The stories of Mernda - Watson and Paterson

Watson and Paterson

About the commencement of the sixties I well remember two fine young men coming up to my father's place at Mernda, the object of their trip being to purchase a fine pig my father had for sale, as they were about to start a bacon factory at Preston. The two men were the founders of the firm of Watson and Paterson, the famous and well known bacon curer, etc., of Preston. Their factory is on the Plenty road opposite the Junction, where for over 50 years the business has been carried on successfully, and is now carried on by the late Mr. Paterson's sons. Mr. Watson some years previously having retired from the business.

But to go back to the particular pig that they had come to buy. Well Sir, this was no ordinary pig but a very big one whose progenitors had taken first prizes at the big show in Melbourne. However, after some keen dealing the sellar and buyers, all being Scotch, a deal was made at 6d per lbs. The pig weighted when dressed 399 lbs., for which the new firm of Watson and Paterson paid £10, giving the odd 6d so as not to break the £10. This was the start of many dealings between the seller and the new firm as well a life long friendship.

It was not long before the new firm got going and soon they, for a time, virtually had the control of the bacon industry in the State, but being good employers, fair men, and in addition, a firm that appreciated good work when done by their employees, they were very successful and gradually extended their business, but in course of time the late J. C. Hutton, an employe (sic) of Watson and Paterson, started and founded successfully the well-known business still carried on in his name.

Mr. Harry Sweet, another employee, started for himself a little further up the Plenty road, and although a first-class tradesman he was not a success as a bacon manufacturer. Others also started and did well, among them being the late Cr. William Smith, of Northcote, and the late Mr. Hearne, both of whom at one time were employes (sic) of Watson and Paterson.

After a time Mr. Watson sold out to Mr. Paterson who carried on the business up to the time of his death, successfully and well. Our paternal Government gave a terrible set-back to the bacon industry by the so-called swine fever scare. If common sense had supervened and only the infected parts of the State quarantined much harm would not have been done, but by proclaiming the whole State a disease infected area great damage resulted to the business of Watson and Paterson and others engaged in a like business. Mr. Paterson, in conjunction with others, felt the strain caused, but being of a sturdy Scotch nature he weathered the storm.

I do remember the late Cr. Paterson, a tall man over 6 feet high, well made and proportioned and endowed with a genial nature, a thoroughly straightforward man in all his actions, a man you felt you could trust. Physically a very strong man. I saw him at one of the meetings of the old Morang Road Board, where in those days there were some very lively meetings. One councillor grossly insulted the chairman, and other councillors disagreed with him, also the secretary, and was making his way round Cr. Paterson to get some books and documents by force that he wanted, but Cr. Paterson got him by the "scruff of the neck" and lifted him clean over the table and sat him down at the other side. The said councillor, who had the name of being a great boxer, turned and put his hands up. Cr. Paterson, with a quiet smile, put himself ready to meet the attack, but the fight went out of the blusterer when he looked at Cr. Paterson, and he said "You are too big and know too much for me,: and the episode ended.

I mention this to show the unusual strength M. Paterson was endowed with. My brother was a good hand at putting the 14lb. stone winning several prizes at the game. One day we were down at Watson and Paterson' and having heard Mr. Paterson was good at putting the stone, my brother and I asked him to have a try with us. Result: After my brother had put the stone an equal distance to that he had won with in Melbourne, Mr. Paterson just stepped up and put the stone at least 3 feet farther. In all my experience I never saw his equal at putting the stone or weight, be he seemed averse to following athletics up, although I think he won once in Melbourne very easily. A sterling, straightforward man in both his public and private life, a good husband and father. We don't meet men like William Paterson every day, and his death was a decided loss, especially to the district in which he lived so long, so honourably, and so justly respected. He leaves good men behind him in the person of his sons, and I cannot do better than wish them to follow in the footsteps of their respected father.

Mr. Watson, the other original partner in the firm of Watson and Paterson, was without doubt one of the best judges of a pig in Australia. He was of a lively nature, and always ready for a frolic. Mr. Watson went to Queensland and was in the employ of that Government for some time when, I think, he died; but I am glad the old firm of Watson and Paterson, whose start was in youthful days is still being carried on capably and well by the descendants of my life-long friend, Mr. William Paterson, J.P.