Our historic photo this week is of the Starr-Bowkett Building Society with two unknown gentlemen, who may well be directors, and a lad posing out the front. At the time, Starr-Bowkett was operating its No 3 and No 4 Societies. The Starr-Bowkett Building Society started in Bathurst in 1880 and was based on the system set up in Great Britain. This image was taken in the early 1890s.
The Bathurst Starr-Bowkett Society had members pay a small weekly "subscription", the transaction being recorded in the society’s register as well as in a small passbook.
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From time to time there were periodic ballots for an interest- free loan which was secured on the mortgage of the house property.
The society allowed access to finance that had not generally been available for the working class.
The Starr-Bowkett Societies began in Great Britain so it was inevitable that they would be established in the Southern Colonies.
The first Starr-Bowkett Society was instituted in London in 1862. The Great Britain Government's 1874 Act was a legal framework to allow the establishment of building societies.
While rules and guidelines were laid out, they did not take into account that some societies would be established just to fleece people.
One of the Bathurst No. 3 Starr-Bowkett Society ballots was held on Friday evening, September 2, 1887 for £300, which was drawn by Mr W.C. Dawes.
The minutes meeting in connection with the new Starr-Bowkett Society, No. 4, was held in late November 1887. Much of the evening was spent clarifying the rules, including Mr S.W. Webb’s motions.
The remainder of the rules were passed towards the conclusion, with the result to be forwarded to the Registrar-General in Sydney for confirmation.
Then the meeting appointed the officers: secretary Robert Williams; trustees Messrs. T. Durack, J. Simmons, and G. Whalan; solicitor Mr S.W. Webb; bankers City Bank; auditors Messrs. S.F. Smith and D. Page.
The following members were then nominated as directors: Messrs. C.W. Turrell, H. Mugridge, A.B. James, W.H. Rickards, R. Martin, R. Kelaher, C.V. Naylor, H. Rendall, W. Grant, A. Gartrell, E. Burgess, W.N. Thomas, G. Hulks. A. Pullbrook, R.W. Waters, John Wild, G.H. MacDougal, W. O'Keefe, W.S. Hodge, James Gripps, John Meagher, E.A. Mullens, and W. Simmons.
As there were too many, a ballot was to be held on the following Thursday night. Mr J. Simmons and S. F. Smith were appointed scrutineers, and Mr G.S. White the presiding officer.
Upon the motion of Mr Hulks, a hearty vote of thanks was accorded to Dr Machattie for presiding and the proceedings were terminated.
There was a good attendance when the Starr-Bowkett Society No. 3 held its annual meeting on March 19, 1891.
The chair was occupied by Mr S.F. Smith. The secretary read the yearly report, which was adopted, noting: “A fair amount of business has been done this year. There have been ten withdrawals with 131 shares being taken up."
The balance sheet showed that they had a balance in the bank of £189 17s 3d.
Messrs. A. Cornwell, J. Davies, James Dewar, Walter Rivett, S.F. Smith, M. Morris, A.J. Pullbrook, W. Bowhill, P. Branigan, F. Glasson, J. Simmons and D. Waddell were re-elected as directors, with auditors being Messrs. H.J. Barham and R.R. Tremain.
The No. 4 Starr-Bowkett Society held its ballot for £200 on June 25, 1891. It was drawn by Barft Tucker (share No. 49), to be returned in eight years, without interest, at the rate of 9s. 6d. per week.
The No. 5 Starr-Bowkett Society started around 1894 at the time the British Government again amended the Act, setting out new regulations for auditors of each society.
