Handwritten list, (typed copy) by Albert Richardson, of Gold Mines or Mining Companies. Listed are: Australian United Quartz Co Sandhurst, Advance Co, Big Hill Tribute Co, Birds Reef Railway Reserve Mine Co, British Banner Gold M Co, Brookfield Gold M Co, Carlisle North Garden Gully, Caroline Gold M Co, Central Garden Gully, Charles Gavin Duff Gold M Co, Charleston Quartz, Cinderella Co, Collman Tacchi & Nelson, Confidnece Gold M Co, Cornish United Gold M Co, Derby Gold Mine Co, Dixon's Tribute Co, Ellesmere black Lead Tribute Co 1871, Empire Amalgamated, Extended Gold M Co (Majorca), Extended Co Victoria Reef, First Chance Tribute, Fortuna, Golden Fleece & Heales United, Garden Gully United, Garden Gully, Golden Fleece, Golden Point, Golden Lion Tribute Garden Gully Reef, Great Golden Fleece Co, Great Wonder Co, Gilmons Golden Palm Trib Co, Golden Garden Gully Co 1873, Golden Sovereign Extended Trib Co 1872, Great Extended Garden Gully Co 1874, Great Extended South Hustlers Co 1872, Great Republic Corp, Ironbark Co, Kangaroo Flat Steam Puddling & Qaurtz M Co, Riverpool Gold M Co, Iron Duke Co 1871, Henry Van Der Hugen Pioneer G M Co, Kent M Co, Kentish Co, Mariners Reef Co, Mary Hill Trib Co, Morning Star Gold Mine Co, Mount Korong Lane's Reef M Co, New Chum & Victoria Trib Co, New Hopeful Gold M C, New Homeward Bound, New Lord Warden Trib Co, North Lord Warden Trib Co, North Nelson, North Golden Pyke Co, North Old Chum, North Shamrock, North Birds Reef Co, North Birds Tribute Co, New Chum Freehold, New Era, No 3 Wilson's G M C, Odin Reef Co, Oriental Perserverance G M C, Paddy's Reef Trib Co, Palm Gold M Co, Palm Tribute Co, Pearl Tribute Co, Pegleg Gully Quartz G M C, Pegleg Quartz M C, Princess Dagmar G M C, Prince of Wales Amalgamated (Tarnagulla), Pyrances Gold M C, Passby United G M C, Quartz Hill Quartz M C, Pevieres Victory Trib Co, Royal Oak Quartz, Royal Standard Trib Co, Royal George Quartz G M C, Royal Golden Fleece, Sable Chief G M C, Sainia Reef Quartz M Co, South Fraser Reef G M C, Southern New Chum Gold M C, Shanandoor Tribute, Sebastian Gold M Co, Sophia & Redan G M Co, Youth Bell Vue Co, Shannon Company, South Extended Wallaby Co, South Ramrod Co, South Royal Hustlers Co, South Wallaby Trib Co, United Hustlers, United Hustlers & Redan Co, United Bros Tribute Co (Myrtle Creek), United Gold Mine Co, Victoria Reef Gold M Co, Victorian Consolidated M Co, Victoria Reef Quartz, Virginia Gold M Co, Victory and Pandora, Young Chum, South Homeward Bound Co, South Shilling Co, South Nuggetty Co, South Devonshire Co,South Keep it Dark, Try Again Tribute Co Victoria Hill.document, gold, mining reports, mining reports, list of gold mines or mining companies, australian united quartz co sandhurst, advance co, big hill tribute co, birds reef railway reserve mine co, british banner gold m co, brookfield gold m co, carlisle north garden gully, caroline gold m co, central garden gully, charles gavin duff gold m co, charleston quartz, cinderella co, collman tacchi & nelson, confidnece gold m co, cornish united gold m co, derby gold mine co, dixon's tribute co, ellesmere black lead tribute co1871, empire amated, extended gold m co (majorca), extended co victoria reef, first chance tribute, fortuna, golden fleece & heales united, garden gully united, garden gully, golden fleece, golden point, golden lion tribute garden gully reef, great golden fleece co, great wonder co, gilmons golden palm trib co, golden garden gully co 