Nott and Wright Family History: Ch:5- Philip Nott- Master builder in Brisbane

Philip Nott was a contractor and master builder. As mentioned in the previous chapter, in 1877 he built the two story extension to the South Brisbane State School (later Brisbane State High School).

He is listed in the newspaper gaining a number of contracts:

The Good Templars Hall Oct 1876;
1877- additions to South Brisbane State school
1879- produce shed for Brisbane Railway Station

1882- Warehouse Adelaide St, Petrie's Bight for Messrs Butler Bros merchants;
1884- Station Masters house at Woolloongabba

1886 building in Queen Street;

1886 fitting out the Workman's Club building;

April 1889 building in Red Hill;

March 1889 the manse for the Brighton Rd Congregational Church;

Nov 1889, a building at the Racecourse, and buildings at Red Hill
Sept 1891, 3 story building, legal premises, Adelaide St., between Creek and Wharf Sts.

In April 1891 Philip Nott unsuccessfully tendered for the new Museum and Art Gallery lodging a tender for ₤52,970, freestone work ₤15,750, 24 months; the successful tender was for ₤47000, freestone work ₤4974, 2 ½ yrs. However, the government had to postpone the building due to lack of funds, and the tenderers’ deposits returned.

He speculated on land, buying land in 1882 at Sandgate and Tingalpa; in Dec 1886 land at Amity Point Nth Stradbroke.

Source: www. brisbanehistory.com/index.html

NEWSPAPER REPORTS

Brisbane Courier Wed 4 Oct 1876 p2

A very successful tea meeting in connection with the Star of Peace Lodge, No. 3, L.O.G.T., and to celebrate the opening of the Good Templar’s Hall, South Brisbane, was held on Monday evening in the building which was tastefully decorated for the occasion. It was attended by about 400 persons, etc. The building, which was built by Mr Philip Nott, is situated at the corner of Jope and Glenelg Streets, and is a good substantial one, being built of chamfered boards and the roof sheeted and shingled. It is 30 feet long by 40 wide, and cost, complete £359. It is lit with gas, and the whole forms a bright, cheerful-looking hall, suitable for any entertainment.

The Queenslander Sat 14 July 1877 p18

OUR PUBLIC WORKS

PUBLIC WORKS IN PROGRESS

We understand that contracts have been let for the following works:-

Additions to primary school, South Brisbane, to Mr P. Nott, for £150.

The Queenslander, Sat 25 Oct 1879 p519

TENDERS- The tender of Mr P. Nott, for the construction of the produce shed, Brisbane Railway Station, has been accepted.

Brisbane Courier Mon 8 May 1882 p.3

A commodious and substantial warehouse has just been completed in Adelaide- street, Petrie’s Bight, for Messrs. Butler Bros., merchants. The building is in the Italian Gothic style, the front being cemented and ornamented with cornices, pilasters, parapet, &c.

The warehouse is 75 ft. long by 33ft. wide. There are two stories above the street, and advantage has been taken of the fall of the ground to build two stories beneath, showing in all four stories at the back. The two basement stories are each 10 ft high, while the ground floor is 14ft., and the first floor 12 ft. in height. The warehouse is built of brick on stone foundations, with hardwood floors and iron roof with lantern light. It is well finished, and from its proximity to the Government wharves occupies a very advantageous position. It has been designed by Mr John Hall, architect; and the contract has been well carried out by Mr Philip Nott.

The Queenslander, Sat 22 March 1884 p468

TENDERS

Tenders were called and the following tenders have been accepted, namely:

Mr Philip Nott, for erection of station-master’s house at Woolloongabba- amount £625

Brisbane Courier Tues 8 June 1886 p.3

CITY IMPROVEMENTS

The following buildings are being erected under the supervision of Messrs Hall and Son:- Business premises in Queen-street, at the corner of Foundry-lane, for Mr M.B. Gannon. This building, nearing completion is of four stories of brick, comprising cellar, ground floor, and two upper floors, and has been let to Messrs Isatt (?) and Mitchell, who will occupy the ground floor and cellar, and let the fiorst and second flats as offices. The area occupied includes a frontage of 15ft to Queen-street by a depth of 137ft. The front is stuccoed, and the design an elaborate combination of various styles executed in beautiful harmony. The windows will be fitted with revolving iron shutters with ornamental iron columns and spandrils. The cellar is to be lighted with Haywood’s prismatic pavement lights. The cost of the building will be about £4000, Mr Philip Nott is the contractor.

