Francis Gordon Davis was born in Ballarat on 09 August 1899. He is the only former student of the Ballarat Junior Technical School who was killed on service during World War One. Davis enlisted into the Australian Flying Corps, Laverton, on 12 April 1918 at which time he was 18 and 8 months and served as a second class Air Mechanic. His service number was 3310. He died accidentally from shock resulting from an accident resulting from skidding a Leyland Motor Lorry at Leighterton, Tetbury, Gloucester, England on 28 January 1919 and is buried in Grave 6 in the Soldiers Corner of the Leighterton Cemetery. Francis Davis was accorded a full military funeral, firing party, bugler and pallbearers. The coffin was draped in the Union Jack and surmounted in several beautiful wreathes sent from his brother 2/A.M. E.H. Davis (A.F.C Leighterton), officer of the A.F.C. Leighterton, Gloucester, Cadets of A.F.C. and many other personal friends of the deceased. The "Last Post" was sounded at the graveside, and the Rev. Major K.D. Norman C. of E. A.I.F. officiated. The grave was to be turfed and an oak cross erected by the A.I.F. London. Administrative Headquarters A.I.F. London were represented at the funeral. (http://bih/index.php/Francis_G._Davis) In June 1922 Alfred Davis, the father of Francis Davis, planted a tree in the grounds of the Ballarat Junior Technical School in honour of hos son. It was the first tree of six planted in the grounds of the Ballarat School of Mines on Arbor Day 1922. Speaking of the planting of the tree by Mr Davis the Chief Secretary (Mr M. Baird M.L.A.), said he trusted the memory would ever remain green at the school. Had he and others not given their lives nothing that we could have done to-day could have retrieved the time. Australians had indeed done splendidly, but they should take a wider outlook than Australia, and reading the history of the Genoa Conference he had been struck by what had been done ... We should honor such men as he in whose memory that tree was planted, and the schools that sent them out to fight for us. He hoped the empire would always be able to produce such men, so that the Empire would always be able to lead the World's struggle for the benefit of humanity. The last post was then sounded by Mr. H. Green. ... (Ballarat Courier, 19 June 1922)A number of photographs of a tree and marble plaque in the grounds of the Ballarat School of Mines. It was a memorial to Francis Davis, a former student of the Ballarat Junior Technical School, who died on active service during World War One.ballarat school of mines, ballarat junior secondary school, world war one, memorial, marble plaque, marble memorial, tree, memorial tree, davis, francis davis, centenary

ES 56 Nymph Following the successful introduction of the ES 52 Kookaburra two-seater in mid-1954, Edmund Schneider Ltd designed a higher performance single seat sailplane of similar construction and with similar handling qualities. It was designated the ES 56 and became known as the ES56 “Nymph”. The ES56 Nymph was a success in that it delivered the anticipated performance and was found to have satisfactory flying characteristics. However, only the prototype (“Nymph -I”) and three production examples (“Nymph-II”) were built. Schneiders made some changes to the design before building the production version. The wing chord at the tip on the prototype measured 650 mm. This was reduced to 500 mm for subsequent builds. The explanation is that provision was made in the original design for the possible lengthening of the tapered wing to 13 metres. However, apparently it was decided to retain the 11.900 metre span which allowed the tip chord to be reduced slightly. Other changes included the installation of scissor type air brakes in the wing instead of simple hinged flap spoilers and the addition of a landing wheel behind the skid on the fuselage. On one of the Nymph-II a dorsal was added on top of the fuselage forward of the vertical fin when repairs were made rectifying damage incurred as a result of an accident at Benalla on 31 March 1963. Even before these ES56 gliders were finished, Edmund Schneider Ltd decided to offer a less expensive single seat design to cater in particular for newly solo pilots, the ES57 Kingfisher. With the Kingfisher, Schneiders reverted to a traditional airfoil (Gott 549) for the wing instead of the laminar flow section that was chosen for the Nymph in the pursuit of performance. As such, the Kingfisher was more appropriately characterised as a single seat version of the Kookaburra in comparison to the Nymph. Schneiders continued for a time to offer the ES56 Nymph as a high-performance sailplane. However, its place in the market was soon overtaken by imported designs with superior performance, such as the Schleicher KA6, which Schneiders also imported and built under license. Nymph-I was test flown in December 1955 and entered by Harry Schneider into the gliding championships held at Waikerie from 5th to 16th of that month. Harry finished 12th in the individual placing out of a field of approximately 24. The capabilities of the Nymph were further demonstrated by Harry Schneider in January 1956 with a Gold C flight of 193 miles from Gawler in South Australia to Walpeup in Victoria. Nymph-I was acquired by the Port Pirie Gliding Club in South Australia. It has been saved and restored and is a regular feature at vintage glider rallies in Victoria and New South Wales. See Museum Newsletter No 35 Winter Edition 2017 pages 3 -6, for that story. The Nymph-II production models were delivered by Edmund Schneider Ltd in October 1956 to the Gliding Club of Victoria, the Victorian Motorless Flight Group and the Royal Australian Navy Gliding Association. The VMFG flew its Nymph in the First National Gliding Championships at Tocumwal, NSW, in December 1956 and all three were flown at the Second National Gliding Championships at Benalla in 29th December 1958 to 8th January 1959, delivering competitive performances based on handicap. Nymph-I Serial Number 17 Original owner – Port Pirie Gliding Club, S.A. Registered VH-GHG on 20 August 1957 Re-registered VH-GHA on 11 October 2016 Currently Raywood, Victoria Believed airworthy Nymph-II Serial Number 20 Original owner – R.A.N. Gliding Association Registered VH-GDX on 20 May 1957 Currently Locksley, Victoria. In storage Nymph-II Serial Number 21 Original owner – Gliding Club of Victoria Registered VH-GHU on 27 August 1957 Currently Bendick Murrell, N.S.W. In storage Nymph-II Serial Number 22 Original owner – Victorian Motorless Flight Group Registered VH-GFE on 5 March 1957 Currently Bacchus Marsh, Victoria Under restoration for display. The Museum’s exhibit is the ES56, serial number 22, registered as VH-GFE. The glider was flown by the VMFG in Victoria until approximately September 1968. GFA records show that it was transferred to Queensland in 1968, and it passed through several owners until the mid-1970s. Information received indicates that it was flown by the Leichardt Soaring Club at Mount Isa in the (late?) 1960s. The history from then is not presently known except to say that it has been kept in dry storage for many years. It is not known when the glider was last flown. What is Significant? The Schneider ES 56 Nymph single seat sailplane, serial number 22, designed and built in 1955-1956, by Edmund Schneider Ltd in Adelaide. It was delivered to its original owner, the Victorian Motorless Flight Group, in October 1956, and registered as VH-GFE on 5 March 1957. How it is Significant? The ES56 Nymph is of historical, aesthetic, scientific and research, and social significance to the Australian gliding community. Why it is Significant? The ES56 is of historical significance as it was designed and built by Edmund and Harry Schneider. The Schneiders immigrated to Australia after the end of the second world war bringing with them considerable expertise in relation to glider design and construction. Over the following decades they maintained a close association with the Gliding Federation of Australia and the gliding clubs and through their glider production made a major contribution to the sport. The ES56 is part of that story. The ES56 in its design and construction exhibits the glider construction technology of the time, which principally consisted of lightweight wooden framework skinned with ply and doped fabric. It exbibits design innovation, notably the use of a laminar flow wing profile in pursuit of better glide performance. Also, considerable attention was given to simplifying the structure in order to keeping cost and the weight low. The ES56 played a useful role at gliding clubs where it was operated, especially the late 1950s and early 1960s and is remembered well by pilots who flew her. The glider is in the course of restoration and provides an insight into the skills and workmanship that were involved in design, building and maintenance of these wooden aircraft. It is of aesthetic and scientific and research significance. Glider airframe of a traditional wood and fabric covered constructionNoneglider, sailplane, edmund schneider, harry schneider, es56, nymph, es57, kingfisher, victorian motorless flight group, gliding club of victoria, ran gliding association, port pirie gliding club, leichardt soaring club.

