Uniting Church Manse

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Uniting Church Manse

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Castledare Boys Home (fmr) – Miniature Golf Course

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Statement of Significance

The mini golf course has cultural heritage significance for the following reasons: it is the first known mini golf course developed in Canning; it relates to the work and recreation of the (Christian) Brothers and the boys and lay people who generously contributed to the school since its initiation. It is historically significant for its previous role in the Canning community. Especially for its connection to the church and miniature railway.

Physical Description

Castledare Estate is located on high ground and river flats adjacent to the Canning River. The mini golf course adjoins the area and is built with a concrete base and small side walls to retain golf balls. The tops of the side walls contain mosaic tiles inserts identical to those within the forecourt of the nearby Catholic Church. Six holes and fairways remain intact.

History

Castledare was opened by the Christian Brothers as a centre for intellectually handicapped Catholic boys in 1929. The site of Castledare consisted of 83 acres of land on the banks of the Canning River and contained a brick Federation style residence. The property had been occupied since 1895. In 1927 the property was purchased by the Roman Catholic Bishop of Perth who sought to open a home for “sub-normal” children. Castledare opened in March 1929 with ten boys and under the directorship of Brother G. Hyland. By 1933, Castledare had stopped catering specifically for intellectually handicapped and had become a home for all types of under privileged boys. In the late 1930s and after World War II child migrants mainly from England and Malta were integrated into home. During the 1950s a rebuilding program was undertaken including classrooms and the Chapel to the Mother of Perpetual Succour, constructed in 1957 and blessed and opened by Archbishop Prendiville. In 1977 the chapel became the Parish Church of Wilson. The school closed in 1984, and is no longer used as a children's home. Miniature golf had been introduced in Perth by the Miniature Golf Company, Hay St, Perth in 1930. Contemporary newspaper reports included comments such as “Without doubt the fascination of miniature golf has a firm grip on Perth, as evidenced by the large attendances at the Miniature Golf Co.'s Links in Hay Street.” 2 Within twelve months several businesses were offering this past time on a commercial basis3 both in Perth and country areas.4 The interest in this past time grew over the years5 and became included in community facilities.6 Investigations7 by the Wilson Wetlands Action Group (WWAG) indicate that the mini golf course was constructed by a local builder to a design by the same architect who had designed the nearby church. The facility was intended as an amenity for boys resident at Castledare. Mr Tony Dalton who worked at Castledare until its closure as a school recalled8 that the course was a major attraction at the Castledare annual field day and a large fund raiser. The builder of the mini-golf course, Mr Alvio Timeus, confirmed in 2017 that the course was designed by the same architect who designed the Church. The course was constructed by Alvio Timeus and his uncle Mr Emilio Timeus after the church had been completed.9 The site is considered to be of significance due to its innovative role as part of the former use of the site as a boys home. Six holes and approaches of the mini golf course remain and it is believed that a further three holes were removed during previous development works to provide drainage.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity - low Authenticity - moderate

Condition

Overgrown with concrete in fair condition

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Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church

Condition

good

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Castledare Boys Home (fmr)

