Object. Curved brass bar with circular disc at one end. L shaped piece (broken at end) attached in centre by rivet - moveable. At either end are circular flat discs - one attached by a rivet, the other by a piece of wire - both moveable. Possibly part of a set of scales.history, australian, brass object

Albion Mill Whistle – 'The whistle signalled the changes in shifts and Geelong residents regulated their lives by it.' – exhibition label, In the FactoryCylindrical shaped brass object mounted on a wooden base.Printed: STEAM WHISTLE / ALBION WOOLLEN MILLS 1869 - 1964instruments, pressure gauge, albion mill, dane taylor & co pty ltd, south melbourne, geelong, wool industry

Scarifiers were traditionally used for blood letting, and in folk medicine for the practice of cupping. Spring loaded knives cut the skin, then a warmed metal or glass cup is placed over the cuts. As the air inside the cup cools, it creates a vacuum drawing out the "bad" blood. The process is also related to the ancient medical theory of "humors". This theory dates back to the Hippocratic tradition and persisted through to the mid-19th Century. According to this theory, the body had four "humors", "airs" or "elements" which neeed to be kept in balance. Any imbalance could cause illness and this was often explained in terms of excess fluids. One prescribed treatment was to remove the excess blood which would restore the balance.Square, solid brass object with lever to release blades underneath.Etched on side: Mundy / Londonmetal, blades, bloodletting

Used in the Albion Mill to determine the pressure in the departments requiring steam such as the boiler and dyeing rooms. Circular brass object with black hand painted text and numbers, and a central dial. Printed: PRESSURE / GAUGE / LBS. PER INCH. DANE TAYLOR & Co. Pty. Ltd. / MELBOURNE [on base]: 277828instruments, pressure gauge, albion mill, dane taylor & co pty ltd, south melbourne, geelong, wool industry

Brass object with circular ring attached to stand with decorative base. Decorative fish as the support arm. Length 9" Width 5".flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village

Heavy metal object from a wreck, possibly Loch Ard. Ornate brass object. Piece of glass visible in concretion. Object has 5 feet.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village

The item is a kerosene marine ships lamp used onboard ships and smaller vessels for general lighting and navigation the subject lamp was made by a very well known maker R C Murray of Glasgow Scotland. During the research several different addresses were found but nothing on the founder or company history. It appears RC Murray made not only marine lamps but lamps for the railways as well. The company is listed in the Scottish Post Office Directories for 1885 to 1886 as manufacturing tinsmiths, lamp makers, coppersmiths, gas fitters, bell hangers and workers in sheet iron, zinc and brass at street numbers 7, 9 and 11 Carlton Court, Bridge St Glasgow. An additional address is at 37 Cavendish St Glasgow listed for 1910, and also at Pollokshaws Road. The writer assumes the company must have moved sometime between 1886 & 1910 to these addresses. The writer at this time cannot ascertain any more historical information regarding the company or its founder, however, lamps made by RC Murray are now collector's items commanding significant sale prices on many auction websites.A significant item used in the marine industry on many ships, the company made kerosene lamps for other industries as well and was a well-known company in the early part of the 20th century.Marine kerosene ships lamp, round copper handle on top and side top is hinged with catch and lever, protruding near top.Inscribed "RC Murray and Co Limited" "Pollokshaws Road Glasgow S.1." flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, lamp, lantern, brass lamp, nautical object

This object was used to light gas burners, lamps, lights etc. The tapers were used to light a burner that was hard to reach. It may also have been used in a church to light candles. This taper and matches holder has no known local significance but is an attractive object and will be useful for display.This is a brass object made in two parts – a rectangular container holding six wax tapers and a squat jar-shaped container for holding matches. The match holder is welded to the taper holder. The tapers are bent or broken in several places. The taper holder has a hinged lid with a brass top. The match holder has an embedded shell-shaped emblem. social history, warrnambool history, metal candle taper

This is a two part brass cylindrical object. The two pieces slide apart a small distance. This mechanism when operated removes a cap from the wick. On the side is a square, long section that holds a flint & string. On the tip of this section is a circular wheel with a serrated edge. When the inner section is slid down a little, the flame is shielded from the wind by the holes in the outer section. There is a ring mounted in the bottom., Engraved on one side are the letters CFA. Engraved on side of square section is "Patent 91 105107". On other side of square section are the words "Made in Austria". Pat 105107cigarette lighter, souvenir, smoking

