This work forms part of the collection assembled by the historian Dorothy Rogers, that was donated to the Kew Historical Society by her son John Rogers in 2015. The manuscripts, photographs, maps, and documents were sourced by her from both family and local collections or produced as references for her print publications. Many were directly used by Rogers in writing ‘Lovely Old Homes of Kew’ (1961) and 'A History of Kew' (1973), or the numerous articles on local history that she produced for suburban newspapers. Most of the photographs in the collection include detailed annotations in her hand.The Rogers Collection provides a comprehensive insight into the working habits of a historian in the 1960s and 1970s. Together it forms the largest privately-donated collection within the archives of the Kew Historical Society.A print made for Dorothy Rogers of a book plate originally published in F.G.A. Barnards 'Jubilee History of Kew' (1910) showing a view of Barnard's pharmacy and post office on the corner of High Street and Cotham Road, where the Kew Post Office was to be built in 1888."Barnard's Post Office on present P.O. corner prior to 1880. 1st P.O. was in Houwiesons Shop. This is the site of The Block . See other photo"francis barnard, dorothy rogers, kew post office

These are sales photographs for William Tatham Ltd. of Rochdale. These photographs are taken in the fitting shop at William Tatham Ltd. where final assembly would have taken place. An Automatic Feeding Machine automatically and sequentially supplies uncarded wool to carding machines, The photographed machine was made by William Tatham Ltd, a textile engineering company based in Rochdale, UK. Established in 1866 Tatham developed innovative textile machinery and send their products to Australia and other countries around the world.A black and white photo of a Patent Automatic Feed Machine in a portrait format. Black wiritng on the rear, typed with a typewriter.Front - mid left corner - Wm. TATHAM Ltd. ROCHDALE. Machine Maker Front bottom right corner - 1129 Rear - Patent Automatic Feed with Extended Hopper fitted with balanced pressure plate which operates through Variable Speed Device to regulate speed of spiked lattice in accordance with material in Hopper. Electro-Magnetic Clutch Drive to spiked lattice controlled by Mercery Switch on scale arm. Diagonal Scale Pan with improved knife edge suspension. Dual Trap Doors over Pan actuated by Solenoid. Automatic device to slow spiked lattice just prior to weigh being obtained. Ball or roller bearings to main shaft, combs and other parts. Self-aligning bearing to timing shaft etc.textile machinery, tatham, wool manufacture, carding, automatic feeding machine, wool

Part of the AFB network of fundraising involved the use of opportunity shops in various locations. The Top Opp was a large contributor and the work of those who volunteered is acknowledged in this plaque.Gold coloured metal plate with black writingAssociation for the Blind gratefully recognises the financial contribution made by the Top Opp at the Chadstone Shopping Centre through the efforts of its many volunteers August 1995association for the blind, fundraising

Commemorative object produced by Simplot Food Service and presented to the City of Greater Bendigo on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the creation of the Chicko Roll by Bendigo born boiler maker, Frank McEncroe. The Chicko Roll has been an Australian icon since the 1960's and 70's. Inspired by the Chinese spring roll and first sold in 1951 as the "Chicken Roll" despite not actually containing chicken. The snack was designed to be easily eaten on the move without a plate or cutlery and is typically deep-fried in vegetable oil. By 1965 the ubiquitous Chicko Roll was sold in every fish and chip shop throughout the country and at the height of their popularity in the 1970s, 40 million Chiko Rolls were being sold Australia-wide each year and more than one million were exported to Japan.(Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chiko_Roll). Advertised with the slogan 'Grab a Chiko', 'Hit the Hot Spot' and 'You Can't Knock the Roll' the marketing around the Chicko Roll was aimed towards the male population with women perched on Harley Davidson's prevocatively preparing to bite into a Chicko Roll. In 2008 with a push towards healthier eating, Chicko Roll reviewed its advertising and although it continues to target young men, it switched to using a 'fun, active' young women, riding a retro pushbike near the beach to improve its image. In 1995 J.R. Simplot, an American company who also own Leggo's, Birds Eye, Edgell and John Wes,t acquired Chicko Roll to sure up their foothold in the Australian market. Life size gold plated chicko roll in a hinged wooden presentation box with red lining. Double sided, printed letter accompanying the object explains its creation and significance.0365.1; CHICKOcity of greater bendigo commerce, mayor acherman

