Miss Symons Employment Agency (1900-1934)

Ellen Eyre Penn Stonham (1869-1934), and her four sisters, started a Registry Employment Agency  known as Miss Symons on the corner of Hay and William sts, Perth in 1900. Registry Ofices were able to charge exhorbitant fees for their services until the Employment Brokers Bill of 1909 attempted to regulate their industry. Despite being charged under the new Bill in 1911 Miss Symons operated until 1934.

Ellen Eyre Penn Symons born 2 Oct 1869 in Sydney. Her father William Morshead Septimus Symons (1832-1895) married her mother Mary Dunsford Lightfoot (1842-1917) in Victoria. Ellen was born in Sydney but the family soon moved to Adelaide in 1871.

It was her sisters Mary Elizabeth (1863-1898), Annie ‘Louise’ Vyvyan (1871-1950), Minnie Ross (1877-1951) and Edith Deborah Morsehead Symons (1888–1944) who had the greatest influence on her life. 

The sisters seem to have started a service to supply servants in Adelaide in 1890:

At MISS SYMONS'S SELECT REGISTRY OFFICE, Pulteney-street, near Exhibition. Wanted, housemaids (hotels), plain cooks, light housemaids, generals, machinist (25s. to 30s.), girls to assist, nursery, housemaid, cook, and laundress. (reference) 

Perhaps after their father died in June 1895, the sisters needed to provide for themselves. Louise also created a massage business:

1896 Ad for MASSAGE- Miss L. V. Symons, Ladies’s and Children’s masseuse, visits and receives patients at Pulteney St near North Terrace. Country and seaside visited by appointment. A cure for General Debility, Sciatica, Neuralgia, Lumbago, Sleeplessness, Rheumatism, Sprains. Telephone No. 766 (reference) 

In  June 1898 Ellen and Louise were living in Pulteney street, Adelaide when they heard of the death of their elder sister Mary Elizabeth Symons, who had married George Knight Watson in 1888, in Victoria. (reference) After his wifes death George Watson, immigrated to Western Australia with his family and settled in Greeough, near Geraldton. It seems Ellen, Louise and Edith all took the opportunity to travel with the family to WA as well, because in March 1900 an Employment Brokers Licence was granted to Louise V. Symons, ofthe Royal Arcade, Perth (reference) 

A high-class registry for male and female servants has been opened by Miss Symons at 3 Royal Arcade upstairs, corner of Hay and Barrack streets. Miss Symons has branch offices in Adelaide and Cole's Book Arcade, Collins-street, Melbourne, where she has supplied servants for a number of years to the principal colleges and Government institutions. She has letters stating that servants selected and sent to clients have given every satisfaction. Letters and telegrams are answered immediately and no expense is spared to secure first class servants. Telephone 1419 (reference) 

Louise and Edith mixed with the best of Perths society at the Government Domain in Perth in Nov 1900 (reference) and Ellen and Louise attended the Mayoral Garden party in Queens Gardens in April 1901 (reference),  another vice-regal party in June 1901 (reference) and a special Mayoral ‘at home’ in Nov 1901. (reference)

From June 1900 the sisters ran the business together at 481 Hay St, Perth. They provided all kinds of jobs from bartending, cooks to labourers needed to clear land: 

1900 Cook, Laundress, 20s., city; Generals, Nursery Housemaids, Nurses- useful Girls. Miss Symons, 3 Royal Arcade, upstairs. (reference)

1900 Cook, Indian, suitable hotel, private; also  Indian Waiter; Laundryman. Miss Symons, 3 Royal Arcade. (reference)

1901 Barmaids, several, some musical, waiting Geraldton, Cue, Albany; Waitress, go any distance, recommended. Miss Symons, 6 Arcade, Perth. Tel. 919. (reference) 

1901 Governess, £40, country, meet employer 3 o'clock Tuesday; Lady-Helps. Miss Symons, 6 Arcade, upstairs. (reference)

1902 Man, young, as footman and indoor servant, gentleman's family. Miss Symons, Freedman's Buildings, Hay-st. (reference) 

In 1902 Charles Knowles, a cook, sued Louise Symons for £5, alledged damages for a breach of agreement. Louise said the contract in question was signed by her sister Ellen, who acted for her in her abscence. Ellen was described as Louisa’s assistant and ‘clerk’. (reference) 

In 1904 the licence passed from Edith Deborah Symons to Minnie Symons (reference) 

Louise married William Bencraft Parker (1869-1943) in Perth in 1903, and she had two sons; Stirling Vyvyan Gifford (1904-1980) and Jonah Forrest Dunsford (1912-1973) and two daughters; Elaine Louise Bencraft (1905-967) and Deborah Ross Symons (1911-2010). The family lived at 102 Stone St, West Perth in 1913. (reference) William Bencroft Parker inherited money in 1906 and bought land holdings in Mount Stirling, near Tammin, where he applied to build the Tammin Hotel in 1908 (reference) and was appointed Justice of the Peace in 1909. (reference) He also worked as a Bank Inspector in Dowerin (1931). (reference)  Louise and William Parker lived at 383 Charles St, Leederville in 1943. 

