WHAT a little ripper of a vehicle we have this week. Our image shows a very special van, or “delivery motor”, which had its body modified and constructed in Bathurst. The fine signwriting states “Kennerson and Rowling Butchers” and on the rear is the address of the business: “Keppel and Seymour Streets – Phone 91.” This delivery automobile was built by D. Connery and Sons of Bathurst.
Bill Kennerson owned three butcheries and employed housemaids in his home to help his wife Amy Olive Kennerson (nee Bourke).
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One housemaid was 16-year-old “Mollie”. Mary Rosetta Moss was born February 16, 1919 at Reid’s Boarding House in Carcoar, the daughter of Charles Moss and Mary Josephine (nee Bourke). Mary was better known as “Mollie” to her family and friends.
She started her education at the age of seven, though with her father being a contact farmer, they moved around the country quite a bit. As a maid, Mollie was paid 10 shillings each week, but she still managed to put a little away for her bottom drawer.
Several doors down from the large butchery shop lived young Henry Burke at 38 Keppel Street, and the two soon took an interest in each other.
Mollie also worked for the McPhillamy family and had to ride her pony to work as they lived a little out of town, before tasking other jobs to earn money.
Mollie married Henry John Burke in the Presbyterian Church in George Street during World War Two on July 26, 1940. Henry’s parents Albert Walter Burke and Mary Agnes (nee Dein) welcomed Mollie into their family.
John was a contractor who owned a team of eight draught horses, though after the war he bought a motor lorry.
Kennerson and Rowling’s butchery supported the Bathurst Show, donating prizes and giving financial support.
At the 1926 Bathurst Show, which was opened by Mr V.D. Cox, president of the Mudgee A.H. and P. Association, and with Mr A.G. Manning, MP, and Mr G. Kelly, MLA, also in attendance, several special awards were presented during the ceremony. In the trotting program during the novice event, Messers Kennerson and Rowling’s Charming Jean came third in the event.
The butchers also sponsored sporting events such as the Bathurst Football League in 1922 and the program of the Bathurst Motor Cycle Club in March 1922 for Back to Bathurst Week.
The event was for members of the Autocycle Union of New South Wales that was held at the Bathurst Showground, featuring afternoon racing.
Three races were held for machines under 600cc, under 750cc, as well as novelty events such as bending races, a blindfold race and a sidecar obstacle race.
The local newspaper was impressed when it reported on the delivery van on December 22, 1924.
It stated: “Messrs. D. Connery and Sons, coach builders, of Bentinck Street, have just completed a specially designed motor commercial body (the first of its kind in Bathurst), to the order of Messrs. Kennerson and Rowling butchers, of Keppel Street.
“The work is not only a credit to Bathurst, but a triumph to the builders and compares more than favourably with the best metropolitan work.
“Everything was completed on the premises, the excellent panel work, painting, and finishing, etc., at a less cost than it could be done for abroad.
“The purchasers are highly delighted with the job, and it has met with general admiration.
“It certainly should be the forerunner of many more locally built motor bodies from the same firm.
“There is certainly no necessity for Bathurst and district residents to go to Sydney for such work, once an inspection is made of the motor body just completed.”
See part two next week.
