Weatherboard house, formerly "The Pines", Pambula.

Item details:

Current status*:	Unlisted.
Name of item:	Weatherboard cottage.
Former name/s:	The Pines
Item type:	Built
Item group/collection:	Residential buildings (private).
Item category:	House.
Street number:	69
Street name:	Toalla Street
Suburb/town:	Pambula
Local Government Area:	Bega Valley Shire
Property description:	Lot 1, Section 16, DP 758825
Owner category:	Private
Current use:	Private residence
Former use/s:	Private residence

* Refers to the site's inclusion in Schedule 5 of the Local Environment Plan.

W. D. Pfeiffer.

Significance:

Statement of significance: The weatherboard cottage located at 69 Toalla Street is important because of the contribution it makes to the town’s heritage precinct. It occupies a prominent position on the hillside above one of the main entrances to the township and for this reason, has a marked impact on the historical ambience of the town. It is a very good example of domestic timber architecture once typical of the Pambula district and demonstrates the characteristic style of town buildings, construction techniques and building materials used in this type of building in Pambula around the turn of the 20th century. Its probable use of locally produced materials such as hardwood and brick makes it an important example of local industry at the time of its construction. The land upon which it stands also has associations with Constable Adam Ballantine, early local policeman who played a pivotal role in the capture of four of the mutineers of the American whaling vessel Junior. The building itself is also associated W. D. Pfeiffer, founder and first editor of the town’s only successful newspaper, The Pambula Voice. The association with Mary Margaret (“Ciss”) Dyall as an early, long standing and successful business woman add to this importance as a tangible link with her presence in the township.

Level of significance:

Local.

Flooding on Pambula Flats, C. 1920s? The Pines can be seen to the left.

Description:

Designer:
Builder:
Physical description:	A weatherboard built cottage with corrugated iron double hipped roof and two brick chimneys, one each on the eastern and western sides of the building. The chimney on the eastern [?] [town] side appears to be missing its arched capping [?] detail from the top. Part of the front portion is enclosed by a verandah with corrugated iron skillion roof, with steps leading up from ground level. The verandah is enclosed with wrought iron railing and gate, with timber posts and timber brackets. Windows on the original portion of the building are timber framed four pane double hung sash, with timber framed awnings also featuring timber brackets with unfussy detailing. An addition has been made to the rear portion of the building.
Physical condition:	Not inspected but appears to be sound.
Construction date/s:	1903
Modifications and dates:
Further comments:

C. 1990s.

History:

Historical notes: The weatherboard residence situated on the eastern [?] corner of Toalla and Monaro Streets is just one of a number of historic buildings throughout the township that contribute much the heritage ambience of Pambula. The land was originally purchased by local police constable Adam Ballantine in 1857, after which it was subsequently sold in 1860 to William Abraham, described as a cattle dealer and owner of the adjoining blocks (allotments 19 and 20 of Section 16). By 1900, the property was owned by W. D. Pfeiffer who, in January 1901, offered “…an allotment of 100 foot frontage to Toalla Street, Pambula, by a depth of 264 feet…being portions of Allotments 1, 2, 19 and 20 of Section 16…” to the Postmaster General’s Department after tenders were called for a permanent post office site for the town. Although it was described as being “…in close proximity to the court house, police station and public school…” it was noted as being “unsuitably situated, being in a cross street and away from the business centre.” The cottage was constructed in 1903 for Mr. W. D. Pfeiffer founder and first editor of the Pambula Voice, the only newspaper to have existed in the township for any length of time. Mr. Pfeiffer moved the printing equipment from Moruya to Pambula, establishing the Voice in 1892, and remaining editor and proprietor until November 1904. Mr. Pfeiffer called for tenders in August 1903 for the interior of “…a new cottage…” and in September that year it was reported that “Mr. Pfeiffer’s new cottage opposite the Public School is finished and considerably improves the appearance of that part of the township.” The Pfeiffer family lived in the large weatherboard home “Glenairlie”, also located in Toalla Street, so it can be safely assumed that this building was rented out. The family only remained in Pambula until very shortly after the sale of the newspaper business, after which they moved to Mosman in Sydney. W. D. Pfeiffer did, however, retain ownership of the houses at 69 and 65 Toalla Street as well as a number of stores. His personal diary records the continuing ownership, and mentions renting this cottage as well as “Glenairlie” and three shops to various people. In 1906, an advertisement appeared in the Voice for a “…six roomed cottage (known as Mr. Pfeiffer’s) finest position in Pambula…” and naming E. English as “…agent for Mr. Pfeiffer”. Renovation work was carried out on the cottage in 1910, with notable Pambula builder and contractor Mr. Job Koerber undertaking the work which “…muchly improved the appearance of the buildings.” Shortly thereafter, local police Constable Richard Bowern moved into the building, living there between approximately 1913 and 1918. In December 1920, W. D. Pfeiffer wrote to G. R. Phillipps, placing the Pambula properties in his hands for six months to sell. These included the “top cottage” on half an acre of land at £300; as well as “Glenarlie” and three shops. In March 1921 he again contacted Phillipps, having sold both the cottage and “Glenairlie” to “Mr. Buckett of Millingandi”. The following year, James Buckett and his wife leased their Boggy Creek (Millingandi) property to their sons and moved into the weatherboard cottage. After a short period, they were joined by their daughter Mary Margaret (“Ciss”) Dyall-Buckett. Mr. and Mrs. Buckett lived the rest of their lives in the cottage, and after they passed away, their daughter inherited the property. By 1929, when James Buckett passed away, the property had become known as “The Pines”. “Ciss” as she was more commonly known to local residents, continued to reside for some time in the building, and also owned and operated the Pambula newsagency. After 24 years in business, however, she sold out to Mr. W. T. Henderson in 1955, and it is likely that it was after this that she sold the premises before moving to Parramatta. Earl and Elvie Robertson then purchased the property, remaining there until their subsequent deaths, after which the present owners purchased the property. The building retains a prominent position on the hill overlooking the Pambula flats and is an important and identifiable local landmark.

2003.

Themes:

Australian theme:	New South Wales theme:	Local theme:
2: Peopling Australia	Convict
3: Developing local, regional and national economies.	Commerce
3: Developing local, regional and national economies.	Communication
3: Developing local, regional and national economies.	Technology
4: Building settlements, towns and cities.	Accommodation
9: Marking the phases of life.	Persons

2003.

Application criteria:

Historical significance SHR criteria (a)
Historical association significance SHR criteria (b)
Aesthetic significance SHR criteria (c)
Technical / Research significance SHR criteria (e)
Rarity SHR criteria (f)
Representativeness SHR criteria (g)
Integrity:

Heritage Listings:

2003.

Information sources / bibliography :

Baddeley, Ben, pers. comm, Bega Standard George, A. C. “Bubby” unpublished note book comp. History of Pambula – old records early days George, Allan, pers. comm. Magnet and Voice Centenary Supplement, Magnet, August 1992 NSW Land Titles Office: Old System Title, 1857-64, Book 70 No. 66. O’Brien, Alf, Descendants of Jacob and Margaret Buckett (nee Penny), Published and printed by Alf O’Brien, Shellharbour, 1999 Pambula – Post Office Site, NL 17/2486, Series SP 394/1, National Archives of Australia. Pambula Voice Went, Bill, pers. comm.

Author and date:

© Angela George. All rights reserved.

2006.