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CONNOLLY Patrick "Paddy" Copyright David Mizen 2021 This account is based on the historic newspaper record. At the time of writing none of the Certificates of Title in relation to the properties referred to in this paper have been checked. The dates of events in this paper are based on news paper reports as printed. For various reasons those dates may not be correct. In writing this article I have tried to let the articles speak for themselves. Connolly's first love was horses, I have tried not to make this an account of his racing career, that is a separate matter, perhaps for a latter date. Also I have tried to narrow the scope of the paper to Connolly's relationship with Kalamunda, it became apparent early in the writing of this paper that aim was unsustainable. There is a very large amount of material in the print media regarding Connolly's exploits. The material referred to here is a small cross section of the whole. Connolly's legacy is much, much greater than a few buildings in Kalamunda.
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PATRICK "Paddy" CONNOLLY #1 |
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The author is aware that Connolly's birth date, and age at death, are not consistent across all reports, there appears to be a degree of literary license in the reporting. It is intended to revisit this paper when access to the relevant formal government records is practical. Introduction “Paddy" is a middle-sized, sparely-built man, with a skull-like face, over which sallow skin is stretched like parchment. A pair of cold, emotionless eyes gaze levelly at you on an introduction, and the coldest, keenest brain in the West measures you up. A grey wisp of a moustache covers a lip that clamps down on its fellow- like the visor of a trap. For the rest. Immaculate dress on the racecourse is the chief distinguishing mark of Mr. Connolly. A Western Midas. Early Life Connolly packed all of his worldly possessions, “mounted on a hack, with a pack horse on one side, and his champion Pantomime ... on the other...” he travelled to Broken Hill. At Broken Hill he sold the hack and the pack horse, but he kept Pantomime. He bought train tickets for himself and Pantomime and travelled to Adelaide. From Adelaide he and Pantomime caught the steamer Bulimba to Albany. From Albany they caught the train to Northam. In Northam Connolly obtained agistment for Pantomime at place were he “would be well cared for.” Connolly then jumped the railway to Southern Cross, then the terminus of the 'Eastern Railway'. From Southern Cross it appears that Connolly travelled with 'teamsters' to Coolgardie. (Out Among The People, Albany Advertiser, 21st November 1940 Pg.5). In order to travel further Connolly needed transport. A Mr. Cosgrove sold Connolly a four wheeled 'turnout' and a pair of horses. From Coolgardie Connolly travelled through Boulder out into the bush, he travelled for several days to a place referred to as “The Eucalyptus”. At this place he pegged his claim. He worked the claim but found nothing. Disappointed, he decided to return to Northam to see Pantomime. From Connolly's point of view horse racing was a better bet then gold prospecting. Connolly put Pantomime to work to return him to racing condition. Connolly was soon satisfied with Pantomime's progress, he decided to enter Pantomime in a number of events.(Out Among The People, Albany Advertiser, 21st November 1940 Pg.5). There is a slightly different version involving a second horse. The second account omits the venture into the goldfields but contains reference to Pantomime and this part of the story is consistent in both, and, is backed up by published results. The alternate version seems to relate to the events after Connolly returned to Northam from Coolgardie. In the alternative version it was put that when Connolly arrived in Western Australian he had two horses, Pantomime and Forward. Pantomime was entered into 3 events at 'Spencer's Brook', where he won a treble (3 races in one day), Pantomime's jockey on that day was F. B. Spencer (who went on to become Connolly's trainer in 1927). It is stated that Connolly then took Forward to Coolgardie where it was “forward with a vengeance” (Some Early History Remarkable Growth, West Australian, 6th September 1927, Pg.8.). There is a further similar report which states that “... in 1895, Mr Connolly brought two horses, and with them he camped near the city end of the Causeway, ...” (With the Man In the Street, Daily news, 30th October 1934, Pg.6.). There is ample and consistent evidence of Pantomime from the outset, however it appears to be the case that Pantomime's treble was at the Brookton Race Way and the after event function was at Spencer's Brook Hotel (Brookton Race Club, The West Australian, 15th March 1895). The second horse, Forward is more problematic. If Forward raced at Coolgardie in 1895 the results were not published. The first mention of Forward appears to be at an event at Bunbury in April of 1895 (Bunbury Race Club, The West Australian, 18th April 1895, Pg.6.). During 1885 Pantomime was entered into a number of events at different locations and did well, as an example Pantomine (described in the press as “aged”) was entered in the Flying Stakes against Carbine (then a 4yr old), Pantomime streaked the field and won by half a length, Carbine second (The Racing Carnival, West Australian 2nd January 1895, Pg.3). Carbine went on to win the Melbourne Cup. Forward is recorded in a few events and quickly disappears from the record. It was much latter said that Connolly “wasted neither time nor money on moderates “(“Lucky Paddy” Connolly's Tilts at Victorian Ring, Sporting Globe, 26th October 1940, Pg.6). Evidently Forward was 'a moderate'. Connolly appears to have been aware of the fickle nature of horse racing and wanted a back up income stream. Returning to Connolly's discussions with Cosgrove in Coolgardie, Connolly mentioned to Cosgrove that his father was in the hotel business. Cosgrove's response was that “there was no better business”. Cosgrove wanted to sell Connolly an hotel in Hannans (now Kalgoorlie) for 400 pounds, Connolly declined. But once Connolly was on his feet Connolly stated that he:“... purchased the lease of a hotel at Midland Junction ... that was in 1895. In 12 months I disposed of that property and brought the Occidental Hotel in Perth”(Out Among The People, Albany Advertiser, 21st November 1940 Pg.5). This provided Connolly with the base to work from. The parties lived at the Occidental Hotel for about two and half years, then the Grand Hotel. They appear to have separated for a short while when Alice went to England. When she returned they continued to live at the Grand Hotel for a short while. They then moved to the Sea View Hotel for about a year, then to Ventnor Avenue for nine months. They then moved to Dunreath (Connolly Divorce Suit, Geraldton Guardian, 1st December 1923, Pg.1). Dunreath |
