The Ballarat School of Mines was the first School of Mines in the southern hemisphere. Its Museum was established in 1872. Donation 600, 4 July 1882, H. Sutton, Ballarat. Nature of Donation: 13th Annual report of the Aeronautical Society of Great Britain 2 papers 'from the proceedings of the Royal Society', Nos 217 & 218 - 1882 communicated by the President :on a new electrical Storage battery" by Henry Sutton, Ballarat, Victoria Donation 976, 8 May 1884, H. Sutton, Ballarat. Nature of Donation: * 1 volume "Pluttner on the Blowpipe: (Pluttner's manual of qualitative & quantitative analysis of the blowpipe. Donation 1682, 28 Feb 1887, James Lamb, Ballarat. Nature of Donation: Copy of "The Ballarat Times" newspaper of 3 December 1854, framed, and protected on both sides with glass. Donation 1712, 28 April 1887, Marg. Guerin, Ballaarat. Nature of Donation: Specimens nos (797-806) 797-801 from the New Reform Mine Luchnow, NSW (797) Serpentine with vein of quartz and calcite (798) Surpentine passing into silicous ferruginoous gossan; with drives of rock crystal (&99) Diorite with vein of calcite (800) Auriferous vein stuff (801) Auriferous arrenopyrite with calcite (802) noble opal filling cavities in decomposed traclyte (803-805) from Mr McDonald, NSW (806) arutute (carbonate of lead) in long schombie purni (?) Donation 1730, 23 May 1887, Miss Guerin, Ballaarat. Nature of Donation: Copy of the Victorian Review No 74 December 1 1885, Copy Wide Awake Vol 1 No 6 May 21st 1887Large rough calf covered book recording museum, laboratory and library donations to the Ballarat School of Mines. 4835 donations are recorded.Marbled end papers. Labels on spine and front cover.ballarat school of mines, ballarat school of mines museum, benjamin hepburn, ce clarke, j noble wilson, m hamburger, d christy, edwin jewell, ellery, john gray, go preshaw, cf crouch, henry brind, james darby, rm serjeant, george day, jf watson, stoddart, j hicks, hicks, james hector, sleep, jj sleep, james pearce, henry obree, newman, william tarrant, beilby, william bradford, george lansell, watson, edward gazzard, e morey, john lynch, j hector, rivett bland, bland, costin, whittle, crowther, mitchell, ferdinand krause, krause, joseph mitchell, john walker, bailey, duncan, mica smith, alfred mica smith, james buchanan, buchanan, whitehouse, dr bunce, bunce, james bklack, james bickett, js north, joseph flude, alfred lester, wagemann, fw niven, edwards, william evett, john addis, al elphinstone, henry sutton, ol olden, bh cross, robert hamilton, hancock, ferdinand von mueller, von meuller, berchevaise, j whitehouse, serjeant, henty, james shugg, john ross, james oddie, ralph tate, henry watts, wh wooster, wooster, luplau, rosenblum, heddington, albert furmedge, buley, robert wilson, e. rowlands, ne hall, henry pearce, lee young, nicholls, dusontory, daniel brohpy, brophy, klug, james donaldson, john cherry, ce jones, john feilds, thomas williams, enscoe, e price, shoppee, jacob drew, george wyatt, dimmock, james orr, john hardy, george wyatte, thomas rogers, james lamb, doepel, margaret guerin, bella guerin, guerin, george binns, william laplau, captain baker, baker, crisp, barnard, haffie, bateman, chalmers, richard parker, adam adamson, jn wilson, john noble wilson, papenhagen, towl, government astronomer, royal society, minister of mines, thoams blackett, burbury, denny, thys, p gay, james law, woolnough