The photograph was taken in front of the Royal District Nursing Service (RDNS) Service Centre at Chessell Street, South Melbourne. The three men are employees of RDNS who work in the RDNS Service Centre and are looking at a donated Van.In May 1971 the Commission Shop donated a Van to the Royal District Nursing Service (RDNS), to be used by the Maintenance crew for delivery of equipment and transporting goods and documents between RDNS Centres and Headquarters. It was also used for transporting Maintenance staff, and the equipment they required, to do maintenance work at RDNS Centres as needed. The Commission Van was kept at the RDNS Service Centre, at Chessell Street, South MelbourneBlack and white photograph showing, Mr. Pincher, who has curled hair and is standing on the left in front of a white Van looking at a sign on its centre front. To his right is Mr. J. Grigg, who has dark hair, and is standing between the open Van door and the body of the Van; he is pointing with his right index finger to the sign. On the right in front of the Van is Mr. J. Greet who is touching the wiper blade on the Van with his right hand and is also looking at the sign.The three men are wearing grey work coats over their clothes. Only the front and a little of the roof of the Van can be seen. The attached rectangular white sign with dark capital letters reading "Donated By The Commission Shop May 1971" sits in the centre of the Van above a black thin oblong sign with a centre white section containing a black capital "N". Only the left headlight can be seen and the grill below this; below that the black Number plate with white writing "KWH 727" is seen. Parts of buildings can be seen in the background.Photographers stamp. Quote No. KH 79royal district nursing service, rdns, rdns maintenance, rdns transport, rdns commission van, mr pincher, mr j. greet, mr j. grigg

George Tibbits, University of Melbourne. Faculty of Architecture, Building and Town & Regional PlanningIndex system that support the research for Beechworth : historical reconstruction / [by] George Tibbits ... [et al]Arranged by street names of BeechworthEach index card includes: street name and number of property, image of property, allotment and section number, property owners and dates of ownership, description of the property according to rate records, property floor plan with dimensions.beechworth, george tibbitsbeechworth, george tibbits

George Tibbits, University of Melbourne. Faculty of Architecture, Building and Town & Regional PlanningIndex system that support the research for Beechworth : historical reconstruction / [by] George Tibbits ... [et al]Arranged by street names of BeechworthEach index card includes: street name and number of property, image of property, allotment and section number, property owners and dates of ownership, description of the property according to rate records, property floor plan with dimensions.beechworth, george tibbitsbeechworth, george tibbits

George Tibbits, University of Melbourne. Faculty of Architecture, Building and Town & Regional PlanningIndex system that support the research for Beechworth : historical reconstruction / [by] George Tibbits ... [et al]Arranged by street names of BeechworthEach index card includes: street name and number of property, image of property, allotment and section number, property owners and dates of ownership, description of the property according to rate records, property floor plan with dimensions.beechworth, george tibbitsbeechworth, george tibbits

George Tibbits, University of Melbourne. Faculty of Architecture, Building and Town & Regional PlanningIndex system that support the research for Beechworth : historical reconstruction / [by] George Tibbits ... [et al]Arranged by street names of BeechworthEach index card includes: street name and number of property, image of property, allotment and section number, property owners and dates of ownership, description of the property according to rate records, property floor plan with dimensions.beechworth, george tibbitsbeechworth, george tibbits

George Tibbits, University of Melbourne. Faculty of Architecture, Building and Town & Regional PlanningIndex system that support the research for Beechworth : historical reconstruction / [by] George Tibbits ... [et al]Arranged by street names of BeechworthEach index card includes: street name and number of property, image of property, allotment and section number, property owners and dates of ownership, description of the property according to rate records, property floor plan with dimensions.beechworth, george tibbitsbeechworth, george tibbits

George Tibbits, University of Melbourne. Faculty of Architecture, Building and Town & Regional PlanningIndex system that support the research for Beechworth : historical reconstruction / [by] George Tibbits ... [et al]Arranged by street names of BeechworthEach index card includes: street name and number of property, image of property, allotment and section number, property owners and dates of ownership, description of the property according to rate records, property floor plan with dimensions.beechworth, george tibbitsbeechworth, george tibbits

George Tibbits, University of Melbourne. Faculty of Architecture, Building and Town & Regional PlanningIndex system that support the research for Beechworth : historical reconstruction / [by] George Tibbits ... [et al]Arranged by street names of BeechworthEach index card includes: street name and number of property, image of property, allotment and section number, property owners and dates of ownership, description of the property according to rate records, property floor plan with dimensions.beechworth, george tibbitsbeechworth, george tibbits

