During the
boom years of Townsville back in
the 19th century , Flinders Street was called the Wall Street of North Queensland .
Now it boasts three op shops –Red Cross, Lifeline and
Salvos . An ominous recent development , however, is
this sign announcing
the Gold
Shop is
closing down. Developments
like this would cause tremors in the real Wall Street Casino
. Some people
there
would be tempted to leap out of tall
buildings as in the Great Crash . It
is no use thinking of such drastic action
in Townsville because a once
grand old bank building near the
Gold Shop closing down sale sign has
a
lift where recently there was a scrawled sign : THIS LIFT FUCKED , a colourful economic expression, often used by Lygon Street screen jockeys indicating the bull market has come to an end and the bears have taken over .
 |
His cupboard , body left bare .
|
Hiding in bushes in Flinders Street this unfortunate , unemployed gentleman , Ambrose , playing his conch in a bid to earn a buck from kind passers by, who lost not only his shirt but his trews playing the fickle stockmarket.
Admittedly there are signs of new activity in the interesting street with fine old buildings , many of them empty , and a variety of businesses. Several new Melbourne style cafes have opened ; James Cook University is represented there and there are other planned developments. It comes alive with a regular Sunday market.
