A little beyond the southern boundary of the Lumber Yard we come to what is now Bond street. Up to the year 1832, this street did not exist. On March 14th of that year, Mr. Bodenham offered for sale, in the saloon of the Royal Hotel, six allotments on the frontage of George street and 22 on the north and south side of what is now Bond street. Mr. Bodenham described the allotments as the “most eligible and valuable situation ever yet offered for the retail trade of the colony.”
Bond street, however, was not intended as a street. It was to be the first bazaar in Australia “and,” says Mr. Bodenham : “It may not be improper to point out the comforts, convenience, despatch, and other real advantages connected with such an establishment. Ladies during the summer months complain of the heat, dust, fatigue, and danger of passing through the streets of Sydney to make their various purchases. They would be supplied within this retired, cool, and agreeable bazaar (without risk of annoyance from horses, cattle or dissolute persons) with nearly all the articles they may want for their families.”
That cool and agreeable bazaar, unfortunately, never materialised. When the land alongside Messrs. Holdsworth and Macpherson’s was vacant recently there were disclosed two or three quaint residences built on the bazaar allotments. These, I was informed, were built by Captain Malcolm, and were the first flats in Sydney.