melbourne VIC 3051
photographer: Stephen Hatcher

Also known as
Previous Address 134 was also known as 30 Capel Street, Hotham before street renumbering. Source: from the 1895 MMBW map
Constructed
Style Victorian : 1840-1890
Architect
Builder

Timelapse Building Images

2004

source: http://maps.melbourne.vic.gov.au/

1983

source: Image by Graeme Butler, made available through funding from the Public Record Office of Victoria and City of Melbourne


Land Details

  1. Current map
  2. 1895 MMBW map
  3. Compiled Crown Record Plan
  4. 1859 report of the Government Land Sale

Building Details

No Entries Found

Subsequent Building Alterations

No Entries Found

Architectural Features



    No Entries Found


Heritage Significance and Listings

Heritage Listings and Explanatory Notes

Owners

From To Owner More Info Data Source
to date Private source: Hatcher Index
1859 Messrs. John Morgans and John Hottom, first Crown land purchasers source: Hatcher Index
abt 40 thousand years earlier 1835 Boon Wurrung and Woiwurrung (Wurundjeri) peoples of the Kulin Nation https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Victoria source: Hatcher Index

Residents

From To Resident More Info Data Source
to date Private source Hatcher Index
1965 1974 S. Spegar source: Sands & McDougall directory, transcribed by Anne Cronin in 2020.
1960 1960 Mrs. E. S. Doensen source: Sands & McDougall directory, transcribed by Anne Cronin in 2020.
1925 1955 William Hocking source: Sands & McDougall directory, transcribed by Anne Cronin in 2020.
1910 1920 Mrs. Elizabeth Hocking source: Sands & McDougall directory, transcribed by Anne Cronin in 2020.
1905 1905 Ernest S. Walker source: Sands & McDougall directory, transcribed by Anne Cronin in 2020.
1900 1900 William Roberts source: Sands & McDougall directory, transcribed by Anne Cronin in 2020.
1895 1895 Lawrence Doyle source: Sands & McDougall directory, transcribed by Anne Cronin in 2020.
1890 1890 Thomas Harrop source: Sands & McDougall directory, transcribed by Anne Cronin in 2020.

Social History

1912. Sequel to Carouse.

Dr R. H. Cole, the Coroner, held An inquiry on June 29 at the Morgue regarding the death of Lillian Ada Neil, 20 years of age. which occurred in the Melbourne Hospital on June 10, from poisoning.

Dr A. J. Fargei of the Melbourne Hospital, stated that on the morning of June 10 he was called to attend to Lillian Ada Neil in the casualty room. She died before he could treat her. There were no symptoms of poisoning.

Julia Bethmann, married woman, residing at 108 Berkley street, Carlton, said that Lillian Ada Neil was her daughter. She had been keeping company with a young man named Edward Hocking for four years. On Sunday afternoon, June 9, she went out, returning later in the evening. Next morning she called “Mother,” and when witness went to her she was gasping.

Charles Holbrook, stable employee, of Lygon street. Carlton, said that on the date mentioned a horse and vehicle were engaged by Michael Hurley. About 9 30 p.m. Hurley and two girls, one of whom was Lillian Ada Neil, came back with the buggy. All were intoxicated.

Edward John Hocking, factory employee, residing at 30 Capel street, North Melbourne, said that he had kept company with Lillian Ada Neil. On June 9, at 9.45 p.m., he saw her staggering across Queensberry street with two young men. Witness told her that she had lost a pendant which he had given her. She said, “Oh, Ted. if that pendant is gone, I will commit suicide.”

Ethel Harris, a single woman, residing at 292 Smith street, Collingwood, stated that on the afternoon of June 9 she went for a drive in company with Lillian Ada Neil and Michael Hurley. They stopped at a hotel at Brighton, and there they all had whisky to drink. The man was not intoxicated, but witness and Neil were.

Harry Bethmann, cook, and other witnesses gave evidence.

Dr Cole said that there was no doubt that Lillian Ada Neil had poisoned herself. It was strange that the mother, knowing her to be in possession of strychnine, did not take it away, The disclosures in this case pointed to a shocking state of things, which he hoped was not very common in this city. He found that death was due to strychnine poisoning, self-administered.

There was medical evidence of mental unsoundness at the time.

source: Weekly Times Melbourne 1912



Context and Streetscape

Precinct

This property resides within the municipality of the City of Melbourne. We respectfully acknowledge it is on the traditional land of the Kulin Nation.
source: https://www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/SiteCollectionDocuments/history-city-of-melbourne.pdf
historical map source: https://www.slv.vic.gov.au/search-discover/explore-collections-format/maps/maps-melbourne-city-suburbs

Zoning

The controls listed below affect this property:

This information must be verified with the relevant planning or heritage authority.

Streetscape

The streetscape can be characterised as a mix of Victorian and modern buildings. Eight of the original seventeen single-story Victorian terrace dwellings plus some double storey commercial buildings are on its western side, south of Victoria Street, while on the eastern side, the street retains sixteen of its original thirty-six, wider sized early Victorian, two storey terrace homes, as well as two story modern public housing townhouses.

Crossing over Victoria Street to the north on the eastern side, nineteen of the original thirty-two equally fine examples of early two storey Victoria terrace dwellings can be seen, dispersed by a small number of modern two storey buildings. Unfortunately, all twenty-two of the original Victorian terrace dwellings on the western side from Victoria to Queensberry streets have all been demolished, replaced by taller modern commercial buildings that are out of character with the existing surrounding Victorian architecture of this once predominantly single and double storey residential streetscape.

Heritage of note include two 2 storey terraces at 62 and 64, both have National Trust classifications and Heritage Victoria registrations. Two more include two single storey terraces dwellings at 81 and 83 that were designed by the distinguished Australian architect, Mr. George Raymond Johnson.

Other Information

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