Post Office Site

Statement of Significance

The site is important for its association with early postal and telegraphic communications in the
district and between Perth and Albany.
The postal service was initially operated from within the police station in a room which was also
used as a court house and meeting place for the first Roads Board.

Physical Description

Situated on the east side of the Albany Highway, south of the bridge, adjoining the old Police Well
(convict tank). A plaque and remnant fruit trees mark the original site.

History

Postal services in the Williams district date back to 1841, when Joseph Strelley Harris is believed to
have delivered mail to Perth. By November 1853 George Maxwell won the first contract to take the
mail overland from Albany to Perth via Williams and York, a number of contractors followed.
In 1867 William Brown, who held a lease of the police reserve near the Williams River bridge, was
appointed postmaster for the Williams River district. In April 1868, Mrs Hegerty, wife of
Constable Hegerty who was then stationed at Williams River bridge, was appointed postmistress.
Mrs Hegerty remained in that position until 1875 when Frederick Henry Piesse was appointed as
official postmaster on a full-time basis, at the same time acting as clerk of petty sessions. As a
reward for fulfilling the duties as clerk of courts, he was to retain in full all fines collected
amounting to about £70 annually. To join his brother Charles in establishing the business of F. and
C. Piesse at Williams and Arthur River, he resigned those positions during 1880. Early in 1881 a
third brother, A.W. Piesse, was appointed to the dual position at Williams and remained in this
capacity for 12 years before transferring to Katanning.
The building of the telegraph line from Perth to Albany was another happening of considerable
importance because it brought Williams into contact with Perth and Albany. John Elsegood
secured the contract to erect the telegraph line which followed the Albany Road. Commenced in
1871 it was completed by the end of 1872 and Williams brought into the circuit on 6 June 1873.
While the telegraph line was being constructed, extensions were being added to the northern end of
the police station in order to accommodate the telegraph and increased postal facilities.
It was in November, 1878, that the police took control of the mail run. Both John and Henry, sons
of Thomas Chipper the previous mail contractor, joined the police force and were engaged as
drivers. The last mail coach to use the Albany Road was in mid 1889, when the 'Iron Horse' was
replaced with the building of the Great Southern Railway (opened July 1889).
In June 1889 George Lilley secured a contract to convey a fortnightly mail service from Williams
River to Wandering via Daylerking, Marradong and Bannister River. Also from July 1889, a new
mail service was established from Narrogin railway station to the post office at Williams.

Condition

Site

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update

Disclaimer

This information is provided voluntarily as a public service. The information provided is made available in good faith and is derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate. However, the information is provided solely on the basis that readers will be responsible for making their own assessment of the matters discussed herein and are advised to verify all relevant representations, statements and information.