Provides in a Q & A format, instructions to drivers in electric car operation, sketches of various types of controllers, braking system description, emergency braking, safety cars, manual lap valves, the air system, hand braking, lighting system and general duties, and what to do if the tram breaks down. On pages 44 to 48 - a long list of don'ts, notes regarding the traffic code and reference index for defects. Pages 1 and 2 have been removed along a perforated line - would have been an acknowledgement sheet. Book has No. 2154 on top of page 3.Demonstrates the methods that the MMTB used to train drivers and remind them of their duties and responsibilites. Donor advised that the book belong to a Mr Kennewell of Preston Depot.Book - 52 pages, side stapled book within grey Rexine covers. Titled "Melbourne and Metropolitan Tramways Board /Electric System /Instructions to Drivers in Electric Car Operation" Dated 1948. trams, tramways, mmtb, drivers, training, instructions, motormen, kennewell, tram drivers

Digital image of a photocopy of the Agreement dated 23-8-1912 between the Australian Tramway Employees Association with the Melbourne Tramway & Omnibus Company Limited and a supplemental agreement dated 12-8-1913. The agreement was the first between the Union and the Company which had long resisted unionism. The Victorian Branch of the ATEA was formed in November 1910. The agreement was the result of an Arbitration hearing before the Commonwealth Conciliation Commission. Frank Brennan & Rundle represented the Union and Louis Waxman the Company. The agreement covers wages for all the Companies employees, working days, rostered days off, travelling time, meal breaks, rosters, Sunday work, exchange of shifts, public holiday rates, training of students, accident reports, ability to wear their union badge on their watch chains, disputes re revenue, trackmen, ropemen, the establishment of a Board of Reference, dispute resolution, breach of the agreement and expiry - 30 June 1916, the day the Company Franchise ended. See item 7361 for a copy of the MTOCo employee rules that reflect this agreement. Signed by L L Hill Union President, A C Warton Union Secretary, H A Wilcox Company Secretary, and W G Sprigg, one of the Company Directors. The supplemental agreement - has a long introduction to the dispute regarding workers being represented on the grounds of alleged misconduct. Notes the name of the Court President, Mr. Justice Higgins. Provides the process for representation of any man who is accused of misconduct, discipline, and proof of the charge. Notes the use of the company's private (detective) staff - known as spotters. The wearing of union badges was the cause of a large General Strike by tramway men and others during 1912 in Brisbane.Yields information about the first agreement between the Melbourne cable tram operator and the Union that represented the workers. Digital Image of the 1912 Agreement between MTOCo and the ATEA and a supplemental agreement of 1913tramways, trams, unions, atea, mtoco, cable tramways, employment conditions, agreements, cable trams, disputes, discipline, spotters

Long baton with large silver knob on one end. White and gold cord with tassels at other end. Long wooden centre pole with a metal ferrule at the other end.brass bands, linton brass band, mr. m. trengrove, mr. w. todd

This Newsletter was the first by the newly elected Bendigo RSL Sub Branch President Alan Holmes at the AGM early 1997. The 15 sub headings are, Annual meeting, About the Units, Finance, Veterans Affairs, pension, Welfare, Appeals, Commemorative plaque, RSL Corporate plan, Ladies Auxiliary, memorabilia room, In general, Mufti and General meetings. Main points are; Mr Cliff Closehy stepping down after a Presidency of a rewarding 3 years and his foresight in building the 22 single living Units in Kangaroo Flat, Veterans Affairs having permanent Office in Bendigo, new direction in having trained Pension Officers, long standing Welfare Officer Les Waters stands down, role taken on by Jack Martin, New Appeals director Malcolm Angus taking over from long term men, Ted Kenedy & Ern Jackman, , new plaque to be unveiled at the Tom Flood Sports Centre (old Bendigo Show Grounds) commemorating the place as a WW2 Training Camp, Our Ladies Auxiliary now only catering for Ex Service organizations, The Volunteers who have helped transform the the Billiard room into a Memorabilia room especially C Richards for acquiring a Grant from Veterans Affairs to set the room up, the new Regional Centres being set up for Pensions & Welfare.Newsletter, paper A4 folded in half to make 4 pages, print in all black, there are 15 sub headings throughout. First page at the top has the RSL Logo on the left then the Sub branch being Bendigo central, under is "Presidents Newsletter" with the date "3 April 1997"brsl, smirsl, newsletter, 1997