Ellen may have met her future husband Louis Stonham (1868-1914) at a Mayoral ball in January 1902 -and they married in 1905. (reference) They lived on ‘The Strand’, Applecross. Louis worked as an accountant and auditor at the West Australian Chambers in Perth. Not only did he have an office in London in 1910, but was also secretary to the Mikado Gold Mining Company (reg 1909 reference) and acted as an Auditor for the Melville Road Board in 1909/1910. (reference) Ellen’s first son died 19 Sept 1909. (reference) On 8 August 1913 Ellen gave birth to a daughter at Nurse Stockley’s Swan Maternity Hospital, at 47 Newcastle St, Perth. (reference) She also had a daughter- Florence Beatrice (b 1919?) who married Alec Scott McBride (HMAS Canberra) in August 28, 1941. (reference)

Louis Stonham died 8 Feb 1914 aged 48. “STONHAM. On February 8, at St. Helen's Private Hospital, Louis, the dearly beloved husband of E. E. Penn Stonham, of Applecross. Deeply mourned.” (reference) 

In 1907 Minnie married Alfred Hermann Russack (1879-1951) in South Australia. They had two sons Alfred Phillip (1908-1995) and Edwin Keith (1918-1999).

In 1907 Registry offices fees were being exposed by the tabloid press and Miss Symons (Minnie Symons) began to be criticised by both the Truth and the Sunday Times. When Miss Symons refused to return a servant girls fee when her employment fell through -the story and contract was criticised in the Truth newspaper 12 October 1907:

Winsome Winnie's Woes- Miss Symons' Registry Office. Marvellous Moneymaking Methods- Fee not Returned under Circumstances. A One-sided Agreement. Pity the sorrows of the poor servant girl. After a lengthy interview with a winsome young woman named Winnie, who has outpoured to this paper a tale of injustice founded on her transactions with Miss Symons' Registry Office, "Truth" considers that it has a duty to perform in once again drawing public attention to the one-sided, one-eyed, and doubtful methods pursued by some touts for toil and toilers of the fee-fattening persuasion. 

‘MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT made the 30 September, 1907, between Mrs. McK- , of Perth, and Winnie J- who agrees to serve the said Mrs. McK in the capacity of housemaid, assist in kitchen, and to obey all lawful commands, and serve for the period of weekly engagement. And the said employer doth in consideration of these conditions being duly performed agree to pay the said Winnie J- at the rate of 15s. per week. Duties commencing from October 1, 1907. One week's Notice or one week's wages to be given should this agreement be broken by either party. N.B. After this agreement has been signed, the office fee will not be returned under any conditions! Name- W. J . Witness, M. Symons (agent)

It is TIME THE AUTHORITIES enacted fresh legislation to bring registry ramps under more stringent supervision. (reference) 

By 1908 fees charged by Registry offices (for both employer and employee) became so exorbitant the State felt it had to step in. A Government labour office existed, but it was seen by most people as providing ‘charity’ work and to avoid this stigma, many still used private Registry offices. The Government enacted the Employment Brokers Bill in 1909- the main purpose being to proscribe a scale of payment in respect to the hiring of servants. (reference) 

The newspapers reletlessly exposed the Registry offices ‘ramping’ practices and in May 1911 exposed a scandalous story that led to Ellen P Stonham, agent for Minnie Symons, employment broker, being charged with contravening the Act… and Miss Symons was consequently sued by some of her immigrant clients for £43 damages for alleged misrepresentation: 

Sunday Times, 28 May 1911: REGISTRY OFFICE ROOKERY- New Chums Sent into the Country- As Experienced Bushmen- What Will the Immigration Department Do? A considerable power for harm is placed in the hands of an unscrupulous holder of a registry office license, especially in a young country like Western Australia, into which the immigrants are pouring by their hundreds and thousands… Unscrupulous persons in the registry office business should have no more right to extort money from new arrivals than the confidence trickster… Among the immigrants who arrived in Western Australia on May 19 by the s.s.. Pakeha were the following: Jas. Durling, Felix Durling, Thos. Condon, Thos. Hinch, Chas. Hendry, Chas. M'Lean, John McLeod and J. Bateman. A day or two after arrival they went to Symons' Registry Ottice, at the corner of Hay and William streets, in search of a job, and Miss Symons said, she could find them work. She charged them 10s each, and sent them to Mr. Hazelmore, at the 161-Mile Siding, on the Midland Rallway, who she said was in want of eight men. On arrival at the 161-Mile Siding Hazelmore asked them whether they were experienced bushmen or not? They told him that they were not, as they had only been about a  week out from England, but they were happy to learn... Mr Hazelmore was not happy and sent the men back to Perth, where they were significantly out of pocket…

