Following the founding meeting of the Mayo Tenants Defence Association in Castlebar, County Mayo on 26 October 1878 the demand for The Land of Ireland for the people of Ireland was reported in the Connaught Telegraph 2 November 1878. The first of many "monster meetings" of tenant farmers was held in Irishtown near Claremorris on 20 April 1879, with an estimated turnout of 15,000 to 20,000 people. This meeting was addressed by James Daly (who presided), John O'Connor Power, John Ferguson, Thomas Brennan, and J. J. Louden. The Connaught Telegraph's report of the meeting in its edition of 26 April 1879 began: Since the days of O'Connell a larger public demonstration has not been witnessed than that of Sunday last. About 1 o'clock the monster procession started from Claremorris, headed by several thousand men on foot – the men of each district wearing a laural leaf or green ribbon in hat or coat to distinguish the several contingents. At 11 o'clock a monster contingent of tenant-farmers on horseback drew up in front of Hughes's hotel, showing discipline and order that a cavalry regiment might feel proud of. They were led on in sections, each having a marshal who kept his troops well in hand. Messrs. P.W. Nally, J.W. Nally, H. French, and M. Griffin, wearing green and gold sashes, led on their different sections, who rode two deep, occupying, at least, over an Irish mile of the road. Next followed a train of carriages, brakes, cares, etc. led on by Mr. Martin Hughes, the spirited hotel proprietor, driving a pair of rare black ponies to a phæton, taking Messrs. J.J. Louden and J. Daly. Next came Messrs. O'Connor, J. Ferguson, and Thomas Brennan in a covered carriage, followed by at least 500 vehicles from the neighbouring towns. On passing through Ballindine the sight was truly imposing, the endless train directing its course to Irishtown – a neat little hamlet on the boundaries of Mayo, Roscommon, and Galway. Evolving out of this a number of local land league organisations were set up to work against the excessive rents being demanded by landlords all over Ireland, but especially in Mayo and surrounding counties. From 1874 agricultural prices in Europe had dropped, followed by some bad harvests due to wet weather during the Long Depression. The effect by 1878 was that many Irish farmers were unable to pay the rents that they had agreed, particularly in the poorer and wetter parts of Connacht. The localised 1879 Famine added to the misery. Unlike other parts of Europe the Irish land tenure system was inflexible in times of hardship. (Wikipedia) The Irish National Land League was founded at the Imperial Hotel in Castlebar, the County town of Mayo, on 21 October 1879. At that meeting Charles Stewart Parnell was elected president of the league. Andrew Kettle, Michael Davitt, and Thomas Brennan were appointed as honorary secretaries. This united practically all the different strands of land agitation and tenant rights movements under a single organisation. Michael Davitt Founder of the Land League The two aims of the Land League, as stated in the resolutions adopted in the meeting, were: ...first, to bring out a reduction of rack-rents; second, to facilitate the obtaining of the ownership of the soil by the occupiers. That the object of the League can be best attained by promoting organisation among the tenant-farmers; by defending those who may be threatened with eviction for refusing to pay unjust rents; by facilitating the working of the Bright clauses of the Irish Land Act during the winter; and by obtaining such reforms in the laws relating to land as will enable every tenant to become owner of his holding by paying a fair rent for a limited number of years. (Wikipedia)Image of a man with a moustache. He is T. Brennan.ballarat irish, brennan, thomas brennan, irish land act, rent

