This item came from the estate of Dorothy and Agnes Ardlie of Warrnambool. It is a type of autograph book where the signatures are used to form inkblots, thus creating patterns which in this case are called the ‘ghosts’ of those signing. The making and interpreting of ink blots became popular in the late 19th century and this autograph book created by Cecil Henland is a quirky example of this craze. The autograph book belonged to Agnes Ardlie and was apparently given to her on her 13th birthday (1928). Dorothy Ardlie (1910-1993) and Agnes Ardlie (1915-1993) were the daughters of Arthur and Ethel Ardlie of Warrnambool, the granddaughters of the prominent Warrnambool lawyer, William Ardlie and his wife Mary and the great granddaughters of John and Mary Ardlie, pioneer settlers in Warrnambool. This book is of great interest as a good example of an early 20th century style of autograph book using the signatures to form ink blots. It also has local provenance as the signatures/blots are mostly those of an Ardlie family and other early to mid 20th century Warrnambool personalities.This is a book of 50 pages. The cover is dark red with the inkblot or ‘ghost of a celebrated general’ in black and white in the middle of the front cover. This inkblot is reprinted on the second page. The front cover and spine have gold printing. The book originally had 48 blank pages with a fold down the middle and printed space at the top and bottom for a date and a name. This book has 19 blank pages and the others are filled with ink blots formed by writing a signature along the fold and then folding over the sheet without blotting to get patterns called in this book, ‘ghosts’. The book has a signature and an inscription handwritten in black ink, a page of instructions, and a poem called ‘Ghosts’. To Agnes with love from Mickie Sept 5th 1928 Agnes Marianne Ardlie ardlie family, history of warrnambool

Tait collection: item 60 of 62 This is a document giving George Weeks, a sawmiller from Invercargill in New Zealand, an order of discharge from his debts in 1883. In the Southland Times of March 1876 there is a notice of a meeting of creditors of George Weeks of Invercargill in the matter of his insolvency. It is not clear whether the document we have concerns that same insolvency or a further one. If it is the same one then it took seven years for George Weeks to gain his legal discharge from debt. It is not known how this document came to be in Warrnambool but it is assumed that it was in the possession of a Warrnambool lawyer, probably Ernest Chambers, who had legal offices in Warrnambool at the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century. It has been passed down to successive lawyers occupying legal offices in Kepler street, Warrnambool and was located in this building in 2014. This document has no known relevance to Warrnambool except that it was in the possession of a 19th century Warrnambool lawyer. This is a cream-coloured piece of parchment paper folded in two, with handwritten material in brown/black ink on two of the pages. The material gives details of the court order of discharge from debt of George Weeks, a sawmiller from Invercargill, New Zealand. There are red lines ruled at the edges of one of the pages. There is a red stamp of the District Court of Western Otago. The writing is fading but legible. In the District Court of Western Otago Holden at Invercargill In the matter of the Debtors and Creditors Act 1876 and the several acts amending the same and in the matter of George Weeks of Invercargill Sawmiller a debtorgeorge weeks, invercargill new zealand, tait collection

Tait collection: item 29 of 62 This document contains information on the Will and Letters of Administration of James Jones, a gardener from Warrnambool. The document indicates that he died intestate in August 1896 at the age of 57 but details of a will are included in the document. The fact that this document was drawn up 14 years after his death indicates that there was a problem with the will. James Jones left real estate to the value of £80 and personal estate to the value of £10. The sole beneficiary was his widow, Mary Ann Jones. No other information has been found on James Jones. No Warrnambool lawyer is mentioned in this document but it was located at the former legal premises in Kepler Street of Mackay Taylor and passed on to the Warrnambool and District Historical Society in 2014. It is presumed that it had been passed down to successive lawyers occupying the same building since 1910. This document is of interest because it contains information on the Will and Letters of Administration of a Warrnambool resident, James Jones. It will be useful for research.This is a cream-coloured piece of parchment paper (1910) folded in two with handwritten material on three sides. The first page has black printed material in script with the information filled in in black ink. It contains the information on the Will and Letters of Administration of James Jones, a gardener from Warrnambool. The paper is ruled on one side with black lines. The seal of the Supreme Court of Victoria is attached with green ribbon. One page is very stained. In the Supreme Court of Victoria; In the Probate Jurisdiction; In the Will and Estate of James Jones late of Warrnambool in Victoria Gardener deceasedjames jones, warrnambool, tait collection

Tait collection: item 41 of 62 This document gives the details of the Will and Probate of Henry Phillips who died in Warrnambool in 1895 at the age of 55. He came to Australia from England in 1861 and established a hay and corn store in Liebig Street, Warrnambool. He was a prominent member of the Congregational Church and lived at ‘Ilfracombe’ in Lava Street. He and his wife Emma had eight children, two of whom had businesses in Warrnambool. Henry Phillips left personal estate to the value of £521 and the beneficiaries were his wife, Emma and their children. This document came into the possession of a Warrnambool lawyer, Ernest Chambers and passed down to successive lawyers occupying legal premises in Kepler Street. The document was located in this building in 2014 in the former premises of the law firm of Mackay Taylor. This document is of considerable importance as it contains details of the Will and Probate of Henry Phillips. He was a prominent businessman in Warrnambool in the 19th century. The document will be useful to researchers. This is a cream-coloured piece of parchment paper folded in two and containing the Will and Probate details of Henry Phillips, a Warrnambool hay and corn merchant who died in 1895. The document has handwritten material (black ink) on three sides of the paper. A seal of the Supreme Court of Victoria is attached with a green ribbon and there is one red stamp of the Master in Equity of the Supreme Court on the second page. The handwriting is fading in some places but is still legible. In the Supreme Court of the Colony of Victoria In the Probate Jurisdiction In the Will of Henry Phillips late of Warrnambool in the Colony of Victoria Hay and Corn Merchant deceasedhenry phillips, walter briggs and son, tait collection, ernest chambers

