Bunbury Livery Stables

On 26 January 1897, Harry Brashaw announced in the advertisement section of the Bunbury Herald that he had commenced a business called H Brashaw and Co in Wellington Street near the railway station (reference). His company completed many services for Bunbury's residents, offering livery and bait stables, customs clearing and forwarding services (reference). Other services included general carting of goods, hiring out trap and saddled horses and picnic parties (reference). Between February and June 1898, the advertised location of the business changed from Wellington Street near the railway station to Victoria Street opposite the Wellington Hotel (reference; reference). The business continued to regularly advertise in the local newspapers - the Bunbury Herald and the Southern Times until ownership changed hands in 1905 (reference; reference).

In 1905 the Bunbury Livery Stables was acquired by W A Pierce, a wood and coal merchant (reference). Pierce continued to offer the same services with his newly acquired business, such as providing horse feed (reference). To maintain customers with the ownership change Pierce continued to include that the company was originally Brashaws for over a year (reference; reference). 

In December 1906, Pierce, the proprietor of the Bunbury Livery Stables, sought to lease his business out for eleven years. The offer of the lease was: "CHANCE OF A LIFETIME. - THE Bunbury Livery Stables. - Eleven years' lease, brick house, large yard and stables, carrying wood, coal, livery business. Ten horses, 17 vehicles, electric motor, splendid connection. No reasonable offer refused for quick sale. Owner retiring. Particulars from W. A. Pierce, proprietor livery Stables, Bunbury." (reference). Pierce began selling his possessions in preparation to move by February 1907 when he advertised his piano, drawing-room suite, bedstead and mattress for sale (reference).

In 1907 the Bunbury Livery Stables ran an excursion to the Collie Bridge. It was said to be a ten-mile drive leaving on Sunday 17 March 1907 from the Stables on Victoria Street (reference). 

In July 1907, a W Matthews was living or working at the Bunbury Livery Stables as he advertised his interest in buying a second-hand tip dray and harness (reference). 

It appears that Michael James Kelly purchased the business as the old advertisements ceased upon the commencement of Kelly's (reference). An article in the Southern Times on Kelly complaining about how the Water Board had treated him lists him as being part of the Bunbury Livery Stables reference). This supports the likelihood that Kelly purchased the stables from Pierce. 

Kelly's Bunbury City Livery stables continued to operate in Bunbury from 1907 until at least 1941 (reference). The longevity of the business relied upon Kelly adapting to the changing times. As cars became more popular, he began to move to this newer technology, leaving the horse and cart behind (reference). Other services such as the picnic parties continued but were also updated to include weddings and catering events (reference). By 1922 Kelly's business advertised as a royal mail carrier, lime and coal merchant, general carrier, car proprietor and forwarding agent (reference). By 1927 he had stopped calling his business a livery as horses were no longer as common as cars (reference).