In 1905 Richard Squire was manager of the West Berry Consols at Allendale, and developed an improved system of mine ventilation, which was supported in "The Age." He was successful in combating and remedying the gas and ventilation troubles of the Deep Mines of Creswick and Allendale Districts after all had failed. MINE MANAGERS’ ASSOCIATION. Ballarat Branch. ... Mr R. B. Squire, manager of the West Berry Consols, at Allendale, submitted a paper detailing what he had done tor the betterment of ventilation in the alluvial mines of Smeaton and Mary borough districts- Members gave Mr Squire every credit for the results that he claimed to have effected; the adoption of his ideas had testified to their value to mine-owners. It was painted out, however, that for want of a thorough debate of the subject with experienced men the author had unwittingly included some general statements that required modifying in some points and extending in others, in justice to other workers among the earlier and the present day managers of mines. It was decided to invite the author to meet a sub-committee on this subject!Various handwritten Letters from Richard Squire to his son Tom 1935richard squire, tom squire, hazel squire, jack squire, jim squire, ned, mt mercer, basil, plant, skids, pump, c. hayes, illness, poppet, carburetor, shaft, balance weight, pearson, pulleys, syndicate, goon, suction, lease, reports, estimates, flat fields, reef, banagwanth, trucks, pipeclay, sandstone, suction pipe, valves, honeycomb rock, mr kermode, yarrowee, ballarat, reef combs, cheques, earthquake, yellow slate, leigh river, dyke, the madame bay coy, allendale, berry west, quartz, ballarat deep leads, ballarat deep leads extension, bore, reads, bedrock, j. hayes, harmen premier distributors, middletons, cemented sand, electricity commission, g m of a, gold mines of australia, dick harry, pearsons, hawksburn, crown wheel, rice's paddock, liz the car, volcanic ridge, lrg coy, mcnaughton's paddock, madison's lead, cameron & sutherland, crabhole, rokewood, glenfine, mrs gibbs, dobson, booth, shiels, thomas mitchell, mcpherson's reward, haddon, trunk lead mine, elaine, pitfield plains, mr clarke, daylesford, kuchel, shelford, geoff squire, lode, quartz reef, bladder attack, kidneys, income tax, reginald murray, grenville, blasting, john b. dennison, martin t. taylor, durham and buninyong deep lead, sebastopol plateau, mr wilkie, the premier petrol distributing agency of ballarat, lawaluk, ryan's western leads, mr nichol, mr hodge, knox schlapp and co., dr griffiths, state accident insurance office, magdala mine stawell, mining

In 1905 Richard Squire was manager of the West Berry Consuls at Allendale, and developed an improved system of mine ventilation, which was supported in "The Age." He was successful in combating and remedying the gas and ventilation troubles of the Deep Mines of Creswick and Allendale Districts after all had failed. MINE MANAGERS’ ASSOCIATION. Ballarat Branch. ... Mr. R. B. Squire, manager of the West Berry Consuls, at Allendale, submitted a paper detailing what he had done tor the betterment of ventilation in the alluvial mines of Smeaton and Mary borough districts- Members gave Mr. Squire every credit for the results that he claimed to have affected; the adoption of his ideas had testified to their value to mine-owners. It was painted out, however, that for want of a thorough debate of the subject with experienced men the author had unwittingly included some general statements that required modifying in some points and extending in others, in justice to other workers among the earlier and the present-day managers of mines. It was decided to invite the author to meet a sub-committee on this subject!Various letters written by Richard Squire to his son Tom on the topic of their Mine in 1936 richard squire, tom squire, hazel squire, jack squire, jim squire, ned, mt mercer, basil, plant, skids, pump, c. hayes, illness, poppet, carburetor, shaft, balance weight, pearson, pulleys, syndicate, goon, suction, lease, reports, estimates, flat fields, reef, trucks, pipeclay, sandstone, suction pipe, valves, honeycomb rock, mr kermode, yarrowee, ballarat, reef combs, cheques, yellow slate, leigh river, dyke, quartz, ballarat deep leads, ballarat deep leads extension, bore, reads, bedrock, cemented sand, g m of a, gold mines of australia, liz the car, geoff squire, lode, cameron and sutherland, lancaster, harman, hayes timber, t. hood, alan squire, catarrh, kidney disease, stomach issues, ethel, measles, scarlet fever, ross creek field, j. bourke, j. cock, ross creek gold mining co., frank herman, hogan & banagwanath, hogan, banagwanath, napolean deap lead, hanlons, lillas, martin, jack hayes, diptheria, anticline, mr mcnichol, ronaldson, bob allan, jenkins, hunter, wilkinson, eyres brothers, g.gay & co, buninyong, llewellen, glenfine, the star mine of avoca fields, talbot alluvials, g.e. dickenson, guildford plateau, a.b.c. special supply store, jelbart, geological branch, shell coy, mr horsefields, lawaluk, almanac, trenery, barry, mining

In 1905 Richard Squire was manager of the West Berry Consols at Allendale, and developed an improved system of mine ventilation, which was supported in "The Age."[4] He was successful in combating and remedying the gas and ventilation troubles of the Deep Mines of Creswick and Allendale Districts after all had failed. MINE MANAGERS’ ASSOCIATION. Ballarat Branch. ... Mr R. B. Squire, manager of the West Berry Consols, at Allendale, submitted a paper detailing what he had done tor the betterment of ventilation in the alluvial mines of Smeaton and Mary borough districts- Members gave Mr Squire every credit for the results that he claimed to have effected; the adoption of his ideas had testified to their value to mine-owners. It was painted out, however, that for want of a thorough debate of the subject with experienced men the author had unwittingly included some general statements that required modifying in some points and extending in others, in justice to other workers among the earlier and the present day managers of mines. It was decided to invite the author to meet a sub-committee on this subjectHandwritten letters written by Richard Squire to his son Tom Squire 1938 on lined paperrichard squire, tom squire, hazel squire, jack squire, jim squire, ned, mt mercer, plant, skids, pump, poppet, carburetor, shaft, balance weight, pulleys, syndicate, suction, lease, reports, estimates, flat fields, reef, trucks, pipeclay, sandstone, suction pipe, valves, honeycomb rock, yarrowee, ballarat, reef combs, cheques, yellow slate, leigh river, dyke, quartz, ballarat deep leads, ballarat deep leads extension, bore, reads, bedrock, cemented sand, g m of a, gold mines of australia, liz the car, geoff squire, lode, hayes timber, ethel, ross creek field, ross creek gold mining co., frank herman, lillas, jack hayes, eyres brothers, g.gay & co, buninyong, glenfine, the star mine of avoca fields, talbot alluvials, guildford plateau, a.b.c. special supply store, geological branch, shell coy, lawaluk, almanac, mcbinny, bingley's paddock, cargaire valley and lead, stand and deliver demands, sheehan's, smeaton hotel, john charleson, ballarat main lead, goon, dereel, the bay leads, avoca field, ballarat alluvials, haddon field, courier, school of mines, bewick mining & co., broken hill syndicate, morrison's lead, baragwanath, creswick, duke of wellington plant, the moorabool lead, kohinoor band and alluvian, star of the east, bonshaw, epidemic, polio, k.w. steedman, mr newman, allendale mines, professor mica smith, alfred mica smith, mr hodge, w. taylor, mcpherson's reward coy, mr mitchell, billy thomas, john bull, albert, nina, stanley hunter, frederick the great, ross creek south, bislolo, brilolo, birlolo, ballarat east coy, maxwells, reginald murray, bob allan, vendetta, john lynch, dodson, mnster of mines, e.j. hogan, jonah ward, mcnaughton's paddock, bellesby, alec peacock, jenkins, h.c. jenkins, conspiracy, argus, mr ellerby, dr lawrence, occulist, mining

In 1905 Richard Squire was manager of the West Berry Consols at Allendale, and developed an improved system of mine ventilation, which was supported in "The Age."[4] He was successful in combating and remedying the gas and ventilation troubles of the Deep Mines of Creswick and Allendale Districts after all had failed.[5] MINE MANAGERS’ ASSOCIATION. Ballarat Branch. ... Mr R. B. Squire, manager of the West Berry Consols, at Allendale, submitted a paper detailing what he had done tor the betterment of ventilation in the alluvial mines of Smeaton and Mary borough districts- Members gave Mr Squire every credit for the results that he claimed to have effected; the adoption of his ideas had testified to their value to mine-owners. It was painted out, however, that for want of a thorough debate of the subject with experienced men the author had unwittingly included some general statements that required modifying in some points and extending in others, in justice to other workers among the earlier and the present day managers of mines. It was decided to invite the author to meet a sub-committee on this subject![6]Handwritten letters from Richard Squire to his son Tom and Family reporting happening at the mine richard squire, tom squire, engine trouble, basil, f.l. smythe broker, trembath, w. ryall, mt mercer, flu, plant, skids, pump, c. hayes, illness, poppet, carburetor, mum, ned, shaft, balance weight, hazel squire, pearson, pulleys, syndicate, goon, len hopkins, suction, dunstown, lease, jim squire, bannockburn, nina, albert, mrs trenery, connie, jay, judy squire, cohuna, bladder attack, reports, estimates, dunstan & coy, jelbarts, barrett, flat fields, brown, gold estates, berry leads, parsley roots, share book, meredith, reef, pay sheet, colin, mr gibbs, l.r.g plan, banagwanth, mcnaughton bores, glenfine, allan, william thomas, john lynch, crawford, shelford, liz the car, trucks, chandlers, ballarat trustees, cameron, elaine, mrs read, clark, j. hayes, dunlop, dr lawrence, eye specialist, reid, mullock bank, jack squire, herman, peter's legal inc. ballarat, freddie reid, j.r. whipp, a.b. reid, grenville, leigh river plan, johnstone's, premier petrol coy, chandler's, ballarat deep leads extension, harwood & pincott, a. rice, lillas, l. e. walker, secretary for mines, pipeclay, sandstone, mr saville, weymouth & carroll, suction pipe, valves, financiers, gold mines of australia, mr hanley hunter, sadowa coy, kerang shareholder, buninyong, stanley hunter, len, fran, max, dr jones, honeycomb rock, booth, sandy mcnab, emily shaw, john cock, ross creek, mitchell, rowe, neil cameron, walker, kidney disease, holst, nellie, ronaldson's, ronaldson & tippett, brokers, investors, lockett, miller & co, wellesly, john sharpe, elizabeht ellen, old lawaluk, mining

