Heavy Snowfalls in Hobart in August 1921

Heavy snowfalls occasionally happen in Hobart. One such snowstorm happened on Sunday 31st of July 1921. The Weekly Courier included eight photographs in their photographic insert published on 4th of August. The caption says:

On Sunday morning a fall of snow took place throughout Tasmania. In Hobart it was the heaviest for 33 years, and in Lancestone for 25 years. In Hobart about three inches was recorded.

One image taken in West Hobart is particularly interesting. It shows a single-deck tram car that was also captured by our photographer. The car looks identical to tram 39 which was restored by Hobart City Council in 2000. The caption of the second photograph informs the readers that

There was a great deal of Snowballing in Hobart. This scene was at West Hobart.

As Toby Rowallan pointed out on Flickr the location of the shot is Cavell Street near the intersection with Bathurst Street and it is still recognisable today.

Note the "Pure Velvet Soap" sign at the far left in the second photograph. If you zoom into the image with the tram you can read "Velvet" on the sign on the house (just above the tram). In this photograph it is different and says "Witch Soap".

The house at the corner of Bathurst and Cavell Streets, number 316 Bathurst Street, looks exaclty as in 1921. It is clearly visible in this image which is taken from within the property. The photograph was taken well above the street level, possibly from a front porch of the house, at 41 Cavell Street built in 1900. Was this the photographer's home in 1921? Did he use the brick wall of this house as a background for his glass plate portraits?