This document, also referred to as a word picture or Tablet, is framed in glass and timber with gilt trim, is handwritten with colour highlights. The penned letters rest on ruled guide lines, decorated where the lines intersect. The writing gives a description of the state of Borough of Warrnambool around 1875; its location, the area it covers, its population, Harbour and facilities, public buildings and institutions, imports and exports, financial worth, number of houses, connection with other areas of the Colony. A possible reason and origin for the document is found in an article ‘Link with US Exhibition’ from the Warrnambool Standard of December 19, 1981, written by local historian Bruce Morris. The writer mentions that the Warrnambool Borough Council met on 15th June 1875 and recorded a letter from G.C. Levey , secretary to the Melbourne group of commissioners representing the Colony, and Victoria in particular, for the Philadelphia Centennial Exhibition of 1876. The letter asks Council to provide “statistics as to the population, social condition and commercial and industrial state of the district in and around Warrnambool.” A sub committee was formed for the project. The Mayor, Cr. Thomas King, wrote and signed a Report, presented to the council on July 14, 1875, in which “The Committee … begs to recommend that a Tablet be prepared setting for the particulars respecting the following matters relating to the Borough”. The matters included area, population, annual income, churches, schools, other public buildings, societies and companies, general description of houses erected, and returns of exports and imports for 1874. The minutes note that the Report was adopted. The article above also notes the opinion of Warrnambool printers who have examined the document; it is almost certainly to be an old lithograph, which means there could be several copies. It is possible that there may be a copy in Melbourne and another in Philadelphia. It is interesting to note that (1) the quoted location co-ordinates are for an “Unnamed Road, Packsaddle NSW 2880, Australia”, and that the DMS co-ordinates for Warrnambool’s Council Offices differ, being 38.23.9.12 South, 142.28.52.887. (2) the date for “Exports and Imports for the Year Ending 30th June 1875” is different to the period mentioned by Cr. King in the sub committee’s Report of recommendation “returns of exports and imports for 1874”. The information required to have the figures for the end of June 1875 would need to have been compiled very quickly for the Tablet to be ready for the opening of the Philadelphia Exhibition on 10 May 1876. The document/certificate shows the following – - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - “Victoria Australia, Borough of Warrnambool. Latitude, 30.24.50 South, Longitude 142.32 East The Principal Port in the Western District of the Colony and the Centre of its Choicest Agricultural Lands. Established a Municipality in 1855, and Created a Borough 1863. Population in 1875 4,500. Warrnambool is the nearest Port to Melbourne on the Western Seaboard, being about 160 miles distant. Coaches run to and from the Metropolis daily, in connexion [connection] with the Railway of Geelong and Steamers belonging to Local Companies sail between Melbourne, Warrnambool, Belfast [renamed Port Fairy], and Portland several times weekly. The Harbour is known as Lady Bay, and is partially protected by a reef of rocks stretching from the mouth of the Hopkins River. The formation of a Breakwater has been decided upon by the Government, to extend 600 yards, at an estimated cost of £100,000. There are two substantial Jetties, one of 800 and the other of 600 feet in length. The former is connected with the Town by means of a Tramroad, along which Goods, inwards & outwards, are conveyed, & the latter has been constructed solely for the purpose of facilitating the transit of material for the formation of the Breakwater. In addition to the trade of the Borough and District, the principal Townships up country receive their supplies from Melbourne and ship their exports through Warrnambool. Potatoes form the staple produce of the district, and the richness of the soil can be estimated by the fact that the Government Statistics for 1875 give as the average yield a return of Seven Tons to the acre. Several thousand acres between Warrnambool and Tower Hill are now being laid down in Potatoes by Tenants who have leased the lands at rates up to £5 per acre for the season 1875-6. Wool, Tallow, hides &c are also largely exported, while the shipments of all descriptions of Farm Produce are annually increasing. Area of Borough, 3362 Acres. Net Annual Value £27,000. Annual Revenue £5,500. Number of Houses in Borough 800. Public Buildings and Institutions Churches. Church of England, Roman Catholic, Presbyterian, Wesleyan, Congregational and Baptist. Schools. Three State Schools, average attendance nearly 1000. New Building in course of erection. Several private establishments. Banks. Bank of Australasia, Bank of Victoria, National Bank, Colonial Bank and Savings Bank. Public Buildings. Court house, Custom house, Post & Telegraph Offices, Survey & Land Offices, Shire £, Town Hall, Mechanics Institute, Volunteer Orderly Room, Odd Fellows Hall, Hospital & Benevolent Asylum, Temperance Hall &c. Companies & Societies. Steam Navigation Co, Woolen Mill Co, Gas Co, Racing Club, Amateur Turf Club, Agricultural Society, Farmers’ Club, Cricket Club, Anglers’ Society, Building Society, Freemasons Odd Fellows, Foresters, Druids, Hibernians. Protestant Alliance, Rechabites, Sons of Temperance, &c, Fire Brigade &c. --- Exports and Imports for the Year Ending 30th June 1875 –-- --Exports Total Tonnage 27,800 (Calculated at the Current Warrnambool Market Prices) Potatoes Wool Wheat Barley Hides Skins Fowls Butter Cheese Eggs Tallow Leather Ale Pigs Sheep Sundries --Imports 13,000 Tons Of the Estimated Value of £520,000 Total Tonnage of Exports and Imports 40m900 Tons, Value £806,627 Passenger Travels, to ad from Warrnambool during year, 10,000 persons Revenue from all sources paid through Warrnambool Sub Treasury From 1860 to June 1875 £1, 292, 300 Thomas King [signed] Mayor Henry T Read [signed] Town Clerk” - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - The document is of historical, social, economic and local significance in that it summarises activities, business, community, trade, travel and government at a point in time in Warrnambool’s history – 30th June 1875.Document, also referred to as a ‘word picture’ or ‘tablet’. Document is framed in glass and timber with gilt trim, handwritten with colour highlights. The penned letters rest on ruled guide lines, decorated where the lines intersect. Document outlines the establishment of Warrnambool as a Municipality in 1855 and Borough in 1863, with a population of 4,500 in 1875. It states geographic location, public buildings and institutions, harbor facilities and imports and exports for the year ending 30th June 1875. Two signatures "Thomas King" Mayor and "Henry T Read" Town Clerk. It shows the Coat of Arms of the Borough of Warrnambool.Signatures - "Thomas King" Mayor and "Henry T Read" Town Clerk. Warrnambool Coat of Arms; “British Coat of Arms, above sailing vessel and sheaf of wheat in sun, motto “By these we flourish” and around circumference “Borough of Warrnambool 1855”flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, borough of warrnambool, municipality of warrnambool, document borough of warrnambool 1875, word picture of warrnambool 1875, tablet of borough of warrnambool 1875, statistics borough of warrnambool 1875, lithograph borough of warrnambool 1875, coat of arms warrnambool, warrnambool city motto – in these we flourish, establishment of warrnambool, warrnambool history, thomas king mayor of warrnambool, henry t read town clerk of warrnambool, warrnambool breakwater, warrnambool jetty, warrnambool imports and exports 1875, warrnambool agriculture 1875, warrnambool business 1875, warrnambool population 1875, centennial exhibition philadelphia 1876, framed certificate