Digital images of the Ballarat section of the Cyclopedia of Victoria, 1904cyclopedia of victoria, ballarat, ballarat benevolent asylum, john adam, gold discovery, lake wendouree, boat house, sailing, eureka stockade, ballarat botanical gardens, statuary, statues, ballarat school of mines, ballarat town hall, sturt street, shoppee square ballarat, ballarat mecahanics' institute, ballarat hospital, henry cuthbert, charles collett shoppee, john murray, richard greenwood middleton, john m. kline, john ritchie, thomas stoddart, william little, john robson, hugh v. mckay, h.v. mckay, n. clark, a. h. powell, r.j. powell, edward shaw, charles j. reid, frederick g. haymes, james thomas mitchell, robert scott, frane longden, robert d. pinnock, thomas a. wilson, sydney b. fisher, david bartholomew, t.r. treloar, s-ray, w. cornell, alexander greenfield, andrew callow, victorian mounted rifles, s.g. valentine, andrew scott, thomas robertson, john gordon robertspm, w.t. rowe, thomas a. oddie, william morris, jospeh walshe, william acheson, joseph dill, william mason, llanberis no 1, anthony jenkin, james carey, wlliam emery, percy kent, henry bath, j. rowe, john couttie, william sansom, francis coote, john mckenna, robert ditchburn, thomas mitchell, john daniel, george williams, william treloar, r.b. squire, jonah ward, robert smyth, william bell, thomas couper, w. joseph, william wallace, benjamin dowling, robert crawford, alexander aikens, c. dennison, w.f. coltman, federal timber yard, george hotel, williaim dones, j. dreaden, richard's and co, j.a. gear, r.w. fleming, l.e. cutter, l.s. cutter, a.e. cutter, c.f. cutter, george anderson, w.e. longhurst, christopher howlett, david mcgrath, james wishart, f.g. reeve, eureka iron works, j.e. cowley, albert foundry, john robert harrison, j.b. cameron, p.b. sutherland, george richards, ballarat brass foundry, m.b. john, morgan john, m.w.b. john, james smith, w.p. davies, j.t. vercoe, james kelly, williaim osbourne, alexander mcdonald, alexander e. mcdonald, henry john symons, bridge street flood

Continuous fifteen page report for Sale No. 92 Fat Cattle Sale Bendigo dated 19/12/95. Report issued on the 19/12/95 by Ron Laird. Report lists the buyers name and the number of head purchased each time from each agent and the total number purchased. Agents names are abbreviated. Buyers names are: Bennetts Meats Pty Ltd, Boydies Butchers, Clifford Quality Meats, Dalgety Farmers Pty, Elders Ltd, Ellis Nuttall & Compa, Gregory J, Grenfell N, G Harper, Highland, S Huddle, ICM1, ICM4, Maher L, Masons Meat Pty Ltd, JJ McAllister, McCasheney & Co, McGillivary GK & GY, McIvor Meats, McKean W & Co, No Commercial Value, Newman Livestock Sales 153, Newman Livestock Sales N 257, Newman Livestock Sale No 271, Newman Livestock Sales N 480, Newman Livestock Sale No 282, O'Connor G & K Pty Ltd, Penney & Lang Pty Ltd, J H Ralph & Son, Brian Rodwell & Co, Andrew Schenk, Starr A, Tehan TP & MW, Top Meats, Victorian Producers Co, Wagstaff Cranbourne P, D & K Webb, Welsh, RH Woodward & Co 442, R H Woodward & Co 466, Woodhead B, R H Woodward & Co 571, RH Woodward & Co 405, R H Woodward & Co 417, A Dark, J Dalrymple, Paul & Stoddart, B Peace, Dalgety Swan Hill, M Nicholas and Bella.bendigo, council, cattle markets, bendigo saleyards collection - fat cattle sale bendigo 19/12/95, ron laird, bennetts meats pty ltd, boydies butchers, clifford quality meats, dalgety farmers pty, elders ltd, ellis nuttall & compa, gregory j, grenfell n, g harper, highland, s huddle, icm1, icm4, maher l, masons meat pty ltd, jj mcallister, mccasheney & co, mcgillivary gk & gy, mcivor meats, mckean w & co, no commercial value, newman livestock sales 153, newman livestock sales n 257, newman livestock sale no 271, newman livestock sales n 480, newman livestock sale no 282, o'connor g & k pty ltd, penney & lang pty ltd, j h ralph & son, brian rodwell & co, andrew schenk, starr a, tehan tp & mw, top meats, victorian producers co, wagstaff cranbourne p, d & k webb, welsh, rh woodward & co 442, r h woodward & co 466, woodhead b, r h woodward & co 571, rh woodward & co 405, r h woodward & co 417, a dark, j dalrymple, paul & stoddart, b peace, dalgety swan hill, m nicholas, bella