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Statement of Significance

Castledare Boys Home (fmr) is a purpose built institution on an early Canning River Grant with the homestead Niana being representative of the growing wealth of the district at the turn of the century. The place has cultural heritage significance arising from it being the only known purpose deigned residential school developed according to the new ideas for treatment of the intellectually handicapped in the late 1920s. It is an important marker in the development of Catholic Education in Western Australia. The church and miniature railway complement the recently established Canning River Park and currently provide important religious and recreational facilities for the Canning district and beyond. Castledare Boys Home (fmr), a purpose built institution on an early Canning River land Grant was designed around a brick and corrugated iron Federation Queen Anne style house featuring attic space and an octagonal belvedere. A brick dining room added to the rear of the house, two brick cottages with dormitory wings, a brick hall, a Women’s Auxiliary building, a Marian Shrine and a laundry amongst a complex of other buildings have been demolished. In addition to the house, a church, recreational building and miniature railway on the bank of the river remain in a landscape of mature trees and have cultural heritage significance for the following reasons: • It is the only knowN purpose designed residential school developed according to the new ideals for treatment of the intellectually handicapped in the late 1920’sin WA at a time of great debate about appropriate treatment of the intellectually handicapped and mentally ill. • The place has importance as a technical innovation; • The place is an important marker in the development of Catholic education in WA • The site is one of the earlier settlements in the Canning district and the homestead ‘Niana’ is representative of the growing wealth of the district at the turn of the century. • The style of the house is uncommon in the Canning and is valued by the community for its aesthetic characteristics • It is important for its close association with local identities such as Flemmings and Meares • The church and miniature railway complement the recently established Canning River Regional Park and currently provide important religious and recreational facilities for the Canning district and beyond AESTHETIC VALUE The Federation Queen Anne style of the original house is uncommon in the Canning and is valued by the community for its aesthetic characteristics . The overall landscape character of the site has visual connection to the Canning River and retains a mature tree canopy, many specimens of which are of very high visual integrity and environmental quality. HISTORIC VALUE • The site comprises part of an original Canning River land Grant, is one of the earlier settlements in the Canning district and the homestead Niana is representative of the growing wealth of the district at the turn of the century. It is significant for its development and use as a residential school for intellectually handicapped boys at a time of great debate about appropriate treatment of the intellectually handicapped and mentally ill. The place is an important marker in the development of Catholic education in WA. It is important for its close association with local identities such as Flemmings and Meares SCIENTIFIC VALUE The place has importance as a technical innovation. As a purpose built institution for the treatment and training of intellectually handicapped children, it was in many ways ahead of its time in Western Australia. The design was influenced by the State Psychologist, Ethel Stoneham, and the supervisor of the project, Father McMahon, whose travels in Europe and the United States led to the incorporation of the best features of similar institutions abroad. SOCIAL VALUE The site is significant for its use and adaptation as a school for underprivileged boys, inlcudig English migrant children. It is important for the social history of the work and recreation of the Christian Bortherse and the boys and lay people who generously contributed to the school since its initiation. It is important for its role in the Canning community, being valued for its miniature railway and the sites general amenity. It is of particular significance to those members of the community who grew up there and still use the church. RARITY It is the only known purpose designed residential school developed according to the new ideals for treatment of the intellectually handicapped in the late 1920’sin WA. REPRESENTATIVENESS The homestead Niana is representative of the growing wealth of the Canning district at the turn of the century. CONDITION The main structure of the homestead is intact but in poor condition, with windows, doors and skylights removed; the dining room has been demolished. The stained glass windows of the entrance hall, including the name ‘Niana’ was recovered after removal and are in storage, awaiting restoration of the building. The recreational building is in fair condition with toilets, lunch shelter and lock up storage being used by the miniature railway. The railway is in good condition and still in use. INTEGRITY Castledare Boys Home closed down in 1984 and almost all of the school buildings have been demolished for a senior citizen’s village which now occupies most of the site. However the original intention of Niana homestead as a residence, sited on a slight rise overlooking the Canning River remains clear. AUTHENTICITY Castledare Boys Home has a moderate level of authenticity. Niana homestead exhibits original layout, detailing and decoration. The children’s home developed on the site because the house and land presented the church with the ideal location for their school. The adaptation of the house to provide the chapel, kitchen, administration and attic workshop for the school illustrates the robustness of the design. Later additions have tended to distract from the appearance of the house but it has retained its prominence on the site.

Physical Description

For a discussion on the physical evidence refer to Allom Lovelll Hocking Conservation Consultants: 'Conservation Plan; Former Castledare Boys Home, Wilson' prepared for Catholic Homes Inc June 1996.

History

Assessment 1999 Construction 1906 Alterations/additions: 1929,1938, 1941, 1953, 1957, 1962 For a discussion on the documentary evidence refer to Allom Lovelll Hocking Conservation Consultants: 'Conservation Plan; Former Castledare Boys Home, Wilson' prepared for Catholic Homes Inc June 1996. Also see letter from Castledare Miniature Railways of WA Inc, dated 27 April 1984. Copies of relevant sections of these documents are on the NTWA record

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Statement of Significance

Castledare Boys' Home (fmr), a purpose built institution designed around a brick and corrugated galvanised iron Federation Queen Anne style house featuring attic space and an octagonal belvedere, and also consisting of a brick dining room added to the rear of the house, two brick cottages with dormitory wings, a brick classroom, a brick hall, a Women's Auxiliary building, a Marian Shrine and a laundry amongst a complex of other buildings and a landscape of mature trees, has cultural heritage significance for the following reasons: - it is the only known purpose designed residential school developed according to the new ideals for treatment of the intellectually handicapped in the late 1920s in Western Australia at a time of great debate about appropriate treatment of the intellectually handicapped and mentally ill; - the place has importance as being technically innovative; - the place is an important marker in the development of Catholic education in Western Australia; - it is important for the social history of the work and recreation of the Christian Brothers and the boys and lay people who generously contributed to the school since its initiation; - the site is one of the earlier settlements in the Canning district and the homestead 'Niana' is representative of the growing wealth of the district at the turn of the century; - the style of the original house is uncommon in the City of Canning and is valued by the community for its aesthetic characteristics; and, - it is important for its close association with local identities such as the Flemings and Meares.

