Showing 146 items matching agricultural tools
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Churchill Island Heritage Farm
Functional object - Adze
... The adze is an agricultural tool, similar to an axe.... An adze is a tool similar to an axe. The adze is an agricultural ...The adze is an agricultural tool, similar to an axe, but the blade is affixed perpendicular to the handle. Used primarily for smoothing or carving wood, the adze can also be used as a hoe. This adze is missing its wooden handle, which may vary in length depending on their particular purpose and can be designed for one handed or two-handed use. Rusted, well worn, blacksmith made with bias on blade. No handle. An adze is a tool similar to an axe.adze, churchill island, farm, axe, tool, tools, blacksmithing, smithing, blacksmith -
Churchill Island Heritage Farm
Tool - Adze, late 20th century
... The adze is an agricultural tool, similar to an axe... perpendicular to the handle. Hytest The adze is an agricultural tool ...The adze is an agricultural tool, similar to an axe, but the blade is affixed perpendicular to the handle. Used primarily for smoothing or carving wood, the adze can also be used as a hoe. The wooden handles vary in length depending on their particular purpose and can be designed for one handed or two-handed use. This adze was made by Australian farming company, Hytest.Adze. Long, slightly curved wooden handle, with a steel arched blade perpendicular to the handle. Hytesthytest, adze, axe, tool, tools, farming, farm, churchill island -
Churchill Island Heritage Farm
Functional object - log splitting wedge
... An agricultural tool used by loggers, or farmers, the log.... An agricultural tool used by loggers, or farmers, the log splitting wedge ...An agricultural tool used by loggers, or farmers, the log splitting wedge has been used for thousands of years and was originally made from stone. They were either driven straight into the wood or into a previously made incision with the blade parallel to the grain. Using a sledgehammer or other tool hammered onto the flat end, the wedge is forced deeper into the log until the force splits the timber.well used, slight surface rust. Octagonal shaft to collar then wedge. Top badly burred over from use.splitting, wedge, log, lumber, tool, tools, churchill island, farm -
Churchill Island Heritage Farm
Functional object - log splitting wedge
... An agricultural tool used by loggers, or farmers, the log..., burred over An agricultural tool used by loggers, or farmers ...An agricultural tool used by loggers, or farmers, the log splitting wedge has been used for thousands of years and was originally made from stone. They were either driven straight into the wood or into a previously made incision with the blade parallel to the grain. Using a sledgehammer or other tool hammered onto the flat end, the wedge is forced deeper into the log until the force splits the timber.wedge with groove to prevent sticking. Worn top, burred overwood, splitting, wedge, tool, tools, farm, churchill island -
Churchill Island Heritage Farm
Tool - wedge
... An agricultural tool used by loggers, or farmers, the log... [stamped on side] An agricultural tool used by loggers, or farmers ...An agricultural tool used by loggers, or farmers, the log splitting wedge has been used for thousands of years and was originally made from stone. They were either driven straight into the wood or into a previously made incision with the blade parallel to the grain. Using a sledgehammer or other tool hammered onto the flat end, the wedge is forced deeper into the log until the force splits the timber.Used by the donor in clearing timber at Olinda and Shady Creek, Victoria. Forms part of a timber clearing tool collection including cross cut saws and Trewhella jack.wood cutting/splitting wedge. Steel. commercially made. Has relief groove.TROJAN [stamped on side]timber cutting;, timber splitting, olinda, shady creek, churchill island heritage farm, wilfred dungan collection -
Churchill Island Heritage Farm
Tool - WEDGE
... An agricultural tool used by loggers, or farmers, the log.... An agricultural tool used by loggers, or farmers, the log splitting wedge ...An agricultural tool used by loggers, or farmers, the log splitting wedge has been used for thousands of years and was originally made from stone. They were either driven straight into the wood or into a previously made incision with the blade parallel to the grain. Using a sledgehammer or other tool hammered onto the flat end, the wedge is forced deeper into the log until the force splits the timber.Timber splitting wedge; steel; commercially made; has relief groove.timber splitting, churchill island heritage farm, olinda, shady creek -
Churchill Island Heritage Farm
Tool - wedge
