The Australian Stock Saddle
and the Saddlers that made them
WILLIAM J. S. HAMWOOD 1855 - 1920
Born in Chilcompton, a city of England, William J S Hamwood arrived in Drayton as a child and attended the Drayton public school. He was fondly remembered in later years by fellow students as being called 'Willie' Hamwood and where he received an education, that was used in after years, to thrive in business and help with the prosperity of Toowoomba. In 1859 his father announced his business in Drayton as a blacksmith and wheelright. It is unknown as to where Hamwood did his apprenticeship, however he opened up his saddlery shop in 1889 next to Tattersall's Horse Bazaar in Margaret Street. In 1891 he had a foreman called William Gilbert working for him.
Two adverts in 1894
[The Darling Downs Gazette] featured the local saddlers in their paper in 1894. Together with his picture (above) this is what was written about William.
MR. W. HAMWOOD.
'Tattersall's' Saddlery Establishment in Margaret-street, of which Mr. W. Hamwood is the proprietor, is perhaps of an unpretentious nature as regards building, but an elaborate display of brick and mortar, however, is not necessary to produce first class work and if the looks be not there, nevertheless the workmanship and quality will be found to exist. Mr Hamwood has grown with the town, and from the apprentice's bench he has succeeded in establishing himself in a permanent manner. But a few days ago, we had occasion to direct attention to his workmanship, and expert opinions have borne out our statements. Of display there are some attractive saddles, but show troubles Mr Hamwood little, and the opinions of gazers less. By results he chooses that his reputation shall be made, and surely is he not on the right track ?
Two years later the [Gazette] returned to further the story of William Hamwood in December.
Mr W. Hamwood's well-known saddlery is situated in Margaret-street, and here will be found a large and varied stock which gives intending purchasers a wide range of choice. Stock saddles and seamless saddles are a speciality with Mr Hamwood and he quits a very large number of them during the year. We were shown several lines in black and brown carriage harness with silver and brass mounting, which could not fail to please the most fastidious. Cart harness, dray, and plough harness are all guaranteed to wear out the farmers themselves if properly treated. Everything is made under Mr. Hamwood's personal supervision which is sufficient guarantee of its excellence. Whips, spurs, stirrups, and all the accessories of the trade to be found in a well equipped establishment are in Mr Hamwood's shop.
The [Gazette] was back again in December 1899 congratulating him on his success throughout the colonies.
Adjoining Tattersall's Horse Bazaar, Mr Hamwood's saddlery and harness business holds an important position in the leather trade in Toowoomba. Established in 1889 he is now an important factor in the trade here, and enjoys a wide reputation over Southern Queensland. In fact only a few days ago an order was despatched to near the South Australian border, and, still more satisfactory, the reply enclosing cheque expressed every satisfaction. This is but one instance of many such. Orders are now being rapidly fulfilled and despatched, yet the stock on hand is kept up well. In saddles and side-saddles, harness (buggy, or spring cart), bridles, &c, the choice is large, and all are made on the premises, and the best workmanship guaranteed. Lately the demand for saddles has been very great, and necessitated the utmost capacities of the shop to keep pace with the demand. The neat and attractive price lists issued by Mr Hamwood are without doubt the best of their kind the trade has seen, and the demand for them testifies to their value, and the business capacity of Mr Hamwood.
The Boer War raised its ugly head and due to strong lobbying by influential saddleries in the southern colonies, the saddlers in Queensland stated their case to get a fair share of supplying the local troops rather than rival colonies.
The [Brisbane Courier] reported on a meeting with the Qld. Premier on Saturday 28 December 1901.
SADDLERY FOR THE CONTINGENT.
Now that the Defence Forces are under the control of the Federal Government there is a continual fear on the part of the saddlers that the work required for the mounted troops—saddles, bridles—will be given to firms outside the State. Some time ago the firms here asked, through the Premier, that the saddlery required for the local forces should be obtained within the State, but received only a formal acknowledgment. Yesterday they saw the Premier again—Alderman S. Phillips, Messrs. R. E. Jarman, J. H. Matthews, W. Hamwood, F. Hill, and H. Hill were present—and besought his influence towards getting the saddlery for the contingent to be sent made within the State.
Alderman Phillips said they had learned that their prices were merely to be submitted to the Minister for Defence, and Southern manufacturers' prices might be accepted for the local work. It was thought there might be no time to make a combined protest; they might hear nothing until it was too late.
