The boy is Albert Cunnington who in about 1930 helped with deliveries for Atkinson's greengrocery business and general store located at 815 Whitehorse Road. The photo is taken in Whitehorse Road, near the corner of Elgar Road looking towards Zetland Road. No details are known about Albert. The business was owned by Emma and William Atkinson. Emma was born in East Doncaster in 1903, the daughter of Carl Heinrich Uebergang and Sarah Buck. Emma’s grandparents were pioneers in Doncaster from 1855 and her father had an orchard in Andersons Creek Road, which was sold in 1961. She married William James Atkinson in 1930 and the Atkinsons ran the store from c1930 to c1950. (See file for further details). In retirement the couple lived at 63 Zetland Road, Mont Albert and William continued to work as an orchard hand. Emma died in March 2000 and is buried in Templestowe Cemetery. (Chivers Lawn TE-CHI_L*H***28) along with her husband who died in 1977.A black and white photograph of a young boy holding a horse, who is attached to a cart.land transport, carts and wagons, horse drawn vehicles, fruiterer and greengrocer, mont albert, box hill, whitehorse road, elgar road, mr william james atkinson, miss emma gerte uebergang, mrs emma gertrude atkinson, mr albert cunnington

A black and white photograph showing a small child sitting in a wooden box. There is a small black dog chained up and to the right of the picture. To the left of the photo is a large pile of wood stacked against a brick wall. Donald Hartley Rowe was born in 1876; married Mary Gibson in 1901 and died in Surrey Hills in 1958. In 1935 his daughter Winifred (1903-1985) married Phillip Sebastien Slavin (1907-1980), known as Paddy, who took over the business. He is first listed at 118 Union Road (no occupation noted) in the electoral roll of 1937 through until 1963. The bakehouse was at the rear – note the stack of wood required for breadmaking. The fence is along Stirling Crescent. The small boy is Alan Rowe. A black and white photograph showing a small child sitting in a wooden box. There is a small black dog chained up and to the right of the picture. To the left of the photo is a large pile of wood stacked against a brick wall.bakery, union road, surrey hills, (master) alan rowe, stirling crescent, (mr) donald hartley rowe, miss winifred rowe, mrs winifred slavin, (mr) phillip sebastien slavin

This book summarises the first seventy-five years of the Canterbury Corps of the Salvation Army and its move to a new citadel in Guildford Road, Surrey Hills.guildford road, surrey hills, (col) (mr) arthur arnott, (col) (mr) harry goffin, (bro) (mr) bill rossitor, (bro) (mr) frank deane, (maj) will parkinson, (capt) (mr) ian wallace, churches, salvation army, (capt) (mr) les webb, (mrs) - hay, (capt) r bennett, (maj) edwin handy, (mrs) - hayward, (lt) o kennewell, (dr) (mr) bram southwell, (mrs) - bensley, box hill boys' home, canterbury picture palace, (ms) grace garlick, east camberwell girls' home, (capt) m gregory, religious groups, (mr) william booth, (general) eva burrows, (commissioner) bramwell h. tillsley

A collection of papers presented at meetings of the Box Hill Historical Society detailing history of local families, churches, schools and other significant histories.A collection of papers presented at meetings of the Box Hill Historical Society detailing hsitory of local families, churches, schools and other significant histories.box hill, balwyn, (mr) andrew murray, parer family, fulton family, brock family, surrey hills, r. smith, w. a. rolfe, box hill artists' camp, lutheran cemetery, doncaster, box hill art group, box hill ballet group, (mrs) m de f bishop, (mrs) p. reichl, (mrs) d. woodford, (mr) k. g. mcintyre, box hill horticultural society, (mr) william deveraux harbert, (mrs) jean uhl, h. white, b. j. blanchen, e. b. scott, g. f. broomhead, (mrs) marjorie morgan, (mrs) mona webster, (mr) frank bamford