... An agricultural tool used by loggers, or farmers, the log... groove An agricultural tool used by loggers, or farmers, the log ...An agricultural tool used by loggers, or farmers, the log splitting wedge has been used for thousands of years and was originally made from stone. They were either driven straight into the wood or into a previously made incision with the blade parallel to the grain. Using a sledgehammer or other tool hammered onto the flat end, the wedge is forced deeper into the log until the force splits the timber.wood splitting wedge; commercially made; steel; surface rust; with relief groovetimber splitting, churchill island heritage farm, olinda, shady creek -
Churchill Island Heritage Farm
Tool - wedge
... An agricultural tool used by loggers, or farmers, the log... rust An agricultural tool used by loggers, or farmers, the log ...An agricultural tool used by loggers, or farmers, the log splitting wedge has been used for thousands of years and was originally made from stone. They were either driven straight into the wood or into a previously made incision with the blade parallel to the grain. Using a sledgehammer or other tool hammered onto the flat end, the wedge is forced deeper into the log until the force splits the timber.wood splitting wedge; commercially made; steel; relief groove; surface rusttimber splitting, churchill island heritage farm, olinda, shady creek, wilfred dungan collection -
Churchill Island Heritage Farm
Tool - wedge, HYTEST FORGED TOOLS
... An agricultural tool used by loggers, or farmers, the log... An agricultural tool used by loggers, or farmers, the log splitting wedge ...An agricultural tool used by loggers, or farmers, the log splitting wedge has been used for thousands of years and was originally made from stone. They were either driven straight into the wood or into a previously made incision with the blade parallel to the grain. Using a sledgehammer or other tool hammered onto the flat end, the wedge is forced deeper into the log until the force splits the timber.small wedge with substantial chip out of narrow end. Relief grooveHYTEST FORGED TOOLStimber splitting, churchill island heritage farm, olinda, shady creek, wilfred dungan collection -
Churchill Island Heritage Farm
Tool - wedge
... An agricultural tool used by loggers, or farmers, the log... An agricultural tool used by loggers, or farmers, the log splitting wedge ...An agricultural tool used by loggers, or farmers, the log splitting wedge has been used for thousands of years and was originally made from stone. They were either driven straight into the wood or into a previously made incision with the blade parallel to the grain. Using a sledgehammer or other tool hammered onto the flat end, the wedge is forced deeper into the log until the force splits the timber.blacksmith made steel wedge with irregular relief groove; surface rustwilfred dungan collection, timber splitting, churchill island, blacksmith, olinda, shady creek -
Churchill Island Heritage Farm
Tool - wedge, Blacksmith made
... An agricultural tool used by loggers, or farmers, the log... out. An agricultural tool used by loggers, or farmers, the log ...An agricultural tool used by loggers, or farmers, the log splitting wedge has been used for thousands of years and was originally made from stone. They were either driven straight into the wood or into a previously made incision with the blade parallel to the grain. Using a sledgehammer or other tool hammered onto the flat end, the wedge is forced deeper into the log until the force splits the timber.blacksmith made; hand-hammered relief groove. Well used - top mushroomed out. timber splitting, blacksmith made, churchill island heritage farm, olinda, shady creek, wilfred dungan collection, wedge -
Churchill Island Heritage Farm
Tool - wedge, blacksmith made
... An agricultural tool used by loggers, or farmers, the log.... An agricultural tool used by loggers, or farmers, the log splitting wedge ...An agricultural tool used by loggers, or farmers, the log splitting wedge has been used for thousands of years and was originally made from stone. They were either driven straight into the wood or into a previously made incision with the blade parallel to the grain. Using a sledgehammer or other tool hammered onto the flat end, the wedge is forced deeper into the log until the force splits the timber.one of three wedges cut from one piece of steel. No relief grooves.timber splitting, churchill island heritage farm, olinda, shady creek, blacksmith made, wilfred dungan collection, wedge -
Churchill Island Heritage Farm
Tool - wedge, blacksmith made
... An agricultural tool used by loggers, or farmers, the log.... An agricultural tool used by loggers, or farmers, the log splitting wedge ...An agricultural tool used by loggers, or farmers, the log splitting wedge has been used for thousands of years and was originally made from stone. They were either driven straight into the wood or into a previously made incision with the blade parallel to the grain. Using a sledgehammer or other tool hammered onto the flat end, the wedge is forced deeper into the log until the force splits the timber.One of three wedges cut from one piece of steel. Blacksmith made.churchill island, wedge, wood splitting -