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PADDY CONNOLLY'S "DUNREATH" PROPERTY #2 |
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There is a later report that says that Dunreath was a Kidman Bro's property (Sporting, Gundagai Independant and Pastoral, Agricultural and Mining Advocate, 11th November 1906 Pg.). For various reasons this aspect of the story requires further investigation. The precise location of the property is not known, however, it is possible to deduce an approximate position. Mr Connolly's Dunreath was referred to in a coronal inquest (Mr Guppy presiding), Dunreath appears to have been west of the Helena River road bridge at Guildford (Guildford Motor Fatality, The West Australian, 3rd August 1915, Pg. 9). Dunreath is also described in relation to the Redcliff estate : “The handsome two-storey mansion erected by Mr. John Wilkie [this is referring to Invercloy also known latter as Nulsen Haven at 462 Gt Eastern Highway] is located on the estate, and adjoining on the Guildford side is the beautiful family residence and stud farm known as 'Dunreath,' lately sold by Mr. Charles Kidman to Mr. P. A. Connolly.”(Big Land Transaction, The Daily news, 5th July 1905, Pg.3.). It appears that the property was between the Helena River and Invercloy on the now Great Eastern Highway, this is approximately were the old Bell Transport and West Trac are now. It extended from the Swan River back towards the Darling Range all most to the Cemetary on Kalamunda Road. |
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In 1909 the Western Mail described the property: |
PATRICK "Paddy" CONNOLLY #3 |
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THE UGLY MEN'S CLUB #4 |
The article high lights Connolly's rise in Western Australia, from camping on the open ground at the Causeway to owning one of the premier horse studs in the country together with considerable agricultural interests. However Connolly's marriage appears to have been hit hard by the loss of the 3 children. The Connolly's formally separated in July 1916 (Connolly Divorce Suit, Geraldton Guardian, 1st December 1923, Pg.1.). Despite the separation Connolly continued to expand his charitable and business activities. 1917 saw Connolly crowned the “Ugliest Man in Perth”. The second Ugliest man in Perth was Mr Victor Newton. The third Ugliest man was the Rev Father Crowley. There were 129 other men who ranged from extremely hideous to merely plain (The Ugly Man, Daily News, 20th February 1917, Pg.6). The history of this is aspect of Connolly's life dealt with under the RSL heading below. |
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In 1919 Connolly gave his second biggest single donation that is recorded. The Children's Hospital was again reported to be in need. In the immediate aftermath of WWI there was no government money. The required amount needing to be raised was 7,000 pounds. Connolly is at the head of the list of donors at 1,000 pounds. No one donated more, not even the government (Practical Christianity, Daily News, 21st August 1920). |
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1921 was a big year for Connolly and Western Australian. Firstly, Connolly led a syndicate consisting of himself, C. W. Arnott, George Ridgway, and a Mr. Lane (a Melbourne business man) and bought out the Emu Brewery and its associated hotels. This comprised of a chain of seven hotels known as The Stanley Hotels. The intention of the syndicate was to improve the hotels (Big Business Deal, West Australian 23rd November 1921, Pg.6.). The Emu Brewery amalgamated with the Swan Brewery in 1927, reports indicate that the amalgamation was by way of a share swap (Sale Of Emu Brewery, Western Argus, 12th July 1927, Pg.13.). This would have put Connolly in the position of one of the larger share holders in the group. The early 1920's were significant years for Connolly's philanthropic activities. His reputation in sport and business would have stood him in good stead to finance other peoples business ventures. |
THE EMU BREWERY 1921 #5 |
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The second major event occurred towards the end of the year and was reported by the West Australian. The report was: “North-West Air Service-'It is at least one instance in ,which the Federal Government has looked at matters from a purely Federal standpoint,' remarked the Minister for the North-West (Mr. H. P. Colebatch) at Parliament House yesterday with regard to the subsiding of the aerial mail service to the North-West. The occasion was the Minister's proposal at a Parliamentary luncheon of the toast of success to Westralian Airways Ltd., and good luck and happiness to the young aviators who will pilot the company's machines. The company's directors (Messrs. C. W. Arnott, E. Lee Steere, P. A. Connolly, and [C.E.] Crocker), Major Brearley, and the pilots (Lieutenants C. Kingsford-Smith, L. E.Taplin, R. N. Fawcett, H. A. Blake, and V. B. Abbott) were present as guests,while the North-West members were included among the parliamentarians.”(News and Notes, West Australian, 25th November 1921, Pg 6.). |
WESTRALIAN AIRWAYS 1931 #6 |