Black and white photograph (2 copies)Typed on rear of backing sheet: "Ringwood Councillors and Staff - 1949. Front row L-R. Mr. A.F.B. Long (Town Clerk) Cr. F. Corr, Cr. B. Hubbard, Cr. H.C. Pearson (Mayor), Cr. E. Stewart, Cr. H.E. Parker, Cr. W. Wademan. Back Row - J. Proudley (Caretaker), L.C. Steeth (Ranger), S.R. Taylor (Health Inspector), G. Holloway (Clerk), A.C. Robertson (Eng. Asst.), Miss A. Goldie (Typist), C. Cox (Cadet Eng.), C. Merry (Building Inspector), F.R. Lucas (Engineer)"

Charles Bennett was a son of William Garnsworthy and Susan Bennett. He married Francis Elizabeth (Lizzie) Craze in 1911.Black and white portrait of a gentleman in formal attire seated to left of a young lady standing wearing long sleeved full length wedding gown with train and flowered headdress with long veil, holding bridal bouquet in front with both hands.On reverse of photograph, information probably supplied by Stella Surman: "Mr Charles Bennett / Lizzie Crase".frances elizabeth (lizzie) craze, charles bennett, weddings

10570 South African (Boer) War Memorial Bendigo. The monument commemorates those who died in service or were killed in action while serving in the South African (Boer) War. It is a bronze statue of a soldier on a granite base. Leader (Melbourne), 19 November 1904. “There was a large assemblage on the afternoon of 11th November, when the ceremony of unveiling the soldiers' memorial statue was performed by Brigadier-General Gordon in the presence of a muster of branches of the defence forces. The statue, which is in bronze, is mounted on a massive granite base, on the foot of which is the following inscription: — "Bendigo's tribute to the memory of the Australian soldiers who, in the South African war of 1899 - 1902 gave their lives for Queen and Empire. The statue was modelled by Mr. J. Walker, a young Bendigonian, who has been studying for two or three years under Mr. A. T. Woodward art instructor at the local school of mines.“ Ola Cohn recalled in her autobiography meeting John Walker as a sculpture student at the Bendigo School of Mines and that he had later received the commission for the Boer War Memorial although she neglects to mention its location. John Walker was born in Bendigo and first studied sculpture at the Bendigo School of Art. Walker, then went to England to study at the Royal College of Art London, and in Paris at the Académie Colarossi and Julian Academy. John Walker worked as a sculptor in both Bendigo and West Brunswick before turning to chicken farming in the Bendigo suburb of White Hills. The photo of A. T. Pattinson was taken by George Leake Massingham, a professional photographer, who had seven children, one of whom died at birth. After arriving in Australia from England, he established himself as a travelling photographer, an occupation he continued after his marriage. He travelled throughout country Queensland, Victoria and New South Wales, setting up studios along the way. The family ended up moving with him, travelling to Sydney, Narrandera, Bendigo, Newtown, Geelong and Deniliquin. Correspondence re Boer War Memorial Bendigo Boer War Memorial Bendigo. Letters and photo from and to Mrs Wilson, eldest daughter of Mr Arthur T. Pattinson who was a model for the Boer War sculpture. 10570a A black and white photo of Trooper Arthur T. Pattinson restored by BHS Volunteers. 10570b The original photo as sent by Mrs Wilson to Harold Curnow (Bendigo Historical Society) in 1962. The photo is mounted on heavy brown cardboard and has an old catalogue number of "P680" inscribed on it. The cardboard is torn and held together with sticky tape. On the front in italics is printed G.L. Massingham, Bendigo. 10570c Notes on the rear of the photo from Mrs Wilson state that "the photo is of Arthur T. Pattinson (Rusty), an Australian Light Horse trooper who served in the Boer War. The Boer War Memorial in Pall Mall Bendigo represents a trooper on guard. The sculptor was Jack Walker who used Pattinson as a model, and it is regarded as an excellent likeness." 10570d A letter from Harold Curnow back to Mrs Wilson on Jan 4th, 1963, acknowledging receipt of the photo and a letter received, noting the significance of the historical information. 