Historical information
This set of photos is from a leather bound album bearing the inscription "HUME RESERVOIR AUSTRALIA" plus 'The Rt. Hon. L. C. M. S. Amery, P. C., M .P.' all inscribed in gold. It was presented to The Rt. Hon. L. C. M. S. Amery, P. C., M. P, Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs on the occasion of his visit to the Hume Reservoir on 2nd November 1927.
To ensure preservation of the album and its contents, the images and information pages have all been digitised. It is assumed that over the past 70 to 80 years there has been some loss of contrast due to fading, and probably detail. Thus, each photo was enhanced in several steps. Digitalisation of the album was completed by Eric Eulenstein in Wodonga in April 2002.
The position of Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs was a British cabinet-level position created in 1925 and responsible for British relations with the Dominions — Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Newfoundland, and the Irish Free State — and the self-governing Crown colony of Southern Rhodesia.
Significance
This album is of local and national significance as it documents the planning and development of the Hume Reservoir up to 1927. It was the largest water reservoir in the British Empire. The album records the pioneering engineering work that went into its construction.
Physical description
Hume Reservoir Australia Album - Dedication page recording the presentation of the album to 'The Rt. Hon. L. C. M. S. Amery, P. C., M.P" and his visit to Albury in 1927.
Inscriptions & markings
“DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS, N.S.W./ PRESENTED TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE L.C.M.S. AMERY, F.C., M.P.,/ SECRETARY OF STATE FOR DOMINION AFFAIRS/ on the/ OCCASION OF HIS VISIT/ to the /HUME RESERVOIR/ on/ 2ND NOVEMBER 1927, /WITH THE COMPLIMENTS OF THE NEW SOUTH WALES CONSTRUCTING AUTHORITY./(SIGNED) T.R. BAVIN, Premier & Colonial Treasurer./ E.A. BATTENSHAW, Minister for Public Works & Railways and Constructing Authority for New South Wales/ C. TYLE, Under Secretary for Public Works”