Physical Description

Castledare is located on high ground and river flats adjacent to the Canning River. It was originally developed as a pastoral property and then a school in 1929. All buildings bar the “Niana” homestead were demolished and replaced at the turn of the Twenty-first Century with brick and tile aged-care accommodation. The “Niana” homestead is representative of the Federation Queen Anne style of architecture and is prominently located on the highest point of the land. It has tuck-pointed red brick walls surrounded by a generous bull nose vernadah, which is supported by turned timber posts. The hipped corrugated iron roof has projecting gables with timber and rough render infill. There is also a convex steel belvedere stop of the roof. A large blond brick and tile Church built in 1957 remains on site. The main façade of the Church has a recessed gable lined with small mosaic tiles set above steel framed doors and windows.

History

Castledare was opened by the Christian Brothers as a centre for intellectually handicapped Catholic boys in 1929. The site of the home consisted of 83 acres of land on the banks of the Canning River and contained a brick Federation style residence of seventeen rooms. The property had been occupied since 1895 by three successive families, the Flemings, the Meares and the McLeods. The Conservation Plan for Castledare suggests the Federation style residence was built by the Flemings between 1906 and 1908. The property was originally known as “Balmoral” and was not referred to as “Niana” (the name of the Federation style residence) until the Meares were in residence. In 1927 the property was purchased by the Roman Catholic Bishop of Perth who sought to open a home for “sub-normal” children. Castledare opened in March 1929 with ten boys and under the directorship of Brother G. Hyland. The home consisted of the renovated and extended Federation style house and two cottages and a classroom block which were built for the opening. An existing farm building was renovated to provide a handicraft workshop. One of the unique features of Castledare was the purpose built “Cottage Homes” as they symbolised a more humane approach to childcare. An approach considered more superior to congregate living in large institutions. There was never more than thirty intellectually handicapped boys at any one time at Castledare during the first four years. By 1933, Castledare had stopped catering specifically for intellectually handicapped and had become a home for all types of under privileged boys. In the late 1930s and after World War II child migrants mainly from England and Malta were integrated into home. During the 1950s a rebuilding program was undertaken including classrooms and the Chapel to the Mother of Perpetual Succour, constructed in 1957 and blessed and opened by Archbishop Prendiville. In 1977 the chapel became the Parish Church of Wilson. The school closed in 1984, and is no longer used as a children's home. In 1998 the site was redeveloped as an aged care facility and retirement village called Castledare Retirement Village and operated by Catholic Homes Incorporated. “Niana” the Federation style residence was retained as part of the redevelopment with the balance of the classroom and school facilities demolished. The Castledare Miniature Railway came into being through the action of a model engineer, Mr. Keith Watson. Having completed a 71⁄4" gauge 0‐4‐2 tank steam engine named “Nellie” in early 1963, he required a track somewhere to run and operate it to give pleasure to others. After searching around, Castledare Boys Home, on the banks of the Canning River was located and appeared to be an ideal location to build a railway. An agreement was made with the Brothers of Castledare Boys Home orphanage, whereby a proportion of monies raised by the railway would be paid to the boys home. The boys of the home would be encouraged to help build the railway. The first public run on this track coincided with the boy’s home Annual Field Day in October 1963.

Integrity/Authenticity

House (Federation style villa)-1895 Moderate Alterations: Requires further investigation Intactness of fabric: Requires further investigation Condition: Requires further investigation School buildings 1929-1950's Alterations: Requires further investigation Intactness of fabric: Requires further investigation Condition: Requires further investigation Chapel-1957 Intactness of fabric: Good Condition: Good

Condition

Good: well maintained

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Two WA Christmas Trees

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Kent Street Weir

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Statement of Significance

Kent Street Weir, a steel and concrete weir fitted with floodgates, and a steel bridge structure that spans the Canning River, has cultural heritage significance for the following reasons: - the place is related to the development of agricultural practice in Western Australia, in particular the Canning River area, in relation to a major scheme to provide irrigation services and water to that region; - the place is valued by the community as a well-known landmark in the Canning River Regional Park; - the place was originally constructed to prevent the ingress of salt water upstream during the summer months when the lower reaches of the river became saline due to tidal movements, and was an unique early technological achievement in the Perth Metropolitan; and, - the place provided deep water pools for swimming and fishing, and until the 1960s was virtually the only public swimming facility in the district.