10570e Handwritten letter 29/11/1962 from Mrs Wilson to Mr Curnow introducing herself as Mr. Pattinson's eldest daughter and answering the letter he wrote to her father. She mentions the bad health of her parents. Arthur modelled for the statue at least two to three times per week in a studio on the top floor of a building in Bull St. He was the original model to the best of her knowledge. Another model possibly Mr P. Handmear may have sat as a model for renovations (*). The rifle was a light horse rifle issued to Pattinson as he was still serving in 1904. Arthur and Handmear were boys together and very close. * Note - the plaster model was repaired prior to casting in metal. 10570f An obituary notice: 18/11/64 "On Nov. 17 at Frankston, Emma, wife of the late A. T. Pattinson (Rusty), late of Bendigo. 10570g Letter Nov. 20th, 1962, from Harold Curnow to Mr Arthur T. Pattinson, Kent St., Mornington, Vic. "Dear Mr Pattinson, Last week your brother, Brit., whom I have known for many years, supplied the Bendigo Advertiser with some interesting information regarding your role as the model for the late Jack Walker when he was making the statue for the Boer War Memorial here. Yesterday however, another claimant to the distinction of being the model was advanced in the Bendigo Advertiser by Mr Richard Marshall, of Moran Street, Bendigo who said that the soldier's model was Phillip Handmear. I understand that your brother has sent the newspaper cuttings on to you. When he called to see me yesterday, he suggested that I write to you for further particulars. Can you recall the discussion you had with Jack Walker when he approached you about acting as the model and do you remember how many times you posed for him, and whether the work was done in the house, in the yard, or in one of the outbuildings at Moran Street? In short, any details at all. At this point in time we are considering an interesting facet in Bendigo's history, so any seemingly unimportant incidents could really be useful if we knew about them. Have you any old newspaper cuttings mentioning your name in connection with the memorial? Do you remember any remarks that passed between you and Jack Walker during the long sessions you must have put in on this work? This could be very important. And do you recall where the rifle came from? Did you or Jack Walker borrow it from the military authorities? Back in 1934 Jack Walker recalled having had to pull the plaster model down and remake it when he discovered it was slightly off-balance and was slowly toppling forward. He told me he had to get his model to pose again. Do you know anything about this? Could it have been that he got Mr. Handmear in for the final stage of the work? That, of course, would apply only if you were not available. Incidentally, I never heard of Mr Handmear until I saw his name in yesterday's "Advertiser". In any case I intended contacting your brother or you to enquire whether any member of your family has an old photograph of you in your Boer War uniform, that is, one taken about the time of or just after the Boer War. I am sure that members of the Bendigo Branch of the Royal Historical Society would be most interested to see it. I hope you will have the time and inclination to consider the many points I have raised in this letter because the subject has aroused a lot of interest in Bendigo. Hoping you are well and quite as active as you wish, I remain, with all good wishes, Yours sincerely, Harold Curnow". john walker, jack walker, boer war memorial bendigo, arthur pattinson, soldiers' memorial bendigo

Built 1860 as Bank of New South Wales. Sold 1903 to Mr Lewers (son of Samuel Lewers, first manager of the bank in Linton). Operated as antique shop by Mrs Surman 1950s-1981. Jim and Cynthia Mason ran an antique and Devonshire tea restaurant 1981-84.Colour photograph showing long brick building with chimney, painted blue with white trim, fronting footpath at corner of two streets with shrubbery beside and behind.traquair house, bank of new south wales linton