1873, golden sovereign extended trib co 1872, great extended garden gully co 1874, great extended garden gully co 1874, great extended south hustlers co 1872, great republic corp, ironbark co, kangaroo flat steam puddling & qaurtz m co, riverpool gold m co, iron duke co 1871, henry van der hugen pioneer g m co, kent m co, kentish co, mariners reef co, mary hill trib co, morning star gold mine co, mount korong lane's reef m co, new chum & victoria trib co, new hopeful gold m c, new homeward bound, new lord warden trib co, north lord warden trib co, north nelson, north golden pyke co, north old chum, north shamrock, north birds reef co, north birds tribute co, new chum freehold, new era, no 3 wilson's g m c, odin reef co, oriental perserverance g m c, paddy's reef trib co, palm gold m co, palm tribute co, pearl tribute co, pegleg gully quartz g m c, pegleg quartz m c, princess dagmar g m c, prince of wales amalgamated (tarnagulla), pyrances gold m c, passby united g m c, quartz hill quartz m c, pevieres victory trib co, royal oak quartz, royal standard trib co, royal george quartz g m c, royal golden fleece, sable chief g m c, sainia reef quartz m co, south fraser reef g m c, southern new chum gold m c, shanandoor tribute, sebastian gold m co, sophia & redan g m co, youth bell vue co, shannon company, south extended wallaby co, south ramrod co, south royal hustlers co, south wallaby trib co, united hustlers, united hustlers & redan co, united bros tribute co (myrtle creek), united gold mine co, victoria reef gold m co, victorian consolidated m co, victoria reef quartz, virginia gold m co, victory and pandora, young chum, south homeward bound co, south shilling co, south nuggetty co, south devonshire co, south keep it dark, try again tribute co victoria hill.

The company developed from the merchant activities of John Ford Strachan who commenced business in the Port Phillip settlement during 1836. A series of amalgamations from 1876 to 1896 extended the interests of the firm which registered on 23 Dec 1897 as Strachan, Murray & Shannon Pty Ltd. The company floated as a public company on 12 Sep 1919 and changed its name to Strachan & Co Ltd on 1 Jul 1931. The business was taken over by Dennys Lascelles Ltd and deregistered on 2 Aug 1978. The Stachan Woolstore complex on the corner of Moorabool Street and Brougham Street, Geelong was first built in 1840 and has been systematically redesigned over the years. Currently only the facade remains.Brown leather satchel bag with a handle and straps which fasten with metal belt clips. Gold printed lettering is featured on the front. Front [printed]: S. M. & S. LTD. / GEELONG / H. H. H.bag, working life, geelong, leather satchel

Scrap book containing invoices relating to accounts to be paid by the Ballarat School of Mines between 1870 until 1875. The School of Mines at Ballarat was the first school of Mines in Australia and was established in 1870. The works done to the former Ballarat Circuit Court House were overseen by Robert Davidson (architect and Surveyor) with the contractor being James Williams. Large book, green leather with red binding, numerous original invoices pasted onto the pages. The first pages of the scrapbook includes correspondence relating to the refurbishment of the former Ballarat Court House which was used as the Ballarat School of Mines from 1870. The building was demolished c1913 to make way for the Ballarat Technical Art School (still standing). * 23 August 1870 - Bateman, Clark & Co, The Ballarat Courier * August 1870 - Klug Bros. Furniture and Bedding Warehouse * April 1870 - J. Armstrong * Statement of Receipts and Expenditure from 23rd Aug. 1870 to 19 January 1871 * W. Gooch, * 1870 - William L. Mullen, Ballarat Stationery Warehouse & Printing Office, * 31Jany. 1871 - A.H. King, Iron Merchant, * 1 February 1871 - Richard Tunbridge, Timber Merchant, * January 4th 1871- Henry Gough, * 8th March 1871 William Murfet, * March 1871- Maxwell Morrow, * 1 February 1871- James Curtis, Caxton Steam Printing Works, * May 4th 1871 - William Blomeley, Iron and Brass Founder, * 4 May 1871 - Thomas Rogers, Draper, Milliner, Haberdasher & c. * May14 1871- George Shannon & Co, Importers of China, Glass & Earthenware, * May 31st 1871, Wreford & Co, Machine Printers, *1st July 1871 William McCulloch & Co,( late Reynolds and English) General Carriers to all parts of the Colony, * 1871- J.J. McDonald, Plumber and Gas Fitters, * August 29th 1871 - Eyres Brothers, Furnishing and General Ironmongers, * 1st August 1871, Frank Pinkerton,H Ben. Franklin Printing and Stationary House 18, Armstrong Street, Ballarat. * 12TH July 1871 J. Donovan, * 10th August, 1871 - Edward Rand, Wholesale Druggist & Importer, *11 Nov 1871 - Matthew Hamilton, * October 2nd 1871 - C.B. Retallack, Engineer and General Smith, *December 8 1871 - James Harrington, * June 1871 - Wayne, Wholesale Druggist * 21st Nov. 1871 - Smith Brothers, Timber Merchants. * 5 January 1872 - T. Eggington, Carpenter, * 12 January 1872 - James Fayle, Plumbers & Ironwork * January 26th 1872 - S. Stansfield, * August 10th 1872 - John H. Hammond Wholesale and Retail, Bookseller, Commercial and General Stationer, etc. etc."VOUCHER" inscribed on spine in gold Each invoice pasted into the scrapbook has a number written onto it. The numbers are in chronological order at start at 1 in each calendar year. ballarat school of mines, redmond barry, hugh gray, henry richards caselli, henry caselli, joseph flude, ballarat court house, harrie wood, clock, invoice book, robert davison, james williams, ballarat circuit court house, old ballarat court, emanuel steinfeld, j.t. sleep, c.b. retallack, john phillips, eyres bros, ballaarat gas company, national insurance company, broadbent bros, charles evans, niven and co, william johnson, william ford, george robertson, william vale, m.d. hamilton, plumbago crucible company, morgans crucibles, h.r. caselli, henry richards caselli, george evans, bateman, clark & co,, klug bros., j. armstrong, w. gooch,, william l. mullen, a.h. king, richard tunbridge, henry gough,, william murfet,, james curtis, william blomeley,, thomas rogers, george shannon, wreford, william mcculloch, j.j. mcdonald, frank pinkerton, ben franklin printing and stationary house, j. donovan, edward rand, matthew hamilton, c.b. retallack,, james harrington, smith brothers,, james fayle,, maxwell morrow,, s. stansfield, walhalla, brunswick house, t rogers

From a family who had three generations that worked for Dennys Lascelles. This is the annual financial report for Strachan, Murray and Shannon for the financial year of 1923. Their head office was in Moorabool St, which is now Westfield.Off-white two page paper document. Front cover has a list of the staff responsible for compiling the report. Middle two pages have an overview of the report and a series of numbers describing the finances of the company. Back cover has a short paragraph about the document.