This book was awarded in 1884 to Bessie McMahon from the Warrnambool State School. The teacher was Bella Davidson. Warrnambool State School No. 1743 in Jamieson Street, Warrnambool, was opened in 1876 and is still open today. Elizabeth Mary (Bessie) McMahon was the daughter of William and Mary McMahon of Glenrye, Warrnambool. Her father was a Warrnambool lawyer. Bessie McMahon married John Clarke of Garvoc. Isabella (Bella) Davidson was the daughter of John and Isabella Davidson of Rosebank near Woodford. She became a well-known teacher in Warrnambool, commencing as a pupil teacher in the Warrnambool National School (later Common School 646) and moving to the Warrnambool State School in Jamieson Street when it opened. She resigned in 1886 to open a private school in Koroit Street (known as Ellerslie College) and continued as the proprietor and Head Teacher until 1891. This book is of considerable importance because of its association with the Warrnambool State School early in its existence, with Bella Davidson, a noted Warrnambool educationalist of the 19th century and with Bessie McMahon, a member of a prominent family in 19th century Warrnambool.This is a hard cover book of 310 pages. The cover has a blue background with gold and black ornamentation and a gold shield. The shield contains an illustration of a girl lowering a bundle down from a window to a boy below. The lettering on the cover and spine is gold and the pages are gilt-edged. The cover is slightly stained. There are several full-page black and white illustrations scattered throughout the pages. The illustration at the front of the book is loose and the binding is partly detached from the spine. The inscription is handwritten in black ink. ‘Warrnambool State School 1743 Decem 1884 Prize Awarded to Bessie McMahon for highest marks in French Div 111 B. Davidson’ warrnambool state school, bella davidson, bessie mcmahon, history of warrnambool

This is a framed photograph showing a key event in Warrnambool's history - the proclamation by Sir Arthur Stanley of Warrnambool as a city in 1918. Warrnambool was the fifth non--metropolitan town in Victoria to be declared a city and a large crowd gathered outside the Town Hall to see this event. Sir Arthur Stanley (Lord Stanley of Alderley) was an English nobleman, Parliamentarian and soldier who was the Governor of Victoria from 1914 to 1920. The photographer was Arthur Jordan who, like his father Joseph, was a prominent photographer in Warrnambool at the end of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th centuries and took many official photographs of civic affairs. The donor of the photograph, probably immediately after the event to the Warrnambool Museum at the time under the auspices of the Warnambool Mechanics' Institute, was George Mackay, a prominent Warrnambool lawyer, Councillor and Mayor. He was probably responsible for the framing of the photograph.This is a significant photograph as it is a record of an important event in Warrnambool's history and is a great research toolThis is a black and white photograph in a polished wooden frame with a card inset and a glass covering. The photograph shows the Governor of Victoria, Sir Arthur Stanley, in civilian dress standing on a platform outside the Warrnambool Town Hall proclaiming Warrnambool a city. Behind the Governor on the platform are many men and some women and in the foreground left is a band and in the foreground centre are Army school cadets. The photograph frame has a wooden backing with a piece of wire attached for hanging the object. In the photograph also is a columm with a sign on it.His Excellency the State Governor Sir Arthur Stanley Proclamation- Warrnambool a City 23rd May 1918 Warrnambool Museum & Art Gallery Presented by G.S.Mackay Warrnambool Arthur Jordanwarrnambool -a city in 1918, sir arthur stanley, george s. mackay, arthur jordan

These items came from the estate of the Misses Ardlie, (Dorothy and Agnes). They are visiting cards for their father and themselves. Dorothy Ardlie (1910-1993) and Agnes Ardlie (1915-1993) were the daughters of Arthur and Ethel Ardlie of Warrnambool, the granddaughters of the prominent Warrnambool lawyer, William Ardlie and his wife Mary and the great granddaughters of John and Mary Ardlie, pioneer settlers in Warrnambool. Visiting cards were used for business purposes or when making formal calls to other families. These cards show two residences of Dorothy and Agnes – Aroona, 19 Princess Street and Little Wyton at 3 Nelson Street. Wyton was the name of one of Captain John Ardlie’s ships. The fact that the Misses Ardlie had visiting cards are an indication that they were two of the more affluent and high profile members of Warrnambool society in the 20th century. These cards are of interest, firstly as an example of a visiting card used in the early to mid 20th century and secondly as mementoes of the Ardlie family of Aroona, Warrnambool. .1 These are 9 identical white visiting cards for Agnes Ardlie. The cards are rectangular in shape and have black cursive printing. .2 These are 2 white visiting cards for Miss Ardlie. They are rectangular in shape and have black cursive printing and alterations in blue ink handwriting. .3 These are 5 white visiting cards for Arthur Ardlie. One card is very discoloured. The cards are rectangular in shape and have black cursive printing and alterations in blue ink handwriting on two of them. ardlie family,, warrnambool, warrnambool lawyer,