Brass mushroom shaped object. The stalk end has a split in the bottom like an old peg. The top of the marker has 50 pound penalty for interference on it. It looks as though several words have been chipped off or out from the middle of the top. Look to be ' Survey Mark'Penalty 50 for interferencesurvey, surveying tool, land, marker

In the 19th century, the Industrial Revolution meant that shipbuilders could build ships using iron. These iron ships could be much larger, with more space for cargo, and they didn't need as much work to keep them in good condition. Isambard Kingdom Brunel's "Great Britain" built in 1843, was the first ship to be built entirely of wrought iron. In the 1880's steel began to be used instead of iron. Ships also began to be fitted with steam engines, although a great deal of coal was needed to travel even short distances. For this reason, ships continued to be fitted out with sails even though many came with engines. The iron-hulled, four-masted barque, the Falls of Halladale, was a bulk carrier of general cargo. She left New York in August 1908 on her way to Melbourne and Sydney. In her hold, along with 56,763 tiles of unusual, beautiful green American slates (roofing tiles), 5,673 coils of barbed wire, 600 stoves, 500 sewing machines, 6500 gallons of oil, 14400 gallons of benzene, and many other manufactured items, were 117 cases of crockery and glassware. Three months later and close to her destination, a navigational error caused the Falls of Halladale to be wrecked on a reef off the Peterborough headland at 3 am on the morning of the 15th of November, 1908. The captain and 29 crew members all survived, but her valuable cargo was largely lost, despite two salvage attempts in 1908-09 and 1910. ABOUT THE ‘FALLS OF HALLADALE’ (1886 - 1908): - Built: in1886 by Russell & Co., Greenock shipyards, River Clyde, Scotland, UK. The company was founded in 1870 (or 1873) as a partnership between Joseph Russell (1834-1917), Anderson Rodger and William Todd Lithgow. During the period 1882-92, Russell & Co. standardised designs, which sped up their building process so much that they were able to build 271 ships over that time. In 1886, they introduced a 3000-ton class of sailing vessel with auxiliary engines and brace halyard winches. In 1890, they broke the world output record. Owner: Falls Line, Wright, Breakenridge & Co, 111 Union Street, Glasgow, Scotland. Configuration: Four-masted sailing ship; iron-hulled barque; iron masts, wire rigging, fore & aft lifting bridges. Size: Length 83.87m x Breadth 12.6m x Depth 7.23m, Gross tonnage 2085 ton Wrecked: the night of 14th November 1908, Curdies Inlet, Peterborough, south west Victoria Crew: 29 The Falls of Halladale was a four-masted sailing ship built in 1886 in Glasgow, Scotland, for the long-distance cargo trade and was mostly used for Pacific grain trade. She was owned by Wright, Breakenridge & Co of Glasgow and was one of several Falls Line ships, all of which were named after waterfalls in Scotland. The lines flag was of red, blue and white vertical stripes. The Falls of Halladale had a sturdy construction built to carry maximum cargo and was able to maintain full sail in heavy gales, one of the last of the ‘windjammers’ that sailed the Trade Route. She and her sister ship, the Falls of Garry, were the first ships in the world to include fore and aft lifting bridges. Previous to this, heavily loaded vessels could have heavy seas break along the full length of the deck, causing serious injury or even death to those on deck. The new, raised catwalk-type decking allowed the crew to move above the deck in stormy conditions. This idea is still used today on the most modern tankers and cargo vessels and has proved to be an important step forward in the safety of men at sea. On 4th August 1908, with new sails, 29 crew, and 2800 tons of cargo, the Falls of Halladale left New York, bound for Melbourne and Sydney via the Cape of Good Hope. The cargo on board was valued at £35,000 and included 56,763 tiles of American slate roofing tiles (roof slates), 5,673 coils of barbed wire, 600 stoves, 500 sewing machines, 6,500 gallons of oil, 14,400 gallons of benzene, plumbing iron, 117 cases of crockery and glassware and many other manufactured items. The Falls of Halladale had been at sail for 102 days when, at 3 am on the night of 14th November 1908, under full sail in calm seas with a six knots breeze behind and misleading fog along the coast, the great vessel rose upon an ocean swell and settled on top of a submerged reef near Peterborough on the south-west Victoria’s coast. The ship was jammed on the rocks and began filling with water. The crew launched the two lifeboats and all 29 crew landed safely on the beach over 4 miles away at the Bay of Islands. The postmistress at Peterborough, who kept a watch for vessels in distress, saw the stranding and sent out an alert to the local people. A rescue party went to the aid of the sailors, and the Port Campbell rocket crew was dispatched, but the crew had all managed to reach shore safely by the time help arrived. The ship stayed in full sail on the rocky shelf for nearly two months, attracting hundreds of sightseers who watched her slowly disintegrate until the pounding seas and dynamiting by salvagers finally broke her back, and her remains disappeared back into deeper water. The valuable cargo was largely lost, despite two salvage attempts in 1908-09 and 1910. Further salvage operations were made from 1974-1986, during which time 22,000 slate tiles were recovered with the help of 14 oil drums to float them, plus personal artefacts, ship fittings, reams of paper and other items. The Court of Marine Inquiry in Melbourne ruled that the foundering of the ship was entirely due to Captain David Wood Thomson’s navigational error, not too technical failure of the Clyde-built ship. The shipwreck is a popular site for divers, about 300m offshore and in 3 – 15m of water. Some of the original cargo can be seen at the site, including pieces of roof slate and coils of barbed wire. This particular artefact was one of many found by John Laidlaw (a local Warrnambool diver) when diving on the Falls of Halladale in the 1960's. In August 1973, John Laidlaw and Stan McPhee went on to discover the underwater location of the Schomberg - a passenger ship that ran aground on December 26th 1855 near Peterborough and which now lies in almost 9 metres of water. When John Laidlaw died, his family donated a number of artefacts to Flagstaff Hill. The brass finial may have been part of a larger decorative item such as a lamp or clock bracket.This item is significant as it was taken from the Falls of Halladale shipwreck which is listed on the Victorian Heritage Register (No. S255). She was one of the last ships to sail the Trade Routes. She is one of the first vessels to have fore and aft lifting bridges. She is an example of the remains of an International Cargo Ship and also represents aspects of Victoria’s shipping industry. The wreck is protected as a Historic Shipwreck under the Commonwealth Historic Shipwrecks Act (1976)A brass, bell-shaped object with a body approximately 3 cm high. It has an outer lip, straight sides that taper in and a flat "cap". The inside of the object is plain with evidence of vertigris. It has a decorative topping almost 2 cm high, which has a double concave hollow neck.flagstaff hill, flagstaff hill divers, flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, great ocean road, warrnambool, falls of halladale, falls of halladale wreck, shipwreck artefact, artefact, brass artefact, brass finial, brass fitting, shipwreck coast, diver, john laidlaw, finial, brass decoration, handmade