Agreement (copy) between Mary Smith and Charles Shannon and Godfrey Hirst.Agreement (copy) between Mary Smith and Charles Shannon and Godfrey Hirst. Agreement (copy) between Mary Smith and Charles Shannon and Godfrey Hirst.weaving mills - management, godfrey hirst and co. pty ltd excelsior woollen and worsted mills, smith, mr charles henry smith, mr william herbert smith, mrs mary shannon, mr charles hirst, mr godfrey

Colonel Shannon DSO, VD., became the 1st President of the Wangaratta RSL in 1928 when it was organised under Anzac House and the present constitution. He was born at Bowman's Forest in 1874 and died in Wangaratta in 1960. He served in the Victorian Mounted Rifles at the turn of the century, rose to the rank of Captain and commanded the Wangaratta Detachment and Company - this later became the 8th Light Horse Regiment. In 1915 he embarked as Major in the 8th Light Horse and served in Gallipoli, Sinai, Palestine and Syria whee he commanded the 8th Squadron. Later he was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel and commanded the Regiment. During the Amman raids, he was awarded the D.S.O at El Salt. This award was presented to him by the Duke of Clarence. In post war period he commanded the 8th Australian Light Horse and later as Colonel of the 3rd Cavalry Brigade During the second world war Colonel Shannon came out from retirement to organise the V.D.C in North East Victoria.Brown timber frame containing sepia photograph of Army OfficerCol. J. J. Shannon D.S.O., V.D. - First President Wangaratta RSL. 1928 wangaratta rsl, h j shannon, dso, ww1, 8 light horse

Image of Lt Colonel Herbert James SHANNON DSO,VD - Commanding Officer of the 8th Light Horse AIF. Colonel Shannon became the 1st President of the Wangaratta RSL when it was organised under Anzac House and the present constitution. He was born at Bowman's Forest in 1874 and died in Wangaratta in 1960. He served in the Victorian Mounted Rifles at the turn of the century, rose to the rank of Captain and commanded the Wangaratta Detachment and Company - this later became the 8th Light Horse Regiment. In 1915 he embarked as Major in the 8th Light Horse and served in Gallipoli, Sinai, Palestine and Syria when he commanded the 8th Squadron. Later he was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel and commanded the Regiment. During the Amman raids, he won the D.S.O at El Salt. This award was presented to him by the Duke of Clarence. In post war period he commanded the 8th Australian Light Horse and later as Colonel of the 3rd Cavalry Brigade During the second world war Colonel Shannon came out from retirement to organise the V.D.C in North East Victoria. Colonel SHANNON was awarded a DSO for distinguished service during active operations against the enemy in 1915. He became the President of Wangaratta RSL in 1928.Gold coloured metal frame containing sepia photograph of Army Officer with moustacheTyped below image - "Col.H.J.SHANNON.D.S.O.;V.D." "FIRST PRSIDENT WANGARATTA PRSIDENT RSL. 1928." Handwritten on rear of postcard image inside frame as follows: - Salten(?) at Cairo 10th November, 1916 "I hope you like this. I think it a very good photo. Wishing you a happy Xmas" Bert Rear of frame- "Col.H.J.SHANNON D.S.O.,; V.D. Photographed CAIRO 1916 hj shannon, 8th light horse aif, dso, wangaratta

The Phoenix Wool Company was started in 1919 by Brigadier-General Robert Smith. The works were located on the Barwon River, near the end of Shannon Avenue; some remnants of the original buildings can still be seen at the site. Phoenix was one of the first to develop the wool carbonising process (the removal of vegetable matter from wool through the use of chemicals) and during its heyday in the 1930s-50s the company operated 24 hours per day and employed a workforce of over 100. The company closed in 1997. This box of carbonised wool samples may possibly have been used by a salesman promoting the activities of the company.Display case, brown cardboard printed with text in black on the lid at the top. Lined in blue. Interior divided into five sections, each containing samples of carbonised wool. There are five labels attached to the inside of the box lid.THE PHOENIX WOOL COMPANY / PTY. LTD. / WOOL CARBONISERS / GEELONG / VICTORIA / AUSTRALIA / TELEPHONE: 2241, GEELONG / CABLE AND TELEGRAPHIC ADRESS: / "PHOEWOOL" GEELONGphoenix wool company pty ltd, wool industry, wool carbonising, barwon river, geelong, company history, brigadier-general robert smith