Brisbane Courier Monday 20 Sept 1886

At a meeting of the directors of the Brisbane Workmen’s Club, held on Friday night, the mayor in the chair,…… The arrangements for the opening of this club are fast drawing towards completion, and it is expected to be in full working in the early part of next month. The contractors are hard at work in carrying out the contracts for fitting up the club building. Mr Philip Nott has the joinery work in hand, and to all appearance is carrying out his work well. etc

Brisbane Courier Sat 9 March 1889 p5

TENDERS ACCEPTED

Manse for Brighton-road Congregational Church, P. Nott, builder.

Brisbane Courier Fri 19 April 1889 p6

TENDERS ACCEPTED

Business premises at Red Hill, for Mr R. Wishart, P. Nott. John Hall and Son, architects

Brisbane Courier Sat 27 April 1889 p3

TENDERS ACCEPTED

Additions to residence at Wickham-terrace, P. Nott £410;

Additions and alterations to shop at Red Hill, P. Nott, J Hall and Son, architects

Brisbane Courier Sat 30 November 1889 p5

TENDERS AND CONTRACTS

Tenders accepted

Villa at the Racecourse for Mr H. Perkins, P. Nott £1020. Crawford and Mann, architects.

Brisbane Courier Sat 18 April 1891 p6

GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS

There was some little excitement yesterday among the contractors and others interested in the building trade in connection with the opening of tenders for the erection of the new Museum and Art Gallery. At 4 p.m. punctually a small army of persons, numbering between thirty and forty, marched into the office of the Under Secretary for Works to hear the tenders announced. There were in all twelve tenders received. The lowest was that of John J. Balls £45,845; and the highest J. Stewart and Co. £55,448. The following is the list of tenders:- W. Anthony £51, 850. J.Jade 2 ½ years, £47,000; freestone work, £4974. John J. Balls, 2 yrs, £45, 845; No.2 £14, 207; No. 3, £1306.8s.8d less; No. 4, £2107. P. Nott, 24 months, £52,970; No.2 £15,750; No. 3, nil; No 4, £3490; without columns, £3550. E. Vallely, 2 years, £48,489; No.2 £13,590; No. 3, £3300; No. 4 £3375. T. Rees, 2 years, £55, 364; Goodna stone, £53,360. J. Renwick, 24 months, £54,300; No. 2 £15,500/ Chamberlain and Wylie, 2 years, £54,515. A. Midson, 2 years, £49,185; No.2, £48,205;p No. 3 £33,000; No. 4, £42,335. R. Ferguson and Co., 30 months, £48,945; No. 2. £32,380; No. 3, £47,945; No. 4, £42,070. W.M.C. Park 24 months, £52,671; stonework £20,373; No. 2, £8506; J. Stewart and Co. 28 months, £55,448.

In 1891, a three-story building, legal premises in Adelaide Street, between Creek and Wharf Streets, was given a detailed description, and was built by Philip Nott, contractor:

Telegraph, Brisbane, Fri 11 Sept 1891

NEW LEGAL PREMISES

Messrs Hart and Flower’s New Offices

One of the most recent additions to the professional establishments of the city is a three-storied brick building erected for Messrs Hart and Flower, the well-known firm of solicitors.

These chambers are situated on the Queen Street side of Adelaide Street, about midway between Creek and Wharf streets, and opposite Messrs Warwick and Sapsford’s establishment.

The front elevation is treated in a classic style, the first story being Doric, the second Ionic, and the third Corinthian, the various orders being thoroughly worked out in each case.

The cornices, entablatures, and pilasters are all cemented, while elsewhere the brickwork is simply tuck-pointed, the bricks used being of dark-coloured Waterstown make. The effect is very good. The windows of the first and second stories are circular headed, and those of the uppermost are segmental. The main entrance is at the extreme left of the doorway, being marked by a pediment with triglyphs in the frieze. A pediment which surmounts the doorway at the top of the building strikes the ordinary observer as strange, and has been ridiculed by the ignorant and inartistic, but it is really a consistent continuation of the treatment, its conspicuousness arising more from the present isolation of the building than anything else.