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Brearley had secured the contract to carry mail, in the first instance from Geraldton to Derby. It appears that Brearley needed additional capital to buy more aircraft to run the service reliably, and to expand to carry passengers and freight. As a result of the lack of capital the company was setup to bring in investors. The initial directors and presumed initial financiers were Connolly, C. W. Arnott and Brearley. (Geraldton To Derby, 3rd August 1921, Pg.6). It took the technical knowledge of Brearley coupled with the financial clout of Connolly and his connections to get the business up and running. The story is summed up in the Tambellup Times: Five pilots and a staff of expert mechanics have been engaged, and they will be stationed along the mail route to Derby. Buildings to house the fleet of machines are in course of construction. Perth is to have a hanger capable of housing six machines, Geraldton one for six machines, Carnarvon and Port Hedland one each for two machines, while at Onslow and Broome single machine hangars are being constructed. The pilot is due to arrive from England next week. The above article is an abridged version of a report which appeared in the West Australian on the 8th of November 1921 (Pg. 6). The West Australian article indicates two things, the first how deeply embedded Connolly was with the RSL and secondly that the company at the time of its formation was essentially an extension of the RSL. The company's day to day manager was the RSL state secretary. There is also a political aspect to the launch, Arnott was no business light weight. Lee Steere was from one of the most significant families in W.A and in some respects is Connolly's successor in racing and business. Crocker was an engineer and head of the W.A. power utility. Connolly was in the print media nationally, regularly. Connolly had the media profile, business vision and financial clout to bring credibility to the project. The directors collective wealth gave them a significant amount of power. The material reviewed indicates that Connolly had political connections, but it also suggests that politicians were not his favourite people. He was mentioned as a possible candidate for the Legislative Council but nothing appears to have come of the proposal (Legislative Council Elections, Western Argus 31st January 1922, Pg 17). These two business arrangements should not be taken as the whole of his business activities. There are numerous references to pastoral interests, but there is nothing in the media to identify what they were or where they were, this aspect of Connolly's life needs further investigation. The arrival of the West Australian Airlines had an almost immediate impact on pastoralists. A note worth considering in relation to the Western Australian Airlines arises in an interview with Major Brearley in April 1922. The report appears in the Geraldton Guardian, the relevant extract is as follows: "Passengers were travelling almost every trip on the mail route, and many requests were received from stations asking for machines to land and pickup passengers, mostly coming south, and in some cases this had been done. 'Very good landing grounds,' continued Major Brearley, 'have been prepared and marked at a number of stations along the route. At some places considerable expense is being incurred in order to provide a perfect landing ground close to the homestead. This movement was spurred on considerably when the news of Dr Trethowan's flight to Carnarvon reached station owners, who felt that by providing a good landing ground they were enabling a doctor to be within a few hours of their stations, in a case of urgent necessity'”(North-West Air Mail, Geraldton Guardian, 27th April 1922, Pg 3). It is noted in the bequests in his will Connolly left money to the Flying Doctor Service. While Connolly's philanthropic activities where increasing, the fractures in Connolly's marriage were also getting larger. In 1923 the Connolly's formal separation became public when Mrs Connolly applied for a divorce late in that year. The basis of the application was adultery. It was reported: The Respondent [Connolly] being very suspicious and unkind. On several occasions she went to live with his parents. She put the deaths of her children down to fretting so much. During their stay at "Dunreath," they were unhappy. Respondent accused her of poisoning him with powdered glass, and powdered alum. Respondent hired a man to watch her, keeping him at the place for three months. ... Kathleen Mitchell, a young woman, said she was engaged as housemaid at Majestic Mansions, St. Kilda, ... remembered a Mr. Connolly coming there and taking the flat "for himself and his niece." Witness attended to the flat. She spoke to the niece, who said her name was Miss Boyd. The name Madge Boyd was seen on the luggage by the witness, and a parcel (a hat from Buckley and Nunn 's) came to the place addressed to Miss Boyd. The laundry also came in that name.”(Connolly Divorce Suit, Geraldton Guardian, 1st December 1923, Pg.1). There are aspects of this story that are hard to reconcile. It was widely reported that from very early on Connolly had interests in a number of hotels. Those hotels were managed for him, and there were evidently a number of managers. There is no record of Connolly being in dispute with any of his managers or business partners. Disputes with jockeys in relation to improper practices on the race track occur, and he was known to be forthright, even sharp on that front. However, from early on the news paper reports describe him as inscrutable, without emotion. It is difficult to know how much the deaths of the children affected the situation at home, the level of mistrust on both sides was evidently high. The divorce signaled the end for Dunreath at South Guildford. The Connolly's owned Dunreath for about 11 years (Connolly Divorce Suit, Geraldton Guardian, 1st December 1923, Pg.1.). The divorce application was granted but it appears that Mrs Connolly had to wait 6 months for the divorce