Note from Henry Catlin of Long Gully, dated July 15 1863 claiming Sick allowance of the Court as he was unable to attend his usual employment.societies, aof, correspondence, ancient order of foresters no. 3770 collection - correspondence, henry catlin

List of members who have received Medical Attendance from Dr. H. L. Atkinson during the past fortnight. Dated May 4. The readable names are: Trevarton, Kellynack, G Colledge, C Mueller, Connell, Ketterer, Davis, Bosson, G Hall, Milne, and Martin.societies, aof, correspondence, ancient order of foresters no. 3770 collection - correspondence, trevarton, kellynack, g colledge, c mueller, connell, ketterer, davis, bosson, g hall, milne, martin, court king of the forest

Letter written on blue paper with printed letterhead and emblem, dated January 7th 1877. The letter is from Hy Rowe asking William Rowe to place the name of ? ?elman on their Medical list. Acceptance by Dr. Atkinson enclosed.societies, aof, correspondence, ancient order of foresters no. 3770 collection - correspondence, court victoria, court king of the forest, william rowe, ?elman, hy rowe

Letter from Ricd Coath of Happy Valley, dated 14 May 1864 claiming sick allowance of the Court as he was unable to attend his usual employment.societies, aof, correspondence, ancient order of foresters no. 3770 collection - correspondence, court king of the forest, ricd coath

Printed declaration for freedom of any infirmity like to shorten the natural duration of life for Richard Ivey and his wife. Dated January 27th 1864. Also signed at the end by the Court Surgeon (illegible signature.)societies, aof, correspondence, ancient order of foresters no. 3770 collection - correspondence, court king of the forest, richard ivey

Printed declaration for freedom of any infirmity like to shorten the natural duration of life for John Ward and his wife. Dated January 27th 1864. Also signed at the end by the Court Surgeon (illegible signature.)societies, aof, correspondence, ancient order of foresters no. 3770 collection - correspondence, court king of the forest, john ward

Letter written on paper with printed letterhead. The paper has a business logo in the top left corner: Gunsmiths, Oil & Colourmen. G. & J. Holmes. Wholesale and Retail. Ironmongers & Importers, All printed in a belt in an elliptical shape. Letter is from Jno Holmes, he wishes to resign as trustee because he feels he is not doing justice to the Court because of business commitments. He has enclosed a cheque for £2-17-0 to place to his credit.societies, aof, correspondence, ancient order of foresters no. 3770 collection - correspondence, g & j holmes, c smith, court king of the forest, jno holmes