Entering it is found that the hall and staircases are of good width and the latter have a very easy pitch and are close stringed and panelled, with balustrades of cedar. The ceiling of the hall is arched and trussed with Ionic cornices, and with most of the rooms on the same floor is plastered. The inquiry room is the first one seen and is finished effectively in varnished Noosa pine and mouldings of Cyprus, with a contracted pediment. The principals of the firm have their rooms on this floor, and to each is attached a lavatory, and there is also the room of the head clerk and two others, with a telephone room. A side entrance opens to the right-of-way on the south side of the building. There are five offices on the first floor, and four on the second, the difference in number being accounted by the size of the accountant’s room on the latter, which, it may be mentioned, has a counter for the public. The ceilings of the rooms on these floors are of wood, painted in light and dark French gray tints, and the walls are plastered. The woodwork is Queensland cedar and pine. There is a basement to the building and it forms the most interesting part in many respects, for, in addition to four offices, two large strong rooms for the safe keeping of deeds and documents are situated there. A small lift which runs from the second floor descends to the basement, and is chiefly designed for the conveyance of books each evening to the strong rooms. The walls of these rooms are of cement of great thickness, and the ceilings are of the same material and arched. Specially strong safe doors are fitted, and also rat grills, which being self-closing, should effectually block the entry of the troublesome rodent. The rooms are considered thief and fire proof, and every pre-caution has been taken for safety, gas only being laid on by means of rubber tubing which is removed every night. At the rear of the main building are out-houses, a coach-house, a two-stalled stable, and a caretaker’s residence. A special feature of the walls of the basement is the insertion of an inch course of pure bitumen in their centre, which is claimed to be perfectly damp-proof and waterproof, and a new experiment in a Brisbane building. There are a number of fireplaces in the building, and gas is laid on throughout, even in the stable. A most excellent feature is the natural lighting, which is made certain by a right-of-way on the south side, and the ventilation, chiefly given by means of an area well, is equally good.

This admirable suits of offices was designed by Mr E.J. F. Crawford (late Messrs Crawford and Mann) of Edward Street, and the building was erected by Mr Philip Nott, contractor of South Brisbane, at a total cost of £5,119 15s 5d.

An article in the ‘Western Star and Roma Advertiser’ Wed 29 April 1891 p3, the author wrote that when “ the government had called for tenders for the Brisbane Museum which was to cost £45,000, the position at the time did not permit any honest Minister to carry out works which he was not sure he had the money to pay so he had to return the deposits of the tenderers until such time as the work could be gone on with.”

In 1900, a Works Royal Commission was held, in which Philip Nott was requested to give evidence about his experience on tendering for government projects:

Telegraph, 28 July 1900 p2

WORKS COMMISSION

SITTING THIS MORNING

The Works Royal Commission met again in No 2 committee room at Parliament House this morning, when there were present: Mr J.T. Annear, M.L.A. (president), the Hon, J. Cowlfshaw, M.L.C., Messrs Petrie, Bridges and Plunkett, M.M.L.A.

Mr PHILIP NOTT

Mr Philip Nott, builder and contractor, alderman of South Brisbane, and a member of the Builders and Contractors’ Association was the next witness called. He did not lately have much Government work to do and had not bothered about it. There had been a consensus of opinion among members of the association that it was very little good for a man to carry out works fairly to tender for jobs under the Government. His tender for the Stock Institute would have ensured the carrying out of first-class work, but the practice of accepting the lowest tender had led to the trouble of which so much has been heard. The contractor for the institute did not belong to the association he had named. Up to the present inquiry there had been insufficient supervision of Government works. The Works Department should be above suspicion. At present, ideas were prevalent which militated against competition by tendering, and tenders had been received by telegraph after the other tenders were opened. This gave rise to the suspicion that unfair play was possible. In justice to the department, he must say, in contradiction of what had been stated by a previous witness, that lists of small contracts required to be carried out were forwarded to the Builders’ Association. That witness was not a member of the association, and could not have such information from the rooms himself. He believed in paying high wages, because a contractor had command of the best class of labour. He did not believe in fixing a standard rate of wages, but favoured a minimum rate. He did not think the lowest tender should always be accepted. To apply that principle to Government contracts might be a little difficult owing to the mixture of politics and business. He did not know how the trouble was to be got over in regard to Government contracts. Privately he had once received a contract when he was eleventh from the lowest tenderer, but to do such a thing as that in Government business no doubt would lead to a great row. It was not possible for one inspector to look after 48 contracts at one time, and contractors considered that Mr. Jack had suffered an injustice in this respect.