Tait collection: item 27 of 62. This document contains details of the Will of William Stacey Spencer, formerly of Stanstead, Mount Fitchet but late of Birchanger, Essex, England. He was a corn merchant and malster and died in England in October 1897. He left an estate with a gross value of £4973, with the beneficiaries being his wife and children. Three codicils were added to the will, one being caused by the death of an executor, William Spencer’s brother. The English lawyers involved in drawing up this will were Richardson, Foxwell and Hart of Much Hadham, England. As this document is an Exemplification of the Will and was drawn up in the colony of Victoria it is presumed that one or more of the beneficiaries was a resident in Victoria and possibly in the Warrnambool district. The Warrnambool lawyers, Henry Parrington and Con O’Mahony have their names in the document. The document has been, with others, passed down to successive lawyers occupying legal premises in Kepler Street, Warrnambool and located in that building in 2014. Unless some local connection can be found to William Spencer, this document is of interest only in that it was drawn up by local Warrnambool lawyers in 1899.This is a cream-coloured document consisting of five double parchment pages bound together with green cord and including a folded-over inset piece of paper on the front page. Nine of the pages have ruled black lines on the edges and there is handwritten material in black ink on nine pages. The document gives details of the will and codicils of William Spencer of Essex, England who died in1897. The document has the seal of Her Majesty’s High Court of Justice, Probate Division, attached with white binding and a stamp for three pounds attached with a metal insert. The document is somewhat grubby but is legible.In Her Majesty's High Court of Justice (Probate Division), Principal Registry Exemplification of Will of Mr William Stacey Spencer deceased Dated 15 August 1899william spencer, con o'mahony, henry parrington, tait collection, william stacey spencer

This plate was presented in 1900 to a Warrnambool lawyer, William Ardlie, on the occasion of his marriage to Maud Taylor. It was recovered from the fire which destroyed the Hotel Mansions building in Warrnambool in 1929. This building was opened in 1890 as the Grand Ozone Coffee Palace (a temperance hotel). It was at the corner of Koroit and Kepler Streets. In 1891 the Coffee Palace was granted a wine licence and in 1895 it was re-named the Ozone Hotel. The building was closed in 1915 and re-opened in 1920 as the Hotel Mansions. In 1923 the Hotel Mansions became a fully-licensed hotel and in 1929 it was destroyed by fire. The present-day Hotel Warrnambool was built on the site. William Ardlie, the son of a pioneer Warrnambool settler, John Ardlie, began practising as a lawyer in Warrnambool in the mid 1860s and dominated the legal scene in Warrnambool, continuing on his practice until he was over 80. He and his second wife, Maud, were occupying an apartment in the Hotel Mansions when it was destroyed by fire and this plate is a relic of the fire. The Warrnambool Bowling Club which presented the plate to William Ardlie, was established early in the 1890s and William Ardlie was an enthusiastic supporter and one-time office bearer.This plate is of great significance as it was one of the few items that still exist that was recovered from the 1929 Hotel Mansions fire and its story contains so much of Warrnambool’s history with its connections to:- 1. The story of the Hotel Mansions, the grandest building ever erected in Warrnambool 2. The story of William Ardlie, a dominant figure in the legal world in Warrnambool for over 60 years 3. The story of the Warrnambool Bowls Club, still existing today. This is a silver plate with an oval base with an inside ring and a rim of scroll patterning. The recessed edges of the plate are highly ornamented with scrolls and flower patterning. Parts of the edge of the plate are missing and jagged as this plate has been in a major fire. On the base of the plate are three silver studs for the plate to rest on a surface. The fourth stud is missing. On the rim of the plate are two small projections, suggesting the plate originally had a handle. On the base of the plate is an inscription.‘Presented by the members of the Warrnambool Bowling Club to William Ardlie Esq.re (ex President) on the occasion of his WEDDING, 10th January 1900.’ grand ozone coffee palace/ozone hotel/ hotel mansions, warrnambool, william ardlie, warrnambool bowls club, history of warrnambool

These items, 1930s bank books belonging to Michael Toohey, a Woodford farmer, come from the estates of the Ardlie family of Warrnambool and appear to have been stored amongst the office material of the prominent Warrnambool lawyer, William Ardlie (1843-1933). He was the son of pioneer Warrnambool settlers, John and Mary Ardlie. William Ardlie established a legal practice in Warrnambool in 1867, initially in partnership with George Barber. Ardlie was a dominant figure in legal and community circles in Warrnambool and continued with his legal practice until the early 1930s. The bank books were issued by the Commercial Banking Company of Sydney. A Warrnambool branch of this bank was established in 1927 when it acquired the Bank of Victoria. The Warrnambool branch of the Bank of Victoria at 92 Liebig Street then became the Commercial Bank of Sydney. In 1958 the bank building was demolished and new premises were built. In 1981 the Commercial Bank of Sydney merged with the National Bank of Australia and traded as the National Bank in the building at 92 Liebig Street until the premises were closed in 1985.These items are of minor interest as mementoes of the Warrnambool branch of the Commercial Banking Company of Sydney..1 A bank book with a hard black cover and pages containing ruled black lines. The cover has a white label pasted on. This has black printing and handwriting. The pages contain handwritten debit and credit entries. .2 A bank book with a soft black cover and a white label pasted on. This label has black printing and handwriting. The pages have ruled red lines, some entries in black handwriting and some bank stamps. Most of the pages are unused. Mr M. Toohey Michael Toohey Woodford commercial banking co of sydney, warrnambool branch, michael toohey,, woodford farmer, history of warrnambool

