Cue Public Buildings

Statement of Significance

Cue Public Buildings, a group of five attached public buildings, including the Police Station, Police Station House, Magistrate's Court, Post Office and Post Office House, constructed of local weathered granite with corrugated iron roofing in the Federation Arts and Crafts style, has heritage significance for the following reasons: the place is a fine example of the Western Australian public buildings designed in the Federation Arts and Crafts style, demonstrating the design skills of prominent Government Architect George T. Poole, and the involvement of architect Alfred Edward Cox; the place reflects the importance of Cue as a major regional centre serving the Murchison Goldfields in the period of rapid expansion during the Western Australian gold rush of the 1890s and early 1900s; the place has been used continuously throughout its history to provide Government services to the people of the surrounding region; and, the place is a landmark in the main street of Cue.

Physical Description

Built of local weathered granite with corrugated iron gabled roofs, this large group of buildings is a very prominent feature of the Austin streetscape and typifies the architectural character of Cue. Comprising of one and two storey buildings, the place fronts onto Austin Street at the north end of town. The Post Office features the town clock which is attached to a tower, while the building as a whole features rendered chimneys, double hung windows, and includes a strong room and cells. The entire building features rusticated stone quoins and random course rubble walls. There is evidence of falling and rising damp which in several places Is damaging the external stonework and rotting internal plaster. Recent work includes re-roofing and new gutters and downpipes.

History

Designed by the Public Works Department, under the direction of Chief Architect, George Temple Poole, tenders were let in October 1894 to contractors Atkins and Law at a price of £8,127.18.8. Based in Perth, Atkins and Law were also the contractors for the telegraph line between Mullewa, Cue and Nannine. [Murchison Times, 25/8/1894] The contract was to have been completed by August 1895, however, alterations to the design while the work was in progress delayed completion until 1896. Architect, A. E. Cox, who had worked in the Murchison from 1893, took up the position of PWD supervisor for the District in 1895, and was responsible for the administration of the contract. Cox is also associated with the Gentleman’s Club and the Bank of NSW. On 13 February, 1897 A.E. Cox also signed the drawing for the addition to the building of two rooms for the Inspecting Surveyor and the Officer-in-Charge. The town clock, which had been promised to the Mayor of Cue by Sir John Forrest in 1897, was fitted to the building following alterations to the post office to provide for a clock tower in February, 1898. The block of buildings comprised of a Post and Telegraph Office and Quarters, Savings Bank, Warden’s Office, Mining Registrar’s Office, Police Station and Sergeant’s Quarters, Police and land Official’s Offices and Inspecting Surveyor’s Office. A local newspaper described the building as “plain and substantial”. [Murchison Times and Day Dawn Gazette, 25/8/1894, p2] A later description states: “The site is the bed of an old creek, and the design what a schoolboy might have been expected to turn out after his first drawing lesson. The squat little tower that flanks the south-west corner of the building is a dream of architectural ugliness.” [13/7/1895,p2] In 1903 renovations were carried out by H. Hart. [Government Gazette, 10/7/1903, p1770] The old Warden’s Court and Offices and the Police Station are owned and cared for by the State. The Post Office and Quarters have passed from the Commonwealth to the Shire. Various conservation works to the roof and guttering were undertaken in the 1990s, stone conservation in 2002, the Police Station, Court and Quarters were extensively renovated in 2004 and the exterior stonework re-pointed under the direction of Eastman Piletti and Sherwood Architects.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: High Degree Modifications: Extensions of two rooms in 1897. Alterations to Post Office (Clock Tower) - 1898

Condition

Good

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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