Churchill Island Heritage Farm
Tool - wedge, blacksmith made
... An agricultural tool used by loggers, or farmers, the log... An agricultural tool used by loggers, or farmers, the log splitting wedge ...An agricultural tool used by loggers, or farmers, the log splitting wedge has been used for thousands of years and was originally made from stone. They were either driven straight into the wood or into a previously made incision with the blade parallel to the grain. Using a sledgehammer or other tool hammered onto the flat end, the wedge is forced deeper into the log until the force splits the timber.one of three wedges cut from the same piece of steel. No relief groovestimber splitting, churchill island heritage farm, olinda, shady creek, wedge -
Kiewa Valley Historical Society
Scythe
... Used as an agricultural hand tool for mowing grass...Used as an agricultural hand tool for mowing grass ...Used as an agricultural hand tool for mowing grass or harvesting crops. It is historically used to cut down or reap edible grains, before the process of threshing. Replaced by horse drawn and then tractor machinery. Used by the early farmers in the Kiewa Valley.The steel blade is curved with a pointy end. It is attached to a long, slim wooden shaft with a slight S curve. It has 2 handles, one about half way along the shaft and another near the top both at right angles to the shaft. This results in the handles being on slightly different planes and makes it comfortable for the user when working. scythe, hand tool, mowing, harvesting -
Clunes Museum
Document - INVOICE, JULY 1880
... , AND UNDERTAKER, AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENTS, MINING TOOLS, ECT...., PLATED GOODS, CUTLERY, UPHOLSTERERS, AND UNDERTAKER, AGRICULTURAL ...PORTION OF INVOICE - GEORGE CHAPMAN, CLUNES. TIMBER MERCHANT, BUILDER IRONMONGER, PLATED GOODS, CUTLERY, UPHOLSTERERS, AND UNDERTAKER, AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENTS, MINING TOOLS, ECT.DETAILED INVOICE TO MEF WILKINSON & PARTY. PURCHASED FROM GEORGE CHAPMAN & CO.CLUNES. MINING SUPPLIES EG CANDLES, PICK HANDLES, FUSE, ROPE, DYNAMITE, HANDSAW ECT.local history, commerce, book keeping, mining, george chapman -
Churchill Island Heritage Farm
Tool - SICKLE
... A Sickle is an agricultural hand tool used for harvesting... is an agricultural hand tool used for harvesting or reaping grain crops using ...A Sickle is an agricultural hand tool used for harvesting or reaping grain crops using the sharp blade in a swinging or hacking motion. It was also used for cutting back forage and other plant growth. They have been used since early Iron Age times and many examples have been found in the Middle East dating back 18,000 to 8,000 BC. This is a bagging hook – a type of larger and heavier sickle used mainly for harvesting of grain. It continued to be used after industrialisation and the implementation of the mechanical reaper. Designed to be used by the right hand, its age is unknown. Right handed sickle. Blade painted black. Handle varnishedsickle, harvesting, churchill island heritage farm -
Churchill Island Heritage Farm
Tool - Sickle
... A Sickle is an agricultural hand tool used for harvesting... is an agricultural hand tool used for harvesting or reaping grain crops using ...A Sickle is an agricultural hand tool used for harvesting or reaping grain crops using the sharp blade in a swinging or hacking motion. It was also used for cutting back forage and other plant growth. They have been used since early Iron Age times and many examples have been found in the Middle East dating back 18,000 to 8,000 BC. This is a bagging hook – a type of larger and heavier sickle used mainly for harvesting of grain. It continued to be used after industrialisation and the implementation of the mechanical reaper. Designed by British manufacturing firm, Brades & Co, and made to be used by the left hand, its age is unknown. Left handed sickle. Blade painted black; handle varnished. Metal ferrule on handle. Hook on blade at handle endB?RADE? BRADER OZ?sickle, harvesting, churchill island heritage farm -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Tool - Scythe, 1930-1960
... A Scythe was one of the most important of all agricultural... Warrnambool great-ocean-road Scythe Tool Scythe with long wood Snath ...A Scythe was one of the most important of all agricultural hand tools, consisting of a curved blade fitted at an angle to a long, curved handle and used for cutting grain. In modern scythes the handle has a projecting peg that is grasped by one hand, facilitating control of the swinging motion by which grass and grain are cut. The exact origin of the scythe is unknown, but it was little used in the ancient world. It came into wide use only with agricultural developments of the Carolingian era (8th century AD) in Europe, when the harvesting and storing of hay became important to support livestock through winters. Scythes can still be found in use today by hobby farmers and permaculturists. ( producing food, by using ways that do not deplete the earth's natural resources) to cut grass in a more eco-friendly way as opposed to using a machine.A hand tool used for the cutting of crops and grain, modern versions are still being produced today in Europe. The subject item gives us a snapshot into agricultural practices in times past.Scythe with long wood Snath (curved handle) with 1 hand holding piece & curved blade. Noneflagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village -