A history of Canterbury Cricket Club from 1887. Each chapter dedicated to a decade through to the 1980's. Includes appendices and results, awards, achievements. 58p. photosA history of Canterbury Cricket Club from 1887. Each chapter dedicated to a decade through to the 1980's. Includes appendices and results, awards, achievements. 58p. photos(mr) simon gardiner, (mr) sid mackie, (mr) keith silvers, (mr) len larkin, (mr) clyde ingram, (mr) frank gion, cricket, sport, (mr) m nesbit, (mr) s bisset, (mr) w grubb, (mr) r falconer, (mr) f leach, (mr) - slater, "tuss" curtis, (mr) stan self, (mr) maurie webb, (mr) norm shores, (mr) geoff matthews, (mr) wally bates, (mr) t mackie, (mr) harry swan, (mr) r mcconchie, (mr) r vaux, (mr) a pearson, (mr) - walduck, (mr) mick maguire, (mr) bob trengrove, (mr) lindsay ridgwell, (mr) john mccarthy, (mr) ewan mccarthy, camberwell union cricket club, canterbury cricket club, (mr) s parry, (mr) w lauchlan, (mr) e yeomans, (mr) a cooper, (mr) h gates, (mr) - gittus, (mr) f sheppard, (mr) - walker, (mr) a abud, (mr) - bishop, (mr) a leach, (mr) - edgoose, (mr) - allan, (mr) a brooks, (mr) c swan, reporter competition, north balwyn, mont albert, (mr) s stevens, (mr) j carlson, (mr) c yeo, (mr) e hosken, (mr) j smart, (mr) n booth, (mr) l warmbrun, (mr) a webb, (mr) w lachlan, deepdene, canterbury, box hill, surrey hills, eastern suburbs cricket assoc., (mr) t alway, (mr) a briggs, (mr) k silvers, (mr) n thackeray, (mr) r rudd, (mr) c ingram, (mr) r littlefield, (mr) (cr) r dimmick, (mr) g guiver, (mr) t cameron, (mr) ian coles, (mr) gerry hegarty, 1960-1969

Photograph of Mr H A Warner, MMTB Secretary 1951 to 1961 - see page 23 of the 1961 MMTB Annual report. Print received in a box dated 1960.Has a close association with H A Warner, MMTB Secretary, 1950a.Black and white photograph on plain back.mmtb, board members, secretary

J A Geer's grocery store operated from 1909-1912 on the site established by George Sim in 1884. He bought a house and added a shop where, in 1889, he established the first post office in the area. Prior to this residents had to go the Box Hill to collect mail. Date is approximate.This records one of the earliest businesses in Surrey Hills. To begin with, businesses developed along Canterbury Road rather than Union Road, in part because of the muddy nature of the land north of the railway line.Black and white photo taken from a postcard of Canterbury Road, near the corner of Union Road, looking west in 1906 or 1907. Two children play on the LHS of the street and there is a man on a horse and carriage, and a cart, on the RHS. Buildings on the RHS are the Surrey Family Hotel and J A Geer's grocery store; on the LHS is a row of double-storey terraces including Hansen's Terrace on Canterbury Road to the west of Union Road.On LHS within the original image is 'Canterbury Road, Surrey Hills'; on the rear in top LH corner in blue biro in Jocelyn Hall's handwriting "J H / spare"canterbury road, geer's grocery store, surrey family hotel, businesses, horse drawn vehicle, hansen's terrace, post card, mr j a geer

Group of Borough and Shire Councilors and Visitors at a Back to Stawell 1922 Back Left to Right: T.D. O'Callaghan, C. Chamberlain (Town Clerk), A.E. Heal, J. Webster, J. Lysaght, W. Webster, R,. Tucker, D. Moore, J. Murray, J.G. McConachie, F.W. Bond, J. O'Connor, A. J. Wood. Middle: A.E. Tobin, W.F. Irvine, W.J. Foreshaw, G. Mitchell. A. Clarke, G. Barnes, W.A. Whitford, G.T. Holden, W.J. Nolan, G.A. Smith, E.P. Timmins, H. Henderson. Front: D.M. Mitchell, W. Simpson, J.C. Hutchings, D. Bell, Major Rough, J. Paton (Mayor), D. Williams (President) J. Williams, F.J. Derry. J. Hutchins, M. Cooper. Names in "Borough of Stawell" History. Magazine Box 1 (Mr. Sharpleys Book Page 17)Black and white photograph of a large group of men standing and seated in front of a building.1922 'Back to Stawell' Celebrations Borough & Shire Councilors & visitors (Names in "Borough of Stawell" History) Mag. Box 1. (Mr. Sharpley's Book) Page 17 Group of Borough and Shire Councilors at a luncheon given by CR. D. Williams Shire President, on the occasion of the "Back to Stawell", 1922. Back, Left to right - T.D. O'Callaghan, C. Chamberlain (Town Clark), A.E. Heal, J. Webster, J. Lysaght, W. Webster, R. Tucker, D. Moore, J. Murray, J.G. Maconachie, F.W. Bond, J. O'Connor, A.J. Wood. Middle - A.E. Tobin, W.F. Irvine, W.J. Foreshaw, G. Mitchell, A. Clarke, G. Barnes, W.A. Whitford, G.T. Holden, W.J. Nolan, G.A. Smith, E.P. Timmins, H. Henderson. Front - D. M. Mitchell, W. Simpson, J.C. Hutchings, D. Bell, D. McKay, Major Rough, J. Paton (Mayor) D. Williams, (President), J. Williams, F.J. Derry, J. Hutchins, M. Cooper. Original - Photo Chapman Stawell stawell government

d.a. walters, senator brennan, senator mclachlan, h. mcnulty, dr m. curwen-walker, j.p. power, w.j. caffrey, allan rennison, les wilkinson, mr pye, albert allnutt (mla), hugh mclelland, band rotunda