Eight of these letter books contain letters written by the Warrnambool lawyer George Mackay. They are mostly letters written to contacts while he was living in Scotland and letters sent from Warrnambool to Scotland to his daughter, Margueretta (Meta) who was studying medicine. Scottish-born George Sutherland Mackay (1850-1926) opened a legal practice in Kepler Street, Warrnambool in 1891 and in 1893 bought the business of the late James Fletcher, with the business known as Fletcher and Mackay. In the 1920s John Taylor became a partner and the firm of Mackay, Taylor & Co. (later Mackay Taylor) continued until 1999 when it merged with Taits Solicitors to form Tait Taylor (now Taits Legal). George Mackay was a Warrnambool Councillor and the first Mayor to hold office for four successive years. He was instrumental in getting the Warrnambool High School established and was the Chairman of the first School Council. Two of these letter books contain letters written by Ernest Powling. One letter book contains letters written by James Mack, a Warrnambool accountant These letter books are of considerable importance as they contain letters relating to legal matters in Warrnambool and district from the late 19th century to the mid 1940s. The letters also give an insight into the private life of a prominent Warrnambool lawyer, George Sutherland Mackay..1 This letter book has a dark blue cover, brown leather binding, an alphabetical index with tabs and handwritten letters. The spine is damaged. .2 This letter book has a dark red cover with red binding, an alphabetical index with tabs, a handwritten label on the front cover, information on the ledger maker and the handwriting of the letter writer inside the front cover. The spine is slightly damaged. .3 This letter book has a dark red mottled cover with white binding, an alphabetical index with tabs and a handwritten label on the front cover. .4 This letter book has a dark red cover with white paper binding and a handwritten label on the cover. .5 This letter book has a dark blue cover, red binding, and alphabetical index with tabs. The spine is slightly damaged. A loose receipt is inside the front cover. .6 This letter book has a mottled blue and pink cover, black binding, an alphabetical index with tabs and handwritten personal letters. .7 This letter book has a dark green cover, brown binding, an alphabetical index with coloured tabs and handwritten private letters. .8 This letter book has a mottled cover with black binding and an alphabetical index with tabs. Many of the letter copies are upside down. .9 This letter book has a dark green cover with red binding, an alphabetical index with tabs and handwritten personal letters. .10 This letter book has a dark green cover with buff-coloured leather binding, an alphabetical index with tabs and copies of typed letters. The leather is torn on the front cover. .11 This letter book has a green cover, a brown leather spine and a paper label pasted on the cover. This book has the spine detached and is badly waterstained .2 G Sutherland Mackay 1874 Private Letter Book james mack, warrnambool, ernest powling, port fairy, george mackay, warrnambool, history of warrnambool

Tait collection: item 47 of 62 This is a document giving details of the Will and Letters of Administration following the death in 1895 of Charles Spencer of Brooklands, Birchanger, Essex, England. It is not known why the document has been drawn up in Melbourne and also makes reference to Warrnambool lawyers but it is presumed that some or all of the beneficiaries of the will lived in the Warrnambool district at the time. Charles Spencer left personal estate to the value of £689 to his wife, Emily, and children. Mentioned in the document are the lawyers J.S.Tait and Henry Parrington who were partners in a law firm in Warrnambool at the end of the 19th century (going under the name of Higgins and Parrington). The document has been passed down to successive lawyers occupying legal premises in Kepler Street and it was located in this building in 2014. The Letters of Administration for this estate was granted to Henry Parrington. The personal estate comprised £689 which had been lent to Spencer Smith on the security of land in the Parish of Wangoom, County of Villiers the repayment of which is secured by an indenture of mortgage dated 1st June 1892. [Ref: PROV. VPRS28/P0002, 73/750 Charles Spencer Grant of Administration] This document has no known local relevance except for the involvement of two Warrnambool 19th century lawyers. Further investigation has shown the personal estate mentioned in this will comprised £689 as a mortgage secured loan to a local resident, Spencer Smith.This is a cream-coloured piece of parchment paper folded in two and containing handwritten material on four pages which have black ruled lines on the edges. The 1899 document gives details of the Will and Letters of Administration of Charles Spencer, of Brooklands, Birchanger, in the County of Essex in England. The blue seal of the Supreme Court of Victoria is attached with a green ribbon and there are two red stamps of the Master in Equity of the Supreme Court. The document is a little stained but legible.In the Supreme Court of the Colony of Victoria In the Probate Jurisdiction In the Will of Charles Spencer of Brooklands Birchanger in the County of Essex England Gentleman deceasedj.s.tait, henry parrington, warrnambool history, charles spencer, tait collection, spencer smith