Object. Brass coloured medal with hole drilled at top with suspension ring. Obverse: Around edge ''FIELD MARSHALL LORD ROBERTS V.C.'' Picture of Frederick Sleigh Roberts in Uniform. British Commander in the Boer War. Reserve: Around edge ''BRITISH TRANSVAAL WAR 1900''. Picture of Queen Victoria.numismatics, medals - military, boer war medal

Object. Brass collar badge for Australian Field Artillery (Militia) 1901-1912. Brooch style attachment device on back. Badge in shape of a bomb with flames coming out of top. Bomb surrounded by a laurel wreath. Imprinted on the bomb is a wheeled cannon. A banner beneath the bomb has the word ''AUSTRALIA''.numismatics, badges - military, artillery collar badge

Object. Brass lapel badge of the AUSTRALIAN COMMONWEALTH MILITARY FORCES with two loops plus hair pin fastener. Badge has the emblem of the Rising Sun and a crown, with three banners underneath. "AUSTRALIAN COMMONWEALTH MILITARY FORCES''. This is the third pattern of the Rising Sun Badge. It was used between 1904-1949.numismatics, badges - military, military forces badge

Object. Brass coloured metal medal with suspension ring attached at crest. Obverse: Overlapping profiles of King George V and Queen Mary. Around the edges '' KING GEORGE V & QUEEN MARY''. Reverse: In centre State of Victoria Coat of Arms. Around the edge ''To COMMEMORATE THEIR MAJESTIES CORONATION JUNE 22 1911''.numismatics, medals - commemorative, coronation medal

Object. Brass hat badge of the Australian Commonwealth Military Forces with a slider bar. This badge was used by the Light Horse to slide onto the front of the puggaree on the slouch hat. Badge has the emblem of the Rising Sun and a crown, with three banners underneath, " AUSTRALIAN COMMONWEALTH MILITARY FORCES''. This is the third pattern of the Rising Sun badge. It was used between 1904-1949.numismatics, badges - military, military forces badge

