In her book "Deceptive Lands", Roma MATTEY made the following statement, on page 69:
"In 1889, Monsieur BILLIET, taking charge of the refreshment rooms, until 1894 offered meals in the dining room..."
The dining room referred to was at the Terowie railway station. But, who was Monsieur BILLIET?
Michel Charles Geoffray BILLIET was born 5 December 1849 at Chasse, on the bank of the Isère river, near Beaulieu, in the Isère department, in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of southeastern France. His birthplace is located near the city of Grenoble, and is north of Marseille. His parents were Guillaume Geoffray BILLIET and Marie Antoinette LAURANT de VALORS. He had an older brother, Claudius Louis G BILLIET, born about 1846.
In 1865, the family emigrated to Victoria, Australia, where Guillaume "started the first wine shop in Melbourne", in the Royal Arcade. In 1870, Michel enlisted in the 5th Regiment of Chasseurs à Cheval (Light Cavalry) in London, and saw action at Verdun during the Franco-Prussian War. He was taken prisoner but released at the end of the war in 1871, and returned to Melbourne in 1873. In 1870, Michel and his father still had the wine bar and served as judges at the Wine Exhibition held in Melbourne. Michel was married in Victoria in 1873 to Mary Theresa GAYNOR, an immigrant from Kilmaine, Mayo, Ireland. Their first child, Cecia Antoinette Gaynor was born at Richmond the following year.
In December 1876, in Adelaide, the following announcement was published:
"Something New - Mr Thomas HARDY, the enterprising proprietor of the Bankside vineyards, has fitted up a wine bar in Grenfell-street, for the purpose of enabling people to obtain the good ordinary wines of the country at a moderate price, and in quantities of a glass and upwards. The establishment will be managed by Mr M C BILLIET, who had charge of the wine bar at the late Melbourne Exhibition, and is son of M BILLIET, who started the first wine shop in Melbourne."
Michel's wife and daughter followed him to South Australia, arriving in January 1877 per coastal steamer "Aldinga". In August 1877, Michel was assaulted by a customer in the wine bar. In 1878, evidently starting his own business, Michel was granted a wine licence for premises at 18 Hindley-street, called the Royal Wine Saloon, opposite the Theatre Royal. In 1879, he expanded his business to include a French restaurant, and purchased a residence at Leabrook. Shortly afterwards, he brought a case against one of his employees for absenteeism. He applied for naturalisation in Adelaide in 1880. In 1880, a cheque that he had drawn on the Bank of Australasia was involved in a theft carried out at the Prince Alfred Hotel in Adelaide. In 1881, he sold his residential property at Leabrook. The following year, a group of three criminals stole some personal property at Michel's dwelling. They were committed to Yatala Labor Prison, and released in March 1882. In 1883, Michel became embroiled in a dispute over a piece of land at Port Adelaide, which went to the Supreme Court. In 1884, Michel was charged with unlawfully retailing beer, contrary to the conditions of his wine licence, but the case was dismissed.
In June 1885, he sold his Royal Saloon and Restaurant business to Mr G STEVENS, who intended to continue with the French cuisine. After selling, Michel became the proprietor of the Grange Family Hotel, just south of Port Adelaide, "the healthiest seaside resort in the Colony", and including "fishing excursions to snapper grounds every Saturday afternoon".
Two more daughters were born - Claire Gabrielle Geoffray in 1878 at Adelaide, and Helena Margaret in 1886 at Grange. Michel's father died in 1887 at Richmond, Victoria. While Michel's brother seems to have remained in Melbourne, his mother joined him in Adelaide at some point, and some of his brother's children also moved to South Australia.
In November 1887, Michel seems to have left Grange, and established himself in business with refreshment rooms at the Manna Hill Railway Station, located about halfway between Peterborough and Broken Hill. This establishment came under the regulations of the Refreshment Rooms Act, with leases from the Government. He purchased real estate at Manna Hill on 20 December 1888.