Physical Description

Kent Street Weir is a weir and bridge structure spanning across the Canning River. The Weir is surrounded by parklands, playing fields and natural bush at the end of Kent Street, in the Canning River Regional Park, Wilson The Kent Street Weir was upgraded in 1989, and comprised 17 concrete bays, each containing four removable stop boards which cause fresh water to pool upstream of the weir. These boards are typically removed once there has been enough rainfall to push salt water downstream past the weir (usually in May/June), and replaced when river flows are too low to stop salt water moving back upstream (usually October/November). This annual cycle of stop board removal and replacement allows annual flushing of the system, and facilitated the movement of fish and other animals upstream of the weir during winter months. During 2017 Kent Street Weir underwent refurbishment by the Department of Water and Environment Regulation who at this period in time manage the asset. The upgrade incorporates hydraulically operated lay-flat gates removing the manually adjusted weir boards. Incorporation of a fishway facilitates the movement of fish through the weir, and a new improved footbridge is included. On completion the asset (weir, fishway and bridge) will be handed over to the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions for ongoing management. The construction of the weir resulted in important environmental changes, with salt tolerant riverine species confined to the downstream side of the weir and only freshwater species on the upstream side. The weir is located at a scenic stretch of the river with natural vegetaion predominating along the banks. The former cleared open rural landscape which adjoins on either side now forms part of the public open space system of the regional park.

History

The first ever ‘Kent Street Weir’ was constructed from sand bags at this site in 1911, and aimed to stop salt water from affecting agricultural land upstream. A more permanent weir was not completed until 1927 and has since undergone numerous changes to its design and function. The 1927 structure was designed by the Public Works Engineer, at the request of local residents to stop the ingress of salt water during the summer months. Although it was called a ‘weir’ it actually functioned as a floodgate as the timber boards would be removed prior to the arrival of the winter rains to prevent the surrounding land flooding. The boards would then be reinserted in summer. The weir also became a focus for recreational activity on the river in the inter-war years, providing deep water pools for swimming and good fishing spots. By the early 1960s other previously popular swimming places in the river had deteriorated, and the pool at the weir became one of only a few public swimming facility in the district. By October 1932, the weir’s performance was not satisfactory. Salt water was getting above the weir at certain times of the year. A new weir was completed by 20 June 1940 and provided a much more substantial and efficient lock. By the summer of 1960/61, Kent Street Weir was showing signs of failure and works to remedy the situation were completed the following year. The weir was further upgraded in 1989, which included a timber bridge allowing access to both sides of the river and linking with the cycleway system through the regional park. A new weir was constructed in 2017

Integrity/Authenticity

Intactness of fabric: 1960's concrete structure probably remains intact; the original timber boardwalk and minimal handrail was replaced by the 1989 bridge and balustrade construction and totally replaced by the 2017 structure. Alterations: Concrete structure upgraded; addition of timber bridge superstructure.