City of Moorabbin Historical Society (Operating the Box Cottage Museum)
Tools, metal scythe, c1880
... A scythe is an agricultural hand tool for mowing grass... A scythe is an agricultural hand tool for mowing grass or reaping ...A scythe is an agricultural hand tool for mowing grass or reaping crops. It was largely replaced by horse-drawn and then tractor machinery. A scythe consists of a wooden shaft and a long, curved blade is mounted at the lower end, perpendicular. Scythes always have the blade projecting from the left side when in use. Mowing is done by holding the handle , with the arms straight, the blade parallel to the ground and very close to it, and the body twisted to the right. The body is then twisted steadily to the left, moving the scythe blade along its length in a long arc from right to left, ending in front of the mower, thus depositing the cut grass to the left. Mowing proceeds with a steady rhythm, stopping at frequent intervals to sharpen the blade. The correct technique has a slicing action on the grass, cutting a narrow strip with each stroke Mowing grass is easier when it is damp, and so hay-making traditionally began at dawn and often stopped early, the heat of the day being spent raking and carting the hay cut on previous daysEarly settlers and market gardeners used these scythes as they established their farms in Moorabbin Shire c1880A large metal scythe with a wooden handle x 2early settlers, pioneers, market gardeners, moorabbin, bentleigh, brighton, cheltenham, tools, blacksmiths -
Churchill Island Heritage Farm
Machine - Grain hopper/grinder
... to the design and manufacture of agricultural machinery and tools... and manufacture of agricultural machinery and tools with which his name ...This grinder is attached to the Sundial stationary engine by a leather belt. The grinder would have been used to grind grain for flour and by adjustment for animal and poultry feed. The hopper is constructed of wood but the grinding mechanism below is marked J. Buncle, Iron Works, N. Melbourne. John Buncle (1822 – 1889) was born in Edinburgh and completed an apprenticeship in engineering and piano making. He worked with firms designing steam engines and locomotives and in 1846 was working in the Vulcan foundry when he married Mary Ann Binns, the daughter of his employer. They had eleven children of whom eight survived infancy. The family arrived in Melbourne in 1852 at the height of the gold rush and he was immediately employed at Langlands foundry. Melbourne had an acute shortage of skilled tradesmen so after six months he started his own business using his various talents. As the gold rush subsided, he settled in to engineering and contracting and among other things, supplied the iron work for the Johnston Street bridge over the Yarra River. Gradually he turned to the design and manufacture of agricultural machinery and tools with which his name is chiefly associated. With his iron works in North Melbourne he was held in high esteem by his contemporaries, becoming the President of the Chamber of Manufacturers and serving two terms as Mayor of the Municipality of Hotham. He wrote Experiences of a Victorian Manufacturer with amusing anecdotes of conditions in early Melbourne. The company became J.Buncle & Son and finally in 1952, John Buncle-Commando Ltd. It finally went into liquidation in February 1957. Yellow wooden hopper on black grinder with blue parts mounted on green stand. Attached by belt drive to Sundial enginefarm machinery, grain grinder, hopper, machine driven, churchill island -
Sunshine and District Historical Society Incorporated
D324 WRENCH - H. V. McKay, H. V. McKay Pty. Ltd, Early 1900's
... This type of wrench or spanner was used as a service tool... tool for H. V. McKay Pty. Ltd. manufactured agricultural ...This type of wrench or spanner was used as a service tool for H. V. McKay Pty. Ltd. manufactured agricultural machinery. This specific tool belonged to Albert (Bert) Montgomery of 11 Kamarooka St, Albion. Bert Montgomery was born in Sunshine and in 1910 was apprenticed as a carpenter with Sunshine Harvester Works, where he worked as a wood machinist. On 19 August 1914, while still an apprentice, he enlisted in the First AIF. He left McKay's and started business as a builder probably just prior to WW2. After the war he joined the Shire of Braybrook as Assistant Building Surveyor until he retired. In 1962 Bert and his friend Jack Causon (proprietor of an Anderson Road second hand store that previously was