Age (Melbourne, Vic. : 1854 - 1954), Monday 6 August 1928, page 9 ________________________________________ RINGWOOD WAR MEMORIAL CLOCK TOWER UNVEILED A CIVIC CEREMONY. The people of Ringwood have erected a beautiful stone clock tower at a cost of £1797, as a memorial to those who served in the war. The unveiling ceremony was performed by the mayor of Ringwood (Cr. W. Mackinlay) on Saturday. “Bleak conditions with showers intervening prevailed at Ringwood on Saturday afternoon, when the unveiling ceremony of the soldiers' memorial clock tower, performed by the mayor (Cr. W. Mackinlay) took place in the presence of a Iarge and representative gathering. The ceremony was solely a civic one. A majority of members of the local branch of the R.S.S.I.L.A. had wished that Sir John Monash be invited to take a prominent part in the proceedings, but the trustees elected otherwise. The Salvation Army band from Box Hill rendered suitable music, while Sergeant E. P. Taylor (37th Battalion, A.I.F) sounded the Reveille and The Last Post impressively. Among those present were Mr. Edgar, M.L.C., the vicar of Ringwood (Rev. E. E. Robinson), Rev. G. McLaren (Methodist), the memorial trustees (Cr. J. B. McAlpin, Messrs, J. W. Barrett, A. H. Locke, J. A. Williams and A. G. Ashley). The last two mentioned are president and honorary secretary respectively of the local branch of the R.S.A. Soldier delegates from Camberwell and Mitcham were also present. At the outset the mayor said a few words would not be amiss concerning why the memorial had been so long delayed in being erected. In September, 1919, a public committee was formed, with Mr. A. V. Greenwood as chairman, to consider the erection of a suitable memorial to the soldiers. Among the more important suggestions had been the building of a hall and clubrooms on land generously offered by Mr. R. W. Dawes. This project had been abandoned, also the proposed erection of a huge memorial building, at a cost of £5000, on the site of the present town hall. As two years had passed without anything of a definite nature eventuating it was decided to elect five trustees, comprising three citizens and the president and secretary of the Returned Soldiers' Association with full power to act. In all propositions the trustees had been faced with financial difficulties, but about the time of the completion of the plans of the memorial tower Ringwood became a borough, and the new council was appealed to, and provided £500 to make the erection of the memorial possible. The architect, (Mr. H. Norris) had refused to take anything beyond out-of-pocket expenses (£16), while the engineer (Mr. Lucas) had saved a goodly sum by supervising the work. The total funds at the disposal of the trustees, including the council's donation, was, in round figures £1807. The tower complete would cost £1690; honor roll, £77, and fees paid for various designs had amounted to £30. The total expenditure was £1797, leaving a credit balance of £10. Before the unveiling the mayor, in again addressing the citizens, said he deemed it a privilege to perform such a task in connection with so splendid a memorial. The citizens had erected it as an expression of heartfelt gratitude in memory, first of all, of those heroes who gave not only their services, but their lives, when the call came in the common cause of right and liberty, upon which the British Empire was built. This memorial was also the tribute of the citizens in a degree of appreciation to those men who so un-selfishly and ungrudgingly volunteered their services in the Great War. The memorial, while commemorating the glorious deeds of Australian manhood, was not intended, in any sense, as a glorification of war. The memorial would tend to bring to one's mind the blessing of peace in contrast to the curse of hostilities. They were gathered there that afternoon to do honor to all those who volunteered for service to the Great War, but they wished to assure the friends and relatives of those who paid the supreme sacrifice of their sincere sympathy and trust. If ever in the future this fair southern land of ours was threatened by an invader he felt sure that Australian manhood would not hesitate to rally to the call to duty and defend the freedom of their country. Following prayer by Rev. G. McLaren (Methodist), the memorial clock tower was unveiled, the acting mayoress (Mrs. Mackinlay) cutting the cord, after which the making over of the memorial to the borough council took place, the president of the local branch of the R.S.A. (Mr. J. A. Williams) stating he had pleasure in accepting the key on behalf of the trustees. As the council was the permanent governing body the key would be handed back to the mayor, the memorial being given into the safety and custody of the council. During the proceedings the hymns O God, Our Help in Ages Past and Lest We Forget were rendered, the choirs of various denominations joining in the singing. Benediction was pronounced by the vicar of Ringwood (Rev. E. E. Robinson).” Written on backing of original, 'Opening of clock tower by Mayor W. Mackinlay, 4.8.1928'. Typed below black and white copy, 'Mayor Mackinlay dedicating Ringwood clocktower in original position at end of Warrandyte Rd. Maroondah Hwy on right. 1928.' The second black and white copy states the date as 1924, that is incorrect.