Statue of Ruth is a religious reference to the harvest and to the importance of motherhood. Ruth was sculpted by Charles Summers a central figure in Australian art from the mid 19th Century. Summers was a founder of the Victorian Society of Fine Arts in 1856 and in 1863 he became a member of the commission of inquiry into the promotion of the fine arts in Victoria. He created many portraits and busts and is known for his bronze depiction of Burke and Wills in MelbourneThe sculpture is of historic and aesthetic significance to the people of BallaratMarble sculptural depiction of the biblical figure RuthPresented to the City of Ballaarat by the following citizens./ H F Elliot Mayor/ The Hon E Morey MLC/ Cr C B Retallack/ Cr J Heinz/ Cr C C Shoppee/ J N Wilson/ T Stoddart/ ruth, harvest

The Old Colonists' Association Ballarat Inc. is a not for profit charitable organisation providing accommodation for elderly people. It manages a 27 Home retirement village at Charles Anderson Grove Ballarat. Accommodation is offered at significantly below market rates. It has been providing low cost accommodation to the elderly since the 1920s. The Association Council overseas the running of this facility on a voluntary basis. OLD COLONISTS' ASSOCIATION OF BALLARAT. (FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT.) BALLARAT, WEDNESDAY. This association, which was founded in August, 1883, and at first known as the Old Identities' Association, now has a roll of 450 members. The objects of the association are "to aid and assist indigent or suffering old colonists ; to raise a fund, by the voluntary subscriptions of the members and the aid of outside donations, for the purpose of relieving members in sickness and old age; for assisting those in extreme distress, to provide the shelter of a home for old and indigent pioneers of the gold fields, their widows, or anyone connected with the association, and in the event of the death of any member to have his remains decently buried, the association defraying the expenses of the funeral (providing that no funds or property are left by the deceased), and to attend the funeral if so desired by the relatives." The qualifications for member ship are good character and repute, and residence in the colonies for a quarter of a century. For some time the association had no property except the regular subscriptions, but about a year ago they obtained from the Minister of Lands the grant of a very valuable block of land in Lydiard-street, the Crown grant of which they received last week. This block has a frontage of 66ft to Lydiard street, worth at least £100 a foot. The ground was given to the association as a site for them to build a hall upon, and with so valuable an asset they had no difficulty in borrowing at 7 per cent, enough money to construct a hall. For revenue purposes the ground floor of the building has been made into four shops, and the rental from these, judging from the rentals of shops in the vicinity, will not only pay all the interest on the borrowed money, but over £200 a year towards clearing off the principal. The officers of the association are Messrs J. P. Murray, President; J. W. Graham and T. Stoddart, vice presidents; D. Fern, treasurer; and J. Fraser, secretary. The Old Colonists' Hall is an elegant looking building in Lydiard-street, lying between the newly-opened mining exchange and the Commercial Club house, and a few doors north of the Post Office. The style of the facade is classic. The lower portion of the front is constructed of Waurn Ponds stone, forming piers, and the upper portion of brick and cement, the background being tuckpointed. The centre bay is carried by two three quarter columns with Ionic cups, which support a pediment on which is set a cast of the Ballarat coat of arms. The four other bays are supported by pilasters with Corinthian caps mid partly fluted. The entrance is