Les James grocery) were on a fishing trip to Lake Tooliorook (aka Ettrick) near Lismore, Victoria. Their boat capsized and both fishermen were drowned. Bert was a Past President of Sunshine RSL and at that time it was reported that his funeral was the largest that Sunshine had seen. The information about Bert Montgomery was supplied by a Committee member of the Sunshine & District Historical Society Inc. who spoke to Montgomery's daughter, who also donated the tool. This tool serves as a reminder of the large H. V. McKay agricultural manufacturing works that once existed in Sunshine. The tool is associated with the works, and the design is significant enough for images of the tool to be used in an artistic mural, which is painted on the Eastern Pillar of the new H. V. McKay Footbridge in Sunshine, Victoria 3020.Curved double ended rusty cast iron wrench with 4 open slots plus 2 closed slots'H V McKAY' on one side and 'D324' on the reverse sideh. v. mckay pty. ltd, d324, d324 wrench, d324 spanner, agricultural spanner, antique wrench, agricultural tool, albert montgomery, jack causon, lake tooliorook -
City of Moorabbin Historical Society (Operating the Box Cottage Museum)
Tool - Farm Machinery, Horse-drawn Furrow Plough, Early 20th Century
Late 1800s-early 1900s A horse-drawn furrow plough is an example of the type of farm implement widely used by pioneer market gardeners in the Moorabbin Shire following 'Dendy's Special Survey' of 1841 and the Crown Land Sale in 1852. Land allotments were bought by pioneer settlers who established or rented allotments for market gardens in the area. They supplied produce to the markets in St Kilda and Melbourne. During the gold-rush of the 1850s the rapidly increasing population of Melbourne saw a huge demand and a rise in prices for all foodstuffs, including the vegetables and fruit grown in the Shire of Moorabbin. This heralded a time of prosperity for market gardeners, and an equally rapid expansion of the numbers of vegetable and produce growers in the area. The 'knock-on effect" resulted in an increased interest and development of the community in the Shire of Moorabbin.Following 'Dendy's Special Survey' of 1841 and the Crown Land Sale in 1852, land allotments were bought by pioneer settlers who established or rented allotments for market gardens in the area and they supplied produce to the markets in St Kilda and Melbourne. During the gold-rush of the 1850s the rapidly increasing population of Melbourne saw a huge demand and a rise in prices for all foodstuffs, including the vegetables and fruit grown in the Shire of Moorabbin. Circa late 1800's to early 1900s. A horse-drawn furrow plough was the most common type of agricultural implement used by the pioneers of the 1800s and continued on into the 1940s when motorised tractors came into use. This plough is an example of a two furrow, mullboard plough which would most likely have been pulled by two horses. The long handle was used to lower the silver plates, (mullboards), to the chosen depth of soil. Painted yellow. Although this Box Cottage museum plough is unbranded, the most widely used plough in the Shire of Moorabbin was made by Oliver. This plough appears to be identical to that brand. brighton, moorabbin, pioneers, fruit, bentleigh, vineyards, vegetables, plough, market gardens, plow -
City of Moorabbin Historical Society (Operating the Box Cottage Museum)
Tools, bale hook small, c1900
A hook as a hand tool is used for securing and moving loads. It consists of a round wooden handle with a strong metal hook projecting at a right angle from the centre of the handle. The appliance is held in a closed fist with the hook projecting between two fingers. This type of hook is used in many different industries, and has many different names. It may be called a box hook, cargo hook, loading hook, or a docker's hook, and a baling hook, bale hook, or hay hook in the agricultural industry. Other variants exist, such as in forestry, for moving logs, and a type with a long shaft, used by city workers to remove manhole covers. A hay hook is slightly different in design in that the shaft is typically longer. It is used on farms to secure and move bales of hay, which are otherwise awkward to pick up manually. A small bale hook with a wooden handle and 2 curved steel hooks pioneers, early settlers, market gardeners, moorabbin, bentleigh, cheltenham, brighton, tools, craftsman, carpenters, , blacksmiths, builders, farmers, graziers, wool bales, hay bales, -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Equipment - Standard measure, Mid to late 19th Century