Thursday, December 15, 1949, the quiet little bank was embroiled in an infamous wild shoot-out between a daring thief and two bank officers. Today, the building still carries the scars ; a bullet hole remains visible in a cedar bench testifying to the events that played out that day. 3.30 a.m., Friday, December 9. The manager of the Commercial Bank branch at Greensborough, Mr Harry Wallace and his wife are asleep in their bedroom of the little house behind the branch. Harry is awakened by a noise and sees an intruder in a corner of the bedroom. He calls out but the intruder who has switched off the power in anticipation flees through a side door and scarpers down Main Street. Harry summons the police but a search by First Constable Thomas of the Greensborough Police assisted by a wireless patrol car is unsuccessful. A report is filed noting the theft of a .25 calibre pistol from the wardrobe. Thursday, December 15th. It is 1pm and the Commercial Bank has just opened. The branch is only open Mondays and Thursdays from 1-3pm. The morning started off a little cool with some scattered showers but it has fined up and the temperature is now around 61 degrees (16 C). A new grey Singer sports car with soft-top pulls up on the opposite side of the road and a young man, neatly dressed in a dark blue suit, wearing a grey hat and carrying a brief case exits the vehicle. He looks around then crosses the road and walks up the steps and through the door into the bank. There are three people inside; Mr. Jack Burgoyne whose grocery store is situated just 50 yards up the road, Mr. Lindsay A. Spears, the Eltham Agency Receiving Officer and by chance, Mr Harry Wallace, manager of the Greensborough branch. Jack Burgoyne takes note of the young stranger; thinking to himself he appears nervous. The man approaches the counter and introduces himself as John Henderson of Greensborough and explains that he wishes to open a new account. He places his hat and £3 on the counter. Mr Spears attends to the paperwork. He asks the young man to sign two forms, which he does but then he withdraws from the counter and starts walking towards the door. Suddenly he spins around pulling an automatic pistol from his right-hand pocket. He exclaims forcefully; “The game’s on! I’ll take the lot!” Spears appears to comply by pretending to open a drawer. The man shouts loudly, “Keep your hand away from that drawer.” Spears instead reaches for a pistol in his pocket and challenges the man, “Here it is. Come and get it!” At the same time, Harry Wallace pulls a pistol from his pocket as well. The bandit fires a shot but misses, the bullet striking the counter. Both Spears and Wallace open fire and Jack Burgoyne ducks for cover. As the bandit turns and runs for the door leaving his £3 behind, he fires another shot, which strikes the ceiling. Spears fires back, and thinks he may have hit him in the foot. The bandit flees the bank and heads for the grey Singer car, registration NO-106, parked opposite. Wallace and Spears pursue him to the door and open fire again, striking the car three times around the driver’s door. Spears lets off eight shots and Wallace, seven before his gun jams. The getaway car initially heads slowly down Main Road towards Bridge Street. About 100 yards down the road, Dave Adams, a PMG employee, who has heard the shots, throws a steel manhole step at the driver. It hits the roof of the car nine inches above the driver’s head and tears the hood. Another witness claims to have seen the door blow open and the driver raise his hand. The car gathers speed and swings left into Bridge Street racing along at about 60 miles an hour careering recklessly past council employee, Mr. Percy Williams, who is driving a dray along Smarts Road [believed to be Bridge Street]. At the end of the road the Singer fails to get round the sharp turn and crashes into an embankment skidding to a stop outside the home of Mr John Clifford. One side of the car is wrecked. Mr Clifford, an aircraft engineer hears the fast travelling car bump heavily into the road bank at about 1.25 p.m. Hearing the whine of an engine he goes outside to find the grey Singer parked at the side of the road. Jack George also lives at the corner and hears the car crash. “The bandit opened the car door, ran 50 yards, and suddenly turned back,” exclaims Jack. “He took something from the car. It might have been a gun.” In his haste, the bandit drops his grey felt hat, size 6 7/8, on the road and dashes up Sherbourne Road for about 200 yards then disappears into the scrub carrying a brief case and a bundle in which a sailor’s cap can be seen. About 3 p.m., Mr H.D. Pettie of Mountain View Road, Montmorency is looking through his field glasses and notices a young man walking through thick scrub on private property some distance from his house. The man is wearing a sailor’s cap and disappears along the railway track toward Montmorency. As the day progresses, ten police cars, one motor cycle, and about 40 police led by Det. Sgt. McMennemin of Malvern CIB are searching for him. They believe he is hiding in thick scrub along the bank of the creek about half-a-mile outside Eltham township. Wireless patrol cars, four mobile traffic cars and the CIB area cars from Malvern and Kew are taking part. Police check the thief’s car and discover it was stolen from Helen Baxter, of Doncaster Road, North Balwyn from outside Victoria Barracks. Harry Wallace informs the police that he believes he recognised the bandit as the man who took his pistol from his bedroom the previous Friday morning. As night falls, armed police are posted at strategic points in the Eltham-Greensborough district. Police in cars are watching the roads. Others are searching the bush and checking passengers on trains. Little do they realise the young man has already slipped out of the net. SEQUEL YOUTH OF 19 CHARGED WITH ATTEMPTED ARMED ROBBERY OF BANK AT ELTHAM Weekly Times, Wednesday 15 February 1950, page 6 Detectives who raided a house in Bell St., Coburg, Melbourne, charged a 19-year-old youth, of South Yarra, with attempted armed robbery at the Commercial Bank’s Eltham (Vic.) receiving depot on Dec. 15. Police say they recovered a loaded automatic pistol, diamond and signet rings worth more than £200, a complete set of house-breaking instruments, a sailor’s uniform, and chloroform gauze in the raid. The youth was charged that while armed with an offensive weapon, he attempted to rob Lindsay George Spears of a sum of money. He was further charged on six counts of breaking, entering and stealing. Police allege that the person who tried to hold up Mr Spears in the Commercial Bank receiving depot at Eltham on December 15. escaped in a stolen car, after Mr Spears and Mr Henry Wallace, manager of the bank’s Greensborough branch, had fired at him. After the car crashed, he escaped into thick scrub and is alleged to have changed into a sailor’s uniform. On December 9 an automatic pistol was stolen from Mr Wallace’s bedroom at the Greensborough bank. The chloroform pad recovered is alleged to have been stolen from the Dental Supply Company, Plenty Road, Preston. The rings are alleged to have been taken in a £513 burglary from the shop of James Paton. Sydney Road, Coburg. Det. Sgt. H. McMennemin conducted the investigations with Senior Dets. R. Newton and M Downie, Detectives l. Dent, R. Rayner, P. Pedersen and M. Handley and First Constable A. Thomas. The youth will appear at Eltham Court on February 22. Manager’s Gun Used in Holdup at Bank The Age, Thursday 23 February 1950, page 4 It was stated in Eltham court yesterday that a youth who robbed a bank manager of his pistol, later used it in an attempt to hold-up the bank. Kay Arthur Morgan, 19, draftsman, of Castle-street, South Yarra, was committed for trial on charges of breaking and entering, and stealing a pistol and attempted robbery while armed with an offensive weapon. He pleaded guilty. The manager of Eltham branch of the Commercial Bank of Australia Ltd., Henry Clifton Cabot Wallace, said he disturbed someone in the bedroom, in which he and his wife were sleeping, at 3 a.m. on December. 9, 1949. Later he found that his automatic- pistol was missing. On December 15 a youth, who said his name was John Henderson, entered the bank and opened a new account. As the youth was leaving the bank he turned round with a pistol in his hand and said: — “I want the lot.” Spear indicated a drawer under the counter; and said.— “Here it is. Come and get it.” The youth said:— “Keep your hand away from that drawer.” Witness said Spear then drew his pistol from his hip pocket. The youth fired at them, and Spear returned the fire. “I pulled my pistol and fired, too” said witness. The youth fired again, ran out to a car and drove off. Witness and Spear fired several shots at the car. The youth was the accused Morgan, sitting in court, witness said. Evidence was given that one bullet was found in the celling and the other in the bank. Morgan was allowed £100 bail on each charge. Morgan ended up serving three years for the failed armed robbery and became a notorious criminal. He had twin sons, Peter and Doug and even though only ten years old, Morgan would get his sons to act as lookouts whilst he committed burglaries. The lads became building contractors but when the industry suffered a downturn in 1977 and they were short on cash, they returned to the family business. Over the following 23 months they undertook 24 raids on country and outer-suburban TABs and banks. Whilst robbing one country bank for the third time, just like their father, it all went wrong ending up with a police officer shot. They were nick-named the “After-dark” bandits and are considered to be Australia’s last bushrangers. They were convicted and served 17 years in prison.5 x A4 photocopied pagesbank hold-up, cba bank, det sgt mcmennemin, eltham, h.d. pettie, harry wallace, jack burgoyne, kay arthur morgan, lindsay a. spears, main road