It belonged to Beryl Mair of 20 Barton Street, Surrey Hills and was given to her by Mr W Sandoe on 12.11.1928. There are entries from family members and class mates from Mont Albert Central School (MACS). The first entry is written by her father, Dave Mair. Entries from: D Mair, Lance Young, Norma Dunn, I Goodes, Lorraine Potts, Mary Griffin, L E Jarman, J Stalker, Jean Fowler, Ailsa Hank (with an ink drawing of a cottage), May Leach, Merle Botten, Beryl Skinner, Enid Marro(w ?), Betty (S ?)oule, Fred A Teague, A Mock, Kath Paul, Melva Dare, Marjorie Smith, J Hargreave, Ethel Lillifant. Three entries are quotation only. One page lists teachers of Mont Albert Central School: E C Cairns, E E Holden, Alfred Harley, R Blackburne, R W Campbell, M (?) Sheahan, ------- (undecipherable), H McConville. Those dated are mostly from 1930.The Mair family were resident in Barton Street for several generations. Beryl's father Dave Mair was a keen sportsman and founder of the Kangaroo Social Club of cricketers. Beryl married Lance Young. This is part of a large collection relating to the Mair, Deakin and Young families.In Europe autograph books have a history that can be traced back to 15th century university students. In Australia autograph albums were particularly popular towards the end of the 19th century, although there are known examples as far back as the 1830s. The increase in popularity coincides with printing and book binding becoming more affordable. Autograph books came in many sizes but were typically small with blank pages, usually in pastel colours. The books were often exchanged so the gathering of autographs was a very social pastime. Pages were filled with not only names, signatures and personal details but also poems, limericks, drawings, personal messages, small pieces of verse, and other mementos, such as pressed flowers, locks of hair and even embroidery. Although they could be very personal, unlike a diary they were meant to be viewed as part of the exchange. Autograph books from the 1950s may have a different focus. Although it remained common to collect the autographs of friends it was also highly desirable to collect the signatures of the famous, especially rock and television stars. Autograph books are of social relevance because they reflect the sentiment of the era of creation; they can also be reflective of social change, major political events or new inventions.A small autograph book with a mottled brown cover and faded pastel pages with gold edging. The end pages are detailed in beige and pink. There are multiple entries, those dated are mostly from 1930. Front cover: "Autographs" in gold within a gold oval. Front inside page in black and red ink: "BERYL MAIR / 20 / BARTON / STREET , SURREY HILLS / from / MR W SANDOE / 12/11/28" Embossed in back cover, lower right: "MADE IN ENGLAND" beryl mair, autograph books, dave mair, barton street, ernest lance young, lance young, norma dunn, i goodes, lorraine potts, mary griffin, l e jarman, j stalker, jean fowler, ailsa hank, may leach, merle botten, beryl skinner, enid marro(w ?), betty (s ?)oule, fred a teague, a mock, kath paul, melva dare, marjorie smith, j hargreave, ethel lillifant, teachers, mont albert central school, e c cairns, e e holden, alfred harley, r blackburne, r w campbell, m (?) sheahan, h mcconville

A. Part of the George Hadden collection B.Descibes in detail all aspects of mine surveying"A treatise on mine surveying" Hard Bound, red cover, gold lettering, 372 pages plus a 60 page advertising supplement.Inside front cover: "A.Blackburn Shottou Colliery Co. Durham.", "G.Hadden"

Two-tiered brown wooden perpetual shield with metal banner and 45 metal shield-shaped tags engraved with annual award winners' name.Inscriptions include Y. Vitins - 1966-67 R. Hall - 1967-68 R. Hall - 1968-69 L. Gray - 1969-70 R. Burke - 1970-71 J. Nicks - 1971-72 L. Gray - 1972-73 J. Dick - 1973-74 D. Brine - 1974-75 D. Brine - 1975-76 A. Willoughby - 1976-77 I. Winneke - 1977-78 A. Willoughby - 1978-79 J. Norton - 1979-80 P. Marsh - 1980-81 J. Norton - 1981-82 P. Marsh - 1982-83 S. Kennaway - 1983-84 S. Kennaway - 1984-85 S. Kennaway - 1985-86 A. Taylor - 1986-87 D. Griffin - 1987-88 M. Griffin - 1988-89 L. Bradbury - 1989-90 S. Nichol & R. Shepherd - 1990-91 D. Carratelli - 1991-92 M. Buzaglo - 1992-93 H. Nichol - 1993-94 G. Stock - 1994-95 G. Stock - 1995-96 N. Stewart - 1996-97 N. Stewart - 1997-98 E. Withnell - 1998-99 C. Crozier - 1999-2000 R. Cavill - 2000-01 T. Cook - 2001-02 L. Fitzgerald - 2002-03 P. Flynn - 2003-04 J. Price - 2004-05 J. Creber - 2005-06 B. Gorfine - 2006-07 Brenton Hansen - 2007-08 James Potter - 2008-09 Edward Thwaites - 2009-10 Taylor Gibson - 2010-11.