Object. Brass coloured medal with 1.5 mm hole drilled near top edge. Obverse:Australian Coat of Arms. Kangaroo and emu have their heads turned. Engraved around edge. ''Promote Federation & Prosperity'', Underneath Coat of Arms ''1899''. Reverse: Laurel leaves around the edge. Map of Australia in the centre with ''1899''. Engraved around map ''Australia's Commonwealth''.numismatics, badges-commemorative, promote federation medal1899

This attractively patinated artefact was raised from the wreck site of the CHILDREN and was quite reasonably catalogued as a portion of a ship's porthole. This identification is unlikely, however, because the CHILDREN was built at Liverpool in 1824, and round portholes were not in common use until the 1850s. The catalogue identification has since been changed to "Ship's Fitting" Before the appearance of round portholes in the middle of the nineteenth century, the function of introducing light to lower decks was performed by square half-glassed ‘ports’ in the side of the hull (known as a port-sash), or ground-glass ‘bullseyes’ inserted in the deck (scuttles). In historical terms, ports were always square, cut into the timber originally to allow the firing of a ship's guns, and were closed in weather by a tight-fitting square hatch. Flagstaff Hill Shipwreck Museum has three portholes on display that illustrate the gradual development and adoption of circular brass portholes. First in sequence is a small 12.5cm diameter window (with a deep frame for thick wooden hulls) from the 1855 wreck of SCHOMBERG. The second and third are larger 25cm diameter windows (with a shallower frame for thinner iron hulls) from the 1892 wreck of the NEWFIELD and the 1908 wreck of the FALLS OF HALLADALE. Once the apparently obvious use of the brass object is discounted, an accurate and reliable alternative classification is difficult to specify. One artefact register notes it was ‘found in about the centre of the wreck site’. This would mitigate against the possibilities of (1) ‘horseshoe frame’ joining pieces of the keel and hull at the bow of the vessel, or (2) ‘deckseat’ for a binnacle at the stern. It may support the idea of a ‘head frame’ on a cooped companionway or a ‘deckseat’ for a mainmast pump. But this is only speculation. The actual identification is not known. The sip's fitting recovered from the Children's wreck is significant as part of the original fittings of the early 19th-century barque. The 1839 wreck and recovered artefacts are examples of the construction methods and materials used in that era and can be used to study the evolution of shipbuilding methods and principles. The wreck of the Children is of state significance as one of colonial Victoria’s earliest and most significant maritime disasters, and one of the first vessels lost in the Western District. This is recognised by its inclusion on the Victorian Heritage Register, VHR No. S116. Little is left on the seabed to mark the tragedy, apart from some of the house bricks intended for the Henty settlement. Ship's fitting, of heavy gauge brass circle, previously classified as a section of the ship's fitting, which was raised from the wreck of the Children. One end is broken off at an original bolt hole, and the other is severed or cut at an acute angle from the inner rim. The artefact is 6cm across and 1cm deep, indicating strength and function as a substantial and finished item of moulded metal. The upper face bears sedimentary accretion stained red/brown. The rear face has been gouged by hard or corrosive materials and bears brilliant blue/green oxidation.flagstaff hill, flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, warrnambool, maritime museum, maritime village, great ocean road, shipwreck coast, shipwreck artefact, children, childer’s cove, port campbell, 1839 shipwreck, james henty and co, henty brothers, captain h. browne, portland, portland bay, brass flange, brass rim, ship’s fitting

Object. Brass coloured metal medal with 1mm hole drilled in top edge. This medal was produced by the Borough of Eaglehawk to commemorate the Jubilee Year of Queen Victoria. George Willan was Mayor at the time. Obverse: Crowned and veiled profile head of Queen Victoria. Around edge ''VICTORIA'S JUBILEE 1887''. Reverse: Royal Coat of Arms above an eagle with outstretched wings with mullock heap to the left and factory to the right. Around the edge ''GEORGE WILLAN MAYOR''.numismatics, medals - commemorative, queen victoria jubilee medal 1887

A pair of scales or dishes in which objects to be weighed and the weights / masses against which to weigh them are placed is an "Apparatus for weighing. The pan, or each of the pans, of a balance." These common kitchen / dairy scales would be used by the householder to weigh flour, sugar, cereal, vegetables, fruit, meats, butter, cheese etc. prior to cooking or storing . Its parts include a fulcrum, a beam that balances on it, two pans at the ends of the beam to hold the materials to be weighed, and counter-balancing weights.Its parts include a fulcrum, a beam that balances on it, two pans at the ends of the beam to hold the materials to be weighed, and counter-balancing weights.. A set of steel weighing scales with a balance beam that holds 2 brass dishes in which are 7 brass weights. The object/ substance to be weighed is placed in 1 dish and the weights are added to the other dish until the two dishes balance equally on the beam. The base is engraved with '4 lbs' thus indicating that this set will balance up to that weight.scales 4 lbs ( 4 Pounds ) each weight is marked with its weight in Imperial Measure 1 0z = 1 ounce to 4lbmarket gardeners, early settlers, fruit vegetables, farmers, cooking, recipes, scales, weights, measures, brass, balance beam, moorabbin, cheltenham, bentleigh, kitchen scales, dairy products, cereals, wheat flour

