114-116 CAMERON STREET - STRUAN AND SUPREME COURT BUILDING

114-116 CAMERON STREET - STRUAN AND SUPREME COURT BUILDING

Struan was built by James Robertson in 1870, at a cost of around six thousand pounds. It incorporated many “features” worthy of comment at the time including hot water, piped up from the kitchen stove to the upstairs bedrooms. The architect was Peter Mills, and the builder E. Ford.

Aspects of Robertson's life reads like a story from a Victorian Boy's Own Annual with tragedy (a brother who drowned in the South Esk), adventure (a memorable encounter with a dangerous bushranger), mercantile success (as evidenced by the bricks and mortar of Struan), and more! According to his obituary, published in The Cornwall Chronicle of 03 April 1874 (which can be read on Trove), he resisted much encouragement to enter formal politics, but was still greatly involved in community pursuits. He was, for instance, among many other things, captain and paymaster of the Voluntary Artillary Corps. According to Beverley Heathcote in her book A Walk Through Launceston's History, John Robertson was “well-known....for driving around the town in his open carriage flanked by his two dalmatian dogs.”

When Robertson died in 1874, central Launceston paused – most of the city's civic leaders attended the funeral, and shops were closed along the route between Struan and the Scotch Cemetery, which was located in High Street. Mrs. Robertson died in 1891.

In 1891, Struan was used as a residence for the Governor during the Tasmanian Exhibition. Bennell Brothers did the necessary refurbishment. At that time The Examiner (14 October) stated that the grounds contained “two of the finest magnolia trees in Tasmania.” I suspect they are no longer there, but I will look next time I'm passing! Dr. Pike, (who died in 1912), followed by Sister Massey had the house after this time, the latter operating it as a hospital until August 1919.

In 1920, Struan was purchased for 7,000 pounds by Dr. Arthur E. Panting from Zeehan who re opened it as a private hospital, which it remained until 1927. At that time there was a proposal to us it as a maternity hospital, but sufficient funds could not be raised and it was decided, in 1928, to consider making it the site of the new Supreme Court instead. At that time the house was located on over an acre of land. Work began on 01 July 1929. S.R. Featherstone was the contractor. The law offices of the new courthouse were located in Struen House. At the time of its official opening, the new building works had cost 9,000 pounds, with plans for additional development.

In 1929 Struan played a unique role after the disastrous floods of that year. The Examiner of May 03 reported: “It is almost unbelievable that during the couple of weeks Struan central sewing depot (in charge of the Australian -Women's National League) has been in existence over 1200 garments

have been issued for the relief of those who suffered through the flood. The official record kept by the secretary of the league shows that to date 776 new garments have been cut out and distributed to work parties, while 600 second-hand garments have been remade.”

It goes without saying that there are many stories from the Supreme court from after 1930 that could be told.

There are a lot of photos available on-line, of Struan in past times One example can be found at: http://catalogue.statelibrary.tas.gov.au/item/?id=PH30-1-5027#urls.

I was tempted to remove the phone box from the photo but it occurred to me that in twenty years or so (probably less) this will, in itself be “of historic interest!” Be aware that it is the back of Struan that “fronts” Cameron Street. Not surprisingly the house was built with an outlook to the river.