Historical Feature (NNF 2019/015)

Our industry has a very long history, with the roots of your own association having been formed in 1904.

Many of our business members pre date that first association, Customs Agents and Transport Association of NSW, and many are still in family hands to this very day.

A recent discussion with Anthony Stokes of Stokes and Bell highlighted the above fact and we thought it appropriate to provide some background on this longstanding family business.

Our older members will recall much of this history and our younger members will be able to see the devotion and dedication our members have to their craft, please enjoy.

STOKES and BELL Pty Ltd

A Brief History


STOKES and BELL Pty Ltd was formed on 1 May 2004 by the merger of C Stokes & Co Pty Ltd with Edgar Bell & Co Pty Ltd

The Stokes side of the business, was originally formed on 28 February 1899 with the Bell side of the business dating back to May 1, 1888.

At that time Australia was a collection of British colonies with customs formalities at the colony borders – hence the Customs Houses at the main Murray River crossing points.

Victoria had relatively high import duties to protect its manufacturing industry including shoes, clothing and machinery with it gradually becoming main car manufacturing state and hosting companies such as International Harvester. Unfortunately Victoria was hit harder than other states when Paul Keating significantly reduced import duties during his time as Treasurer.

So some more on our history.

Charles Sydney Stokes and Richard Urban Fitzgerald founded Stokes Fitzgerald after working at Edgar Bell & Co for several years.  In the first full calendar year, 1900, total income was £406 ($812).  After rent, salaries and general expenses there was a useful profit.

A Sydney office was opened in 1910 but closed in 1918 with the Melbourne business becoming C. Stokes & Co Pty Ltd after Richard’s departure.

The purchase of J T Howell & Son in 1911 brought some interesting clients, including “The Office of the Governor-General”.

The second generation, Charles Lindsey Stokes, joined the company in 1928 at the age of 16, however in late 1929 the Great Depression had a devastating effect and staff numbers were reduced from 24 in November 1927 to 10 in late 1931. Salaries were reduced and some staff worked alternate weeks to share the income.  A very difficult time as there were no unemployment benefits back then.  Recovery was slow and staff gradually increased to 16 by 1936.

Maurice Kaufman joined the company in 1901, become a shareholder in 1913, and a director in 1920.  When Charles Sydney Stokes died in 1939, Maurice Kaufmann became Chairman and Managing Director until his death in 1945.  Charles Lindsay Stokes then became Chairman and Managing Director.

During the next 33 years until Charles retired as Managing Director in 1978, there was much activity.  The company continued to grow.

In 1961, the SECV (State Electricity Commission of Victoria) built the first half of Monash House, pushing the company from 27 William Street to 29 William Street.  In 1996 when the second half of Monash House was built the company moved to 527 Little Collins Street.

In 1971/72 Charles built 33-35 King Street for the company to move into  and the official opening took place on 29 March 1972  -  Charles’ 60th birthday.

The company remained there for 32 years until the creation of Stokes and Bell.  

Charles Stokes Industry Involvement.

Charles Stokes was active in many industry associations and organisations and the attachment below provides some interesting history and names from the past.

The setting up of the Customs Agents Institute, see attachment below, was crucial in the first step of educating and representing individual customs brokers.

Click HERE to view attachment

Customs Broker (Customs Agent) Training

Prior to Charles Stokes and George Bulgin initiating formal training there was a Master and Apprentice system.  Each prospective Customs Broker was formally assigned to a qualified Customs Agent.  When a senior person, with a junior person assigned to them, retired, the junior person was formally assigned to another qualified person and Customs were notified of the change.

For a number of years, training was totally organised and run by industry members - organising venues and classes, lecturing, setting exams and marking exams. As the industry grew, the training task became greater and TAFE took over the organisation of formal training. The lecturers and exam markers continued to be industry participants.

Air Freight

Transport by air developed after World War II.  Initially, all airfreight was transferred from Essendon Airport to the Customs House in the city - one vehicle trip a day.

With the growth of air freight, Stokes & Co, Edgar Bell and Youngs Transport formed Customs Air Clearances Pty Ltd (CAC) in 1959.  Initially in a small office at Essendon Airport, moving to Tullamarine in 1970.  CAC was absorbed in the merger of Stokes and Edgar Bell.

Sea Freight and Road Freight

In the days before there were freight forwarders everywhere, we represented a number of overseas companies with respect of incoming freight.  This work started before World War I.

Between WWl and WWll one of these companies was A. Hartrodt.  This association was renewed soon after WWll and continued until A Hartrodt opened their own office in Australia.

Delivery by road was very different in the early days.  A flat tray with the driver sitting on a box pulled by one or two horses.  Tyres were solid rubber, or originally non-existent (a rather “solid” ride) but speeds were low and no punctures.  These vehicles would line up in the centre of Market Street and William Street waiting for work.

One vehicle was driven by Lou Arthur.

Stokes developed and maintained a close association with the Arthurs for many years.  L Arthur Pty Ltd is still going strong with several 4th generation family members working for the company.

For many years a lot of freight within Australia was moved by sea due to a lack of roads. Victorian coastal towns such as Warrnambool, Port Fairy and Portland, plus SA ports were served by regular sailings.  Friday and Saturday sailings from Melbourne to Sydney allowed Monday delivery in Sydney.  As roads improved road freight took over from sea freight.

The big change in sea freight was containerisation. Another whole story.

The Third Generation

Charles’ son Jim Stokes joined the company in 1966 and became Managing Director in 1978.  Charles continued working for the company until 1994 and continued as Chairman until 1997.

Charles’ other son, Anthony Stokes joined the company in 1988 and became Managing Director in 1997.  Anthony’s wife Barbara joined the company in 1996 and their son Lluna (the fourth generation) joined the company in 1998.

A history of C Stokes & Co from 1899 to 1999 was published in 2007.  

Edgar Bell & Co Pty Ltd

Founded 1 May 1888 by Mr Edgar Bell.

After Edgar Bells death Thomas Stubbings acquired the business.  Subsequently the business was passed down to Alan Stubbings and then to his 2 sons, Rod and Ian Stubbings.

On 2 September 1988, PWW Newland merged into Edgar Bell.  Newland was at that time owned by Geoff Brewer and Keith Stubbings (cousin of Alan Stubbings).  At around the same time, W & A Hope was also absorbed into Edgar Bell.

Rod and Ian Stubbings were the managers and major shareholders of Edgar Bell at the time of the merger with Stokes.

            

Chief Executive Officer,CBFCA