The Premier reminded the deputation that it was not his contingent but Mr. Barton's. Mr. Jarman said the local firms were placed in an invidious position. The saddles in New South Wales were not the same as those here, and while the local firms might tender for one kind those in the other States might tender for another. Moreover, they had to say how many they could do in a week.
The Premier said the contingent could not get away under a month. Alderman Phillips said the work manufactured for previous contingents in the South was of a different class, and the firms there had not the slightest idea of what was required here.
The Premier said Colonel Finn was going to the South on Sunday, and he should be got to Interview Captain Collins. He was sure he would do all he could for them. At the same time if they would write a letter he (Mr. Phillips) would submit it to Mr. Barton.
The deputation decided to press the matter on the Commandant.
The Queensland saddlers' representatives were obviously successful in their application, as the above photograph testifies. W Hamwood on the left, J Blackburn on the right, and an educated guess is that the gentleman in the suit on the far right would be Geo Cossart, as he was Blackburn's & Hamwood's Manager from 1899 until 1906.
William Hamwood had definitely purchased the business by late 1901 or early 1902, as the heading of this below story published in the [Darling Downs Gazette] in December 1901 reflects.
W. HAMWOOD (LATE J. BLACKBURN)
This well-known firm of saddle and harness makers continue to do good business. On entering the shop, one is struck with the magnificent collection of saddles of all descriptions. Saddles can be had here, from the dearest to the cheapest, all classes of the community being catered for. They have a fine collection of single buggy harness with solid nickel and brass mounts, also double harness and spring-cart harness in the same, and a large quantity of shaft, leading, and plough harness. They have just landed, ex the Duke of Norfolk and Wyandra, a large number of holly driving whips, best gut and bone whips, ladies' and gentlemen's riding whips and crops (all silver mounted), spurs, a large collection of purses, and numerous other small lines suitable for Christmas presents, also a very large quantity of harness, chains, and saddlers' ironmongery. A fine collection of ladies' and gents' saddles, English and colonial bridles, saddle pouches, cloths, etc., are to be had. A fine collection of all cricketing and tennis goods have just been opened up. In the coursing line, Mr. Hamwood has a good lot of dog slips, with all the latest improvements, also a good assortment of punching balls and boxing gloves for home amusement: We also noticed a fine lot of Gladstone bags, kit and Sydney bags, portmanteaus, and brief bags, and many other lines too numerous to mention.
Besides entering his saddlery into the local Toowoomba Show, William also presented his draft horses at this 1904 exhibition. He successfully took out the prize money, and no doubt the harness was made by Hamwood Saddlery.
The above grouping of advertisements occurred from 1905 until 1909 (in order). Accompanying the adverts over the years was the occasional story published by his long time supporter the [Darling Downs Gazette]. The following was in 1905.
HAMWOOD'S SADDLERY ESTABLISHMENT.
We have inspected a large order just being turned out by this old-established firm for the West, and to see the pile of stock saddles and bridles, together with the harness and the stamp of finish, good workmanship, and material used, we could not help but think that however quiet generally, business was, one firm at least was busy. This is a very pleasing feature, and is another proof of the large business done, by this enterprising firm, and of the good work turned out by them. We are further pleased to hear that their business in still rapidly increasing, and if what we have seen is anything to go by, we do not see how it could be otherwise, this firm being so well and favourably known both far and wide for the quality of cheapness of all goods turned out, and for its strict attention to all orders entrusted to them. We are glad to have such a firm in our midst, and wish them even greater success in the future, which we are sure, is well deserved, and we can recommend any one who has not seen their stock to do so, as it will well repay them, and those on the look-out for presents will find all they require in this particular line.
As was the way in the early 1900's, most overseas orders for saddleries were considered newsworthy, and the Toowoomba residents did not miss out on being informed.
The [Darling Downs Gazette] wrote on 18 October 1912 of one of these overseas orders:
LOCAL SADDLES FAR AFIELD
Mr. W. Hamwood, the well-known saddler of Toowoomba, yesterday received quite a surprise packet in his mail. It was a request from Buenos-Ayres in the Argentine Republic in South America for particulars respecting saddles, and a request that he would supply some to Englishmen in that country. The letter, which came through a trustworthy firm of indent agents, said that of all the saddles which the writer had seen that which most impressed him was one that had been made by Mr. Hamwood. It is the most practical saddle for an Englishman out in this country, added the writer. Some years ago Mr. Hamwood supplied a saddle to a resident of Urandangi in the far north-west of Queensland, and soon afterwards he went to the Argentine, taking the saddle with him. Evidently that saddle has been the envy of the rough rider of the cattle camps on the pampas plains of the republic.