order to be made final (Connolly Divorce Suit, Geraldton Guardian, 1st December 1923, Pg.1.). Following the divorce Connolly sold of most of his horses. The sale was conducted over 2 days commencing Thursday the 3rd of January, it appears that 22 horses were sold that day (Connolly's Dispersal Sale, The West Australian, 3rd January 1924, Pg.8). The balance were sold the following day. There are articles later that suggest that Connolly kept his favourites and moved them to his pastoral interests. Following the dispersal sale Dunreath was also sold to E.J.Church. (Dunreath Sold, Advertiser, 30th May 1924, Pg.19.). It appears highly likely that Connolly moved to Kalamunda following the sale of Dunreath, however there is nothing definite on this issue until the completion of the kalamunda Hotel. While Connolly was at Dunreath the W.A Hunt Club held meetings at or around Dunreath. W.A. Hunt Club Dunreath Golf Club. |
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Kalamunda Hotel In 1927 Connolly commissioned the building of the second hotel. The contract to build was let to Mr A. T. Toms, the Architect was Mr Herbert Parry, who designed a number of Kalamunda's prominent buildings. The cost of construction was in the order of 17,000 pounds.
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THE ORIGINAL KALAMUNDA HOTEL 1927 #7 |
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THE ORIGINAL KALAMUNDA HOTEL 1928 #8 |
The new hotel provides 26 bedrooms compared to just 6 in the old hotel. The new hotel was commissioned to cater for the increasing demand from “tourists and families” (Kalamunda Hotel 17,000 for New Building. West Australian, 23rd April 1927, Pg.8). The operational date for the new hotel is probably the date Suhard took on the license, that is 21st January 1928. History shows that Connolly's vision was correct.
On the 26th January 1928 an advertisement appeared for an auction sale of the furniture and effects of the Kalamunda Hotel, there were allegedly 16 rooms to be cleared. The sale was to occur on February the 3rd on behalf of Anthony Kostera (The West Australian, 26th January 1928, Pg, 2). Kostera then moved to the Freemason's Hotel Helena Street Midland (Freemasons Hotel, The Swan Express, 11th May 1928, Pg. 1). It is extremely likely this was the contents of the old hotel. After the hotel become operational the media noted Connolly's residential address. |
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Connolly lived for a time in the new hotel: Towards the end of his life Connolly kept a car garaged at the hotel. It appears that he employed a driver (Borrows Employer's Car, Daily News, 22nd June 1939, Pg.12). During his marriage Connolly built up his business portfolio. One of those assets was the Helena Vale Race course. |
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Helena Vale Race Course |
HELENA VALLEY RACECOURSE #10 |
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“Instead of streamlined limousines speeding to the course on bituminised roads in a matter of minutes as they do today, drags, buggies, sulkies, spring carts and riders on horseback leisurely wended their way out to the hills course. What if the journey did take a couple of hours or more” (Racing at the Vale, Western Mail, 24th June, 1948, Pg.23). The process of writing this article brought to mind two questions. Firstly how, and, secondly, why, did Connolly became so involved with the RSA and latter the RSL, the following may well answer the 'how': The other point to make is that the 10th Light Horse Brigade was formed in Guildford, a stones throw from Dunreath. In order for Connolly to get to work it is likely he would have gone to Guildford to catch the train to Perth. This would have put him in contact with the 10th Light Horse. The writers inclination is to say the motivation as to 'why' lies in the death of his children. In many ways the returned soldiers became his defacto children. It is the writers conjecture that relationship has its genesis in the likely interactions Connolly would have had with soldiers (and horse men) at Helena Vale and the 10th Light Horse camp at Guildford, that did not return. The other aspect of Helena Vale that should be noted is that the Helena Vale ran Kalamunda themed events. The Kalamunda Purse and The Kalamunda Plate. It appears highly likely there were Kalamunda trainers leasing Connolly's horses racing at Helena Vale prior to Connolly's death. It also appears likely there were Connolly bred horses in Kalamunda racing at Helena Vale after his death. Connolly's actions prior to his association with Kalamunda were significant. His actions after he moved to Kalamunda are extremely significant, both for Kalamunda directly but also at a state level. |
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The Globe Hotel RSA & Kalamunda R.S.L. |
THE GLOBE HOTEL. PERTH #11 |
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St. ANDREWS CONVALESCENT HOME c1910 #14 Now St Brigid's College, Lesmurdie |
Connolly's was indirectly involved in establishment and the operation of St Andrew's Repatriation Hospital, likewise the hospital at Keane's Point and Woorooloo. Both St Andrews and Keane's Point was run by the Red Cross (Incapacitated Soldiers, The Western Mail, 11th April 1919, Pg. 37). Connolly was on the managing committee of the Red Cross in 1919 together with Harry Boan (President) and R. O. Law (Vice-President) (Children's Hospital, Daily News, 25th November 1919, Pg.5). Connolly's activities with the 'modern' RSL and his contributions to returned servicemen was recognised in 1921: “Mr. P. A. Connolly has been awarded a certificate of merit by the R.S.L. in recognition of his great devotion to the cause of the returned soldiers. P.A.C. has always been one of the first to dip his hand in his pocket when appeals were made for funds for any returned soldier movement, and on more than one occasion he has donated prize money won by his horses to returned soldier and patriotic organisations.” (Soldiers and Sailor, Sunday Times, 27th February 1921, Pg.5).