The beginning of standardised weights and measures began In Victoria when the Melbourne Observatory received sets of standard weights and measures, which had been tested in Britain against the then British Imperial standards. These included the primary standard yard and pound for the Colony of Victoria. Other standards of weights and measure held by shires and the administrative body's within the colony could then be compared to these primary standards. A Weights and Measures Act was passed in Victoria in 1862, establishing local inspectors throughout the colony. By the 1870s each local council and shire in Victoria held a set of standards that were used to test scales, weights and dry measures used by wholesalers, factories and shops. Every ten years the councils’ standards would themselves need to be rechecked against the Victorian Standards. The checking was done by the Victorian Customs Department in the 19th century, but with the transfer of responsibility for customs to the Federal Government in 1901, weights and measures function was retained by the Victorian Government and was shifted to the Melbourne Observatory. In 1904, a new building was erected at the south end of the Great Melbourne Telescope House, where the standard weights and measures and testing equipment was installed. This room had a large whirling apparatus for testing air meters and became known as the Whirling Room. When the Melbourne Observatory closed in 1944, the Weights and Measures Branch was formed to continue and this branch remained at the Observatory site unit until 1995. J & M Ewan History: J&M Ewan was a Melbourne firm that began by selling retail furniture and wholesale ironmongery. They had substantial warehouses situated at the intersection of 81-83 Elizabeth and Little Collins Streets, the business was established by James M Ewan in 1852. Shortly afterwards he went into partnership with William Kerr Thomson and Samuel Renwick. When Ewan died in 1868 his partners carried on and expanded the business under his name J & M Ewan. 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 that consisted of agriculture equipment, building materials, mining items as well as steam engines, tools of all types and marble fireplaces. They also supplied the Bronze measuring containers in the Flagstaff Hill collection and the probability is that these containers were obtained by the local Melbourne authority that monitored weights and measures in the mid to late 19th century. 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. The company also serviced the Mauritius islands and the pacific area with their steamship the Suva and a brig the Shannon. Robert Bate History: Robert Brettell Bate (1782-1847) was born in Stourbridge, England, one of four sons of Overs Bate, a mercer (a dealer in textile fabrics, especially silks, velvet's, and other fine materials)and banker. Bate moved to London, and in 1813 was noticed for his scientific instrument making ability through the authority of the “Clockmakers Company”. Sometime in the year 1813 it was discovered that one Robert Brettell Bate, regarded as a foreigner in London had opened a premises in the Poultry selling area of London. He was a Mathematical Instrument maker selling sundials and other various instruments of the clock making. In 1824, Bate, in preparation for his work on standards and weights, leased larger premises at 20 and 21 Poultry, London, at a rental of four hundred pounds per annum. It was there that Bate produced quality metrological instruments, which afforded him the recognition as one of one of the finest and principal English metrological instrument-makers of the nineteenth century. English standards at this time were generally in a muddle, with local standards varying from shire to shire. On 17 June 1824, an Act of Parliament was passed making a universal range of weights, measures, and lengths for the United Kingdom, and Bate was given the job of crafting many of the metrological artifacts. He was under instruction from the renown physicist Henry Kater F.R.S. (1777-1835) to make standards and to have them deposited in the principal cities throughout the United Kingdom and colonies. Bate experimented with tin-copper alloys to find the best combination for these items and by October 1824, he had provided Kater with prototypes to test troy and avoirdupois pounds, and samples with which to divide the troy into grams. Bate also cast the standard for the bushel, and by February 1825, had provided all the standards required of him by the Exchequer, Guildhalls of Edinburgh, and Dublin. In 1824, he also made a troy pound standard weight for the United States, which was certified for its accuracy by Kater and deposited with the US Mint in 1827. Kater, in his address to the Royal Society of London, acknowledged Bate's outstanding experimentation and craftsmanship in producing standards of weights, measures, and lengths. An example of a dry Bronze measuring container made specifically for J & M Ewan by possibly the most important makers of measurement artifacts that gives us today a snapshot of 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 & M Ewan and used in Victoria by the authorities who were given legal responsibility to ensure that wholesalers and retailers of dry goods sold in Victoria were correct. The container was a legal standard measure so was also used to test merchants containers to ensure that their distribution of dry goods to a customer was correct. Bronze round container with brass two handles used as a legal standard for measuring dry quantities & is a 'peck' measurement. "IMPERIAL STANDARD PECK" engraved around top of container with " VICTORIA" engraved under.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, standard measure, bronze, peck measurement, j & m ewan, victorian standard dry measurement, bronze container, victorian standards, melbourne observatory, robert bettell bate -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Equipment - Standard measure, Mid to Late 19th Century
