in 1913, as various plans for profitability were discussed by the city council, the argus wrote: "thirty-four years ago the eastern market buildings, at the corner of bourke-street and exhibition street, were erected by the city council. almost ever since that time the conduct of the market has been a problem that has perplexed the councilors who have formed the committee that has to deal with it." by january 1933, with the exception of the main hall being used as a 'motor garage', little had changed and the same paper wrote of the market's 'faded glory'.