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The above is highlighted by a pointed letter to The Australian in May 1920 in which “Digger” observers that Connolly, without hesitation gave over his winnings at that event to benefit returned soldiers. However, none of the other winners followed suit (Digger, Australian, 7th May 1920, Pg 3.). Direct action was not the only vehicle Connolly used to funnel his charitable activities. Connolly was actively and prominently involved with what became the Ugly Man's Association. The association appears to have its genesis in an 'ugly man' competition at Narrogin, financially the competition was a success but it is not recorded how the funds were distributed (Queen Carnival Notes, Narrogin Observer and Williams District Representative, 1st April, 1916, pg. 5). Wagin was the next to stage a competition as part of the Queens Carnival (Country, West Australian, 3rd May 1916, Pg. 9). The next competition was Coolgardie, here the rational behind the competition changed, the competition raised about 200 pounds, this time the funds were expressly donated to the Goldfields Patriotic Fund (Items of News, Kalgoorlie Western Argus, 4th July 1916, Pg. 16). Next was Kalgoorlie, the second competition at Kalgoorlie was coupled with a euchre night and dance. The evening was promoted by the Red Cross and the South Kalgoorlie Progress Association. The profit of about 65 pounds went to the Red Cross (Help for Red Cross Society, Kalgoorlie Miner, 8th August 1916, Pg.1). By February 1917 the idea had reached Perth, carried by Inspector Harry Mann late of Kalgoorlie (Early Christianity In Our Own Day, Western Mail, 23rd December 1920, Pg.55). In that month the Children's Hospital was in dire need of funds. An appeal was set up. The results, it is politely put were “discouraging”. In that year the public at large were suffering. The war was in full swing, resources were stretched to the limit. Harry Mann called a meeting of the East Perth Football Club, its members and supporters. The meeting was at the Australia Hotel. “[I]t was put to the 'sports' that things were up to mud, that the ailing inmates of the Children's Hospital could not be allowed to suffer and even die...” (Early Christianity In Our Own Day, Western Mail, 23rd December 1920, Pg.55). A new appeal was launched, after some delay it was decided to model the appeal on the Kalgoorlie competition, there should be candidates, lots of them, on which the public could vote via the ballot box. Votes to be a penny each, the title to be bestowed on the lucky winner - “The Ugly Man of Perth” (Early Christianity In Our Own Day, Western Mail, 23rd December 1920, Pg.55). A management committed was elected consisting of Harry Mann, “Son” Jacobson, Cyril Norton, “Doc” Barrett, “Jack O'Connor, “Vic” Newton, and “Bob” Salter. In just 19 days the committee raised 2000 pounds.(Early Christianity In Our Own Day, Western Mail, 23rd December 1920, Pg.55). The three leading contenders in the competition were Victor Newton, Father Crowley and P. A. Connolly. Connolly being favorite to win at 11 to 8 on (Ugly Man Competition, Westralian Worker, 16th February 1917, Pg. 8). The winner was Connolly. The matter was decided at auction. Harry Boan put up a cheque for 200 pounds, the cheque being the subject of the auction. Connolly bought the cheque for 360 pounds having outbid Newton, he then proceed to buy 150 pounds worth of votes to be distributed between his three main opposition candidates. Despite these antics he still won (Early Christianity In Our Own Day, Western Mail, 23rd December 1920, Pg.55). The primary entertainment in the competition being the rivalry between the “sporting priest” Tom Crowley and “Jim” Snigg, the positions of each candidate in the field being displayed on a board in green tape. The tape signifying who was in front. The tape was adjusted some times hourly, some times daily (Early Christianity In Our Own Day, Western Mail, 23rd December 1920, Pg.55). For the last few day of the competition Newton and Connolly were well ahead of the others (The Ugly man, Daily News, 20th February 1917, Pg.6). An additional part of the competition entertainment was the Black Boy Hill military band, perhaps bought in by Connolly, and May Holmans Entertainers (The Ugly Man, Daily News, 20th February 1917, Pg.6). Shortly after the competition the position was summed up :