The Osburne Group was was three people, headed by Warrnambool Lawyer Dan Madden, who in the 1980’s republished a few local historical books. Collingridge’s (1847-1929) book ‘The Discovery of Australia’ was a work which supported the ‘legend’ of a Portuguese voyage of exploration, which led to the loss of one of its ships in 1522, believed to be the Mahogany Ship, on the coast south of Tower Hill. Hence European charting of the east coast of Australia centuries before Captain Cook, which the British historians viewed almost as heresy. TheOsburne Group acquired copies of Collingridge from the publisher, and saw that they were made available as a historical record supporting the research of Ken McIntyre, who in 1981 published separately a book called ‘The Secret Discovery of Australia’. The first book by the Osburne Group was republished in facsimile. It was the ‘History of Warrnambool’, collated and printed by Richard Osburne in 1887 after he had sold his newspaper the Warrnambool Examiner to Fairfax, which took up the name of Warrnambool Standard. Hence the name Osburne. Other books reproduced in facsimile form include ‘By These We Flourish’ by C.E.Sayers, and ‘Warrnambool Past and Present by Edward Vidler.The Discovery of Australia Author: George Collongridge Publisher: Kayes Brothers Date 1895 Has a sticker on front loose end page stating " Presented to Flagstaff Hill by Osburne Group"flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, the discovery of australia, book, george collingridge, osburne group

Tait collection: item 16 of 62 This is the probate document for Harold Dawkins who died in 1898 in Warrnambool. He left no real estate but had personal estate to the value of £369. This was inherited by his widow, Margreta Mary Elizabeth Dawkins. Harold Dawkins’ father, William, established a timber business in partnership with George Hockley in the 1870s in Timor Street. The business was known as Dawkins and Son after 1890 and moved to the corner of Fairy and Lava Streets before again moving to the corner of Lava and Kepler Streets. In 1923 this business was taken over by the Ponting Brothers. Harold Dawkins, a carpenter and builder, married in 1884 and built a house at 68 Hyland Street (previously Nicol Street) which still stands. Harold died of typhoid fever when he was 37 and the family moved to Western Australia. This probate document was prepared by Ernest Chambers, a Warrnambool lawyer with offices in Warrnambool, Koroit and Port Fairy in the late 19th century and early 20th century. This document has been passed down by the successive lawyers occupying the Kepler Street building and was located in the old premises of the legal firm, now defunct, of Mackay Taylor. This document is of considerable interest because it contains information on Harold Dawkins, a resident of Warrnambool in the late 19th century and a member of a prominent Warrnambool family. It is also of importance because it was a document prepared by a local Warrnambool lawyer at that time. This is one sheet of parchment paper folded into two and with handwritten material on three sides. Three of the pages are edged with black lines. A seal of the Supreme Court of the Colony of Victoria is attached with green ribbon and there is a red stamp of the Master in Equity of the Supreme Court. ‘In the Supreme Court of Victoria in the Probate Jurisdiction in the Will of Harold Dawkins, late of Warrnambool, in the Colony of Victoria, carpenter, deceased – Probate. I certify that no duty is payable on the within probate. J. Poole, Officer under section 96 Act 1060, 7/4/98, E.J.W. Chambers, Proctor, Warrnambool’harold dawkins, ernest chambers, warrnambool, tait collection

This gladestone bag was owned by William Ardlie one of Warrnambool's longest serving solicitors. William Ardlie, the son of a pioneer Warrnambool settler, John Ardlie, began practising as a lawyer in Warrnambool in the mid 1860s and dominated the legal scene in Warrnambool, continuing on his practice until he was over 80. This item has strong provenance and its significance lies in it being owned by one of Warrnambool and the State of Victoria's longest serving solicitors.Brown leather gladestone bag with leather handle and silver metal lock and attachments. Rectangular base with 5 metal stumps. Inside it is lined with ecru coloured fabric. Stitched with thick cotton.Label inside " Cramond and Dickson."william ardlie, warrnambool, gladestone bag, warrnambool solicitors

Tait collection: item 62 of 62 This 1912 document is an agreement made between John Brennan, a farmer from Laang and Thomas Goodall, a law clerk from Warrnambool. The document shows that Thomas Goodall has given John Brennan £5 and Brennan has agreed to pass over to Goodall a 218 acre property in Laang. Brennan also agreed to pay a debt of £10-19-4 to Thomas Goodall by monthly instalments. Thomas Goodall was the law clerk for several lawyers in Warrnambool at the beginning of the 20th century and he was also the manager of the Warrnambool office of the lawyer, Ernest Chambers who had legal offices in Koroit and Port Fairy at the same time (end of 19th century and beginning of the 20th century). This document was in the possession of Ernest Chambers and it has been passed down to successive lawyers occupying the legal premises in Kepler Street where it was located in 2014 (former premises of the law firm of Mackay Taylor). This document is of some interest as it gives details of a business transaction between Thomas Goodall and John Brennan, both residing in the Warrnambool area early in the 20th century. This is a piece of buff-coloured paper folded in two to make four pages. There is typed and handwritten material on two sides of the paper. This is a 1912 document called an Assignment of Interest Under Contract with John Brennan agreeing to pay his financial debts to Thomas Goodall. The document contains the signatures of John Brennan and Thomas Goodall. Part of one page of the writing is in pencil. There is also a separate receipt sheet which is a receipt for £5 paid by Thomas Goodall to John Brennan. A yellow duty stamp is attached to this receipt. Dated 16 Jany 1912 Mr J E Brennan with Mr Thomas Goodall Assignment of Interest under Contractjohn brennan, thomas goodall, ernest chambers, warrnambool