Eight issues of "MMTB News" - The Magazine of the Melbourne and Metropolitan Tramways Board. Two copies of each issue held. All issues printed with an cream colour paper cover with the rest of the magazine white glass paper. 1723.1 - Vol. 3, No. 1 - 16 pages, January 1966, with a photo of the Mark VI bus No. 702 on the front cover, notes on Traffic Congestion, motor cars and supermarkets, depot masters, engineering, bus maintenance, sports and social club news. On rear cover includes a photo of a Christmas function with past senior employees - left to right - H. R. Steains (architect), H. S. McComb (Chief Surveyor), Mr. Aird, Mr. P. M. Ireland (Rolling stock engineer), J Fisher (Civil Engineer) and H. A. Warner (Secretary) 1723.2 - Vol. 3, No. 2 - 16 pages, February 1966, with a photo of counting decimal coins, Tribute to the W2 class tram written by Norm Cross, (with photo), Hawthorn Clothing Depot, retirement of Harry Munroe, introduction of decimal currency, donation of 1B bogies to SPER, tramways band, death of Neil Olsen, sports and social club news. See btm2720i9.jpg for image of the Norm Cross photograph. 1723.3 - Vol. 3, No. 3 - 12 pages, March - April 1966, with a photo of Tramways Bowl Tournament presentation on the front cover, Recent developments in public transport in North America, Vera Cruz Mexico, cable cars at Rushworth, sports and social club news and photo of the Melbourne bogies under Sydney tram. 1723.4 - Vol. 3, No. 4 - 16 pages, May 1966, with a photo of W2 321being overhauled at Preston Workshops, change over to decimal currency for accounting machines, "Tram Driver Salutes the L class tram" - written by A. Bailey, Melbourne's New Trams, retirement of Gordon Wilson, sports and social club news. 1723.5 - Vol. 3, No. 5 - 16 pages, June 1966, with a photo of the track relaying in Camberwell Rd with Camberwell fire station in background, Melbourne cable tram routes, opening and closing dates, retirement of G. H. Box, visit of SPER members to Melbourne, memories of Malvern Depot, sports and social club news. Death of A L Robertson, rostering, sports, Sydney trams, Safety and excuses for accidents. Full pdf copy added 28/8/2019 1723.6 - Vol. 3, No. 6 - 16 pages, July - August 1966 with a photo of the view from the St Kilda Junction signal box, more trams for Russia, retirements of 31 Employees, a contest to win an old W2, St Kilda Road Junction box - and how it works - signalling and interlocking, closure of Port Melbourne bus depot, sports and social club news. 1723.7 - Vol. 3, No. 7 - 16 pages, September - October 1966 with a photo of 610 on the Maribyrnong River Bridge, during the SPER tour, "Public Transport in Big Cities" - R. Risson - with photo - see image i10, MMTB Ambulance division, new trams, trams or buses, death of Harry Hood, Chas Samuels, retirement of Jack Ferguson, Reg Maxwell, manufacture of trackwork, cable tram working, sports and social club news. 1723.8 - Vol. 3, No. 8 - 16 pages, November - December 1966 with a photo of a wedding party on a tram (Richards / Fuller), apprenticeship training, Christmas message from the Chairman, tramway canteens, art of rostering by R. Drummond, Wattle Park Chalet, clock and instrument shop at North Fitzroy, tramways band, sports and social club news.trams, tramways, mmtb, carlton control, buses, pcc 980, ballarat, new trams, are, tmsv

Set of papers, handwritten concerning the history of the electric tramways in Essendon, some in response to a query from a Mr. H. W, Bryne of Buckley St Essendon, dated 21/5/1956. Prepared largely by H. S. McComb, with notes on the extract of Act 2333, notes to the Chief Engineer, letter from H. Bryne, track layout sketches, meeting notes etc. Dated 1956 - draft of letter to go from the Secretary. Items 2027 to 2030 and 1309 copy 2 contained within box 72.3 in a brown folder marked "Historical Data regarding Essendon Tramways and their services to the City"trams, tramways, essendon, saltwater river, keilor rd, reports, essendon depot, nmetl, moonee ponds, mmbw, opening