This container is a pre-Decimal, Imperial Standard Bushel, part of a three-piece set of Standard measures used in Victoria from around 1900 to 1940. The measures were made in Melbourne by J. McEwan & Co. These three measures were likely used by the local Melbourne authority that monitored weights and measures in the mid to late 19th century. . An Imperial Bushel was equal to 8 gallons, or 36.36872 litres . An Imperial Peck equals a quarter of a Bushel, or 9.09 litres Standards for weights and measures began in Victoria when the Melbourne Observatory received primary sets of Imperial Standard Weights and Measures from Britain. These were tested against the then British Imperial Standards to measure length, weight and currency. Administrative bodies in the Colony of Australia could then compare their weights and measures against these British Primary Standards and adjust their Measures accordingly, to maintain the Standards. The Weights and Measures Act of 1862 was passed in Victoria, and local inspectors were established throughout the colony. By the 1870s, local councils and shires in Victoria held a set of Standards used to test scales, weights, and measures used by manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers. Every ten years, the councils’ Standards needed to be rechecked against the Victorian Standards. In the 19th Century, the Victorian Customs Department inspected and maintained the Standards. In 1901, the Customs Department was transferred to the Federal Government, but the Weights and Measures authority remained with the Victorian Government and relocated to the Melbourne Observatory. In 1904, the Standard weights and measures, and testing equipment, were installed in the room of a new building erected at the south end of the Great Melbourne Telescope House. The room became known as the Whirling Room, due to its large whirling apparatus that tested air meters. When the Melbourne Observatory closed in 1944, the Weights and Measures Branch was formed to continue maintaining the Standards. On February 14th, 1966, Australia began its conversion to metric measures and currency, and a new set of Standard Measures was introduced; the conversion took place in stages. The Weights and Measures Branch remained at the Observatory site until 1995. James McEwan & Co.: - The maker of this set of Standard Measures was James McEwan. His Melbourne business was established in 1852 and sold retail furniture and wholesale ironmongery. The firm’s warehouses were situated at the intersection of 81-83 Elizabeth and Little Collins Streets. Shortly afterwards, the firm partnered with William Kerr Thomson and Samuel Renwick. When McEwan died in 1868, his partners carried on and expanded the business under his name, J McEwan. The business was expanded to provide a retail shop, counting-house and private offices. Wholesale warehouses adjoined these premises at 4, 6 and 10 Little Collins Street, West. This company provided and sold a large and varied amount of imported goods into the colony; agricultural equipment, building materials, mining items, steam engines, tools of all types and marble fireplaces. The company grew to employ over 150 people in Melbourne and opened offices at 27 Lombard St, London, as well as in New Zealand and Fiji. It also serviced the Mauritius islands and the Pacific area with its steamship, the Suva, and a brig, the ShannonThe set of Imperial Standard Measures is an example of a bronze measure container made specifically for J. McEwan & Co. Today, it helps us to understand how imperial weights and measures were used, and how a standard of measurement for merchants was developed in the Australian colonies based on the Imperial British measurement system. The container has social significance as an item retailed by J McEwan, and used by Victoria’s authorities legally responsible for ensuring that dry goods sold in Victoria by wholesalers and retailers are correct.Imperial Standard Measure: a container to measure the volume of a Busel. It is part of a set of three precision measures - a Peck, a Half Bushel and a Bushel – used by government authorities in Victoria. The cast brass cylinder has straight sides and a flat base, and two handles are attached near the base by two posts on each handle. The wall inside is straight, and outside has grooves and horizontal bands. Inscriptions are engraved on the outside. The Measures were made for the retailer, J. McEwan & Co., London and Melbourne.Engraved on side: "IMPERIAL STANDARD BUSHEL. / VICTORIA ./ J. MCEWAN & CO. LONDON AND MELBOURNE."flagstaff hill, flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, warrnambool, maritime museum, maritime village, great ocean road, shipwreck coast, weights and measurements, science, james mcewan & co., precision instrument, technology, melbourne observatory, british imperial standards, standard weights & measures, volume measure, dry measure, customs, commerce, victorian standard measure, pre-decimal measure, imperial standard, imperial bushel, peck measure, bronze container, brass container, cast container