In 1905 Richard Squire was manager of the West Berry Consols at Allendale, and developed an improved system of mine ventilation, which was supported in "The Age."[4] He was successful in combating and remedying the gas and ventilation troubles of the Deep Mines of Creswick and Allendale Districts after all had failed. MINE MANAGERS’ ASSOCIATION. Ballarat Branch. ... Mr R. B. Squire, manager of the West Berry Consols, at Allendale, submitted a paper detailing what he had done tor the betterment of ventilation in the alluvial mines of Smeaton and Mary borough districts- Members gave Mr Squire every credit for the results that he claimed to have effected; the adoption of his ideas had testified to their value to mine-owners. It was painted out, however, that for want of a thorough debate of the subject with experienced men the author had unwittingly included some general statements that required modifying in some points and extending in others, in justice to other workers among the earlier and the present day managers of mines. It was decided to invite the author to meet a sub-committee on this subject!A variety of Letters written by Richard Squire to his son Tom Squire about the goings on at Mt Mercer Mine 1937richard squire, tom squire, hazel squire, jack squire, jim squire, ned, mt mercer, plant, skids, pump, poppet, carburetor, shaft, balance weight, pulleys, syndicate, suction, lease, reports, estimates, flat fields, reef, trucks, pipeclay, sandstone, suction pipe, valves, honeycomb rock, yarrowee, ballarat, reef combs, cheques, yellow slate, leigh river, dyke, quartz, ballarat deep leads, ballarat deep leads extension, bore, reads, bedrock, cemented sand, g m of a, gold mines of australia, liz the car, geoff squire, lode, cameron and sutherland, hayes timber, alan squire, ethel, ross creek field, ross creek gold mining co., frank herman, lillas, jack hayes, eyres brothers, g.gay & co, buninyong, glenfine, the star mine of avoca fields, talbot alluvials, guildford plateau, a.b.c. special supply store, geological branch, shell coy, lawaluk, almanac, mcbinny, bingley's paddock, cargaire valley and lead, stand and deliver demands, sheehan's, smeaton hotel, john charleson, aleck charleson, ted brown, billy jordan, mr banks, ballarat main lead, binney, goon, illabrook, mrs trenery, bre, max, june, mary, len, barry, hunter, herman, martin, aunt annie, bella, pitfield coy, mcnaughtons, donaldson, dereel, hogan, the bay leads, avoca field, ballarat alluvials, neil cameron, haddon field, courier, tom cotton, llewellen, stanley hunter, mr leonard, tom mitchell, school of mines, bryant, a.c. connely, dodson, constable mcmullins, adam ronaldson, bewick mining & co., reginald murray, r.c. selwyn, craig's hotel, broken hill syndicate, morrison's lead, wilkinson, j. hayes, mr nichol, burglary, baragwanath, wilkinson ross, creswick, seville, mr. ross, o'connor, c. mcgrath, alfred mica smith, henderson ross, angus kelly, a. r. dodson, duke of wellington plant, the moorabool lead, williams, paralysis, woodlock, squire, whipp, joe williams, peacock, moran, buchanan, hoare, bree kutchel, kohinoor band and alluvian, star of the east, bonshaw, epidemic, polio, mining

Photo - see pdf file for further information. Number Brief Description CC1 S178 at Elsternwick level crossing track works CC2 Building East Preston Depot 1955 CC3 Camberwell depot – post WW2 – lots of trams and a black cat CC4 W2 584 and SW6 958 northbound – Chapel St and Brighton Road CC5 W2 357 – southbound, Chapel St Brighton Road CC6 Pascoe Vale Road, Raceday working – note the signal CC7 The Preston Workshops - The Argus, post WW2, 223, 647 et al CC8 923 or is it 922 being built at Preston – The Argus photo - CC8A 832 being positioned onto trucks at Preston after an overhaul – Argus Photo – see also CC306 CC9 Footscray depot` CC10 W5 797 in St Kilda Road during track works – 1950s CC11 W2 457 at Kew Post Office CC12 Wellington Parade – W2 432, 492 and 337 – special event CC13 Swan St line up of trams – football? Or other special event – Sinclair’s bus on the right side. CC14 W2 630 being washed at a depot – The Argus photo CC15 Royal Park line at Flemington Road – W2 355 and W5 786 CC16 Nicholson St track construction from a tram cab CC17 T181 on tour at Gordon St CC18 T181 on Maribyrnong Bridge CC19 Ditto at River St just off bridge CC20 As for CC18 CC21 At Raleigh Rd CC22 T181 at Footscray depot CC23 Track construction, Nicholson, just north of Gertrude CC24 Commissioning overhead Bourke St tram 988 CC25 Queens Parade – 997 and 994 CC26 Swapping trolley wheel to skid – commissioning CC27 Track construction in Gertrude St CC28 985 in Queens Parade running special CC29 997 in Queens Parade CC30 1033 at North Fitzroy – AETA Special CC31 Bourke St at Elizabeth St – has passengers on board CC32 W6 985, 996 Queens Parade, Mk 3 bus 333 CC33 As above CC34 Showing construction at Nicholson & Gertrude – Bourke St CC35 W2 223 on Burnley temporary bridge – VR track expansion CC36 W5 823 – ditto CC37 Tram on old bridge prior to removal CC38 W2 433 on temporary bridge with new bridge beams and old track CC39 Looking down showing temporary single track – Swan St CC40 Tait train passing under tram bridge CC41 SW6 on single line – off loading CC42 W2 547 at City Road Junction CC43 City Road Jtn – 1969 – 596 and 771 CC44 City Road Jtn – 1969 – 596 and 771 (same as CC45 438 in Flinders St CC46 355 somewhere CC47 552 somewhere CC47A 364 at Preston Workshops? CC48 W2 334 on Traverser – Preston Workshops CC49 Wellington pade – large line up of trams, c1950 925, and 611 CC50 W2 493 Franklin st – advertising for Savings Certificates CC51 Possibly 551 with advertising for fund raising for Blind institute CC52 249 at Hawthorn – Riversdale Junction – with a Tally Ho and Village Fair Aux. board CC53 MMTB Postcard of 511 CC54 Wattle Park terminus with Single line warning sign CC55 Wattle Park Duplication CC56 36 at Domain Junction – 833 CC57 36 at Domain Junction CC58 36 at Domain Junction with 810 and 833 CC59 36 in Swanston by Flinders St Station CC60 36 in Spencer St at A’Beckett CC61 36 crossing Collins St CC62 36 crossing Collins St CC63 36 northbound in St Kilda Road with Shrine in background CC64 36 northbound in Swanston St at Flinders St CC65 Postcard – Ballarat 36 in Domain Road CC66 Postcard - Stampshow – Hawthorn Horse tram CC67 Postcard - Stampshow – Peace cable tram CC68 Postcard - 1041 and cable car set 1 at Preston CC69 Postcard - Colins & Elizabeth – greetings from old Melbourne CC70 Postcard - Cable car set at Preston CC71 Postcard - Twentyman’s cable cars CC72 Postcard - Nu-color-vue – horse tram 256 CC73 Cable car set – Market & Flinders CC74 Cable trams at Twentymans’ in their shed CC75 Cable tram track at Bourke & Spencer prior to removal CC76 Cable tram bogie at Preston Workshops – used as a dolly CC77 Cable trams at Twentymans’ CC78 Postcard - Valentines – Bourke looking west from Swanston CC79 Postcard - Rose 3938 – Bourke at Swanston – the Leviathan building CC80 Postcard - Valentines – Elizabeth St looking south from Collins – No. 19 CC81 Postcard - Rose P4765 – Bourke St Melbourne CC82 Postcard - Rose 4090 – cable tram passing Parliament house CC83 Postcard - Valentines – GPO Elizabeth St CC84 Interior of cable trailer with clothing on a set CC85 Elizabeth St looking north CC86 Cigarette card - Collins St No. 41- WD HO Wills CC87 Postcard - Rialto building with cable set CC88 Postcard - Valentines - Swanston at Flinders looking north CC89 CC90 Q 150 Hanna St – dated on rear CC91 176 turning – photo ex Alan Jungworth CC92 161 on Princes Bridge – minimum fare 4d sign and Inspector CC93 459 at Point Ormond CC94 158 at Gordon St – side on view CC95 X 217 in Swanston St CC96 X 217 in Swanston St with an East Brighton destination CC97 T177 CC98 T177 Peel St – no destination roll – being transferred? CC99 X1 462 in Glenhuntly Road to Point Ormond CC100 X1 462 in Glenhuntly Road to Elsternwick Rly Station CC101 X1 462 in Glenhuntly Road to Point Ormond CC102 Q 150 Hanna St CC103 190 at Camberwell Depot CC104 T182 at Footscray CC105 X1 466 and W2 at Footscray CC106 190 at Camberwell Depot CC107 X1 467 Barkly St Footscray CC108 X2 679 turning into William St from La Trobe St CC109 X2 677 Glenhuntly Road with Point Ormond Destination CC110 Postcard T180 CC111 Postcard format – X1 467 on a truck – see also CC178 CC112 Postcard format – X1 467 at Wantirna South CC113 Q200 and SW6 896 at Thornbury – has labels on rear CC114 T177, Ballarat Road – has labels on rear CC115 T178 at Point Ormond CC116 Postcard X1 465 and 466 CC117 Postcard – X2 676 CC118 Postcard – TMSV X2 217 CC119 810 on temporary bridging – 24-12-67 CC120 W2 575 – Queens Parade junction in, still temporary bridging, substation under construction CC121 Forming Queens Parade Junction base slab CC122 W2 596 prior to tramway works – all tracks still in position CC123 It’s a mass of reinforcing – bridging being formed CC124 Looking north with substation being built CC125 Looking east with some rather tight curves, Wellington St still in use CC126 SW6 958 ex Wellington St with all tracks and signal box and buildings. CC127 Victoria Pde at Gisborne looking east – at least 4 cars CC128 SW6 893? With dash canopy lights and SW6 862 and a man with a newspaper CC129 SW6 894 on the S curves, with tram in Wellington St CC130 Similar photo CC131 W2 564 turning into Wellington St – the concrete tracks are not that old CC132 W2 552 running out of Wellington St CC133 W5 732 from Fitzroy St into St Kilda Road with next iteration in position – very wonky CC134 W5 764 turning into Fitzroy St CC135 SW6 947 turning from Wellington St CC136 W2 586 running out of High St CC137 W2 500 turning into Wellington St CC138 W2 543 in Wellington St inbound CC139 L103 with St Kilda Junction destination, and a tower truck on right CC140 Workmen – new track in Queensway in use CC141 Ditto CC142 L103 in Queensway, and another car in bound CC143 Looking east along Wellington St which has been taken out of use. Also a MMTB Roller CC144 W5 824 and a W2 and all types of wobbly temporary track CC145 W2 354 to High St CC146 Sw6 947 on the S bends CC147 W2 500 looking north – tram on the S bends CC148 SW6 896 leaving the S bend CC149 W2 357 and a MMTB City bus with trees/gardens on the side CC150 W5 817 Elliot Ave – see also CC302 CC151 W2 552 – note the large trolley bridge CC152 W2 550 at depot or workshops CC153 1B truck CC154 SW2 432 CC155 W2 155 at Glenhuntly CC156 SW6 937 on AETA tour? CC157 X2 677 on Footscray service – Ballarat Rd? CC158 W2 641 – High St Kew? CC159 SW6 847 – Power St Hawthorn CC160 Simpson St – big line up CC161 W2 546 truck No. 1? CC162 W2s at Glenhuntly depot CC163 No. 15 truck under 899 CC164 206 and other junk at Preston Workshops CC165 W in Swanston St Melbourne – Rose series card CC166 Y1 613 Batman Ave?? or William St at Collins CC167 Tram plans CC168 X 217 Swanston St – see also 95 and 96 CC169 217 in Swanston St – same as 95 CC169A 192 in St Kilda Road at Princes bridge CC170 192 in St Kilda Road at Princes bridge CC171 Bendigo 3 arriving Malvern depot – being unloaded CC172 Ditto CC173 T180 at a depot CC174 X1 463 wheel set CC175 C30 – dog car side view – close up CC176 C30 dog car CC177 206 and 30 at Preston Workshops CC178 X1 467 on a truck – see CC111 also CC179 42 CC180 42 at a depot, no destination box CC181 W2 556 1A type truck CC182 Flinders St Station – Rose Series CC183 W7 1035 Spring – Nicholson St CC184 W7 1022 MMTB Post Card CC185 Adelaide 178 – has on rear – R. Lilburn 4/82 CC186 Adelaide 175 – has on rear – R. Lilburn 4/82 CC187 Y1 610 on AETA tour CC188 Y1 610 on AETA tour with large group – Point Ormond CC189 AETA display – has GH55-32 in pencil on rear CC190 AETA display – has GH55-29 in pencil on rear CC191 Y1 610 on AETA tour with large group – Point Ormond CC192 VR 53 at Footscray CC193 VR cars 40 and 34 at Elwood wash dock CC194 W7 1024 as the 1970 Christmas tram CC195 Geelong – loading a set of 22E trucks CC196 Geelong 10 and 23 running an AETA special CC197 Geelong – AETA special CC198 Geelong 7 at Junction CC199 Geelong 10, in the city CC200 Geelong 33 with Belmont destination CC201 Geelong 15 Eastern Park destination 29-3-1948 CC202 Geelong 23 at Railway Station – 29-3-1948 CC203 Geelong 23 at Railway Station – 29-3-1948 CC204 Geelong – loading a bogie tram CC205 Geelong – loading a bogie