These documents concern a legal case involving the Town Of Warrnambool, Elizabeth Granter and James Harris. The lawyer in the case was William Ardlie. The son of John and Mary Ardlie, pioneer settlers in Warrnambool, William Ardlie was a prominent lawyer in Warrnambool from the late 1860s to the early 1930s and was active in community affairs. Elizabeth Granter, involved in the financial side of the legal case, was the wife of James Granter, another prominent Warrnambool identity of the 19th century. Granter was a quarryman and a road contractor and he and other members of his family seem to have been involved in other legal battles with James Harris, an employee of the Warrnambool Tramway, also involved in the financial aspects of the legal case. These three documents are of minor interest as an example of the legal cases undertaken by the well-known Warrnambool lawyer, William Ardlie. These are three 1888/1889 documents related to the legal practice of William Ardlie. Item One is a document listing the details of a court case involving Elizabeth Granter, James Harris and the Town Council of Warrnambool and is a sheet of paper with the details of the case written on both sides of the paper in black ink. The back page has a green stamp to the value of one penny. Item Two is a letter from Charles Hider, the bookseller, in regard to an item received by H.A.C. Macdonald, the Town Clerk of the Town of Warrnambool. The handwriting is in black ink. Item Three is a letter from the Warrnambool Tramway Department to Mr Ardlie regarding the request of James Harris for a small sum of money. This letter is a sheet of paper folded in two and written in black ink on one of the four sides. The first page has the stamp of the Town of Warrnambool.james harris, history of warrnambool, elizabeth granter, william ardlie, town of warrnambool

This letter book contains the correspondence from the legal firm of William Ardlie in Warrnambool to other legal firms in Melbourne and other parts of Victoria (1951-1957). The correspondence deals mainly with legal matters concerning property transfers, wills, probates and court cases. William Ardlie (1943-1933) was the son of John and Mary Ardlie, pioneer settlers in Warrnambool. In 1865 William Ardlie established his legal practice in Warrnambool, initially in partnership with George Barber. William Ardlie, prominent in community affairs in Warrnambool, practised as a lawyer until the early 1930s and the firm continued on after his death with members of the Ardlie family involved in legal firms in the Warrnambool district until the early 21st century. This letter book is of historical interest because of the letters dealing with the property, wills etc of many residents of Warrnambool and district during the 1950s. It will be a useful research tool. This letter book of 393 pages has a buff-coloured cover which is somewhat stained. 227 pages contain copies of letters written over a period of seven years and the rest of the pages are blank. The pages are of a lightweight strength. At the front of the book is an alphabetical index with black printed letters on tabs cut out of the outer edges of the pages.Agents 1951ardlie family, history of warrnambool

Tait collection: item 43 of 62 This is a document giving details of the Letters of Administration of John Moloney, a farmer from Bushfield, who died in July 1897. He died intestate but had real estate to the value of £510 and personal estate to the value of £142. The beneficiary was his wife, Mary Ann Moloney. The lawyer involved in drawing up this document was William Ardlie, one of the best-known lawyers in Warrnambool in the 19th and 20th centuries. He commenced his business in the 1860s and continued on until the 1930s when he was well in his eighties, making him at the time the oldest practising lawyer in Australasia. The document seemed to have been passed down by successive lawyers occupying the Kepler Street legal premises and located there in 2014.This document is of some interest as it gives details of the Letters of Administration of John Moloney, a 19th century farmer from Bushfield and it also concerns the lawyer, William Ardlie, a prominent Warrnambool lawyer at that time. It will be useful for researchers.This is a piece of cream-coloured thin parchment paper folded in two. It has handwritten material on two pages (black ink) containing details of the Letters of Administration following the death of John Moloney of Bushfield in 1897. A seal of the Supreme Court of Victoria is attached with green ribbon and there is one red stamp of the Master in Equity of the Supreme Court. The document is somewhat dirty but quite legible. The numbers ‘255’ and ‘14’ are written in blue pencil on the back page. In the Supreme Court of the Colony of Victoria In the Probate Jurisdiction In the Estate of John Moloney late of Bushfield in the Colony of Victoria Farmer deceased Intestatejohn moloney, warrnambool, william ardlie, bushfield, tait collection