Twenty page book including paper covers titled "Australia's First Electric Tram" written by John Kinmont Moir and published by Traction Publications, second edition, 1950. The story of the Doncaster and Box Hill Electric Road (tramway). Publishers Note on page 3 that the first edition of the book was published by Mr. Moir at his own expense - this edition is a reproduction of the first and uses some of the printing blocks. Red covers, poster advertising the tramway, a map, foreword written by J.K. Moir about Mr. H. J. Hilton who operated the tramway, the birth of the tramway, the company that was formed to operate it, , a sample ticket, opening, operation, timetable, reminiscences of H. J. Hilton. Includes notes on the subsequent work of Mr. Hilton, and on the back cover a details of the AETA , office bearers, publications and contact details. Includes a number of photographs. See Reg Item 2058 for the second edition - 1950 Items 2058 to 2069 within box 72.3 in a brown folder marked "Box Hill to Doncaster Electric Tramway" in black ink.trams, tramways, box hill, doncaster, tramways

Newspaper clipping from The Herald, Monday 29 Dec. 1958, page 13 about the re-opening of the Box Hill - Doncaster tramway on 27/6/1891, the story of the tramway, involvement of Mr. Hilton, the Doncaster Tower, disputes with land owners, and its final closure on 6/1/1896. No author given for the article.trams, tramways, box hill, doncaster, tramways

Twenty eight page book, centre stapled, plus stippled blue paper covers titled "Australia's First Electric Tram" written and published by John Kinmont Moir in 1940. Inside front cover has an inscription "With Compliments J. K Moir" in ink. Has a reproduction of the poster advertising the tramway, a map, foreword written by J.K. Moir about Mr. H. J. Hilton who operated the tramway, the birth of the tramway, the company that was formed to operate it, , a sample ticket, opening, operation, timetable, reminiscences of H. J. Hilton. Includes notes on the subsequent work of Mr. Hilton, Includes a number of photographs. See Reg Item 2058 for the second edition - 1950Inside front cover has an inscription "With Compliments J. K Moir" in ink.trams, tramways, box hill, doncaster, tramways

Twenty page book including paper covers titled "Australia's First Electric Tram" written by John Kinmont Moir and published by Traction Publications, Historical Series No. 1 in 1957. The story of the Doncaster and Box Hill Electric Road (tramway). Publishers Note on page 6, advises that this book was the 3rd edition and gives the background history. Has a sketch on the front cover of the opening ceremony at Box Hill, poster advertising the tramway, a map, foreword written by J.K. Moir about Mr. H. J. Hilton who operated the tramway, the birth of the tramway, the company that was formed to operate it, , a sample ticket, opening, operation, timetable, reminiscences of H. J. Hilton. Includes notes on the subsequent work of Mr. Hilton, and on the back cover a details of the AETA , office bearers, publications and contact details. Includes a number of photographs. .1 - Copy of the 4th edition, dated 1961, added 19/11/14 - see image i4. Front inside cover has a different arrangement. See image htd420i5.pdf See Reg Item 2058 for the second edition - 1950 and 3850 for the 1940 edition.420 - In pencil on the front cover 2/- 420.1 - has label of "From the library of Esmey Herscovitch" on lower left hand corner of page 3, and "Herscovitch" in ink on the top of the same page.trams, tramways, box hill, doncaster, tramways

Thirty two page book, centre stapled, including light green card covers titled "Australia's First Electric Tram" written by John Kinmont Moir and the story of the Doncaster and Box Hill Electric Road (tramway). Republished by Rotary Club of Box Hill, May 1977, see back cover for publication details. Has a photo on the front cover of the opening ceremony at Box Hill, poster advertising the tramway, a copy of a share certificate, foreword written by J.K. Moir about Mr. H. J. Hilton who operated the tramway, the birth of the tramway, the company that was formed to operate it, a sample ticket, opening, operation, timetable, reminiscences of H. J. Hilton. Includes a number of photographs. See also Reg Item 420 for an AETA version of this publication. 2nd copy added 24/12/2014.trams, tramways, box hill, doncaster, tramways

The number on the side of the box is most likely Mr Hirths Regimental Number. Refer Cat No 9599.3 for medalsThis is a khaki brown cardboard box. On the top is the addressee name and address. It also has a stamp "Official Paid". On the side is a number. On the bottom is the action to be taken if undelivered.Top address - “Mr H. Hirth, 131 Hamilton Ave, Tolworth Sor....Surrey or Sussex” Side number is “108681”ww2, medals, british atlantic star.