Letter written on blue paper with printed letterhead and dated Aug 15 1875. Letter was written by W. B. Evans and discusses administrative regarding Bro Warren.societies, aof, correspondence, ancient order of foresters no. 3770 collection - correspondence, court king of the forest, bro warren, w b evans, court he?? of oak

Handwritten letter from W. Blanchard of Court Freedom and dated January 10 1878. He is uneasy because he has not had a reply or a receipt for money he sent for Surgeons fees for Bro Doney on the 26 Dec 1877. If it was a mistake he would like a refund before their next Court meeting.societies, aof, correspondence, ancient order of foresters no. 3770 collection - correspondence, court freedom, bro doney, w blanchard?, w rowe

Account written on paper with Green printed letterhead and dated April 14 1890. Request to forward Surgeons Fees for the quarter ending March 1890. Listed is Fees of 5/6 for C. Allen, W. Woodg?ate, W. Summers, James Allen and Alfred Mason. Writer mentions that he will be at the District Meeting and he will attend to yours of April 1 re 3 Members off. Signed Rob C Guy. Paid Rob C. Guy By Cash written across the page.societies, aof, correspondence, ancient order of foresters no. 3770 collection - correspondence, court pride of the forest no 3523, w rowe, court king of the forest, c allen, w woodg?ate. w summers, james allen, alfred mason, rob c guy

Receipt written on a piece of paper with a green one penny duty stamp attached. 19/12/88 and an initial written over the green one penny duty stamp. Receipt is for fees for Medical services.societies, aof, correspondence, ancient order of foresters no. 3770 collection - correspondence, court king of the forest

Letter written on blue paper with printed letterhead and emblem and dated 15 Aug 1866. Letter mentions sending a copy of the Widows & Orphans Fund Laws of the Foresters in the Melbourne District and also one of the Odd Fellows in the Bendigo District. He asks that they take care of the copy of the Odd Fellows Laws as he has to return it as soon as done with. Also some new are being printed & there will be some alterations. Signed by Jas Thos Holl. Impression of seal at the top of the page.societies, aof, correspondence, ancient order of foresters no. 3770 collection - correspondence, bendigo united district, widows & orphans fund laws of the foresters, odd fellows, court king of the forest

Letter dated 13 Dec 1865 mentioning that W Salter had been paid seven pound and has since been paid £4, and received from contributions and he was still in the Funds, but it was hoped that he could go back to work in a week or ten days. He would like the amount forwarded as their balance takes place on the 27th. Signed Jas Thos Holl. Court King of the Forest seal impression in the top left corner.societies, aof, correspondence, ancient order of foresters no. 3770 collection - correspondence, court king of the forest, commercial hotel, w salter, jas thos holl, court foresters home

Receipt for Sick pay written on a piece of paper and dated from 28 September to 15 Nov 1863. Signed William Salter.societies, aof, correspondence, ancient order of foresters no. 3770 collection - correspondence, court king of the forest, court foresters home, william salter

Letter from William Salter saying he was unable to attend Court this evening as he was on afternoon shift. He also visited brothers Richards, Dunkel and Jackson and they were all about the same. Dated May 16th.societies, aof, correspondence, ancient order of foresters no. 3770 collection - correspondence, richards, dunkel, jackson, william salter

Receipt written on a piece of paper and dated August 24 1865. Received from Bro G J Murray £2 on behalf of Court King of the Forest. Signed Wilhelm Schlemme.societies, aof, correspondence, ancient order of foresters no. 3770 collection - correspondence, g j murray, court king of the forest, wilhelm schlemme

Letter from Edward Goehler declaring himself off the Sick fund of the Court being able to follow his usual employment.. Signed by Edward Goehler and dated Aug?13 1864. Also signed by H L Atkinson. MD.societies, aof, correspondence, ancient order of foresters no. 3770 collection - correspondence, court king of the forest, edward goehler, h l atkinson

Letter from Chas Kelynack declaring himself on the Sick fund of the Court being unable to work. Signed by Chas Kelynack and dated Aug?10 1865. Also signed by H L Atkinson. MD.societies, aof, correspondence, ancient order of foresters no. 3770 collection - correspondence, court king of the forest, chas kelynack, h l atkinson

Letter written on blue paper and dated May 9 1870. Bro William Hollows has permission to apply to Court King of the Forest for the benefit of the Medical Officer of that Court. Should Court King of the Forest grant the application Court Freedom would like to be informed the amount charged by the Medical Officer per Annum and if it is to be paid Quarterly, half Yearly, or otherwise. Signed Thos. H. Pearce.societies, aof, correspondence, ancient order of foresters no. 3770 collection - correspondence, court freedom, william hollow, court king of the forest, thos h pearce

Question written on blue paper. Date 15 February 1864. Secretary's signature illegible. Question was whether it is legal for a Quarterly District Meeting to appoint or Call a Special District Meeting for the purpose of making arrangements for holding the Anniversary of the District & whether any member, or Court can be fined for not attending that Meeting, or held responsible for any loss, if any.societies, aof, correspondence, ancient order of foresters no. 3770 collection - correspondence, high court