through a spacious circular headed doorway, the keystone of the arch of which bears a sculptured head, in marble, representing that of the president of the Old Colonists' Association here, Mr. John P. Murray. An ample vestibule leads to a wide stone staircase which ends at a spacious landing. The landing has a dome over the centre, with cornice and enrichments, and is lighted from above. The walls round the landing are panelled with marble slabs, which are to be appropriately inscribed in the future. On the first door are the rooms appropriated to the association. The principal of these is a hall 44ft x 33ft and 17ft high. This room is well ventilated and lighted from the back of the building with large windows, and the walls are finished with Keene's cement. The other rooms are committee room, 14ft x 16ft; secretary's, 14ft x 17ft, 6in; kitchen, bedrooms, bathroom, &c. The front portion of the first floor is arranged so that it may be let for offices, or utilised for club purposes. Suitable provision has been made throughout for lighting, ventilation, and means of egress. The architect for the edifice is Mr A. G. Legge, of this city, and the contractors are Messrs. Whitelaw and Atkinson, Irving and Glover, Reynolds, and J. Donaldson. The total cost of the building when completed, which will be in a few weeks, will be about £4,000. (The Argus, 10 May 1888)ballarat old colonists' club, charles anderson grove, old colonists' association

Three Ballarat notables were appointed by Mr Thomson to select the Statuary for the Botanical Gardens after his death.The tablet is significant in recording the benefactor and those responsible for the selection of the statuary. Also, the tablet testifies to the high esteem in which Mr Thomson was held.Brass tablet. Coloured photograph photocopied.Nonemr w.d. thomson, j. noble wilson, horatio arthur nevett, thomas stoddart, committee to select the statuary, statuary in the ballarat botanical gardens, benefactors, tablet., john garner collection, garner, dr, ballarat botanical gardens, gardens, ballarat

L-R back row: W. Bonthorn, Dave Nicol, Tom Andrews ("Black Tom"), Con Hogan, J. Steele, Jim Stoddart, Dave Allen, (Umpire), Bill Megee, -?- Maloney, Jack Wise, Fred White, Foster Watkinson. Centre row: Bob Allen, George Ah Lyee (spelled 'Ahlie'), Alex? Thomson, Bill Lewers or Lewis, Eugene Sandow, Les Ching, Bill Commons, Bob Hogan, George Allen. Front row: George Cluff, Ewen Ching. Date is estimated from team member Foster Watkinson's age and history. He was born in 1897, joined the army in 1916, and although he is known to have visited Linton in the closing stages of WWI, it is understood he did not live in Linton after the war. (Prior to enlisting, he worked as a compositor's assistant at the Grenville Standard.)Black and white photograph of a football team, umpire and officials.football, linton football club, w. bonthorn, dave nicol, tom andrews, j. steele, jim stoddart, dave allen, bill megee, maloney, jack wise, fred white, foster watkinson, bob allen, george ah lyee (?), alex? thomson, bill lewers, eugene sandow, les ching, bill commons, bob hogan, george allen, george cluff, ewen ching.

The marbles in the foyer of the Old Colonists' Hall list names of members of the Old Colonists' Association of Ballarat Inc. Colour photograph of a marble honour board relating to the founders of the Old Colonists' Association Ballarat.Old Colonists; Association Established 1883. Founders W.H. Butler, John Brooksbank Isaac A. Twaits, Henry Hannington Arthur Croft, J.T. Farr, W.F. Osbourne. Old Colonists' Hall Foundation Stone Laid June 21st 1887 Inauguration August 31st 1888 Officer and Council 1887-88 President John P. Murray Vice Presidents J.W. Graham Thomas Stoddart Treasurer Daniel Fern Trustee J.W. Graham John McCafferty Wiliam Irwin Council W.B. Perry. James