Tait collection: item 59 of 62. This document gives details of the Will and Probate of Frederick Gazzard of Allansford who died in September 1901. Frederick Gazzard owned the ‘Tooram’ bacon and ham curing factory at the corner of Carrolls Road and Tooram Road in the Allansford area and employed six men. He was a founding member of the Allansford Church of England and lived with his family of seven children at ‘Como’, Allansford. He left real estate to the value of £1,440 and personal estate to the value of £1,664. The beneficiaries were his children, with his household effects and £200 going to his daughter, Ellen. She is believed to have taken an active role in the administration of the family factory. This document was drawn up in the office of William Ardlie, a prominent lawyer in Warrnambool for over sixty years. It has then been passed down to successive lawyers occupying legal premises in Kepler Street until it was located in these premises in 2014. This document is of considerable interest as it gives details of the Will and Probate of Frederick Gazzard. He and his family were prominent and influential in the community life of Allansford in the 19th century. This is a cream-coloured piece of parchment paper folded in two with blue lines ruled at the edges of three of the pages. There is handwritten material (brownish-black ink) on three of the pages. A seal of the Supreme Court of Victoria is attached with green ribbon and there are six red stamps of the Master in Equity of the Supreme Court and one blue stamp of the Warrnambool Savings Bank. The writing is somewhat faded and the pages are stained but the text is legible. The document contains details of the Will and Probate of Frederick Gazzard of Allansford who died in 1901. In the Supreme Court of Victoria In the Probate Jurisdiction in the Will of Frederick William Gazzard late of Allansford in the State of Victoria Bacon curer deceasedfrederick gazzard, tooram bacon factory, carroll's lane allansford, como allansford, tait collection

This book has been written by Alan Mickle and tells of his impressions of England in 1908, 1923 and 1938. The proceeds of the sale of the book went to the ‘Food For Britain’ drive, an appeal that operated throughout Australia during World War Two. Alan Mickle, the son of David and Clara, was related to an early 20th century Shire Engineer in the Camperdown area and to Thomas Mickle, a prominent landowner, hotel keeper and photographer in early Warrnambool. Alan Mickle died in 1969. M.E. Clarke, whose signature appears in the book, was a descendant of a local Clarke family which included Angus Henry Clarke (b. 1866) who married Maggie Brown and Angus’ brother, John Sanders Clarke (b.1870) who married Bessie McMahon of Warrnambool. Bessie’s father, William was a prominent 19th century lawyer in Warrnambool. The book was donated to the Warrnambool and District Historical Society by Aileen Hassell who was the daughter of John and Bessie Clarke. This book is significant because of its links to the ‘Food For Britain’ appeal which was active in Warrnambool during World War Two. Also the book is significant because of its links to the Clarke and Mickle families, resident in the Warrnambool district in the late 19th and early 20th centuries This is a soft cover book of 93 pages. The cover is buff-coloured with a fold-in flap at the ends of the cover to make the cover more sturdy. The lettering on the cover is in red and black calligraphy. The book has a Foreword by the Rt. Hon. R.G. Casey and includes several black and white photographs. The cover is a little scuffed and worn. The inscription is handwritten in blue ink.‘M.E.Clarke’ alan mickle, food for britain appeal, world war two, world war two in warrnambool, john and bessie clarke, aileen hassell

This is a de-luxe edition of a 1984 facsimile publication of Edward Vidler’s 1907 book, ‘Sixty Years of Progress’. The facsimile book was published by the Osburne Group, a group of three Warrnambool men who reproduced several books that were out of print but were important in Warrnambool’s history. The facsimile book features the photographs and text of the original 1907 book alongside photographs and text concerning Warrnambool in the 1980s. J.B. Dwyer, who was given this de-luxe edition, was a prominent 20th century lawyer in Warrnambool. The original Edward Vidler book was produced to mark the sixty year anniversary of the founding of Warrnambool. It is a very rare book today but it is very important because it featured many photographs hitherto-unpublished and an accompanying text that is deemed today to be very accurate in historical terms. Edward Vidler, a publisher, writer, journalist and editor, was in Warrnambool in the early 1900s and, through his membership of the Warrnambool Progress League and the Chamber of Commerce, was responsible for initiating many improvements in the town and he was also responsible for organizing the making of the Pioneer Honour Board with its portraits of 204 pioneer men in the Warrnambool district.This book is of interest as a de-luxe edition of the 1984 facsimile publication of the Edward Vidler book, ‘Sixty Years of Progress’, a 1907 book on Warrnambool’s history. The reprinting of Vidler’s book enabled many researchers and others interested in Warrnambool’s history to access the Vidler information more easily as it is now rare to find a copy of the original Vidler book. This is a hard cover book of 120 pages with 90 pages of text and a biographical register, a bibliography and an index. The cover is dark blue with gold printing on the front and the spine. osburne group, warrnambool, j.b. dwyer, warrnambool, edward vidler, history of warrnambool

Tait collection: item 45 of 62 This is a document giving details of the Letters of Administration following the death of Jessie Wall (nee Wood) who died intestate in Warrnambool in 1897 at the age of 53. She lived in the area in north Warrnambool known as Spring Gardens and left real estate to the value of £400 and personal estate to the value of £484. The estate was granted to her husband, Joseph Wall. The lawyer concerned with this document, Ernest Chambers, had legal offices in Port Fairy, Koroit and Warrnambool at the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century. He was in possession of this document and it was passed down to successive lawyers occupying legal premises in Kepler Street. It was located in this building in 2014.This document is of some significance as it contains details of the Letters of Administration of Jessie Wall who was a 19th century resident of Warrnambool. Her husband’s father was an important early settler in Warrnambool. The document will be useful to researchers.This is a cream-coloured piece of parchment paper folded in two with handwritten material on two pages (brownish-black ink). One of the pages has hand-ruled black lines on the edges of the page. A seal of the Supreme Court of Victoria is attached with green ribbon and there is also a red stamp of the Master in Equity of the Supreme Court. The document is a little stained but the writing is legible. The document gives details of the Letters of Administration following the death of Jessie Wall of Warrnambool who died in November 1897.In the Supreme Court of the Colony of Victoria In the Probate Jurisdiction In the Will of Jessie Maria Wall late of Spring Gardens near Warrnambool in the Colony of Victoria Married Woman deceased Intestatejessie wall, ernest chambers, warrnambool, tait collection, spring gardens