Mr Jack was briefly re-examined, and the commissioned then adjourned.

Brisbane Courier, Sat 14 Sept 1901 p4

YESTERDAY’S ACCIDENTS

The Ambulance Brigade had a very busy time yesterday, being called out over twenty times during the day…. James Dutton, a married man, aged 47, living at Rosalie, was working at his trade as a carpenter on a building in Hampstead-road being put up by Mr Philip Nott for Mr Hendersen, dentist. He fell from a considerable height, and sustained a badly lacerated thigh, besides other injuries. The brigade removed the patient to Dr. Marks, who attended to the injuries, and the man was then taken to his home

Land investments

Brisbane Courier Wed 25 Oct 1882 p.5

Government Land Sale

The sale of Crown lands held by Mr Arthur Martin, Government auctioneer, was largely attended yesterday morning. The principal portion of the land offered for sale is situated in the town of Sandgate, on the road to North Sandgate and the Royal Hotel. The land was formerly a reserve known as the police paddock, and the higher portion of it commands a fine view of Bramble Bay and Moreton Island. The lower part is on the seashore. The first lot offered comprised 1 rood 3 ½ perches, and was knocked down at the upset price of £60. The auctioneer stated he did not intend to dwell on the bids, and if they wanted to buy they must bid quickly. This advice was acted upon, and four other lots in the same section were disposed of at up to £101. The next six lots were put up at double the price, as they are on the highest ground in the neighbourhood, and the lowest price realized was £190, and the top one £260. For the succeeding lots 12 to 36, there was not much competition. Lots 37 to 40, with a frontage on the shores of the Bay, were very sharply competed for, the prices being from £200 to £250. Other four lost adjoining also brought good prices- from £195 to £220 each. The following are the particulars of the same. The total amount realized by the Sandgate land was close upon £5400

Philip Nott:

Town of Sandgate-

Lot 17 and 18, Area: 1 rood each; Price per Lot £50; Price realized £50.

Parish of Tingalpa-

Lot 55; Area 80 acres 3 roods; Price per acre- £1.10s.

Brisbane Courier Wed 8 Dec 1886

Government Land Sale

Messrs Arthur Martin and Co. submittee to auction yesterday 104 lots in the town of Amity better known as Amity Point and situated on the north end of Stradbroke Island. Of the lots put up only five were passed in, and the total sum realized was £1088. The upset price it will be seen was exceeded in many instances, and the sale is considered highly satisfactory. There was not a large attendance at the sale, owing no doubt to the lack of publicity, but the bidding was spirited.

Prices realized for 1 acre lots- between £8 and £16

The principal purchasers were Messrs John W. Potts, Philip Nott, F.W. Leftwich, (+20 others)

Brisbane Courier, Sat 13 Feb 1909 p8

MOST CHARMING RESIDENTIAL SITE IN THE WHOLE OF SOUTH BRISBANE, SITUATED IN HIGHGATE HILL

WESTBOURNE-STREET, HIGHGATE HILL

Opposite the Residence of Philip Nott Esq.

Two splendid allotments, with improvements consisting of large shed, vey suitable for two good residences.

Subdivisions 5 and 6 of Portion 153, Parish of South Brisbane, containing 36 4/10 perches.

Etc

These are the finest unimproved Sites on Highgate Hill.

Brisbane Courier, Sat 6 May 1911 p6

In the District Court of Queensland, held at Brisbane

Notice of Sale of Land in the Shire of Caboolture at a Public Auction, by the Court Bailiff

(Notice given that the pieces of land described in the schedule will be sold under public auction unless the Government charges on the lands were paid):

Owner owing rates: Philip Nott, West End South Brisbane

Land: Shire- Caboolture- Parish of Bribie

Land Description: Deed of Grant No. 55876(?), Vol 487(?), Folio 156(?) (NB difficult to read)

Allotment 2, Section 2, Town of Caboolture, 2 acres

Amount due: £2.16.2

Furniture Making

Philip also made furniture. A table and chairs made by him remain in the family. (viz. descendants of Philip’s daughter Isabel (Annie) Young- the Young family).

16 April 2013

Ch:5- Philip Nott- Master builder in Brisbane