Black and white photographs - 2 copiesTyped below photograph, "Boiler explosion at Ringwood station 20/6/1894. Heard in Box Hill". Article from newspapers:- Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic. : 1869 - 1954), Saturday 27 January 1894, page 21 Official enquiry. The Board of Enquiry appointed by the Railway Commissioners to enquire into the causes of the boiler explosion which shattered the locomotive at Ringwood on Saturday night, assembled at the Railway department on Wednesday to commence its deliberations, The board consisted of Mr R. Fulton, engineer, C. W. McLean; engineer to the Marine Board, and Mr Mephan Ferguson, iron-founder. There is some difficulty at the outset about the constitution of the board; It was suggested that the Apt of Parliament contemplated that boards of experts, after the manner of the present one, needed, to have their appointments confirmed by the Governor-in-Council. The point, however, was not considered sufficiently important to prevent the board from proceeding with evidence. Robert Greyford, stationmaster at Ringwood, was the first witness. He said he saw the explosion on Saturday night at about twenty minutes to 8. There was a rush to the engine to see what had happened, and the driver and fireman were both found on the platform of the engine. The driver seemed badly hurt, but the fireman, to all appearances, was not so badly injured. They were both attended to and sent up to Melbourne by the last suburban train. Witness had a look at the engine and found the dome and all the plates round the boiler blown clean, away. The springs were also blown clean away. The Chairman (Mr Fulton) : Did you measure the distance ? Witness: Yes; one of the plates was 209 yards away. A piece from the top of the boiler 15 pounds in weight he found driven into the hard beaten track 410 yards away. Several pieces of boiler plate were found scattered at various distances. The buildings roundabout were injured. The Chairman; Did you notice anything peculiar about either of the driver or the fireman ? — No ; nothing wrong, with either of them. If the engine was blowing off at all, it must have been very light. In your opinion, were they perfectly sober ? — Perfectly. In approaching the station, is there a down or an up grade? — A very slight down grade. How is the road from Healesville ? — Up and down all the way. It is down, grade for about 200 yards coming into Ringwood station. They shut off ; steam about a quarter of a mile away, and come in at a good pace. They generally put on 15 pounds of steam while they are in the station. Mr Ferguson : Had the driver the usual load on ? — Yes ; about the usual load. Witness added that he had known the driver personally for about 10 years, and he had always been a careful, steady, sober man. He did not know the fireman so well. John Palmer, porter at Ringwood station, also saw the explosion. He was attending to the train on its arrival. He was knocked down by the force of the explosion. When he got up he saw the engine driver being carried into the office covered in blood. He noticed nothing peculiar about the driver and fireman, nor about the engine. Mr McLean : How far were you from the engine when you were knocked down ? — From ten to fifteen yards. William Paul, the guard of the train to which the injured locomotive Was attached, said he was looking at the engine at the very moment the explosion occurred. It seemed to come from exactly under the dome. The force of it took him off his feet. He was about 15 yards from the tender. When he rose he tried to reach the engine, but could not do so on account of the steam and coal dust. He called out to know whether any of the passengers were injured, and got no response, so that he concluded they were all right. All the lamps but about half dozen were extinguished by the force of the explosion, although the glass was not broken. He could testify most distinctly that the driver and fireman were both sober. The driver was a man who never drank. The steam started to blow off about a minute and a half before the explosion took place. The last place at which the engine took water was Healesville. The Chairman : Do yon know anything of the quality of the water there ? Is it creek water ? — Yes ; it comes from the Graceburn River. You never heard of its quality ?— No. How long have you known this engine on the road— About 13 months. Hew long have you known the driver on this line ? — About six weeks. I have known the fireman several years. The driver was a strict teetotaller, and I never saw the fireman take anything to drink in his life. Mr T. H, Woodroffe, chief mechanical engineer of the Victorian Railways, produced a report he had written to the secretary, about this explosion. The document gave facts concerning the engine and the explosion. It stated that the rapture seemed to have occurred at the rim of the plates adjoining the fire box. The engine was built at the Phoenix Foundry, Ballarat, in 1883. It was repaired at various times, the last time being in July of last year when it was sent to the Port Melbourne shops, and was then tested to a cold water pressure of 195 and found all right. It was the custom to overhaul all locomotives about every five years. The Chairman : There were no very heavy repairs in July, 1893; were there? — Not to the boilers. The shop manager's report says that the plug and safety tap holes were repaired, five new copper studs put in firebox, ash-pan door repaired, tender cleaned and overhauled, and studs re-rivetted, and boiler tested to pressure of 195, cold water. Mr Woodroffe read the report of the repairs effected to the boiler in December, 1888. That would be the time the plate was put in the boiler. On that occasion three new plates were put in the bottom and the boiler tested up to 195. The Chairman: Do you keep a record of the water used ?