Object. Brass coloured medal with a suspension piece and suspension ring on the crest. Obverse: Bendigo Town Hall, Below picture, ''J. B. EDWARDS''. Reverse: Around edge, ''Bendigo Juvenile & Industrial Exhibition 1886'', Engraved in centre ''FIRST AWARD MISS ELY HANDMADE SHIRT''. The Bendigo Juvenile and Industrial Exhibition was held in 1886. It was opened by the Governor. The exhibition was organized to encourage young people to engage in useful activities. The Picture Gallery had over 700 entries and impetus for the establishment of the Bendigo Art Gallery.numismatics, medals - civil, first award medal

Object. Brass coloured metal medal with 1mm hole drilled in the top edge. This coin was produced by the Borough of Eaglehawk to commemorate the 60th Jubilee Year of Queen Victoria. E.C.Brown was Mayor at the time. Obverse: In the centre overlapping profile of Queen Victoria at different ages. Around the edge ''QUEEN VICTORIA'S 60TH YEAR OF REIGN 1837 - 1897''. Reverse: Diamond outline around Royal Coat of Arms above an eagle with outstretched wings with mullock heap to the left and factory to the right . Around the edge ''EAGLEHAWK E.C. BROWN. MAYOR 1897''.numismatics, medals - commemorative, queen victoria's jubilee medal 1897

This object was used a shield to slide brass button through to enable them to be polished.They were a common object for those who wore military type uniforms with metal buttons The item belonged to John T Sizeland who was a member of the Warrnambool Urban Fire Brigade from 1940 through to 1977.This is an object which was commonly used by those in the military and those who wore uniforms with brass buttons. This item has strong provenance having belonged to John Sizeland who was a member of the Warrnambool Fire Brigade for over 30 years and was donated along with a number of associated fire brigade items. Long horse shoeshaped piece of copper with narrow slice three quarters through with rounded notch at the end.J Sizeland hammered into one end.warrnambool, button cleaner/protector, button cleaning shield, brass button, john t sizeland, brass button cleaning

These items come from the house "BIRCHWOOD" in Koroit Street, Warrnambool belonging to Dr. Angus and family. Dr. William Roy Angus (1901-1970) practised in Warrnambool from 1939 to 1970. In his later years Dr. Angus was an important ophthalmologist. He was prominent in Warrnambool in both medical and community affairs. The Angus home "BIRCHWOOD" at 214 Koroit Street (the site of the Warrnambool Police station today) was noted for its beautiful garden, lawns and croquet court and used as a meeting place and entertainment centre for vice-regal personnel and community organisations.These items are of considerable interest as they are connected to a well known doctor in Warrnambool and a notable house..1,.2,.3 These are three wooden door plates with a fine ridged front and a curved top and base. They have four holes to be used with nails to attach to the door. .4, .5 These are two wooden key hole covers with half spherical shapes at the top, ridging and carving towards a tapered base. .4 has a brass circular plate at the back with two small decorations protruding at the top. The screw attaching it to the front is broken..5 As for .4 but the brass section is missing and the screw is intact..2 East side door, front passage. .3 West side door dr. angus warrnambool, birchwood warrnambool, door plates, key hole covers, warrnambool, warrnambool history

This pan or pot is a heavy, but small object and does not seem to have been used in a kitchen or for cooking. It is more likely to have been used for decorative purposes, holding artificial flowers or a pot plant or it may have had some commercial use. This object has no known local provenance and is held because of its quality and its potential as a display itemThis is a brass open pan or pot, circular in shape, tapering to a larger shape at the top. A metal handle (copper?) is attached with metal studs and soldering to both ends of the top opening. The inside of the pan is discoloured and stained.vintage household objects, vintage pots