It is a great shame that a registry office keeper should have the power to bamboozle men as Miss Symons has evidently done. She should certainly be made to pay the out-of-pocket expenses of these eight men, together with something as compensation for their loss of time. If she does not do so then it will be up to the authorities to review and cancel her license, and thus prevent her battening on the badly-wanted gold of the simpletons who patronise her. (reference) 

Minnie Symons was fined 2 pounds 10s with 2 pounds 1s costs. (reference)

On 15 June 1911 Minnie Symons transferred her employment brokers licence to Ellen Stonham. (reference) 

The Truth newspaper, who had also waged a long campaign against registry offices, was satisfied to report on a case in which the Employment Brokers Bill was put into effect against the practices of Miss Symons;

1911 Miss Symons Goes Out of Business. The bad fortune, or perhaps it may be termed the just retribution, which has latterly overtaken one of Perth’s many registry office sharks has been responsible for one alteration… The lady bearing the aristocratic name of Ellen Penn-Stonham, and who is more familiarly known as Miss Symons, has decided that the registry office business is no game for her.

The provisions of the Employment Brokers Bill were loaded and ready to do deadly damage as soon as anyone chose to put them into effect. Miss Symons found this out. First a case where it was ruled she had charged more than she was entitled to; secondly, where five new chums were sent to work, for which they were entirely unfitted, and which was misrepresented to them. The good, kind lady of the registry office charged the unfortunates 10/ each for their jobs and then ''shanghaied" them into the country. As they were unsuited to the work, which required expert workmen, and the work was entirely unsuitable to them, they returned to Perth. And then the band played, and Magistrate Jas. Cowan listened to the symphony in the Local Court. He finished up by ruling that the registry office missus was only entitled to sixpence per head, and as the men had clearly been misled, he awarded them damages amounting to £20. (reference) 

1911 MISS SYMONS RETIRES- Ellen P. Stonham, who has been carrying on the business of Miss Symons' Registry Office has found the way of the transgressor pretty hard since "The Sunday Times" some weeks ago exposed her treatment of a batch of immigrants, and she has turned up the game. On Wednesday last she appeared before Mr. Roe, and had the license of her registry office transferred to a lady known as Katie Watson. Mrs. Stonham's retirement will not cause many tears. (reference) 

On the 24 August 1911 the business licence was transfered to Katie Watson. (reference) 

“Whoever Katie may be we do not know but if she is wise she will profit by the experience of her predecessor. She will neither "take too much from them, nor tell them little fancy tales” (reference) 

The business stayed in the family however as ‘Katie Watson’ was actually the eldest child -Lillian ‘Lilly’ Kate Watson (1889-1961), of the eldest Symons sister- Mary Elizabeth Watson. After Mary Elizabeth’s death the family came to WA and settled in Greenough near Geraldton. The youngest son, Frank Wentworth Watson enlisted in Perth on 8 Sep 1914 and died at Gallipoli less than a year later on 3 May 1915. (reference) Lillian K Watson married Clement Harry Guy in Perth in 1914. In 1917 she was living in the National Mutual Chambers, St Georges Terrace. She died 11 May 1961, aged 71. She had 3 other children: Vyvyan Katie (1915), Dorothy (1917), Clement Henry David (1928).

It seems Katie was licensee in name only- acting for Louise, Ellen or Minnie Symons (still the principal)  because in 1912 Ellen, as ‘Manager’ of the Miss Symon’s Registry Office, successfully won an appeal against the conviction;

27 March 1912 THE SYMONS REGISTRY OFFICE CASE. SUCCESSFUL FULL COURT APPEAL. "NOT GUILTY OF ANY OFFENCE." The question as to what commission an employment broker should charge to his or her clients was again raised before the Full Court yesterday... a case arising out of a fine imposed upon E. E. P. Stonham, manager of Miss Symons' Registry Office, on the prosecution of F. R. Fox, an inspector in the employment of the Government. The original action was taken in consequence of the allegations that in finding employment for one J. Bateman in a clearing contract the defendant, acting as agent of an employment broker, had imposed a higher charge than she was entitled to do under the Employment Brokers Act. Mr. Walter Dwyer, who appeared for Stonham, contended that under the Act no scale of fees was laid down which employment brokers might charge, and that they were merely instructed to hang in their offices the scale of fees after it had been approved by the Colonial Secretary. He maintained that in view of the fact that Bateman had secured a contract for an uncertain period the appellant was entitled to charge fees in proportion, and that if she had not charged the correct fees she was the wrong person sued, seeing that she was not the principal, but only the sister of the principal. The appeal was allowed, with costs. (reference) 

