OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums The History Forum Company Histories LARK, PARKES Company - First Aussie Power Mower

PART SEVEN - Premises

The Lark, Parkes Company and then P.F. Lark and Company occupied three separate
premises in their history.

[1] Early years - corner of Foveaux and Belmore streets (opposite Schweppes)
[2] Middle years - 37-39 Foveaux Street (on same side as Schweppes)
[3] Final years - 154 Albion Street

In the advertisement above (when the company was being sold off) there is an unexplained
curiosity - the address. The goods were being sold "on the Premises" at 150 Albion Street -
that's next door to the P.F. Lark Company - at the Australian Tool Company!
The question then was: What was the connection between these two companies?

Whilst I do not know the answer to that, I do know there was indeed a connection.
A lucky find from from the City of Sydney Archives from 1927 shows Foveaux Street being
modernised - with the demolition of old slum houses. At the left-hand corner of the photo
is a 3 floor building - this was the Lark, Parkes Company - where the New Moon mowers
were first made!

FOVEAUX-STREET PREMISES
The photo's description is 17-35 Foveaux Street. However, far-left is the Lark, Parkes building.
This is 37-39 Foveaux Street, and that building was also occupied by ... The Australian Tool Co.




ALBION-STREET PREMISES
So, when the Lark Company moved to new premises at 154 Albion Street, the Australian Tool Co.
moved as well. They moved next door. Here is a Google Maps photo of the addresses today:-

[LEFT: Australian Tool Co.; RIGHT: P.F.Larkes Co.]



I can only speculate that there was a strong connection between the two companies; given that
New Moon mowers and parts were being sold off by the next-door company.