Late in 1888, Michel's wife was granted a licence for the Railway Refreshment Rooms at Terowie, transferred from A CHARLTON. She applied under the Act shortly afterwards. The premises were located on the centre platform at the railway station at Terowie. They were up and running with the Terowie business by January 1889, but also retained the Manna Hill business. In March, the application for a wine licence at the Terowie rooms was denied, due to proximity to other licenced premises. The following month, Michel BILLIET and J G TERRY (licencee of the Westward Ho Hotel, Manna Hill) accused each other of selling intoxicating liquors contrary to the terms of their licences. The police court dismissed both actions. Further troubles arose in April 1891 in a public debate in the press between Michel and the proprietor of the Terowie Enterprise, as the latter had taken a stand against applications made by Michel to have a liquor licence for his refreshment rooms on the platform at Terowie. In September that year, Michel was finally granted a licence to sell beer at his Terowie business. In spite of continued opposition by the editor of the Terowie Enterprise, Michel's wine and beer licences were renewed in March 1892. In July 1892, Michel was a candidate in the local council elections, but seems to have been unsuccessful.
After just over four years in business at Terowie, Michel decided upon a further venture in Adelaide, where he became the proprietor of the Grand Coffee Palace, close to the Cyclorama in Hindley-street. He still retained the business at Terowie. From March 1894, he began refurbishing the Palace premises prior to opening them as a "temperance hotel". His seven-year lease of the property commenced on 18 February 1895. The three-storey building was arranged around a balconied quadrangle and had over 100 bedrooms, two large dining rooms seating 150, a commercial room, and was just 100 yards from the railway station. A night porter was employed, and the premises had a telephone connection. In July 1896, Michel employed skills as an amateur sleuth to trap a thieving guest in the Palace. In July 1897, Michel had had such success in the city that he was able to purchase the Palace, at the same time taking out a mortgage. To aid in the purchase, he sold his real estate at Manna Hill in August 1897.
In 1898, Michel's daughter Cecia Antoinette Gaynor BILLIET was married to Alexander John McLACHLAN, lawyer of Adelaide. He was later elected to the South Australian Senate in 1925. The BILLIET family was now firmly established at the top of the social scene in Adelaide.
In June 1899, Michel transferred the licence for his Terowie refreshment rooms business to one Marie Antoinette BILLIET (who could be his mother or his niece). In April 1900, it was announced that a Miss C BRADLEY would manage the Palace for about seven months while Michel travelled to Europe to attend the Paris Exhibition and to inspect a number of similar "Palace" businesses to learn of the latest developments for possible implementation in Adelaide upon his return early in November.
In February 1901, Michel's niece, Henriette Catherine BILLIET, was married at Terowie to Thomas Philip McGILLICK, grandson of the Andrew William STEELE [1] of Steelton, and nephew-in-law of George HANLIN [1], pastoralist of Tuilkilkey.
On 23 October 1902, Michel purchased ten acres of land at what is now the Adelaide suburb of Park Holme.
Marie Antoinette Didine BILLIET, niece of Michel, was married on 29 Mar 1904 at Terowie to Patrick Gerald MOORE of Alice Springs. A couple of months later, Michel made another trip to Europe, to collect his daughter from Paris (where she had been studying for a few years), and accompany her on her return to South Australia.
In March 1906, Michel's daughter Claire Gabrielle Geoffray "Clarette" was married to Mr Sidney Frank HEASLIP, at Rose Park.
On 18 June 1906, Michel made his last will and testament, adding a codicil nine days later, and appointing his two older daughters as joint executrices.
Michel Charles Geoffray BILLIET died on 22 July 1906 at Adelaide Hospital, aged 56 years. He was buried at the West Terrace Cemetery two days later. He was survived by his widow, three daughters, his mother, and brother. His elaborate headstone bears the following inscription:
"A la mémoire de mon cher mari et de notre bien-aimé et regretté père Michel Charles BILLIET né à Chasse (Isère) France le 5 Décembre 1849 décédé à Adélaïde le 22 Juillet 1906. Les souvenirs du cœur ne s'éffacent jamais."
