East Melbourne, Wellington Parade 176, Mere House

Large stone house. Immediate neighbour of the Parade Hotel, on the eastern side.

So far it has not been possible to confirm the original owner of this house. Captain Arthur Devlin was there from 1857, then renting it out from 1859. Hugh George was owner and occupier from 1872. During Devlin's and George's time the house was known as Park Villa. James Mirams rented the house from 1888.

It was advertised for sale in 1904 under the name Rosenberg.

From 1904 until about 1919 this was the home of Joseph Thomas Bland Holt, producer, theatre entrepreneur and actor best known as BLAND, and his wife, Florence. A short passage in the Argus tells a little about him:

REAPPEARANCE OF MR. BLAND HOLT

The following characteristic letter is from the pen of the well-known versatile author-actor, theatrical manager, and entrepreneur, BLAND HOLT, whose name is a household word throughout Australia.

In creative high-class melodrama no producer ever excelled Bland Holt. His production of the Austalian drama, THE BREAKING OF THE DROUGHT, true in every detail to Australian scenes, types, and characters, is still remmbered keenly by all lovers of superior Australian drama art and talent.

Bland Holt writes his opinion of CLEMENTS TONIC, the great nerve and brain medicine, in the same crisp and "straight-to-the-point" manner which at all times characterised his innumerable dealings wiht men and business affairs.

He writes from his home, "Mere House", 176 Wellington Parade, East Melbourne, December 1, 1918, thus:-

Clements Tonic - Nerve and Brain,
Makes me feel quite young again,
Lengthens my allotted span,
And pacifies my inner man,
When the world is looking blue
Follow me - and try it, too.

Yours cordially,

(signed) BLAND HOLT