Property - Ford Street, Beechworth - Section 2, Town Allotments 4 - 100' x 250' - Note: (see also Town Allotment 5, 2-4/5-1, 2-4/5-2, 2-4/5-3 and 2-4/5-4) Ownership details and history - 28 Oct 1853 - W.H. Neuber 2-4+5 - 1861 - Wallace, Peter, unlisted, J.A. Wallace, I. 105'x165' Hotel 86'x21', 2 Stories WB. sh. rf. Dp. 84'x18' do----do. Theatre 75'x26' do. Office 18'x20' do, Billiard room 35'x22' sl. & sh. rf. Kitchen 45'x25' slabs, Back Bldg. 22'x15' do. Stables 60'6"x 20'6" do. 2-4 - 1861 - Hearn, William, unlisted, J. Gray, land 13'6"x25' shop 13'6"x25' plate glass fr. WB. + sh. rf. 2-4+5 - 1863/4 - Clark, J.S. Publican, same, land 105'x165' Hotel & bedrooms 105'x18', 2 stories WB. + sh. rf. Store at back 10'x24' Stables, slabs, battenwork, + sh. 113'x26' Kitchen 45'x25' slabs + bark rf. Store 14'x9' WB + bark, Ldry 11'x10' WB + sh. Theatre 75'x26' WB + sh. 2-4 - 1863/4 - Richter, A. Mrs Gray, bld 13'6"x25' shop as above 2-5 - 1866 - Brown, John, barber, J.S. Clark, shop + back rooms, 18'x16' part "Star Hotel Bldgs" £55 2-4 + 5 - 1866 - Clark, John Sitch, publican, same. land 105'x165' "Star Hotel" 61'x41' 2 stories bk bldg + sh. rf. Bedrooms from front along "Star Lane" 105'x18' 2 stories WB + sh. rf. In rear store 24'x10' slabs + sh. rf. Kitchen 45'x25' slabs + bark rf. Ldry 11'x10' WB + sh. Store 14'x9' W.B. + bark rf. £330 2-4 - 1866 Clark, J.S. Publican, same, 'Theatre" 75'x26' WB + sh. roof £70 2-4 + 5 - 1866 Crawford, Hiram Allen - also 16-17, Connolly, Michael, coach owners, J.S. Clark "Star" stables 120'x26' slabs trellis work & sh. rf. £30 2-4 - 1866 - Richter, Augustus, Watchmaker, William Telford, land + Prem as 1861 £52 no entry - 1871 - Isaacs, Alfred, Clothier, J.S. Clark, shop 18'x18'. part of Star Hotel Buildings 2-4 + 5 - 1871 - Clark, J.S. Publican, same hotel as 1866 £300 no entry - 1871 - Clark, J.S. Publican, same, coach office 14'x12' part of old Star Theatre £20 no entry - 1871 - Brasch, Morris, Clothier, J.S. Clark, shop 14'6'x50' part of old Star Theatre, £65 2-4 + 5 - 1871 - Clark, J.S. Publican, same, Stables 120'x26' slabs + sh. roof. £26 2-4 - Richter, A. Watchmaker, Wm. Telford, land + prem as 1861 £45 no entry - 1876 - Issacs, Alfred, tailor, F.K. Allen, shop and dwelling, part of Star Hotel Bldgs, £40 2-4 + 5 - 1876 - Allen, Frederick K. Hotelkeeper, same. land + hotel as 1866 + coach office part of old Theatre £160 2-5 - 1876 - Crawford, H.A. - Connolly, M. Coach Proprietors, F.K. Allen stables, 120'x26' slabs + sh. roof £78 no entry - 1876 - Galbraith, Andrew L. Confectioner, F.K. Allen, double shop 15'x50' part of old Star Theatre £65 no entry - 1876 - Richter, Augustus, Watchmaker, W. Telford, J.G. Orr. land + prem as 1861 £40 no entry - 1884 - O'Connor, David M. Hairdresser, shop + prem, portion of Hotel Bldg 2-4 + 5 - 1884 - Allen, F.K. Publican, same "Star Hotel" 2-4 - 1884 - William, Robert, Bootmaker, F.K. Allen - double shop 2-4 - 1889 - Crawford, Connolly & McCurdy, Coach Proprietors, F.K. Allen, Star Stables, Sheds + Land £60 2-4 - 1889 - Dunn, Fred, Bootmaker, F. Allen, shop, prem + land £15 2-4 + 5 - 1889 - Carroll, Wm. Hotelkeeper, F. Allen, Star Hotel. prem + land £135 2-4 - 1889 - Williams, Robert, Bootmaker, F. Allen, double shop + prem + land £40 2-4 - 1900 - Philips, William R. Blacksmith, Wm. Carroll, Star Stables and land £25 2-4 - 1900 - _unoccupied) , William Carroll, land £5 2-4 + 5 - 1900 - Lowe, John, Hotelkeeper, Wm. Carroll, Star Hotel premises £130 2-4 - 1900 - Vandenberg, George, Dentist, H. Vandenberg, surgery + land £10 2-4 - 1906 - Lod, Wm. G. Star Lane, Blacksmith, execs. W. Carroll, Star Stables and land £20 2-4 - 1906 - Dumbrell, Starr & Jarvis, Watchmakers, execs. W. Carroll, shop + land £40 2-4 + 5 - 1906 - Lowe, John. Hotelkeeper, W. Carroll execs. of Star Hotel and land £130 2-4 - 1906 - Vandenberg, Henry, not tenant issued, land £10 Note: execs. = executors 2-4 and 5 - 1976 2-4/5-1 - R. Rosen - Men's Hairdresser 2-4/5-2 - Star Youth Hostel 2-4/5-3 - G. Fendyk, Butcher 2-4/5-4 - Vacant Store Architectural Index Card - Brian Pump and Tony Dugan - Photographers beechworth, george tibbits