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The substantial windfall gained by the Children's Hospital was not lost upon the authorities-including the State Government-behind the War Patriotic Fund, to whose appeal for assistance Harry Mann responded by calling together his heroic band and conducting another voting competition, this time for the election of a "National Ministry." The direct result of this second effort was the placing to the credit of the War Patriotic Fund of a sum of 5,300 pounds”(Early Christianity In Our Own Day, Western Mail, 23rd December 1920, Pg.55). This summary was written in 1920. At this point Connolly and the Uglie's were just getting started. The depth and breadth of the 'Uglies' activities is beyond the scope of this paper. Connolly was elected Life Patron (Early Christianity In Our Own Day, Western Mail, 23rd December 1920, Pg.55). |
OUT PATIENT'S BUILDING AT ORIGINAL PERTH'S CHILRENS HOSPITAL 1909 #15 |
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In 1922 the Not Forgotten League was formed to support soldiers still too unwell to leave hospital, this included soldiers at St Andrews Hospital Lesmurdie. Connolly was personally involved in supplying motor vehicles to take the soldiers on excursions out of the hospital. The “Uglies” were also involved in the funding of the Not Forgotten's activities at St Andrew's and the other repatriation hospitals (Not Forgotten League, West Australian, 12th December 1923, Pg.12). Connolly also had a direct hand in the Kalamunda RSL. The land that the RSL building at 35 Canning Road is on, was donated by Connolly, together with the sum of 500 pounds as contribution to the building fund. (Presentation of Charter to R.S.L Sub-Branch, Swan Express, 15th February 1951, Pg.4.) The event was a presentation, and as part of the presentation, there was a recap of significant events over the last few years which included acknowledgement of the donation of the land. It appears that the donation occurred shortly before Connolly died. The building fund donation was recorded in the Listening Post on 1st February 1946: "Mr. Paddy Connolly's generosity appears to know no bounds. Practically all patriotic and charitable appeals are handsomely subscribed to by him. Living at Kalamunda, Mr. Connolly has taken an interest in the Darling Range sub-branch. He subscribed £250 to their War Veterans' Appeal, £100 to the Legacy appeal and hearing that the sub-branch intended to start a fund to build a Memorial Hall he sent President Bob Logie a cheque for .£500.” (Personalities, Listening Post, 1st February, 1946, Pg.8). In addition to the donations he made Connolly was a Trustee of the Soldiers Dependants Appeal during WWII. He was also instrumental in lobbying other business to contribute to the fund.(Further Aid for Soldiers Dependants Appeal, Sunday Times 6th October 1940. Pg.4.). The media record contains reference to a large number of donations associated with Connolly directly as well as by enterities he controlled. It is beyond the scope of this paper to catalogue all donations to country branches, but Connolly is directly associated with the funding of a number of wheatbelt RSL 'halls' either buy donations of land, or money, or both. The evidence above does not accord with the notion that Connolly was isolated in his last years. He evidently knew that the RSL had a need with respect to the acquisition of property for a building, and, a further need in relation to construction of buildings. He must have had his “finger on the pulse' in some form to obtain the information with respect to the RSL's and other charities needs. Burkhardt's Chair. Kalamunda Children's Play Ground In the same notice the Association proposed to form a traveling baby's health clinic. In April 1940 it was reported that the Progress Association had completed construction of the swings, merry go round and other items related to Connolly's block (Country News, The West Australian, 4th April 1940.) This appears to be the land now occupied by the “wooden horse” and the community hall between the mall and Barberry square. Kalamunda Infant Health Centre Legal issues Of the 6 events on the card Connolly won 4 (WATC Annual Meeting, The Express and Telegraph, 27th December 1907, Pg.3). There is a follow up report that “the bookmakers received some rough handling at the hands of the punters (Christmas Turf Carnival, Kalgoorlie Miner, 27th December, Pg.9). This probably means that Connolly's legal fees were paid from this event. This point is reinforced by the Sunday Times report on the 29th December which notes that Connolly took 1,500 pounds in prize money plus 7,000 to 8,000 pounds from the book makers (The World of Sport, Sunday Times 29th December 1907, Pg. 8).So much for rogue horses and card sharps, but that wasn’t all for that weekend.