In June  1912 The Sunday Times in investigating a complaint made about Miss Symons office admitted that it was not always the fault of the Registry office and that Domestic servants should play their part…( reference)

In 1913 a legislator visited all the Registry offices in Perth, undercover as a labourer called ‘Texas Green’ and wrote about his experiences in the Westralian Worker: he talked about how Miss Symons took a hefty cut of a working mans wage… (reference) 

A governess complained of her duties and wages in 1915 saying she was not told the dutues when she applied at Miss Symon’s (reference) 

The Sunday Times did not forget Miss Symons and in 1916 again attacked her in the press:

REGISTRY OFFICE RAMPS- Miss Symons Some More. We have time after time urged the necessity for stricter control of private registry offices. Famine prices are charged at some of these institutions, clients are humbugged from post to pillar… We have at present to chronicle another complaint received in connection with the registry office or agency conducted by a stout and uncivil person by the name of Miss Symons, and to put our readers wise to this sort of thing we quote the complainants version of the case. Firstly, he states he went to Miss Symons for a job as cook. She informed him she had one at 35s. per week, and he duly paid her half wages, and was despatched to Quairading. To his surprise, when he got there he found it was a female wanted!. So he hiked back to Miss Symons. Of course the lady was ‘sorry’, and to make amends found another job for her client and also for his wife, at Armadale. This was accepted, but just as the couple had packed ready and engaged a carrier a message came that the job was off! Disappointment number two. Our friend was tenacious however, and he demanded satisfaction, so he was sent by Miss Symons down to Darkan as cook. When he got there and saw the accommodation he promptly came back, informed the lady that it was "no go," and reported the accommodation matter to his union secretary for investigation. By this time he was naturally annoyed. He had paid Miss Symons 17s. 6d., and with the money spent on fares he was altogether about £2 out of pocket, and still without a billet or satisfaction, or with any hope of either from the precious Miss Symons. That is his side of the case. Desiring to do justice to both parties, our representative called on Miss Symons to get her version of the affair. But that lady bridled up like a prize bantam. "I don't want to talk to 'The Sunday Times', No, Why should I ? Huh! You say anything about me and I'll deal with you later. Huh! Huh!" This was about the sum total of her remarks. When she had quite finished our representative raised his hat and bade her a courteous farewell. We haven't much space to dwell on the subject this week. But our many readers, city and country, who use registry offices will be able to judge for themselves from what we have said. And we think all will agree that the sooner a check rein is applied to Miss Symons and those of her like the better. (reference) 

It seemed some family members owned conditional purchase leases on quite large areas of land in Kwolyin (Edith and Minnie), Jennaberring (Louise) near Quairading and the Avon (Lillian Guy and William Parker)  in the central wheat belt. These were all put up for sale in 1916. (reference) 

From 1914 Ellen became quite obsessed about the first world war. She wrote patriotic songs and publicly supported the YES to conscription vote. In 1916 she was granted copyright to a song she had written: "Australia's Farewell to her Sons". (reference) In 1916 she began to put patriotic Ads in the papers:

“Women and Men, I have voted YES, and thank Mr. Hughes. It was a brilliant piece of political and military strategy on his part to allow us to express our wishes. He has set an example to the statesmen of the world. Miss Symons, Registry Office Perth”.  (reference) 

She also offered to find light work for returned soldiers.” (reference) Throughout 1917 Ellen’s Ads became increasingly bizarre:

“Ladies and Gentlemen, kindly wear the Australian Colors and support your Nation's Industry before others. Copy from June 2, 1914. This was a challenge to a German spy that it would save the British Empire when its object became known. Eight weeks after war was declared. More information will follow later. E. E. P. Stonham (Miss Symons') Registry Office.” (reference) 

“Men call who witnessed the challenge to the spy, February, 1914, that I would spread the alarm and prevent the Railway and Shipping Engineers and other Workers of the World being made dupes of by a strike which Germany could take the world in. Also men and women call who wore W.A. and English colours before and after my publication, June 2, 1914 (Foundation Day), under Situations Vacant in the "West Australian." E. E. P. STONHAM, Miss Symons's Registry Office, 309 Wellington-st., Perth.” (reference) 