Ward W.H. Butler. Frederick Ramsden. James Vallins. Charles Dyte. Secretary John Fraser Past Presidents A.K. McBain 1954-1956 C.A. Hoskin 1956-1957 C.H. Clamp 1957-1959 J. Curwen-Walker 1959-1961 A.C. Fraser 1961 - 1963 S.A. Wilson LBS, BBSc, DDS 1963-1965 W. Titheridge 1965 - 1966 A.J. Symons 1966 -1968 W.J. Selkirk 1968-1970 L. McBain 1970-1972 R.J. Buchanan 1972-1974 J.E. Crocker 1974-1976 L.J. Drury 1976-1978 F.A. Peebles 1978-1980 Dr D.L. Morton 1980-1982 I.G. Bishop 1982-1984 D.L. Pratt 1984-1986 B.R. Drennan 1986-1988 M.J. Charles 1988-1990 F.A. Peebles 1990-1992old colonists' association ballarat, ballarat old colonists club, marble, presidents, w.h. butler, henry hannington, isaac twaits, arthur croft, j.t. farr, w.f. osborne, john murray, j.w. graham, daniel fern, john mccafferty, william irwin, w.b. perry, james ware, frederick ramsden, james vallins, charles dyte, john fraser, a.k. mcbain, c.a. hoskin, c.h. clamp, j. curwen-walker, s.a.wllson, w. titheridge, a.j. symons, w.j. selkirk, l. mcbain, r.j. buchanan, j.e. crocker, l.j. drury, f.a. peebles, d.l.morton, i.g. bishop, d.l. pratt, b.r. drennan, m.j. charles, melville charles, david pratt

The Pioneers of Ballarat may have been created to the Ballarat Old Colonists' Association and the reunions held by the early Ballarat pioneers. The dates given after the pioneers time is their date of arrival into the colony.Photograph showing numerous portraits of men who were considered Pioneers of Ballarat as complied by R. Walker and produced by Chuck Vice Regal Photo. The men depicted are: J. Smith; W. Gay; W. Downie; G. Goddard; B. Varcoe; A.F. Seidal; Loius Balhausen; J. McKenzie; William irwin; M. Box; Thomas Bath; James Oddie; William Tulloch; J.W. Graham; J. Ward; W. Curnow; R.J. Binder; F.J.L. Turner; W. Eyres; C.A. Welch; B. Welch; G. Welch; J. Lake; H. Smith; J. King; R.T. Wreford; Ernest Balhausen; J. Ward; T. Trengrove; J. Truswell; J. Taylor; W. Seeley; J.P. Murray; Hon. David Ham; Andrew Anderson; E. McCartney; J.H. Smith; Joseph Edward Cowley; A. Jones; W.H. Furness; F.N. Martin; James Anderson; G. Becher; James Meek; T. Hawkins; P. Drummond; C. Barker; J. Malcolm; R. Brown; G. Tupper; A. Rose; W. Pinkerton; A. Clinton; A. Sheppard, F.C. Downes; J.A. Blight; J. Blight; T. Blight; J. Richardson; C.W. Toy; W.C. Elder; E. Towl; S. Walker; W.P. Martin; J.T Langley; J.A. Abramowitch; R, Allan; S.W. Woodward; G. Hunt; J. Bishop; F.L. Graham; R. Graham; W. A.G. Fraser; J. Davies; J. Paterson; B.G. Tucker; E. McElroy; W.H. Burton, T.C. Coates; J. Williams; J.P. Roberts; J. Ritchie; T.W. White; J. F. Harvey; Natale D'Angri; D. McCallum; W. Chisholm; P. Kohl; J. Moncrief; J.P. Marshall; R.U. Nicholls; G.L. Holthouse; C. Gray; W. Gale; James Long; Theo Williams; J.R. Ellsworth; W. Scott; Henry Josephs; D. Cooke; William Little; T.H. Thompson; E. Morey; J.G. McDonald; C.C. Shoppee; G. Douglas; W. H. Ellis; W. Hicks; J. Cameron; W. B. Koppers; F. Marendez; G. Herrmann; J. Kelly; E. Jermyn; P. Murray; P. Gay; D. McNaught; T.D. Wanliss; G. Lord; H. Glenny; J. Trethowan; J. Blandford; J. Goujon; W. Coad; A. Colliver; J. Nunn; J. Munro; W.C. Burbidge; J. Jarvie; C. Ferguson; C. Morris; J. Russell; J. Phillips; J. Coghlan; R. Clark; Thomas Stoddart; M. Wasley; B. Retallack; John Reid; M.C. Carey; P. Maloney; E. Newman; J. Lamb; J,. Pryor; J. Gibson; James Mitchell; J. Rowe; James Vallins; A. Roxburgh; A. Cant; O. Thomas; J.Y. McDonald; W.M. Acheson; A. Jack; R. Gibbings; E.W. Chamberlain; J.H. Ellsworth; J. Falconer; G.G. Lorimer; James M. Bickett; T. Sayle; Andrew McIntyre; W. Hambley; K. Coutts; T. Muir; R. Scott; G. Leach; E. Richards; R. Hearn; J. Hughan; D. Miliani; E. Parr; J. T. Irving; W.G. Williams; J. Marks; J. Darby; T. Ray; D. McKenzie; James Robson; J. Robson; J. Moore; J. Murphy; Robert