tram CC206 Geelong 40 – loaded on truck CC207 Geelong 40 – on jacks CC208 Geelong 40 on jacks – 19 behind CC209 Geelong 38 with two workers on either side CC210 – 214 Australian Historic Tramways stamp folder and set CC215 Bendigo 17 at depot – has dup JBS on rear CC216 Bendigo 20, 29 bogie and straight sill car at Charing Cross CC217 Bendigo one man bogie Pall Mall CC218 Bendigo – Bogie 23, other cars and welding truck at depot CC219 Bendigo 7 with Quarry Hill destination CC220 Bendigo 21 with Lake Weerona destination CC221 ESCo 18 Ballarat CC222 Ballarat bogie 22 on AETA special CC223 Ditto CC224 Ballarat 34 at Stones Corner – R Lilburn CC225 Ballarat 15 in Bridge St – R Lilburn CC226 Ballarat 40 at Gardens – R Lilburn CC227 Ballarat 37 running out of depot – R Lilburn CC228 Postcard – Valentines – Sturt St with loaded horse tram trailer CC229 AETA Geelong tram tour ticket – 29-3-1948 CC230 Postcard – Geelong – Valentine 2114 – T&G building CC231 Postcard – PMTT ! – High St Malvern CC232 Postcard – Empire – Glenferrie Road, Malvern at Wattletree Rd CC233 Postcard Y469, MMTB CC234 Postcard Z2 Spring St CC235 Postcard – Z1 MMTB CC236 Postcard – Stamp Show W1 431 CC237 Postcard – Stamp show B2005 CC238 Postcard – Stamp show W6 982 CC239 Postcard – Valentines 1264 – Johnstone Park with tram in distance CC240 Postcard – Rose 10711 – Swanston and Lonsdale – Hospital and W232 CC241 Postcard – Rose 4827 – Fitzroy St St Kilda W2 362 and 548 CC242 Postcard – Valentines – 939 – St Kilda War Memorial, W and a R? CC243 Postcard – Valentines – 572 – St Kilda War Memorial, W 413 and 140? CC244 Postcard – Valentines – 938 – Uper and Lower Esplanade – L 104 CC245 Postcard – St Kilda Rd at Princes Bridge Y1 and W CC246 Postcard – Biscay BG82 – W5 814 - CC247 Postcard – Biscay 796112 – Bourke St looking west CC248 Postcard – Biscay 796109 – Bourke St looking east CC249 Postcard – Biscay 2AUS58 – Z5 Bourke St CC250 Postcard – Biscay BG 249 – Swanston St CC251 Postcard – National View – St Kilda Rd – shrine and Prince Henrys W2 405 CC252 Postcard – Nu color vue – 11 ML 156 – St Kilda Rd CC253 Postcard – Nu color vue – 11 ML 153 – Swanston St CC254 Postcard – Nu Color vue – Collins St 442 CC255 Postcard – Pitt card – Adelaide – H 364 at Victoria St CC256 Postcard – SPER L/P 154 CC257 Postcard – BTMS – 550 CC258 Postcard – SPER – Brisbane 295 CC259 Adelaide 131 at Burnside – has R Lilburn on card, c1911 CC260 Adelaide 194 CC261 Adelaide 235, with two crew, The News photo CC262 Rockhampton, outside post office – has source of photo details CC263 Sydney – 2086 and 2062 arriving Circular Quay CC264 Sydney – P class – Pitt St? CC265 Sydney – 1610 at Circular Quay CC266 Brisbane 99 and 468 CC267 Sydney with bridge behind CC268 Steam tram Paramatta Park – 103 CC269 Sydney – Museum Station =- Elizabeth St CC270 Sydney – weed burner 137S at a loop Demonstrates the work of Charles Craig in photography and collection of prints.Assembled album in a black presentation folder of 270 photographs from the Charles Craig Collection - 86 sleeves - part 1 of 2. All photographs have been scanned and placed on the Museum's G drive. A list of all photographs with details where possible has been compiled. Victorian Provincial, Launceston, Hobart and Sydney tram photos have been transferred to other Museums, image files retained.melbourne, tramways, tramcars, trams, charles craig, st kilda junction, trackworks

Seems that Tom pays Ned's wages. Numerous bores were sunk , some were opened out and driven in the direction of the reef. Numerous Cross cuts were also made from the main tunnel.Unless otherwise stated the letters are from Dad (Richard Squire) to Tom, Hazel & Kiddies all. .1) Handwritten two page letter from Richard Squire to 'Tom & Hazel & little men' with information regarding the Leigh River Tunnel at Mount Mercer, dated 6/8/28. .2) Handwritten three page letter with information regarding mining operations dated 27.6.29. .3) Handwritten three page letter from Richard Squire to 'Tom & Hazel & Flock' with queries regarding the health of one of their children, other personal information and information regarding mining operations dated 18/7/29. .4) Handwritten one page letter from Richard Squire to 'Tom' dated 20/7/29, regarding the enclosed handwritten receipt with stamp for Call of two shares costing 8 pounds 7 shillings and 2 pence in Leigh River Tunnel Syndicate from Richard Squire dated 13th July 1927. .5) Handwritten two page letter from Richard Squire to 'Tom & Hazel & Pinchers' regarding his health, other personal information and information about the four page report of position of work at 'Leigh River Tunnel' enclosed. The letter is dated 29/11/29 and the report dated Nov 28th 29. .6) Handwritten two page letter with personal information and a suggestion that Tom learn to swim dated 13th Jan 30. .7) Handwritten two page report by Richard Squire regarding Leigh River Tunnel Syndicate plus a one page 'Rough Section' drawing of the tunnel dated 29th April 1930. .8) Typed one page report by Richard Squire regarding Leigh River Tunnel Syndicate and the findings of a new shaft dated 9th December 30. .9) Handwritten one page letter by Richard Squire to 'Tom' regarding mining operations and four handwritten receipts for payment of Calls from Richard Squire and Mr H McLeod and Mr E McLeod with stamps. .10) Handwritten two page letter regarding a meeting he had with the Secretary for Mines, Mr Whitehead dated 22 Feb 1931. .11) Handwritten two page letter regarding the difficulties in financing the mining operation occasioned by the interference of the government department dated 12th Mar 31. .12) Handwritten one page letter regarding the delay in the submission of his letter to the Gold Committee and with details of plans he had sent to Tom separately, dated 1st April 31. .13) Handwritten two page letter by Richard Squire to 'Tom' regarding personal matters including his health and also information regarding Tunnel work, dated May 11th 31. .14) Handwritten two page letter regarding the mine work, how his new employee, Ned, was going and also his health, dated Thur 21st May 31. .15) Handwritten two page letter regarding the Tunnel progress and financial matters dated Tue 26th May. .16) Handwritten three page letter regarding the Tunnel progress dated Thur June 11th. .17) Handwritten two page letter regarding the Tunnel progress, an issue relating to Ned's taxation assessment and his own health, dated 28th June 31. .18) Handwritten three page letter with detailed information on the Tunnel progress and information regarding his health, dated Thur July 23rd. .19) Handwritten two page letter regarding the Tunnel progress and some personal greetings, dated Thur July 30th 31. .20) Handwritten two page letter regarding the Tunnel progress, an agreement with Messrs Read & Peers? and a renaming of a Prospect as Lawaluk instead of Mount Mercer, dated Sun 2nd Aug 31. .21) Handwritten three page letter regarding the Tunnel progress, the lease agreement on Mr Read's property at Mount Mercer which he had been unable to pay and a parsley root remedy which a Ballarat Chinese herbalist had prescribed for his catarrh and had been effective, dated Thur 13th Aug 31. .22) Handwritten two page letter regarding the efficacy of the parsley (root) water in healing his catarrh and detailed progress report on the Tunnel which showed a little gold in the uncovered 'wash', dated Mon 24th Aug. .23) Handwritten three page letter regarding the progress of the Tunnel and one of the bores sunk also mentions his health, dated Mon Sept 7th. .24) Handwritten three page letter regarding the Tunnel progress in detail and an account of his illness, dated Thur 24th Sept. .25) Handwritten two page letter regarding the Tunnel progress in detail and his health which had been poor, dated Thur Oct 8th 31. .26) Handwritten four page letter regarding the Tunnel progress in detail, dated Thur Oct 22. .27) Handwritten four page letter regarding a detailed report of the Tunnel progress including the news of some show of gold and other personal matters including advising Tom not to drive there when he would have to drive home in the dark because of the accidents caused by 'Boosy Drivers', dated Thur Nov 19th 31. .28) Handwritten two page letter regarding the continued promising Tunnel progress, dated Thur Nov 26th. .29) Handwritten two page letter regarding Tunnel progress and personal matters relating to the coming Christmas visit, dated Thur Dec 3rd 1931. .30) Handwritten two page letter regarding Tunnel progress and personal matters regarding the impending visit by the family, dated Sun Dec 6th 31. .31) Handwritten two page letter regarding his health and the treatment proscribed by a Chinese herbalist and also some information about his expenses, dated Sunday 25/1/32. .32) Handwritten four page letter regarding Tunnel progress including a small diagram and further information on his health, dated Thur 25th Feb 32. .33) Handwritten three page letter regarding Tunnel progress and some personal and family information, dated Mon 21st 32. .34) Handwritten one page letter regarding some personal matters and information about the Tunnel progress, dated Thus 31st Mar. .35) Handwritten two page letter regarding detailed information about the Tunnel as well as a one page diagram of the Drives being excavated, dated Sun night 3rd April. .36). Handwritten three page letter from his home in Prahran regarding a mixture of personal matters and matters relating to the Tunnel, dated 18/4/32. .37) Handwritten one page letter regarding enclosed three shares which were to be placed as he was very short of funds, dated 19-4-32. .38) Handwritten two page letter from his home in Prahran regarding work carried out by Ned at the Tunnel and family matters, dated 6/5/32. .39) Handwritten one page letter from his home in Prahran regarding work carried out by Ned at the Tunnel, dated 10/5/32 plus an attached one page letter written by Ned (E. Woodlook) to 'Mr Squire' regarding regarding Tunnel progress, dated Saturday. .40) Handwritten two page letter from his home in Prahran regarding Tunnel progress and some personal matters, dated 27/5/32 plus an attached one page letter written by Ned to 'Mr Squire' regarding Tunnel progress and with the information that the rats were bad in Richard's hut, dated Friday. .41) Handwritten two page letter from his home in Prahran regarding Tunnel progress, dated 3/6/32 plus a two page letter written by E.Woodlock to 'Mr Squire' regarding Tunnel progress as well as person matters regarding his health, dated Friday (27th May 32 written in pencil by Richard). .42) Handwritten three page letter from his home in Prahran regarding tunnel progress and financial matters, also detailed information about the Madison's Tunnel, dated 8/6/32, plus a one page letter from E. Woodlock (Ned) to 'Mr Squire' regarding Tunnel progress dated Saturday (4 June, 32). .43) Handwritten three page letter from his home Prahran regarding a sketch he had made of Madison's Tunnel and the Mercer Shaft (not