"It was Germany who first struck Belgium past the belt. England darted up and said: "Step back, or I'll give you a welt! I'll whistle up the Britishers; they'll come from near and far. Age! Mountains! Oceans! Distance! Nothing will them bar." (reference) 

“MEN AND WOMEN WORKERS, VOTE YES. Men and Women, never let the Union Jack fail. We must save the workers of the world, and do it by bringing about the German military's fall. Vote Yes for the sake of the workers of the world, one and all. (Authorised by Ellen Eyre Penn Symons).” (reference) 

15 Jan 1918 “WOMEN AND MEN. The West Australia 'Vote Yes' has saved the Workers of the World- The share and share alike for the sake of one and all motto will come to stay. ELLEN EYRE PENN STONHAM (Symons' Registry Office), 399 Wellington-st.” (reference) 

1918 ”MEN! Stand by your good King and Country. Enlist. Every man is wanted who is fit to go. Miss Symons Registry Office.” (reference) 

In 1918 Miss Symons, Mrs Symons, Miss Watson, Mrs V Symons were all involved in a fundraising effort for the Red Cross. (reference) After the war Miss Symons assisted veterens in the Government scheme to settle soldiers on land in the Wheatbelt.

1920 Man (Anzac) 14-15 star, strong, wants work, highly recommended. I wish to state this man assisted me by wearing the red white and blue ribbons given out by me in order to rouse civil and military population of the world, that we were drifting into an unjustifiable world's war. See my warning published on June 2, 1914 (Foundation Day) "West Australian" Newspaper, eight weeks before war was declared. E. STONHAM, Symons's Registry, cnr. William and Murray sts. TeL 3919. (reference)

1921 A Boy, strong, quick, country refreshment rooms, 25s, keen Lad learn farming, 10s. keep R.C. preferred. 100 acres ti-tree clearing. Symons's Registry. (reference)

1922 It seemed that Ellen owned a large area of land herself- that she had obtained by a conditional purchase lease. This was sold in Jan 1922: Kwolyin A.A. Lot 128, being Ellen Eyre Penn Stonham's Conditional Purchase Lease 7038/56. Area 995 acres, 7 miles north of Ulakain. 260 acres. fair to good mixed forest. 200 acres white gum and- oak: 535 acres fair, to good scrub, 116 acres first class, 582 acres second class, 212 acres third class, 184 acres cleared,. 233 acres rung, 360 chains 6 wire fence 66 chains netting fence. (reference)

Ellen moved to Melbourne, where in March 1924 she obtained a real estate licence. The three sisters Ellen, Edith and Minnie-trading as the Misses Ross Symons, ran a real estate business at 163 Collins St, whose premises caught on fire in 1927. (reference) An account of the dramatic fire, and photographs, are found here (reference) 

Saturday 12 March 1927 - A fire broke out on the third floor of the Stewart Dawson & Co. building, at the corner of Collins and Swanson street, opposite the Town Hall, about 1 pm today. Misses Ross and Symons in a real estate office on the third floor were trapped in the flames for a quarter of an hour, and hung out of the windows screaming for help. Refusing the offer of a fireman to carry her down the escape ladder from the window ledge where she stood Miss Symons descended the ladder. Showers of inflammable material were falling around her..." (reference) 

The crowd swelled to nearly 7000 and they cheered loudly when Minnie Ross Symons made her way down the ladder unaided, followed by her sister, Mrs E. Stonham, carried by a fireman. (reference) 

The Registry office was still operating in Perth, at 106 William St, corner of Murray st (above a chemist) until 1935. (reference) 

Ellen died 25 September, 1934, aged 64, and was buried in Karrakatta Cemetery.

STONHAM. On September 25, 1934, at her residence, Applecross, Ellen Eyre Penn Stonham, widow of the late Louis Stonham, Auditor, Perth. Privately interred in Church of England Cemetery, Karrakatta (reference) 

In 1937 Louise Vyvyvan Parker returned to live at ‘the Strand’. In 1938 the land that belonged to Ellen in Duncraig Rd, Applecross was transferred to Louise. (reference) 

1944 SYMONS. On November 23 (suddenly), at her residence, 54 Kooyong road, Armadale (VIC), Edith Deborah Morshead, treasured sister and life companion of Minnie Ross Symons. So dearly loved, so deeply mourned. (Privately interred November 24) (reference) 

Louise lived until 1950 and Minnie until 1951. The amazing sisters had led a rich life, able to work together and support each other until the end.

Researched by Janet Gormley and written by Jo Darbyshire 2022