This container is a pre-Decimal, Imperial Standard Peck, part of a three-piece set of Standard measures used in Victoria from around 1900 to 1940. The measures were made in Melbourne by J. McEwan & Co. These three measures were likely used by the local Melbourne authority that monitored weights and measures in the mid to late 19th century. . An Imperial Bushel was equal to 8 gallons, or 36.36872 litres . An Imperial Peck equals a quarter of a Bushel, or 9.09 litres Standards for weights and measures began in Victoria when the Melbourne Observatory received primary sets of Imperial Standard Weights and Measures from Britain. These were tested against the then British Imperial Standards to measure length, weight and currency. Administrative bodies in the Colony of Australia could then compare their weights and measures against these British Primary Standards and adjust their Measures accordingly, to maintain the Standards. The Weights and Measures Act of 1862 was passed in Victoria, and local inspectors were established throughout the colony. By the 1870s, local councils and shires in Victoria held a set of Standards used to test scales, weights, and measures used by manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers. Every ten years, the councils’ Standards needed to be rechecked against the Victorian Standards. In the 19th Century, the Victorian Customs Department inspected and maintained the Standards. In 1901, the Customs Department was transferred to the Federal Government, but the Weights and Measures authority remained with the Victorian Government and relocated to the Melbourne Observatory. In 1904, the Standard weights and measures, and testing equipment, were installed in the room of a new building erected at the south end of the Great Melbourne Telescope House. The room became known as the Whirling Room, due to its large whirling apparatus that tested air meters. When the Melbourne Observatory closed in 1944, the Weights and Measures Branch was formed to continue maintaining the Standards. On February 14th, 1966, Australia began its conversion to metric measures and currency, and a new set of Standard Measures was introduced; the conversion took place in stages. The Weights and Measures Branch remained at the Observatory site until 1995. James McEwan & Co.: - The maker of this set of Standard Measures was James McEwan. His Melbourne business was established in 1852 and sold retail furniture and wholesale ironmongery. The firm’s warehouses were situated at the intersection of 81-83 Elizabeth and Little Collins Streets. Shortly afterwards, the firm partnered with William Kerr Thomson and Samuel Renwick. When McEwan died in 1868, his partners carried on and expanded the business under his name, J McEwan. The business was expanded to provide a retail shop, counting-house and private offices. Wholesale warehouses adjoined these premises at 4, 6 and 10 Little Collins Street, West. This company provided and sold a large and varied amount of imported goods into the colony; agricultural equipment, building materials, mining items, steam engines, tools of all types and marble fireplaces. The company grew to employ over 150 people in Melbourne and opened offices at 27 Lombard St, London, as well as in New Zealand and Fiji. It also serviced the Mauritius islands and the Pacific area with its steamship, the Suva, and a brig, the Shannon. The set of Imperial Standard Measures is an example of a bronze measure container made specifically for J. McEwan & Co. Today, it helps us to understand how imperial weights and measures were used, and how a standard of measurement for merchants was developed in the Australian colonies based on the Imperial British measurement system. The container has social significance as an item retailed by J McEwan, and used by Victoria’s authorities legally responsible for ensuring that dry goods sold in Victoria by wholesalers and retailers are correct. Imperial Standard Measure: a container to measure the volume of a Peck. It is part of a set of three precision measures - a Peck, a Half Bushel and a Bushel – used by government authorities in Victoria. The cast brass cylinder has straight sides and a flat base, and two handles are attached near the base by two posts on each handle. The wall inside is straight, and outside has grooves and horizontal bands. Inscriptions are engraved on the outside. The Measures were made for the retailer, J. McEwan & Co., London and Melbourne. Engraved on side: "IMPERIAL STANDARD PECK. / VICTORIA."flagstaff hill, flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, warrnambool, maritime museum, maritime village, great ocean road, shipwreck coast, weights and measurements, science, james mcewan & co., precision instrument, technology, melbourne observatory, british imperial standards, standard weights & measures, volume measure, dry measure, customs, commerce, victorian standard measure, pre-decimal measure, imperial standard, imperial bushel, imperial half bushel, imperial peck, peck measure, bronze container, brass container, cast container