present) and the similarity of other mines with barely Payable gold, dated 13/6/32. plus a one page letter from E. Woodlock to 'Mr Squire' regarding Tunnel progress dated Saturday. .44) Handwritten one page letter by Richard Squire to 'Tom' from his home in Prahran with some personal information as well as the hope to return to Mt Mercer as he felt he was now well, not dated, plus a two page letter from E. Woodlock to 'Mr Squire' regarding duty stamps sent and Tunnel progress dated Saturday. .45) Handwritten two page letter from his home in Prahran regarding the progress of the Tunnel, dated 21/6/32, plus a one page letter from E. Woodlock regarding the progress of the Tunnel work, dated Monday (20/6/32). .46) Handwritten three page letter from his home in Prahran regarding the price of gold and the effect that mining Payable gold in the Madison Tunnel could have, dated 27/6/32. .47) Handwritten three page letter by Richard Squire to Tom, Hazel & Kiddies all' from his home in Prahran regarding his thoughts on the Madison Tunnel at Piggoreet, dated Mon 4th July 32, plus two one page letters by E Woodlock to 'Mr Squire' regarding the Tunnel work and more personal things, dated Wednesday (June 29th 32) and Saturday (July 2nd). .48) Handwritten two page letter from his home in Prahran regarding his intention to return to the diggings in a small car procured for his use and his intention to re-peg the Leigh River Lease in another name, dated Sun 17/7/32, plus a two page and a one page letter by E Woodlock to 'Mr Squire' regarding progress at the Tunnel dated Thursday (7th July) and Tuesday (12th July 32). .49) Handwritten one page letter by E Woodlock to Mr Squire detailing the tunnel work and other work related details dated Saturday (16th July 32), plus a one page letter by 'Dad' (Richard Squire) to 'Tom, Hazel & Kiddies all' regarding the letter sent by Ned (E Woodlock) and the ongoing work. He also talks about the health of Mam, his wife, dated 19th July 32. .50) Handwritten one page letter regarding the work at the tunnel and with the information that he was to finally return to the mine, dated 22/7/32, plus a one page letter by E Woodlock to Mr Squire about the ongoing work, dated Wednesday (20th July). .51) Handwritten two page letter written from Mt Mercer, regarding the works in the Mt Mercer Tunnel (mentioning South Cockloft). He also details that the drive from town (Melbourne) took 4 gallons of petrol, dated Thur 28th July 32. .52) Handwritten 3 page letter detailing the work carried on at the tunnels and with the information that underground gas had halted work temporarily. He was keen that Tom should visit one weekend soon, dated Sat 6th Aug 1932. .53) Handwritten four page letter detailing the work and new bore holes near Madisons Tunnel. The No 1 tunnel work had to be suspended due to continued gas filling the diggings every time the barometric pressure dropped. On the last page was a rough sketch of the area which was being worked, dated 19th Aug 32. .54) Handwritten two page letter regarding Tom's proposed visit to the site and some plans that he should bring with him. He also spoke of a pup that he was housing till Tom came, dated 21/8/32. .55) Handwritten one page letter encouraging Tom to bring skid chains for his vehicle as the road was muddy when he came on the weekend. He gave a brief account of the work and of the pup's progress, dated 25/8/32 .56) Handwritten three page letter regarding the weather and the relief he felt at knowing Tom and his companions had arrived safely home. He also thanked Tom for the cheques for Ned and detailed a little of the work at the tunnel and the need for more explosives as well as the fact that they had had to put a lock on the door of the hut to stop intruders, dated Sun Sept 4th 32. .57) Handwritten one page letter regarding the ongoing work at the tunnel, dated Thur Sept 8/32. .58) Handwritten two page letter written from Prahran, regarding his trip home, work at the tunnel and with information about the enclosed receipts, dated 16/9/32. Also included was a one page letter from E Woodlock to Mr Squire regarding the work at the tunnel, dated Wednesday. .59) Handwritten one page letter from Dad (Richard Squire) to 'Tom, Hazel & Kiddies all' written from Mt Mercer, regarding the work at the tunnel and the effect that 2 inches of rain had on the work, dated Wed Sept 20th 32. .60) Handwritten two page letter regarding the work at the tunnel and with the information that Mr Read who owned the property where the tunnel was located, had a serious accident in Melbourne, dated Thur 29th Sept 30 (this 1930 date is a mistake as the information contained in this letter follows on from his previous letter dated 20th Sept 32). .61) Handwritten one page letter regarding the work at the tunnel with the encouraging information that flecks of gold were found in about half a dish (mining pan), dated Thur Sept 22nd. .62) Handwritten two page letter regarding the progress at the tunnel and the difficulties of the work and thanks for Ned's cheque. Also mentioned was the information that Mr Read had a fractured pelvis and would be in hospital for two months, so Mrs Read with her father was looking after the shearing, dated Thur 6th Oct. .63) Handwritten two page letter with a third page of a diagram of a cross section of the Leigh River Tunnel, including the new tunnel and Madisons tunnel, with detailed description of the work in the tunnel, dated Sat 8th Oct. .64) Handwritten two page letter written from Prahran, giving detailed information of the tunnel and the expected outcome of the work. He also commented that he was to visit Mr Read in hospital, dated 14/10/32. .65) Handwritten two page letter written from Mt Mercer, giving information about the work in the tunnel and his visit to Mr Read, dated Wed 19th Oct. Enclosed also was a one page letter from E Woodlock to Mr Squire giving an account of his work in the tunnel, dated Thursday. .66) Handwritten one page letter regarding the work in the tunnel, dated Sun Oct 23/32. .67) Handwritten two page letter from Dad & Jim (Richard Squire) to 'Tom, Hazel & Kiddies all' regarding the receipt of Ned's wages cheque and the insurance of Ned's person as well as a detailed description of the tunnel and its relationship to Madisons Tunnel. He also gives some indication of his health, dated Tue Nov 1st 32. .68) Handwritten on page letter written from Prahran, giving a small amount of information about the tunnel work as well as his visit to see Mr Read and some personal information, undated. Enclosed also is a one page letter by E Woodlock to Mr Squire about the work in the tunnel, dated Thursday. .69) Handwritten one page letter with little information, dated 11/11/32. Also enclosed is a one page letter from E Woodlock to Mr Squire about the work in the tunnel, dated Thursday. .70) Handwritten three page letter with detailed information about the tunnel work and an aside about Jim's help and the he suffered from "Imaginitis imagines he sees a speck of gold in every bit of gravel met", dated 10/11/32. .71) Handwritten two page letter with detailed information on the work as their tunnel crossed with the old Madison Tunnel, dated Thur 17th Nov. .72) Handwritten three page letter detailing information on an application for a 500 acre lease which was posted at the Grenville Post Office and how it would impact on their lease. The upshot was that their leases would need to be re-pegged and the fee to publish a Notice of Application on their Leigh River claim was necessary to pay and he wondered if one of their investors would pay the 10 pounds necessary to secure the claim. He also spoke of perhaps forming a Company to put a plant on their Mt Mercer shaft as he felt that the gold would be of a payable quantity, dated Sunday 20th Nov, Also included was a note written by Ned (Edward Woodlock) who had copied the Notice of Application. .73) Handwritten two page letter detailing information found in Madison's Tunnel as it related to their own tunnels, particularly No 2 tunnel and how far he felt he would need to tunnel to reach an improvement in the 'wash', dated Thur 24th Nov. .74) Handwritten one page letter thanking him for the cheque the investor, Mr Wilkinson had provided for the Notice of Application for the Mt Mercer old Lease of 828 acres. He also gave some information about how it was originally farm labourers who only worked this lease and only when they had no other work. He also gave some personal information about Mam's birthday, dated Mon Nov 28th 32. .75) Handwritten two page letter by Dad (Richard Squire) to 'Tom, Hazel & Kiddies 3' written from Prahran, telling them that they had received Ned Cheque and that that Jim and He had come home. He also detailed an incident that Jim had had with a tyre blowout whilst on his way to get explosives and post the Notice of Application in the Warden's Office in Ballarat. The stub axle had bent and Jim had to ride a bike to get a new one and after changing the inner tube of the tyre they were able to drive back to Melbourne and were in the process on having the tyre re-treaded, dated 6/12/32. .76) Handwritten one page letter explaining how he and Mam had contracted colds and that his kidneys had some of their of trouble. He hoped to return to Mt Mercer on the weekend, dated 18th Jan 33. Also included was a handwritten two page letter by E Woodlock to Mr Squire giving information about the tunnel work, an injury to his hand and the fact that he had only 3 picks that were any good. He also asked for some vegetables, tomatoes and bacon when Richard returned, dated Saturday. .77) Handwritten one page letter written from Mt Mercer, giving information about the tunnel work, now 97'6" in and how he had expected to have already come upon the Madison's gold bearing gravel wash, dated Wed 25th Jan 33. .78) Handwritten two page letter with detailed information about how the tunnel had cut across a second Madison's tunnel and the prospects in this tunnel looked more promising. He also stated that he had not been well the last few days, dated Frid 27th 33 .79) Handwritten one page letter with information about the shotty gold found and the tunnel work and that he would test the value of the wash where the gold was found, dated Mon 30th Jan. .80) Handwritten short note of one page giving sketchy information about the tunnel work, dated Tue 31st Jan 33. .81) Handwritten two page letter giving information about his dealings with the Secretary for Mines relating to the fact that because the application for lease was identical to the old lease, they therefore should not need to pay for a full survey costing 7 pounds, just an inspection. He also detailed the workings and asks for more parsley roots to be sent to him, dated Thur Feb 9th 33. .82) Handwritten one page letter stating that he had received Ned's cheque and information about the workings, the coarse gold found and the fact they were going home for fresh food, dated Tue 14th 33. .83) Handwritten two page letter giving detailed information on