The beginning of standardised weights and measures began In Victoria when the Melbourne Observatory received sets of standard weights and measures, which had been tested in Britain against the then British Imperial standards. These included the primary standard yard and pound for the Colony of Victoria. Other standards of weights and measure held by shires and the administrative body's within the colony could then be compared to these primary standards. A Weights and Measures Act was passed in Victoria in 1862, establishing local inspectors throughout the colony. By the 1870s each local council and shire in Victoria held a set of standards that were used to test scales, weights and dry measures used by wholesalers, factories and shops. Every ten years the councils’ standards would themselves need to be rechecked against the Victorian Standards. The checking was done by the Victorian Customs Department in the 19th century, but with the transfer of responsibility for customs to the Federal Government in 1901, weights and measures function was retained by the Victorian Government and was shifted to the Melbourne Observatory. In 1904, a new building was erected at the south end of the Great Melbourne Telescope House, where the standard weights and measures and testing equipment was installed. This room had a large whirling apparatus for testing air meters and became known as the Whirling Room. When the Melbourne Observatory closed in 1944, the Weights and Measures Branch was formed to continue and this branch remained at the Observatory site unit until 1995. J & M Ewan History: J&M Ewan was a Melbourne firm that began by selling retail furniture and wholesale ironmongery. They had substantial warehouses situated at the intersection of 81-83 Elizabeth and Little Collins Streets, the business was established by James M Ewan in 1852. Shortly afterwards he went into partnership with William Kerr Thomson and Samuel Renwick. When Ewan died in 1868 his partners carried on and expanded the business under his name J & M Ewan. 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 that consisted of agriculture equipment, building materials, mining items as well as steam engines, tools of all types and marble fireplaces. They also supplied the Bronze measuring containers in the Flagstaff Hill collection and the probability is that these containers were obtained by the local Melbourne authority that monitored weights and measures in the mid to late 19th century. 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. The company also serviced the Mauritius islands and the pacific area with their steamship the Suva and a brig the Shannon. Robert Bate History: Robert Brettell Bate (1782-1847) was born in Stourbridge, England, one of four sons of Overs Bate, a mercer (a dealer in textile fabrics, especially silks, velvet's, and other fine materials)and banker. Bate moved to London, and in 1813 was noticed for his scientific instrument making ability through the authority of the “Clockmakers Company”. Sometime in the year 1813 it was discovered that one Robert Brettell Bate, regarded as a foreigner in London had opened a premises in the Poultry selling area of London. He was a Mathematical Instrument maker selling sundials and other various instruments of the clock making. In 1824, Bate, in preparation for his work on standards and weights, leased larger premises at 20 and 21 Poultry, London, at a rental of four hundred pounds per annum. It was there that Bate produced quality metrological instruments, which afforded him the recognition as one of one of the finest and principal English metrological instrument-makers of the nineteenth century. English standards at this time were generally in a muddle, with local standards varying from shire to shire. On 17 June 1824, an Act of Parliament was passed making a universal range of weights, measures, and lengths for the United Kingdom, and Bate was given the job of crafting many of the metrological artifacts. He was under instruction from the renown physicist Henry Kater F.R.S. (1777-1835) to make standards and to have them deposited in the principal cities throughout the United Kingdom and colonies. Bate experimented with tin-copper alloys to find the best combination for these items and by October 1824, he had provided Kater with prototypes to test troy and avoirdupois pounds, and samples with which to divide the troy into