The absence of efficient refrigeration and frozen food during those early years highlighted the need for fresh fruit and vegetables. Wise's PO directory of 1910 shows William Battmaan as a fruiterer. Later, Mrs F Bulpitt is listed as a fruiterer, but by 1920, this passes back to the Battman family again as George Battman is recorded in the Post Office directory of 1920.
It is also known that Willy Gum, a Chinaman, had his vegetable garden near the present site of McNabs house between Alma and Corunna Streets during the 1920's and 1930's period. The images above are the home that stands now and a Chinese market garden that perhaps resided on this corner.
My Childhood at Burren Junction 1925-1943 - John McGee,
"The house belonging to Tom Atkison was on the block, which was originally the Chinaman's garden of Willie Gum. He would receive records from China and play them on our wind-up gramophone - a hilarious experience for me... He was on of my mother's 'lam dogs' - anyone who needed a hand was helped by her, irrespective of class, colour or creed"
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