George Tibbits, University of Melbourne. Faculty of Architecture, Building and Town & Regional PlanningIndex system that support the research for Beechworth : historical reconstruction / [by] George Tibbits ... [et al]Arranged by street names of BeechworthEach index card includes: street name and number of property, image of property, allotment and section number, property owners and dates of ownership, description of the property according to rate records, property floor plan with dimensions.beechworth, george tibbitsbeechworth, george tibbits

George Tibbits, University of Melbourne. Faculty of Architecture, Building and Town & Regional PlanningIndex system that support the research for Beechworth : historical reconstruction / [by] George Tibbits ... [et al]Arranged by street names of BeechworthEach index card includes: street name and number of property, image of property, allotment and section number, property owners and dates of ownership, description of the property according to rate records, property floor plan with dimensions.beechworth, george tibbitsbeechworth, george tibbits

In a "LED HORSE" category, the horse is presented bridled and unsaddled. The handler leads the horse in clockwise direction on the circle. The horse is required to walk and trot and stand to be judged. The judge looks for correct conformation of the horse as well as ahorse that is neatly presented and in good condition. Straight movement, correctness and quality of paces and obedience of the horse are also taken into consideration. This trophy was sponsored by Manns of Wodonga. The Mann family operated a major business in Wodonga for 85 years, beginning with a produce store in February 1921. It expanded to become one of Australia’s largest regional shopping centres, with a Supermarket, Hardware Store, Steel Store, Plumbing and Industrial supplies store, at one stage employing well over 100 people. The Mann Family sold the business in 2006.This item has local significance as it records winners in equestrian events at the Wodonga Show. The award was also presented by a prominent citizen of Wodonga.A wooden shield with metal plaques engraved with names and year of competition winners for the Supreme Champion Led horse at the Wodonga Show.On gold toned banner at top: "Manns of Wodonga" On bottom plate: Supreme Champion/ Led Horse of / the Wodonga Show" On smaller shields: "1976/MISS M McINTYRE/ GREEN VALLEY/CALYPSO", "1977 /MISS M McINTYRE/BIRRAHLEE LONICERA" , "1978/J. VINGE/ HILLINVIEW/BLACK PANTHER" , "1979/MRS A. WILKINSON/SWEET SUE"equestrian events wodonga show, wodonga show, supreme champion led horse, mann wodonga

Clothing. Men's black woolen bathing suit. Rib pattern in woolen fabric. Overskirt at front-to 6cms above gusset. Black and white V pattern fabric strip on side seams, forms keepers for belt. Woven cream fabric belt with silver plate buckle. Applique emblem of sailing yacht on lower left-hand side of skirt. The bathing suit belonged to Flight Sergeant Richard Harry Adams of Brighton. He was reported missing during an operation near Scilly Islands and was presumed killed on 03/10/1943. The bathing suit was amongst the very few items sent home to his mother.Label ''Thistle'' All wool Australian made, London Stores, the Boy's Shop Melbourne.costume, male, bathing suit

Series of three photos showing pyramid or rerailing plates and how they were used. Appears to be photographed at Preston Works shops during the 1970's. .1 - Fabricated plate with an angle welded to it, showing how it was positioned relative to a derailed wheel. .2 - Photo shows a pyramid plate placed relative to a wheel and axle set. .3 - ditto relative to an fabricated angle plate.trams, tramways, derailments, accidents, preston workshops, recovery

Hand-made child's doll's house. Built by Mrs Yvonne Fitzmaurice and finished in 1979. This house was built as a 1:12 scale and is a model of a Californian house called Peppercorn farm. House was built by Yvonne and her family and took a period of three years. A lot of the furniture is handmade and the rest is collected from various shops. Catalogued books, manuals, repair kits etc used when building the house.The white painted verandah has a brass plate beside the door with the name Susan Fitzmaurice. In front of the door is a door mat and the veranda has a white hanging seat and a timber flower box with flowers."Susan Fitzmaurice" name on front of building. Date on plaque on top of front wall. Contents: - flower box with flowers, wooden swing, door mat.

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.