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Turning to the second day of the WATC event and the Perth Cup, Post Town took out the event with Connolly's old Blue Spec Fourth, 1st and 4th , not a bad result for Connolly (Western Australian Turf Cup, The Sydney Morning Herald, 30th December 1907, Pg.7). It was latter reported that Blue Spec was ridden to fourth place by Pratt, who was riding with a broken stirrup, the stirrup having broken coming onto the home straight (Racing, The West Australian, 30th December 1907, Pg 5.). In what appears to be a quite dig at the Sunday Times following its loss in the libel case the West Australian ran the following on the Monday after the Perth Cup: “Mr P. A. Connolly, who has now won four [Perth] Cups in succession, with Blue Spec, Czarovitch, May King and Post Town, is naturally spoken of as a lucky man, no doubt he has had his fair share of good fortune of late; but it must not be forgotten that he has spent a lot of money in the purchase of good horses, engages the best riders, and pays out weekly a big sum for the maintenance of his string and the upkeep of his racing establishment. |
CHAMPION RACEHORSE "BLUE SPEC" #12 |
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Mr Connolly is not only lucky, but he is a good judge of a horse and a keen student of form, and he is able; when the opportunity presents itself, to make the best use of his judgment. Of course, all his good things do not come off, but taking the good with the bad, he must be showing a big profit for his racing transactions. He is reported to have won large sums of money in previous years, and even should he not win another race during the campaign, he will draw a substantial cheque from the W.A.T.C. On the opening day he won 1,400 pounds in stakes and on Saturday Post Town credited him with 1,400 pounds and Lady Agnes with 40 pounds so that to date he has won 2,500 pounds – a little under a third of the total prize-money being given away by the club. So far the three big prizes have been won by Mr Connolly, and it is quite on the cards that his horse will win another race or two before the races are over” (A fortunate Owner, The West Australian, 30th December 1907, Pg. 6.) There were other matters to follow in the years leading up to his death. In all cases Connolly was on the receiving end of those circumstances. The Eva Asplin Case “The allegation by the Crown was that the accused had passed him self off as a wealthy solicitor from Western Australia. He had proposed marriage to Miss Asplin and defrauded her of £350, as well as some jewellery” (A Heartless Rogue, Western Argus 3rd January 1928, Pg. 11). The only other account of the matter appears in Truth, the version in Truth is rather rambling. The pertinent part of Asplin's evidence was that : "We went out to [undecipherable] to look at some land which he said he was going to buy for Paddy Connolly, the bookmaker. After looking round for half an hour, we sat down and began to talk. "He said, 'I think we'll get married. ...”(Signed Cheque, Truth, 14th January 1928, Pg.15). There are 2 points to take out of this story, the first the extent of Connolly's reputation, which was nation wide. The second, and any many ways a consequence of the first point, was that his name was drawn into the story. Connolly was well connected, it is likely that Connolly knew of these events. Broome Street Burglary. Extortion Attempt “I received the letter on Friday. I've had a large number of begging letters in my time and have had threatening letters before, but never anything like that one”. (Terror Letter to P. A. Connolly. Daily News, 28th September 1944, Pg. 1.). On the 9th October 1944 the suspect accused of committing the extortion was charged with causing “Connolly to receive letters demanding money and threatening that Connolly would be unlawfully killed”. The accused was a member of a prominent Kalamunda saw milling family in the late 19th and early 20th century. The accused was bailed and the matter was remitted for trial. (Daily News, 9th October 1944. Pg.1.). The matter was reported nationally, and voluminously. The reports reviewed for this article are not particularly coherent, they are rather a jumble of facts that are not logically assembled. There are 3 reports in the Mirror of the 14th October 1944 under separate headings which lays out the events alleged to have occurred. This appears to be a preliminary hearing. The first report states that the police led a number of pieces of evidence that linked the accused to the threatening letter. This comprised of the accused's hand writing samples and a book of postage stamps with piece of a stamp attached, and the stamp on the envelop received by Connolly, with the corresponding piece missing. (Sawmiller for Trial Accused of Extortion. Mirror, 14th October 1944, Pg.5.). The second report is the evidence of a local business manager who appears to have testified that “he had known the accused for 10 years” and continued : The witness could not state whether or not the parcel had been opened. The next witness appears to have been a local chemist. The chemist's evidence was that: The trial appears to have taken place on the week ending the 19th November. The Sunday Times reports the Judge's sentencing remarks and recites some of the evidence. This included the arresting officer also stating that when arrested the accused said: The report also includes some of Connolly's cross examination. The defence put to Connolly that he had a girl named Marjorie working at his hotel in 1918 or 1919, this was denied , he did say as per the earlier comments to the Daily News “he had received other threatening letters many years ago”. (Blackmailer's Murder Threat: Ordered to Leave State, Truth 19th November 1944, Pg.14.). In his evidence Connolly also “said he left a brown paper parcel as instructed with a note inside instead of money, enplaning that he must have time to get so large a sum in notes” (Blackmailer's Murder Threat: Ordered to Leave State, Truth 19th November 1944, Pg.14.). The accused was convicted by a jury, it appears that the Judge imposed a bond or suspended sentence, in addition he was told to leave the state. The Sunday times quote justice Dwyer as saying: There were some follow up reports that raise issues in relation to the accuseds defence. Perhaps better put it appears that the accused had a defence but choose not to use it (“Banished” Man Still in Kalamunda, Mirror, 18th November 1944, Pg. 1). There are inconsistencies in the evidence at a reporting level. There is also a historic issue that arises and requires investigation. Rather than traverse the technicilities of the position and jump to conclusions without proper evidence the writer has