grams. Bate also cast the standard for the bushel, and by February 1825, had provided all the standards required of him by the Exchequer, Guildhalls of Edinburgh, and Dublin. In 1824, he also made a troy pound standard weight for the United States, which was certified for its accuracy by Kater and deposited with the US Mint in 1827. Kater, in his address to the Royal Society of London, acknowledged Bate's outstanding experimentation and craftsmanship in producing standards of weights, measures, and lengths. An example of a dry Bronze measuring container made specifically for J & M Ewan by possibly the most important makers of measurement artefacts that gives us today a snapshot of 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 & M Ewan and used in Victoria by the authorities who were given legal responsibility to ensure that wholesalers and retailers of dry goods sold in Victoria were correct. The container was a legal standard measure so was also used to test merchants containers to ensure that their distribution of dry goods to a customer was correct.Maker Possibly Robert Brettell Blake or De Grave, Short & Co Ltd both of LondonContainer brass round for measuring quantities- Has brass handles & is a 'Bushel' measurement. 'Imperial Standard Bushel Victoria' engraved around container. Container bronze round shape for measuring dry quantities has brass handles & is a 'Bushel' measurement"IMPERIAL STANDARD BUSHEL" engraved around the top of the container. VICTORIA engraved under "J & M Ewan & Co London and Melbourne" engraved around the bottom of the container.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, standard measure, bushel, bushel measurement, j & m ewan, dry measurement, victorian measurement standard, bronze container, melbourne observatory, robert brettell bate -
Orbost & District Historical Society
box of documents, 1984 - 1995
This report is an analysis of regional strengths and challenges. It is research to assess the need for and impact of infrastructure investment in different parts of regional and rural Victoria. This set of documents is a useful research tool.A cardboard box of documents related to Gippsland Regional Profile. It contains reports on social indicators, industries, poulation, areas, assets and resources, agriculture, coal,manufacturing and forestry.gippsland-region industry-gippsland agriculture-gippsland population-gippsland resources-gippsland -
Learmonth and District Historical Society Inc.
Medal - Australia 150th, Medal - Australia's 150th Anniversary, 1938
This medal commemorates the 150 years of Australia and the first govenor of Australia, Arthur Phillip, he arrived with the First Fleet along with 729 convicts.Celebrates the 150th of Australia and the first govenor of Australia, Arthur Phillip. 1788 - 1938This medal was struck in 1938 to commemorate the 150th anniversary of British settlement of Australia. It depicts Australia standing with the sun behind her head. At her feet kneel two men, one representing industry (with tools, city buildings and shipping) and the other representing agriculture (with sheep, fruit, silos and an aircraft). It is a round medal which is silver plated.Obverse - Australia standing with front arms raised, sun behind her head, men representing industry and agriculture kneel at her feet, biplane in sky on right, tall building on left; inscribed with "Australia's 150th Anniversary 1938 and the initials C.E on the lower left. Reverse - Figure of Govenor Arthur Phillip standing on the shore, left rocks with the makers name, Amor, in the background is a ship on the left, right hill with trees and a long boat with a sailor, under this the letters C.E.australia 150th, govenor arthur phillip -
Orbost & District Historical Society
Tool - Maize tool
This small hand-held tool was used in the maize industry in Murrungowar (Orbost District) during 1900-1960s. Prior to machine harvesting coming about in the 1960s, each cob of maize had to picked by hand using this tool. Maize growing was a huge industry in the Orbost district and the job of picking the maize involved hand labour by many employees. This small hand-tool would have been common, but is now rare. This particular tool was owned and used by Nelson Northrope (Orbost) in the early 20th Century and used at Murrungowar by Frances Eilman (nee Somerville). A highly significant small hand tool associated with the maize industry. This item is rare. A small hand-held metal and leather tool. A metal 'knife' has a curved shape and is attached to 2 leather straps which are connected by a small buckle. maize growing, agriculture, orbost district -
Orbost & District Historical Society
silage knife, c. early 20th Century
Used in the farming industry around Orbost to cut silage or hay. Used to cut compacted hay or silage prior to the baling of hay or silage, until the late 1940s.A typical tool from the Orbost farming industry pre 1950.A large coarsely serrated flat metal blade set with two wooden handles.silage-knife agricultural-implemement