The Spring Gully Gold Mining property consists of Gold Mining Lease No. 2986, Castlemaine, of about 21 acres situated on the Emu Reef, in Spring Gully Fryers. There are two shafts, distant about 300 feet from each other. From one of them large quantities of gold were obtained in former years by previous companies. ( Prospectus of the Spring Gully Mining CompanyMaroon hard cover book, brown leather binding on spine and corners, three hundred and eighty pages. Written on spine of book in gold leaf : 'Minute Book'. Handwritten minute entries from 14th September 1903 to 30th August 1915. Affixed to first page, newspaper clipping from the 'Herald' 13/9/05, with information about the Spring Gully Mine Fryerstown. Page eighty-one has two quotes affixed from 'The Yarraville Chlorination and Ore Reduction Works' High Street Yarraville, July 1905, for works associated with pyrites and blanket sand. Page nine, a handwritten letter affixed to minutes, applying for a block of land 250 feet north of main shaft. Signed by J.S. Potter, H. Hancock, G Murray and T. Tumney. 1.Page one hundred and one: three quotes from 'Edwards' Metallurgical Works' Specimen Hill, Bendigo for pyrites and blanket sand. 2.Page one hundred and fifty five: handwritten letter (copy) from A. Schonfelder re shaft work on the mine and mention of tributors 3. Affixed to inside cover: letter from the 'United Shire of Mount Alexander' April 15th. 1907, regarding the reconstruction of the Vaughan bridge over the Loddon River. 'the benefit that the mines in your district derive from the bridge being open for wood waggons and this being the main traffic and this being the principal cause of the bridges present condition'. 4. Prospectus of the Spring Gully Mining Company, Spring Gull, Fryerstown, two page folded document enclosed inside back cover of book. Prospectus incomplete. (10746.93a) 5. Carbon copy of letter to D.E. Williams Esq, Castlemaine from GlenAthol, Casewick Road, London, January 25th, 1907 regarding two gentlemen who were 'called upon to carry the 'Spring Gullys' through - Mr. H. 'is making a determined effort to bring the matter to a successful issue' Letter signed by George Allan. (10746.93b. 6. Carbon copy of letter from E. Williams, London re proposed new company to acquire the properties of Spring G.M. Coy, Spring Gully G.M. Coy. No. 1, Sth Spring Gully G.M. Coy, Sth Spring Gully G.M. Coy Extended (10746.93c) 7. Handwritten letter to the Chairman and Directors of the Spring Gully G.M. Co. re the appointment of 'Mr. Samuel Morse Battery Manager at once, or accept my resignation as Mining Manager, for we can't agree any longer' Signed by A. Schonfelder. 8. Notice of extraordinary meeting of shareholders in Spring Gully Gold Mining Company No Liability, 22nd November 1906 at Beehive Chambers, Bendigo. Signed W.G. Blackham (Blackham & Garvin) Manager of the Company. (10746.93e) The Minute Book is part of the Margaret Roberts Collection of mining documents.bendigo, margaret roberts, , goldmining, castlemaine, spring gully gold mine, fryertown

Item engraved with MCH (Margaret Coles maternity wing at the Alfred Hospital). MCH opened in 1943. "This maternity wing, which has been named after Mrs Coles, wife of Mr G. J. Coles, who gave more than £35,000 toward it." "The hospital's Margaret Coles House delivered maternity services from 1943-1984."An item that was used in MCH which is no longer in existence. Triangular with three bars of equal size with diamond shaped engraved crest 1st/ Floor/ M.C.H. / Hexagram star shaped emblem/ scroll inscribedmch, ahnl, alfred hospital, alfred hospital nurses league, melbourne hospitals, margaret coles, maternity care, obstetrics, midwifery

Black and white photograph (3 copies- 2 in photograph studio embossed presentation folder)Ringwood Borough Council. Councillors, officers and architect and builder of Town Hall. Left to right - Front Row. A.F.B. Long, Cr. A.T. Miles, J.B. McAlpin. Second Row. J. K. McCaskill, R.G., Wilkins, F.R. Lucas, Eng. Third row. M. J. Jenkins (rate collector), A.C. Leith, architect, A.J. Roberts (builder), Mr. Taylor, Health Inspector. Taken on steps of new town hall, August 1927".

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.