This container is a pre-Decimal, Imperial Standard Half Bushel, part of a three-piece set of Standard measures used in Victoria from around 1900 to 1940. The measures were made in Melbourne by J. McEwan & Co. These three measures were likely used by the local Melbourne authority that monitored weights and measures in the mid to late 19th century. . An Imperial Bushel was equal to 8 gallons, or 36.36872 litres . An Imperial Peck equals a quarter of a Bushel, or 9.09 litres Standards for weights and measures began in Victoria when the Melbourne Observatory received primary sets of Imperial Standard Weights and Measures from Britain. These were tested against the then British Imperial Standards to measure length, weight and currency. Administrative bodies in the Colony of Australia could then compare their weights and measures against these British Primary Standards and adjust their Measures accordingly, to maintain the Standards. The Weights and Measures Act of 1862 was passed in Victoria, and local inspectors were established throughout the colony. By the 1870s, local councils and shires in Victoria held a set of Standards used to test scales, weights, and measures used by manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers. Every ten years, the councils’ Standards needed to be rechecked against the Victorian Standards. In the 19th Century, the Victorian Customs Department inspected and maintained the Standards. In 1901, the Customs Department was transferred to the Federal Government, but the Weights and Measures authority remained with the Victorian Government and relocated to the Melbourne Observatory. In 1904, the Standard weights and measures, and testing equipment, were installed in the room of a new building erected at the south end of the Great Melbourne Telescope House. The room became known as the Whirling Room, due to its large whirling apparatus that tested air meters. When the Melbourne Observatory closed in 1944, the Weights and Measures Branch was formed to continue maintaining the Standards. On February 14th, 1966, Australia began its conversion to metric measures and currency, and a new set of Standard Measures was introduced; the conversion took place in stages. The Weights and Measures Branch remained at the Observatory site until 1995. James McEwan & Co.: - The maker of this set of Standard Measures was James McEwan. His Melbourne business was established in 1852 and sold retail furniture and wholesale ironmongery. The firm’s warehouses were situated at the intersection of 81-83 Elizabeth and Little Collins Streets. Shortly afterwards, the firm partnered with William Kerr Thomson and Samuel Renwick. When McEwan died in 1868, his partners carried on and expanded the business under his name, J McEwan. The business was expanded to provide a retail shop, counting-house and private offices. Wholesale warehouses adjoined these premises at 4, 6 and 10 Little Collins Street, West. This company provided and sold a large and varied amount of imported goods into the colony; agricultural equipment, building materials, mining items, steam engines, tools of all types and marble fireplaces. The company grew to employ over 150 people in Melbourne and opened offices at 27 Lombard St, London, as well as in New Zealand and Fiji. It also serviced the Mauritius islands and the Pacific area with its steamship, the Suva, and a brig, the Shannon.The set of Imperial Standard Measures is an example of a bronze measure container made specifically for J. McEwan & Co. Today, it helps us to understand how imperial weights and measures were used, and how a standard of measurement for merchants was developed in the Australian colonies based on the Imperial British measurement system. The container has social significance as an item retailed by J McEwan, and used by Victoria’s authorities legally responsible for ensuring that dry goods sold in Victoria by wholesalers and retailers are correct.Imperial Standard Measure: a container to measure the volume of a Half Bushel. It is part of a set of three precision measures - a Peck, a Half Bushel and a Bushel – used by government authorities in Victoria. The cast brass cylinder has straight sides and a flat base, and two handles are attached near the base by two posts on each handle. The wall inside is straight, and outside has grooves and horizontal bands. Inscriptions are engraved on the outside. The Measures were made for the retailer, J. McEwan & Co., London and Melbourne. Engraved test: "IMPERIAL STANDARD HALF BUSHEL. / VICTORIA / J. MCEWAN & O. LONDON AND MELBOURNE."flagstaff hill, flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, warrnambool, maritime museum, maritime village, great ocean road, shipwreck coast, weights and measurements, science, james mcewan & co., precision instrument, technology, melbourne observatory, british imperial standards, standard weights & measures, volume measure, dry measure, customs, commerce, victorian standard measure, pre-decimal measure, imperial standard, imperial half bushel, bronze container, brass container, cast container