This is a pocket spring balance. It would have been used last century in our district by market gardeners, hawkers and other itinerant workers and possibly also used in some small businesses. In households it could also be useful for weighing jam fruit, vegetables etc. Spring balances are still in use today.This item is retained as an example of a spring balance manufactured 80 or more years ago.This is a set of spring balance scales. The spring is fixed at one end with a hook attached to hold an object to be weighed. The top end has a ring to hang the scales up. The spring mechanism is enclosed by a steel cover. The front scale face is made of brass and both this face and the rear spring casing are fastened by three rivets. On the front is a spring-loaded blade which has equally spaced scale markings next to it on one side. This item is much rusted. ‘Hughes Pocket Balance’ ‘Patent’ Scale Markings:- ‘0 to 25’ pocket spring balances, household items of the past., history of warrnambool

This is a mantel clock used probably in the dining room or lounge room of a house. It would have been a common item in a household in the 20th century and was often an heirloom passed down from grandparents. This type of clock is an attractive item and is still regarded as highly desirable today.This clock has no known local significance but is retained as an attractive and historical item and serves as an example of a high quality household object of the past. This is a black wooden clock with a rectangular base with ornamental metal corner pieces and two ornamental gilt metal patterns. The clock has an overhanging rectangular top with two gilt handles on the side. Also on the sides of the lock are two green inset faux columns with two metal ornaments in between. The brass mechanism at the back of the clock has four wheels. The clock face has a glass front, black numbers and metal hands. There is a strip of brass around the outside of the face. There are two key holes on the face. 'Sessions'warrnambool, mantel clock

Riding crops are used as a controlling mechanism by horse riders – to regulate the speed of the horse etc. This one was owned by J.C. Lumsden was a jockey in Warrnambool. JC Lumsden or John Calder Lumsden lived at 7 Nelson Street Warrnambool with his parents, father also JC Lumsden. John junior was an amateur jockey in 1950's and sixties and was also a distinguished show rider in "flag races"and the like, winning at local shows and the Melbourne Show. He was also a leading race horse trainer at Warrnambool. This item may well have been his fathers. Although we have no record of where this item came from the following information has recently been uncovered. JC Lumsden or John Calder Lumsden lived at 7 Nelson Street Warrnambool with his parents, father also JC Lumsden. John junior was an amateur jockey in 1950's and sixties and was also a distinguished show rider in "flag races"and the like, winning at local shows and the Melbourne Show. He was also a leading race horse trainer at Warrnambool. This item may well have been his fathers. This is a horse riding crop. It has a rounded wooden stick with interwoven material around one section and the remains of a string handle. The end of the stick has a leather tongue or keeper. There is a knob at the top end of the stick with a brass disc inserted with the name of the owner. The riding crop is much worn and stained. ‘J.C.Lumsden’ ‘Merck & Co.’ horse riding, history of warrnambool, john calder lumsden

These cash carriers were used in the Warrnambool business of Swintons Pty Ltd. They were manufactured by Lamson of U.S.A. William Lamson of Massachusetts, U.S.A. first patented cash carriers in 1882 and originally the cash balls were carried from counter to cashier via a wire and pulley system. These Swinton cash carriers were carried via pneumatic tubes. William and Ann Swinton migrated to Australia in 1854 and for a decade William Swinton worked as a builder and carpenter in the Warrnambool area, erecting many buildings, including the Wangoom Presbyterian Church. In 1865 he opened a store in Timor Street, Warrnambool, selling groceries, hardware, glassware and china. By 1888 the business was known as William Swinton and Sons. Branch stores were opened in Cudgee, Nullawarre, Wangoom, West Warrnambool and South Warrnambool. After William Swinton’s death his son Robert became the first managing director of Swintons Pty Ltd. In 1934 the business split, with George Swinton and Sons selling furnishings, clothing and glassware and Swintons Pty Ltd selling seeds, produce and hardware. Today the Swinton family still operates a furniture and bedding store in Timor Street. These cash carriers are of great interest firstly as a memento of business practices in the past and secondly because they were used in the Warrnambool business of Swintons Pty Ltd. The current Swinton business in Timor Street Warrnambool is the oldest family business in Warrnambool and, with the name Swinton associated with Timor Street businesses for 152 years, it is amongst the oldest family businesses in Australia. These are two cash carriers. They are brass cylinders made with a large opening at the top with an inner lining which can close over the opening. The cylinder has two wooden holders at each end attached to the brass with three metal screws at each end. The brass is somewhat rusted and the wooden ends are worn. These cash carriers were sent from the cash counter in a shop or business to the cashier via pneumatic tubes. ‘Lamson Patent’ ‘RCM/Lamson’ swinton family, warrnambool, history of warrnambool