(In memory of my dear husband and our beloved and late father Michel Charles BILLIET born in Chasse (Isère) France on 5 December 1849 died in Adelaide on 22 July 1906. The memories of the heart never fade.")
Michel's youngest daughter, Helena Margaret, was married on 15 April 1914 at Kingswood, Adelaide, to Ralph WILLIAMS, in what was billed as "the" society wedding of the year. Ralph, who was then working as a lecturer, was the son of the late Alfred WILLIAMS [2], Director of Education in South Australia, and respected reforming educationist, and Matilda Green COOMBS. Well known South Australian families represented at the lavish wedding included ROUNSEVELL, NAPIER, McLACHLAN, ROLLISON, GOODE, GOODHART, BEACH, STEVENSON, Le MESSURIER, MAZURE, and others.
Notes:
[1] George HANLIN 1840-1922 was the husband of my first cousin twice removed, Johanna WILLIAMS (daughter of Samuel WILLIAMS and Rebecca Orwell COCKING). George's first wife, Jane STEELE 1842-1871, was a daughter of Andrew William STEELE 1817-1891, pastoralist.
[2] Alfred WILLIAMS 1863-1913 was my second cousin twice removed. He was a son of John Henry WILLIAMS and Emma Mary DAVEY. Alfred was a second cousin of Johanna WILLIAMS (wife of George HANLIN).
Some Sources:
Roma MATTEY, "Deceptive Lands: A History of Terowie and surrounding Hundreds in the mid-north of South Australia", South Australian Country Women's Association, 1968, Adelaide, page 69.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Is%C3%A8re
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Franco-Prussian_War
http://www.adb.online.anu.edu.au/biogs/A100312b.htm?hilite=alexander%3Bmclachlan
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/156540842/michel-charles-billiet
https://www.flickr.com/photos/hwmobs/30338192908
https://collections.slsa.sa.gov.au/resource/B+72260/4
Newspapers:
Adelaide Observer, Sat 23 Dec 1876, page 7, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article159492270
Adelaide Evening Journal, Sat 23 Dec 1876, page 4, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article197696680
Adelaide Express and Telegraph, Sat 23 Dec 1876, page 2, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article208309311
Adelaide Express and Telegraph, Thu 11 Jan 1877, page 1, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article208181266
South Australian Register, Fri 19 Jun 1885, page 1, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article44531538
Adelaide Evening Journal, Mon 30 Nov 1885, page 4, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article199140330
South Australian Register, Wed 2 Dec 1885, page 2, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article44541529
South Australian Register, Mon 21 Nov 1887, page 6, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article46829233
Port Augusta Dispatch, Tue 20 Dec 1887, page 3, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article196753743
South Australian Register, Tue 27 Dec 1887, page 2, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article46837022
Petersburg Times, Fri 13 Jan 1888, page 1, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article109491044
South Australian Advertiser, Thu 6 Dec 1888, page 5, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article109491044
Northern Argus, Fri 7 Dec 1888, page 2, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article97334720
Petersburg Times, Fri 19 Apr 1889, page 4, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article109493308
South Australian Register, Fri 3 Apr 1891, page 6, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article48096104
Northern Argus, Fri 4 Sep 1891, pages 2-3, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article97318174
Northern Argus, Fri 4 Sep 1891, page 2, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article97318173