the progress of the tunnelling as well as the information that Len and Max had come to visit the site and that Len had brought with him Keating, who he detested and pondered the reason for his bringing the man. As they were leaving Max "told Ned he thought they were going down to Ice Mam". Richard was worried about paying the 7 pounds ten shillings for the Department of Mines survey and was loath to put in another 20 pounds for another share of the mine to pay for it. He gave his thanks for a parcel of parsley he'd received , dated Tue 21st Feb 33. .84) Handwritten two page letter written saying that he had received Ned's cheque (for wages) and giving detailed information on the progress and for the need to timber the drive and have the bottom stoped up. He had no timber or laths left and was concerned about the cost necessary to satisfy the Mines Department. He mentions the possibility of insolvency. Fine gold had been found but not like the Madison's tunnel, dated Tue 28th Feb 33. .85) Handwritten two page letter written giving detailed information of the progress in the tunnel and with the expectation that they would soon meet the same wash which was in Madison's Tunnel. He also personal information about his health. the parsley roots received and the apples which Jim had "burgled", dated Sun 5th Mar 33. .86) Handwritten four page letter by with a very detailed account of the progress of the tunnelling and the reason why the expected intersection with the Madison wash did not occur, but with the hope that this intersection would soon occur, then they would be able to meet expenses. He also talked about not being able to pay for the lease but had the hope they they would not be too rigid in their case. He added some personal information about Jim not having the makings of a miner, catching rabbits "for the pot" and the fact that Mr Read was so much better that he was able to ride his horse, dated Sat 11th Mar 33. .87) Handwritten one page letter written from Prahran, acknowledging the receipt of Ned's cheque, a note about the work at the tunnel and some personal information, dated 21/3/33. .88) Handwritten one page letter written from Mt Mercer, saying that there was little change in the tunnel but that he was would open a cross cut north, dated Thur 23 March 33. .89) Handwritten note of a half page telling them that he had cross cut the tunnel, dated Sat 25th Mar. .90) Handwritten one page letter with progress of the tunnelling and where it is in relation to Madison's Tunnel, dated Thur 30th Mar 33. .91) Handwritten three page letter with the first part of the letter talking about the personal and financial worries he and his family had with travelling and mining expenses as well as Ned's wages which could not have been managed without Judy's little car, Jim's help and the payment of Ned's wages by Tom. He went on to give detailed information of the tunnelling and then talked about a letter received by the Department of Mines regarding the non payment of the lease and that a Notice of Abandonment would be published if not paid. Lastly he talked about the struggle he had had with this process and that it was only because of Tom's help that he had been able to continue this far, dated Sun 2/4/33. .92) A one page letter with information about the progress as well as the information that he had not heard from the Mines Department regarding the lease, and the the 1000 sq ft Miners Right Claim was secure, dated Thur 6th April. .93) A three page letter with detailed information about the work in the tunnel and also detailed explanation of the leases he has pegged and repegged. He also thanked Tom for paying the balance which was owed to the Department and informed Tom that he was going home, dated Tues 11th April 33. .94) A four page letter written from Prahran, thanking Tom for Ned's cheque and with information about the work still being carried on by Ned. He also talked about the pegging of the Mt Mercer claim and the cost of the advertisement and application and survey fees to secure the site as well as his opinion of the probable value of the gold from this site. He also stated that he really needed more investment from those who had initially invested with him or from new investors, dated 17/4/33. Included was a one page letter from Edward Woodlock (Ned) to Mr Squire regarding the work he was carrying out at the tunnel, dated Saturday. .95) A three page letterwritten from Mt Mercer, regarding the work in the tunnel and the quality of the gold found and the direction they will take. He also stated that he was posting letters to the original investors to see if they would contribute to the cost of the lease and also talked about another man who had a Notice of Application posted at Grenville for the water rights for a 25 miles long area and a dam. His Capital is 300 pounds and the supposition is that he wants to 'unwater' the leads, dated Frid 20th April. .96) A one page letter regarding the continued work in the tunnel and how his suppositions seemed to be correct, dated Thur 27th April 33. .97) A three page letter thanking Tom for Ned's cheque of 6 pounds 7 shillings and 6 pence. He also gave detailed information about the tunneling and the type of ground found and his next intentions. He also gave further information about the Notice of Application at Grenville which was posted by B Ryan, Agent for Western Deep Leads Coy Limited for 6000 acres, dated Sun 30th April 33. As well is a note detailing the information copied from the Notice. .98) A two page handwritten letter detailing the work being carried out as well as a complaint that he had not heard from the men he had written to, dated Thur 4th May 33. .99) A one page handwritten letter regarding the tunnel work and informing Tom that the gold found is shotty, dated Sat 6th May 33. .100) A four page handwritten letter written from Prahran, detailing the tunnel work and informing that the gold prospects were better in no.1 cross cut south and there was also payable fair gold where they were currently working, if worked in bulk. He also talked about the possibility of new investors as the old ones had not responded to his letter and the necessity of securing the leases, dated 11th May 1933. .101) A one page handwritten letter by E. Woodlock (Ned) to Mr Squire regarding the work going on, dated Thursday. .102) A six page handwritten letter written from Prahran historically detailing the acquisition of the two leases at Mt Mercer, 35 years earlier, with M C Donnely/Donney and Jas Clements, including Madisons. He goes on to clarify Tom's suggestion regarding the Leases and the Companies to be floated, then details the the shafts, bores, tunnels and Deep Leads held in the leases and then goes on to say what his next steps would be, dated 13th May 33. .103) A two page letter written from Mt Mercer detailing the continued work in the tunnel with the added information that because of the incline it was taking two men to push the truck up the tunnel. Richard also told of the need to take more parsley water for his condition, dated Thur 18th 33. .104) A three page letter with a very detailed description of the work in the tunnel. Richard also told that he had run out of metal rails and was having to use timber as a substitute. He was also to re-peg the North and South Leases in the morning, dated Sun 21st May 33. .105) A two page letter detailing the work in the tunnel and saying that there was a hundred feet of rail locked in by a fall in the No.2 Tunnel and he was hoping to get them out to replace the wooden rails as they made for heavy work on the inclines. He also said that he had a letter from the Department telling him to communicate with the Surveyor in Ballarat, dated Wed 24th May. .106) A three page letter acknowledging Ned's cheque as well as information about the work in the tunnel, including that he had been able to retrieve 45 feet of rail and would get more when needed. He said he was pleased that Tom and Mr Wilkinson were making a trip on Saturday to see him. He talked of the weather and the fact that the bread was a week old, so to bring enough to last till the Monday. Among other things he also spoke of Tom revising the Plans and also having a Share book printed and the name was to be the Ballarat Deep Leads Extension for which there could possibly be 3 Companies, dated Sun 28th May. .107) A one page letter with information about the work in the tunnel and also a weather update and the best way to come, dated Wed 31 May 33. .108) A two page letter written from Prahran, explaining a visit to the Leigh River Shaft to get whim rope, whip wheels and sundry items. He shifted some equipment and built a new forge and was to fix and mount a windlass and rope to enable Ned to get the truck up the incline of the tunnel. He also spoke of the work being undertake by Ned then when on to more personal correspondence about a birthday present for one of Tom's boys, dated 9/6/33. .109) A two page letter acknowledging receipt of the 'Prospectus of the Ballarat Deep Leads Extension Syndicate' and 'Share Certificate'. The No.1 Lease was in Ned's name and the No.2 Lease was in Jim's name to avoid inquisitive interest. Jim logged a Notice of Application and paid the fees. Richard acknowledged receipt of Ned's cheque and asked for 5 pounds as his finances were 'rather tight', dated 14/6/33. Included was a 1 page letter from Ned to Mr Squire regarding the work in the mine, dated Saturday. .110) A one page letter written from Mt Mercer giving information about what was happening in the new x cut N near the mouth of the tunnel, dated Friday 16/6/33. .111) A one page letter telling about the work and that he had fixed an old shed of Mr Reads for the forge. Mr Read and Mr Cameron visited and Richard was hopeful that Mr Cameron, the owner of the land in the North Lease would be easy as regards an agreement, dated June 22/33. .112) A two page letter which talked about his health, the mine, the local J.P. who had lost his eye in a shearing accident and the surveyors visit, He also spoke about contacting the Gold Mines Ltd and the Berry Leads Company, dated Tue 27th 33. Also included was a letter to the Mines Department and a receipt from the Mines Department for the sum of 7 pounds 10 shillings as well as the Lease Applications from the newspaper dated June 13th 1933. .113) A two page letter complaining of the charge made by the Mines Department for a Surveyors Inspection. He also wrote of trying to set up a float for the mine which he would do when he returned home.He also explained the current findings at the mine, dated Sun 2nd July 1933. .114) A one page note written from Prahran informing Tom that he had not yet heard from Gold Mines Ltd and also that there was a hitch with the lease on the house, but this was to hopefully be fixed the following day. He also spoke of Tom's trip home (completed in tow), dated 18/7/33. .115) A two page letter recounting some of the difficulties they were having with the new owners of the house they leased in Prahran. He also spoke