M. Serjeant; C. Ford; E.E. Campbell; P. Folland; P.J. Rickard; A. McVitty; B. Angwin; J.T. Sleep; M.P. Whiteside; W. Curtis; H. Crisp; E. Major; R. Pearce; J. Waller; G. Waller; G. Abrams; J. McIntyre; J. Johnston; W. Johnston; W. Taylor; J. Knoth; J. Davey; G. Smith; N. Kent; E.O. Witherden; J.B. Cathcart; W.H. Harrow; G. Evans; L. Ure; W.T. Glen; T. Dickinson; D. Hughes; J. Strickland; J. Hillman; E. Jackson; R.J. Walker; D. Gunn; R.J. Gullan; T. McManamy; A. Gray; James trembath; W. Porter; J. Showman; C. Walker; J. Bowman; W.B. McDonald; P. Jago; J. Stout pioneers, ballarat, chuck, chuck vice regal photo, r. walker, ballarat pioneers, pioneers of ballarat, j. smith, w. gay, w. downie, g. goddard, b. varcoe, a.f. seidal, loius balhausen, j. mckenzie, william irwin, m. box, thomas bath, james oddie, william tulloch, j.w. graham, j. ward, w. curnow, r.j. binder, f.j.l. turner, w. eyres, c.a. welch, b. welch, g. welch, j. lake, h. smith, j. king, r.t. wreford, ernest balhausen, t. trengrove, j. truswell, j. taylor, w. seeley, j.p. murray, hon. david ham, andrew anderson, e. mccartney, j.h. smith, joseph edward cowley, a. jones, w.h. furness, f.n. martin, james anderson, g. becher, james meek, t. hawkins, p. drummond, c. barker, j. malcolm, r. brown, g. tupper, a. rose, w. pinkerton, a. clinton, a. sheppard, f.c. downes, j.a. blight, j. blight, t. blight, j. richardson, c.w. toy, w.c. elder, e. towl, s. walker, w.p. martin, j.t langley, j.a. abramowitch, r, allan, s.w. woodward, g. hunt, j. bishop, f.l. graham, r. graham, w. a.g. fraser, j. davies, j. paterson, b.g. tucker, e. mcelroy, w.h. burton, t.c. coates, j. williams, j.p. roberts, j. ritchie, t.w. white, j. f. harvey, natale d'angri, d. mccallum, w. chisholm, p. kohl, j. moncrief, j.p. marshall, r.u. nicholls, g.l. holthouse, c. gray, w. gale, james long, theo williams, j.r. ellsworth, w. scott, henry josephs, d. cooke, william little, t.h. thompson, e. morey, j.g. mcdonald, c.c. shoppee, g. douglas, w. h. ellis, w. hicks, j. cameron, w. b. koppers, f. marendez, g. herrmann, j. kelly, e. jermyn, p. murray, p. gay, d. mcnaught, t.d. wanliss, g. lord, h. glenny, j. trethowan, j. blandford, j. goujon, w. coad, a. colliver, j. nunn, j. munro, w.c. burbidge, j. jarvie, c. ferguson, c. morris, j. russell, j. phillips, j. coghlan, r. clark, thomas stoddart, m. wasley, b. retallack, john reid, m.c. carey, p. maloney, e. newman, j. lamb, j, . pryor, j. gibson, james mitchell, j. rowe, james vallins, a. roxburgh, a. cant, o. thomas, j.y. mcdonald, w.m. acheson, a. jack, r. gibbings, e.w. chamberlain, j.h. ellsworth, j. falconer, g.g. lorimer, james m. bickett, t. sayle, andrew mcintyre, w. hambley, k. coutts, t. muir, r. scott, g. leach, e. richards, r. hearn, j. hughan, d. miliani, e. parr, j. t. irving, w.g. williams, j. marks, j. darby, t. ray, d. mckenzie, james robson, j. robson, j. moore, j. murphy, robert m. serjeant, c. ford, e.e. campbell, p. folland, p.j. rickard, a. mcvitty, b. angwin, j.t. sleep, m.p. whiteside, w. curtis, h. crisp, e. major, r. pearce, j. waller, g. waller, g. abrams, j. mcintyre, j. johnston, w. johnston, w. taylor, j. knoth, j. davey, g. smith, n. kent, e.o. witherden, j.b. cathcart, w.h. harrow, g. evans, l. ure, w.t. glen, t. dickinson, d. hughes, j. strickland, j. hillman, e. jackson, r.j. walker, d. gunn, r.j. gullan, t. mcmanamy, a. gray, james trembath, w. porter, j. showman, c. walker, j. bowman, w.b. mcdonald, p. jago, j. stout, john smith