— Yes, the water in this case, I think, came from the Maroondah scheme. Mr Woodroffe said boilers were examined front time to time in the running sheds. In his opinion every possible care had been taken to keep the engine in proper care. There might, however, be lessons learnt from this. The Chairman: No doubt. From his examination of the plates [the] witness did not think the state of them could have been detected from the outside. There were no signs of leakage or sweating or anything of that sort. The next witness- was Walter Stinton, workshop manager at Newport and he said that the injured engine had been repeatedly repaired under his charge. He gave a technical account of the repairs effected on various occasions. The testing of locomotives was under his special notice. They had a high pressure pipe running; round the works, and a pump set at 2001b. When the boiler was pumped full of water the pressure when applied up to 1951b. The board appointed by the department to inquire into the Ringwood locomotive boiler explosion sat again at Spencer street on 25th inst. Mr R. Fulton presided and the other members of the board were. Mr Mephan Ferguson and Mr C. W. McLean. Charles Grubb, foreman of the boiler-makers at the Newport workshops, said he had inspected the pieces of plate that had been blown out of the engine, and after examining them, pointed out to the Chief Mechanical Engineer the portion where the plate had started to burst. It was under the lap, on the right hand side of the boiler. The grooving might be accounted for by bad water. During the past twenty years he had examined all the boilers that came into the Williamstown workshops, and while some were hardly marked at all, others were very badly eaten away. The practice was to cut out the defective portions. In this case the boiler was repaired in a similar manner. The Chairman : Can you suggest any other way of repairing so as to prevent accident ? — No, unless by taking out a plate on one side from the joint, and carrying it further up so as to avoid the joints meeting, or by taking out the plate altogether. What would.be the cost .of putting in a new " plate I—Perhaps about double the price; but I wouldn't recommend that course. It would be putting a new plate against plates that have been in use ten years or so and that would not be advisable. I think the present system better. I consider the present system of repairing the best. This is the first we have had so bad like that, to my knowledge. You attributed this to bad water. Is there no other probable cause ? — Well; unless the iron be bad. This was Lowmoor iron. I think this accident was caused by the eating away of plates. This one was the worst I have seen, for the short time it had been running. We use three classes of iron — Lowmoor, Monkbridge and Bowling. By Mr Woodroffe (Chief Mechanical Engineer) ; There are engines still running that were repaired at the same time as this one, in 1888, and. in the same way. These are engines 339 and 333. They have been recently examined and are in splendid order. What in your experience, is the age of a boiler on the Victorian railways? — From 17 to 20 years our earlier boilers stood. The later boilers don't stand so well. How is that? — There is difference in construction, and the material is lighter. The old boilers had thicker plates. Have you been asked in any way to curtail boiler affairs? — No, sir; nor in any way. You have never hesitated to carry out any necessary repairs? — Never. Our orders have been to exercise every care in examining, repairing and renewing boilers. Witness said that his practice was when an engine came into the workshop to find out how long she had been running. If over five years, he informed the workshop manager, and they thought it necessary the tubes were taken nut. If everything was in good order witness reported to the manager. The cost of taking out the tubes and putting them in again was about L20. Mr Woodroffe : Have you ever hesitated to repair a boiler on the score of expense ? — No, never. Mr McLean : Hew do yon ascertain whether a boiler requires repairs?— I keep a record of every boiler examined. From every boiler that comes in I have the dome covers taken off, and when it is practical I get inside. l can almost tell from the top of a boiler what the bottom is like. If there is any doubt about it I have the tubes taken out. If I have suspicion of defective plate I cause to have bored a triangle in the plate at the point where there is the most wear. There is a travelling inspector who visits all the running sheds of the colony except Port Melbourne and tests the boilers. He reports to us and we note what he points out. Alfred Thompson, locomotive inspector of the eastern section, said he knew this engine, 297R. He read a list of her repairs. He heard of the accident on Saturday night and went up to Ringwood. The Chairman : Did you ever notice anything peculiar about the engine? — No, I considered her A1 and would not have hesitated to have put on 140lb pressure owing to the repairs she had undergone. Witness considered that the explosion was caused by the expansion and contraction of the plates ; and, no doubt, the plate had been eaten away through bad water. The other side of the boiler showed: signs of corrosion: By Mr Woodroffe ; Is every care taken with the boilers ? — Yes, every possible care is taken for the safety of boilers, Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic. : 1869 - 1954), Saturday 27 January 1894, page 7 EXPLOSION OF A LOCOMOTIVE BOILER, NARROW ESACPE FROM FATALITIES. THE DAMAGED ENGINE. [See drawing of loco – saved in “Railways” folder] The explosion of a locomotive boiler at Ringwood on Saturday evening, formed the subject of much discussion in railway circles on Monday. The Minister arrived at the office