Condition

Good: well maintained

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Statement of Significance

Kent Street Weir, a concrete structure across the Canning River, has cultural heritage significance for the following reasons: the place is related to the development of agricultural practice in Western Australia and in the Canning area in particular in relation to a major scheme to provide irrigation services and water to that region; it is valued by the community as a significant landmark in the Canning River Regional Park. it was originally constructed to prevent the ingress of salt water upstream during the summer months when the lower reaches of the river became saline due to tidal movements and is a unique technological response to the early problem of salt inundation over agricultural land; and, it provided deep water pools for swimming and good fishing spots in the 1960s as it was virtually the only public swimming facility in the district; Aesthetic Value Kent Street Weir is situated on the Canning River within the Canning River Regional Park approximately midway between the Nicholson Road Bridge and Shelley Bridge and has a landmark quality in a picturesque setting. The original weir was constructed of steel piling with removable timber boards to control the flow of water, but this has been replaced with a new concrete structure built in 1940. The weir was substantially upgraded in the early 1960s and again in 1989 when the bridge structure over was added and considerable work carried out to the roads and park area within the vicinity. Historic Value Kent Street Weir has significance in relation to the history of settlement and farming in Western Australia. It also has significance in its relationship with various State and local government bodies and their roles in building, maintaining or supporting the structure. The place is related to the development of agricultural practice in Western Australia and in the Canning area in particular. It has significance in relation to a major scheme to provide irrigation services and water to a specific region. The development of the place is closely associated with settlers Mr Packer, Mr Cameron and Messrs A. and E.E. Manning, with politicians Alex Clydesdale and Mr McCallum, and with Chief Engineer Lawson of the Public Works Department. The place is the result of a search for a design that would meet a specific engineering need. Scientific Value Kent Street Weir is important for its unique achievement in the metropolitan area for its function of preventing the encroachment of salt water into a fertile agriculture area. Kent Street Weir provides a unique demarcation between fresh and salt water environments in the same river system, which provides avenues for research into adaptation of river species, identification of species with requirements for one or other of the environments and the like. construction to meet the needs of agriculturists and market gardeners, Kent Street Weir assists in the understanding of the occupation by white settlers of the Canning River region. Social Value Kent Street Weir has social significance and has been used as a swimming pool and for providing good fishing spots. Kent Street Weir has provided a focus for community recreation since the 1920s. Its present usage serves as an edge to the park’s grassed areas and as a support for the bridge structure which connects the grassed park area with the natural bush of the river. Rarity Kent Street Weir is significant as there are few other examples of weirs within the Metropolitan area. The place is significant in describing the difficulties associated with the settlement and development of the Canning River region by agriculturists. Representativeness Kent Street Weir is representative of a system of water management which has been put in place along the Canning and Swan Rivers to separate the salt from the fresh water, and to provide water for irrigation and other purposes along the upper levels of the Canning River. Condition Kent Street Weir is in good condition. It has been altered and maintained by the Public Works Department (now CAMS) and the City of Canning on a regular basis. Integrity Kent Street Weir retains a high degree of integrity as a weir since the 1920s, although the detailing and construction of the weir have altered over the years. The place, as part of public open space, is important to the community. The addition of a substantial walkway bridge connecting local footpaths has added to the integrity of the weir as it now forms link from one side of the river to the other as well as a break in the types of water (saline or non saline) on either side of the weir. Authenticity Kent Street Weir, as it exists today is not the original construction, but the reconstructed weir is similar in position and size to the original. Construction is similar in principle, but not in detail. The bridge over is larger, wider, more substantial and has greater detail. Regardless of the above, the present Weir achieves the same purpose as the original in separating the waters and because of the change of level is important to the total place within the park, and therefore preserves its authenticity.

Physical Description

Kent Street Weir is located across the Canning River in a picturesque setting approximately mid point between the Nicholson Road Bridge and Shelley Bridge within the Canning River Regional Park. The construction of the Bridge is in timber with metal gratings to allow access to the Weir planking directly below. This would allow for removal or inserts to be carried out. The weir is constructed of concrete support structures with recesses to hold the drop in timber battens that retain the water. The concrete side support structures of the weir were cast in the 1960s. The hand rail and balustrading to the Bridge is vertical posts at intervals of the weir supports below, with each section subdivided into three, with cross balustrading in timber. On the top of the hand rail there is a fixed metal plate to allow for the spread of the load from the equipment which will lift the planks out of the weir. The banks of the river are natural with grass on the park side and bush land on the other. £200 was set aside for a new investigation into the matter. A new site was identified and a survey carried out. Unfortunately, the new site meant that the previous agreements were no longer good and had to be renegotiated. A new Order in Council was prepared and promulgated on 2 June 1926. Out of the 97 affected landholders, 72 signed the new agreements. Rather than chasing the remaining 25, mostly absentee landlords, it was decided to accept the situation as it stood. The new, longer weir, encroaching into an old claypit on the side of the river, commenced construction in the summer of 1926 and was ready, in part, for the winter floods of 1927. The problem of addressing changes in water level and preventing flooding behind the weir in the winter months had been solved by using a set of removable planks as the top of the weir wall. A local committee was to have been formed among the closest settlers who would have the responsibility of checking the water level and removing the planks before flooding could occur. Regrettably the committee was not formed for several months and flooding, seepage and damage to the weir resulted. The committee, consisting of Messrs Packer, Richards, Cameron and M’Lean [sic] was finally formed in June of 1927