of the fact that the Mines Department had requested another 10 pounds although they had not yet completed the survey on either mine, dated 21/7/1933. Also included was a one page letter from E. Woodlock (Ned) to Mr Squire about the workings, dated Tuesday and a letter from the Gold Mines of Australia Limited saying that the information he had supplied was now with their engineers, dated 20th July, 1933. .116) A three page letter written from Armidale saying that Mam (his wife) was fretting with the move to this house. He also told of the rejection by the Gold Mines of Australia Limited of his proposal to invest in his Mt Merser Mine, stating that he believed that Jim Clements who had been the manager when the mine had previously been opened, had most likely "thrown all the cold water he could" on the proposal. He spoke at length about how this man had run the mine into the ground and his own involvement with the winding up of the company. He went on to say that he would approach Ryall to see if he was interested in investing, dated 28/7/33. Included was the letter from Gold Mines of Australia Limited, dated 26th July, 1933. .117) A two page letter written from Prahran telling of the move to another house where Mam was quite settled. He also wrote of the work Ned was carrying out at the mine as well as personal and family news. He wrote that as he had not heard from Ryall, he would visit him the following day, dated 6/8/33. Also included was a two page letter from E Woodlock to Mr Squire giving detailed information of the progress at the tunnel, as well as asking for a new pair of boots as the ground was so wet his were letting in the water, dated Thursday. .118) A two page letter explaining about a letter he received from Mr Cameron who believed he had found gold as well as some personal information and his health, dated 8/8/33. Also included was a one page letter from Neil W Cameron to R B Squire telling about some specks of gold he'd found in a post hole, dated July 31st 33. Thirdly was a one page letter from Ned to Mr Squire explaining the work he was doing in the tunnel, dated Saturday. .119) A one page note saying that he did not like the enclosed 2 copies of the typed Agreement of the Leigh River Gold Mining Company with William Ryall, but asked Tom's advice. dated 9/8/33. .120) A two page letter dealing mainly about the work going on at the new house and the settling in process. He also wrote about the proposed Agreement with Ryall, dated 11/8/33. Also included was a one page letter from Mr Ryall to R B Squire from which part of the left hand side had been severed, dated 10th August 1933. .121) A one page note from R B Squire to W Ryall dated 14/8/33, with attached one page of information and figures. Also attached a one page letter from R B Squire to W Ryall asking if Ryall would be interested viewing the plans for an alluvial mining proposition, dated 27/7/33. .122) A three page letter mainly about the visit to Ryall and a Mr Cundy about the proposed agreement with his concerns about the language and terms of the agreement, dated Sun 21st 33. Also included was a letter from Ned to Mr Squire about the continued work in the tunnel and the fact that two of the pick heads had cracked and would have to be fixed, dated Thursday. .123) A two page letter dealing with a meeting had with Ryall and others in a private office regarding the interest in investing in the mining proposition, dated 23/8/33. .124) A four page letter dealing mainly with the work at the tunnel and exploratory diggings at the spot Mr Cameron had written about as well as the damage done to the car on the way to the workings, dated 29/8/33. .125) A one page letter telling of a proposed meeting with Mr Taylor and a Mr Bowler, who may turn out to be Alan Bowler who he knew, regarding the Mr Mercer Float scheduled for the following day, dated 30/8/33. .126) A five page letter explaining the content of the meeting held with Mr Bowler, who represented an English consortium which was interested in the Mt Mercer site. He explained the terms that the consortium would offer if they went ahead, This included 25 % shares in the mine but no money, which he bemoaned because of the shortness of their cash reserves. He went on to detail the 4 distinct deposits of wash in this field, which he believed were unique in the Ballarat district. He also stated that he had not heard from Mr Ryall. He closed by talking about the water levels in the mine, dated 1/9/33. .127) A two page letter saying that he had written an 11 page report on the Mt Mercer field for the English consortium as well as a private letter for the chairman.He also reported that he had been to see Ryall. Neither party knew that he was talking to the other. added was some personal information, dated 6/9/33. .128) A one page letter telling of a meeting with Mr Bowler and Mr Tayler who carefully went through his report. It was then being typed. He believed he had two strong supporters, dated 7/9/33. Also included was a 2 page note from A Bowler to R B Squire asking him to bring the report into the office the following day to be perused and typed, dated Sept 6th 33. .129) A two page letter with personal encouragement for one of the children. The letter then goes on with more information about the meeting with Mr Tayler and Bowler and his impressions of their interest. He also talked about the one of the experts who was to examine the site and also about the report which was now typed and a copy sent to Tom, dated 8/9/33. .130) A one page letter keeping him informed of progress. The expert was away but would be briefed on his return. He also thanked Tom for a cheque, which was used to get the car 'Liz' back in order for the trip to be made with the experts at a later date. He informed Tom of his intention to return to Mt Mercer, dated 13/9/33. .131) A one page letter written from Mt Mercer telling of the trip from Melbourne and the weather. He spoke of what was happening in the tunnel and that he had not yet heard from any of the interested parties, dated Tue 19th Sept. .132) A five page letter written from Prahran with detailed information about the tunnels, the washes and the shows. He also detailed his meeting with Bryant 38 years ago at the No 1 at Carisbrook and how he had given him assistance at that time and subsequently as well as giving his version of a potted history of Bryant, dated 29/9/33. .133) A two page letter with information about the arrival of the chairman of the English group and that Ned had shown Mr Kermode around the site, dated 6/10/33. Also included was a cutting from the Age about the arrival of Mr F W Baker, representing a large English financial group interested in Victorian deep lead propositions, dated Oct 6th. As well were two, one page letters from Ned (E Woodlock) to Tom, regarding the work in the tunnels, the bad air and the hopes of a successful float, dated Tuesday and Wednesday. .134) A one page letter thanking them for the gift of eggs and parsley. He also talked about a letter from Bowler regarding the business of the experts and that their leases would be seen in due course, dated 10/10/33. Included was a one page letter from A Bowler to P B Squires saying that Mt Mercer site was receiving attention but that no decision had as yet been made, dated Oct 9th 1933. .135) A three page letter written from Prahran giving information about Richards visit and conversation with Mr Ryall, who indicated that no decision had as yet been made regarding his proposal. He also included some personal information about members of the family, dated 18/10/33. Included was a one page letter from Ned (E Woodlock) to Tom with information about the tunnelling progress in no.2 tunnel and the bad air that drove them out for a time, dated Saturday. .136) A one page letter containing a brief update on the state of affairs , dated 20/10/33. Included was a one page letter from Ned to Mr Squire with an information on the progress at the tunnel and with the information that his hands were cracked so badly that he was wearing two socks on each hand, dated Saturday. .137) A one page letter which family news and a paragraph about the figures in his calculations, dated 21/10/33. On the back side was a letter from E Squire (his wife) to Tom, Hazel & boys again with family and personal information, dated 22nd 10/33. .138) A three page letter with the disappointing news that the English consortium would not take up the option on the Mt Mercer lease and gave his opinion that it was self interest that stopped it going ahead. He then gave two options as to the way forward, dated 24/10/33. Also included was a typed one page letter from W C Tayler to R B Squire informing him of a letter stating that the proposal had been turned down, dated 23rd October 1933. .139) A three page letter informing of further developments with Mr Tayler who asked for the plans to be left at the office till the following week as there was another company who may yet be interested to take up the option, dated 27/10/33. .140) A one page letter asking for 9 copies of the old agreement to be typed for the 3 Syndicate members, Rice, Cameron and McNaughton, dated 5/11/33. .141) A three page letter regarding the decision by the Syndicate to reopen the LRG shaft and the practical issues of timber acquisition and probable costs. He then went on to talk about Mam's indisposition and treatment by the herbalist, Goon, dated 8/11/33. Also included was a newspaper clipping from the Age entitled 'Inquiries for properties at Ballarat'. .142) A three page letter giving all the news regarding the agreements, the costs and the way forward. He also spoke of his wife's improvement and other personal information, dated 11/11/33. .143) A two page letter written from Mt Mercer regarding the difficulties in obtaining the timbers and tanks needed to reopen the shaft and the state of all the existing fittings and what would be needed to get the site operational again. His agreement with Mr Read had duly been signed, dated Thurs 16th 33. .144) A two page letter with further information about the progress with acquiring and repairing the shaft site, dated Mon Nov 20th 33. .145) A three page letter informing that the timber for the whim & shaft were being delivered and the area had been cleared out for the poppet heads. The top of the shaft had been cleared ready for re-framing and other work had been carried out. Liz, the car had broken down and Jim was in the process of fixing her. He concluded with information about his and his wife's health, dated Sun 26th Nov 33. .146) A four page letter with news of Mam's health, the problems associated with fixing the car and the floods which stopped Jim from going to Ballarat and washed away the Gary Bridge which affected the mail and had halted work at the shaft, as well as delaying the second delivery of timber, dated Sun Dec 3rd. .147) richard squire, william ryall, jim clements, gold mines of australia limited, e woodlock, ned woodlock, neil w cameron, alan bowler, mr cundy, don mcnaughton, mr rice