From the Argus Newspaper of 10 May 1888: "OLD COLONISTS' ASSOCIATION OF BALLARAT. (FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT.) BALLARAT, WEDNESDAY. This association, which was founded in August, 1883, and at first known as the Old Identities' Association, now has a roll of 450 members. The objects of the association are "to aid and assist indigent or suffering old colonists; to raise a fund, by the voluntary subscriptions of the members and the aid of outside donations, for the purpose of relieving members in sickness and old age ; for assisting those in extreme distress, to provide the shelter o a home for old and indigent pioneers of the gold fields, their widows, or anyone connected with the association, and in the event of the death of any member to have his remains decently buried, the association defraying the expenses of the funeral (providing that no funds or property are left by the deceased), and to attend the funeral if so desired by the relatives " The qualifications for member- ship are good character and repute, and residence in the colonies for a quarter of a century. For some time the association had no property except the regular subscriptions, but about a year ago they obtained from the Minister of Lands the grant of a very valuable block of land in Lydiard-street, the Crown grant of which they received last week. This block has a frontage of 66ft to Lydiard street, worth at least £100 a foot. The ground was given to the association as a site for them to build a hall upon, and with so valuable an asset they had no difficulty in borrowing at 7 per cent, enough money to construct a hall. For revenue purposes the ground floor of the building has been made into four shops, and the rental from these, judging from the rentals of shops in the vicinity, will not only pay all the interest on the borrowed money, but over £200 a year towards clearing off the principal. The officers of the association are Messrs J P Murray, president; J W Graham and T. Stoddart, vice presidents; D Fern, treasurer , and J Fraser, secretary. The Old Colonists' Hall is an elegant looking building in Lydiard-street, lying between the newly-opened mining exchange and the Commercial Club house, and a few doors north of the Post office. The style of the facade is classic. The lower portion of the front is constructed of Waurn Ponds stone, forming piers, and the upper portion of brick and cement, the background being tuckpointed. The centre bay is carried by two three quarter columns with Ionic cups, which support a pediment on which is set a cast of the Ballarat coat of arms. The four other bays are supported by pilasters with Corinthian caps mid partly fluted. The entrance is through a spacious circular headed doorway, the keystone of the arch of which bears a sculptured head, in marble, representing that of the president of the Old Colonists' Association here, Mr. John P Murray. An ample vestibule leads to a wide stone staircase which ends at a spacious landing. The landing has a dome over the centre, with cornice and enrichments, and is lighted from above. The walls round the landing are panelled with marble slabs, which are to be appropriately inscribed in the future. On the first door are the rooms appropriated to the association. The principal of these is a hall 44ft x 33ft and 17ft high. This room is well ventilated and lighted from the back of the building with large windows, and the walls are finished with Keene's cement. The other rooms are committee room, 14ft x 16ft; scretary's, 14ft x 17ft 6in; kitchen, bedrooms, bathroom, &c. The front portion of the first floor is arranged so that it may be let for offices, or utilised for club purposes. Suitable provision has been made throughout tor lighting, ventilation, and means of egress. The architect for the edifice is Mr A. G Legge, of this city, and the contractors are Messrs. Whitelaw and Atkinson, Irving and Glover, Reynolds, and J Donaldson. The total cost of the building when completed, which will be in a few weeks, will be about £4,000."Colour photograph of a room with marble plaques on the wall. They relate to the Old Colonists' Association of Ballarat, old colonists' association ballarat, old colonists' club, marbles