History

Assessment 1998 Construction 1926 Alterations/Additions 1940, 1960, 1989 Architect/Designer: Public Works Dept HISTORICAL OVERVIEW Kent Street Weir (1940) comprises a concrete weir with removable timber boards to alter the level of water retained by the weir to accommodate seasonal fluctuations. Topped by a timber bridge the weir provides a recreational facility within Canning River Regional Park. The location and construction of Kent Street Weir is a saga of frustration and determination, of local interest overriding professional advice and ministerial concerns. As early as 1911, agriculturists and market gardeners along the Canning River had become concerned about the annual flooding of their land brought about by the heavy winter rains and bringing with it a burden of salt from the brackish waters of the lower reaches of the Canning. They had raised the matter with local politicians and had even reached the point where some action to allay their concerns might be taken when World War One intervened. Members of the then Public Works Department had recommended the construction of a weir and a small sum of money was put aside. Lack of manpower and materials delayed the project and, in 1916, the Minister for Works was advised of a potential legal problem. This, combined with the shortfall in labour and a revised, significantly higher, estimate of the cost was enough to put the project on the backburner and eventually out of the Ministerial eye altogether. n 1920, the Department was advised that a local resident, Mr Packer, along with several of his fellow gardeners had been providing a temporary weir on an annual basis, at a cost to the constructors of £20 per annum. A petition for a permanent weir was circulating and the Department was to look into the possibilities. No copy of the petition could be found in any of the relevant Government departments and considerable energy was devoted to looking for it. Eventually Mr Packer was requested to provide a copy. Despite the convergence of the community in deciding that a permanent weir was required, there was no convergence in the choice of site. The lack of agreement was to be a stumbling block for many years, as was the understanding that the weir would constitute a source of fresh water for irrigation purposes. The relevant Act needed to be identified and a source of funding found. If the benefits were of a purely commercial nature it was not felt that it was an appropriate project for government funding. The proposed damming of the Canning at a point somewhat higher up also formed a difficulty in that the government of the day felt that they might be in a position to be sued if the damming of the Canning resulted in reduced water flow to the irrigation area behind the proposed weir. Between 1921 and 1924, the arguments for and against the weir at a variety of locations were raised. Finally the Hon William James George, Minister for Works, made a decision declaring: “The desire of the Government is to meet the wishes of the people concerned …. If the Crown Law cannot protect you …. I want to tell the people that we have all been in a fool’s paradise, and we cannot do what they want …. but, if we can do it, for goodness sake get to work….” Inspired by these stirring words, a draft order in Council was prepared for ‘construction of a steel sheet Piling Weir on the Canning River near Kent St and Queen’s Park Road.’2 This order was approved and gazetted. Following instructions, the Solicitor General and the Auditor drew up agreements to be signed by each affected landholder, agreeing to an annual fee for the provision of the weir and fresh water for irrigation, and to allowing the laying of pipes across private land to allow more distant farmers to benefit. Objections to the siting of the weir and to the possibility of flooding now became the topic of discussion, but the work finally seemed to be in hand and by late 1923 or early 1924, the majority of agreements had been signed and the Engineer in charge was requesting that the Queens Park Road Board be required to build a road to make the site accessible. Unfortunately neither the Government of the day or the Road Board had sufficient funds. To make matters worse, the engineer in chief, Mr Lawson, died. His replacement had no brief for a weir and suggested that the settlers continue erecting a sand bag weir on an annual basis. Worse still, the new Minister for Works, Mr McCallum, had not seen through the earlier struggle and was unaware of the depth of feeling of the settlers involved. Matters were once more at a standstill. On 20 March 1925, a deputation, arranged by local politician Alex Clydesdale, arrived to see McCallum and to push for the improvements. They must have been persuasive. Even with the formation of the committee and the building of the weir, matters were not settled. Disagreement over the height of the weir proved troublesome, and several settlers defaulted on the annual charge, claiming that the weir did not perform as promised. The question of maintenance of the weir had also to be settled, a problem exacerbated in 1931 when poachers, taking advantage of the pool formed behind the weir, dynamited for fish, causing structural damage to the weir. By 1934, the West Australian was reporting that there were calls for a higher weir at the Kent St site. The construction of the new Canning Dam caused the river to dry out in 1936, a problem that had been predicted at least ten years previously. Throughout 1937 the weir continued to make good copy for newspapers with delegations to ministers and a visit by Mr Cross, MLA to inspect the weir. The weir was replaced by a new concrete structure in 1940, and was upgraded again in 1960. It became a popular place to picnic and to swim and featured in a promotional piece for the Town of Canning as providing ‘two services to the people of Canning - it keeps salt water down stream and provides a swimming pool for children.’6 In 1989, following the Bicentennial and the upgrading of parts of the Canning River Regional Park, the top of the weir, previously accessed by way of a boardwalk, was upgraded by the provision of a proper bridge. Kent Street Weir provides a popular picnic spot, and access to both sides of the river within the Canning River Regional Park.

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