17 July 1917 came the announcement in the [Darling Downs Gazette] that Hamwood had expanded into a limited company.
NEW COMPANY REGISTERED HAMWOOD'S LIMITED.
Capital.— £20,000, divided into 20,000 shares of £1 each, of which 2,000 shall be deemed and taken to have been fully paid up and are to be issued to William J. S. Hamwood or his nominees as the consideration for the sale by him of the business of the company. Registered at Supreme Court, Brisbane, July 6. Objects (briefly stated) — To purchase or otherwise acquire the business of wholesale, retail and manufacturing saddlers, harness and collar makers, importers and agent, farmer, fertilised manufacturer and merchant now carried on by William J. S. Hamwood, trading as W. Hamwood at Toowoomba, together with all or any of the assets and liabilities in connection therewith, and to carry on the said business. Subscribers. - William J. S. Hamwood, saddler: Wilfred E. Hamwood, engineer; Florence P. Hamwood (wife of Wilfred E. Hamwood): Leopold F. Bernays, solicitor and Edwin C. Bernays, solicitor, all Toowoomba; and Dora J. Hamwood, and Ethel J. Hampson, both Wilsonton, spinsters. Registered Office - Russell street, Toowoomba.
The ensuing years, after registering his business, saw William as an Alderman in the local council (retired 1919) and also President of the Eastern Downs Tick Board. Then in July 1920, a sad announcement was made to Toowoomba residents through the [Darling Downs Gazette]:
The funeral of the late Mr. W. J. S. Hamwood took place from his late residence 'Chilcompton', Wilsonton yesterday afternoon; and was very largely attended by neighbours and citizens of Toowoomba. The City Council was represented by Aldermen T. S. Burstow and H. G. Webb, and the Rechabite Lodges by Messrs. G. Cossart, A.E. Ellis, W. H. Wensley. H. Hodgson and others. The pall bearers at the house were members of the late Mr. Hamwood's saddlery business in Russell street, and those at the graveside the members of the various Rechabite Lodges. Rev W. Goddard travelled especially from Brisbane to conduct the last sad rites. Numerous floral tributes were received, together with a sheaf of telegrams and messages of sympathy.
In August 1920 an advertisement in the [Toowoomba Chronicle] announced:
HAMWOODS LTD .
Owing to the death of the late Mr. W. J. S. Hamwood, the well known business of saddlery, harness and collar makers carried on by Hamwood's Limited in Russell Street is being closed and all the stock of first-class saddlery and harness is being offered at greatly reduced rates. Farmers and others are thus given an exceptional opportunity of filling their requirements, and we advise them to call early as stock will not be replaced.
Hoping the keep the old business alive, and to maintain employment, Rogers ran the below advertisement in October 1920 in the [Toowoomba Chronicle].
A NEW SADDLER
Mr. J. Rogers late foreman of Messrs. Hamwood's Ltd., has opened up business in the premises next to Messrs. Lindley, Burton and Co., Russell-street. As the business of the late Mr. Hamwood has been closed, Mr. Rogers is continuing it and hopes to receive the patronage given the old firm. Note: Rogers was last mentioned in an advertisement in 1933, however he had diversified into other sporting areas, with not so much emphasis on the saddlery in the later years.
And the final chapter in Mr William J S Hamwood's story, in February 1925 his treasured property was sold.
TOOWOOMBA VALUABLE PROPERTIES CHILCOMPTON SOLD FOR £2200.
TOOWOOMBA, Tuesday. — Messrs. H, Sinclair and Co., held an auction sale of a number of valuable properties at their rooms yesterday, on account Hamwoods, Ltd., and other vendors. The chief property submitted was the late Mr. W. J. S. Hamwood's former residence, known as 'Chilcompton', with over 61 acres, situated at Wilsonton about three milcs from Toowoomba. Bidding started at £1500, and the property was sold to Mr. Victor C. Vennglia, at £2200.