attempted to validate the accused's story from available public records. There is a problem with opportunity. There is no clear evidence of Connolly's involvement with the hotel until 1927. The evidence avaliable at the time of writing indicates the Humerstons occupied and were the licencee's of the Kalamunda Hotel until the early 1910's, followed by Wood until about 1924, Anthony Kostera was the licence until 21st January 1928. This is not to say Connolly did not have an interest in the hotel in the late 1910's or early 1920's. If he did have an interest it was not an active interest. Further, it is not clear when Connolly moved to Kalamunda. The most likely time would have been following the sale of Dunreath in 1924. This is after the time frame of 1918 or 1919 stated by the accused, but it does tie in with the Ugly man competition. The final part of the problem is that a search of the Metropolitan Cemetaries Board records failed to find a Marjorie of the appropriate surname who was deceased in the time period stated by the accused. This is not to say that this part of the story is not true, an error in the news paper or Cemeteries Board records may mean that the relevant entry is not traceable using the reported spelling of the deceased's name. The other option that is apparent is that the alleged deceased victim was married and was buried under her married name. However, there does not appear to have been any attempt to call a jilted husband as witness. If such a witness had been available the media would have been all over it, it would have been a major scandal. The accused's story appears to be an adoption of the material that was well publicised at the time of Connolly's divorce. There is one unanswered question in all of this. That is where Connolly actually lived prior to his reported move to the new Kalamunda Hotel in 1928. As a child growing up in the area in the early 1980's the older folk used to tell tales of mad Paddy Connolly in his barbed wire shack. The general gist of the tales were that Connolly lived somewhere between the hotel and Dixon Road. One of the more exorbitant tales was that there was a tunnel between the hotel and his shack, this was so that he could come and go without being seen. The best that has been located regarding Connolly's Kalamunda residence comes via Gordon Freegard: Further research is required to isolate Connolly's residence. It should be listed in the City's history inventory.
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Legacy He started humbly enough, but while still a tyro among owner trainers his ability in handling gallopers was manifest. Just how good he was is evident in his Perth Cup record alone. First time he won the West's big event in 1904 with Blue Spec. He won seven Perth Cups in all, five of them in a row. Blue Spec measured strides successfully with the greatest horses in Australia, and finished a brilliant career by winning the 1905 Melbourne Cup in 3.27 & 1/2, then a record time for the race. Connolly had many great race and betting triumphs in NSW and Victoria. Dyed Garments gave him a Sydney Cup, Jolly Beggar brought home a Doncaster Handicap, and also figured in a hotly disputed Newmarket decision when he finished wide out. Then he returned to WA Jolly Beggar laid the foundation of the most successful breeding line that State has known. His brilliant gallopers caused Paddy Connolly's name to be respected among bookmakers, but to-day he no longer yearns for the thrill of big wagers. He has vast business interests, and when they are not occupying his time he is usually deciding which worthy cause should receive his next donation. "Over the years he has given away a fortune to charities.” (W.A.'s Turf Giant:Owner & Bettor, Smith's Weekly, 9th November 1946, Pg 4). Connolly died on 28th December 1946 aged 78 years. The probate value of his estate was 149,332 pounds. The bulk of Connolly's estate was donated to charity.
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CHRISTMAS AT PERTH'S CHILRENS HOSPITAL 1922 #16 |
There were 24 financial gifts to charities comprised of : |
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The remainder of the estate, after payment of duties,will be divided in the proportion of one-third to the Home of Peace, one-third to the Children's Hospital, and one-third equally divided among Government hospitals outside a radius of 20 miles from the Perth G.P.O.”(Connolly Estate for Charity, Daily News, 31st December 1946, Pg.1). There is a post script to this report, it appears that there was an attempt to highjack the estate by persons who had no legal claim on Connolly to make provision for them in his will. It took the intervention of the Minister for Health and the Attorney General to interject themselves into the proceedings in there official capacities to force an appropriate result. However, to canvas that matter requires access to documents that are not presently available. However, there are numerous articles after the court granted probate from Country Hospitals noting donations from Connolly's estate. Connolly had two principal causes he donated to, and those donations are significant and continuous. The two streams were the 'service men's' causes and health, particularly the Children's Hospital. The nearest modern person that comes to mind in this field is Stan Peron. It is beyond the scope of this paper to catalogue all Connolly's health related donations. The number of people his actions touched over the years is incalculable. Kalamunda owes P. A. Connolly a debt of gratitude. The State of Western Australia owes Connolly a huge debt, he put WA's horse racing industry on the map. It is perhaps a stretch to say he single handedly funded the children's segment of the state health system, but the statement is not too far wide of the mark. Connolly should be recognised for his contributions to the health service and to the returned servicemen's organisations, specifically for his donations to the Children's Hospital, the RSA and RSL and for the people who's lives he touched as a result of those donations. |
PATRICK "Paddy" CONNOLLY #13 |
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Every endeavour has been made to accurately record the details however if you would like to provide additional images and/or newer information we are pleased to update the details on this site. Please use CONTACT at the top of this page to email us. We appreciate your involvement in recording the history of our area.
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References: Article: David Mizen Image: 1, 3, 7, 8, 9, 13, 14 Kalamunda & District Historical Society
Copyright : Gordon Freegard 2008 - 2024
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