South Australian Register, Fri 4 Mar 1892, page 7, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article48214930
Petersburg Times, Fri 15 Jul 1892, page 3, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article110244964
South Australian Register, Fri 23 March 1894, page 3, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article53633897
Adelaide Advertiser, Fri 30 Mar 1894, page 7, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article25682538
Quiz and the Lantern, Fri 25 May 1894, page 14, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article166449869
Express and Telegraph, Thu 16 Jul 1896, page 2, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article209068948
Petersburg Times, Fri 23 Jul 1897, page 4, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article109456046
Petersburg Times, Fri 16 Jun 1899, page 5, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article109462187
Burra Record, Wed 18 Apr 1900, page 2, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article36105752
South Australian Register, Wed 7 Nov 1900, page 5, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article54565006
Petersburg Times, Fri 14 Dec 1900, page 1, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article124968592
Express and Telegraph, Wed 20 Feb 1901 page 2, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article209678002
Adelaide Register, Mon 23 Jul 1906, page 4, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article57019619
Adelaide Mail, Sat 18 April 1914, p 3, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article59642649
Land records (SAILIS), sailis.lssa.com.au:
* 1878-81, Lot 9, Upper Kensington, T 99011, 309/51 1879 Jun 4, Hd Adelaide, Allotment 9, 1 rood 20 perches, pt of subdivn of Sec 299 Upper Kensington (aka Leabrook), cnr Rochester St & Eastry St (now Tusmore Av), Michel Charles BILLIET, wine dealer of Adelaide, sold 30 Jun 1881 to G S CALTON (?) & E A D OPIE land agents of Adelaide; now a residential property, 28 Tusmore Ave, Leabrook
* Albert BOUSQUET, Eugene LOWRY, Frank PETIT 1881-84, Eugene LOWRY, Pt lots 57, 58 Sec 912, 913, Hd Pt A, T 139060, 385/81 1881-84, Francow (?) PETTIT, Lots 1022 to 1027 of Secs 190, 192, Hd Pt A, T 180391, 509/13
* 1885-89, Secs 10, 11, 18, 26, 27, Manna Hill, G 527/17 1888 Dec 20, 13 pounds 15 shillings, Michael Charles BILLIET licensed victualler of Manna Hill, 1 acre 1 rood, Secs 10, 11, 18, 26, and 27, Town of Manna Hill, (Secs 27, 26, 10, 11 bounded by High St, Main St & Railway Tce; Sec 18 at crn East Tce & Railway Tce), Secs 10 & 27 sold 10 Aug 1897 to W J THREADGOLD, Secs 11, 18 & 26 sold same day to W G TRELOAR; now derelict properties on Barrier Highway
* 1895-1899, PTA 74, L 310223 & T 318429, V518 F112 1887 Dec 15, Australian Mutual Provident Society, portion of Town Acre 74, City of Adelaide, 2 roods, Hindley Street, sold 2 Dec 1887 to Wm McLEAN of Melbourne gent, sold 23 Dec 1895 back to the Society; leased 18 Feb 1895 for 7 years by Society to Michel Charles BILLIET; sold 17 Jul 1897 by Society to Michel Charles BILLIET restaurant keeper of Adelaide; mtge 17 Jul 1897 to the Society; xfer by application 20 Aug 1906 to Cecia Antoinette McLACHLAN wife of Alexander John McLACHLAN solicitor of Adelaide and Claire Gabrielle HEASLIP wife of Sidney Frank HEASLIP grazier of Apuila (?) Yarrowie, as executrices of will of Michel Charles BILLIET dated 18 Jun 1906 with codicil dated 27 Jun 1906, died 22 Jul 1906, probate of 1 Aug 1906
* 1900-1903, Pt Sec 115 Hd Adel, T 385194 V696 F56 1902 Oct 23, Michel Charles BILLIET of Hindley St Adelaide, restaurateur, Hd Ade, portion of Sec 115, 10 acres, one block west of the nw cnr Adelaide Rd & Marion Rd; land is now developed, located at suburb of Park Holme, north side of Oaklands Rd (formerly Adelaide Rd) and Chambers Street, west of Marion Road
(c) 2023, Peter J Williams, Grad Dip Local & Applied History