Tait collection: item 46 of 62 This is a document giving details of the Will and Probate of Miles Staunton (called Miles Stanton in the Will and Myles Staunton in the official Victorian death records). He died at Tower Hill in 1898 at the age of 72. He was a farmer in the Koroit district and left real estate to the value of £2799 and personal estate to the value of £128. The chief beneficiaries were his wife and children. Miles Stanton was unable to write and signed his will with a cross. The lawyers involved, Fletcher and Mackay and Ernest Chambers, had legal offices in Warrnambool at the end of the 19th century. The document, with others, was passed down to successive lawyers occupying the legal premises in Kepler street (Fletcher and Mackay, later Mackay Taylor) and located in this building in 2014. This document is of some interest as it gives details of the Will and Probate of Miles Staunton who was a 19th century farmer in the Koroit district.This is a white piece of paper folded in two to make four pages. Three of the pages have ruled margins in red and there is handwritten material on four pages in black ink. There is no proper seal attached but there is a hand-drawn circular sketch representing the seal of the Supreme Court of Victoria. The document contains information on the Will and Probate of Miles Staunton of Koroit who died in 1898.In the Supreme Court of the Colony of Victoria In the Probate Jurisdiction In the Will of Miles Staunton in the Will named Miles Stanton late of Koroit in the Colony of Victoria farmer deceasedmiles staunton, ernest chambers, fletcher and mackay, warrnambool, tait collection

Tait collection: item 48 of 62 This is a document giving details of the Will and Probate of William James Osborne, a Tallangatta farmer who died in 1896 at the age of 59. His death place is given as Tower Hill. A William Osborne is listed as a Wangoom farmer in 1856, a farmer at ‘Thompson’s Old Farm’ in Allansford in 1866 and a farmer at Winton Farm on the Allansford Road near Shipley in 1869 but these references may be to William Osborne’s father as there is mention of a William Osborne, Junior at that time. William James Osborne left real estate to the value of £560 and personal estate to the value of £81 to his wife, Hannah. The lawyer who drew up this document was Ernest Chambers who had legal offices in Warrnambool, Koroit and Port Fairy at the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century. He was in possession of this document and it has passed down to successive lawyers occupying the legal premises in Kepler Street where it was located in 2014 (former premises of the law firm of Mackay Taylor). This document is of interest as it gives details of the Will and Probate of William James Osborne, a farmer in the Allansford area in the 19th century. This is a cream-coloured piece of parchment paper folded in two to make four pages. Three of the pages have handwritten material in brown ink and the pages are not ruled. A seal of the Supreme Court of Victoria is attached with a green ribbon and there is one red stamp of the Master in Equity of the Supreme Court. The document is somewhat stained but legible. The document gives details of the Will and Probate of William Osborne of Tallangatta in the County of Heytesbury. He died in 1896. In the Supreme Court of the Colony of Victoria in the Probate Jurisdiction in the Will of William James Osborne late of Tallangatta in the County of Heytesbury in the Colony of Victoria Farmer deceased. ernest chambers, warrnambool lawyer, william james osborne, tallangatta, tait collection

Tait collection: item 49 of 62 This document gives details of the Will and Probate of Charles Wines of Warrnambool. Charles Wines was born in Somerset, England in 1832 and died in July 1900, residing in Lava Street East, Warrnambool, at the time. He and his wife came to Australia in 1852 and settled in the Woodford area, remaining there until about 1880 when they shifted to Mailors Flat. He was married to Hannah and they had a large family, with eleven surviving at the time of his death. He left real estate to the value of £1618 and personal estate to the value of £14 with the chief beneficiaries being his sons, Thomas and George and his wife, Hannah. After his wife’s death the estate was to be divided equally amongst the surviving children. The lawyer involved in drawing up this document was Ernest Chambers. He had legal offices in Warrnambool, Koroit and Port Fairy at the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century. The document was in his possession and was then passed down to successive lawyers occupying the legal premises in Kepler Street. It was located in this building in 2014 (last occupied by the legal firm of Mackay Taylor). This document is of considerable interest as it gives details of the Will and Probate of Charles Wines. Charles and other members of the Wines family were prominent settlers in the Woodford/Mailors Flat/Warrnambool area in the 19th and 20th centuries. This is a cream-coloured piece of parchment paper folded in two to make four pages. The pages are unruled and there is handwritten material on the four pages in black ink. A seal of the Supreme Court of Victoria is attached with a green ribbon and there is one red stamp of the Master in Equity of the Supreme Court. The document is stained but legible. The document gives details of the Will and Probate of Charles Wines, late of Warrnambool, who died in 1900.charles wines, ernest chambers, tait collection