at an unusually early hour and immediately entered into a consultation with the acting chairman, Mr Kibble, and Mr Commissioner Murray. As the result of the interview it was resolved to ask three gentlemen of acknowledged engineering experience to sib as a board with the . object of inquiring into the cause of the accident and furnishing a report. Mr Richardson and the Commissioners are tally seized of the importance of having a searching investigation into the accident, and, with Mr Murray, the former went to Ringwood to inspect the scene of the disaster. They will he accompanied by Mr Woodroffe. During the morning no official report had come to hand from the driver or fireman of the engine in reference to the accident, but that is thought to be due to the circumstance that they have not sufficiently recovered to be able to give a circumstantial account of what occurred. The engine was one of the old R's, and, Mr Kibble pronounced them to be about the best class of engines used. So far nothing can be said as to the probable cause of the accident, as the broken plating of the engine has not been submitted to the inspection of experts. Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic. : 1869 - 1954), Saturday 27 January 1894, page 7 STATEMENT BY THE FIREMAN. This morning Thomas Miles, fireman on the engine the boiler of which exploded on Saturday night, is suffering from an injury to the spine, as well as a very severe shaking to the system. He states that he was fireman on the engine attached to the train which left Healesville on Saturday evening, at ten minutes to 8. Everything went all right until Ringwood was reached, when, .just as the train was about to continue its journey, a load explosion took place and Miles remembers nothing more until he was picked np on the platform ; and found himself suffering from a pain in the back, and an injury to his arm. He cannot think of any reason which could have caused the explosion, as there was plenty of water in the boiler, and everything seemed working all right. Mr R. Fulton, consulting engineer, of Queen street; Mr McLean, a member of the Marine Board ; and Mr Mephan Ferguson, engineer, have consented to act as a board to inquire into the cause of the engine boiler explosion at Ringwood on Saturday evening. The board has been appointed under section 117 of Act 1135, which provides that the Governor-in-Council may direct the taking of a such a step. Mr1 Fulton will act as chairman of the board, which met for the first time at the railway offices, Spencer street, this forenoon. Before separating the members of the Board paid a visit to the Prince's Bridge locomotive sheds in company with Mr Woodroffe, the chief mechanical engineer, for the purpose of inspecting the shattered boiler. It has been stated that the explosion is known to have been caused by a flaw in a plate which was put on the boiler about four years ago, but enquiries have tailed to elicit anything in support of that view. The engineers connected with the department are not inclined to say anything on the subject. Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic. : 1869 - 1954), Saturday 14 April 1894, page 20 The Ringwood Boiler Explosion, The Minister of Railways has received the supplementary report of the board appointed by him to investigate the circumstances connected with the explosion of a locomotive boiler at Ringwood. In their first report the board did not attach blame to anyone. Mr Richardson felt satisfied that the responsibility of having the engines properly inspected and overhauled periodically could be fixed if the inquiry were extended. He therefore referred the matter again to the Board, who took further evidence. In the report now furnished, the Board hold Loco. Inspector Thompson blameable, but point out as a mitigating circumstance that he had not received "written instructions" respecting inspections and overhauls. Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic. : 1869 - 1954), Saturday 7 July 1894, page 32 The Ringwood Boiler Explosion. The Minister of Railways takes exception to the tone of a paragraph appearing in a morning contemporary respecting the Ringwood boiler explosion. It makes it appear that Mr Richardson has referred the report of the board which considered the facts connected with the explosion to the Crown solicitor simply because he differed from the finding of the board. The Minister explains that when he received the report he found that the responsibility for having boilers properly inspected and overhauled had not been clearly fixed. He personally obtained farther evidence on that point, and arrived at a conclusion, from which the commissioners differed. As he did not like to take upon himself the responsibility of deciding upon the effect of the evidence, he submitted the matter to the Crown Solicitor, but that officer did not furnish him with the information sought. He has, therefore, referred the question to the Attorney-General, together with the draft of a regulation respecting boiler inspections and overhauls in the future. Mr Richardson says that his whole aim is to have the responsibility positively fixed. Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic. : 1869 - 1954), Saturday 28 April 1894, page 23 The Minister of Railways has completed his consideration of the supplementary report received by him from the Ringwood Boiler Explosion Board. The report, it will be remembered, held Loco-Inspector Thompson blameable for the non-inspection of the boiler, but considered there was extenuating circumstances. There was a certain amount of doubt as to the absolute instructions given for overhauling engines periodically. Mr. Richardson is sending the report on to the Commissioners with instructions that the responsibility respecting inspection of boilers shall be made clear for the future.