Williams Shire Office/Site of Old Roads Board Office

Statement of Significance

This site is important for its association with local government in the district.

Physical Description

Located in the new townsite, the positioning of the original offices reflected the shift away from the Albany Road. The new commercial buildings across the road in Brooking St and being alongside Cullen's (Commercial) Hotel in Growse Street afforded the original offices a central location.

History

The Williams Roads Board was one of the first set up in 1871 to assist the Colonial Administration control and maintain roads in the colony. The initial meeting was on 2 June 1871 convened by James Manning, Clerk of Courts at the Court House in Williams. From the eight present, a board of seven was elected. This first Board consisted of Stephen Monger, unanimously chosen as chairman, Charles Hamersley, William Walter Cornwall, William Fleay, William Lavender, Michael Quinn, and Michael Hynes. Two auditors, Andrews and John Barron, were also elected. (1). Because of the lack of minute books, little is known of the Board's activities from its formation until May 1877. The Government Gazette records that the Governor in Executive Council assumed the functions of the Board for some time during 1874; an indication of the settlers' attitude towards the impossible task of supervising such a large area so sparsely settled and so inadequately supplied with transport facilities. The Government was aware of these difficulties for on 6 October 1874, the Wandering Roads Board was formed and it became responsible for the part of the Perth-Albany Road north of the Hotham River. Other Roads Boards were later created which helped take the onerous burden off the Williams administration - the Arthur in 1887 and later NaiTogin. In 1877, F.H. Piesse was appointed the first secretary of the Williams Roads Board at a salary of £l per month, payable quarterly. (2) Prior to the appointment of H.V. Came in August 1904, there had been seven different persons as secretary to the Board during the previous 14 years. When Came at last retired because of illness, he had served a term of a few months short of 40 years. At the time, his length of service was thought to be a State record. In 1907 the ward system of representation was introduced in the Williams Roads Board and the number of members increased to 9. On 28 August 1909, a meeting of 31 ratepayers in the Agricultural Hall voted 23 to 8 in favour of building a Roads Board Office. The necessary money had to be borrowed. From its formation, the Board met in the Courthouse until the Agricultural Hall was built in 1898 when they moved into that building, The Board vacated the Agricultural Hall because the committee in charge of that building were constantly demanding increases in rent. The Board took refuge in a small room of Cullen's Hotel which they rented until the new Board premises in Brooking Street were ready. Built by Hugh Marsh , of Narrogin, (not including the strong room which was added later), it served the Board for almost 50 years. The building was officially opened on 3 June 1911 by the Minister for Lands and Minister for Works and James Mitchell M.L.A. New Road Board offices were officially opened in June 1959 and the following month, the Governor, Sir Charles Gairdner, officially opened the new hall with its associated R.S.L. Memorial Hall, thus completing a most attractive civic complex. (3)

Integrity/Authenticity

Modifications: Considerable refurbishing in 1995/96 Extent of Original Fabric: Most /Nil

Condition

Good

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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Last Update